章節 21: Empress Meiying's Return

The horse carriage that carried Empress Meiying, Prince Zhen Yi, and Princess Yu Mei back to the castle was an elegant sight to behold. It was a beautifully crafted carriage made of polished wood and adorned with intricate gold and silver carvings. The carriage was pulled by four majestic horses with sleek black coats and flowing manes, who were led by skilled horsemen dressed in matching livery.

The carriage was spacious and comfortable, with plush velvet cushions and curtains that were drawn back to let in the warm sunlight. The interior was also adorned with delicate silk embroidery and sparkling jewels, giving it a regal and luxurious feel. The ride was smooth and steady, and the occupants could feel the gentle sway of the carriage as it glided over the well-maintained roads.

Meiying sat in the horse carriage with a serene expression on her face. Her long, jet-black hair was pulled back into a neat braid, and a few stray strands fell delicately around her face. Her almond-shaped eyes, the color of dark chocolate, were focused on the passing scenery outside, and her full lips were pressed into a slight smile. She wore a flowing, emerald-green silk gown that accentuated her graceful figure, and delicate gold jewelry adorned her wrists and neck. Despite the bumpy ride, she maintained a regal posture, her back straight and her shoulders relaxed. In short, Meiying exuded an air of quiet elegance and poise, befitting her status as a member of the royal family.

As they made their way back to the castle, Meiying couldn't help but dwell on their current situation. She had always strived for a peaceful and happy family with Zenki, even though he had taken on other wives due to his position as emperor. Meiying had urged him to be fair in his affections and distribute them equally among his harem, but Zenki had always brushed off her concerns.

Meiying's own childhood was marred by her father's neglect due to his harem, which made her empathize with the other empresses in Zenki's palace. It wasn't until Zenki, her childhood friend, became the emperor after his brothers' untimely deaths due to infighting for the throne, that things began to improve.

Meiying couldn't help but feel a sense of bitterness as she remembered how her father had suddenly started paying attention to her when it became clear that she was likely to become Empress. It wasn't out of affection, but rather a desire for their family to gain power and standing in the Kingdom of Avaloria. She knew all too well that her father was only using her for his own benefit, but she had hoped that Zenki would be different and truly love her for who she was. However, his actions in the harem often left her feeling sad and feeling pity for the other empresses.

Yu Mei noticed her mother staring out the window, lost in thought. Concerned, she asked, "Mom, is everything alright?"

Yu Mei, at 18 years old, is a vision of beauty with her delicate features and bright, almond-shaped eyes that seem to dance with light. Her skin is smooth and porcelain-like, with a healthy glow that suggests a life of privilege and ease. Her lips are full and pink, and her nose is straight and elegant.

She has long, silky black hair that cascades down her back in loose waves, framing her face and accentuating her delicate features. She wears a simple, yet elegant, dress made of fine silk that drapes gracefully over her curves. Her slender frame is accentuated by the dress, which hugs her waist before flowing down to the ground in a soft, billowing train.

Despite her youth and beauty, there is a maturity and poise about Yu Mei that suggests she is not just another pretty face. She carries herself with confidence and grace, and her eyes sparkle with intelligence and wit.

Meiying smiled softly and turned her attention to her daughter. "Yes, everything is fine," she replied. "I was just thinking about your father and missing him a little."

Yu Mei nodded, understanding her mother's feelings. She had always known that Meiying loved Zenki deeply, even though he had other wives. Yu Mei had grown up watching her mother strive to create a harmonious family, despite the challenges that came with Zenki's position as emperor. She admired her mother's strength and compassion towards the other empresses, even though they were rivals for Zenki's affections.

"Do you think father will be happy to see us?" Yu Mei asked, changing the subject.

Meiying's smile widened. "Of course he will be happy to see us. He loves us, no matter what."

Yu Mei forced a smile back at her mother, but the knot in her stomach remained. Though she knew that Zenki loved her deeply, the reality of her position as a royal princess lingered in the back of her mind. She couldn't shake off the feeling that, despite Zenki's affection, she was nothing more than a political pawn to be wedded off to secure alliances and advantages for the kingdom. It was a burden that she had carried since birth, one that constantly weighed on her even in the moments of happiness and comfort with her family.

Suddenly, a knock echoed through the carriage, prompting Meiying to turn her attention towards the window. It was her son, Prince Zhen Yi, who had been riding his horse alongside the carriage.

"What are you guys talking about?" he asked with a curious tone.

Zhen Yi, the Crown Prince, carries himself with a confident and regal air, his head held high and his gaze focused forward. At 20 years old, he has inherited his father's sharp features and commanding presence, with a strong jawline and piercing, dark eyes. His jet-black hair falls in smooth waves just past his shoulders, and he takes care to maintain his appearance with well-tailored clothing and polished boots. Though his demeanor can come across as arrogant to some, there is no denying the innate charisma that surrounds him, drawing attention and respect from all those around him.

