Zhuzhu, make sure of Danjun's moves, I don't need anyone bullying him." The princess ordered after arriving in her room. "Yes, my lady, but when he goes to the academy it's going to be hard. No outside guards or spies can enter." While the princess gets changed by her maids, she starts thinking. "You're right. I know who is fit for the job. She won't be suspected even if she hangs close to him. Invite her for tea tomorrow."
"Yes, my lady. I will make sure your needs are arranged." A nod of approval from Zhuzhu's master as she finished changing to her sleeping garments.
"Elira, reporting for duty." A woman dressed in a black uniform walked in and bowed on one knee. "Rise, I count on you tonight for protection. Wake me if there is something odd. I shall retire for the night." One small wave of her hand made everyone leave and the princess sat on her bed. "Is there something, Elira?" The princess noticed her nervous stance. "Elira, you have been serving me for five years now, you can tell me whatever. Come here." The female guard took a few steps forward. "Princess, I." Her eyes kept wavering. "I uh. It isn't official yet, but I have heard I might be sent as one of the reinforcements to the border. I just feel like I don't want to leave your side like that."
A smile from the princess. "Elira, do you adore me that much." A little giggle. "I didn't know the border needed reinforcements. Weren't we doing well?"
"Sorry to bother you so late at night, Your Highness. Yes we were doing good, but apparently there was a matter with a noble's son on the battlefield who tried to sell us to the Empire. But that matter is now settled, thanks to the third prince, Zaoxun. It's just it seems our losses were too much and now reinforcements are needed."
"Hm, that sounds fishy. But if you are ordered to go it is what it is." She thought for a moment and looked up to her loyal soldier standing in front of her. "You are a great knight and your skills are amazing, I am sure everyone's hearts would be at ease with you on the border." A smile.
"I might never come back if I go. I-."
"I know. But isn't it the same as being my guard? Your life can easily be lost just by standing in this room. See it as protecting something I love, okay?" A pained expression appeared on Elira's face. "When?"
"I suspect in about a month."
"Be sure that before you go, you come to me to say bye." A stern nod. "I admire you, you know. You're not someone who betrays herself, is strong and has a kind heart. No one could walk over you." Another smile from the princess. "Maybe if you come back, you can tell me stories about the land I love, but wouldn't ever be able to see." Another nod, alongside a bow. A bow on one knee with her hand covering her fist. "I will continue with my duty. Good night, princess.
~~~
It was a peaceful afternoon in the office of the princess, she was approving certain matters of the palace, when her servant, Zhuzhu, came in.
"Greetings, my Lady. I apologise for coming into your study, when you have lots of matters to take care of." A deep bow, while the princess looks up from her desk. "There is someone at the Jade hall requesting your presence. You may refuse, of course."
"Rise. Who requests my presence? The official who is on stand-by?"
"No, I was informed it was a woman from the city. She specifically asked for you to seek justice for her."
"Okay, let's go." The princess stood up from her seat and immediately started walking outside, as she passed her servant. Both her guards - Kaelan and Elira, who stood guard in front of the doorway - followed her as she walked. "My lady, let me prepare a carriage for you." Zhuzhu loudly said as she ran after her. The princess can walk fast. "Is there anything you know about the situation of the lady?" Her servants keep up with her pace.
"I only heard that the husband of the lady has been wronged and is put on trial and on the way to execution. She claims that her husband has been framed." Zhuzhu explained while almost running behind the princess.
The princess had nothing to say, as she continued her pace, she arrived at the Jade Hall of Justice connected to the palace.
When the princess turned 18, three years ago, she realised her ambition to lend an ear to the people's concerns. This is done by creating the Jade Hall of Justice. With time these Halls spread from the palace into the Capital. This trend started in big cities in the kingdom first. Now these are in every city which has enough people to facilitate this. Villages that are too small are able to go to a close by city and will still get heard. Every Jade Hall has well educated officials in law. They are all either handpicked by the princess or by people who work for her and were involved in the process.
