Very far to the West, so far that the tallest peak of Blue Flower Mountain range couldn’t be seen, was a country called the Tian Empire. It was an old Empire that existed for so long people didn’t know it’s actual age, just that legends indicated it started as a city-state. It borders stretched to the far north into the Northern Wilderness, to the south on the Southern Sea. It dominated the West Coast completely, hogging most of the trade for the continent that would one day be called Europa.

In the Tian Empire’s long years of existence, it was frequently ruled by warmongering emperors who lusted after their neighbors' wealth and land. As a country its rulers perfected the art of conquest, winning war after war by being the cruelest most vicious military in the West. They created a terrifying military power that left all the neighboring countries shaking in fear.

So great was the threat, that smaller countries who would otherwise be hostile towards each other made permanent alliances, combining through marriage, to eventually become sizable countries themselves. None of these countries dare break out in full war against each other, lest the Tian Empire swoop in and take them over during the chaos. Something the Empire had already done in the past. Thus, the West was filled with mostly large countries and few wars.

Over one hundred and thirty years ago a new Emperor, Shu Fu Jing, was crowned. Despite his history as a military commander, he wasn’t eager for conquest. Instead, he focused within his own borders, ruling with a steady and fair hand. For the first time in a long time, the surrounding countries relaxed. At last, it seemed they weren’t at risk of getting taken over!

But a strange thing occurred.

The Tian Emperor did not die, nor did he age. The term “Immortal Emperor”, usually used for buttering up the Emperor, began to take on a literal meaning. The countries who once feared the Tian Empire’s military might now feared it for another reason: it was truly a nation blessed by the gods. Even their Emperor did not die!

Despite his great wealth, power, and eternal youth, the Tian Emperor did not have a huge harem, nor did he seek to have many children. He had no concubines or bedmaids at all and took only one wife. Her name was Ya Xuilan. Even when many years passed and she did not bare the Immortal Emperor even a daughter, he refused to take anyone else into his bed.

This behavior puzzled onlookers for a long time until they realized the Empress was like her husband. She did not age. When she finally bore a son, in her sixties, she didn’t look a day over twenty-five. She was the Eternal Beauty, the Daughter of the Gods, the Immortal Empress.

Or so it seemed.

The Immortal Empress became deathly ill, and while still looking like a young lady, died at the age of eight three. The citizens of the Tian Empire truly mourned her death. The reforms she pushed for improved the lives and health of even the most ordinary citizen. When she died, it felt as though a dazzling light had suddenly been snuffed out.

The Immortal Emperor grieved deeply for his wife. When the traditional time of mourning had passed, he continued. The Palace, which was once filled with parties and celebrations became still and somber. The Emperor never wore gold or red again, opting for grays and blacks instead. Parties were limited to the bare minimum, and other than his son’s birthday, for a long time he did not personally celebrate for any reason.

The sole heir to the throne, Shu Lan Jing, was greatly loved and respected by his people. He was known for his cleverness, filial piety, and generosity. Unlike his Imperial Father, when the time of mourning ended, he went back to living a normal life.

The Crown Prince was quoted as saying, “Imperial Mother lived a very long time. Living to over eighty years is a blessing in most families. Though of course, this Prince misses her, Imperial Mother would not want this Prince to mourn forever either. This Prince must live on, if for no other reason then for Imperial Mother’s sake.”

When the Crown Prince was in his late forties, right after the Immortal Emperor’s one hundred and thirty-fifth birthday, the Emperor announced he was stepping down. He would retire and transition the throne to his son.

This had come to a great shock to everyone, as the Immortal Emperor had never given the slightest indication he’d planned on retiring any time soon. He was still healthy and young-looking as well. Even the Imperial Court was taken completely off guard by his announcement.

The Prince was, perhaps, the only one not surprised. After the Empress had died, the Prince knew it was just a matter of time before his Imperial Father retired. In preparation for that day, he had built a strong following among the political and economic elite. Even the charitable works he instituted or invested in were only to keep his reputation high amongst the citizens. By the time the announcement came, though his Imperial Father had the final word and lead the Imperial Court, it was the Crown Prince who had most of the power.

This was why many within the Imperial Court were pleased even if they hadn’t been expecting it. Not only did the Crown Prince already maintain much of the real power within the kingdom, but he was also much more traditional than the Immortal Emperor in how he ran things. Knowing that a “sensible” person was taking over the Empire was a relief to many in power.

The transition from the Immortal Emperor Fu Jing to Emperor Zhao Ning (the Prince’s “ruling name”) went smoothly. The Immortal Emperor methodically and carefully began handing over power to the Crown Prince.

