Here we go with the first chapter. I hope it turned out well :) 

Enjoy it  <3 <3

Lan Huan's POV

"Court is dismissed!" The emperor announced and the ministers slowly left one after the other. In the end, it was only I left.

"Father, why did you want me to stay behind? Did something happen?" I asked my father, the emperor of the heavenly realm.

"Not necessarily. I just want to talk to you about your future. Look at your age, Lan Huan. It's time to settle down, don't you think?"

"I am still very young, father." I laughed. "I remember that you married my mother when you were over 80.000 years old."

"That might be true but I already had a few concubines at the age of 2.000. My harem is still filled. You, on the other hand, have no one yet. At least no one you want to marry. I already have my hands full regarding your brother's future. I don't want to worry about yours as well. You are the crown prince, Lan Huan. Don't forget that you have your duties."

"I know, father, and I will not neglect my duties. Not now or in the future. If I find the right one, I will get married instantly."

"What is about the princess of the beast realm? Or the twin princesses in the ghost realm? I know you and them are on good terms." Father said with raised brows. "I also heard the daughter of our prime minister fancies you."

"Father, please. I will take care of everything. I know you worry about me but there is no need."

Father sighed. "As I know your abilities regarding your work as the crown prince I know I can trust you. But I am your father and worry about you. Also, I am the emperor of this realm and need to make sure you will abide by your duties. Anyway...." He stood up from his throne and stepped down the stairs.

"Father, is there something else?"

"Do you happen to know what your brother is doing every day? It's been a while since I saw him..."

I had to smile. "Wang Ji is doing fine, of course. I visit him frequently and he is mostly reading or playing with his bunnies. He loves them a lot and I enjoy it seeing him so carefree." I answered and looked at my father. Is there something you are worried about?

"Hmm... your brother is only surrounded by his bunnies every day. He has no servants around him. Except for you, he does not interact with humans at all, Lan Huan...."

"Daiyu is still with him, father. And even if not, why are you so worried?"

"Daiyu is the only one next to him and because it's your mother's maid. I didn't pay attention to him as I know Daiyu is something like a second mother to your brother taking care of him as if he was her own but I heard she is sick for a while now. The doctor said it is nothing serious and all she had to do was take care of herself. I intend to send her to the water realm to recover her health and thought about sending Wang Ji with her."

"What!? He never was outside the palace except for the mortal realm, father! Moreover, he won't go with her and leave his bunnies alone. He loves them way too much."

"If it's just the bunnies, he could take them with him. There is enough space for them. I know that he won't agree to it easily so I ask you to talk to him. If someone can persuade him, that it's you. You love each other dearly. The bond existing between the two of you... even I am jealous."

"Why, father!? I don't want him to leave! He is my only brother."

"I had a conversation with the queen of the water realm not long ago. She met Wang Ji at the banquet a few years ago and made it obvious that she was interested in him. They would suit each other very well, don't you think? The spot next to her as the king of the water realm is still empty and she doesn't have any offspring yet. Everyone would benefit from such a marriage."

"Father!!" I called him angrily. "The queen of the water realm is almost 70.000 years older than Wang Ji! Don't tell me you agreed to a marriage between them!? How could you do that!? I don't want my brother to be in an arranged marriage. Did you forget what you promised mother!?"

"Calm down, Lan Huan!" Father looked at me strictly. "You are the crown prince, don't forget that. You always have to keep a calm posture and make sure your reputation is not negatively influenced!"

I bit my lips. "But father!"

"I didn't agree to anything nor did the queen make an offer or suggestion! Of course, I remember my promise to your mother and won't force any of you into an arranged marriage." Father said and I sighed in relief.

"Then what do you mean by all this?" I asked carefully.

"I want to send Wang Ji to the water realm to make her get to know the queen. Call it a test, if you want. I hope Wang Ji will develop feelings for her and decided to marry her. As I said, all of us will benefit from such a marriage."

