“seems like the last few years kept you occupied—not only did you survive the plague, but you became a father. i suppose i should be congratulating you.” parenthood isn’t a topic she frequently thinks about, though it’s inevitable, especially for sovereigns. “i have no doubt she’ll grow into a strong-willed princess. maybe even a queen in the future.” simultaneously being the firstborn and a daughter is a hardship lingyue knows too well. she was lucky her father put his faith in her, and she silently prays anatol will do the same with his.
the emperor takes long, graceful strides down the beautifully decorated hallway; there’s a sense of determination behind each step. although being here in switzerland is part of her plan to garner more allies, recent events have her thinking. rumors of the plague returning, while something to certainly question further, isn’t her main priority. it’s the unskilled assassin that has her interest piqued. with decades of meticulous training, lingyue knows she has nothing to worry about. however, hubris is how her father made his grave and she refuses to repeat his mistakes—not any more than she already has. being a mirror image of someone is a double-edged sword, after all.
rounding a corner, finally, lingyue arrives at her destination. stepping inside the room, her solemnity melts into something more amicable as her gaze settles upon mads. she wordlessly dismisses her accompanying guards, signaling them to wait outside the shut door. the young emperor sighs and takes a nearby seat. “i’m beginning to think your brother might not have thought this summit all the way through.” lingyue admits with a light laugh. “but, that’s a conversation for another time...”
in a sense, lingyue is thankful the group accepted her in—having friends isn’t a luxury she’s familiar with, so when max introduced them all, it was...enlightening. “right now i’m here for you, not for politics. don’t tell max, though. he might get jealous.” now she’s just teasing.
announcing zhu lingyue, the empress regnant of the ming dynasty! in a recent portrait they seem to resemble meng ziyi. it is a miracle that she survived the last five years and for that reason, they are for the kingdoms working together. reflecting on them now, they remind me of hematite stones reflecting under the moonlight; a woman always washes in blood and tears; faint sheets of lightning in the summer haze; pomegranate-stained fingers.
personal name ... zhu lingyue (朱令月)
nicknames ... yueyue (close friends, family only); the iron rose
era name ... jianren (坚忍), meaning “steadfast and persevering in face of difficulties”
titles ... jianren emperor, empress regnant of the ming dynasty (1644–); crown princess of the ming dynasty (1626–1644)
enthronement ... 10 november 1644
age ... 27
date of birth ... 2 september 1620
place of birth ... shuntian prefecture, north zhili, ming dynasty
chinese zodiac ... monkey
western zodiac ... virgo sun, scorpio moon, aquarius rising
you’re the first child of the yongrui emperor, zhu youwen, and empress zeng. your birth isn’t a joyous one for your mother—she’s embarrassed. giving him a daughter when a concubine gives him a son not too long after? unacceptable. although your father doesn’t share her sentiment toward you, he doesn’t name you heir immediately. he has another to think about as well. your upbringing becomes a competition: which of you can impress father the most? you and your half-brother spend many hours—years—studying and training together because of this. some members of the imperial court lightheartedly call you twins. it only fuels your mother’s chagrin.
the yongrui emperor claims he won’t pick favorites between the two of you, but every parent has one. you’re his. like a mirror, you remind him of himself, fighting your way to a brighter future. he sees your potential, how you excel in your lessons. whenever your brother gets close to catching up, you push harder to create more of a distance. it’s you or him, and you choose yourself. maybe under different circumstances you would be more merciful as you swing your wooden sword to strike him down during training. your father praises you when you make your brother cry. he says it reminds him of training with your uncle in their own childhood. so when you’re still too young to understand the hunger, your father understands it for you.
an official gathering is called shortly after your sixth birthday. there, you are made crown princess. while his interest in you as his successor is controversial from the start, this is something else entirely. you are the first crown princess in your lineage to hold the title by birthright and not marriage. you think this is the first time you mother smiles at you, and actually means it.
A PRINCESS AS COLD AS IRON, AND AS GORGEOUS AS A ROSE.
for someone born so close to summer, you radiate iciness. although the heat behind your glare betrays your cool disposition.
you refuse to be just another beautiful thing for them to gawk at. if you are to be gazed upon, let them feel intimidated by your importance. it is not your job to make them warm. nobles across the great ming seek your hand in marriage, despite how quickly you turn them all down. empress zeng rebukes you. you instantly bite back, angered by her words. you know they are not worthy of being your consorts, and you will not settle. you want a partner who knows being sovereign is not just fun and games. you want someone willing to do what it takes to ensure survival.
you can’t speak to your mother without it becoming a declaration of war. maybe you’re so similar to your father, you shut her out. maybe she resents you, too, for the same reason. you aren’t the son she wanted nor are you the daughter she wanted. but, you’re what she got.
RISE FROM THE BLOODSHED OF YOUR DISSIDENTS.
you see the suffering of your people when the plague hits. you’re no saint, but how could you look away from them? they are your future just as much as you are theirs. you try to help as much as possible, offering access to physicians and shelter against disease and weather alike. though you may have earned the moniker of iron rose, your empire cannot collapse. that is your priority. you’re young, still too young to worry like this, but there are younger. you know this is what you must do. for better or for worse, this is your fate.
then it happens: your father is found dead, not of the plague. you are not thrown to the wolves, you storm them on your own. your sorrow fuels your ambition. your uncle is getting too brazen for a claim he has no hold over.
whispers of your half-brother filter through the palace over the years you reign. there’s a faction of nobles who want him, just like in your childhood. it leaves a sour taste in your mouth. you raise your blade to those in question. there’s no room for traitors in a situation as delicate as this. as emperor, you make sure your half-brother is not named crown prince. you don’t trust him enough to give him such a privilege. kindness can easily be used as a weapon.
eventually, you and your family are invited to switzerland for the summit. it’s mandatory from you for them to join. you have your most trusted guards keep a close eye on them.
you still don’t know what happened to your father, but you’d do anything to find out. in the meantime, you plan to obtain as many alliances with other kingdoms as you can. after all, who knows when you’ll need them?
