Chapter 6 (1/2)

Chapter 6: A Far Journey Ahead

On March 29 of the thirty-third year of Hongwu, Princess Yi Ning of Korea set out fro Dynasty, the East Palace of the royal grandson, in accordance to the imperial decree

The winter snow hadair There were hints of green on the tips of the aspen tree’s twigs There were— fa with thebok Palace like bees The Gwanghwas aved in the air Rows of guards stood at order, their ar

Scriptures, lacquerware, dukbokki, tribute rice… thirty large wagons were filled to the bri had sent the administrative co the decree in accoeant Zhao Ke held under his command, 165 soldiers as an escort There was a chaotic es, and horses The expansive square in front of the Gyeongbok Palace appeared to be a bit crowded

The king and the royal consort had brought all the civil and hwaic sympathies Mada for ht She pulled on Lotus’ hands, unable to speak Zheng sanggung held onto Madame Cao, and murmured loords of comfort into her ears

Lotus was dressed splendidly, in observance of the occasion Her thick and beautiful hair was as plentiful as spring pines, while her courtly dress was as resplendent as the sunset falling on a palace pond — an unparalleled abode for immortals Her hands clutched heronto seventeen years of support Zheng sanggung reminded her in a low voice, “Princess! The time has arrived” Lotus’ eyes were full of o of her mother’s hands

She walked gracefully to the king and royal consort, genuflecting in a grand, for and consort reached out their hands to help her up, yet Lotus refused to rise She still koed three times All that could’ve been said had already been said thousands, hundreds of times Everyone’s throats were frozen with a lack of words Finally, the king cleared his throat and said loudly, “Go forth, my child! May your journey be smooth and peaceful, and cement forevermore the ties of friendshi+p between our Korea and the Imperial Court! May you e flourish!+”

The civil and martial officials, and the nearby citizens also called out loudly, “Cement the ties of friendshi+p between Korea and the I flourish!+” “Have a smooth and safe journey princess!” The calls rose one after another, reverberating in front of the Gyeongbok Palace Tears swaain and again, turning to cliaze in the direction of the hundred officials, but Lee Fangyuan hadn’t co of ee Shan Xi was attending to her on the side, and Hai Shou followed quickly behind on a horse

As she waved, the figures of the king, the royal consort, her mother, and the hundred officials, all became smaller and smaller The calls of “Safe travels Princess!” also becabok Palace finally disappeared after a bend in the road

There were sometimes citizens out on the streets who’d cos of “Safe travels Princess!” Lotus smiled and waved her hand back at theates and made it onto the official road, Lotus turned her head and looked at the city gates

Farewell, Seoul!

Farewell, my home!

The carriage’s speed beca it onto the official road The trees on the side of the road flew by Lotus sat up straight within the carriage, with her eyes closed, and didn’t say a word Even the normally talkative Shan Xi was quiet today It was quiet within the carriage, with only the sound of the axle turning audible The groo ith a thwack!

After traveling roughly ten kilometers, they were about to leave the boundaries of Seoul There was a vague coe ian to slon and stop Shan Xi asked repeatedly, “What’s going on? What’s happening? Go check it out!” Hai Shou had already dashed to the front without waiting for Lotus’ orders Shan Xi diselanced to the front of the entourage

After a short while, Hai Shou ca politely “Princess, your presence is requested” He hesitated “It’s His Highness”

Lotus was greatly startled, and slowly disee in expression, walking towards the front She saw Lee Fangyuan astride a horse after she took a few steps, as for a barrier in the middle of the official rode A white horse, splendid clothes, and a black cape forh it was only oneaura of a thousand troops and tens of thousands of horses Nan Huo and Zhao Ke were keeping a large distance with the soldiers and the groo from afar when they saw Lotus

Lotus walked forward, tilted her head up, and called out, “Royal brother!” She then reached out her hand and stroked the white horse’sintimately, “White Sno are you? I haven’t seen you in so long!” White Snow shook his head, snorting through his nose in a type of greeting

Lee Fangyuan leapt off his horse and stood in front of Lotus Their gazes aze away She said softly, “Thank you, I’ve read it”

Lee Fangyuan nodded, saying, “The royal grandson is a nice person, and there’s only one royal consort in the Eastern Palace You shouldn’t be too bad off if you go But don’t make careless moves with the Emperor, or the multiple nobles and officials”

“Mm”

“If anything happens when you reach the capital, go find my people”

“M inaudibly

Lee Fangyuan sighed lightly, and reached out a hand to tilt Lotus’ chin up He looked into her eyes and said carefully, “I’ll ask you one final tio?”

Lotus looked at him His cheeks were da lashes bore traces of water It was obvious that he had set out early in the , and had waited until now His each and every as suffused with resignation and forbearance, and small flames danced in the bottom of his dark eyes

Lotus was touched and she called senti at Lotus, the flayuan’s hand was a bit stiff “I will forever hold everything about here inoff of the surface Lee Fangyuan slowly released his hands, and his back was a bit bent

The tere silent for a long tiyuan turned his head and waved his hand in farewell “Be on your way” Lotus also didn’t dare look at hie Nan Huo and Zhao Ke reorganized the entourage when they received an indication froain set out on their path