*Li Juan POV
Running out of the garden, I stop and cry. Then I feel hands holding me to someone's chest. I don't stop. I continue crying. Never, never did I expect I would fall in love with the emperor. The same person Li Juan fell in love with. Never did I expect I would be competing with someone that was dead.
When I feel better, I clean my eyes. I then realize its the duke. I shift away and bow to greet him.
" I truly can't compete with the emperor. In politics and love, he still won. I feel so ashamed." He said.
This makes me feel so bad.
"The heart wants what the heart wants. We can't force it." I said.
"You are right. But, why is fate so cruel? Why can't things in our lives be simple? Juan'er, the wedding will soon take place. I know you love the emperor but I hope we will be sincere with each other." He said.
"You don't need to worry. Once we are married, I wouldn't betray your trust. I would only have eyes for you and never look at anyone else. I will be loyal to you only." I said.
He then drags me into his embrace. I continue crying. I feel him soothing my head.
"Cry it out. Cry everything out. Juan'er, we will make a place of heaven with our efforts. From now on, my home is now yours. I wronged you in the past but I will pay for it all my life." He said.
Later on, I return home and go to my bed immediately. The next day I feel better already. I go to the palace of principles to see the grand empress dowager.
"Greetings grandma" I said kowtowing.
"Juan'er, no need for ceremony. Get up please." She said.
We talk for some while and I forget all my problems. The grand empress dowager is a very funny woman even for her age. We also discuss the wedding preparations.
" The princess of Chu arrives!!!" Someone says announcing her.
To my utmost surprise, I find out it is Minister Liu's daughter, Liu Danji. I stand up from my sit in surprise.
"I, princess Chu Danji pays her respect to the grand empress dowager" she said.
"Please rise princess. You have come to our state. Hope you have settled in well?" Grandma said.
I'm still in a state of shock and confusion.
"Danji? You are the imperial princess of Chu state?" I asked.
"Greetings princess. It is an honor to finally meet you." She said.
" The both of you should go to the main hall to have tea. I will be with you shortly. I'm still undressed. I didn't expect the princess would be here so soon. Let me change." Grandma said.
"Princesses, please come with me to the main hall." A maid said.
"Respectfully taking my leave grandma" I said.
"Respectfully taking my leave grand dowager" she said.
After we reach the main hall, the maids pour us tea. I have never been a fan of their tea. I find it annoying that you have to drink tea every minute of the day.
"I know I owe you an explanation. Genji,...."
"Genji? You know my real name? Who told you? Who are you exactly?" I asked checking around to make sure no one hears us.
She stands up and walks to close the windows
"Yes I know. The emperor told me everything. Genji, don't blame the emperor. We are marrying only for political reasons. As you know, the great battle in the east and the bandits in Xuzhou were all sent by Chu. My brother, the emperor has become power hungry. The people are suffering from famine. The nation has been suffering from wars after wars. But I'm just a woman. The court officials would never support me. I need the help of Han state." She said.
I decide to taste the tea and find it soothing.
"That is no longer my business princess. Actually I pity you Danji. You are marrying the emperor but he loves someone else. I love the emperor but he gave me away with his own two hands. Life here is truly complicated." I said.
Danji sits down and holds my hand.
"I know you are a nice girl Genji. You are here with no one to support you. I am marrying to Han with nobody from home too. We are both the same. In the future, let's rely on each other and be sisters, okay?" She asked.
I look down at her hands and smile.
"From this day on, we shall be sisters. Danji, I want you to know I don't blame you." I said.
"Meeting under the ray of fate
Our lives become tied
This life or the next,
Sisters shall we be" she said
"Till the end of time
Life or death
Weal or woe
We will meet again
And friends again shall we be" I said.
We then hug each other. Even if I was losing something, I also gained something too. This was a lesson being taught to me.