Empress Of The Lost Kingdom

The oldest document on the history of C country mentions. the "Yun city as the melting pot of different cultures. Since the city shares its borders with three other countries on the continent, it was a major crossroad of civilizations. But the historical texts from two thousand years ago started to mention the Yun city as "the city of the eternal spring." 

With its perpetual spring-like weather, the city is covered with lush vegetations and blossoms all year. And even today, Yun city is world-famous for its flowers and floral export business. 

Though the weather and climate played an immense role in making the place a heavenly paradise, few of the religious texts claim that the goddess of nature herself left the heavens and decided to settle down at the Yun mountains. Another legend says that a secret group of nature worshippers used to live in the Yun mountains.

But from a historical perspective, the usage of the term "Eternal spring city " began, when the Guan dynasty built a summer palace, Yu palace, on the valley of Yun mountains. Even though it was by built by the king of Guan dynasty, surprisingly enough no one from the kingdom lived or visited the palace or its vicinities. It was treated as a forbidden place. No one knew who lived there or what happened there. Even when the monarchial rule in C country collapsed and the kingdoms unified to emerge as a republic, Yu palace remained forbidden place.

When Han Guang and Li Juan started work on the project of the lost city, they came to visit the Yu palace. But they couldn't find anything which can support their claim of the relation of Yun city and the citizens of the Lost City in the Tu mountains.

But today when Li Juan heard about Yu palace again, she was unable to believe it. Two palaces with the same name that too in the same city. How is that possible? What was more shocking to Li Juan? Her father belonged to the royal family which claims to live in Yu palace. What is the truth?

Li Juan's mind got filled with so many questions about the palace and the royal family. 

"Sister," Li Juan called the woman who walked with her.

"Me?" The woman looked at her with a surprised face.

"Hmm, sorry, I forgot your name."

"My name is Ji Ya." She replied.

"Is this Yu palace related to the palace situated in the Yun mountains?" Li Juan asked her.

"Sorry princess, it hasn't been so long since I've started to work here." The maid apologized.

"It's alright then," 

"This is your chambers," Ji Ya opened the doors and let Li Juan enter into the room.

The room was as big as her house in Jing City. It huge had a balcony which opened towards the large courtyard and the palace gates. There were a closet room and a well-arranged study room.

"When did you prepare the closet?" Li Juan asked with a surprised face.

" It was prepared by second and third mistresses."

"Even the dresses?" Li Juan couldn't hide her surprise.

"Yes, Princess, should I prepare a bath for you?" Ji Ya asked her.

Princess!!

"My name is Li Juan. I urge you to call me by my name." Li Juan said with a smile. The title princess seems too awkward.

"I am afraid I cannot address you by your birth name."

"What about Miss Li?" Li Juan suggested.

"I don't think it is appropriate, Princess." Ji Ya refused to call Li Juan by her name.

" Can we come inside?" Two elegantly looking women stood next to the door asked with a smile.

"Please come in," 

"Princess, we are your aunts, I am Wu Xuan Yi, your second aunt." One of them introduced.

"I am Fu Xiao Lan, your third aunt."

Li Juan bowed before them.

"We prepared this room on the rush, I hope it fits your taste. If you want to change the room decor, please do inform." Wu Xuan Yi notified her.

"No, I like it. It is beautiful." Li Juan refused her with a smile. She is already overwhelmed by the luxuries of the room.

Wu Xuan Yi looked at her, without blinking her eyes.

"Is there anything on my face," Li Juan noticed her look and tried to rub her face with the sleeves of her hoodie.

"No, no, I was just," Wu Xuan tried to explain. "You look like "Lady Zhang Li Jun" from far away, but on the closer view you look different."

Li Juan smiled sheepishly.

"Oh sister in law, she must be tired of people comparing, her with Lady Zhang." Fu Xiao Lan said. 

"Oh no, why didn't I think of that. Are you okay with it, princess?" Wu Xuan asked with a worried face.

"Yes."

"It will be a matter of a few days, princess. After that everything will be alright." Fu Xu Lan assured her.

"Please do inform us if there is anything that bothers you,"

"There is something."Li Juan hesitated for a moment.

"What is it?"