Meiying smiled at her son before turning to answer his question. "Just missing your father," she said with a hint of longing in her voice.

Zhen Yi often bullied Mingliang and Mengting because he believed that his side of the family was the only one deserving of Zenki's love. He enjoyed harassing them and inwardly did not consider them to be his true siblings.

"I know he is eagerly waiting for us, for me, I also miss Mingliang and Mengting," Zhen Yi said with an evil smile on his face.

Meiying was well aware of Zhen Yi's behavior and couldn't help but sigh. "Zhen Yi, please try to be nicer to your siblings. They are also part of our family and deserve our love and respect," she said.

Zhen Yi rolled his eyes. "Mom, they're not even my real siblings. Why should I bother being nice to them?" he replied with a hint of annoyance in his voice.

Meiying couldn't help but think that it was partly Zenki's fault for spoiling her side of the family, which in turn led to Zhen Yi's entitled attitude towards the others. Zenki's favoritism towards Meiying's family had caused a rift between the different branches of the imperial family, and Meiying had tried to encourage him to treat all of his wives and children equally. However, Zenki's stubbornness prevented him from changing his ways. It was a constant struggle for Meiying to balance her love for her own family with her desire for peace and unity within the imperial household.

As the carriage drew closer to the castle, Meiying was taken aback to see Zenki standing alongside Zhenyue, Mingliang, and Mengting, all waiting to welcome them. She couldn't help but feel a sense of surprise, as it seemed that something had changed during their absence. It appeared that Zenki and the second family had finally found harmony, and Meiying couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over her. Perhaps, she thought, there was hope yet for their family to finally find peace.

Yu Mei and Meiying smiled at each other, feeling relieved that there was some sort of improvement in the relationship between the two families. However, Zhen Yi remained skeptical and confused, his mind racing with questions.

"What happened when we were gone? What did they do to make father change?" Zhen Yi thought to himself, feeling a bit uneasy about the sudden change in atmosphere.

As they drew closer to the castle gates, Zenki stepped forward to greet them with open arms. "Welcome home, my loves," he said, his voice warm and genuine.

Meiying couldn't help but feel a sense of hopefulness at her husband's words. Perhaps there was a chance for true peace and harmony within their family after all.

Zhenyue welcomed Meiying home with a warm smile and said, "Welcome home, sister." Mingliang and Mengting, also wearing smiles, greeted her as well and said, "Welcome home, first mother."

Meiying smiled back warmly at her family members. It was a relief to see them all together, welcoming them home. She hugged Zhenyue and the twins, feeling grateful for their presence.

"Thank you, it's good to be home," Meiying replied with a smile.

As Zhenyue, Mingliang, and Mengting also greeted Yu Mei and Zhen Yi, Yu Mei responded with warmth, while Zhen Yi stood there silently, furrowing his eyebrows.

After exchanging greetings, the family sat down to have lunch together. They talked about what had happened in the few months that they were away.

Zenki shared with Meiying, Yu Mei, and Zhen Yi the details of the past few months. He recounted how the corruption case was resolved and how he had started cultivating. He also mentioned that Liu Yong, a cultivation master, had taken Mingliang and Mengting under his wing, along with his grandson Liu Wei, who is also their cultivation peer.

Furthermore, Zenki informed them that they had recruited an alchemist named Lian Yaoshi and were planning to establish a new department in the kingdom called the Internal Affairs Bureau.

Zenki also shared how he realized the importance of harmony within the family and expressed his hope that their family would become more harmonious in the future. He acknowledged that there were still some issues that needed to be resolved, but he was willing to work on them with Meiying and the rest of the family.

As Zenki spoke, Meiying and Yu Mei listened intently, nodding in agreement and occasionally asking questions. Zhen Yi, however, remained quiet and sullen throughout the discussion.

Afterwards, Zenki took Meiying and Zhenyue's hands in his own and made a promise to them that he would work towards creating a harmonious family. Yu Mei, Mingliang, and Mengting all smiled at Zenki's words, happy to hear that he was willing to put in the effort. "I believe that we can make this work," Zenki said, looking at each of them in turn. "I know that I have had my problems in the past, but we are all family. And as family, we should always strive to be together and support one another." The sincerity in Zenki's voice left everyone feeling hopeful for a brighter future.

Following their meal, Zhen Yi was left feeling perturbed by his father's rapid change in behavior towards the second family. The speed at which things were moving was overwhelming, and he found himself struggling to cope with the situation. After some time, he made the decision to leave the castle and head towards the nearby castletown to meet with some friends and let off some steam. The burden of his emotions had become too much to bear.

As Meiying watched her son's retreating figure, a heavy sigh escaped her lips. She couldn't help but hope that he would eventually come to accept Zhenyue, Mingliang, and Mengting as true members of the family, just as Zenki had. It wasn't going to be easy, she knew, but she was determined to work towards a more harmonious family dynamic, no matter what.