My Darling Peony (6) :Emperor!China x Reader: FIN

My Darling Peony (6)- FINAL

:Emperor! China x reader :

The night was silent and tranquil; the entire kingdom still as it welcomed another closure to the tedious day. It seemed that the cool evening breeze that gently blew by knew better than to disrupt the lulling hum of sleep that surrounded the imperial kingdom.  Yao walked briskly down the corridors of his palace, holding a single oil lantern to help guide him through the darkness while making sure that no one would ever find him out of his chamber at this time.  

The truth was that under the brilliant nighttime sky, the emperor could not find himself to rest. In fact, he couldn't make the effort to retire without knowing where you were and if you were safe. Ever since your exit from the dinner party that day, you started to act strange and distant. So much in fact, that you started to avoid him whenever you passed by him, drifting about as if you were a lone ghost or spirit rather than the (Name) he knew. To Yao's surprise, you were not even willing to abide by his requests for you to visit his chamber either. You always made up some excuse to the servant Yao sent to fetch you. Even Chun Yan found it odd for you to act this way instead of your usual, cheerful self.

So...what exactly happened to you?

To sum it up, you were in an incredibly anxious state that you felt if you approached Yao, he would break right from your touch. After the realization that you were going to bring the nation's dynasty to ruins, you made sure that you came in contact with Yao as little as possible...for the sake of retaining his kingdom. Whenever you felt the urge to talk to him of your problems, you always caught the emperor preoccupying himself with the princess and Ivan in some discussion regarding future plans for the conjoinment of the two kingdoms. Eventually you gave up trying to approach the emperor for discussion altogether.

To add on to your depression, you found that the royal court had announced Yao and the princess to wed in order to legally bind the two kingdoms together...and this caused you devastation. You knew that the new establishment of ties is surely a beneficial for the two kingdoms but...

This meant that you will no longer play a role in Yao's kingdom and you will eventually be forced out to live in solitude under the threat of being killed by the pearled-dagger clan again. Oh, how you wished to die if you knew what was going to happen!

However Yao did not know of your reasoning and your behavior worried him greatly.

What is happening to my darling peony...?

Slowing his graceful steps, he stopped at the front of the door to your room at last and lifted a hand to slide it open.

------

You didn't move from your spot when you heard a figure enter the room, approach you and encase you in his arms tightly. You didn't even react to the contact as he expected you would--instead your (e/c) eyes were glazed over as your mind was already gone into a world other than your own.  

"(Name)..." His breath tickled the skin of your neck as he pulled you against his chest, chin resting atop your shoulder. "My beautiful (Name)..."

It wasn't long before you slowly descended to consciousness and became aware of the young emperor's presence...as well as your current situation. Feeling your face heat up, you quickly drew away from Yao's embrace and stepped back.

"I-I apologize, your majesty," You murmured, face set into a blank gaze towards the floor. "It is not proper for the emperor to touch someone as..." You paused for a brief second. "As...unworthy as me."

Upon those words, Yao felt his heart sink as he watched you bow respectfully at his feet and narrowed his eyes sadly. Something was wrong...and Yao was unsure as to why his peony was acting in such a way. The (Name) he knew disappeared before he even knew of it...and now you were acting as if you met him for the first time...!

However Yao knew that (Name)’s situation somehow connected with the announcement of the marriage--perhaps the news was the reason why you were devastated. The young emperor let out a small sigh as he gazed towards the woman in front of him.

“(Name)...please, look at me.” He paused until you raised your face, (e/c) eyes meeting his hazel ones. “I know... you are upset with the proposal...and, I hope this does not change your feelings for me. I love you, (Name). I've always have and I always will. However, I...”

The emperor seemed to trail off as he noticed that his darling peony wasn't present-- although your body remained in compliance to his demands, his words didn't seem to sink through the (Name) within. Fighting back a sob of pained anguish, he continued.

“I must carry out my duties as an emperor for...the sake of my kingdom. This is the burden I must bear, (Name)...and I must carry this burden until the day I die.” Once Yao finished speaking, there was an uneasy silence that filled the air. He waited for a sign...any sign that told him you understood...that you comprehended the words that spilled from his mouth and acknowledged his position. All he received from you was a curt nod, eyes glazed over with something he could not distinguish.

He did not like this side of you at all.

