Empress
Episode 22 - Decision 2

After the events of that morning the Imperial retinue returned first without Xiao Shi. Xiao Shi's decision pleased Zhao and called off the war. Now Zhao was sitting sweetly while enjoying his tea. He seemed to be enjoying her very much, his face was radiant.

" It seems that now the sun has moved" Huang Li whispered to Eunuch Han.

" What do you mean?" eunuch Han asked did not understand.

" You didn't see her? His Majesty's face looked extremely radiant, I think it looks like the Sun is now moving on his face"

Eunuch Han and Huang Li giggled together.

" What did you say Huang?" the ears of an Emperor should not be underestimated.

" There is no Your Majesty"

" Hmmm. What do you think of my decision?"

" The permission answered Your Majesty, but I don't think this is too rushed?" eunuch Han said.

" Why is that?"

" The ministers will of course reject him, Your Majesty. Seeing enough Concubines in the Palace, necessitated the selection of the Empress through several stages of selection, and also-"

" I'll explain it to them. After all this Princess Wang also fulfilled all the Qualifications to become an Empress"

" Sorry Your Majesty, Princess Wang does indeed meet all Qualifications, except for one" Huang Li argued.

" What is that?"

" His face..."

Huang Li clasped the sword with both of his hands in front of his body, and bowed his head in salute.

" I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but no one knows about his face. To become an Empress requires having a beautiful face"

" You're right, but this is my decision. I'll try to explain it to the ministers"

" Good Your Majesty, but what about the Queen Mother?"

" I'll also explain his eunuch."

" You don't have to explain His Majesty"

The arrival of the Empress Mother who had no notice made Zhao and the others shocked.

" Mom"

" Your Majesty"

Zhao approached his mother, and grabbed her hand. Grasping a hand that remains smooth in his or her age that is no longer young.

" Why didn't you tell me you were coming, Mother?

" Do I always have to tell when a mother wants to visit her child? Oh, forget it. What are you talking about?"

" I'm getting married" he said firmly.

" WHAT?! Who's woman?"

" Daughter Wang, I've decided. Because it's me-"

" My son, what happened to you. The decision to get married can't be that fast, you're not an ordinary person, you're an Emperor. What will the ministers say if you get married like this?"

" I'll explain it to them today mom. You don't have to worry."

" What makes you so sure of your decision, my son?"

Zhao beckoned his servants to come out to leave him with his mother. After the departure of the servants, Zhao walked over to the painting he had made after his return from the Wang Kingdom. A veiled woman with beautiful eyes that were very charming managed to make her smile. He touched the face of the woman in the painting. It was Wang Xiao Shi, painted based on the memories of the Emperor.

" I don't know mom. It's just that there's a sense in me to have it. I don't want to take her as a concubine to my palace, I want to take her as my wife, want to make my palace her home and her as her owner."

Imagining how the woman laughed made her face look so bright, it certainly did not escape the sight of the Queen Mother. He approached his son who was staring at a painting of a woman, he saw the woman in the painting, there was a different feeling when he saw it.

" I know this sounds really stupid Mom, but this is how I feel. I am the Emperor. All decisions are in my hands, how can the decision for me be in the hands of the Ministers"

" You're in love with my son?"

" Love? I don't know if it's love or not. Everything is still very faint, ma'am."

The Queen Mother recalled the words of Elder Ahn back then, could this be what she meant back then? If this was the answer then he could not refuse.

" Alright, I agree" the Emperor's eyes seemed to sparkle listening to his mother's words.

" Thank you, thank you!"

This woman in the painting, why was there such a strange feeling when I saw her? Could it be true that this is the one destined for my son? Why can't I not even agree to it, even I've never seen it. I hope my decision is correct, and I hope this woman is the one chosen by fate for my son.

the Queen Mother

*^*

The Wang Kingdom was hit by a sudden rush at this time, many of the servants paced back and forth and here. This news also spread quickly among the people, except for the conditions given by Xiao Shi. The people were happy with the news of the marriage between the Wang Kingdom and the Zhao Empire. That means they will not fight.

The pleasure of the people was inversely proportional to the Palace family.

" Am I dreaming right now? My daughter, our daughter is getting married to the Emperor? Good thing what my daughter has done before" King Wang kept muttering in disbelief. Although the emperor had many concubines, being able to marry the emperor and become empress was a gift from the heavens.

Although the previous King did not like the Emperor, but seeing how the Emperor agreed to all the terms of his daughter changed his view. He began to accept the Emperor slowly.

" Father, how should I face the Emperor later? He became my brother's husband? Oh God I'm so confused" Yan also couldn't sit quietly.

Amongst all, only Xiao Shi was sitting quietly.

No. gabe.

Not as calm as you can imagine, he daydreamed, not believing what was happening.

" Shi'er, what kind of model clothes do you want my daughter?" The queen carries a wide variety of models, from a variety of materials. The dreamy Xiao Shi instantly distracted her, as did the others.

" It's all good mom"

The Queen was disappointed with the response she received.

" Daughter, aren't you happy? "

Xiao Shi shook his head "I'm glad mom, I'm just still surprised."

The Queen's smile came back "So, which one do you want?"

" Whichever one, I believe my mother's choice is best for me. I'm going to my room"

Throughout his journey towards his room, Xiao Shi remained dreamy. His mind was blank at this moment, it had been several days that he was like this. I don't know why he's like this, but it feels like there's nothing he wants to do.

Seeing Xiao Shi lacking in spirit made Yuan and Feng Yue grieve, they were worried. Finally at night, Yuan decided to take Xiao Shi for a walk out, it had been a long time since they had come out after coming home from that wild forest.

