Chapter 26
Wei Li Lian
Princess Elora
Lady Wei

Li Lian was exasperated with Yuwen Hong. He kept saying he was coming back in a specific time frame, yet when the time came, he postponed his return and gave another date. She was tired of running the palace alone, the Grand Dowager was not any help recently as she was looking after Luo Lu Yun, and even worse, her coronation kept getting moved to accommodate the absence of Yuwen Hong.

It was not that she needed him for the coronation itself, however, they were not officially married, which was a requirement for her to be titled empress. Thus, her coronation was on the same day she was getting married, and to get married, the groom had to be present.

All this was for him. Not herself. For him. So it was rather annoying because he was showing a lack of commitment.

Having him away made her anxious too. It was almost four months that had passed. Why could he not just be content with the vast land he already attained? Why more and more? He was risking his life with every capture he attempted.

"Her Royal Highness arrives! Please stand!"

The harem stood at her entrance into the Inner Court Hall. They all looked pretty, ready for the morning meeting, well dressed in their official robes, perfume sifting the air.

Li Lian led to the front in her red and black robes, very similar to Yuwen Hong's. Her heavy golden hair ornaments rattled when she sat. She was already the empress in everything―an empress without title. Any jewelry stone she wished to put on, she could have it. Her clothing was the most refined, where she stayed, the food, the biggest entourage of fifty. It felt surreal, yet without her beloved back, she was just not satisfied.

"Greetings to Her Royal Highness!" They all greeted.

"Good morning. Please sit."

The harem sat according to her command with the assistant of their court ladies, and on par, the royal kitchen started to dish out snacks and tea for the concubines. Li Lian preferred milk porridge which the Senior Court Lady brought forth.

"Here, Your Highness," she served on her knees and before Li Lian could reach for it, the steaming delish spilt onto her robes.

"Ah!" Li Lian squealed as she felt the hot sticky pottage sting her legs.

"Forgive me! Forgive this servant!" The Senior Court Lady threw herself to the floor.

Li lian narrowed her eyes with contempt. The Senior Court Lady was negligent, an experienced court lady spilling something on her just like that? The same woman who derided her in Yi Yuan using the palace maids. Mistake or not, who cared? Her time for revenge had come, how could she let it pass?

The harem all looked at them with interest. What was the future empress about to do about this?

"Please stop with the begging. I am not in the mood." Li Lian rested her head onto her fingers.

The Senior Court Lady kept quiet, still kneeling and head plastered to the floor.

"Time has passed and yet you still see me as a palace maid."

"Your Highness, this servant would not dare."

"Hmm."

"By the heavens, I promise you."

She couldn't help yawning as if all of it was boring her.

"I want to slap you, yet my hands are too delicate, aiyah." She held up her hand and her fingers danced in the air showcasing her stunning nail guards.

The harem pointed at them in awe and envy. She had the best of the best. They were not used to having an empress, there had never been one. The usual culture was competing against each other using techniques the other woman could afford if she wanted. If the other woman you felt was better than you got a new dress with brilliant material, you could just get back at her by getting the material too. However, Li Lian was their future empress already done with training. She put on items bought from foreign nations. Even gifts that other kings bestowed to Yuwen Hong and he'd kept in his treasure room―since then he did not have an empress yet―she had access to them. All of what she desired, she possessed. The harem could envy her belongings all they wanted , but it was impossible to attain it for themselves too.

"Your Highness, please have mercy," the Senior Court Lady begged.

Li Lian played with the key around her neck. The same key Yu'er left her, she made a necklace out of it.

"All right, I will have mercy and spare your life."

The Senior Court Lady's face relaxed, clearly relieved.

"But guards, please take her for punishment, you must put red coals on her thighs for a full minute."

Everyone gasped and winced.

Great. It was a good example for all of them that she was someone not to be messed with. They better respect her.

