Yuelan went back to the palace with the four emperors, Guangfeng, her maids, and her two contracted divine beasts. Longuo’s emperor granted her a room to use whenever she came to the palace for her to rest in and Guangfeng showed her the way to it so she could get the rest she needed after forming the contract with Seiryuu.

After her rest, Yuelan went to the throne room to meet with the emperors and introduce herself to those she hadn’t met yet. Her silk clothes rustled as she walked and she inclined her head to the emperors, who stood and saluted as she walked in.

Greetings and casual conversation came first, but Yuelan noticed there was something troubling the emperor of Lanzhou. At first, she thought it could be Guangfeng’s presence, since the recent war had been ended with Guangfeng’s victory. However, that didn’t seem to be the case as she noticed the emperor kept glancing uncertainly at her.

“Your Majesty, is something troubling you?” Yuelan asked, looking directly at the Lanzhou emperor. “It seems as though you have something you wish to say.”

Lanzhou’s emperor nodded. “You are correct, Priestess. There is something troubling me. There have been a series of disappearances in my country. All of them have occurred in and around Ziling. Even more strange is that the disappearances seem random. People disappear without a trace even when surrounded by others in public places. They reappear days later in a new location dazed and confused with no memory of where they have been.”

Yuelan frowned. “That does seem strange...what is it you would like me to do?”

“Priestess, magic is something this world has not seen in over a century. I request you come to Lanzhou and investigate the disappearances in Ziling. The southern temple is also located in that city.” Lanzhou’s emperor stood and bowed to her.

“Alright.” Yuelan saw no reason to refuse. She needed to go to the southern temple anyway. She could have Yun Cai look into the disappearances while she restored the temple. “In that case, your majesty, I will return with you to Lanzhou.”

Guangfeng frowned. “Yuelan…”

Yuelan turned and smiled at Guangfeng. “It will be alright. I’ll have Byakko, Seiryuu, Leila, Willow and Laurel with me. Camphor will need to stay here to manage my businesses on my behalf.”

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Lanzhou’s emperor looked a little confused. “Priestess?”

Yuelan looked over and smiled. “His Highness, Crown Prince Guangfeng is my fiancee, Your Majesty. He’s concerned for my safety.”

The emperor nodded, then looked over at Longuo’s emperor. “Perhaps your crown prince could come as well as part of a trade delegation? It would be best to form a lasting peace after the recent war.”

Longuo’s emperor nodded. “Agreed. I will send Guangfeng and a few delegates to begin talks and settle trade agreements. It would also be wise for all of us to forge lasting alliances through marriage. I have one unmarried daughter and while the crown prince is ineligible for such an exchange, all my other sons remain unmarried.” He looked to the emperor of Kitakuni in the north and nodded. “I will send a group of delegates to your country as well.”

Kitakuni’s emperor nodded. “It is a good suggestion. Alliances through marriage form a stronger peace, after all.”

“I also have children who are eligible for marriage,” the emperor of Zhongshu spoke up. “Perhaps the four of us should continue our discussions here in Longuo before heading back to our respective countries. Rather than sending delegates, we are all here with trusted advisors. It would be much faster to have such discussions among ourselves.”

Yuelan stood up. “In that case, your majesties, I will leave you to your politics. If you plan the weddings appropriately, it would be my pleasure to attend them and give my blessing to the couples as I did for Princess Ainuan and her husband in Zhongshu.” She smiled and gave them all a small curtsey.

The emperors rose and bowed. “Thank you, Priestess. That would be our honor.”

“I will prepare to leave for Lanzhou as soon as possible. Hopefully these disappearances can be stopped and the reasons for them discovered quickly.” Yuelan smiled and headed out of the hall.

Guangfeng stood and bowed. “Your Majesties. If you’ve no objections, I promised the priestess that I would escort her around the festival if there was time today.”

The emperor of Longuo waved a hand. “Go. Keep her holiness company. Be sure to return here with her in time for the banquet this evening.”

“Thank you, Father Emperor.” Guangfeng saluted one last time and followed Yuelan out of the hall.

Yuelan had stopped just outside the throne room and she smiled when Guangfeng came out. “I thought you might follow me.”

Guangfeng smiled and leaned down to press a kiss to her cheek. “Of course. I have to do everything possible to stay in your good graces. We have until the banquet to explore the festival if you wish.”

Yuelan took his hand as she smiled back. “I would like that very much, Guangfeng. It would be better in less conspicuous clothes, though.”

The crown prince chuckled. “I think your maids can help with that. I had them bring a change of clothes for you, just in case.” He gave her a gentle nudge toward the path that led to her resting room. “Once you’ve changed, I’ll take you to the festival.”