In the bustling city of Chengdu, the morning sun filtered softly through the silk curtains of Zhao Mei Lin's room, casting delicate patterns on the floor. The air was thick with the scent of jasmine tea wafting from the kitchen, mingling with the faint aroma of freshly steamed buns. As Mei Lin lay cocooned in her warm blankets, a gentle rustling broke the peaceful silence.
Her sister, Zhao Ying, burst into the room, her voice bright yet urgent. "Mei Lin, wake up! The Wang and Li families are coming over this morning!" The excitement in her tone was palpable, but it was laced with an undercurrent of anxiety that Mei Lin couldn't quite place.
Mei Lin stirred, her heart racing slightly at the mention of the families. A knot formed in her stomach as she pushed herself up, the cool air brushing against her skin. Why hadn't their mother mentioned this sooner? A swirl of emotions danced in her chest—curiosity, irritation, and a hint of dread.
As her sister continued to explain the meeting, Mei Lin's mind raced. The competition for the Royal family loomed over them like a dark cloud, filling the room with an unspoken tension. She could feel the weight of expectations pressing down on her, mingling with the warmth of the sunlight that struggled to reach her. The thought of the visitors made her pulse quicken, and she silently wondered if she was ready for the storm that was about to unfold.
Zhao Wei and Zhao Lian sat on a weathered wooden bench in their garden, the morning sun casting dappled shadows around them. The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers, but their conversation was anything but light.
"We need to think carefully about Mei Lin's future," Zhao Wei said, his brow furrowed with concern. "Her engagement to that young man is important, but with the Wang and Li families coming, we must consider how this will affect her position."
Zhao Lian nodded, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her blouse. "I know, but Mei Lin seems so happy with her fiancé. I worry that this competition will overshadow her happiness. She deserves a chance to choose her own path."
As they spoke, Mei Lin listened from the doorway, her heart heavy. The weight of their expectations pressed down on her, mingling with her own excitement about her fiancé. She could feel the tension in the air, thick and suffocating, as her parents discussed her future without truly considering her feelings.
The Wang family bustled around the courtyard, each member preparing for the journey ahead. As Wang Jun approached the carriage, he paused, glancing back at his family. "I'll take the other carriage," he declared, his tone firm.
Wang Li rolled her eyes, crossing her arms in disbelief. Why would her brother want to marry into that Zhao family? The thought made her stomach churn. She made a silent vow to ensure that Zhao Mei Lin wouldn't step foot into the Wang household.
Wang Li and their mother, Wang Lan, climbed into one carriage, while Wang Jin and their father, Wang Jian, settled into another. Wang Jun, undeterred by his sister's disdain, chose his own path. He climbed into the separate carriage, the driver urging the horse forward with a crack of the reins. As the carriage lurched into motion, Wang Jun's thoughts drifted to Mei Lin. Her laughter and warmth filled his mind.
In the heart of the bustling capital, the Zhao family stood poised outside their grand estate, the air thick with anticipation. The evening sun cast a golden hue over the city as Zhao Wei, the patriarch, contemplated the weight of his family's legacy and the Emperor's favor. His thoughts lingered on how best to repay the Emperor's kindness.
Mei Lin, adorned in a delicate pink Chinese robe, watched her sister Zhao Ying, who gleamed in a vibrant yellow attire, whispering eagerly about the arrival of the Wang family. A hint of envy flickered in Mei Lin's heart as Zhao Ying's laughter danced through the air, especially as she mentioned the Emperor's search for a wife for the crown prince. The thought of Zhao Ying potentially stepping into such a grand role seemed to overshadow Mei Lin's own desires.
Their mother, Zhao Lian, approached with a warm smile, her eyes sparkling with pride as she reassured Zhao Ying of her destined victory in the competition for the crown prince's affection. Mei Lin's heart sank further; she felt like a shadow in her own family, yearning for the attention and love she craved. Her thoughts drifted to Wang Jun, the man she adored, and the dreams of a future together that felt increasingly out of reach.
Noticing her daughter's distant gaze, Zhao Lian placed a comforting hand on Mei Lin's shoulder, whispering words of encouragement that felt hollow to her. Mei Lin nodded, forcing a smile as she excused herself, expressing her desire to explore the vibrant market nearby. Zhao Wei's brow furrowed with concern as he reminded her to return before the Wang and Li families arrived.
