Empress Of The Lost Kingdom

It was a crucial night for the Bai family.

The only heiress to the throne of Yu palace wishes to leave. They were obliged to make an immediate decision.

Bai Qi called everyone in the Yu palace to discuss the coronation of the Queen. Even Zhang Zi Zhong and Lin Li Hui were forced to return to Yun city.

"As you might have already known, Li Juan, the daughter of the late prince Bai Ze, is the only heiress apparent to the throne of Yu palace," Bai Su Ya declared with a proud face.

"As per the rules of the Yu clan, once the female progeny in the royal bloodline comes of age, the regent queen will abdicate the throne and coronate the crown princess as the sovereign head of the Yu palace and the mother of Yu clan." Bai Su Ya glanced at Li Juan with gentle and compassionate eyes.

"However, the princess used to live as a commoner for twenty-six years, we want to make sure whether she is willing to bear the crown or not." Bai Su Ya said to everyone."What do you think princess, are you willing to bear the crown?"

The entire family's eyes were on Li Juan who remained silent in a corner.

"Huh," Li Juan got slightly intimidated by the crowd. She was supposed to answer that question, whether to become a Phoenix or a sparrow.

Li Juan raised from her seat and faintly smiled.

"My name is Li Juan," It took her a moment to gather her thoughts.

"Li Qin's daughter," it was my identity for the last twenty-six years. Even though people used to tease me or look down upon me because my name, I never felt bad, In fact, I was proud to carry my mother's surname."

An apologetic smile was visible in Li Juan's face.

"It is not like I hate my father's family or something, I didn't know anything about his family. I used to believe that the Bai family abandoned me and my mom because we took their son from them."

"But the moment I stepped into the premises of Yu palace, I have realized that all of my beliefs and expectations about my father's family was wrong. They didn't abandon me, they welcomed like a princess."

Lin Li-Hui's eyes were welling up, she was the one who brought Li Juan to Yu palace. She wanted to help Li Juan to run away from her toxic relationship.

"To be honest, I never thought that as soon as I've found my father's family, I will be bestowed with the title of "the Princess." It felt weird." Li Juan sheepishly grinned.

"I have never been called a princess in my entire life, not even by my mom. I hated being calling a princess. The princesses in all the stories I've read so far were damsels in distress waiting for someone to rescue them. I didn't want anyone to treat me as a damsel in distress. I would rather be the one who saves others. Li Juan stopped for a moment.

"But in reality, being a princess is pretty difficult. When I found about the Yu clan and the Queen, I was surprised and felt burdened at the same time." Li Juan smiled and looked at her grandfather.

"I tried to refuse the title by using my medical conditions and mundane reasons. But grandpa assured that my health conditions won't be a limitation to become a Queen.

But still, I was a bit hesitant to accept the truth. However, after much deliberations finally, I have decided." Li Juan looked around and met with the curious eyes of her family members. Everyone was waiting to hear her decision.

" I'm willing to bear the crown of the sovereign head of the Yu palace and to become the mother of the Yu clan."

Li Juan's words brightened the dark and dense aura prevailed in everyone gathered in the living room.

"But I have a request," Li Juan paused, "I wish to leave,"

Their happiness had a momentary life.

"No matter how hard I try, my habits, my lifestyle as a commoner won't change."

"But princess, we don't want you to change," Bai Su Ya said with concern.

Li Juan smiled and continued,

"I need some time to adjust with all these. The difference between me and the people in Yu palace is huge, I don't want to become a burden to anyone."

"What are you trying to say? You are not a burden for us" Bai Chen asked her.

"I am planning to rejoin my research team." Li Juan answered.

"But Xiao Lili your medical conditions, Zhang Zi Zhong tried to find a reason to make her stay. However, his words were interrupted by his eldest cousin.

"How much time do you need?" Bai Zhu asked her.

"It depends upon my team mates-whether they want me to rejoin or not,"

"I object," A loud and arrogant voice rang in the room.

It was Bai Yu,

"I am not allowing you to leave,"

Li Juan looked at him in surprise. He was the one who disliked her presence in the Yu palace.

"Yes, I object too, I don't want you to leave." Wu Xuan Yi followed Bai Yu's opinion. "You cannot simply cut your ties with us,"

"But I am not planning to sever my ties with Bai family, Li Juan stated her stand in this argument.

"What Bai family? It's your family. This is our family," Bai Yu sounded agitated. "You cannot leave,"

"I need to sort out a few things at Jing City,"

"What do you want to sort out? I will help you," Bai Yu immediately offered his help.

"What happened to this kid, why is behaving like this?" Li Juan was confused.

"Didn't you tell aunt Lin that you are going to leave the country?" Bai Yu asked her in trembling voice. "Where are you planning to run away?"

"Bai Yu, as per the rules" Bai Zhu tried to stop his son.

