Queen Melody Felicity Tudor (Ming) POV
September 15, 1510
Hampton Palace, England
I arrive back at Hampton Court Palace, the home of my husband and my home, after a long journey from China, although fairly uneventful. The journey wasn't long enough to fully understand everything away from my babes, I had left in China with my grandmother.
My heart is filled with joy as I reflect on the events of the last eight weeks, but especially the day before I left, my little one's naming ceremony. Grandma Dowager Empress Shuchun had left it in her will that my babes, having inherited her Zhao surname, should be given their full Chinese names.
My babes, who are three boys and two girls, received the following Chinese names: Zhao Jian for Nicholas, Zhao Xing for Alex, Zhao Sheng for Anthony, Zhao Daiyu for Victoria and Zhao Liling for Grace, respectively.
Saying goodbye to my babes was probably the most difficult thing I have ever done, but I am so glad that I could fulfill Grandma's wishes and give my babes their traditional Chinese names.
Now, returning home to my husband and other four babes, filled me with joy and anticipation. I couldn't help but feel a little bit of sadness knowing that Alex was still in China, but I was excited to introduce the rest of my babes to their Chinese names.
As the doors of the palace opened, I was greeted warmly by Henry, and lost in his embrace for what felt like an eternity. I was overjoyed to see my babes, Jian (Nicholas), Xiang (Alexander), Sheng (Anthony), Daiyu (Victoria), and Liling (Grace).
Kneeling to their level, I introduced each of them to their Chinese names and explained the importance of these names to them. This was a very special moment for me and for our family.
As the evening turned to night, we dined together and celebrated the new Chinese names of my babes. I felt as though I was giving them the most important gift of all, a part of their ancestry and a connection to their grandmother's legacy.
The Chinese names will stay with my babes forever, reminding them of their Chinese heritage and of where they came from. It fulfills my grandmother's final wishes and I can feel her presence with us during this special moment. I am so grateful for this experience and everything it has given our family.
King Henry VIII POV
King's Study, Hampton Palace, England
November 15, 1510
I paced nervously through the halls of Hampton Palace, the anxieties of a second pregnancy weighing heavily on my mind. I had five children already, and I had no idea how this one would fit into our already chaotic family.
I made my way to my private study and poured over the plans I had made for the kingdom. I had looked over every possible angle, assessing each one critically, always striving to make the best decisions possible.
No matter how hard I worked, though, I could not quiet the concerns plaguing my thoughts.
I remembered the delight I had felt when I had heard that Melody, my wife who used to be known as Ming Zhao, was with child yet again. It had seemed almost too good to be true.
And now, I was worrying about the future of the kingdom. What would happen if the child were a girl? I already had two daughters and three sons. And what if the child had any sort of disability? I knew I had to be prepared for any eventuality.
I let out a deep breath, determined not to dwell on these thoughts. I know this pregnancy may be challenging, but I had faith that everything would turn out fine in the end. I just had to keep believing and remain positive.
My thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door, and I looked up to see a palace attendant standing in the doorway.
"Your Majesty, Queen Melody requests an audience." he said, bowing low.
I smiled. Maybe I would find some solace in her presence. I nodded to him and instructed him to lead the way.
I followed behind the attendant, my heart aflutter with anticipation as we made our way to Melody's chambers. She was seated in her favorite chair, her hands resting protectively on her slightly swollen belly as she is four months with child since she conceived on the fourth of August, right before she left for China for Shuchun's funeral.
We shared a look, and I knew instantly that this was not another ordinary visit. Melody's expression spoke of joy, and I could see the sparkle in her eyes that showed her deep contentment.
For the first time since hearing the news, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. Everything would be alright. I reached out and took my wife's hand, a sign of silent understanding, and I knew our future was now secure.
Lady Jade Boleyn nee Zhao POV
Boleyn's Study, Boleyn Manor, England
January 15, 1511
I look down at the four male babies and one female babe lying beside me. Thomas Boleyn's heirs, my children, all born in the Boleyn manor. Suddenly I'm filled with a sense of pride – as a Chinese woman, I never dreamed I could be part of a prestigious English family.