"I can ask him, father, but I will not persuade him to go! If he doesn't want to, he won't have to!" I said and turned around to leave.

3rd POV

"Your majesty..." The emperor's most trusted servant came out of his hiding place. "Why are you smiling like that?"

"I am envious. The relationship between my sons is truly one of a kind. I never had such a thing, not even with my late wife."

"What do you think will happen, your majesty? Will his highness, the second prince go to the water realm?"

"No." The emperor shook his head. "He won't. Not only because he doesn't want to but I am sure that Lan Huan will do the exact opposite of what I wanted." When the servant looked at him in confusion the emperor smiled. "He will tell Wang Ji what I aim for with his travel to the water realm and surely persuade him not to go."

"I see... then why did you still tell the crown prince the truth?"

"I truly don't know.... I promised my late wife I would never force any of my sons into a marriage and I also promised her to let them have their way. She allowed me to introduce them to suitable partners and that is exactly what I am trying to do, hoping that one of my choices suits their taste. I can't let Wang Ji lock himself up in his palace any longer either. I really hope he would take an interest in the queen of the water realm. If he marries her, he would be a king after all. Staying here he won't ever go past the title of the second prince."

"What if he thinks about treason?" The servant asked unsurely and the emperor glared at him.

"He won't! He is not such a person." The emperor said and looked up.

"But I can't predict the future either. There was never a peaceful brotherhood within a royal family in the past. Neither in the immortal nor the mortal realm. Sooner or later every prince will get greedy. I don't think Wang Ji is like that, and because he is afraid that others will think he is like that, he locks himself up trying his best to stay away from the royal court. It's obvious he has no intention to ascend the throne. But in any way.... one will never know the future and thus we have to keep the guard up."

"You are very wise, your majesty." The servant bowed.

"Ah, I truly miss my wife. She always knew what to do and how to calm me down...."

"Your majesty, albeit no one can't bring the late empress back, you still have many young and beautiful women within your harem. I bet all of them would be delighted to have the chance to serve you tonight."

"Hmm...." The emperor said and turned to the servant. "Now that I think about it, it's been a while since I last visited the orchid garden. The orchids should bloom at this time of the year... "

"The lady of the orchid garden will be delighted to hear about your intention to visit her. I will make sure everything is prepared for tonight, your majesty."

"I know you will." The emperor turned around. "Once you are done, I want you to ask the seers in the divine realm if there is any news about the missions for the princes."

"As you wish, your majesty."

"Now that I think about it.... it's been a very long time since I had my mission. I can't remember much of it but I do know it was rather easy. I indeed made the right decision..." The emperor said and a shadow flitted across his face.

"Do you want me to give word to you what kind of missions his highness's will have?" The servant asked and the emperor shook his head while retreating.

"It's against the rules to let the emperor know. It is always the choice of the princes what to choose. The emperor nor anyone else is allowed to meddle with it. Go on now and prepare everything."

"As you wish, your majesty..." The servant bowed and went on his way.

Lan Huan's POV

I found Wang Ji unsurprisingly at the huge garden in his palace. He was currently feeding the army of bunnies. It started with 9 bunnies many many years ago but the number of animals that resided in the garden now was more than just confusing. It wondered me every time how Wang Ji could know the exact number of animals as well as keep them apart.

"Wang Ji, I need to talk to you," I called him and he nodded. When he didn't move at all but continued sitting in the middle of the garden I sighed and approached him. The closer I came the faster the bunnies hopped away. Wang Ji looked at me.

"I know but I really need to talk to you. When I am gone they will come again, don't worry." I smiled and sat next to him. "Tell me, who do you like more, me or them?" He kept staring at me.

"That doesn't count. You have to choose." When he kept staring at me I sighed and nodded. "Fine. I will let you go with that."

Others always looked at me in confusion when I talked with Wang Ji because no one could understand him as much as I did. For others, it looked like he was staring at me expressionlessly but I understand everything he wanted to say without him actually saying something. I felt proud that I was so close with him.

