ETERNAL LOVE : A LOVE STORY

Xiao Li settled on the seat beside the Empress Dowager. She was waiting for the Emperor, to sit on her seat beside him. 

As she was talking to Empress Dowager, they heard a commotion in the crowd. The guard came and announced the arrival of the Emperor.

....

 Seeing her struggling in her dress,  he reached to support her. He gave her, his arm to hold onto it. Seeing his kind gesture she smiled at him and held onto his hand. 

Following them, Lu shi and Feng Ju smiled at the scene unfolding in front of them. 

Lu shi was happy to see, the Emperor taking care of her Miss.

She sighed in relief. 

Feng Ju was walking a few steps behind Lu shi. He looked at the Lu shi who was smiling seeing the exchanges between Ji Cheng and Zhao Ming.

Feng Ju thought, " Silly girl. She gets happy by seeing others happy." he smiled thinking about this.

... 

When Zhao Ming reached in front of the palace, she sighed in relief.

She thought, ' Why the distance from the Chamber to the palace is so long. Ah, they don't even have cars. Do they have any idea, how difficult is to walk in these fucking long dresses.' she cursed inwardly. 

Ji Cheng looked at her annoyed face and asked, " Is there any problem?" 

She looked at him and smiled hesitantly and said, " Eh? Nothing. I was.. Just tired." 

He grew worried seeing the sweat beads on her forehead and said, " Tired? Do you feel unwell? Should I call the doctor?" he asked her. 

She looked at him and thought, ' Why he is so keen to call the doctor? Are the doctors here are so free to be called upon such small matters'. 

' But he is the Emperor. So I guess he can call anyone and anytime.' she nodded and shrugged as she thought about this. 

Ji Cheng raised his eyebrows at her. She looked at him and remembered he asked her something. 

She hurriedly shook her head and said, " No need. I am fine." she said while faking a smile. 

They went forward and the guard standing outside the palace gate came to them and greeted them.

Ji Cheng nodded at him and Zhao Ming also followed the suit. Lu shi has taught her that she doesn't need to reply to everyone's greetings. 

Only the nodding at them will do.

After that, the guard went inside to announce their arrival.  

....

When Xiao Li and Wen Xu heard Ji Cheng's arrival they smiled at each other. Xiao Li excitedly stood up from her seat and Wen Xu remained seated.

All the guests turned their gaze towards the entrance. The consorts also stood from their seats to welcome the Emperor. 

They were excited to see the Emperor after so long. There were around 5 consorts in the palace other than Zhao Ming and Xiao Li. 

They were all married to Ji Cheng in a matrimonial alliance. Even Xiao Li also married in a matrimonial alliance but she was a special case. She has a good relationship with the Empress Dowager. That's why she is better than others.

They get very few chances to see Ji Cheng. 

They try everything to get even a slight attention from him. 

For today's banquet, they have dressed up themselves for hours just to get his attention. They even try to bring other women down or play tricks, just to fight for his attention. 

They get jealous of Xiao Li who not only gets the attention of the Emperor but also Empress Dowager. 

But they can't dare to plot against her. Because they know they are no match for her.

That's why they vent their frustration on Zhao Ming because they know, she doesn't have any support in the Palace. She is nothing but a nominal Empress. 

She doesn't have any powers or support in the Palace. So these consorts always look down on her and even plot against her.

....

Everyone stood from their seats to welcome the Emperor. Their eyes were on the entrance.

The consorts held their breaths when Ji Cheng made his way into the palace. 

He stood at the entrance of the palace, the light was shining from behind, making him look enchanting. 

Consort Mei went to Xiao Li and said, " Consort Xiao Li, the Empress is nowhere to be seen. Shouldn't she be here in to greet the Emperor and Empress Dowager."

"I heard that she woke up from the coma. It would be an embarrassment if she doesn't appear to greet the Empress Dowager," she said in a low voice. 

Though she said in a low voice, but it enough for the Wen Xu and other consorts standing nearby to hear her words. 

Hearing Consort Xie Mei's words, Wen Xu's expressions darkened. It would be an insult if Zhao Ming doesn't appear in the Banquet. 

It's her birthday and if the Empress doesn't appear in the Banquet than everybody will talk about it. 

Xiao Li turned to see Wen Xu's expressions, she was satisfied seeing her dark expression. 

She pretended to be angry at Xie Mei and said, " Consort Xie Mei, don't talk nonsense. Sister Ming will never try to insult the mother. Don't you know how much she respects her." 

" She must be too tired to come to this banquet. And don't you know that she just woke up from the coma, so she must be resting. " she tried to defend Zhao Ming. 

Wen Xu looked at Xiao Li and smiled. ' This girl is extremely nice. Always take the side of that Zhao Ming despite being treated unfairly by her. Hmph. That girl is such an embarrassment. Always being so ruly.' she cursed Zhao Ming inwardly. 

Consort Mei: " Consort Xiao Li. Don't take her side, I heard from my servant that she was perfectly fine now. Other than eating and sleeping she was doing nothing for the whole day."

" My maid has told me, that the imperial doctor has also said that she was healthy and can do other work too. The only thing that, she lost some memories, otherwise she was all healthy. So she should attend this banquet. " 

Hearing her words, Xiao Li helplessly looked at her and said," Consort Mei, don't say like this. Otherwise, people will think that Sister was being unfilial. We should help her, getting her memories back. " she smiled helplessly. 

Consort Mei, shook her head, hearing Xiao Li's words.