Since today (9/5) is my birthday, I decided to post not one but two chapters! Enjoy!

Hanfu is a beautiful style of clothing from (chinese culture). (It is smilliar to a Japanese Kimono)

Pao is any closed full-body garment, worn only by men. (chinese culture)

Yi is any open cross-collar garment and worn by both men and women. (chinese culture)

Shan is is a cross-collar shirt or a jacket that is worn over the yi. (chinese culture)

Alchemist Chronicles

Chapter 24 - Fairy Tales

After the small break at the edge of Xerxes, they finally make it to Xing. Ed tells Mao about his and Al's journey. Mao sighs sadly afterward at first but then compliments Ed for his bravery.

When the guards at the entrance open up the gates, Ed, Winry, and their chimera friends are embraced with rich colors like gold, purple and red all around the walls to the sides and lines of the houses and buildings.

Although they wanted to walk around and explore the cities that they had passed while riding with the Emperor's Envoy of protection, Mao tells them. "Due to the ongoing conflicts between Xing, Ikemba, and Farhan. There have been a number of tourists recently who have either disappeared or have been killed by assassins from the border counteries to the east. The Emperor wants any personally invited tourists to stay at his palace so they can be put under complete protection during their stay."

Ling adds in. "As well as just for the simple fact that we want to make sure that Edward here doesn't blow anything up." "Shut it, Ling! Half of the damn time, it was accidental. It's not like I planned any of it in the first place." "Which is exactly why you will be watched."

Winry - "Wait. I hope you're not saying every hour of the day." Ling nods his head. Winry makes a disqusted face.

Lan-Fan adds in. "Of course any and all personal time between you and your husband Winry shall and will not be interrupted by any means." She smiles at Lan-Fan. "Thank you." Lan-Fan nods her head.

Ed - "Not to mention, did you forget that I can't use alchemy at all anymore, Ling." Ling replies. "Well aren't we blessed then." Ling smirks as Ed glares at him.

When they finally arrive to the palace, Ed, Winry, Jerso, Zampano, Darius, and Heinkel are greeted with a giddy Ling, who has a wide smile spread across his face and spread his arms apart. "Welcome to Xing, my Amestrian friends!" Ed and Winry look at him with annoyed expressions. After dinner at the dining hall, a guardsman knocks then enters after Ling allows it.

Guardsman - "Young Lord. The Emperor wants the guests to be taken to their rooms first before heading over to the Hall of Moulding Temperament in the morning where he would like to welcome them properly."

Ling - "Why certainly, of course." Ling then escorts each one to their rooms. Making it to the south end of the south gardens. "And here we have the paradise garden for the both of you. It is only for our most special of guests. As Lan-Fan has already told you, no one is permitted to bother either of you. So have lots of fun you two!" Ling says excitely as he then slides the door to the room close.

Ed smirks as he grabs the side of her face. "Damn right we're gonna have some fun!" He says as Winry giggles when he picks her up. She wraps her legs around his waist. They slowly kiss one another as it starts to build up after the both of them fall backward on the bed.

The next morning, Lan-Fan and May knock on the newlywed's door. A still very sleepy Winry unlocks and opens it, wearing her nightgown. Winry yawns. Both girls nod their heads to each other and then pull her out of the room, dragging her away to the Wuying Palace to get washed and cleaned up.

Ed, who comes out of their personal restroom and is only wearing his boxers briefs. Walks over to the open door and looks out of it. As he's about close it, he notices Winry's disappearance from their bed. Panicking, he rushes out the door, only to be stopped by Ling. "Relax. She's with the May and Lan-Fan. They are getting her ready as we are here to help you get ready for the meeting with the Emperor of Xing."

Mao adds in. "Please allow us to dress you in our formal attire than that of the clothing you Amestrians wear. It would be insulting for you to decline. Not only to the Emperor but to everyone else of Xingese heritage as well, Edward." Ed sighs. "Well, alright. It's too damn early to argue anyway."

Ed, who is now dressed in a Hanfu Pao and his hair is pulled back into a man bun, he tells them. "I'm uncomfortable. This is a bit much, don't you agree?" As he swings the loose sleeves, side to side.

Ling - "Don't be such a skeptic, Edward. Consider it as a blessing to meet the leader of our country." Ed looks at Mao with a glum expression. Mao chuckles at Ed's pity. Ling, Mao, and a few other guards escort Ed and his chimera friends to right outside of the Hall of Moulding Temperament.

When Winry arrives and taps Ed on the shoulder. He turns around as sees her wearing a Hanfu Yi and a Shan over it, which has a belt wrapped around tightly on her waist and is conformed to her body, showcasing her curves. Her hair is also pulled back into a bun with pins and a hairclip keeping it all in place. Ed stands up and places his head face first onto his wife's breasts. "Really honey?" She says, with a little giddyness. She then notices his inmoblitity. "Ed? Edward? Oh no, he's burning up!" She gently tlits his head a little back to feel his forehead.

