It had been days since I talked to Tianfei. I still couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe I would never be going back home. To my father who had loved and protected me. To my mother whose lectures I was starting to miss a lot.
I heard the sound of my window opening. I quickly looked for what to use to protect myself but.... Who was I kidding? This is ancient china.. I wasn't even skilled in martial arts. So I quickly hid..
"Princess!! Princess!!! Where are you?" The person whispered...
Suddenly becoming curious, I came out of my hiding place...
"Who are you? What are you doing here?" I asked.
"Princess, am not here to harm you. I was sent by His Majesty, The king..." he said.
His majesty? Why would his majesty send someone to call for me secretly without issuing a decree? Could it be a trap?
Sensing I might be doubting him, he brings out a paper and shows me...
"A lot of flowers have bloomed since you left.
In winter snow, I play and wait.
Hoping for the day you come and stay.
"But none of these, I notice at all.
It's not the same since you left.
I only hope you follow this trail
And come back soon for I still wait" I say completing
He was trying to confirm he was the one that sent this man. Although I wasn't sure if the duke knew poems but I had heard from Suyin that the emperor and Li Juan often used poems to communicate. It must be him.
"Take me to him." I said.
"Please follow me princess. His majesty is waiting." The man said taking my hand and leading me into a teahouse.
In movies, the one place I didn't understand its reason for existing was a teahouse. Why would someone run a business for people to drink tea?
When I entered inside, he led me to the back of the teahouse. Everywhere the emperor always shocked me. It was always so beautifully arranged.
The emperor was sitting down drinking tea when we arrived.
"Greetings to you, Your Majesty" I said bowing.
"You may leave us" he said.
The servant takes his leave. His Majesty then takes my hand and leads me to my seat. Awww, isn't he so romantic?
"Juan'er, I see you read the message. I knew you wouldn't want to come if you didn't see proof it was me" he said.
"I did not do it on purpose, your majesty." I said.
"I told you. When we are alone, I am Hong hui."
"Hui'er, if you still care about Li juan, why did you issue a decree to get her married? What are you up to?" I thought.
"Juan'er!!! Juan'er!!"he calls dragging me from my thoughts.
I decide to find out what exactly he is up to. The best weapon in times like these is anger. I stand up immediately and bow.
"Your Majesty, I am about to get married. It is inappropriate for you to call me out in the night to see you. You have issued a decree for my marriage, I dare not disobey." I said.
I immediately hope he will rush to my side begging me to stay. That this will be like those Chinese movies where it will be a big misunderstanding.
"You are right. You are about to get married. You are going to be the duke's wife. It is inappropriate. You may leave" he said.
What? Did he just say that? How could he say such a thing. Seems the emperor was a hard headed man. Maybe I should use the pity approach.
"Is it because of our parent's feud? Hui'er, you said we won't let that come between us. Why? Why would just decide to willingly break my heart." I said.
I was not willing to marry the duke. Until I find out the real truth behind everything, I was not willing to be a pawn even if it meant using the Emperor himself.
"Guard! Take the princess back home. Li juan, take care" he said before the guard took me away.
It seems even the Emperor was not as in love with Li juan as I thought. I was going to have to find another way.