Many years ago, a Prince in dark green robe stood before the Emperor and Empress of Wu Xi. In honor of the Emperor's birthday, the Prince had recited a poem:
May we remember Soldiers of Peace
May They be free from maladies and war
May children remain innocent of death
May mothers hearts always be at ease
May fathers delight in righteousness
May All be well, happy, and peaceful
"May Royal Father always be well, happy, and peaceful"
"Excellent!" The Emperor laughed happily.
"Quan, such a wonderful poem" The Empress clapped with a smile. "Where did you find such beautiful words?"
"Tripitaka"
"Tripitaka?" The Empress laughed. "Don't trick your mother. Tripitaka does not hold such poems. You must tell your Royal Mother the truth"
"Royal Mother, the poem is from Tripitaka"
"Then tell me where"
"Royal Mother, the poem will become meaningless if you don't understand its origin yourself"
"You're just being stingy" The Empress pouted.
Prince Hai Quan bright laughter always was a joy to hear.
Standing in the same spot where Prince Hai Quan once stood, the young woman in jade green had spoken the same words. No one could understand the turmoil in the Empress' heart - no one but the Emperor.
Not only was the Emperor and Empress moved, the crowd's hearts were moved. A painting that they found so horrifying just moments ago is now transformed into a beautiful and sorrowful scene. Against the red image, the black elegant letters revealed depths of meaning.
"How do you know this poem?"
Empress Wenqian couldn't stop the tremor in her voice. The same poem was once recited by her dearest son Prince Wu Hai Quan. She could still remember his mischievous smiles when he refused to let her know the origin of the poem.
"The Lady has read Tripitaka"
Prince Kham Leng answered everyone's question. Tripitaka was rare old scriptures only masters of the temples would have. These Holy Scriptures were very difficult to read and even more difficult to obtain. Guarded in the temples, the old masters very rarely did allow people without "fate" to read it. So how did Li Ruyi have access to the scriptures?
"Tripitaka?" Ruyi heard the word but was confused by it.
This made Prince Kham Leng even more curious by her.
"Yes" Prince Kham Leng couldn't help but smile softly toward the lovely Ruyi. "Does the lady not know?"
Ruyi's blank expression was a clear answer.
"Then I'm curious. How did the Lady know words from the Buddhist Holy Scriptures?"
"My Wang Fei does not need your interrogation"
Wu Jian went to Ruyi side and immediately took the cape from Jumao to cover her body. Prince Kham Leng chuckled amusedly when Wu Jian purposely covered Ruyi's head with the hood of the cape.
"It's a shame to cover a beauty"
"If you want your eyes intact" Wu Jian glared. "Keep them to yourself"
The Crown Prince of Thonze did not come without protection. Nearby his own tent, dozens of guards stood. Their strengths are comparable to Wu Jian's own guards. But Prince Kham Leng only smile at Wu Jian's threats and stopped his men from coming forward with a lift of a fist. Before the situation get out of control, Emperor Huizhong took control with a question of his own.
"Li Ruyi, this poem" Emperor Huizhong eyes had not looked away from the written words. "How did you know it?"
Emperor Huizhong repeated his Empress' original question. For Emperor Huizhong and Empress Wenqian, this poem was the last memory of their beloved son. Other than the Crown Prince and a few of the officials present, no one else knew that Prince Hai Quan had once recited those exact words.
Wu Jian was becoming more irritated that Ruyi was being interrogated by his own grandfather – a man he respected since youth. It bothered him even more that some were looking at her with fascination. Wanting to take her away - back to the safe of his estate, Wu Jian took hold of Ruyi's hand.
"Your majesty..." Ruyi tightened her hold of Wu Jian, standing firmly before Emperor Huizhong and Empress Wenqian. "Ruyi found a book a long time ago... the poem was_"
"Impossible!"
Princess Wu Ting could no longer hold in the jealousy she felt, seeing Wu Jian protecting the pale woman.
"Your majesty" Wu Ting went to her knees and placed her hand on the arm of the Empress. "She's clearly lying. When mother spoke out of turn, she was punished. She's lying to your majesties yet she's still stand unpunished"
No one spoke when they saw the cold expression on the Empress' face.
"This book you speak of, where it is?" Emperor Huizhong voice was soft – strangely gentle.
Before Wu Ting cried out her complaint, Empress Wenqian gave her a hard look. She wanted to know the truth behind the poem and wanted no interruption.
"Go back to your seat"
Stunned, the young princess couldn't believe she was dismissed coldly by the Empress. Before she could say anything else, the eunuch had already moved her back to the seat.