You were sleeping. You felt something. You slowly woke up and saw Chánjuān with her fighting clothes. You get up and smile at her.

Chánjuān:" Good morning, sleepyhead."

You:" Good morning."

You laugh a little and go to your drawer and see which Hanfu you were going to wear. It was the middle of October. So you wanted something that wasn't too fresh or too warm. You saw the most beautiful one. It was not light blue but not too dark either. 

Then the tip was drawing a flower. It was so beautiful. 

Chánjuān helped you, after putting your hairpins. You both went outside. You saw the Palace jade views. It was to take your breath. You could see the valley, and much more. You went to explore while Chánjuān was going to be with Crane to train. Since they are fiances now. You went down to the valley of Peace. You explore everything. 

Everyone was looking at you. Even little kids. They gasp as they compliment your beauty. You saw Dragon Warrior Noodles and Tofu restaurant. 

You enter and are greeted by the owner.

Mr.Ping:" Hello! How can I serve you?"

You were nervous, but you sat down and looked at the menu. After checking what you are going to eat you heard a voice.

Po: "Princess (Y/n)! What are you doing here?! I thought you were in the Palace of Jade?"

Everybody looked at you. You gulp and get nervous.

You:" Well Po. I wanted to explore. And found this restaurant! I am just choosing what I am going to eat. Any suggestion?"

Po thought about it and smiled, he went inside and you hear Po and Mr.Ping talking.

Mr.Ping:" My son is getting out with a Princess! You make me such a proud Dad!"

You blush and see him blushing too and being embarrassed. He cooks something, he finishes whatever he was doing, he returns to your table.

Po:" Enjoy!"

You smile and grab your chopsticks. You are eating noodles. Your eyes wide for the flavour and the ingredients were inside the noodles. 

After you finish you sigh happily. 

Po took away your bow and went inside to put the dish inside the sinker and come back to you and sit down.

Po:" So? did you like it?"

You smile and blush a little.

You:" I love it! It was something I never tasted inside the palace!"

You saw Po smiling. It was cute of him making you food. You remember the failure of making Baozi. You mentally facepalm. You get up and go to pay but Po stops you.

Po: "It's on the house."

You look at him confused.

You:" Are you sure? I can pay! I have the money!"

Po laughs and holds your hand and moves you to the exit of the restaurant. You were blushing madly.

Po:" It's fine. It is a payback for the Jade stone you gave me."

He showed you. He indeed was wearing that Jade Amulet you gave him. You smiled at relief. You look at him.

You:" I don't know anything around here. Could you show me around, please?"

You accidentally did the cutest voice ever! You saw Po blushing madly and turning around. You were worried if you said something wrong. Then Po turned to you and smiled.

Po: "Yeah! Of course. I will just warn my dad. Stay here."

You saw him getting inside the restaurant and saw him giving a hug to his father. You smile at a sweet moment. It reminds you, you and your father. Your eyes were filled with tears. How much you miss your Royal Father and your Royal mother and your siblings. But you knew it was the best. You saw him arriving, and you quickly cleared your tears. 

Po saw it and looked at you with worry.

Po: "Hey, what happened. Are you ok?"

You nod and smile sadly at him. He took your hand and led you the way. After exploring everything. You two were inside the Palace Jade exploring. You notice a place near the Cherry tree. It was beautiful, and the view from it. It was beautiful. Po notices and stands by your side.

Po: "It's beautiful right?"

You need to fill your lungs with the fresh air and your eyes see the landscape, Po was right. It was indeed beautiful. 

You think of something, and you grab your Guzheng and sit down and play. 

https://youtu.be/SNjXL-PKXFU

Po was looking at you and enjoying it. You move your head with a smile. Po was looking at you with such a smile. It was a delicate and caring one.

You continue to play after you finish the song. You smile and sigh.

You: "That was relaxing."

