Chapter 21: Daily life - 18
###Emperor Meng Tian's Perspective
In the morning assembly, Emperor Meng Tian received unexpected news: an envoy from the Li Dynasty had arrived, bearing a letter from Emperor Li. The letter proposed a political marriage between Emperor Li's daughter, Li Xiaoye, and Meng Tian's tenth prince, Meng Yi. Meng Tian's brows furrowed in disbelief. What kind of father would send his four-year-old daughter to marry into an enemy dynasty? His thoughts wandered to Li Xiaoye's situation—she and her mother were unloved by Emperor Li, essentially outcasts within the imperial family. The proposal seemed less about diplomacy and more about ridding himself of unwanted responsibility.
Still, Meng Tian had been searching for a suitable companion for his young son. He knew this could work in his favor. Meng Yi was a bright child, following Victor everywhere, learning through play and exploration. A friendship could blossom between Meng Yi and Li Xiaoye, one based on mutual respect and companionship. Love would follow in due time. Moreover, Meng Tian had no doubt that Emperor Li wouldn't be able to manipulate Li Xiaoye from afar. The child could be nurtured into a loyal figure within the Meng Dynasty, someone who could support Meng Yi when the time came for him to ascend the throne.
When the emperor presented the marriage proposal in court, murmurs of dissent briefly rippled through the room. But no one dared to oppose him outright; his reputation for decisiveness and foresight was well-established. The officials, despite their doubts, understood that the emperor's vast information network rarely failed him. They trusted his judgment and remained silent as Meng Tian issued the imperial decree: Li Xiaoye would become the fiancée of Prince Meng Yi, and arrangements were made to bring her into the palace.
###Li Xiaoye's Perspective
Li Xiaoye had never seen anything like it before. The little girl stood wide-eyed, watching a playful panda cub wander through the bamboo garden. It had only been a few hours since she arrived at the imperial palace, where she had been given quarters near Meng Yi's residence. Despite the weight of her journey and her fears, the sight of the panda brought a small joy that reminded her, if only briefly, of her childhood innocence.
As she watched the cub, a voice startled her. "Who are you, and what are you doing in my garden?"
Li Xiaoye turned to see a boy, taller than her, standing with his arms crossed. She opened her mouth to respond but found herself too shy to speak. Meng Yi, unimpressed with her silence, turned his attention to the panda, kneeling to feed it bamboo. Li Xiaoye watched him in awe, the momentary tension easing. She had never spoken to anyone her age in such a setting before. Her life in the Li palace had been one of isolation and hostility, where even her brothers and sisters treated her cruelly.
After feeding the panda, Meng Yi cast another glance at her. Still silent, he shrugged and left the garden to join Victor for lunch. Li Xiaoye remained, relieved but slightly disappointed. She watched him leave, thinking about how different he seemed from her siblings—more kind, more at ease.
###Meng Yi's Perspective
Later that afternoon, Meng Yi sat with Victor, listening as his elder spoke about the morning's assembly. "So, it's official," Victor said with a teasing smile, "you've got a fiancée now, Meng Yi."
Meng Yi froze mid-bite. "A what?" His mind raced as Victor handed him a decree from the emperor himself. He scanned the words quickly: Li Xiaoye, princess of the Li Dynasty, had been promised to him in marriage. His eyes widened in disbelief. Was this the same shy girl he had seen in the bamboo garden earlier that day?
Victor chuckled and patted Meng Yi on the back. "Good luck. You'll need it."
Later that evening, Meng Yi visited his grandmother, as was his daily routine. As soon as he entered her chamber, he noticed the same girl from the garden sitting quietly beside his grandmother, her wide eyes blinking in confusion.
"Ah, Meng Yi," his grandmother greeted him with a warm smile. "Come here, child. I want you to meet someone."
Meng Yi bowed respectfully before approaching his grandmother. His curiosity piqued as he glanced at Li Xiaoye, who seemed just as startled to see him. Before Meng Yi could ask anything, his grandmother gestured toward the girl.
"This is Li Xiaoye, your fiancée," she said gently. "She's come from the Li Dynasty. You two will spend a lot of time together."
Meng Yi blinked, taken aback. He knew about the war with the Li Dynasty. How could Emperor Li, after losing millions of soldiers, send his daughter here? Was he truly that desperate?
But his grandmother's soft voice brought him back. "She's young, like you, Meng Yi. You'll have time to grow together, to learn from one another. It's not just about politics—it's about forging bonds that last."
###Li Xiaoye's Perspective (continued)
As Meng Yi tried to make sense of his new reality, Li Xiaoye gazed at him curiously. He seemed kind, not like the other princes and princesses from her own palace who bullied and ignored her. Perhaps, here in this new dynasty, she could find a friend—someone who wouldn't treat her like an outsider.
Li Xiaoye stole another glance at Meng Yi, wondering what the future held. She wasn't old enough to fully understand the complexities of her situation, but she felt an odd sense of safety in the presence of the imperial grandmother and, to her surprise, in the company of Meng Yi.
###Emperor Meng Tian's Final Thoughts
As Emperor Meng Tian reflected on the day, he couldn't help but smile. Despite the complicated politics, this arrangement had the potential to be more than just a power move. It was an opportunity for growth, not just for his son but for Li Xiaoye as well. She would blossom into a benevolent queen, and together with Meng Yi, they would lead the Meng Dynasty into an era of prosperity and peace.
And in time, the seeds of this union—founded not in haste or hatred, but in trust and friendship—would bear the fruit of a legacy that would be remembered for generations.
Author's Note:
Meng Yi's mother was like an adopted daughter to the imperial grandmother, who has always harbored deep affection for Meng Yi. Her concern for him has been constant since his birth, and she quietly supports his claim to the throne, even though it is a secret within the palace. Her influence and guidance have played a significant role in shaping Meng Yi's future, and she is one of his strongest advocates as he grows into his responsibilities.
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