The Forbidden City, Beijing, China - June 5th, 1940

  Princess Changning walked across the covered walkway toward the Emperor's private chambers with Xinyi following behind her. The afternoon sun had begun its slow arc toward the western horizon, casting long shadows across the ancient stones and creating patterns of light and darkness that seemed to mirror the Princess's growing apprehension.

  She had been summoned just as she was preparing for rest, and with foreign visitors present in the Forbidden City, the timing suggested something of immense importance. Her mind raced through possibilities, trying to understand what could require her immediate presence before these Western guests.

  As they approached the entrance to the Emperor's private wing, two eunuchs in formal court dress stood waiting, their faces carefully composed in the neutral expressions required by palace service. They bowed deeply as Princess Changning appeared before them.

  "I have come to see the Emperor," Princess Changning announced with quiet authority. "He has summoned me."

  "Yes, Your Highness. Please follow me," one of the eunuchs replied, bowing even lower before gesturing for her to proceed.

  They made their way through the private gardens toward Emperor Xianhe's study, a journey that should have been peaceful but felt increasingly ominous with each step. The gardens themselves remained serene despite the presence of important visitors. Ministers and servants alike moved quietly through the covered walkways, and the usual rhythm of palace life continued as usual, but there was surprisingly little noise considering the significance of whatever was transpiring. The usual sounds of palace life seemed muted, as though the Forbidden City itself was holding its breath.

  Princess Changning walked the familiar stone path through gardens she had known since childhood, past ornamental rocks and carefully pruned trees that had stood here for centuries. Everything looked exactly as it always had, yet something fundamental felt different this time.

  As she approached the study entrance, Princess Changning noticed that her elder sister Ruyi was already waiting outside with her own lady-in-waiting. Princess Ruyi's expression suggested she was equally confused about why they had been summoned, and perhaps equally anxious about what they were about to learn.

  Their eyes met briefly, a silent exchange of mutual concern and support.

  "Shall we enter together?" Princess Ruyi asked the minister who had escorted Princess Changning.

  "Yes, of course, Your Highnesses," he replied with a deep bow before stepping forward to knock on the study doors with measured, formal strikes.

  The wooden doors slid open slowly from within, the sound seeming unnaturally loud in the quiet gardens. As Princesses Changning and Ruyi stepped across the threshold, all conversation in the room ceased immediately. Every person present turned to face them, and Princess Changning felt the weight of their collective attention like a physical pressure.

  The room's arrangement spoke volumes about the nature of this meeting. Emperor Xianhe sat in the center position behind his low writing table, seated on an embroidered mat. To his right stood the three foreign visitors, now clearly visible as two naval officers in deep blue uniforms adorned with gold braiding and elaborate insignia, and one civilian in formal diplomatic attire. To the Emperor's left stood several Chinese officials, including Minister Chen, who served as the court's primary translator for Western languages.

  Crown Prince Jia Hao sat contentedly on his father's lap, seemingly oblivious to the gravity of whatever was being discussed around him. The young prince's eyes lit up at the sight of Princess Changning, his face breaking into a delighted smile that she reflexively returned despite her mounting anxiety.

  As the Princesses entered fully, everyone in the room, both Chinese officials and foreign guests offered deep bows of respect and acknowledgment.

  "These are my daughters, the Second and Third Princesses," Emperor Xianhe announced in Chinese, his voice carrying quiet authority. He paused deliberately before adding, "Their safety is the highest priority of all."

  Minister Chen immediately translated these words into what Princess Changning recognized as a foreign language, not French, not English, not German, none of the European tongues she had basic familiarity with from her education. The language had a different cadence, different sounds, though clearly Germanic in its underlying structure.

  Princess Changning studied the foreign officers more carefully now. Their deep blue naval uniforms featured gold braiding of exceptional quality, shoulder boards indicating high rank, and various insignia she couldn't interpret but which clearly denoted significant authority. The question that dominated her thoughts was simple but crucial: Where were they from? And why was the Emperor discussing the safety of his daughters with foreign naval officers?

  The Emperor had also mentioned safety and priority. The implications came crashing down on Princess Changning with uncomfortable force. Safety from whom? Priority for what purpose? The weight of these unspoken questions made her profoundly uncomfortable, creating a knot of anxiety in her chest that tightened with each passing moment.

