The empress, comes from a family of rich merchants. They have no power of saying in the royal household which what the previous emperor wanted. He search the realm for a rich enough family who will can support the royal family financially and doesn't seek power and in-return the royal family provide the protection they need. The Sun family in the west suits the conditions and the youngest daughter is married into the royal family to the crown prince. They trust that the smart daughter and an aunt who follows into the palace. They understand the hostile noble ladies what they are thinking thus with money they have, they buy over their trust and in time, they built security and ensure that they can live in the place without danger. The empress who is only fourteen haven entered the palace. At twenty two, she becomes the empress. She have seen the nobles houses have push in their daughters into the palace. She have seen many who died while giving birth. She herself have adopted all those who's mother have died while giving birth. While she have only given birth to the crown prince at the age of fifteen.Thus she have maintain a young and youthful looks.
"You are Song Ning?"
"Yes your majesty. I am your humble servant Song Ning."
"You are pretty, just like Tan Ye said."
"I am humble by your praise."
"You remind me of myself, many years ago. I was like you. A fresh flower that is blooming but now…"
"You majesty, you are still beautiful like the flowers in the outside world."
"I am now in my forty and i haven't step outside for a long time. I am surrounded by these tall walls and these servants. All day long i see repetitive scenery and nothing else. I only can hear and imagine what Tan Ye tells me but the emperor dislike him to stay and tell me stories."
"Why…"
"Because he is a man… he dislike men to stay around me. Except for some eunuch. No other men is allow near me. Not even the crown prince. He is a jealous husband. "
"Isn't it a good that he loves you that much."
"Yes it is a wonderful thing to find a man that is devoted to just one woman but it is … tiring. Tan Ye somehow have inherited this from his father. Will you able to handle this?"
Song Ning hearing this is surprise. She haven't seen that part of The Third Prince.
"You majesty, I … don't really know his royal highness that well enough."
"Hmm… my son have somehow inherit this trait. Wait… did you say you don't know my son well enough. How did you agree to marry him? Just because he is a prince?"
"No because he connivence me that with him around, i will have a better life."
"And you believe him?"
"Yes, your majesty."
"My son maybe a trust worthy person but there are things to consider. However, since you are not marrying him as a consort, there is a lot of things we can take away to agree on."
"Do you agree to marry him as a concubine?"
"Yes…"
"Do you realised that after you marry him as a concubine. Your children will be label as a second class nobles. They will never be as a superior nobles. They will never have the rights and titles as nobles unless appointed by the emperor. As a mother, these will be taken away from them but they will be the property of the Prince. He can and will decided their fate when time of their coming of age."
Song Ning listen carefully to the empress. This is not a warning nor a threat but a friendly reminder of things to come. Song Ning look at the empress who is gentle and somehow slow in her movement. She walks slowly towards her seat and sits down carefully with the help of her maid. She look at Song Ning who is standing in front of her. She wave her hand and the maid bow and walk away.
"You must be wondering why am i walking so slow… many years ago. I was giving birth to my second child but … she did not survived and i did not heal completely after that. I feel pain off and on but that is about it. Nothing much. Because i cannot … serve my husband in bed, there are a lot of other woman in the harem is willing to serve him and have children. They all took the risk but not many live to see their child. So i become the mother of many Prince and Princess. While i enjoy my time alone and care for myself and the other children."
Song Ning feels sorry for the empress and watch her sip her tea quietly.
"My Tan Ye was living outside the palace at the age of eight. He was a matured little boy and the emperor trust him. Tan Ye is surrounded with woman who is older than him. Thus i am surprise to see you. Unlike the rest of the ladies in his household, you are different. Have you met them?"
"Yes your majesty. I did."
"Consort Ling is the niece of Consort Jia Fei. She was living in the palace for a long time. She is a well manner person. Our ages are not very far yet she have to greet me like an elder because of court manners. When she moved out it is rather sad."
As they talk, she request that Song Ning to take a seat and the maid present pastry and tea. The two ladies talk for awhile. Song Ning see that the sun is setting. Before the sun sets, the empress look at Song Ning and said quietly.
"Even though you agree to marry into the royal family. There is still time for you to reconsider. Tan Ye is still persuading his father to agree on this marriage. It is not going to be easy as he thinks it is. After all, the emperor doesn't need anything now. He only wants the crown prince to be able to stand on his own feet when he walks into the underworld. That is what the emperor is worry for. The crown prince have married early like me and he have a daughter. Till now there is no news of a another child, like a boy. The court officials are saying that he needs to have a son to become the ruler of this realm. Of course i think otherwise. I am just happy that he is a good husband to his wife and a good father to his daughter.
They talk little more and The Third Prince appear. He is sending Song Ning back to her residence. In the carriage, they both did not talk. Song Ning is wondering what is this man thinking of.
"We would need to go visit the Nangong family. They are on my mother's side. I haven't see my grandfather for a long time. So … just to let you know and to introduce you to the rest of the family members. Also we have to have a royal family dinner soon. I told my other wives about you and they are excited. Technically, my father haven't agree with the wedding. However he is working on to agree on the wedding."
"On your mother's side the family… how are they like?"
"Easy going… just like me."