The big day arrive with the noisy servants waking me up. I sit on the vanity table while they fix my hair and makeup. I am not excited nor happy like them. Those girls keep chatting and laughing. I can't understand the happiness they are chipping about. In my mind, i am planning how to get by without upsetting the groom side.
After a long time, an elder lady come into my bedroom and chipping away. I did not register what she say. She just simply place a big red cloth over my head. She then get me to start walking.
After a long ride, the ceremony, they bring me to sit in a quiet room. Hungry and tired, i remove the cloth and eat the snacks provided on the table. The liquid in the cup, i pour it away outside the window. After that i lay down on the bed and fall asleep. In my dream, i keep hearing the name Shung Yue but i can't see who is in front of me.
In the morning i wake up with a sound in the room, as the curtain is pull down, i only see a figure pacing up and down. "you are finally awake"
He must be my groom. He sit down on the chair in front of the bed.
"i just want to tell you this. I marry you because of the decree. I will never want to ever consummate with you. You can remain as per my official wife. Eventually i will marry the girl i love. So i hope that you will not interfere with it. Just to let you know. I do not tolerate with you tanishing my reparation. If you wish to leave, i can write you a divorce latter. "
I keep silence on the bed. Feeling delighted with what he said.
" i will remember what you said, your highness "
"Good. Just to let you know. The next few day i am preparing to set off to the border. I won't be returning for the next 3 years or so. This mansion, you have to take care of it. I don't expect to hear or see anything that will upset me. Do you understand?"
"Yes your highness "
"As long as you do your part as my official wife, i won't have any anger towards you. I will back you up when you needed help. I am a fair person."
He stands up and swipe his sleeves.
"Do as you please today, i told the servants not to bother you in anyway except for meals. I know you can't walk so you can stay in the mansion without leaving. Whatever happens outside this mansion, is none of your business. I have guards to protect all year round. When I'm not around, they will listen to you but ultimately they will obey my orders."
Will that he walk out of the room. I sigh a relief. Now i do not need to worry. He will be leaving soon and i will be sort of free.
He left 3 days later, on his horse back. The royal army follow him behind. I watch him from far, all i can see is his back. Till today, i never see his face. No matter how, I'm free.
"Prince Xian left his new bride behind. The wedding is barely over…"
"i heard that that general Tang is following along."
"No surprise. They grow up together. She adore him."
"Honesty I'm really surprise his highness did not marry general Tang earlier than this Madame."
"I bet it's the emperor who did not favour the union of the female general and our Prince"
"I heard from the palace. They say His Highness will have too much military power if he marry that general Tang. She is after all the only child of old general Tang."
"But i heard that there is a nephew who follows old general Tang and have learn a lot from old general Tang. Why didn't he just inherit all from the old general? "
"His surname is not Tang, that's why"
I've been hearing the servants gossiping whole day long. i stay in my bedroom or the library. Slowly learn my way about in this vast mansion. From my window, i watched the patrol march up and down. I have to take note of the time of changing the patrol soldiers. It's the only chance for me to escape and breath for myself.
As for my birth parents, they had spread the news that i got better before the wedding. I can able to walk around freely without a wheel chair but sometimes i had to pretend that I'm sick and weak.
Whenever invitation cards arrive in the mansion, i always send back a reply that I'm unwell. However if it's an invitation from the palace, i have to attend the party with a pale face. Usually i will be send back to Xian mansion halfway through the party. While watching the fireworks within the mansion on a tree branch, i hatch my plan to escape from this cage. However to protect my sister i have to stay caged in this mansion. I have a lot to think about.