  "Noted, Your Majesty," one of the officers responded in that unfamiliar language, his tone formal and respectful. "The Empire of Hansa recognizes the paramount importance of Her Royal Highnesses' wellbeing. Our Chancellor and His Majesty Emperor Konrad have given their solemn promise to prioritize their safety above all other considerations."

  Minister Chen translated these words into Chinese, and Princess Changning felt her world tilting slightly. The Empire of Hansa? She knew of it, a powerful nation across the oceans in the Southern Atlantic, wealthy and sophisticated, but geographically and culturally distant from China. Why would the Hanseatic Empire be making promises about her safety?

  Princess Changning turned her head to the right, seeking her sister's reaction. Princess Ruyi met her gaze, both of them silently processing the disturbing implications of what was being said. Princess Changning felt her heartbeat accelerating, a sense of dread building in her chest. This was decidedly not what she had expected when she'd been summoned.

  Emperor Xianhe nodded gravely at the Hanseatic officers' words. Both foreign naval commanders then turned to face the Princesses directly, their bearing respectful but their expressions suggesting the seriousness of whatever role they had been assigned.

  "Your Highnesses, I am Admiral von Pitrowitz, and this is Rear Admiral Oberhoff," the senior officer said through Minister Chen's translation. "It is an honor to serve you. I give you my personal oath that I and my entire fleet will do everything within our power to ensure your protection and safety."

  Both officers bowed deeply, a gesture of respect that would be appropriate for royalty of their own nation, not merely foreign princesses.

  "I am Ambassador von Rottberg, Your Highnesses," the third foreigner added, his bow equally formal. "I speak for Emperor Konrad and the Hanseatic government when I assure you that you will be welcomed with all appropriate honors."

  The translations came quickly, efficiently, but Princess Changning barely heard them. Her mind was fixated on a single word the Admiral had used: fleet. Why would an entire naval fleet be assigned to protect them? The implications were staggering and terrifying in equal measure.

  Both Princesses stood motionless, unable to formulate responses. The words Admiral von Pitrowitz had spoken carried implications too heavy to immediately process. Princess Changning understood what they were suggesting but she desperately did not want to believe what her mind was telling her must be true.

  She was preparing to speak, to demand an explanation, when Princess Ruyi's voice emerged first, sharp with controlled emotion. "Your Majesty, what is the meaning of this?"

  Her question was addressed to their father in Chinese, deliberately excluding the foreign visitors from understanding her distress.

  Emperor Xianhe the slowly released a deep, weary sigh. Princess Ruyi's attention was focused entirely on her father, her eyes intense, demanding truth even as she feared what that truth might be.

  The Emperor raised his hand in a subtle gesture toward Minister Chen, who immediately understood. He whispered something to the three Hanseatic visitors, and all of them quietly departed the room, bowing once more to the imperial family before withdrawing. Only Crown Prince Jia Hao remained, still seated contentedly on his father's lap, unaware that he was about to witness his sisters' world collapse.

  Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

  The doors slid shut with a soft sound that seemed to echo with finality. The room then fell into a profound silence.

  "Jia Mei... Jia Xuan..." The Emperor began, using their personal names rather than their titles. He paused to compose himself, clearing his throat before continuing with visible effort.

  "Even though your sister Jia Ling was married to the Japanese heir, I and my closest advisors always knew this represented only temporary peace. We hoped, prayed even, that we were wrong, but we prepared for the reality we suspected would come. That is why I tried to dissuade your sister from this marriage, though she truly believed she could secure lasting peace through her sacrifice." His voice was getting heavier and carried sadness. "Now, our fears are proven correct once again. And this time, the coming conflict will be more ferocious than anything we have experienced before. I am doing the only thing that will keep you safe. I know this is sudden, overwhelming even, but in time you will come to understand why this is necessary."

  Princess Changning felt her throat constricting. "Father... are you sending us away?"

  The words emerged with difficulty, her voice cracking slightly on the last word. She could see visible strain on her father's face, those familiar wrinkles now seemed more deeply carved, his eyes carrying a resignation that frightened her more than any anger could have.

