ETERNAL LOVE : A LOVE STORY

The next day, 

Liwei glanced at Xie Ming who was driving the car and shoved him in the passenger seat.  It's been a while since she got her driving license but it was her first time driving and taking him somewhere. 

" Xie Ming, where are we going? You're driving for an hour now." He said in confusion. Today she was being all mysterious and insisted on taking him somewhere, god knows where. 

Xie Ming who was holding onto the steering wheel with both of her hands tightly and was focusing on the road and blinked upon hearing his words. Although she has learned to drive and got her license, it was her first time driving him somewhere officially and her palms are literally sweating. 

She wanted to reply but she was too nervous that she might distract and hit the other car in front of her. 

Seeing her nervous, Liwei pursed his lips and shut his mouth. He took a deep breath and held onto the handle over his head, hoping to reach their destination alive. 

-

Another hour passed when Xie Ming parked the car and sighed in relief, " Finally we're here." 

Liwei who was holding onto his breath sighed in relief when they finally reached and were alive, he glanced at the place where she stopped and raised his brows. He turned to look at her in surprise, "This…"

She smiled and said, " Isn't it amazing? I wanted to come here with you once." she said as she removed her seat belt and got out of the car. 

Liwei followed her and was speechless seeing the Ji palace that used to be nothing but a heap of ruins has been reconstructed and turned into a magnificent palace with the guards guarding the entrance as it has been made into a tourist place and a museum has been established inside the palace to showcase the findings of the Ji Dynasty that they have found in these past years. 

The last time when they came here was when they performed the ritual to end the cycle of the curse and since it was the night at that time, he couldn't see anything clearly. But now when he was looking at it, it was more magnificent and beautiful than what he has seen in the pictures or articles that were published in the newspapers. 

" Let's go." Xie Ming held onto his head and entered the palace after buying the ticket. She can't believe that the palace where she used to live has turned into a tourist place. 

She, the Empress of Ji Dynasty, Ahem...The Ex-Empress of the Ji Dynasty has to pay to enter the palace. What an irony. 

-

[Ji Dynasty is known as the hidden gem among historians. It's only in recent years that they have found this palace that was away from the city and was in ruins. When its reconstruction work started, no one knew its history due to the lack of materials. However, in the past few years, they have found quite a lot of journals and documents written by the Empress of Ji Dynasty who has written all the important events, working of the palace and harem, the political and economical aspects of the country in detail.]

[ This dynasty is known for its power and developing policies but is also famous for the love story of Emperor Ji Cheng and Empress Zhao Ming. In her journals, she has mentioned The Emperor of the Ji Dynasty as Empress slave. The Emperor and Empress have made significant policies for the empowerment of the women and even abolished the system of many wives that was common among the royals and the nobles in the past]

Xie Ming was not even surprised after hearing such things from the touring guide who was explaining about the palace and its history while giving the tour of the palace. It was expected of Zhao Ming, she can do anything. When she met her, she was also surprised at the way she confronted Ji Cheng and used to treat him casually. 

Only she can do such things. 

-

[ Out of all achievements of the Ji Dynasty, the most commendable achievement to talk about is the medical institution that was built during the reign of Emperor Ji Cheng. It was the first-ever medical institution that was established to teach those who were interested in medicine and were trained as professional doctors. 

The name of the institution was Bai Medical School that was based on the name of Master Zhao Bai who is known as the Master of Oriental medicine in history who has made significant inventions in the field of medicine. The medical school has been ruined due to the flood but its importance can be seen in the descriptions of the journal of Empress Zhao Ming.]

Liwei pursed his lips upon hearing the name of Zhao Ming's father and glanced at Xie Ming who was standing beside him and listening to the guide with her glistening eyes. She never expected to find out something as surprising as this. 

Her father died unfairly but hearing that the medical school was named over him has relaxed the biggest burden over her heart. He might have died unfairly but now he is known as the master of medicine in history. 

He didn't say anything and placed a hand over her shoulders and pulled her closer and rubbed her arm, comforting her. 

He is not in a position to say something to her since there are many things that he doesn't know, but he knows that she doesn't need his comforting words at this moment but a comfortable silence that will let her reminisce about her past and move on from the memories that were holding onto her. 

They stood there listening to everything that the guide was saying while standing there in silence. A comforting silence. 

**

[ This chamber of the palace was called Lotus Pavilion, where the Empress, Zhao Ming used to live before moving to the main palace with Emperor Ji Cheng. After she moved to the main palace with Emperor Ji Cheng, this area was used as the factory where she used to make soaps and makeup products for women and sell them in the market. She was the first businesswoman in history who broke the stereotypes of society and emerged as powerful women while encouraging other consorts to work and earn their living to gain confidence.]

Xie Ming's lips curled into a surprised smile upon hearing the words of the tourist guide who was showing them the area of Lotus Pavilion which used to be her chamber before. 

Although it looked less magnificent than before and a little different due to reconstruction, she could still feel the same energy from this place. 

Liwei saw her dazed expressions and said, " Seeing this place, I think I should pamper you more." he says out of nowhere. 

She blinks in confusion, " What do you mean?"

He leaned closer and whispered, " My wife used to live in such a magnificent palace, if I can't match this status in wealth, then I should use my actions to take the lead. I don't want to make you regret your choice for choosing me over your world." he said seriously. 

She stared at him and smiled, " The only regret of my life is that I wasn't born into this world and couldn't meet you sooner. Otherwise, everything is just perfect. I am happy with you while Xie Ming has made my name popular in history, achieving great things in the other world. I am winning from both sides you see. " she winked, making him chuckle at her words.

" It can't be better than this," she whispered and wrapped her hand around his arm and sighed while looking at the lotus chamber in a daze.