In a fit of rising panic, the emperor proceeded to rush forward and encase you in his arms again, lips desperately moving across your hair, your forehead and cheeks. His arms tightened around your thin form (she hadn't been eating properly, Yao noticed), holding you firm so that you would come to your senses and return all of his love. To his dismay, you were completely immobile against him, unresponsive despite his actions which would have caused you to laugh and squeal in pure joy.

“Please...” He mumbled, lips trailing across the skin of your face. “Please, my beloved (Name)...answer me.”

But you could not answer him. You could not allow him to see through your barrier; you could not even return the love he put forth towards you...because you knew that if you let this continue and confessed on the spot, his life would be put to end. Everyone and everything would perish and Yao’s (Dynasty name) Dynasty would be no more. As much as Yao’s heart hurt from seeing you in this state, yours hurt more.

Yes, you wanted to wrap your arms around him and lovingly pepper him with adoring kisses. You wanted to run your fingers in his silky smooth locks and have him whisper words that made you feel like an empress. You wanted to press your body against his and feel every muscle meld into yours like the connected pieces of a Yin and Yang necklace.

But you couldn't...and Yao’s embrace made you feel as if you were stabbed to the heart with a thousand shards from a fallen porcelain jar. You wanted to cry out; to scream against the heavens for not favoring this unfortunate romance. Instead, you slowly, but firmly detached yourself from his grip, hands pushing away from his chest, empty gaze set frozen and emotionless.

“...Your majesty,” You made sure that your voice didn't waver. “I wish to be alone...please allow me to retire.”

You heard the emperor stiffen and exhale softly to let out a “I bid you goodnight,” before leaving your room. You waited for the sounds of shuffling to disappear before you collapsed and broke your barrier, crying out your frustration and anger for not being able to tell him the truth.

---
Yao had a horrible nightmare.

He dreamed of embracing his beautiful (Name), only to find her turned to stone, expression set in a pained look of anguish and regret while two streams of water marked her hard cheeks and dripped down her face.

Before the emperor could realize what had happened to his darling peony, he heard screams of people within the palace walls. Soon, he and his beloved were covered in thick, black smoke that filled his lungs and started to crush him. As he coughed violently from the toxic substance that polluted his lungs, he noticed two pairs of violet eyes staring down at him amidst the dangerous haze.

The two pairs of eyes gave way to four arms...that proceeded to snatch his beloved away from the emperor’s grip and throw her aside to let her smash to pieces.

With a cry, Yao shot up from his bed, hazel eyes wide though unfocused and his forehead beaded with sweat. His body was burning with fever and his heart was pounding against his tightened chest, breath rapid as he tried to allow the oxygen return to his airways.

Within a couple of seconds, the servants called out from his chambers in worry, panicked voices badgering him with questions and exclaims of his health and condition.

“I've had a nightmare...I am fine,” Yao assured them before he felt himself lurch forward and start coughing.

---

You awoke the next day to the sounds of feet pattering across the floor in a hurry. Blinking your heavy eyes open, you slowly crept out the room to hear a familiar voice sounding from the distance.

“-Cancelled?! Why must the emperor cancel the meeting last minute? Every minute is crucial for the preparation of the wedding ceremony!”

“It is most unfortunate to announce that his highness had fallen ill last night. He will not allow anyone to disturb him from his rest other than the highly requested doctor of medicine. His majesty wishes the visitors of the Kingdom in the North to understand his ailment and situation.”

“Ah, I see.” Ivan replied, letting out a small frown. “That is a shame. When he wakes, please let the emperor know that this matter is extremely urgent--her majesty is growing...tired of waiting.”

“The imperial court discussed earlier that the conjoinment cannot initiate under the pressure of the foreigners.” The servant replied, voice showing hesitation at the last word. “The emperor must grow well before he weds.”

“As much as I would love to allow him to rest, I cannot waste precious time; Her highness’ kingdom is awaiting her arrival after the marriage. If she is not married by the end of this month, she must return, void of all partnerships between this kingdom and her’s.” Ivan’s voice lowered darkly. “...and if this happens...our kingdom will be forced to invade yours and take over.”

Before the chief representative could continue, a man stepped out of the emperor’s chambers and motioned both the servant and the guest to enter. You found this the perfect opportunity to sneak out of your room to approach the outside of the chambers and look into the little crack of the door, anxiety overcoming you to the point where you must know what was happening with the company. Hushed whispers filled the air as the man sat beside the emperor, holding his wrist and checking his face. The servant and the guest remained standing by the elevated bedside, staring down with solemn expressions. It wasn't long before the man turned his head to meet the company’s attention.