  "Yes," Emperor Xianhe confirmed simply. "This is for your safety, for your survival. The Japanese are going to attack at any moment, our intelligence suggests it could be within weeks, perhaps even days. I personally requested assistance from the Hanseatic court even before your sister's wedding because I knew this day would inevitably come. I simply did not anticipate it would arrive so quickly." He paused, gathering himself before continuing. "The Hanseatic government will take care of everything you need. You will be treated with all appropriate honors. You need not worry about practical matters."

  Princess Changning felt something twist painfully in her chest, a physical sensation of her heart breaking, of her world shattering into pieces that could never be reassembled into their previous form. The pain was almost unbearable.

  Beside her, Princess Ruyi began sobbing openly, tears streaming down her face as she tried unsuccessfully to wipe them away. The sight of her composed elder sister, always so controlled, so proper, breaking down completely made Princess Changning's own tears begin flowing. Hot wetness tracked down her cheeks despite her desperate attempts to maintain composure.

  "Father... no!" Princess Changning raised her voice despite the tears, her tone carrying authority even as it threatened to break entirely. "I am not leaving everything behind! Let me stay with you, I want to face this with everyone, together. I will not abandon my duties or my home!"

  "Jia Xuan, let me help you understand the gravity of our situation," the Emperor said softly, his eyes meeting Changning's tear-filled gaze with profound sadness. "The Japanese forces are fewer than one hundred miles from where we sit at this moment. If, when an invasion occurs, I cannot guarantee your safety within the capital. And if in the worst possible circumstances you were captured..." He paused, letting the implication settle. "They would use you as political hostages, binding you through forced marriages to legitimize their claims to our dynasty and our country. This is not something I am prepared to allow under any circumstances. That is why you must go to Hansa. That is why there is no alternative."

  "What about my future here then, Father?" Princess Ruyi spoke through her tears, her voice trembling with barely controlled emotion. "I cannot simply abandon everything, everyone, and start over in a foreign land when we do not even know how long this exile will last. Days? Months? Years? What happens to everything I was meant to be?"

  "Jia Mei, please try to understand, this is not what I want either," the Emperor replied with profound gentleness. "But you must recognize I am not sending you alone into the unknown. The Dowager and your ladies-in-waiting will accompany you. And I have spoken personally with the Marquis of Fujian." He paused deliberately. "I have placed Zhao Yan on the evacuation list. He will be training as an officer in the Hanseatic Naval Academy, which will allow him to remain near you and provide support when you need it."

  Princess Ruyi sniffled, wiping tears from her face with shaking hands. Young Crown Prince Jia Hao watched both his sisters with visible confusion, his innocent eyes beginning to glisten with sympathetic tears even though he couldn't understand what was happening.

  "Father, what are we even going to do in Hansa?" Princess Changning asked, desperation creeping into her voice. "We are nothing without you, nothing without this place, these duties, this purpose. How are we supposed to build a new life in a country we have never seen, whose language we do not speak, whose customs we do not understand?"

  She could taste salt on her lips from tears that had reached her mouth despite her efforts to wipe them away.

  "Jia Xuan, I have already considered everything," Emperor Xianhe assured her, his tone almost pleading. "Why would I send you into exile without making proper arrangements? The Hanseatic Chancellor himself will personally oversee your care. You will be free to enroll in Hanseatic universities if you wish, to pursue education and development. You will be treated as Chinese princesses, accorded all appropriate respect. And you will be surrounded by people close to you, servants and companions who care for you."

  Princess Changning's gaze slowly turned toward her younger brother still seated on their father's lap, then back to the Emperor's weathered face. "What about you then, Father? What happens to you and Jia Hao? What about Jia Rong?" Her voice rose with desperation. "What about Song Zhongwei?"

  "I asked Song to accompany you as your guard," the Emperor replied. "He initially refused, wishing to continue serving with the military forces and resist the invasion. But I reminded him of his oath, his sworn duty to protect you above all other considerations. He will come with you. Like Zhao Yan, the Hanseatic court has arranged for him to receive training with their Imperial Guard, maintaining his military career while fulfilling his primary obligation to your safety."

  He drew Crown Prince Jia Hao closer, holding the boy more tightly before continuing. "Your sister Jia Rong will accompany you as well, she is being prepared even now. As for me, I will relocate the court to Yunnan Province in the southwest, far from Japanese reach. I am taking your brother with me as my designated successor, should anything happen to me."

