The Empress

Chapter 13: Temporary freedom [3]

Madame Red smile as she listens to Empress Huihuang happily talking about her family. Though she is saying how troublesome her husband and children are, she is talking with a gentle expression on her face.

Amongst the four them, Empress Huihuang is the only who has a happy life. She has met Emperor Long Feng 20 years ago, but she has been parading herself as 'Gentleman Hui' most of the times and her impeccably 'good look' and charming words had attracted many and one of them is Imperial Noble Consort Mei. The young emperor was still a crown prince then and he had set his eyes on the young imperial noble consort whom known as Lady Mei Li. As they are all in the same school runs by Imperial Scholar Gezi, they knew one another. Gentleman Hui came to school dressing up as a man because she refused to be known as Lady Huihuang who is the future wife of the crown prince, her parents have to tell others that their 'strong as a lion' daughter is a weak young miss and have to be kept in her courtyard due to her fragile health when in fact she has been out and about as 'Gentleman Hui' ever since she was an 8-year old. She excelled as one of the top students in her father's school and the best student in her mother's martial arts class.

But, most of all, she has been known as an infamous troublemaker back in the days and always have confrontations with the crown prince. For the whole year, the crown prince disturbed her non-stop but, she had defeated him every single time but by then Lady Mei Li already discovered her real identity but still stayed beside 'Gentleman Hui' as one of ‘his’ followers. Senior Princess Long Xuanlu (or known as Crown Princess Long Xuanlu then) is also one of the followers of Gentleman Hui together with her (or known as Lady Xue Lianhua) too. Wherever Gentleman Hui goes, they are with 'him' too. Emperor Long Feng really hated her back then but, most of all, he cannot stop himself from creating troubles for 'Gentleman Hui' countless times but the handsome gentleman always welcomes him with an open hand before defeating him in whatever challenge the crown prince had thrown unto him. What the two did not realize then is that they are obviously attracted to one another, the young Empress was kind of slow in love matter and the young emperor thought that he has become a 'cut sleeve'.

Senior Princess Long Xuanlu, Imperial Noble Consort Mei and she are having such a great time watching the two of them in their so-called process of love discovery which had spanned for almost 5 years before the emperor managed to convince her to marry him. Once they are married, they quite happy with one another and despite the emperor having an imperial concubine, his greatest (and hardest) love of all, is still the Empress. Her life is enviable by others.

Senior Princess Long Xuanlu has always been secretive about her past life. For years, no one knows who the father of her daughter is or who is he. Still, her family accepted her when she came back with an enlarged belly after months of her gone missing from the imperial palace. Now, her husband has managed to find her after years of searching due to her being a stubborn individual. When asked why she ran away and hide from him for all these years, she only answered "He is the ruler of the Demon Realm. Can you imagine growing old day by day but the person that you love remains youthful as ever? I am totally mad when I found out that he is a demon."

She is quite vain with herself in that matters ever since she was young. Though, others laughed when they heard her somewhat unbelievable reasoning. That poor King Emo suffered mentally and physically for years for only that reason of hers. Still... She still treated him in a passive-aggressive way but that demon accepting her waywardness. Both are totally engrossed with themselves and letting their daughter running here and there without any control. After all, Xiao Yu is there to control the damage. Or, worst of all, Crown Princess Long Fenghuang always managed to stop her cousin's willful behaviour.

Hudie... The poor Hudie had a rough life ever since the death of her whole family due to war. As a young child, she had been sold to Yaorao Pavilion. The previous Madame upon seeing that she is a beautiful young girl personally groomed her to be a femme fatale and she is also very talented in literary, dance, singing, drawing and musical instruments. Her beauty is widely known in the imperial city and many wanted to be her first man. But, Gentleman Hui together with his other 2 friends, have successfully bought her. She personally chose to stay in Yaorao Pavilion, but she no longer needs to serve anyone else except for the 'gentlemen' who have bought her. Still, that did not prevent the biggest tragedy of all, she had met the man that she loves with such a passion only to be left by him without a word after months of being in a loving relationship. Gentleman Hui searched for that wretched man high and low but to no avail. It was as if he never even existed at all. Due to broken heart and disappointment, she has suddenly gone missing too for years only to come back in recent years as the new Madame of Yaorao Pavilion.

When it comes to her... Her happy life ended when she has been ordered to return to the Kingdom of Leng to marry the then Crown Prince Leng Re Long who is 5 years younger than her. She remembered the hatred in his eyes once he lifted her veil during their wedding night. She remembered how he had ignored her for years despite being his main wife. She let it be as long she can live in peace and quiet. The young concubines treated her as an older sister and she graciously treated them as her younger sisters. Despite being nothing but accepting towards his cold attitude, he still murdered her entire family in cold blood even after knowing that she was pregnant with his child then. She wanted to die with her family, but she cannot because of her child(ren).

Empress Huihuang, Senior Princess Long Xuanlu and Madame Hudie turn their heads when they heard soft sniffles coming out from her.

Madame Hudie goes to her side and hugs her tightly, "Lian’er... It has been hard on you. Losing your family members due to others' scheming. But your children have grown up fine now. You are now the infamous 'Madame Red' with loyal supporters all around you."

Senior Princess Long Xuanlu gently wipe her tears with her silk handkerchief, "Lian’er, you have everything in going on amazingly well on you. If you wanted revenge, I believe it can be easily be done by you and your people. Especially that daughter of yours. I can feel that she will not let it go... Even if one of them related to her."

"I know... I wanted to take revenge, but death will be easy on those people."

Empress Huihuang then says, "Definitely... Play with them for a while. It will be more fun. First, that man should just 'die' in jealousy. Tell us more about Chancellor Yelu. That man is so handsome, Lian’er. He is strong too. If only I am still a young girl. Hohohoho!"

"What do you mean, beloved wife of mine? Are you attracted to someone else other than this husband of yours? My... My... Despite being in your current condition, you still act rampantly. Imperial Noble Consort Mei nearly fainted upon realizing that you have been missing from the imperial palace, my love. She is even sulking because you had left her behind."

(Picture available on w*****d)

Emperor Long Feng stands in the room without anyone realizing his presence including the frozenly shocked Captain Ying. He is smiling but Empress Huihuang suddenly hide behind the other three 'gentlemen' who are looking at the sudden appearance of the obviously angry man despite his smiling exterior.

"But... But... Younger sister Mei has been quite unwell these last few days. That is why I went out without her." She answered from behind the other three.

"That is not the point, Empress Huihuang. Gentlemen, I will be taking this 'naughty' gentleman from here. Do continue to enjoy yourselves. Captain Ying... You are forgiven because Fenghuang has warned me not to punish you. I only have to punish this gentleman in my arms."

With that, the emperor leaves while 'princess carry' the helpless gentleman in his arms who can only look at his companions with a pitiful look on his face. His companions are controlling their laughs at this sudden turn of event and can only pray for his 'safety'.