You felt the strong wind blow and you accidentally went to Po's chest. You blush madly and get up and say sorry. He laughed and smiled at you.

After the day went on. It was night. You couldn't sleep.

 You grab your music instrument and go to the same place you were with Po. You saw the full moon. You begin to play different music. 

Your eyes were close. You could feel the wind. You heard nature getting along with the music.

https://youtu.be/Eg11AliGaLc

You heard a flute. You stop and look around. You didn't see anyone. But you got up and followed the flute. The music, it reminds your grandma music, but with sadder. 

You just went to the corner and saw Shifu. You stop and look at him. As he plays the music. You felt your chest hurt. It was so sad. After he finishes, he looks at the moon and a sad smile.

Shifu:" Oh Luli. I miss you so much. I wish. I had the strength to fight for your love. But I always knew. You were happy where you belonged. To the Imperial Palace. Now your granddaughter is here. I swear, for you. I will protect her."

You saw him. His tears were rolling down. You put your hand on your mouth and against the wall. You remember when your grandmother talked about him, several times.

Flashback

narrator P.O.V

You were 12 years old. You were with your Grandmother chambers. She was brushing your hair, humming a lullaby. You saw a messenger coming and delivered a message to her. Your father was making a reunion, and one master was going to be there, it was about Tail Lung.

 Your grandma was smiling sadly, and her tears were rolling down. You got up and hugged your grandmother.

(Y/n):" Grandma! Are you alright!"

Your grandmother was sobbing. You were worried too much when she looked at you.

Dowager Luli:" My little (Y/n). Promise me whatever I speak, you won't tell. You're gonna be my confidant."

You nod and smile. You sit down and let your grandma let out everything, whatever she had been holding inside her heart.

Dowager Luli:" When I was younger, my child. I was in love with a boy. He grew up with me. His name was Shifu. He never knew I was in love with him. But after your great-grandfather told me I was going to marry your grandfather. I said yes. But inside my heart, it was screaming no."

(Y/n):" Why did you accept the offer if you were in love with your childhood friend, grandma?"

Dowager Luli:" Because it was my duty to be the Crown Prince wife. Your grandfather chose me instead of many girls."

(Y/n):" That unfair! You throw away your dreams! Your true love! Your own life away!"

Dowager Luli was smiling at your reaction, but she knew one day you were going to have the same fate as many girls of the imperial family. But your grandmother continues.

Dowager Luli:" When the day of my birthday arrived. He gives me this hairpin."

She showed you her favourite hairpin. It was extremely beautiful. She continues.

Dowager Lilu:" Now times fly, he's still the same. As stubborn old man*chuckle*. How I miss him. My life at the palace was nothing compared to the life I used to have. It was so peaceful. "

She finishes talking and smiles.

Dowager Lilu:" I hope in the next life. Shifu and I, we will be together."

You smiled and hugged her so tight.

 Your grandma was smiling and petting your hair, and her tears were rolling down. She was finally free to speak without remorse or fear.

Days later you receive the news your grandma was in bed, her time was counting. You run to your Grandma champers. Your eyes were filled with tears. You arrived and saw her. 

Your grandma was almost fading away. But she holds it to say goodbye to you. She asked everyone to leave. As no one was inside the room. She looked at you.

Dowager Lilu:" My little (Y/n). Remember what I told you. You must not speak about it. Promise me."

Your eyes were filled with tears, and you were sobbing and holding her hand.

(Y/n):" I promise grandma! Please don't go! You must see him! For one last time!"

Your grandma smiled weakly and gave you a letter. 

You saw it was to him. You looked at her.

Dowager Luli:"(Y/n), when you see him on the full moon. Probably playing the flute.*cough* Gave this letter to him. Please (Y/n) for my last dying wish. Will you?"

You are sobbing more and more. But you nod frankly and look at her.

(Y/n):" I will grandma! Please! Don't go!"