“-his majesty is suffering from an illness pertaining to his lungs*. While the malady doesn't look serious and resembles more of a cold, it is uncertain if it would worsen or remain as it is until his majesty recovers.” The doctor commented as he wrung a cloth soaked with water and placed it on top of the emperor’s head. “He needs special care...I may have to make him an herbal drink to help speed his recovery.”

The man then rose from the bed and motioned for some of the waiting servants to follow him as he left the chamber in silence, while the servant stationed in front of the chambers left with Ivan soon after. When the opportunity struck, you proceeded to sneak inside the emperor’s chambers and approach by his bedside, observing him breathe uneasily in his sleep, skin flushed and clammy from his illness.

For the first time in days, you felt yourself break out of your shell (just for a moment), overwhelmed by guilt at the sight of the emperor. You knew that you caused his illness to happen due to the previous night’s events...and your behavior towards Yao was affecting his health as well. The one thing you feared the most...was now coming true.

You choked back a soft sob as you stared down at the weakened emperor, hands clutching the sides of your robe tightly.

If only you didn't block him out....If only you told him the truth...

“Yao...” You whispered as you adjusted the cloth on his forehead while stroking back the damp clumps of hair from his face. You made sure that your actions didn't stir the emperor in his slumber--you did not want him to see this side of you after all. “I’m so sorry...for hurting you. I love you...but we can never be together.”

You cracked a bitter smile as you reached to intertwine your fingers with his gently. Bending down by the bedside, you brushed your lips against his hand in the softest way possible before you drew back slowly, blinking away your tears.

By the time you left the chambers, you missed the emperor murmur your name in his sleep.

---

“The emperor’s condition is getting worse.” You heard a servant whisper gravely to another. “His fever is not going down...and it’s been two weeks!”

“Have you heard? The princess is growing angered by the delay of the wedding! Unless if his majesty is able to heal miraculously by the end of this week, the imperial court may have to cancel the wedding and accept the conquest.”

“I will pray to the gods to prevent that event from happening. By the way...” the servant paused before hesitantly continuing. “...I've heard news that his majesty had been muttering strange things in his sleep...and, according to the palace guard watching his chambers, his majesty persisted in rising from his bed to look for someone despite his weak body.”

“What do you mean?”

“The guard is unsure himself...but he notes his majesty calling out for someone in this palace...and it is not the princess from the other kingdom.”

“This is intriguing. Do the other servants know of this phenomenon?”

“As of now, it is most likely that they know...although the medical specialist assures that his majesty’s behavior is caused by hallucinations resulting from the fever.”

“I do hope the heavens would spare his life. He is a young emperor after all. There are no other heirs beside him that I know of.”

“The emperor’s bloodline is unknown to most people; there are many circulating rumors about this heir. Some say that he descended straight from heaven...others say that he emerged with the nation’s animal on the day of its birth...but such rumors do not matter to anyone now.” The servant heaved a heavy sigh and proceeded to walk away, soft voices diminishing as they traveled down the hall.

---

You couldn't stop thinking of the servants’ words.

Yao’s health was declining and the developing future ties were soon to be severed instead of being enforced. You thought back to the emperor’s behavior and knew that he was growing weaker each passing day without the sight of you. While this pained you to no end (as you ceased in entering his chambers despite your constant urges to visit him), you thought about the last subject in discussion.

The emperor’s bloodline.

If your memory served you correctly, you recalled reading a scroll you found hidden and buried in a special chest back at the study. It was a scripture of a family tree and although you weren't aware at the time (as you quickly took a glimpse towards the contents before putting it away in search for other scrolls), you knew that it pertained to the royal bloodline of past and present emperors for this country. An idea dawned upon you that your past realization may not have been correct.

Perhaps...you were meant to save the emperor after all. Yes, saving the emperor and preventing both the marriage and invasions from occurring was your fate. You knew that your decisions would help him since you knew him well; Yao would do anything to sustain the ties with foreign countries--particularly the Kingdom of the North.

With this realization, you knew that you could not hide in fear any longer. You immediately set out to the study, weaving past the various servants blocking your pathway. You practically rushed into the room once you approached the study, hands desperately finding their way around the multitudes of shelves and rows of parchment paper, scrolls and paper books for the hidden chest. It wasn't long until you found the chest at last and hastily unlocked the box to uncover the item you were searching for.