When the Immortal Emperor’s most faithful followers began fussing about how the Crown Prince did things so differently from his Father, he summoned them one by one. He gently convinced each one to quiet down and accept the new leadership. Each one, though sometimes begrudgingly, eventually gave in and accept the inevitable change that was coming.

Weeks passed peacefully in the Tian Empire as the Crown Prince took over. There was no fighting or upheaval during this time. The citizen’s initial nervousness over getting a new ruler was reassured at seeing things progress so peacefully.

Of course, this was how everyone outside perceived the situation.

Currently, the Immortal Emperor and the Soon-to-Be-Emperor were having a very nasty fight.

“You want to marry again?!” Shu Fu Jing, the Immortal Emperor, was so angry he knocked over his teacup. Expensive tea splashed across the table and floor. “How many more women do you need!?”

Prince Shu Lan Jing rubbed his temple and scowled.

“Must we go through this every time? You know perfectly well I’m marrying to strengthen my posi—”

“Don’t even say it, ah! Who are you competing with that you need to further strengthen your base?!”

“It’s not about competing, it’s about solidifying. By marrying key families within the Empire, I gain their trust and their ear. This will work well for me, especially when dealing with things outside the Imperial Court.”

Shu Fu Jing burst out laughing as if he heard the funniest joke in the world.

“Do I look stupid? Like I was born yesterday? That’s just you rationalizing.”

“Imperial Father—”

“In private just call me Father!” Shu Fu Jing snapped before his face paled, “…your mother would have wanted it that way…”

The Prince pressed his lips together and didn’t argue. When his Imperial Father started talking about his Imperial Mother, he had to be careful. There was a real chance the Immortal Emperor would fall into a deep depression, which made him useless to everyone.

“Father,” He spoke again. “It is perfectly normal for a person of my standing to have many concubines.”

Shu Fu Jing snorted and rolled his eyes.

The Prince refrained from being baited by his Imperial Father’s childish behavior.

“It IS normal, no matter what you say. You were always the odd one in this regard. Is there even a Duke who has less than three concubines in the entire kingdom?”

“You are not like them, Lan.”

Prince Shu Lan Jing’s eye twitched. He disliked when his Imperial Father used his childhood name. That was his Imperial Father’s way of talking down to him.

“Yes, I am. I am a normal man—”

“Ha!”

“—and as such, there is absolutely nothing unusual about wanting to surround myself with beautiful women. Exercising my right as a Prince, as the future Emperor, by marrying whoever I like, is far more normal than you.”

“You—” Shu Fu Jing pointed his finger at his son, face black. “—are you a dog? Do you need to chase after every female in heat? I know you better than that. You aren’t the type to be swayed by lust or greed. I know you’re not marrying these women for the excuses you give me! You shame your Mother with this behavior!”

The Prince shot up from his seat, so furious he was struck speechless for a moment.

“I shame? I SHAME!? If I’m a dog, what does that make my parents?! What are you calling Imperial Mother—”

“Mother, just call her Mother!”

“—by comparing me to a dog?! What’s more, whether she’d be ashamed or not, it doesn’t matter! She’s dead, do you understand?” Even though he saw his Imperial Father’s face go stiff, he ignored it as he lost his temper. “You can’t keep making decisions based on what my Imperial Mother would have wanted. You are living in the past! You will drag yourself and this country down—”

“Then let them be dragged down!” Shu Fu Jing bellowed, standing to match his son. “If they can’t see the wisdom that Xui left behind, they aren’t worth keeping!”

“Imperial Father!”

“What? I’m speaking the truth! And what’s more— Xui isn’t dead!”

“Ugh, not this again.” Prince Shu Lan Jing covered his face with his hands in exasperation.

“Yes, this again! When I got that journal from you on my last birthday—”

“…Father… please…”

“—I realized! Without her body taking up resources, her spirit will have simply been freed. Likely it’s very weak, so weak I can’t sense it anymore. Or maybe it’s floating around out in the world, unable to control—”

“Stop it.” Prince Shu Lan Jing had walked over and grabbed his Imperial Father by the shoulders and started to shake him. “Imperial Mother is dead, you must accept this!”

Shu Fu Jing scowled at his son. “How can you be so smart and so stupid at the same time?”

“That’s what I want to ask you!” The Prince let go of his Imperial Father and began rubbing his temple again, trying to get rid of the headache that had been forming. “Will you send out the declaration for my wedding?”

Shu Fu Jing muttered to himself.

“Imperial Father?”

“Fine, I’ll have it sent out tomorrow.”

