In her chamber, Jiang Xiurong kept on pacing around while she continuously wrung her wrists, a habit of hers whenever she was in frustration or in fear.
This moment she is experiencing both making her hands go numb from all the wringing from a long time.
When she saw the Imperial decree in the family hall, she had thought that her time would be over. She suspected that the Prince whom she met during the night had definitely revealed about her and the decree would have been passed about her execution with the reason of the Emperor's assassination.
She had thought that they may even lock her up for a few days to torture her and remove her Father's role as the Minister in the Royal court. She thought of many other scenarios but never about a marriage being bestowed upon her.
And the marriage is not with anyone else but with the Emperor's most favored Fifth Prince.
Is she really going to get married to her enemy's favorite son?
Is she really going to become her Enemy's daughter-in-law?
Is she really going to become her enemy's family?
This is not only frustrating but also scary as she was going to enter a wolf's den like a lamb being served on a platter.
The most scary part is that she still did not know the reason for being bestowed upon. There is no way that a marriage would be bestowed just after the night of an assassination attack on the Emperor. That is completely illogical.
The Emperor and his people should be busy searching for the assassin and thinking about ways to guard the Emperor's life while being scared about the assassin and his reason for attacking.
But instead of being scared as she had expected, they are trying to enjoy an occasion by marrying the Fifth Prince as if nothing had happened a few hours ago. If this is not frustrating, then what is?
What is the reason behind this sudden decision?
As she kept on pondering about this question, she was summoned by her Father to the family hall once again. Being the good and a lovely daughter she was, she did not waste a single second to head towards her destination with her usual lovely smile.
As soon as she entered the hall, a man came into her view who was seated in the main seat while Minister Jiang seated himself in another seat, giving respect to his guest.
Jiang Xiurong bowed respectfully, "Jiang Xiurong greets the Fifth Prince."
The Fifth Prince smiled as he spoke, "Lady Jiang, I think you had heard about our marriage? I just wanted to meet you once before starting the preparations for our marriage. I hope Lady Jiang doesn't mind."
Before Jiang Xiurong could speak, Minister Jiang spoke, "Of course not, Fifth Prince. Our Xiurong would feel blessed to have a conversation with you. Please don't hesitate to ask for anything while you are here."
He then turned towards Jiang Xiurong and spoke softly, "Xiurong, take the Fifth Prince to the garden and show him around."
Jiang Xiurong smiled as she bowed her head, "Sure Father. Fifth Prince, this way please.��� She gestured to the Fifth Prince to come along as she respectfully escorted him to the garden in the courtyard where there are numerous flowers that blossomed well showing the beauty of the place while filling the entire area with an intoxicating scent.
Once they reached a place no one could hear them, the Fifth Prince looked at Jiang Xiurong and smiled, "Lady Jiang, I wonder what your thoughts are about the marriage between us?"
Jiang Xiurong's respectful smile never dropped nor changed as she spoke softly, "I feel really lucky to be betrothed to the Fifth Prince. I am sure all the girls in the country would have thought of marrying My Lord but the Goddess of Luck showered her blessings upon this girl who had nothing to offer to the Fifth Prince."
Her every word and action spoke of her nobleness, her elegance which are combined with her humble nature. No man could ever turn his eyes from this beauty nor her great character.
But the Fifth Prince did not give a glance at her until this day. Until the day where he saw her different side.
As Jiang Xiurong had always kept her head bent with due respect for the Prince, she did not notice the smirk that appeared on his face.
He was greatly amused by her behavior which was completely different from the previous encounter on the street. The coldness in her eyes disappeared without a trace as her eyes oozed of warmth that could melt everyone's heart on whom the eyes would fall.
Her sharp movements while defending against him during the fight were nowhere to be seen as she now looked like a defenseless little kitten that could harm no one.
Her fast and feather like steps, which did not allow anyone to trace her presence, were replaced with her presence being filled by the entire place. She is so beautiful and elegant that no one could turn their heads away from her.
The contrast between her two images made the Fifth Prince more and more amused as he looked on.