You unrolled the needed item and inspected the contents thoroughly, eyes widening upon the discovery.

For some strange reason, the royal bloodline of Yao Wang was sabotaged; three of five branches stemming from the same king (but different mothers) were scratched out so that only two remained--Yao’s and another.

Honda Kiku.

You knew this never happened before--despite catching a glimpse of the rolled parchment, you distinctly recalled the document being in perfect condition. That must mean...that someone had recently stumbled across the family tree and decided to scratch out the names.

But...why?

You shook your head. Never mind the reason as it did not matter to you anyway--you needed to talk to the Imperial court as soon as possible.

---

Minutes of discussion turned to hours.

As you stood before the Imperial court with Ivan present, you did your best to convince the men of implementing your ideas for the sake of the emperor.

Your plan was simple: because the emperor was ill, marriage was definitely out of the question as it was still unclear as to whether the ruler would survive the ailment (‘may the gods watch over him’). For this reason, it would be impossible for the Kingdom of the North to pose any threat to their future ally, regardless of marriage. Instead, the two Kingdoms could conjoin through an alliance to bind everything together and they would both be able to exchange goods, weaponry and military tactics without complaint. If the princess wasn't exempt from the marriage rule due to customs, you proposed that she should marry the emperor’s distant brother Kiku from the Kingdom of the East.

To prove that he was the second heir aside from the emperor, you drew the parchment containing the family tree from the folds within your robe and unrolled it to show the company. After a brief period of silent musings and hushed murmurs, most of the Imperial court seemed to agree to your idea. The guest however, did not look very pleased with the compromise. Nonetheless he let out a smile in acknowledgement of your ideas.

“I appreciate the attempts of settling this matter, little one. As much as I love to agree with your proposition, I’m not sure if the princess would accept any of this.” You felt your lips turn downward upon his response and the man mirrored your reaction. “I know how much this means to you, little one. However, this is a matter that must be discussed between members of royalty and high class. If the princess discovers the truth behind this idea of yours, she will grow...enraged.”

Your head snapped up to face the foreign man, (e/c) eyes gazing up into his purple irises. You almost wanted to laugh at him for calling you inferior! Despite the lack in riches and royalties, the emperor had helped you find your true identity. You were (Name), a precious heir to the (Family Name) clan, a survivor of the massacre led by the village with the pearled daggers, and love interest of Yao Wang, emperor of the (Dynasty Name) Dynasty. You knew you had far more power than the chief representative possessed...and this...this savage was calling you inferior...!

As much as you wanted to argue against the man, you decided to simmer down and attempt to convince him once again.

“Please let her highness know of the plans. I understand...that it may not be to her liking. However, we all know that time is running short...and I believe (with my heart) that the emperor would agree to my plans if he were present.” Ivan looked perplexed with this statement, raising an eyebrow before scrunching his nose as if an itch bothered him.

“...Very well. I shall notify her majesty. Although...I find it quite intriguing for such a young lady like yourself to be...in close bonds with the emperor. You must fancy him, little one. And I can see through your eyes a burning desire...a yearn to stay with him...to embrace him just as he was one of your kind.” As you felt your face heat up by his words, you quickly averted your gaze to the side so that the man wasn't able to read you further.

“I-I do not know what you are talking about.” You replied stubbornly. The Chief representative’s widening smile was starting to agitate you. Somehow you started to feel a chill run through your bones, a wave of fear creeping its way up to freeze your body in its place.

“It is simple, (Name).” He placed a hand upon your shoulder and spun you around to face the Imperial court. “I suspect this young lady to be guilty of seducing the emperor. (Name) is nothing but a lusting fox behind the innocent facade...and she is responsible for planning a conquest to sever the ties between our kingdoms, as well as damaging the family tree and risking the emperor’s life so that his death would allow her to obtain the throne.”


Something shattered inside of you as you gazed into the many eyes of the court, your (e/c) eyes mirroring their horrified expressions. The minutes that followed the silence seemed to slow down and burst into chaos as you screamed against the multitude of voices asking the foreigner why he would accuse you of doing such things. You never expected this to happen and now you were being held back by the guards of the court, the parchment already snatched from your fingers.

“I AM INNOCENT!” You cried out, throat gone raw from screaming your defense. “I NEVER DID SUCH THINGS TO THE EMPEROR! I AM INNOCENT! I AM INNOCENT! UNHAND ME!”

