Back in time

Chapter 6- Trish

Chapter 6

Minori's pov

If I said that I was not nervous at that moment, it would have been the biggest lie of the century.

I gulped nervously as I took in the sight of the main palace before me.

Gold. Grand. Magnificent.These were the words that came into my mind as I took in my surroundings. The main palace was furbished in an extensive and intimidating matter that was definitely fitting for an Emperor.It was expected of course, for afterall, this was one of the main palaces where the Emperor held his meetings with the court officials.

"Geeze Ke Jing, why do you seem so impressed by this?It is  almost as if it is the first time that you are here."The eight prince said jokingly, not knowing that he had hit the bulleyes by chance.

Am I that obvious? I wondered as I gave a nervous little laugh.

"Haha ...eighth brother, you sure know how to joke. I'm just looking around because this may be  the last time I'm actually going to be here."

"Oh Ke Jing..." He muttered sadly as he reached out to pull me into a hug .

But before he could even put his arms around me, a powerful voice sounded out.

"That is enough, Yin Si, leave your sister alone."

Immediately, my breath caught in my throat as I looked at the owner of the voice.

He sat on the dragon throne situated at the front of the room. It was a clear indication of who this man was at once.

The mandate of heaven was a handsome middle aged man with weathered lines on his face.

Kang Xi, one of the most famous emperors of the Qing Dynasty, was standing right before me.I was living the dream that many historians had!

As I gave a curtsey to him,I could not help but think of all the amazing feats this man has accomplished.

He ascended the throne when he was seven,only to be treated as  puppet emperor with no real authority or power. Yet, he managed to overcome all of it and become one of the most successful emperors of the Qing Dynasty, and even the whole of China's history!

" How are you Ke Jing ? Are you prepared to move to Mongolia ?" He asked in his powerful voice.

"Yes your majesty, I am already  prepared to do so.I have everything ready ." I answered in the most courtesous and polite voice that I could muster, bowing my head to the ground as a sign of respect to him .

The mandate of Heaven was silent for a moment, his eyes clouded with an emotion that I could not name, before he spoke again in a weary voice.

" Ke Jing, I know that you are upset with me betrayed by the fact that I had to sacrifice you in this political marriage. But plase understand that you are the only one I have left. I have already married off the other  princesses who are older than you and the rest are still too young to be taken into consideration . Please understand where I'm coming from and not act all cold and distant with me." He pleaded in a voice that was not befitting of an Emperor.

I looked up from the jade tiles that I have been staring at for the past few minutes and looked at the Emperor.

Looking into his deep dark eyes that showed concern and apology for his decision, I did not see an Emperor.

Instead, I saw a father . A loving father who had no choice but to lose  his favorite child .

Even though I was not the real Ke Jing, my heart went out to him at that moment. He was an Emperor, a powerful ruler of his time. Yet, he was willing to bow down and explain for his actions.

Even the man who I call father in my world did not care to do so. Afterall,if he had loved me as much as Emperor Kang Xi loved Ke Jing, it would not have stopped him from showing me some concern , even if he was the CEO to one of the most powerful companies in the world, instead of abandoning and pushing me to some stupid boarding school and some camp during every term break.

No, I have gone past the stage of needing my daddy, I told myself firmly as I shook the depressing thoughts away .

Pressing a smile onto my lips, I gave him a gentle shake on my head before saying "Father, I'm not angry at you. I understand everything. I promise you that I would behave like the perfect wife Kame needs and not spoil your plans."

The Emperor smiled warmly and was about to speak when the eighth prince interupted him.

"Ke Jing, my baby sister is all grown up now, so mature, no longer the little conceited baby princess." He cooed , pinching my cheeks as he did so, destroying any moment we had there .

"That's enough Yin Si, leave Ke Jing alone ." The Emperor said in a joking manner before turning to me and say " Thank you, Ke Jing. I hope that you will be happy with him too. He is a rather good match for you. He is handsome, he is smart, and most importantly, he is the most likely successor to his father's throne. You'll be queen."

I gave a wry smile.

What the Emperor said was true. He seemd like a rather good catch to many. However, his mere presence that screamed danger and his player ways were also aspects that warned me to stay away from him. Besides, I was still trying to find a way to get back home , and there was no time and place for such romance in my life.

After some more idle chat with the Emperor, something which I have never dreamt of doing before today, I left the main palace and followed the maid ,who was supposed to bring me back to my own resting palace ,out.

Walking along the road that led me back, I admired the beautiful scenery of the place before. It was something that one would most definitely not see back in the modern world, even if you visited the Summer Palace in Beijing.

Suddenly, my eyes caught on a familiar structure.

It was a well. A well just like the one I fell through.

This could be my ticket back home !

With my heart palpitating wildly in excitment , I signalled for the maid to stop, before making my way towards it.

"Help! Help!Anybody there? Please help me. I fell into the well." I heard a voice called out faintly as I got nearer to the well.

"Get help. Somene fell into the well." I shouted to the maid before runnng to the sides of the well.

My breath caught in my throat as I saw the person who was stranded in the well.

It was Trish, my best friend,  a person who should not appear in this time period.