"The title of princess, can you avoid it?"

"Oh my dear, how can we call you by your name?" 

"We got rid of all the royal titles and ranks including "King", but the title of Queen, princess and firstborns are still in use." Fu Xu Lan stated.

"Do you have a queen, too? Li Juan asked in a surprised tone.

"Yes, In the absence of a daughter, the eldest daughter-in-law of the family is considered as the queen." Wu Xuan Yi elucidated about the rankings in the family.

"Like a regent queen?"

"Yes, we know that everything feels foreign for you, but please don't worry. We will help you. But for now, rest as much you want.

"Thank you," Li Juan thanked them.

"We will see you soon." Both of them left the room.

"Princess, your bath is ready, I will leave then." The maid notified her and left the room.

Li Juan entered into the bathroom.

The maid has filled the bathtub with hot water and some essential oils. 

Li Juan stood in front of the mirror and looked at her reflection.

She looked tired to death.

"Let's forget everything and start afresh."

Li Juan took a deep breath and smiled.

She washed her face and removed her hoodie.

There were visible hickeys in her collar and neck.

It was him. 

Tang Wei Lang marked her again. 

Li Juan took some water and tried to wipe it off. 

When Li Juan came after the shower, she looked for her bag in the room.

Did she forget to take it from the car?

Li Juan cursed herself and walked towards the closet. 

The closet was filled with various types of clothes and accessories.

One side of the closet was filled with dresses. Li Juan carefully looked through it.

One month ago she turned her house upside down to find a party wear dress, now an entire boutique is in her room.

Everything in the closet looked elegant as well as expensive. 

Li Juan selected a plain pink mermaid cheongsam dress which has a high neck and long sleeves. She was afraid to wear something that has low necks. Thanks to someone, her neck and collar bones are filled with hickeys. She doesn't want to give a bad impression in front of her relatives. 

Li Juan just left her hair open and applied some simple makeup and left the room. The person who can answer her doubts will be Lin Li-Hui and Zhang Zi Zhong.

Li Juan wandered in the lonely corridor, unable to find the way out.

No wonder people live in huge mansions hires so many maids.

Suddenly the sound of footsteps heard in the corridor.

"Thank God," Li Juan walked towards the direction where the footsteps heard.

It was a boy in school uniform. Half of his face was hidden under a baseball hat and he was walking lazily, absorbed in thoughts.

"Excuse me," Li Juan called him. He walked past her without looking at her.

"Excuse me," Li Juan called him again and touched his shoulder.

He turned back to look at her. The moment his eyes met with the linear silhouette with loose hair unexpectedly he felt something amiss and yelled at the top his lungs.

"AAAAAA" 

"AAAAAA" Li Juan unconsciously yelled back in reflux. It took both of them to calm their hearts.

The boy removed his cap and rubbed his eyes and looked at Li Juan as if he is scanning her.

"Jie, why are you here?" He asked in a horrified voice.

Li Juan gaped at him with amusement.

The boy resembled her. She felt like meeting a younger male version of Li Juan.

Li Juan smiled at him with affectionate eyes.

Seeing her smile, the horrified expression on his face changed into sorrow.

" Do you have any unfinished business here, is that why you are here?"He asked her.

"Do you know where Aunt Lin's room is?" 

"Aunt Lin? Why are you looking for her, did you miss her?" He asked in a sad tone. 

"I couldn't find her room." Li Juan said with an apologetic face.

"Oh no," the boy looked like he was about to cry.

" You must have forgotten the way, it is okay I will you take there."

"Hmm, thank you." 

The boy led Li Juan to the other side of the palace.

"I forgot to ask, what is your name?" Li Juan asked him.

"Oh, you even forgot my name," The boy said with a pout. "Ah it is alright, I am Bai Ling, your little cousin." He introduced himself.

"My name is-" Even before Li Juan could speak a word, he interrupted her.

"Jie, why you didn't go there, the place where you supposed to go?" Bai Ling asked her.

"I failed in the fitness test,"

"Oh, you need to qualify a fitness test to go there, Oh my God." Bai Ling shared his surprise.

On the way to Lin Li-Hui's room, the duo walked pass the maids and all of them looked at Li Juan and Bai Ling in respect and surprise.