Jerso - "Can't say I blame him. I would be burning up too if I was in his position!" The four chimeras start laughing.

Walking into The Hall of Moulding Temperament, Ling and Lan-Fan direct each of their guests to their appropriate seats as the Emperor is already seated, watching them from his throne. The Emperor himself is wearing a yellow dragon robe with a variety of dragons and symbols on it.

Ed says to himself. 'So this is the Emperor of Xing. Jeez, I wish the clothes that I'm wearing had some badass looking dragons on mine' He pouts slightly.

With his loud and deep voice, he startles the guests with his tone as he introduces himself. "Good Morning young lady and gentlemen to the palace. I am Emperor YuanLong. I thank you for respecting our culture by wearing own country's appropriate attires. Thank you again." He bows his head as each one of them bows their head in return.

He then rolls his sleeves up, allowing one by one to approach him to shake each one of their hands and rolls his sleeves back down afterwards.

"As all of you have been informed, I cannot permit any guests or visitors that are staying in the palace to explore the rest of Xing. Until peace is restored, I cannot guarantee your safety and protection outside of these walls. So please respect my wishes and follow my instructions."

Taking a quick breath, he continues. "You are free to walk around the grounds as long as one of our guards is with you. I sincerely hope that all of you enjoy your stay."

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Walking out of The Hall of Moulding Temperament, Ed, Winry, and their chimera friends breathe a sigh of relief. "Well, that was a bit scary. I mean of his voice." Winry says. "Yeah, don't remind me." Ed remarks.

Ling then takes the group over to the Concubine's Hall. Ed asks Mao. "So how long have you known May, Mao?"

Mao - "I've known May since the day I was born. It was then when we were sealed to our fate to eventually become husband and wife."

May - "By all means hold your breath. I won't bring you back if you perish."

Mao - "May, my dear. You seem to be forgetting your tone and lack of respect for your other half."

May angrily shouts. "You will never be my other half! I've already made my decision!"

Mao slowly puts his hand up, placing it back down afterwards. Keeping himself composed, he calmly replies. "I'll be sure to let the Emperor about your recent behavior. And as regards to that other man or woman. I'll see to it that they and any one of their family members shall never enter into Xing." Ed and Winry look concernly at each other. Mao notices their expressions. He asks them. "Oh Mr. and Mrs. Elric, do happen to know who this person is? Their identity?"

Winry then glares daggers at May. She scoops up the helm of her Hanfu Yi and walks to May, standing directly in front of her. Pointing her finger at May. "I don't care what was said to who and who said what to the other. You will respect your fiance in front of everyone whether you want to or not. Respect your upbringing, May!"

May replies with a stern voice. "Go back to Edward, Winry." Ling interrupts them. "Winry, by all means, stay put. I'll allow it." May glares at Ling. "That isn't even your jurisdiction to call!"

Lan-Fan - "Yes it is. Or have you forgotten that Master Ling will be the next Emperor to the throne, May? Any and all disputes that happen in the palace or Xing itself, he has the privilege to allow it or seperate all the parties involved."

May looks away. "May. Why don't you like him? Why don't you want to give Mao a chance to get to know you better as well as letting him understand your needs as well?" Winry asks her.

May sighs sadly. "Because it's not what I want." "Don't be selfish like that, May." Ed tells her and continues. "I'm sure you've seen countless times what happened to someone who let their selfishness get the better of their judgment. Look at me and my little brother and everything the both of us went through."

May replies. "But the both of you got what you wanted at the end." Ed calmly replies back. "And what did I lose when I brought Al back from the gate. Do you remember what I gave up? I don't regret it anymore. Although I do miss being able to do it." Ed sighs sadly looking down as Winry walks back to him and pulls him into a hug.

Mao - "Do you think I'm happy about this engagement as well, May?" May looks at him, sadly. Mao snorts. "Maybe I've been too nice about this ever since our engagement was announced. Kind of wondering what to do next? Tell me May, what do you want me to do? Do you want me to end our engagement and risk both of our exiles from Xing, indefinitely?"

May looks at him, not saying anything. Mao leans closer to May. "That's what I thought." Mao then stands up and leaves. May, whose fists are shaking and is visibly upset, leaves as well.

Ling and Lan-Fan land feet first, then turn to face Ed and Winry. Ling sighs and says. "It is unfortunate that not everybody has a happy ending." He signals Ed and the others to follow him as he leaves the Concubine's Hall.

End of Chapter 24

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It was pretty interesting looking up this information for this chapter. Chinese culture is stunning beautiful especially with their nature, attire and buildings from the past. The ruler of China in 1917, his full name was Li YuanLong.

Ikemba in African means strength of the people

Farhan in Indian means happy, cheerful