The Prince couldn’t help feeling a little suspicious. He’d expected more arguing. His last marriage had resulted in a week-long stalemate before his Imperial Father had finally given in.

“Will you really send it out?”

When Shu Fu Jing gave him a scathing glare. The Prince took a deep, steadying breath. He’d gotten what he’d come for, there was no reason to press matters. And anyway, he didn’t want to lose his temper again.

Cupping his hands, he bowed politely, saying, “Then this Prince will take his leave. May Imperial Father sleep well tonight.”

Shu Fu Jing only grunted and watched his supposedly filial son leave with a blank expression on his face. Once the younger man was gone, he shooed away all his servants who’d been waiting outside to serve him and sat alone in his room in deep contemplation.

He gave a nod to no one and decided: He had put this off for far too long.

Jing then got up and went over to a seemingly random wall. He pushed a spot and a portion of the wall slid smoothly to one side. Within the wall was a large bag. He pulled it out and looked inside.

A wide malicious grin spread across his face as he sorted through the bag. Once he’d checked everything, he closed it and put it away. Humming happily, he got ready for bed and laid down to sleep.

For the first time in a long time, he got a good night’s rest.

The next day, the Palace was in chaos. The servants had gone to help the Immortal Emperor prepare for the day, but couldn’t find him. The Head Eunuch had been called in, but he and his servants couldn’t find the Emperor either. Eventually, the Crown Prince was called in as well.

The Prince searched all the spots he knew his Imperial Father might frequent but the servants couldn’t reach or simply didn’t know about. Just in case, he rechecked the blue flowering tree that was hidden in the corner of the Palace gardens. Even after all these years, the servants didn’t know the value of the tree.

There, attached to the trunk of the old tree, was a note. It read:

“Little Lan, I’ve decided to travel the world like your Mother once did. Perhaps I’ll find her, or find a way to find her. Don’t look for me. Enjoy being the Emperor while you can. When you’ve come to your senses, head to the Far Eastern Mountains. Shu Fu Jing.” Below the name was a wax pressed seal proving it was written by the Immortal Emperor.

Prince Shu Lan Jing held the paper with shaking hands. There were still 8 months to go before his Imperial Father was supposed to retire. Lan Jing had personally planned the entire year out to make sure everything was done properly. By leaving early, the Immortal Emperor had ruined his only son’s meticulous planning.

No wonder his Imperial Father had relented so quickly about his marriage, Lan Jing suddenly realized.

His Imperial Father had known he was leaving, which meant this wasn’t a spur of the moment decision. He knew he’d leave and by leaving without notice, it’d force Lan Jing to put a hold on marriage talks and focus on his coronation. Not to mention governing, he also had to move his now sizable household into the Palace proper. That itself would take quite some time.

Then there was the problem of the Empress. He had no intention of making any of the women in his current harem an Empress. Thinking he had plenty of time, he’d only just narrowed down the three women he was considering for the position. He’d intended on going to each of the families and sounding them out before making a decision.

Now he had to decide on either rushing the decision or waiting to make it. If he took a concubine right before or after being coronated, that would be like announcing he wasn’t interested in taking an Empress yet. The Imperial Court definitely wasn’t going to be silent about that. Part of solidifying an Emperor’s rule is picking an Empress with strong backing.

While his Imperial Father broke traditions right and left, he was forgiven because he was so powerful that he could do what he wanted. The Empress he picked was similar in that regard so no one could say anything. But the Crown Prince valued tradition, law, and his own face!

There was a saying in the Imperial family that went like this, “Though the Emperor is the Son of Heaven, he is still subject to the Heavens.”

This was a warning to Emperors to never take their authority too far. Technically he could marry a concubine and put off picking an Empress if he liked, but that didn’t mean it was a good idea. He was the first new Emperor in over a hundred years. If he upset the Imperial Court and acted foolishly at the start of his reign, it would set the tone for everything after. He needed to follow the rules properly otherwise there’d be chaos later.

The Imperial rules about wives and concubines were strict, especially when it concerned the dignity and face of an Empress. For six months before the wedding or coronation of an Empress, the Emperor couldn’t marry. For a year after, he couldn’t visit the concubines already in his harem. This was to give the Empress time to get pregnant and to solidify her influence in the harem.

Thus unless the Prince planned on making a woman his Empress, there was no way he could marry so soon after being crowned. The Immortal Emperor knew all this very well. He knew it and yet he dared run away!

If Lan Jing didn’t need the note as evidence for his Imperial Father’s willing departure to show to the Imperial Court, he’d have torn it up in a rage and then stomped on it!