As she arrived, there were two officials in the room, a young and old man, standing tall in front of a woman. A middle aged woman on her knees, with wet eyes. Behind her was an open door. A door, open to the public. A large crowd formed. The Princess held her fan in front of her face and approached the men. "Oh, Princess, you really came..." The younger man nervously laughed. "This woman had remarks about the recent criminal investigation," His tone changed into a more irritated one, "but our judgement wasn't wrong. This woman is just too desperate to get her husband freed, even though he is a criminal." He started to rub his temples.
Zhuzhu stepped in with an annoyed voice, "Drop your casual attitude when talking to the Royal Family. You keep calling the royal princes and they won't bother with this case. This has caused so much commotion that the Princess has to see if the officials of the Jade Hall really cannot handle this on their own." Her face disgusted.
"Zhenzhu." One call from the princess and she stopped her rambling. The people outside watched in awe as she walked to the woman. She reached out one free hand to her, while the other one was still holding her fan.
"Princess..." The woman took the hand the princess offered and the princess pulled her up. "No need to bow your head when asking for justice. We are all human. Tell me about your concerns ma'am." The lady's eyes widened and teared up.
"I- In that recent case where many men got arrested for being a conman or something in doing business with people in the capital... I, I." The woman tripped over her words and started crying. "It's okay ma'am, go ahead." She nodded as the princess reassured her with a gentle voice. Even if it wasn't completely visible, the lady felt a genuine smile behind the fan.
"My husband, he is not a conman, and now he might get executed or something because of this. This isn't fair. My lady, please save my husband. He really is an honest man. I bet his so-called friends put him up to it." The lady grasped the princess' hand with both of her hands. Everyone in and out the room were looking closely at the princess. Everyone was curious about what she would do and say next. Nobody dared to step in. The lady looked into her eyes.
"Princess Mireille, I beg of you. Please, save my husband from this unfair and horrible fate." The princess brushed her hands away. "Ma'am, can you write?" Confused whispers were heard from the crowd, Zhuzhu took pieces of paper and ink that were in the room. "I, what? I mean, yes, I can, Your Highness."
"Write your name, write about your household. Write about your circle and suspicions. Write about everything that might prove your husband's innocence." As she said this the paper and ink were set neatly on a low table in the room by Zhuzhu. And she did exactly that, as everyone watched the woman take a seat on the cushion to do this task.
As she finished, she immediately looked up. "Your Highness, this means you will save him right?" Her voice was so high, like she could scream of happiness that moment. However this excitement went down very quickly.
"No, I never said I will. I will, however, bring you and this case justice. This case was issued by me, but if my men and I really made the mistake of accusing men that are innocent or if we didn't arrest men that should've been arrested, it is my job to reinvestigate this and bring justice to the people." She looked deep in the lady's eyes, "My promise to you is that I will bring the truth to the case. In ten days I will have this misunderstanding solved." She closed her fan. "I, Princess Mireille Hua of the kingdom of Yingzhi, don't break promises. I will find out the truth."
As no one could say anything, the princess left, to return to her mansion. Zhuzhu walked to the woman to retrieve the papers. "Ma'am, please don't hold these documents so tight, the Princess needs them for the investigation." She kept pulling slightly, as to not rip it, but the lady kept gripping it tightly. "wh.t..h.ve..I.don..."
"What was that? Ma'am? Hello? The Princess is so kind to offer to handle this case herself despite her busy schedule, and this is how you cooperate?"
"Huh, oh, right. Here you go."
"Thank you."
"Zhenzhu," the old official, called, "Is it really alright? We are here for a reason." A deep sigh came out of her mouth. "Listen, this is supposed to be your job, but like I already said, this caused a big commotion. Now you added to her busy schedule. The Princess is here to prove a point, I hope, I don't know what goes through her head. But I trust her, and you should too. All of you."
And she left.
"I knew this wasn't a wasted trip. The Princess really is cool in person."