" The atmosphere tonight is very beautiful" Xiao Shi said.

Now that they were walking around the market, ever since they exited Xiao Shi remained dreamy, this was all he said after 2 hours circling the city.

Bruuk!!!

Xiao Shi fell for hitting someone.

" Miss, are you okay?" ask the man who was hit by him. Xiao Shi looked at the man, then got up without taking the helping hand given to him.

The man looked at her, like he was fascinated. Of course it was nothing new, as they were the way earlier indeed the entire gaze led to Xiao Shi. The reason, at this moment, Xiao Shi was not wearing his veil. This was his custom if he went out of the palace secretly at night.

" Sir??" Xiao Shi waved his hands in front of the man's face.

" Ahh, why miss?"

" I'm sorry for not paying attention to the road"

" It's okay. Where are you two going?" his tan pointed at Xiao Shi and Yuan.

" We're just going for a walk. What about you?"

" You could say I'm stranded"

" Slacked?"

" yes. My horse had run amok before, he ran in an indiscriminate direction and brought me here."

" Where's your horse?"

" It's being treated, I want to take a walk to the market while waiting for it"

" Ah well, then enjoy your journey sir, we will-"

" Are you the people of this kingdom?"

" Well, why do you ask, is there something?"

" It just so happens. Since you guys are also just taking a walk what if we go together, I don't really know the area here, so you can accompany me and introduce this kingdom to me right?"

Xiao Shi briefly thought for a moment before he finally agreed to it. " Okay, sir, this way"

*^*

" Your Majesty, the Ministers have all gathered in the Hall" Kasim Han said.

" Is everything prepared? nothing left behind?" zhao asked to make sure.

" No Your Majesty, everything has been prepared" Eunuch Han replied.

" All right, let's go"

Zhao got up from his seat and headed towards the Hall.

" HIS MAJESTY EMPEROR ZHAO ENTERED THE HALL!!!"

The whole minister saluted.

" It's good to see you guys, I have good news and bad news for you" Zhao said.

The entire hall was whispering trying to guess what happened.

" My current return is bringing unprecedented results..."

" The Wang Kingdom did not succeed in my conquest" he continued

" Your Majesty, how is it possible? Your power is so great and powerful how could it fail to conquer a Kingdom" said the Advisor.

" It could have been an Advisor"

" His Majesty-"

" The next news is, because this whole land I already have. Then I will decide and choose someone to be my Empress"

" Your decision is very wise, Your Majesty, it is time we have a Mother. The Queen's bench has been empty so far, with the presence of an Empress it will strengthen your power" said the Minister of Defense.

" You look very confident Minister" Zhao said. He knew that these ministers would promote Grand Consort as empress.

" Of course, Your Majesty, we all know that we already have a Grand Concubine, and that happens to be my daughter. Which father will not be happy Your Majesty" said the minister with great confidence.

" You're right Minister, but unfortunately you're overconfident right now"

" I'm sorry, Your Majesty, I don't understand what you mean"

" I've chosen someone to be my Empress, but it's not from the Concubines"

" Your Majesty, how can you.." The Defense Minister was very surprised to hear the decision from the emperor. Not from the concubines? how come? who was the chosen woman? how good was the woman so that the emperor did not choose anyone among his concubines.

" I can be Minister, I can very much. This decision has been approved by the Queen Mother as well, so I hope you guys prepare everything well soon."

" But Your Majesty you already have a Grand Concubine, and she is very suitable to be your companion" said one of the Ministers.

" So you think my choice is unfounded?"

" I'm sorry for your kindness, Your Majesty, but I hope you can tell everyone who the woman you chose is" one of the ministers asked.

" She is the Princess of the Wang Kingdom, Princess Xiao Shi. I'm sure you've heard of it, considering its interference in Wang's progress is acknowledged by many"

Everyone confirmed the Emperor's words. Wang's daughter was well known by many people since her return. His meddling in Wang's progress was acknowledged and praised by many, and there were many more remarkable things about it. Of course she is suitable if elected Empress.

Seeing everyone seem to agree with it made the Minister of Defense growled.

" My decision has been unanimous and cannot be contested. If anyone opposes my decision then I will regard it as a form of rebellion, and there is no word of mercy for the rebels" the Emperor said.

The hall was silent, no one spoke.

" Secretary Luo, read my decision!!" her word.

Eunuch Han gave the scroll containing the decision to Luo's secretary. The head secretary received the scroll that Eunuch Han gave, and read it aloud as a result of an absolute decision.

" Jointly with all the conquered land, the election of the empress will be carried out in accordance with the existing qualifications and also with the approval of the Queen Mother. With this decision, all people, and all officials are expected to obey and accept this decision. Anyone who rejects this decision will be considered a rebel and exiled" Secretary Luo said loudly.

" I hope you obey my orders."

The entire minister saluted and no one else dared to argue.

" Your Majesty is wise!! May Your Majesty live long!!"

The entire palace echoed with that cry. The news of the Queen's determination was heard throughout the land, including to the ears of the concubines, stirring and making the entire Inner Palace gossip. The Grand Concubine who was predicted to become the Empress was not chosen at all by the Emperor.

Concubine Yun was currently in a hurry to meet her father, asking him the truth of the news he had heard.

" Dad, is this news true?" ask Concubine Yun.

Minister Yun nodded his head while exhaling a sigh of resignation.

" Wh-what?!! How could father? I'm Grand Concubine, I-"

" Maoer! I understand your feelings, but this is the Emperor's decision."

" No!! This can't!! The throne and the title of Empress are only for me! I will take mine by any means!!" |

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seriate........