"Brother..." He called me and I nodded.

"I came here to tell you something. I had a conversation with our father and he said....."

I told him everything without skipping a part. He listened to me while playing with something hidden between his legs. I couldn't see it but what else could it be than a bunny. He didn't react to what I said and once I was done with my speech I touched his shoulder to make him react.

"Won't." He answered and I nodded with a smile.

"I knew it and already told father your answer."

"Mhn..."

"But Wang Ji, I would like to know... do you want to get married?"

"I do."

I raised my brows. "Really? Do you have someone in mind?"

"No."

"It would have surprised me if your answer would turn out otherwise. Do you have a certain type you like?"

"...." First, he didn't say anything but then he looked down at his legs. "Bunnies."

I rolled my eyes. "What if she doesn't like bunnies?"

"Not the right one."

"What if she likes bunnies but the bunnies don't like her?"

"Not the right one." He answered again and I sighed.

"Wang Ji, I know you like them but you can't choose everything based on the preferences of bunnies." I smiled seeing a small pout on my brother's lips. "Anyway, what are you hiding there?" I pointed at his legs and Wang Ji carefully reached between them and picked up a little bunny. It was still a baby.

I frowned. "All your bunnies are white, how come there is a black one? Where did you get it?"

Wang Ji pointed at a small group of bunnies, consisting of two big and 6 baby bunnies. "It was born."

"Two white bunnies giving birth to a black bunny?"

"Mhn. Because he is different from the others he was rejected. Its father always pushes him away when he wants to drink from his mother. Poor little bunny....."

That was indeed sad but I still hat to suppress a laugh. Wang Ji never likes to talk much but when he does then it's either about our mother or his bunnies.

"Do that, little brother. I will go now and-" I stopped talking and Wang Ji and I looked up at the sky upon seeing a huge golden light shooting through it.

"A seer?" I mumbled and looked at my brother. "Currently, there would be only one reason for a seer to come here. It seems that soon we will have to travel to the mortal realm. I am curious what kind of missions we get...."

"Mhn...."

When I saw Wang Ji frowning I smiled and touched his shoulder. "What is wrong, little brother? Scared?"

"No."

"Then?"

Wang Ji shook his head but didn't say anything anymore. I might be the one who understood him the best but even I am clueless sometimes.

When I heard footsteps I turned around and saw one of the father's servants walking up to us and bowed.

"Your highness, crown prince Lan Huan." He greeted me and then turned to my brother. "Your highness, prince Lan Wang Ji."

"May I assume that the day of our mission is near?" I asked and the servant nodded.

"Yes, your highness. A seer delivered them and his majesty, the emperor asked the two princes to visit him at the royal court."

"I see." I nodded and send the servant away before turning to my brother. "Let's go Wang Ji."

Once we arrived at the royal court our father signaled us to come closer. "Sons, it's time for you to fulfill your duty. Seer, please step forward and enlighten us."

A woman walked out of the shadows with a soft smile. I never saw a seer before but I heard quite a lot about them. They are from the divine realm and no one else but seers were allowed to enter their realm. There were more female seers than male ones but both were equally powerful. They knew many things others didn't. A few seers even could see into the future. They couldn't control what they saw and are not allowed to reveal details of it to others unless necessary.

They seldom came out of their realm and mostly stay in seclusion. Only when war broke out, royal babies were born or they had an important message will they show themselves. Seers were above emperors but below gods. Seers were the messengers of the gods.

Not everyone can become a seer. You have to be born with this fate and only seers can recognize them. When I first heard that seers could be born in any family, be it a royal or commoner, an immortal or a mortal, I was surprised as I always thought they could only be born by another seer.

Father explained that they weren't allowed to do that. They were not allowed to fall in love and not allowed to have children. Before a seer enters the divine realm for the first time, he or she will have to make a choice: Become a seer and abstain from love and everything that comes with it. Or give up being a seer and enjoy the joy of love and family.

