LEGEND OF THE GOLDEN TIGRESS

Xing felt relieved that the gifting ceremony was over and she'd be able to leave this stage soon and go back to her room, remove all these clothes, take a bath and go to sleep.

But Priestess Shu rained hail on her parade.

"Now the Emperor and the Empress will be seated on the Dragon Throne by the will of the Heavens",she announced in a clear voice.

What the...

Xing wanted to scold the Priestess but her father broke the silence in the hall created by the unusual announcement by the Priestess.

"Esteemed Priestess, it is not customary for the Empress to sit on the Dragon Throne. It is meant only for the Emperor"

"Yes! We cannot break traditions", Xing seconded her father.

Let me go! That throne looks extremely uncomfortable.

"What happened today according to traditions?", the Priestess questioned Xing, "Which Emperor had been crowned by the God of Wind himself? And it was his mandate that you should be sitting on the throne along with the Emperor, your highness!", she bowed politely to Xing.

Fei Lian, you scum! How could you?

Xing chided him in her heart and she could see the officials discussing among themselves. With everything that had happened today, if they refuse the God of wind won't they be punished?

" The Priestess is the mouth of the Gods. Her words should be followed", one of the oldest official spoke and everyone just bowed their head and showed their compliance.

Xing even planned to pretend to faint so that she'll be spared from sitting on the throne but she was too scared with the hundreds of pins on her head that might prick her when she fall, and so she looked at Shengli for answers but he had a nonchalant expression.

Shengli remembered Elder Shu's words to her her on the first time she entered the palace after the spring Banquet that she'll be sitting on the Dragon Throne... Prophesies must be fulfilled, right?

"Then please proceed, Your Majesty! Your Highness!", priestess Shu bowed.

This idiotic woman... Xing was furious for putting her in the spot... But...

Shengli grabbed her hand and lead her to the Throne with the Emperor following suit. Xing just didn't know what else to do and sighed and just resolved to her fate and both her and the Emperor, sat on the throne and Shengli was standing a step behind the throne.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress!May they be blessed for a thousand years"

Eh! What is this? Shouldn't there be a law against parents bowing in front of their children? Why is everyone kneeling in front of me? This should be different kinds of wrong!

Shengli had a slight smile in his face, 'Everyone will kneel before her and she will sit in the Dragon Throne "

Isn't that what the elder said? True words...!

Xing felt goosebumps in her head and she wanted to run away from this hall immediately but fearing that she'll be considered mentally unstable she managed to keep her cool.

Xing looked at the Emperor who had that regal countenance that belonged to the Ruler of the land and the one who's worshipped as the 'Son of Heavens'. The panther that stood beside him only added more marvel and posh to his already majestic appearance.

" This chair is extremely uncomfortable to sit",

*Cough*

The Emperor lost his bearing by that awful comment only she'd say while on the most authoritative place in the entire kingdom and Shengli snorted.

As expected of her!

"Chair?",he asked. How many had tried to get to this 'chair' and died again?

"It doesn't even have a cushion",she frowned.

The Emperor looked at her sitting with her back straight and her knees together with her hands one over the other like any elegant lady would sit and wanted to shake her hard to see if she is actually in her right mind.

Does she realise what is happening? She, a woman is sitting on the Dragon Throne! The Dragon Throne! The symbol of Power meant only for men! And she is worried about cushions?

"Do you know how many women have sat in this throne before?", he asked with his eyebrows raised.

The officials were still kneeling and doing the greetings that would go on for sometime.

" No one..?", she raised her eyebrows biting her lower lip, "Now I know why... Who'd want to sit in this hard place? It doesn't even have cushions", she said with her eyes sombre and he could even see the slight sadness she tried to hide in there.

She is not talking about the physical discomfort of her sitting here but her mental discomfort, right?

"This Throne... It is not supposed to be comfortable for anyone. This crown... It is not supposed to be light for anyone. There are those who want it and those who don't. And it is more uncomfortable and more heavier for those who don't want it... Weighing them down and make them want to throw everything and run away... ", the Emperor spoke in a heavy tone.

Xing took a deep breath. He is not wrong!

" But it can be comfortable with a cushion! ", she said and oddly she felt relieved too.

Yes, any situation can be made better if we put our minds and a little efforts to it.