Empress Of The Lost Kingdom

Li Juan gently traced the inscriptions on the stone monument which was smooth and cold, while her mind brimmed with an unknown melancholy,

"It is believed that the plum tree is planted by one of the Emperors, in the memory of his beloved wife," A local guide explained to a group of students who stood next to the tree,

"Hey, this tree doesn't look that old, he is bluffing," Someone commented,

"Once the tree reaches its peak of age, a new sapling sprouted from the dying tree as a symbol of-" The guide stopped looked at the group and asked in anticipation, "Does anyone knows about the symbolisation of plum blossom?"

Teachers who led the group swept a glance across the students who were left in awkward silence,

Those kids who refuse to open their mouth in the classroom, how are they going to answer this question?

"Preservence and hope," Li Juan who remained solemn opened her mouth to answer, gaining attention from everyone present there.

"Yes, that's it, preservence and hope, thank you miss," The guide thanked Li Juan with a grin.

Tang Wei Sheng smirked at Li Juan who was trying to hide her face in embarrassment.

"But I wonder why a tree with such a meaning planted here?" One of the teachers shared his doubt. "I heard that this monastery used be a school,"

"What you heard is right sir. This monastery used to be an ancient school named Jin sect and this mountain is known as the cloudy peaks of Guan empire. The historical records prove that the royal family gave their empress, who was fond of mountains, the Yun mountains and the eternal city of spring, as her betrothal gifts. The stories say that the Empress's chamber faces the Yun mountains and the Emperor used to come here and look at the direction where his wife used to live,"

"He must have loved her a lot," A low voice heard from the group of students as they moved to the other side of the yard,

"Should I give you half of the plots in Jing city owned by Tang corporations as betrothal gifts?" Tang Wei Sheng nudged Li Juan who was immersed in the story and whispered in her ear,

"Why half?" Her reply was surprisingly random,

"Other half is kept for Lanlan's betrothal," Tang Wei Sheng chuckled and continued, "Since it is for you, she will be happy to give you the plots, maybe even her shares,"

"Why do I need the plots and shares? She scoffed and replied coldly, "All I need is a home to live," 

"Of course, you only need a home," Tang Wei Sheng agreed with her while he brushed few petals fell on Li Juan's ebony tresses, "You should choose one of the plots and we will build a home there. You, me and our children can live happily forever,"

Li Juan stared at Tang Wei Sheng in disbelief, as he continued to share his future plans with her,

"I would love to have two baby girls who take after their mother," He touched her nose and gently smiled with doting eyes,

Even though Li Juan doesn't interested in his future plans, she subconsciously tossed a question which came to her mind,

"Why not boys?"

Tang Wei Sheng's bright face darkened all at once when her crystal clear voice reached him, 

Does Li Juan prefer a baby boy?

"I thought you would've preferred a boy, you know, one who is capable enough to inherit your corporation,"

"Inheriting the corporations," Tang Wei Sheng sneered inwardly,

The male child born in his blood not only inherit the shares but also the curse. He will be forced to become the vessel of Wolf God. Tang Wei Sheng hated the idea of letting his child go through the same torture as he did,

Tang Wei Sheng dragged his wandering thoughts back to the woman who stood before with curious eyes,

"I don't think it doesn't matter anymore. I will be absolutely happy to hand over everything to my child whether it is a boy or a girl," He assured her with a smile.

"I have seen how you and Lanlan took care of each other, I have seen how your cousins took care of you...I...I thought it would be really nice to have a little Juan by my side..." Tang Wei Sheng's almond eyes drifted here and there as he tried to hide happiness. However as soon as his gaze fell on Li Juan's troubled face, he immediately regretted his choice of words,

"No, no it doesn't mean that I will love our daughter more than you," He rephrased his words and placed his palm on top of her head, "Your place in my heart will always remain the same, for me it will be always you,"

Though Li Juan replied with a faint smile, none of his words held a weightage in her heart. Her consciousness refused to believe the sincerity and dedication in his voice. 

Li Juan took a step away from him as if she wants to pluck the plum flowers,

"Miss, please don't pluck the flowers," a gentle yet authoritative sound floating from the other side,

Li Juan who got startled immediately retracted her hand and looked at the direction from which the sound was heard, 

It was a monk in bright clothes,

"I apologise for misconduct, master," Li Juan bowed before him, 

However when the monk's eyes met the young woman remained with an apologetic face, the calmness in his face momentarily replaced with astonishment.

He walked over with steady steps,

"We are extremely sorry-" Li Juan tried to apologize again. She wasn't trying to pluck the flowers, she was trying to avoid Tang Wei Sheng's advance.

"Miss, are you related to the Bai family in any way?" The monk interrupted her and asked in a calm voice,

Li Juan's eyes gleamed in surprise as she steadied her posture and agreed with a nod,

"Yes, I am Bai Yue Ling," She introduced herself with her official name,

The monk immediately bowed to pay his respects,

"Jin Jingdao of Jin sect pays respect to our Queen,"

"How.. how did you know?" Li Juan stuttered in bewilderment. She didn't mention anything about her title, yet he found that she is the queen.

