You take a deep breath and bring tea for the Emperor. The Emperor doesn't mention the proposal at all however. Instead, you look for an opportunity to tell him that all you want is to be a maid of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Emperor: [Falls into silence] I understand.
Xiu Ying: (I hope he really does, instead of making decision for me.)
You leave with a heavy burden, but young maids come to you with smiles and words of congratulations.
Little Maid: Miss, I hear you'll be 6th Prince's concubine. Congratulations, you'll be among the masters soon.
Xiu Ying: [Shocked] Who told you that?
Little Maid: What? Everyone's talking about it...
RUMORS
The rumors spread so fast that you suspect it was the 6th Prince's doing.
Xiu Ying: How many of these rumors must I live with? Is the 6th Prince doing it just so he can force me into submission?
You kick a tree in your frustration, but the tree is much stronger than you, and you wince in pain. You find Fu Heng in your peripheral vision as he walks over.
Xiu Ying: Lord Fu Heng, are you looking for me? You don't look too happy though.
Fu Heng: You know that the 6th Prince isn't really after you, right?
Xiu Ying: [Confused] What are you trying to say, Lord Fu Heng?
Fu Heng: Answer me first.
Xiu Ying: Of course I know what kind of person he is and what he's really after.
Fu Heng: So then why did you get involved with him?
Xiu Ying: However, it's not me that wanted to get involved. Rather, it's he who started it. I just want to do my job in peace.
Fu Heng: So... what did His Majesty say?
Xiu Ying: He's thinking about it. What can I do? If he decrees it, then there won't be any chances to say no. Yet what's with you though? All of a sudden, everyone's interrogation is making me nervous.
You are only joking, but Fu Heng becomes unsettled and embarrassed.
Fu Heng: Sorry, I didn't mean to do that. I'm just a bit worried.
Xiu Ying: I know that, otherwise I wouldn't have been so nice to you. Rest easy, His Majesty won't agree that easily.
You make it sound a lot easier that it really is to you. What you don't know is that Hui Xin pops out behind the tree with smiles as soon as you leave.
Hui Xin: Smells like jealousy. Odd. We are quite a ways from the greenery.
Fu Heng: [Shocked] Shameless! You are eavesdropping!
Hui Xin: I just didn't want to disturb you two. Plus, are your really telling your own sister she's shameless?
Fu Heng walks away quickly instead of fighting with his sister. He leaves her still shocked and jaws wide open.
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The 6th Prince returns to the Hall of Mental Cultivation next morning. This time however he has a gloomy look. Looks like his plan failed. You cheer inside.
6th Prince: [Walks to you] Looks like my father really cherishes you. Still, I wonder who he's going to marry you to?
Xiu Ying: Your Highness, I have no desires but to do my job properly here.
6th Prince: No desires? It took you one year to get to where you are today. Who's going to believe you have no desires?
Those words are like a needle stuck in your throat. You have no way to retort. You can't really tell him that the reason you are where you are today isn't what he thinks.
Xiu Ying: Your Highness. It might come as a surprise to you, but I sincerely do not wish to marry.
6th Prince: [Scans you] Looks like you are pretty ambitious.
He seems to mean something else, making you even more uncomfortable.