I would never be able to give them up so I had a lot of respect for seers. Of course, not all seers follow the rules of the divine realm. I heard that in history there were a few seers who became weak after all and gave in to love and lust. It was said that they would be severely punished but no one knew what exactly happens. It was a kept secret within the seers.

"Crown Prince, Lan Huan." The seer nodded at me and turned to my brother. "Second Prince, Lan Wang Ji."

Wang Ji and I didn't say a word but nodded back.

"The time has come for you two to fulfill your duty like every other prince before you. The mortal realm is in turmoil and needs us to help and guide them. What exactly you have to do depends on the choice you will make. No one can decide for any of you. Once you descend into the mortal realm, you won't have any contact with the immortal realm. You won't have your powers and until you succeeded in your task, there is no way to come back. You have to depend on yourself, you won't get any help from us. Do you understand?" She asked us and the both of us nodded.

"What do we have to do?" I asked and the seer looked at our father.

"Currently, there are two regions in the mortal realm that needs the most guidance. It's the southern region as well as the northern region. As the seer said, you will only find out exactly what your mission involves once you have made your choice." He answered and the seer nodded.

"You have time until tomorrow to chose which region you want to help and only then will you get more information about your task. Once you made your choice you can't change your mind. Now, my dear princes, go back and think carefully about what your choice will be. Of course, you can talk to each other and make the choice together." The seer said and father stood up.

"You heard her. Once you made your choice, let the seer know." Without another word our father left and when I looked to where the seer stood not long ago, I realized that she has vanished as well.

I then looked at Wang Ji who was already leaving. He seemed to be in deep thoughts. I smiled and retreated as well.

It was already pretty late but I couldn't sleep at all. I was worried about the mission. It's a pity I didn't know what I had to choose. I had no clues whatsoever. Well, at least until I remembered my father's words.

'Currently, there are two regions in the mortal realm that needs the most help. It's the southern region as well as the northern region. As the seer said, you will only find out exactly what your mission involves once you have made your choice.'

Those were his words. This meant that if I find out what was happening in both regions maybe I could find out what the tasks could be. Once I did, I would go to Wang Ji and we could decide together which region we want to go to.

I smiled triumphantly and after dressing up, I left for the Library of Wisdom. No matter what you want to know you will find the answer either in the books or from one of the elderly working there. I silently entered the Library of Wisdom but unfortunately didn't find any of the elders. It shouldn't surprise me as it was already after midnight.

"Did you hear about the prince's missions?" I heard a small voice and frowned. Wasn't that the voice of one of the servants in my palace?

"I did. I can't believe they have to choose a region without knowing anything. How are they supposed to find out which answer is the right one? The choice could decide about life and death after all..." Another familiar voice answered.

I followed the sounds and soon found two servants standing in the corner of the room. I was right. These two worked in my palace. I was unsure about what to do and figured out that it would be better to not get caught. Why I thought like that, I didn't know. I was the crown prince after all and could stay where I wanted to. But.... my intuition told me to not get caught.

Just as I wanted to leave I heard a third voice. "It is indeed not suitable to let them choose without knowing anything." I knew this voice very well. It was my father's most trusted servant and I was surprised to see him here instead of at my father's palace.

"Head servant, what should we do then?" The first servant asked and I saw father's servant frowning.

"We need to make sure nothing happens to the crown prince. He is our future emperor and nothing is allowed to happen to him. The southern region is far too dangerous right now. If the crown prince chooses that region, he might be in great danger. The northern region might have many difficulties but it's more peaceful."

"How can we make sure the crown prince chooses the northern region?" One of my servants asked and my father's servant looked at him.

"We can't do anything. Unless.... unless we can make sure the second prince chooses the southern region before the crown prince does."

"How?"

"I don't know. I will think about something and until then you two have to make sure the crown prince does not choose the southern region."

"Yes, head servant." Both agreed and soon all three of the left.