Despite the resistance...despite the possible solutions to the problems...despite being able to save the emperor’s life, you were dragged out of the courtroom and thrown into prison, your desperate voices left unheard and unheeded. Just as you thought...Ivan Braginski, the Chief Representative of the Kingdom of the North, had used you as a scapegoat for carrying out his plans. You realized that it was impossible for you to change the minds of the royal, imperial court...and your efforts had gone in vain.

You wept bitterly as you curled yourself into a ball in the corner of your prison cell, words of execution or torture haunting your mind and soul. Within hours of weeping in both fear and failure, you finally exhausted yourself and succumbed into a dreamless sleep.

---

You didn't know how long you fell into unconsciousness.

As you roused yourself awake, you heard screaming reverberating through the many cells of the prison. You stiffened as you expected the guards to instigate their early morning torture before you realized smoke wafting in the air, the smell of burning hay and grass purging your senses. Scrambling to the cell window, you saw a fire rising from the distant side of the palace rooftop, spewing thick clouds of smoke to the heavens while its flaming tongue lapped at the intricate red tiles and golden pagodas of dragons.

Yao.

Your eyes widened as you rushed towards the cell door and shook the bars desperately.

“His majesty is in danger!” You screamed, feeling the panic slowly rising from within you. “P-please let me go...! His majesty is in DANGER!”  

However, no one seemed to heed your plead as there wasn't any sign of guards watching the prison room. You and the prisoners were left screaming from within the cells until the smoke crept into the room, covering the space with a very thick haze. Amidst the tears that sprang from your stinging eyes, you struggled to unlock the padlock with your fingernails, twisting them as best as you can without breaking the nail bed. You needed to see Yao as soon as possible; it was plausible that the kingdom was under attack due to the conflicts...and despite the emperor having guards to protect him, something told you that he wouldn't survive this calamity.

He needed you as much as you needed him.

With this much smoke surrounding the prison and the absence of guards to free you, it seemed impossible for you to escape. You were starting to feel your lungs burn from inhaling the smoke and you were forced to bend over to cough as the tears streamed down your cheeks. You felt your airways start to cut off slowly as you continued to breathe in the toxic substance, head spinning slightly as you collapsed on your knees.

You felt faint...nauseous even, but you knew you had to fight somehow. As you slowly slipped into unconsciousness, you heard a faint voice echoing from the distance.

“-iss (Name).... Miss (Name)!”

Luckily you were conscious enough to hear your name being called and you were glad that she arrived to save you possibly. As you went into another fit of coughing after you attempted to cry out, Chun Yan approached your cell and struggled to unlock the padlock.

“Miss (Name),” the servant gasped, coughing as she continued to rummage through the ring of keys. “You must go to his majesty right away...the princess...she and her army caused the fire...and the guards cannot do anything about it as his majesty refuses to let them fight against them. He also refuses to leave the palace. If the Miss fails to convince his majesty...the palace will burn down.”

Chun Yan managed to unlock the cell to your door by the time she finished speaking and helped you out of the prison, the both of you coughing as you were moved outside at a distance from the fire.

“Please catch your breath and take the emperor to someplace safe.” Chun Yan murmured hastily. “I must go and free the other prisoners...although it is my duty to serve the emperor, he knows better than to allow his enemies to perish unjustly.”

“B-but...you may die!” You exclaimed, eyes widening in bewilderment. The servant merely stared at you in alarm as if you produced silk from your mouth before letting out a secret smile.

“I know, Miss. But I must do what is expected of me--living as a servant in the imperial palace is my fate...my destiny. I must fulfill my role for the emperor and die honorably.”

Despite her past treatment towards you and her attempts in keeping you out of the emperor’s hands, you realized that Chun Yan was doing so to protect him. Ever since you returned to the palace with Yao after the attack, the servant had started to accept you next to his presence. Perhaps, she felt sympathy for your suffering and wanted you to heal. Regardless of this, you knew that the servant was doing her duty to abide by the emperor’s power and retain the stubborn notion of balance for the sake of keeping the country in order. Now that everything was cast aside and thrown out of balance, the servant had no choice but to involve you into the problem and serve the emperor as loyally as she could until the very end.

“I’ll be fine, Miss.” She assured you as you continued to stare at her.  “But please...promise me that you’ll continue to live--I’m afraid that it’s too late to prevent the fire. Please find his Majesty and help him recover; although he is sick, he often calls for you in his sleep--the young emperor is heartbroken (may the gods bless his soul) and he needs your presence.”

