THE EMPRESS PALACE,

ZHAO STATE

The wind howls as it whips through streets, sending discarded leaves and debris swirling in its path. Trees creak and sway ominously, their branches wretched and bare. The sky is a dull grey, with clouds scuring across it like fleeing animals.

Inside , the magnificent palace of The Empress of Zhao , a wretched cry calls .........The father, Empress Consort Pei Yi anxiously walks back and forth the courtyard.

A midwife runs with a bronze bowl , bloody red water , Pei yi tries to enter but is stopped " Your Highness , please don't enter " his subordinate calls but he enters despite the words.

Inside a woman of not more than seventeen lays.....after looking at her consort , she smiles , her pale skin now a flush pink. Pei yi holds his Empress's hand " Ruyi , I'm sorry , you had to go through this pain". Ruyi , the Empress, the ruler of the nation Zhao shakes her head " No ......its not a pain.....Dear"

Contractions intensify, her face contorted in a mix of pain and determination. She breathes deeply, her body working to bring new life into the world.

With each push, her energy surges, and she's fully present in the moment. Sweat beads on her forehead, her eyes locked on something beyond the pain.....Hope

In a final, primal push, a baby emerges, tiny and perfect, into the world, filling the room with its first cry..... Ruyi faints .

Pei yi tends to his wife , the Empress while the midwives clean the baby Princess.The midwife, Mama Zhang gives him their little Princess . A calm and radiant beauty........

Ruyi tries to get up but Pei yi stops her " What do we name her, Your Majesty ?" he asks ......." Xi Yan" she answers " Beauty of a swallow " she says....

" Zhao Xi Yan" he repeats .........In the silent Moonlight the two couple sit side by side holding hands in joy of their newborns presence unaffected by the situation outside.

YU STATE

IMPERIAL CITY

The imperial city, once a symbol of grandeur and power, now lies in ruins. Flames engulf the palace, casting a golden glow over the chaos. The air is thick with smoke and the stench of burning flesh.

In the streets, soldiers clash in a frenzy of steel and blood. The cries of the wounded and the dying fill the air, mingling with the womens' wails. The once-majestic halls are now a charnel house, littered with the bodies of the slain.

Within the palace, the concubines, fearful of capture and dishonor, have taken their own lives. They hang from the silk curtains, their delicate necks snapped, their faces frozen in a macabre smile. The Emperor's favorite, the Lady Mei, lies on her bed, a small dagger buried in her heart. Her eyes, once bright and full of life, are now dull and lifeless.

The Emperor, abandoned by his gods, sits on the throne, his eyes wide with horror as he watches his world burn. The city, once the seat of his power, is now a living hell. The sounds of screams and womens' wails echo through the halls, a chilling testament to the destruction of the once-great dynasty.

As the flames spread, the city is consumed by the fire, a funeral pyre for the empire that once was. The imperial city, a place of beauty and wonder, is no more, reduced to ashes and rubble. The once-proud empire has fallen, and with it, the dreams of its people.

Beside the lifeless body of Lady Mei lies a small boy of not more than five " Mother, Mother" he silently shakes his mother's lifeless body as snot and tears fill his face.

Suddenly , two soilders break in , "Lady Mei was it? rumored to be the most beautiful " one says . " Lets have some fun before others come"the other announces . As they approach the body , the little boy attacks the first soilder with a dagger " Dont hurt my mother" he fights.

The two soilders laugh as they hit the boy hard , he falls on the ground and his nose bleeds .....the two men near the body when suddenly the door breaks open . A female General dressed in black silk and iron armour , rumored to be the Slaughterer of the North, Xiao Ji walks in " What do you think your doing ?" .....the two soilders cower in her gaze ...." Learn to give the dead their dignity" she orders and nears the body .

Her eyes remorseful , as tears wet her cheeks and a sudden flash of anger " You were here to violate this lady , you have violated moral conducts , Only Death is the justified punishment " saying that she slices their heads off.

She nears the body again as she caresses the dead woman 's cheek which was now pale , she frets panicking" Im sorry Mei, I'm sorry .....I've made u dirty , blood i stained u with blood " she mutters like a madwoman .

Suddenly , a shreik , a rustle .....the boy emerges , bloodied nose, blood stained clothes ........Xiao Ji gasps " You....you are Mei's child" ........it wasn't a question......." You have your mothers eyes"

Zhao State

Imperial City

The people had gathered to celebrate Xiao ji victory along with the birth of their new Crown Princess . The Princess is very lucky for us they whispered . But when they saw an unfamiliar child in the Generals mount hourse , they were stunned . " Did the General have a child" one whispered.

" Who cares?" one said ...." Our General is back" .......

" General Xiao Ji , General Xiao Ji" all people welcomed her ......a chior of girls and boys with flowers sang and showered flowers on their heroes.The little boy giggled and his eyes brightened with the showers of flowers ." Do you like it ?" Xiao ji gently asked . The boy nodded yes. Xiao ji felt an unknown satisfaction in her heart. She ruffled his hair and laughed .

The Empress, Zhao Ruyi cradled her baby as she step on the Fort to welcome her General . She got to know from her attendant that a boy from Yu was brought back.

Zhao Ruyi's face turned red with fury as she stormed into the palace, her eyes blazing with anger. "How could you, Xiao Ji?" she demanded, her voice trembling with rage. "How could you adopt the son of a fallen state?"

Xiao Ji stood tall, her expression calm and composed. "he is the 15th prince of Yu, and a innocent child," she replied, her voice steady.

Zhao Ruyi's anger intensified, her grip on her sleeves tightening. "A prince of a fallen state is no prince at all!" she spat. " Hes a n injured snake who might strike in the future Xiao ji"

But just as she was about to unleash her full fury, Xiao Ji dropped a bombshell. "He is Mei's child," she said, her voice soft.

Zhao Ruyi's expression froze, her anger dissipating like mist in the morning sun. Her face fell, and a deep sadness crept into her eyes. She looked away, her shoulders slaving, as the weight of regret settled upon her.

For a moment, the room was heavy with silence, the only sound the soft rustling of her robes as she struggled to compose herself. Her face, once twisted with anger, now wore a look of regret, a sense of longing and loss that seemed to pierce the air.

"Mei..." she whispered, her voice barely audible. The name was a whispered sigh, a bittersweet reminder of what could never be.

Zhao Ruyi's eyes dropped, her gaze falling upon the child, who looked up at her with innocent eyes. For a moment, she saw Mei in his face, and her heart ached with sorrow. She turned away, unable to bear the sight, her mood heavy with regret and longing.

" Come here......come here, Si Feng is it? Im your mother' s sister, Zhao Ruyi , has she told you about me" she asked with a sweet ,gentle voice to not scare him.

Yu Si Feng moved forward , " Aunt Ruyi " he asked , a recognition in his face. " Yes, Yes.....Child, I'm ruyi , aunt ruyi" . She bent down to hug him but he suddenly stabbed her with a dagger .

Xiao ji reacted fast " Your Majesty" . Ruyi was stunned . " This is for my mother " he said again stabbing her. " This is for my country " he said again about to strike but was stopped mid air by Xiao Ji.

The boy was taken away . An imperial physician was called , the Empress would never walk again .