Li Juan smiled and greeted them back.

"Oh, they look so pretty together,"

"Did you see the princess's hair? It is not straight- it is wavy.

"It does not heat coiled curls. They are natural."

Li Juan heard the whisperings of the maids.

"Aisshhhh, they still call me pretty! Do you know how irritating is that?" Bai Ling complained to Li Juan.

"Yes, even I started finding it quite odd." Li Juan said her mind. 

"There she is," Bai Ling pointed towards Lin Li- Hui. "Aunt Lin,"

Upon hearing Bai Ling's voice, Lin Li-Hui turned towards him and smiled.

"Oh, why did you come here?" You should have let out a word and I would've come to your chambers." Lin Li-Hui said.

"Aunt Lin, what are you saying." Bai Ling asked her in confusion. "You can see her?"

"Huh?" Lin Li-Hui looked at both of them in confusion.

"He thinks that I am your daughter," Li Juan explained and tried to control her laughter.

"Wait a minute, so you are not dead?" Bai Ling was baffled. When he saw Li Juan in the dim-lit corridor with loose hair, he was forced to believe that, it was Zhang Li Jun's ghost.

"What? Ufffoooo, Ling Er, she is not Li Jun." Lin Li-Hui corrected him.

"Then who is she?"

"She is your other cousin."

"The other cousin?" 

"She is uncle Bai Ze's daughter, Li Juan." Lin Li-Hui said with a voice filled with respect.

"Uncle Bai Ze's daughter?" Bai Ling's eyes widened in shock. "The princess?"

"Yes,"

Bai Ling immediately bowed in respect and switched to formal language. " I am really sorry for asking you all the stupid questions."

"Huh, it is alright." Li Juan said with a smile.

"I just remembered that I got some work, I will leave then." Bai Ling immediately ran away from there.

"I have something to ask you," Li Juan turned towards her aunt.

"I assume that you have quite a lot to ask. But I am afraid that I am not the right person to answer your questions. How about you ask your grandpa about it?" Lin Li-Hui suggested.

"Hmm. Will you come with me?"

"Yes, let's ask him right away"

Lin Li-Hui took Li Juan to Bai Qi's room.

Apart from Bai Qi, his sons and their wives were present there. 

"Good evening," Li Juan greeted them.

All of them were looking at her in amusement.

"Oh, my heavens! Is this Princess Yue?" A man stood up from the seat and walked closer to her. "She grew up prettily."

"This is what they meant by the beauty which can conquer the empires and burn the nations."

Li Juan got awkward. 

That compliment went overboard. 

She was wearing a simple dress and plain makeup, with loose hair. 

How could they find someone gorgeous in plain appearance?

Li Juan stood there with an awkward smile.

"Princess, this your second uncle, Bai Mo." Bai Chen introduced him.

"My greetings uncle Mo," she bowed before them. My name is Li Juan, It is a pleasure to meet you"

"Ah Li Juan, beautiful and graceful, Bai Mo smiled. God, how can you mistake you as a boy? 

Li Juan looked at him in awe.

"Please take a seat," Bai Qi asked everyone to sit. 

"You said that you are an archaeologist, so I assume that you are interested in hearing stories? Are you?" Bai Qi asked Li Juan.

Li Juan answered the question, with her beautiful smile. 

That smile came directly from her heart. 

It was genuine and pure. 

The sky was getting dark and the room was lit by bluish-grey twilight. 

But Li Juan lit the room like the full moon in the dark sky. 

" Few thousand years ago, we came to Yun city as refugees. We have fled from our homeland without any way to go back. Later on, this place has become our home." Bai Qi started to narrate the history of the Yu palace.

"To the outer world, this household is known as Bai mansion, but this place has another name," He paused and continued. "The Yu palace."

We are the direct descendants of the Yu clan, a small kingdom lived on the inner valleys of Tu mountains."

There were huge shock and surprise was on Li Juan's face.

"Yu clan is still alive?" Li Juan asked in an excited voice

"Yes. Did you know about Yu clan before?" Even Bai Qi's was surprised to see the excitement on Li Juan's face.

He thought his granddaughter was ignorant about her ancestry, it looks like she is not.