I stood there for several minutes not able to do anything. 'The southern region is dangerous? Really?' I asked myself. If that was the truth... how could I let Wang Ji go there!? How could they want to send Wang Ji down there knowing fully well how dangerous it was!? He might not be the crown prince but he was the second prince after all! He was my brother!

"Your highness?" Someone behind called me and when I turned around in shock I saw one of the elders looking at me. "What does the crown prince do here so late at night?" He asked me.

"I came to get to know more about the mortal realm. I thought that if I know more about its current state I might find out what each mission could contain." I answered and he nodded with a chuckle.

"I see, I see."

"Why are you smiling like that?"

"I find it amusing to see how similar you are to your father, your highness. His majesty came here as well many years ago to find as much information about each mission as he could. Other princes just depended on fate."

"Did he have to choose a region of the mortal realm too?" I wanted to know and the elder shook his head.

"No, he had to choose something entirely different. That is all I can say, your highness. If you want to know more, ask his majesty."

"Maybe I will. Elder, can you tell me more about the regions in the mortal realm and its current state?"

"What exactly do you want to know, your highness?"

"Which region is the safest?"

"That would be the eastern region."

"And between the southern and northern region?"

"The northern region is safer but that doesn't mean there are no dangers at all. Dangers are everywhere, your highness. But in the southern region.... it's the most dangerous right now. I hope the two princes will be very careful should you travel there."

I bit my lip. 'Is it that dangerous? If that is the case then....'

"Elder, was my brother already here?" I wanted to know.

"He wasn't, your highness. Why do you want to know?"

"Nothing," I answered and turned around. "Should he come here, don't tell him about what we talked about."

"Is that an order from you, your highness?" The elder asked with a strange gaze and I looked at him for a minute.

"Yes," I answered firmly. "I hereby forbid you to talk with the second prince anything about the mortal realm."

"As you command." The elder bowed and I walked away. I could feel his eyes on my back but I ignored it.

Instead of going to bed, I walked towards the chambers where the seer resided in. It was already past midnight and I hoped she didn't go to bed yet. Before I could knock on the door, the door opened and the seer greeted me with a smile.

"Your highness, you already made your decision." It wasn't a question and she opened the door for me to enter.

"I came to tell you my decision. I choose the southern region," I said firmly and she nodded slowly.

"I see. The southern region is not as safe as the northern region. Are you sure you want to go there?"

"I am. Even if I wasn't, I can't change it anymore as I already made my choice. Weren't that your words?"

The seer chuckled. "Indeed."

"Did my brother come here already?"

"No, your highness. But he already made his decision."

"What did he choose!?" I asked alerted and the seer smiled.

"Why is that important? You were the one to come and give me an answer first. Therefore even if your brother chooses the same answer as you, he wouldn't be able to go. One prince in one region. "

I sighed in relief. 'Thank god. That means I didn't need to worry too much.'

"Please tell me what I have to do. Why is the southern region so dangerous?"

"There are many dangers, your highness. Among other things, there is a turmoil within the royal family as the southern region and its streets are haunted by bandits who fled from the northern region." The seer announced. "Your mission is to make sure the bandits will stop stealing. Make them stop harassing, kidnapping, and killing the citizens. You can use any method you want but I advise you to not kill unless absolutely necessary."

"How dangerous are the bandits?"

"That is something you will find out once you arrived. During your mission, you have to take care of yourself. One wrong step and you will lose your life." The seer said and looked at me seriously. "But that is the choice you made. I believe you already knew it wouldn't be easy. Am I right?"

"I do not regret my choice."

"I know you don't. Are you ready?"

"What?" I asked confused. "Right now? I still need t-"

Wang Ji's POV

'One day you will have to choose something at the behest of the emperor. For you, the answer lies in the south.'

I took a deep breath as I stroked the black bunny in my lap.

'Just know that the south will be the answer. Make sure you will make the right choice.'

