Pragya's POV
The following morning, I felt rejuvenated. It seemed the medicine from the previous night had taken effect; I was in perfect health. Thus, I sought out Uncle Zhang, the Imperial physician. However, he dashed all my dreams with a mere four words: "I can't do it." A wave of helplessness and loneliness overwhelmed me. Was I to remain in this state forever? My heart shattered into fragments. What was I to do next? All hope had vanished. I felt as though I had been cast into the midst of a desert.Tearfully, I returned to my palace. Once in my bedroom, I wept loudly. Li Mei was utterly taken aback by my state. "My Lady, what's wrong? What has happened to you?" she inquired. I didn't mean to treat her harshly. "Just leave me alone," I yelled at her. "As you wish, my lady," she replied and exited, visibly shaken. She had never seen me in such a state before. For about two hours, I cried hopelessly. What other choice did I have? My family and Samrat had been the greatest pillars of strength in my life. After my prolonged weeping, I resigned myself to my fate. I relinquished the hope of reuniting with my family and Samrat. I came to the realization that my life was not over yet. There were still people around me. I had to move on. I had to continue with my life. My mind chastised me.Yet, my heart clung to the cherished memories of time spent with my family and Samrat. I could not erase the six years I had shared with Samrat and the intensity of our love. I summoned Li Mei to assist me in dressing in a white Diyi."Why is My Lady so distressed?" she asked."Li Mei, I can no longer return to my world. I can't be with my family and my Samrat again. To them, I am now dead," I sobbed."Please, don't weep, my lady. You are strong enough to endure this. You have even faced His Majesty," she consoled."It's different, Mei Er. I had hope before. I had the hope of seeing my family again and reigniting my love with my fiancé. Where do I find the courage to defy your king now? I didn't belong to this era, but from now on, I must accept that I am a twenty-five-year-old imperial concubine," I said, devoid of hope."I have been in this palace since my birth, yet I have never encountered a girl as courageous and ambitious as you. You are a testament to the fact that girls can rely on themselves. Who will fight for us? Who will show us a new path if you give up so easily?" she said. I had never heard her speak like this before. My mind was preoccupied with other matters, so I couldn't respond. After I dressed, she left, closing the door behind her.
Author's POV
After Li Mei departed, Pragya made her way to the green field through the French doors of her room, taking all her belongings with her. She looked at her jewelry set, a dowry from Samrat's family, and cried out, "Father-in-law, Mother-in-law," collapsing to the ground in tears."Daddy," she whispered, recalling her father, Mr. Nishant. She remembered her childhood with her father. King Jing Zheng arrived at Pragya's palace residence in a fury, finding Li Mei at the bedroom door. "Your Majesty," she bowed deeply upon seeing the king."Where is Lady Pragya?" he demanded."She's in her room, Your Majesty," Li Mei replied.He forcefully opened the door and entered the bedroom, but Pragya was not there. He was there to interrogate her for the escape of Jing Ke. He then spotted her in the field and approached her calmly. Pragya, aware of the king's presence, spoke without turning."Have you ever experienced the pain of losing your loved ones?" she inquired."What happened?" he asked, his anger dissipating upon seeing her sitting helplessly in the middle of his sparring field."This morning, I visited Mr. Vin Zhang. He informed me there's no way for me to return to my era. Tell me, Jing Zheng, why must these things keep happening to me? Why must I endure all this suffering? Whose debts am I paying? Don't you think I deserve a normal life like everyone else?" she questioned him.He approached her and, sitting beside her, said, "Look, Pragya, I know the journey here was inconvenient for anyone, but now you're here. I don't know about your past, but I can see you're not a bad person. You might seem crazy, but I'm certain of your humanity."Pragya, you can't overcome fate. You can't alter destiny. In my short, yet painful life, I can assure you that you're enduring all this for something unexpectedly wonderful. Even though I haven't walked your path, I can empathize with what you're feeling," he said. She hadn't expected the king to be so understanding."You know, Jing Zheng, my father was the best man in the world to me. He instilled in me all the noble values of humanity. He was a general in the Indian Army. He often said,'War is the desire of two selfish individuals for a common resource. War is born of desire, and blood is the sorrowful prize for the victor. If you lose in war, you lose everything: your dignity, your honor, your people. But at least you retain your heart to empathize with all mankind,' he would describe the horrific nature of war and the tragedy of conflict almost daily."And my mother? She's the best in the world. She nurtured me with immense love, favoring teaching over punishment. She never once raised her hand against me. She taught me right from wrong with kindness. She was an acclaimed author with fans worldwide, yet she never displayed any ego. She was always humble with everyone. My mother is unique, Zheng. She adapts to be a child with children, a peer with the youth, and a sage with the elders. She's an author, a mother, a civil servant, a daughter-in-law—she's everything. She's always been an inspiration to me."Father-in-law," she said with a tearful smile. The King looked at her with sympathy. "My father-in-law was a highly respected member of our society. His pride meant everything to him. My mother-in-law was supportive as well, especially when it came to upholding the family's honor. In fact, they often shared similar viewpoints."Abhi, Abhimaan Choudhary, was to be my brother-in-law. He was mischievous, always joking and playing pranks on us. Oh, you silly Abhi," she wept, holding the necklace Samrat had given her, with its red heart-shaped pendant."Samrat," she couldn't contain her tears any longer and wept profusely. The King chose to leave her to her grief rather than console her."Samrat, he... He is the love of my life, my sunshine. For six years, I never imagined a life without him, Zheng. We were perfect together, meant for each other. We've faced so much, Mehek, his ex-wife, caused us endless trouble. Yet, our love triumphed over her malice. But now, we are parted forever," she lamented.Her gaze fell upon her sari. "This dress, my father gave it to me, hoping to see his only daughter wed. But what's the point now? His dreams are dashed," she mourned.Next, she picked up her waistband. "This waistband, my mother gave it to me. She longed to see me wed to Samrat and start a family. How I wish I could unlearn what that book taught," she sobbed, recalling Mrs. Simran.Then she took the jewelry set. "This was a gift from my parents-in-law for my wedding," she said, as she clutched her promise ring and the necklace, recalling Samrat's proposal and crying out loud.In the end, she set all those memories ablaze, reducing them to ashes. At last, Jing Zheng embraced her, offering solace.