She smiled at you and kissed you on the forehead. She put her head on the pillow and looked up. She was smiling, tears rolling down, and you heard her last words.

Dowager Luli:" I will miss my sons, my grandsons, and my granddaughter's. But the person I will miss most it's you, Shifu. I hope to see you Shifu. My true love. My hero."

She passed away in front of you. 

You were sobbing uncontrollably, and you scream at the top of your lungs. You hide the letter as you hear the door open. You saw your father running. He saw his mother's death. He saw you and hugged you. You were sobbing and screaming.

(Y/n):" Grandma died! WHERE WERE YOU WHEN SHE WANTED TO SEE YOU?"

Your father was speechless. He just returned home from war. He hugged you more. He prepared the Funeral of your grandmother, his mother. 

Everyone receives the news. Everyone was crying. You were crying. But you went to your room and hid the letter.

End Flashback

You went to your guest room, opened the small box, you brought with it, you saw the letter. You grab it. You got up and looked at the door and moved, after walking.

You went to the same place you saw Shifu. You peek and see him. You appeared and he saw you.

Shifu:" Aw. Princess (Y/n). I am sorry did I wake you."

You smiled and shook your head negative. You walk to him and give him the letter. 

Shifu looked at the letter and looked at you.

You bow and leave.

Shifu P.O.V

I begin to read, my eyes from tears. I never imagined I would receive a letter from Luli.

I held it and saw my tears were falling to the letter.

Letter:" At night, I lie down and imagine you are here with me.

I didn't know just how heavy this separation would be in my heart.

I hope you are not in as much utter misery as I am without you.

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and my fondness has no bounds.

I lie awake and feel the gentle warmth of your breath as it would fall on my cheek.

I imagine the heat of your body pressed against mine; the hardness of your muscles nestling against the softness of mine.

I turn and lay my head against the pillow, feeling your heartbeat drum a lullaby in my ear.

A thousand butterflies kiss at my skin, and I long to feel the softness of your lips.

While I know we will again be together, my yearning in your absence only cements the true depth of my passion.

Until I can see you and hold you again, you will remain omnipresent in my dreams.

your love, Luli"

I could feel my tears rolling more and more. She loved me too.

I never knew it! My love for her! She was my first love and last.

I took a deep breath. I went to sleep.

in my dream

I open my eyes. I look around and see a familiar house. It was Luli's old house. I walked to a place me and her always went. I saw the Bridge. 

I saw a young girl was waiting. I went to her and coughed a little.

Shifu: "You need help?"

The girl giggled. That giggle reminds me of someone. She turns around. My face got red. It was Luli. 

My eyes got wide when I saw her. She was younger and beautiful as I remember. She smiled and giggled.

Luli: "Long time no see, Shifu."

I bow and smile.

Shifu: "Good to see you, Empress Luli."

She raised her eyebrow. And seeing her Hanfu was indeed the empress. Lilu quickly naps her finger and her clothes and herself turn into a simple and more beautiful person. 

Her Hanfu was green with white with simple hair accessories and holding a sun umbrella. 

She smiled and sat.

Luli: "if I was married to someone simple. I would be like this."

I smiled and sat near to her and held her hand and kissed it.

Shifu: "I would grant your wish if you would be happy."

She smiled and giggled.

Luli:" My granddaughter gave you the letter?"

I nod and stay quiet. I never knew she was in love with me. But I felt her hand on my cheek and smiled.

Luli:" Shifu, I always knew you were in love with me. I will always be in love with you. I am sorry if I had to choose another man."

I got up and kissed her cheek. Like I always did.

Shifu:" If I knew. I would fight the Emperor, so you would run away with me. "

Lilu looks up quickly and smiles, and her tears are rolling down. She hugs me and I hug her. She looked at me, and I looked into her eyes. They were shining like the stars.

Shifu:" I am so sorry. If I had the opportunity to go back. I would never let you go. I knew you were happy in that life of yours. I would never bring myself to take that away."