Mother's last words replayed in my head over and over again and I knew what answer I would give tomorrow. I need to go to the southern region. Even without knowing what would lie ahead, I would choose the south.

What would await me there? Mother always wanted me to be happy...

"Mother." I looked up to the sky. "Mother, I have to choose the southern region, don't I?"

Of course, there was no answer. But I didn't need one. I knew what to choose.

"Your highness, what are you still doing out here. It's late already, go to bed." Daiyu coughed as she approached me. I knew there was no chance to go against her so I put down the black bunny and got up.

"You should drink your medicine and go to bed as well," I said to her and left for my chambers.

After I ate breakfast and got dressed for the day, I started to look for my Brother to tell him which region in the mortal realm I wanted to descent to but no matter where I went, he wasn't there.

"Your highness." A servant passed me with a deep bow.

"Wait." The servant stopped and looked at me. "The crown prince?"

He frowned. "His highness the crown prince already made a decision and went to the mortal realm. I can't believe he was so unlucky to choose the most dangerous one. How can they let him go there so easily? What if something happens?" The servant asked no one in particular and went his way.

'He made his decision already?'

Just when I arrived at the guest chambers of the seer the door opened. "I was awaiting you, your highness. Come in. Let's talk about your mission in the northern region."

"Northern?"

"Yes, the crown prince came to me last night and chose the southern region. Therefore you have to go to the north."

I frowned. "I want to go to the southern region. No, I need to. I promised it..."

The seer smiled. "I am sorry, your highness, but there can't be two of you in the same place. What will happen to the north then?"

"Didn't you say we have to choose today?"

"Indeed. And that is exactly what your brother did. He came to me past midnight."

Mother said south was the right answer. I needed to choose the south. Why did brother have to go there? Why did he choose on his own? Couldn't he talk to me beforehand?

"Your highness seems to be disappointed. You seem to be unwilling to go to the north."

"I am indeed disappointed but even if I am unwilling I still have to go there. They need help after all...." I answered silently.

The seer watched me and then smiled. "Maybe it will make you feel better when I say that the crown prince's only reason for choosing the southern region was because it was the most dangerous one. He wanted to protect you."

I loved my brother. He always wanted to protect me and I more than appreciate it. I know he is the reason I can live in peace without all these side comments about me being the next heir to the throne after my brother. Only this time.... this time I wished he wouldn't have done that. There was something in the southern region for me to see and whatever it was it would have surely changed my life. Mother knew that too.

When I looked up at the seer I saw her watching me. "I am sorry. I know my brother only wants the best for me. I am not mad he chose where I wanted to go. It doesn't matter anyway as long as we can help the mortal realm to overcome their difficulties. So please tell me about my mission."

"The northern region just overcame a huge storm. It tore away trees and houses and made many people lose their life. Now, that the storm is over, they will need help to rebuild everything. It's your job to help them with that but be aware that the streets are partially flooded."

I nodded.

"Here..." The seer gave me a bag. "In here are special seeds of different species of trees and plants. While staying in the mortal realm you have to plant them. They grow very fast. Within two days after being planted the trees and plants are fully grown. Don't lose them and make sure to plant them all distributed over the whole northern region."

I nodded again. As I looked up I saw the seer's eyes glowing up brightly. Her voice sounded more powerful than before when she spoke her next words.

"Don't worry too much second prince of the heavenly realm. There isn't just one way to meet one's fate. Through, it's going to be rather difficult, it doesn't mean it's going to be impossible. Will you follow your head or your heart? Sometimes it's a very difficult decision. I am very curious how you will handle it."

"Excuse me?" I was confused but I will never find out what she meant with that as suddenly everything went black.

To be continued...

I can't be mad at Lan Huan knowing he only chose the southern region to protect Wang Ji. He promised his mother to do that at all costs and does so willingly. I love their relationship! 

What will happen now that Lan Huan chose the "wrong" region? We will find out in the next chapter where Wei Ying will appear for the first time. 

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