“I-I know,” You replied shakily, chin quivering. “I know his majesty needs me...and I've been avoiding him in fear of facing destruction. I’m so sorry, Chun Yan...I have brought about chaos from the heavens and cursed the emperor of this horrid outcome...I've tried my best to undo it...But I-”

Before you could ramble on further, you felt Chun Yan embrace you tightly. “Please...do not say such things. You did not cause this tragedy to happen...so please, take the emperor and run away. Take him to the furthest end of the country...away from the palace...and live. I've done my duty serving his majesty...and I believe it is time for you to start serving him. He fancies you, Miss...treasure that.”

You stifled a sob as you nodded and wrapped your arms around the servant. “Th-Thank you, Chun Yan...for accepting me. I will never forget you.” The servant seemed to stiffen momentarily before she withdrew and helped you up. She gave you one last look of encouragement before she turned and rushed towards the prisons where the thick clouds of smoke engulfed her completely.

---

You focused on hurrying towards Yao’s chambers where you suspected him to reside in. With a thousand quick prayers running through your mind, you weaved through the smoking debris and running servants as you approached the aforementioned room and entered it.

You found the bed empty. The emperor was not present.

‘He must have been moved by the palace guards.’ you quickly assured yourself as you spun around and ran back outside. There was no use in staying now. The fire had already swallowed nearly half of the palace and it didn't look as if it would stop.

As you kept running throughout the palace in search for Yao's whereabouts, you suddenly halted in your running as you observed the scene in front of you. There was an army of men dressed in clothes similar to those from the Kingdom in the North, holding swords and standing in straight lines that faced the burning palace.  Ivan stood in front of the army, seeming to be conversing with a young woman beside him. She was tall and curvy; her silver hair and violet eyes matched the same shades of her chief representative. She was pretty, you noted to yourself, but just as malicious as Ivan. You watched silently as the princess proceeded to spread the flames in the palace with the torch in her hand, laughing gleefully.

"This is better than marriage, dear brother!" she cried, violet eyes reflecting the flames from the palace. "I cannot wait to witness this place leave nothing but ashes and soot after it burns down~!"

Unable to hold down your rising anger towards the Princess and the chief representative, you left from your hiding and resumed your search for the emperor.

It wasn't until you approached the gardens when you discovered a body laying upon the stone pavement, struggling to move towards the palace while breathing heavily.

It was Yao and he was pushing his little strength forward to find you. You instantly rushed by his side, bringing his torso up so that you could embrace him, tears streaming down your face.

"Oh, Yao." you sobbed, burying your wet face against his chest. " I am sorry. I am so sorry for worrying you. It is my fault...it's entirely my fault...please forgive me...!"

After a moment of recovering his breath, the emperor let out a weak laugh as his arms slowly wrapped around your form. "My darling peony," he breathed. "I thought... I would never... see you again. I knew...you would come back...to me."

"Of course I came back, Yao." you sobbed softly, lips forming a smile of relief. "I...needed to come back...so I can save you."

"My precious (Name)," Yao whispered, hand reaching to caress your cheek. You tilted your head down to lean against his touch, lips brushing against his fingers and palm gently. "...don't ever leave me again."

You nodded, laughing softly as the tears streamed down your cheeks as you gazed upon Yao's tired and worn face. By the time you calmed down, you decided it was best for the two of you to leave the palace. Yao did not object when you helped him enter the bamboo forest and set him down in an ox cart you found on the way. You then started your journey towards the village you previously lived in, pulling the ox cart along and murmuring a couple stories to put the emperor at ease, despite knowing that he wasn't likely to pay attention and often dozed in short intervals. Although you were glad to find the emperor at last, you were still anxious to the point when you stopped frequently to assure yourself that he was still alive and breathing.

It wasn't until late at night when you finally reached the village and towards Mei's home. You were scared, exhausted, and in desperate need of a place to stay. Besides, it was very late so you couldn't go visit the village apothecary for any herbal treatments to use for the emperor.  Despite knowing that Yao's presence would most definitely alarm your friend, you had no choice but to ask her, out of anyone else. She is your best friend after all...and you hoped that she forgives you and allow you in.

