Guangfeng was very busy for the rest of the week as he worked hard to make sure there were enough people in the court who would support him. Fortunately, there were enough fathers among the officials who had useless sons and brilliant daughters (or no sons at all) that were happy to support allowing girls and women to inherit and work as officials. At the end of the week those who were in support of the change overwhelmed those against it with the facts that they presented and the emperor agreed to change the laws.

That same day, after morning court, Guangfeng joined the emperor in the royal study. He needed to ask permission to leave to escort Yuelan. The three women from the Hechuan people were getting impatient and two of them had already gone back to where their people were staying. The third, Leila, was staying as a guest in Yuelan’s residence.

“You have done well, Guangfeng,” the emperor praised. “We are proud.”

Guangfeng bowed. “Son thanks father emperor for the praise.”

“We will name you crown prince as soon as preparations are completed,” the emperor promised.

“Thank you, father emperor, for this grace. Son has another request, though.”

“What is it?” The emperor frowned as he studied his third son.

“Son wants to accompany his fiance, the priestess, on a journey to the barren lands. The Hechuan people have requested she travel there and she said she has things she must do there and asked that I travel with her.”

The emperor leaned back in his chair as he considered the request. “It will delay your being named crown prince. The longer We delay this the more difficult it will be to pass. You succeeded this time and the officials currently favor you, but they can be swayed against you during your absence.”

Guangfeng smiled. “Son is not worried. There are other things that I have learned that I can use to sway the officials and convince them to stay with me. I am confident in my abilities as a prince.”

“Very well. I will grant you leave and inform the court that you have been sent to accompany the priestess as she carries out her duties in the barren lands.”

The third prince put his hands together and bowed to his father. “Then I will go and quickly prepare to leave. The Hechuan people have waited all week and wish to leave as soon as possible.”

Emperor Xiong Lijun nodded. “Go. Guard the priestess well.”

Guangfeng bowed again in acknowledgement and left the study and then the palace. He had already made preparations, so he sent a servant to inform his steward and headed for Yuelan’s residence.

***

Yuelan had changed into warm traveling clothes. The temperature was getting colder and it could start snowing any day now. When Guangfeng arrived she got on Byakko’s back. Leila and Willow got into her carriage, and Guangfeng rode in his own carriage as they headed for the river just outside the capital where the Hechuan people were waiting.

The boats in the river were large with wide, flat bottoms and each one had a two story cabin with curled edges to the peaked roofs. On the banks of the river and on the boats were people dressed in much the same way as Leila, her mother, and her sister had been when they first arrived. Leila had added a fur-lined cloak to her normal clothing to combat the cold of the capital at the end of fall.

“Priestess, you can stay on my boat,” Leila told Yuelan as she indicated one of the larger boats. “There is plenty of room for you, your servant, and Lord Byakko.” She looked over at Guangfeng. “The prince can stay with my brothers on their boat.”

Yuelan nodded and smiled at Guangfeng then Leila. “Thank you, Leila.”

Willow started taking the luggage from Yuelan’s carriage and carrying it over to the indicated boat and Guangfeng’s servant quickly started to help.

Leila put an arm around Yuelan’s shoulders. “Even though things are urgent, we can still have a good time on the way there.” She grinned and headed toward the boat. “Though first we need to get underway. You get settled in and I’ll go let my mother know we’re here and ready to go.”

“Thank you, Leila. I look forward to getting to know you better.” She smiled. “I enjoyed the stories you told while Guangfeng was busy.” Yuelan was also happy to have a friend who was as casual with physical contact as the friends she’d had back home in Kilin. She missed those friends a lot, but couldn’t ever do more than send them messages on occasion when she went to the library.

“My pleasure, Priestess.” Leila released the younger woman, waived, and headed off to find her mother.

Willow and Guangfeng’s servant had managed to move all the luggage from both carriages onto their designated boats by the time Leila returned. The men and young women separated onto the boats and everyone set off down the river.