1 Chapter 1

The sun was shining brightly in Hanseong, the streets were decorated with lanterns, flowers and people who were beautifully dressed. The musicians all played in harmony in accordance to the Emperor's wedding. The palace was full, many great people came from far away with gifts to congratulate the emperor. Men wearing expensive clothes with their wives adorned in the finest of silks and jewelleries. The sight was mesmerising as wives compete with each other in adorning.

The emperor, Lee jong ho was sitting on his mighty throne, wearing the royal red hanbok with golden thread embroidery which complimented his fair complexion. A tall and handsome man in his early thirties. Sitting beside him was his wife empress kim min joo, who wore a matching red hanbok with golden thread embroidery, a tall and beautiful woman in her mid twenties.

Eunuch yang was by the door announcing the arrival of invited guests. He suddenly announced the arrival of general hao and his wife su jong li. They came in walking hand in hand, as they proceeded to the emperor.

" Oh my, is that General Hao's wife Su Jong Li?, She looks amazing in that purple dress, even though she has little make up." Whispered Bai Wei to mee lin, as the dignitaries exchanged pleasantries.

"who doesn't know the charming Su Jong Li? her dress was made from the finest silk, from the best dealer in town."

"Oh my, do you mean Master soo byung hu?"

"if not him then who?, there is rumor about that silk. It was the only one in stock and you know how purple is hard to obtain."

"yes, my mother said to make a pint a thousand snail shells were crushed. she sure is lucky, I wish I had a man like general hao, who will buy me everything I want, am so jealous of her" she smirked.

Eunuch yang announced the arrival of the prime minister as the congratulations were going on. He walked in majestically wearing a blue hanbok with simple black embroidery. He walked straight to the emperor's throne with a smile on his face. He paid respect to the emperor and cleared his throat as he began

" Your Majesty,Congratulations on your wedding. I have brought Gifts and jeweleries for his majesty and his queen"

" Thank You Prime Minister, your presence and gifts are highly appreciated, am sure my wife does too?" He said as he look at her with admiration.

" yes your majesty" she replied in a low tone.

The prime minister turned and saw eunuch yang approaching with a letter and asked of prince ju hyung bin . Eunuch yang replied with a sad face " am afraid he couldn't make it, I noticed the king looking around , and am sure he was looking for him." Eunuch yang stated, "Thankfully there's a letter from him" he smiled.

" This better be good, you know the emperor is fond of his cousin brother, only prince ju hyung bin and queen dowager can change his mind. If anything happens to one of them, he will burn Hanseong down."

" I will take note of that, but you've forgotten about the empress"

"Well_ we'll see about that sooner or later" he said as he walked pass eunuch yang.

Eunuch yang went to the emperor and started by paying his respect, then handed the letter to the emperor, saying it's from prince ju hyung bin, the emperor quickly took the letter and opened it, eager to hear from his cousin.

" Congratulations your majesty, I know you don't like me calling you with that, but I can't help it Lee jong ho, you are the king now. By the way how does she look? Is she fat?, Slim?, Pretty?, Or-r-r ugly?, Hahaha I know she's pretty since she's from Qing. Am sorry I couldn't make it to your wedding, there was an attack at the border, as the commander in chief, my duty is to protect the country first. But I promise you, when things cool off here, I'll come home.

Your's sincerely

Ju hyung bin."

The king smiled after reading the letter but was a bit upset. His attention turned towards a familiar face who was approaching him, the man was huge with scar of war on his hand, he had guards following him, holding many boxes. The emperor was excited to see his late fathers friend.

" King muyeol, it's been a long time, since my father's death, I never had time to visit heeleng, never knew that the title of emperor is so tough"

King muyeol laughed whole heatedly. "You're even braver than your dad, he ran for the woods two weeks after giving the title of an emperor, he literally said he was going mad. I believe where ever he is now, he's looking at you and he's very happy at the kind of king you turned out to be. "

The emperor gave a faint smile. "Let me introduce you to my wife, her name is Kim min Joo" Kim min Joo looked at king muyeol and smiled.

"It's nice meeting you, your majesty."

"Where is trader Soo byung hu? I can't see him anywhere."

"Am sorry your majesty, he's in Jegu, but he told me to give his majesty this letter." He said as he removed a letter and passed it to the emperor.

" I'll read it later thank you".

" He also sent gifts for his majesty".

" He doesn't get tired does he?" The emperor said with a smile.

Few minutes later everyone was seated in the hall, with a table full of food and wine before him. The joyful event started off with a pack of entertainment, dancers danced to the soft Melody played by the musicians, tricks were performed. At the mid of the event, the prime minister rose up from his chair with a cup in his hand and presented a toast to his majesty, they also raised their cup and echoed after him" to his majesty", and drank at once. It was a great feast, which lasted through the night, the feast was over at last and everybody retired to his lodging.

The emperor held his empress hand and led her to his chambers. As they reached the entrance, he turned and looked at the maids and eunuchs behind him.

" I will take care of it from here, you may go now"

They bowed and walked out of the premises. They were sitting on the edge of the bed, he reached out for her hands and held it firmly.

" Min joo", he hesitated and then started again. " Do you really love me? I- I want you to stop thinking of this as an arranged marriage and make me your only responsibility. I know it's going to be hard but _"

She quickly cuts him off.

" Your majesty, stop saying all this, we are married now and you are_"

He started coughing

" Your majesty, are you all right" she said as she patted him at the back, " let me give you some water."

She fetched water from the a jug that was placed on the table close to them and quickly gave him. He drank it and set the bowl aside.

"Are you all right, your majesty?"

" Yes, am fine I think...I th...." He held his head and finally fell flat on the bed unconscious.

The empress started shaking him furiously.

" Your majesty, your majesty, your ma..j..jesty, you..r."

She began to giggle harshly

" Slowly you will be mine and only mine, thanks to this untraceable ling portion that works wonders by killing you slowly and making you submissive, you will never listen to anyone, even your beloved mother" she smirked as she Pace to the other side of the room, picking up prince ju hyung bin's letter

"And that prince ju hyung bin, i'll make sure you never say his name again." She said with a mischievous smile.