The following day, Li Lian was taking a stroll from the palace garden. She was excited because on this day Ai was returning. During Li Lian's absence, Yuwen Hong had rewarded Ai by granting her wish to travel around the empire, visiting beautiful places and painting them as she loved to paint a lot. Li Lian was not sure why Ai was rewarded, Yuwen Hong did not tell her, but she was just happy that her attendant was not abused when she was not around. Ai was like a little sister to her. Any harm done on her was one done to her too.

Yuwen Hong even appointed an entourage and palace guards to serve Ai during the trip. How magnificent. She had been well spoiled in the past months, surely she could not go back to being her maid.

Li Lian's gain had to be Ai's gain. She was going to make up a title for her when she started to reign. She would have her as the Empress Assistant Lady. An honorary title that would have Ai doing nothing but giving Li Lian company in the phoenix palace, enjoying their friendship.

"Greetings to Her Royal Highness." Noble Consort Qi was before her, curtseying.

Li Lian smiled. It was fake but as long as it served the purpose, it would do. "Please stand. No need for formalities."

"Greetings to the mother of our nation!"

Li Lian looked at the tiny Cai Wenjin next to Noble Consort Qi. Ever since she became the child of Qi, her manners had improved and she was kind and respectful. On this part, Li Lian was pleased with Qi.

"Greetings, Princess," Li Lian smiled. She was not faking her delight this time. The child was adorable.

Just a look at her, anyone was reminded of Yuwen Hong. She missed him so much and her heart yearned.

"You look presentable and distinguished, Princess."

"Thank you, Your Highness. The same is for you."

Li Lian chuckled. Princess Cai Wenjin always gave her those eyes of admiration, as if she was her role model. "Well, would you want to come and visit me and give me company tomorrow?"

Cai Wenjin's mouth opened in amazement. "Me?"

"Yes, you! I am inviting you to the phoenix palace."

"The phoenix palace?" Cai Wenjin screeched in delight. "That is exciting!" she jumped, not able to contain her happiness. "The phoenix palace is the most beautiful place, and I can go!"

Li Lian laughed. She was a princess and a child of the emperor. She could go anyway she wanted. The kid was silly.

"And I can teach you how to make dresses, so we will make a few pretty ones for you."

"I am so happy!" Cai Wenjin shrieked.

Children were easily pleased.

A child... Li Lian couldn't help imagining what it would be like to have her own.

"Can we make a dress that I can wear on the day that Fuhuang returns?"

At least Li Lian was not the only one greatly looking forward to Yuwen Hong's return, besides Grand Consort Shu. "Of course, Princess."

"Your Highness, may I please speak to you privately?" Noble Consort Qi interrupted.

"If you must." Li Lian stepped away from their entourage and Cai Wenjin as Qi followed her.

"Your Highness, thank you for your time."

"Likewise."

"Your Highness, the harem is concerned and afraid."

"About what?"

"Her Highness seems to be too harsh and―"

"The nerve. You cannot manage your legs, opening them to other men, and you want to teach me how to manage the Inner Court?"

That was a slap to Qi's face, and rightfully so, she shut up.

Li Lian proceeded to the entrance of the grand palace, where she found Ai arriving.

"Mistress!" Ai ran and jumped into her arms. "Mistress!" This time Ai started to sob.

"Ai, you are glowing!" Li Lian's eyes teared.

"I missed you, Mistress." Ai emotionally mumbled. "I was so afraid I had lost you."

Li Lian was remorseful about Ai's pain. Her pretty younger sister thought she had lost her mistress. How devastating it was to lose a mistress. Li Lian understood it. She herself had just lost her Mistress Ki. One she could not publicly mourn.

Mistress Ki was the only mother figure she had known while growing up. Her heart was stone, but who could choose a mother? Was it not fate that chose the woman for her? Now who would slap her when she was being silly and needed to face reality? Who would set her straight?

For the first time, Li Lian allowed herself to grieve for the woman who had made her into who she was on this day.

So she cried with Ai.

S.V