Lilu looks at me and holds me tight and sobs.

Luli:" That life was a nightmare. Always killing each other and me being the Empress trying to put peace inside the Harem. The Emperor never loved me. He wanted me to be his trophy. If I married you! I would be 100% Happy!"

I hold her tightly into my arms. I looked into her and kissed her. She smiled and kissed me. 

After pulling out I saw my reflex when I was younger.

I smiled and held her hand.

Shifu:" Next Life. I promise. You would be my wife."

She smiled and cried in happiness.

Luli:" That my wish. I wish you were my husband!"

I smile.

Shifu:" That's my wish also. I miss you Luli. I wish I would be with you one more time. I wish I had the strength to go through with this pain inside my heart after I heard you were dead."

Lilu kissed my hand and kissed my lips.

Luli:" Shifu. I will always be here by your side. Don't worry. Just promise me something. Take care of my granddaughter."

Shifu:" I promise. I will take her as she was our Granddaughter."

Lilu smiled and felt relief. She had kissed me one more time before I woke up.

Your P.O.V

Ship Time

You always spend time with Po. He and you always get into adventures. You learn to cook with his father. Your birthday was coming. It was on the 23rd of December. It was a cold day. 

You were wearing beautiful Hanfu green with a white coat. 

You smile seeing the snow falling. You wish you could visit your family. You sigh and enter the Palace Jade.

You prepare some food, warm noodles with rice and beef and broccoli and mushroom and so on. You also made Dumplings. You smiled and finished. 

After that, you cleaned a bit of the room. Yeah, you got used to doing servants' work.

After the cleaning and go outside. You took a deep break. Thinking about my relationship with Po. You were deeply in love with him. But he probably saw you as a friend. The more you think, the more hurts your heart. You began to walk to the place where Po showed you.

 You sit down and look to the landscape. You sigh and hear nature and enjoy little isolation. Then You heard something.

 It was Po running from Shifu. He spots you and runs to you.

Po:" (Y/n). Thank heavens I found you! Shifu has been super pressured about this banquet!"

You:" Oh really? It must be very important."

Po:" Yeah it's important because of the all-important Master of Kung Fu! I am the Host!"

You smile at him and put your hand into his.

You: "You can do it, Po. You are very talented. Just take a deep breath."

He stopped for a moment and took a deep breath. You smile and watch him meditate. You stay quiet and get up and leave. Until you heard his voice.

Po: "I won't mind any company. You can stay. I don't like being alone."

You blush a bit and turn to him. You saw him blush too. You smiled and sat with him. It was cold, you were shaking even that warm winter coat on you.

 Po notice that he hugs you from behind. 

Both of you were blushing madly. 

When you heard a cough. You turn and see Chánjuān grinning with Crane. They have been looking for you two.

Chánjuān:"(Y/n) have good news. Your parents are fine. And they don't hear about that person!"

You:" Oh that great! I can't imagine them being worried about him."

Chánjuān:" Still we need to be careful. Who knows what he is planning."

You nod and see them leave. You turn to Po and smile.

You:" Hey are you ok?"

Po was sad and looked at you.

Po:" Yeah, I think I am fine. But better you get going. This weather is pretty cold."

You saw him running, you got worried. You sigh and feel the wind blowing.

In the Imperial Harem.

Empress P.O.V

I was having a reunion again with those consorts and concubines. I sigh as I hear the concubines complain about the Emperor and don't give them attention.

I saw other consorts ignore them and drink tea.

Imperial Noble Consort Yang was getting a headache. 

Noble Consort Shu Couldn't stand their whining about everything. 

Noble Consort Jiang was listening to them too and also felt bad for them.

Noble Consort Gao was drinking her tea and thinking about something.

Consort Wang also listened to their whining and about to blow in anger. 

While I listen to them, Imperial Noble Consort Shu shouts.