"For God's sake, don't stop me, dad," Bai Yu yelled. "You all are making the same mistake you made with uncle Ze. If anyone of you had forget that stupid rules, she wouldn't gone through all these things."

"Ma, you are the queen, you can make her stay." Bai Yu looked at his mother with begging eyes.

"Bai Yu, if she wishes to leave, we cannot do anything against it." Bai Su Ya was helpless in this situation.

"Jie, Bai Yu turned to face Li Juan who remained dumbfounded, "I know, I know that you are leaving because of me, I am sorry, I was wrong. I won't compare you with Li Jun Jie," Bai Yu walked towards Li Juan.

"You are Li Juan, you are my sister, please stay, I beg you," Bai Yu grabbed her arms. I didn't hate you, I was just scared, I was scared if I get closer to you, I will lose you too... I cannot afford to lose you too, I need you, we need you."

"Bai Yu, I need you to go," Li Juan tried to remove his grip from her hands.

"Jie, please..."

"I need to go and tell everyone that I no longer alone," Li Juan smiled and pressed Bai Yu's arms. I want to tell everyone that I got a family of my own,"

"Huh, are you going to stay?" Bai Yu asked to confirm.

"Yes," Li Juan and turned to Bai Qi, "I will go back and take my things. I don't have that many belongings, but I cannot leave it there," 

"Sure, what about your coronation?"

"You can decide the date." Li Juan said with a straight face.

Everyone was surprised with the sudden transition in Li Juan, especially Bai Zhu. From the information he collected, Li Juan was not a person who will get locked in four walls of the palace. Li Juan's mannerisms reminded him of his younger brother. He never expected that Li Juan would be easily swayed by Bai Yu's words and change her decision.

"Are you sure Princess? Are you willing to stay here for the rest of your life?" He asked her.

"Yes, I have decided the eldest uncle. I have no one left in Jing city and I am no longer planning to live there alone." Li Juan said clearly.

"When do you plan to go to Jing city?" Bai Qi asked her.

"As soon as possible," Li Juan replied.

"Bai Zhu, make the arrangements for the earliest flight tomorrow," Bai Qi turned to his grandsons, "Ah Jun," 

"Yes, grandpa" Zhang Zhi Jun responded.

"You will be her guardian for the same. Bring back princess safely."

"Yes, grandpa."

Li Juan looked at Bai Qi in surprise.

Bai Qi smiled at his granddaughter and continued," I know that she is capable of doing things her own, but a little help won't be a problem."

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

Bai Zhu has arranged Li Juan's identification documents, he himself got the earliest flight tickets to Jing city. There is no gain in delaying in settling the affairs. The flight to Jing city was around 10 am in the morning. Li Juan woke up earlier got dressed and waited in the living room from 7 am itself.

The moment Li Juan appeared in the living room, all of her cousins sat around her and joked around as a way to bond with her. Like Bai Yu, they also gave up on distancing their only sister. The jovial aura of the young girl has returned to Li Juan's demeanour. Every one in Yu palace has only seen li Juan as a silent and calm person.

"Grandfather, I will make sure to come back earlier." Li Juan said to Bai Qi.

"Finish your works first; there is no need to rush."

Li Juan said her farewell to everyone. She cannot wait to meet them again.

In the flight, Li Juan was immersed in thoughts.

"Are you still not going to talk to me?" Zhang Zhi Jun asked her. From the moment they had a conversation about marriage, Li Juan stopped talking to Zhang Zhi Jun.

Li Juan looked at him with a faint surprised smile.

"Why do you even think so? I am not that childish."

"I thought you are purposefully avoiding me because of what I've said earlier." Zhang Zhi Jun shared his doubt.

"I am sorry if you felt like that. I was preoccupied with few things and I was confused at that moment."

"So, now, your confusion got cleared?"

"Not really, I need to sort out a few things."

"Hmm, take your time." Zhang Zhi Jun replied with a smile.

"If you don't mind," Li Juan took her laptop out of her bag.

"I have some work," she said with an apologetic face.

Go ahead, Zhang Zhi Jun took his headphones and closed his eyes.

Li Juan started typing the apology letter to the head of the department in her university. She has decided to visit the head of the archaeology department to explain her situation.

Upon much deliberations, Li Juan decided to continue being part of her research team. Being the part of Yu clan, Li Juan felt that it was her duty to figure out what happened in the Jade land. Even if her health conditions are weak Li Juan decided to take proper care and to continue with the research.

Zhang Zhi Jun peeped into Li Juan's laptop screen and a smile bloomed in his lips.

Li Juan's laptop's wallpaper was the picture of Zhang Zhi Jun in his first movie. He appeared much younger and demeanour appeared careless.

How much love struck is this girl? Zhang Zhi Jun looked at Li Juan who is immersed in typing. Though she has changed and her looks became more refined, the nerd vibe around Li Juan was still the same.

Zhang Zhi Jun looked at her thick-framed glass and remembered their first meeting,

The day he literally fell for a girl wearing glasses.