  As the Emperor finished speaking, both Princesses stood motionless, unable to fully absorb the weight of his words. The future he was describing seemed impossible, unreal, like something from a nightmare rather than actual approaching reality.

  Princess Ruyi's knees gave way. She dropped to the floor, hands covering her face as sobs wracked her entire body, all pretense of royal composure abandoned in the face of this unbearable revelation.

  Princess Changning forced herself to speak despite the overwhelming emotional weight crushing down on her. "Why can't we simply come with you to Yunnan? Let us face this together as a family. Without you, without this purpose, we have no meaning. Please, Father, do not send us away."

  "No." The Emperor's voice remained soft but carried absolute finality. "I have already made this decision, and the Hanseatic government has accepted the enormous risks involved in agreeing to evacuate you. They are risking every conceivable diplomatic disaster with Japan by offering you sanctuary. It would be incredibly disrespectful and potentially dangerous for them to change course now. This is for your safety. We will be at war. In time, you will understand why I must do this." He paused, then added more gently, "And I am not saying you will spend your entire lives there. When it is safe for you to return, of course you will return. This is not permanent exile it is temporary protection until the danger passes."

  The room fell silent except for the sound of Princess Ruyi's muffled sobs. Both Princesses struggled to control their tears, the smell of ink and old wood thick in the air, mingling with the scent of their father's familiar robes.

  Emperor Xianhe continued quietly, "I know you want to ask about your sister Jia Ling, but I can promise you she is safe. The Japanese imperial household has formally accepted her as their own. She is no longer part of our family in the political sense, though of course she remains our daughter in our hearts. You need not worry about her immediate safety, her position as the Crown Prince's wife provides protection even as war approaches."

  Princess Changning felt her eyes burning again as fresh tears flowed. Why? The question screamed through her mind with agonizing force. Why does this have to happen? Never in a thousand years would she have imagined leaving her homeland and abandoning her duties. The very thought made her heart twist with pain that intensified with each passing second.

  "This... this is too much to accept," Princess Ruyi's words emerged slowly, each syllable seeming to require tremendous effort, her voice threatening to crack under the unbearable weight.

  "Jia Xuan, Jia Mei... come here," the Emperor said softly, extending his arms in invitation.

  Princess Ruyi slowly lifted herself from the floor, fighting back tears as she and Princess Changning moved into their father's embrace. Crown Prince Jia Hao, seeing Princess Changning enter the embrace, immediately wrapped his small arms around her with surprising strength, holding her as tightly as his young body could manage.

  Emperor Xianhe kissed both his daughters' heads with infinite tenderness. "I promise you, everything will be alright eventually. One day we will be reunited. Do not lose hope. Your mother would have made exactly the same decision for your safety. She would understand, and she would approve."

  He caressed their heads slowly, his weathered hands gentle despite their trembling.

  Princess Changning buried her face in her father's silk robes, unable to speak. Her other hand held Crown Prince Jia Hao so tightly she feared she might hurt him, but she couldn't make herself release her grip. "I am going to miss you so much," she finally murmured, the words muffled by fabric and tears. "I do not know how to leave you."

  "I will miss you with every breath until we meet again," the Emperor replied, his own voice thick with suppressed emotion. "Remember always that I love you all, deeply and without reservation. I would never abandon you, this separation is temporary, a necessity forced by circumstances beyond our control. Please understand my decision and try to build meaningful lives wherever you find yourselves. I promise to bring you home as soon as it is possible."

  He kissed them once more, holding all his children close as though he could protect them from the approaching storm through sheer force of will.

  Princess Changning and Princess Ruyi remained in his embrace, their tears flowing unchecked. They both understood now that the evacuation was inevitable, that their father's decision was final and irrevocable. After draining their tears here, in this private moment away from court eyes and formal protocols, perhaps they would find the strength to face what was coming.

  But for now, they simply held on to their father and each other, memorizing the warmth and security of this embrace, knowing it might be years before they experienced it again.

  Outside the study, the afternoon sun continued its descent toward the western horizon, indifferent to the breaking hearts within the Forbidden City's ancient walls.

  Thank you for reading and being a part of Princess Changning's story! <3