Thomas gazes at our children with a proud expression. He looks completely taken with them, and the love between us couldn't be stronger. He reaches out to caress my cheek gently and I smile up at him tenderly.
'They are quite perfect,' Thomas says, his voice deep and husky with emotion.
I can't help but agree. All four of the boys are beautiful, with thick dark hair and eyes that shimmer like stars. But there's something about the little girl that's just different.
"Let's name her Méiguī for her Chinese name, and Rosella for her Christian name." I say, inspired by her rose red cheeks.
Thomas agrees, and we name the boys in the traditional Chinese way, Shenlong for Chinese for the eldest and for his Christian name, Gabriel, Hàoyú for the second eldest as his Chinese name and for his Christian name, Arthur, Yìchén for the third son for his Chinese name, and for his Christian name, Richard, and Dongyang for the youngest son's Chinese name and for his Christian name, Thomas after his father. I take each of them in turn, cradling them delicately in my arms as the midwife cleans them and wraps them up in swaddling clothes.
As I lovingly look at each child, I'm overcome with emotion. I never imagined that I would have four healthy sons and a daughter. Seeing my husband looking so proud makes my heart swell with happiness.
I know all five of these children will grow up to be strong and brave, and that our family will become one of the most powerful in England. They will go on to shape this country's future – and I'm so blessed, and so proud, to be a part of it.
Queen Melody Felicity Tudor POV
Queen's Chambers, Hampton Palace, England
January 15, 1511
My belly had been growing larger by the minute, and I felt so bloated that even my feet had started to hurt. My emotions were all over the place, I was scared, terrified even, of becoming a mother despite being almost six months pregnant.
The midwife had told me that the labor will be long and painful, and I was reminded of that fact seemingly every time Henry VIII, my husband, came to visit me. His eyes were filled with love and concern for my wellbeing, and he would always bring me sweets and little trinkets to make me feel better. It was a strange kind of comfort, knowing that he was there for me in this condition.
The room we were in was large and spacious, with the queen's chambers in Hampton Palace, England, surrounded by domed windows and glimmering chandeliers. I could feel the closeness between us, which was a stark contrast from the tension and worry that had been growing between us ever since we had since discovering I was pregnant yet again.
Henry had been concerned with the amount of power China would hold over our child, my maidservant and manservant becoming more obedient to my words and decisions, and even the court spoke more respectfully to me. But despite the trying times, both of us, especially him, did all that was needed to ensure I was as comfortable as possible in my condition.
The midwife had reassured me that the baby will arrive on May 4th, and I can grow more eager and excited for that day every passing minute. I wanted to feel the baby within me, to feel its movements and touches, and I wanted to be the one responsible for nurturing and caring for a new life in this world.
As I looked out from my bedroom window to the grounds outside, I was certain the labor might be painful but the reward of having another child will be greater than anything else I would've accomplished.
Senshi Xue nee Zheng POV
Xue Cabin, Wales, England
February 21, 1511
It had been 8 months since Ying and I had married. I had heard all the tales of marriage from my sister and the women of my village, but I was still not truly prepared for what it meant.
The winter months had come and gone, and there was no better time than the beginning of this February in 1511 for my husband Ying and I to start a family. We were overjoyed when we found out not long after that we were pregnant.
My pregnancy was a most trying time; my body suffered and my husband's patience had been tested. I had been convinced in my heart that the time had arrived, when the pains began, and the midwife, Lillian Chang, was summoned.
I can still feel the pain of it all. There in my Xue Cabin, located in the valley of Wales, England, I labored to bring three of Ying's unborn children into the world.
The Midwife Lillian Chang finally declared our bundle of joy had arrived and beheld three beautiful babies. She brought forth two daughters, Hinata and Hanabi, and a son, Neji. She had gracefully handled the delivery and dispensed all the necessary medical advice and remedies for my recovery.
Though the emotion of postpartum wasn't new for me, I felt a warmth inside me that I never thought possible. As I gazed into this family I had created with Ying, I had never been more certain that this was a beautiful way to bring forth a life.