With a soft smile, Mei Lin promised she would be back in time, but as she stepped away from the family gathering, her heart raced with the hope of finding a moment for herself amidst the expectations that loomed over her. The market beckoned, a world of possibility where she could momentarily escape the weight of her family's ambitions and dream of a future with Wang Jun.
The crown prince walked around the market in disguise as a commoner, telling his bodyguard to not follow him so they wouldn't suspect he was the prince. The bodyguard nodded and left. Meanwhile, Mei Lin was smiling as she admired the yellow flowers at a flower shop. The gentle breeze inspired her to check it out further.
As the crown prince continued to explore, he decided to visit the hillside to admire the water. Mei Lin, captivated by the view from the hilltop, felt a rush of fear at how high it was and took a step back. Suddenly, she slipped and tumbled down the hill, landing in the river below. A crowd began to gather, whispering about the Zhao daughter and what she was doing there.
Struggling and drowning, Mei Lin's vision blurred as she fought against the water. Just as she felt herself slipping away, she saw a figure swimming towards her. The crown prince reached her, grabbing her hand and securing her waist, swimming to safety. Once on the riverbank, he laid her down and desperately tried to wake her, but Mei Lin remained unconscious.
At that moment, Zhao Jian received a letter from his bodyguard, informing him of his daughter's accident. The crowd, unaware of the crown prince's true identity, watched anxiously as he held Mei Lin in his arms, feeling an inexplicable connection to her.
The crown prince carefully placed Mei Lin in the carriage, his heart racing as he mounted his horse. He realized that she was Zhao Lian's daughter, someone he often saw visiting the palace. Determined to return her home safely, he urged the horse forward.
Meanwhile, at the Zhao residence, worry filled the air. Zhao Lian shouted for everyone to clear the way. Suddenly, a carriage appeared in the distance, and the crowd gasped in surprise as they recognized the crown prince, dressed like a commoner.
Zhao Ying's heart fluttered at the sight of her crush, but her joy quickly turned to shock as she noticed Mei Lin, unconscious and drenched in the prince's arms. "Mom! Come quick!" she called out, panic rising in her voice.
Wang Jun, witnessing the scene, felt a surge of anger as he saw the crown prince carrying Mei Lin. He loves Mei Lin and didn't want to see Mei Lin with anyone. His fists clenched in frustration. Wang Li, noticing her brother's fury, couldn't help but laugh, she would make sure that Mei Lin doesn't enter into their household. though her own mind raced with questions. Why was Mei Lin with the crown prince the Man who seemed to capture everyone's attention?
Zhao Wei stepped forward, halting the crown prince. He instructed one of the guards to take Mei Lin and carry her to her room. Chen Li, one of Mei Lin's father's trusted guards, gently lifted her from the prince's arms. The crown prince couldn't tear his gaze away from Mei Lin, feeling an inexplicable connection to her. Memories flashed in his mind of a day at the market when he had seen Mei Lin slip and fall into the river.
As he watched them carry Mei Lin upstairs, Zhao Lian turned to Zhao Ying with a smile. "This is your opportunity to talk to your crush," she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. But Zhao Ying was quick to respond, "Mom, stop! Aren't you worried about Mei Lin? We don't even know when she'll wake up."
Determined, Zhao Lian walked over to the crown prince and offered him tea. He politely refused, stating, "He has an important business to attend to," before turning to leave.
Zhao Wei, frustrated, shouted at Zhao Lian for not stopping the crown prince so he could thank him for saving her life. Zhao Ying, trying to ease the tension, suggested they check on Mei Lin. In the room, they found the healer attending to her. The medicinal needle was still placed in Mei Lin's pulse, indicating she was breathing but still unconscious. The atmosphere was thick with concern as they all waited for her to wake up.
Wang Jun informed his mom that he would be back home soon, deciding to stay until Mei Lin woke up. His parents exchanged glances and nodded before leaving. Meanwhile, Wang Li rolled her eyes, secretly hoping that Mei Lin wouldn't wake up, and then walked away. Wang Jun remained with Mei Lin's family, anxiously hoping for her to regain consciousness soon.