Noble Consort Shu: "Could you all stop whining?! Heavens! All you think is sex! Our Husband has more important things than to pay your whining bitches asses!"

I got a surprise but also smiled secretly. 

Imperial Noble Consort Yang was looking at them with anger and sighed angrily.

Imperial Noble Consort Yang:" What Noble Consort Shu said was true. You all are getting annoying and not respecting our Husband. You all think he has time for you all? I don't think so. He has a long list of Duties."

All the concubines stayed quiet. They know if they say something bad to them. It's their lives on the death road. 

I look at them.

Empress:" It's true. We all should respect our Husband. But it's normal for these adorable concubines to want attention for him. Isn't it right?"

They bow and said "yes". I smiled, I was about to get up, one concubine got up and said angrily.

Concubine:" You think it's easy for us, concubines! We literally have to fight with each other! While you Imperial Consort, Nobles Consorts and Consort and consort have his attention! And you! *point to me* You sleep with him every day! And gives you more attention than any of us!"

Everyone was quiet. No one would dare to speak with me with that tone of voice. 

I get up and walk to her and slap her very hard. 

She yelled and fell. The consorts were standing and looked at that Concubine spoke so arrogantly. She thinks she is the empress herself.

Empress:" What do you think you are? I am your Empress if you forgot! I am the head of this Harem! I can easily order my men to cut your head and your entire family! Do you think one of us didn't go through that before? We fought for our places. We gave birth! Sons and daughters of the Emperor! And you bitches do is complain! Why don't you all do something useful for once? And you, I will get your head rolling now. GUARDS!"

I saw my guards coming, and I pointed to the girl. She cried and begged for forgiveness. Many concubines were scared and stayed silent and saw their colleague dragged outside. 

After that. 

I dismiss the reunion and I sigh.

Other consorts stay in their seats.

Noble Consort Jiang looked at me.

Noble Consort Jiang:" Are you alright, your highness?"

Empress:" thank you very much.*sigh* Those concubines don't respect even our husband or us. All they want is luxury and sex and jewellery! They think this is a brothel?"

Noble Consort Gao:" Of course, they think it's easy to get where we are! Pff. We did things we regret of course. But those concubines are the lowest of the food chamber. They should know we are the top of the food chamber inside the Harem!"

Consort Wang:" Sorry if I am interrupting your majesty. But I heard a rumour would be your interest of course."

The other highest consorts let her speak and myself of course.

 We were all eager to hear the rumour.

Consort Wang:" I heard inside of those concubines chambers they are killing each other. Some with poison, others choking them, much worse. Even my servants are scared."

All Consorts laugh a little. But I was serious and took this rumour too seriously.

Empress: "Unfortunately, it's been like this. Even with Consorts themselves. Am I correct? If my memory doesn't fall. One of the previous Consort of the Emperor died. Because she was carrying a baby boy inside her womb. And the next day she was found hanged on her chambers."

All Consort stayed quiet and nervous. I look at them and see anything suspicious. I knew this type of game. This is a jungle. 

The strongest survive, no matter what, the weak always fall. That is why I maintain my place after many years. Because I killed anyone who got my way. Into my power and those Consorts knew it. If they try to put the wrong foot into my way. They would be dead the next day. 

That is why they all respect me, they maintain their places and her children and themselves won't get any harm. 

They Knew I can protect their places and their social status. We all get along.

Consort Wang:" True, your highness. I heard she had a baby with another man. And the Emperor got raged by that!"

Empress:" That is why. We must do anything to maintain our places. Who knows what those concubines would do to us?"

Noble Consort Shu:" Empress is right. We all should get our eyes wide open!"

Imperial Noble Consort Yang:" Very true your Highness. You are very clever. No wonder why the Emperor chose you after his first wife died."

I remember that day. When I was 15 years old. My Husband, the Emperor, was 25 years old. He had chosen me because I was very beautiful, intelligent, elegant, and knew it all.