My husband and I decided to name the babies with traditional Chinese names, as a way to pay homage to our heritage. Those children were blessed with the names Hinata and Hanabi, and, Neji, and were as happy as any of us could have possibly been.
With Lillian Chang's final words of advice, we returned to our cabin that cold February evening, content and relieved. We thanked the Universe for bestowing us with three perfect gifts, and new gifts of life too.
Third Person POV
Ying Xue nervously settled into the cabin with his wife Senshi and their three new babies. It had only been two years since they had made the journey to Wales to start a new life and he was already feeling overwhelmed. He had yet to adjust to the new sounds, smells, and emotions of parenthood as he has just become a father today, and the uncertainties of this new chapter in their lives had started to take their toll.
Still, he took solace in knowing that everything would soon be alright. With his loving wife by his side, he was confident that they would make it together.
As the days passed, Ying Xue slowly began to relax. He found himself falling into more of a routine and he enjoyed the little moments with Senshi and their children during the day. The nights were a hectic blur of nursing, feeding and diaper-changing, but they were happy and content in the chaos.
It was on the night of February 21, 1511 that Ying Xue suddenly woke in a panic. In his sleepy delirium, he had forgotten this night was special. He had unknowingly made love to his wife weeks after their triplets were born, and the consequences of his actions had only just sunk in.
In hindsight, he realized how ill-advised his actions had been and he feared the worst. He had no idea what the repercussions would be, but he knew they would have to be answered for at some point in time.
Ying Xue spent the rest of the night in fear and apprehension but in the morning, he felt a calm and clarity descend over him. He and Senshi made a silent pact not to speak of that night any further, but instead they worked together to ensure their drama-free new life would continue.
In the months to come, they would discover that he had indeed impregnated his wife and while there were some bumps in the road, the pregnancy passed without incident. Near the end of the year, a healthy girl, girl girl, boy, and boy would be born, and they would name them Mei Lien for the eldest daughter, Yue for the second daughter, Dongmei for the third daughter, Lixin for the eldest son, and Minghao for the second son, of that pregnancy.
Since then, Ying Xue and Senshi will be dedicated to providing the best life possible for their five children- Mei Lien, Yue, Dongmei, Lixin, and Minghao. The cabin in Wales has been their home for the last two years, and every day they find themselves cherishing the moments they have together.
Queen Melody Tudor POV
Queen's Chambers, Hampton Palace, England
May 4, 1511
I screamed out in pain as I felt my second pregnancy contractions brought forth my children. I knew that this maternity would be special as these would be my husband, King Henry VIII's children. I nervously licked my lips and prayed- for a safe delivery and for all my children to be as healthy as ever.
Midwife Lillian Chang was stading by my side, giving me encouraging words. She kept reassuring me that everything will be alright and soon the babies will be born. At last, when the fourth one was born, the midwife exhaled in relief.
Henry, my husband, was beside me too. He was overjoyed to finally welcome his four young ones- Thomas who I give the Chine name Baihu, Margaret whose Chinese name is Li-Mei, Charles whose Chinese name is Hongli and Anna whose Chinese name is Xing-Mei, into the world. I was ready to give every one of them my loving attention, but I could tell that the king was already lost in their tiny faces.
After the midwife made sure that the babies and I were in perfect health, I looked up at my husband with doting eyes. Henry VIII was now a proud father of four beautiful children- and I was overjoyed!
I had never felt so alive. I knew that life would be much different now, with the arrival of my children. And although I was a bit scared of the future, I was confident that, with us all together, we could face it all. I could only hope that these four wonderful beings would grow up honest, wise, and kind and, with God's grace, they would make the monarchy and our family proud.
This day marked a new start for our family. Our family, that had just grown a little bit bigger. We still had a palace to run and a kingdom to rule, and somehow we would now have to figure out a way to everything. But sure enough, day by day, we would.
Sitting at the royal chambers at the Hampton Palace in England, I gently kissed the newborns on the forehead, feeling nothing but the warmth of the family that surrounded us. Yes, today, might just be the best day of my life.