"How can we fail to recognize someone from the Yu clan and your name itself is the biggest hint,"

Li Juan affirmed with a hum. During the preparations of the coronation ceremony, Bai Qi has informed her about the name. Li Juan was never fond of changing her mother's surname, However, he convinced her by quoting that the Queen born in the Bai family, who is the direct descendant of lunar maiden will be named after the moon goddess "Yue,"

"Would you like to pay a visit to grandmaster Jin?" The monk asked her,

Li Juan turned to towards Tang Wei Sheng,

"I will wait here," he replied and let her leave with the monk. 

The monk led her to the visiting room of the grandmaster, who is the head monk of the monastery.

Li Juan bowed before Grandmaster Jin a man in his late seventies,

" Bai Yue Ling of Yu clan pays respect to grandmaster Jin,"

"It's a pleasure to meet you, majesty," He acknowledged her presence with a gentle smile.

"Grandmaster, it would really nice if you avoid the honorifics,'" She said with a humble voice.

"As I expected of the young miss of Bai family," Grandmaster's wrinkled face brightened, "finally I got a chance to meet you in person,"

Li Juan was puzzled by the ambiguity of his words,

"When Young master Guan visited us last time, he has informed us that the true owner of the Yun mountains will visit us soon," Grandmaster added when he noticed her perplexed look,

" Guan Tian Long?" Li Juan enunciated the name with a little hesitation,

"First young master Tae Yang,"

Unable to believe what she heard, Li Juan stared back at the monk,

"Young master Tae Yang said that I will come here? When?"

"I think it was two years ago,"He raised his eyebrows as he tried to remember,

"Youngmasters of Guan family visited us and first young master promised that next time he will bring you here." 

Li Juan who wore a confused expression on her face remained silent,

"Is he here?" Grandmaster Jin asked all of sudden,

"No, I came with a friend,"

Suddenly a bell rang, informing them about the lunch hours,

"Would it be an inconvenience if we invite you to join for a meal?" The monk asked her, "It is the first time, her majesty visiting the Jin sect,"

"No," 

After spending some time with the grandmaster, Li Juan walked outside and found Tang Wei Sheng standing patiently where she left him,

Under the plum tree, he stood like a piece of artwork, pink petals whirling down in the gentle breeze.

As she watched Tang Wei Sheng, Li Juan's paces slowed down and a sudden memory of man standing under the plum tree flashed in her memories,

A sudden bolt of lightning jolted across her muddled brain.

The panoramic view of the Yun mountains faded before her and it got replaced with a cold and silent whitewashed room filled with the smell of sanitiser and medicines,

The people are whispering, sniggering,

"That girl asked out a resident doctor for a date,"

Li Juan squinted her eyes as she tried to adjust with the environment, 

"Sweetheart, are you alright?" Tang Wei Sheng's deep voice pulled her back to reality, as he grabbed her trembling body, 

Li Juan raised her eyes at him with unfamilarity, it took her a moment to recognize him,

"They....they asked us to join the meal,"

"Oh, you scared me," He replied and helped Li Juan steady her posture.

Li Juan and Tang Wei Sheng walked towards the inner chambers of the monastery and had a light meal with the young monks. 

"The man who came with you, is he your friend? Grandmaster Jin asked Li Juan when he got a moment alone with her.

"We used to be in love," Li Juan didn't hide the truth.

Her plain reply made the old man crease his eyebrows in doubt,

"I have been in an accident and I am unable to remember anything that happened in the past few years. Though I get occasional flashbacks, it is not clear enough to help me remember and it includes him too," She explained with an expressionless face.

"You must look for them," Grandmaster advised her with a smile," the memories, where did you gain them, where did you lost them? You must search for them,"

------------------------------

After coming back from the mountains, Li Juan fell asleep as soon as her body touched the bed. She was tired to death, that she didn't care to change her clothes or shower. Tang Wei Sheng who watched her sleepy face, covered her with the blanket and placed a gentle kiss on her hairline before heading towards the bathroom,

When Li Juan woke up from her sleep, she was alone in the room. Tang Wei Sheng was nowhere to see, only a note placed on the bedside table,

"Come and find me in the rooftop restaurant,"

Li Juan groggily dragged her body towards the bathroom, to wash off the exhaustion,

Tang Wei Sheng waited in a corner of the rooftop restaurant facing the Yun mountains. As he double-checked the flowers and candles placed on the table his thin lips curved upwards in happiness.

He is going to propose her again,

This time there will no one take her away from him,

Tang Wei Sheng checked the jewellery box which is placed in his pocket,

His yearning is going to end today,

Within a few minutes, Li Juan walked into the restaurant, adorned in a wine red dress, her jet-black hair cascading down her shoulders,

Tang Wei Sheng gazed at the woman who walking towards him in poise

Li Juan, she has changed, well in a good way.

The Li Juan he knew was simple and down to earth girl, but the person who is in front of him oozed elegance and royalty in every action. The way she carries herself, her attire and manners everything called out the Queen in her. 

Li Juan smiled and sat across the table as she watched Tang Wei Sheng who remained bedazzled,

"I want to ask you something." 

"Yes sweetheart, anything." Tang Wei Sheng replied,

"You might've known by now that, I have lost almost 8 years worth memories and I don't even know-how ended up in the hospital," She stated with a determined face,

"It is okay sweetheart, you don't have to worry about that," Tang Wei Sheng reached out to touch her palm,

"Wei Sheng Ge, do you believe that Li Juan before the accident used to love you?

Li Juan's question was on the point. She only wanted to end the uneasiness spreading across her mind whenever he is next to her,

Today, she is going to end this agony.