Emperor Wang Mang looked up to his court. He rubbed his chin and looked off in the distance. It had been twelve years now since he became Emperor but the people still have not accepted him.

 

"Your majesty. Allow me to bring 1000 troops to the South and kill all the rebels. We cannot let this rising continue. Your majesty..."

 

"After the great floods of the Yellow River. People still have not recovered. General Li, how is the condition in Shan Dong?"

 

General Li looked up to the Emperor and smiled.

"By your grace, the people are prosperous and everyone has a warm bed and full stomach. The people sing your name in the streets and children praise you in schools. But your grace, allow me to stop these rebels in the South."

 

"No, General Li. I understand your concern but I do not want to harm my people. Take a caravan of grain and distribute the food to the peasants. Bring with you also 100 soldiers to ensure there are no further problems. But do not hurt anyone....I am tired. Court dismissed."

 

General Li looked up at the Emperor and frowned. A hundred soldiers will not do to stop the rebellion. After the Emperor retired, General Li called one of his captain.

"Captain, take 1000 men down South and suppress these rebels!"

 

The captain nodded his head and left.

 

"Father, father."

 

Looking up, Emperor Wang Mang saw his precious girl of sixteen running towards him. She hugged him tightly.

 

"Ahhh, my beautiful Fong Lan. What have you been up today. Don't tell me you have caused trouble again."

 

The beautiful Fong Lan giggled. She then bent to the side of the pool and picked a lotus flower. She laid it gently in the Emperor's hand.

"For you. May you have great health."

 

The Emperor smiled warmly at his daughter. Of all his daughters, he adored Fong Lan the most. She was gentle and had such life in her. He suddenly remembered General Li's proposal for Fong Lan to wed his eldest son, Li Pi, and his smile faded. He could not stand to lose Fong Lan and especially not to Li Pi.

 

"What do you think of Li Pi, my little princess? He admires you and has asked for your hand. Do you wa-"

 

Fong Lan's smiled faded. She stood up in a temper and turned her back on the Emperor.

"Father, Li Pi is conceited and vain and ugly and his breath smells. I don't like him. I remember last Lunar festival, he came to see me. He made fun of my dancing and calligraphy. I do not like him. He is good for nothing. He relies on his father for power. I don't want to get married. I know you love me so you won't make me."

 

The Emperor smiled lovingly at his daughter.

"General Li will bring Li Pi to court tomorrow. Why don't you meet him and we can discuss this again. Maybe you will like him. You haven't met him for over a year. He must have changed. General Li praises his son a lot."

 

"Of course. Any father will praise their children. Father, do you not praise me in front of others?"

 

"Fong Lan, of course I praise you."

 

"That's just it. General Li lies about his son. I have heard that Li Pi has many girls around him. I am a princess. I don't want to share my husband with anyone!"

 

"But, Fong Lan. The General has given many engagement presents. How can I say no?"

 

With that last remark, Fong Lan burst into tears. She let go of her father's hand and ran off to her room. Her maids swiftly ran after her calling her to stop. The Emperor could say nothing more. He shooked his head. How can he stop Li Pi's request for his daughter's hand?

"My daughter will never understand, the loneliness of an Emperor and the love of a father."

 

Princess Fong Lan ran into her room and fell onto her bed. After trying to console the princess for some time, her two maids gave up. One left the room to report to the Emperor. A young eunuch with quite a refined face entered the room. He smiled at the princess.

 

"Ahhh, Princess Fong Lan. How you upset the Emperor? Why cry over such a small thing. Princess, you disappoint me. I have always thought you to be clever and well-experienced in martial arts, but you are crying over Li Pi?"

 

With that remark, Princess Fong Lan stopped crying. She frowned.

"Why you you, Xiao Zhi. You dare call me a disappointment. Aren't you afraid I will have father behead you?"

 

Princess Fong Lan dried up her tears. Xiao Zhi served her some tea but she refused to touch it. The princess was busy in thought. A small smile spread over her face. Her eyes grew brighter.

"Why didn't I think of this sooner? Xiao Zhi pack our bags. We are leaving the palace until father takes back his decree. Father loves me and he will do anything to have me back."

 

Xiao Zhi tried to stop Princess Fong Lan but she refused. With his throat dried, he packed their some of their belongings. That night, Xiao Zhi and Princess Fong Lan disguised themselves as the palace maids. After sneaking near the palace walls, Xiao Zhi took Princess Fong Lan's hand and used his inner energy to scale the walls. It took quite some time because Princess Fong Lan insisted on bringing three full bags of clothing. Even with Xiao Zhi's good martial skills, they barely scaled the walls before the guards came. All out of breath, the two set out on their journey to explore the world.