The gods must have been watching you on account of your favor because, you were fortunate that Mei and her family immediately welcomed you and Yao into their home, despite their brief moment of surprise. After tending to Yao and eating some food, you apologized to Mei for lying to her and thoroughly explained to her of the past events that occurred since the day you left. Mei, in turn, accepted your apology and urged you to sleep, reassuring you thousands of times throughout the night that Yao was going to recover. Nevertheless you didn't sleep properly and spent the rest of the night restless with anxiety.

---

"My dear, did you hear that this nation is going to experience a new emperor under a new dynasty soon?" You approached your reclining husband and sat by his side, arms reaching to rest on his shoulders.

"Ah, is that so?" Yao chuckled, placing his book aside and pulling you closer to seat you onto his lap, lips pressing against your forehead gently. "I did not know of it at all..."

"Apparently it is true; the ladies outside are always gossiping...and it is quite troublesome sometimes." You sighed airily, shaking your head to and fro.

"I suppose you are giving in to their habits, (Name). You're becoming one of them!" Your husband laughed. You shrugged but grinned, watching Yao's amused reaction. When he sobered down, the two of you quietly stared into each other's eyes, pure joy and love mirroring your (e/c) orbs with his mesmerizing hazel ones. Before you knew it, Yao pressed his body against yours tightly as he kissed you slowly, yet passionately...and you responded just as he did with a laugh tickling his lips.

It had been approximately two years since your escape from the palace with the emperor. Thanks to Mei and her mother's gentle care, Yao recovered and regained his strength in two weeks. After spending a month showing Yao around the village and adjusting him to the village lifestyle, the two of you moved to the village in the far corner of the country (where the palace was neither nowhere to be seen nor in proximity) and settled as farmers using the money earned from selling the emperor's slightly worn royal silk robes and shoes. Within two weeks of settling down, Yao and you held a small marriage ceremony in by the pristine rivers surrounding the radiant mountains.  Although the marriage ceremony wasn't very extravagant in its status, it was celebrated by the entire village and made up with lively energy. You joyfully recalled the endless dancing and music played by the talented musicians of all ages, the plentiful banquet arranged by the cooks and mothers, all plates filled to the brim and heaped high with delicious food, and the night gathering for a wonderful firework spectacular. And after the celebration was over, you spent that night alone with your new husband and indulged in each other with happiness and utmost passion.

Besides the blissful days that you shared with your husband, there were also times when Yao felt melancholy and longed to return back to the palace where he could lavish you with the riches he used to possess. You, on the other hand, calmly explained that you had no use for such items, for you always considered him to be the most valuable possession to own. Despite having sold all of Yao's little possessions for money, you kept your identification block safe (on account of Yao’s protests against selling it) to remind you of the life you had with your parents at the village, with Yao in the palace, and with him again in a place you now call home.

As you worked alongside your husband in the fields, picking up the rice grains to shuck or planting them with your ox, you sometimes recalled the days spent in the palace and shared those memories with Yao, laughing together; bemoaning together; crying together.  You thought of Chun Yan and her great loyalty as Yao's servant. You thought of Ivan and the princess from the Kingdom of the North. Then you thought of how absurd the life of royalty was...of how people sought to steal such wealth from those whose palms produced unlimited amounts...of how frail the life of an emperor must be from the day he was born to the day he dies. Yao was fortunate enough to escape royalty and the bonds between heaven and earth. Perhaps living with you in harmony was his destiny all along.

As another day of hard work came to an end, you waited by the door of your home, waiting for Yao to finish his planting. Luckily, the lovely warm climates in the region you lived in served as a perfect place for raising crops plentiful for harvest. The sun had already begun to set, scarlet skies blending hues of yellow, orange and purple. You waited anxiously for your husband to approach you, the long and winding road in front of you seeming to stretch on forever. It wasn't long before your husband returned with his ox and had you lovingly encased in his strong arms, bending down to press his lips against yours tenderly. Before you realized it, Yao swept you off your feet, laughing at your surprised squeals before heading towards the house.

As the years continued to pass by, you continued to savor the time spent with your husband. Despite the tumults and tribulations you faced, despite the occasional arguments and fights and insecurities, you and your husband shared every single moment together. Yao was an ever-loyal husband to you just as you were a loyal wife to him; and the two of you always figured something out. As long as the two of you have each other, you felt more and more confident of living on, just as Chun Yan told you to do. And both of you did live on, without the fear that once plagued your hearts, for all of eternity.

You were his Darling Peony after all.