You name it. I was the perfect daughter to my parents and the perfect wife to my husband.

I left. It was night, and I looked up at the moon. I felt the cold winter blow. I miss my daughter. My tears roll down. 

It's been 2 months. Why did I ever let her go? Because of that lord Shen! I never imagined I had to face this. I am all alone to face this agony of my heart. A heart of a broken mother. I look at the moon. I hope she is looking too. It was our way to know we are ok when we are far away.

Empress:" Oh, my dear baby. I miss you so much. All these miles away from me. You are my precious treasure after you were born. I hope the Dragon Warrior is protecting you."

I pray under the moon, not care about the cold. The image of her leaving me behind that day. Tears rolling down more and more.

Empress:" My baby girl. I love you so much."

I look more at the moon and pray to him to protect my baby girl. I pray so much, I was wrong telling her she would have to marry a prince. Lord Shen is a prince after all. Which makes him a suitor for her. That thought makes me sick and angsty for him. 

I heard footsteps and saw the Emperor looked worried about me. I look at him for a moment and look again at the sky and the moon.

Emperor:" Still worried about our daughter."

Empress:" Of course. I know you have a lot of duties, My emperor. I shall leave."

He stops me and hugs me, he asks one of his servants a warm coat. After they give the Emperor the coat he covers us with the coat. He looks at the sky too.

Emperor:" I miss our daughter too. She was little sunshine after all. Always make us laugh."

Empress:" We have to send her away because of Lord Shen. After all, he was a prince before that incident."

Emperor:" And he knows about it. Which makes him have the right to propose to our daughter in hand, after all, he is Prince Shen, Gongmen City."

I stayed quiet. The emperor holds my hand. I knew he was hurt to send his daughter away. We stay quiet together, words expressed by our silence. 

He saw my tears rolling down. He kisses them. He loved me more than any of his consorts or concubines.

Empress:" Why you love me so much. You have other women to give this love for them."

He smiled and sighed.

Emperor P.O.V

It was true. I had other women to care about. But my empress was the first of them all. I didn't care about the others, as long as my empress was happy.

Emperor:" The moment I saw you. You were the perfection of an Empress. I saw yourself as a good Empress, not only that. Good wife, good mother. You are perfect with your Imperfection. I didn't care about your reign as head of your Harem. As long as you control the Balance. I love you. When you speak, it is like music to my ears. I can't get enough. Your caring for the orders makes you unique. "

She blushes and smiles. I smiled too. I close my eyes and remember the first time I saw her. 

She was 16 years old. To a Noble Family. She smiled at me and I saw her reflex as an empress. It was that moment I knew she would be mine. And the Only mine

She is my moon and my stars. While for her I am her sun. She is my Ying. I am her Yang. No one else.

Still holding her to make her warm. She holds my hand. We both worried about our daughter. We pray together to our gods. She prays to the moon to protect her and protect her dreams, while I pray to the sun to guide her and illuminate her path. After that we saw together the moon, she was smiling.

Emperor:" I love you, my Empress."

She smiled more and held me tight.

Empress:" I will show you with time, my love."

After that, we went inside. 

We had to choose our son the crown princess. After many girls get selected one by one and other beings are eliminated. My son Prince Hu was difficult about choosing two girls. 

One was black hair with pale skin, her hanfu was blue and her jewellery was extremely health, she belongs to a noble family. Her name was Jing (Crystal; sparkling).

While the other girl had brown hair and pale skin, Her Hanfu was white with blue and she was extremely beautiful, and she seems to see kind and lovely. Her name is Guan-yin(goddess of mercy).

Prince Hu was looking at them.

 Prince Hu made his decision and chose Guan-yin to be his Crown Princess. The girl, of course, became happy. And she bows to him. While the other girl became jealous and angry. 

My Empress and I were happy with this. After the Crown Prince chose his bride. We went to sleep.