The Prime Minister's Mansion buzzed with excitement. His Majesty's approval of Lady Zhao Yan's marriage to the Third Prince Zhang XunLei had everyone in a celebratory mood. Except for one. Lady Zhao Jiaxin sat in her room, a knot of anxiety tightening in her stomach. Her servant, Ying, watched her with concern.
"Ying, we need to go to the palace," Jiaxin said, her voice laced with urgency.
Without a moment's hesitation, they set off for the palace, their steps quick and determined.
The grand palace gates loomed before them. Jiaxin, her heart pounding, knelt before the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, forgive my intrusion this evening. I, Zhao Jiaxin, have a request," she said, her voice steady despite her nerves.
"Speak," the Emperor commanded, his voice a low rumble.
"When I was a child, my mother brought me here. You promised that when I was old enough to marry, I could come to you and tell you whom I wished to wed. After my mother passed, you even publicly declared that you would allow me to choose my husband. Your Majesty, I stand before you now to fulfill that promise," Jiaxin said, her eyes unwavering.
The Emperor rose to his feet, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "Very well. Tell me who it is, and I shall grant you this marriage immediately," he declared.
"Your Majesty, I wish to marry the Third Prince, Prince Zhang XunLei," Jiaxin said, her voice barely a whisper.
The Emperor's face hardened. "Outrageous! The Third Prince is to be wed to your sister! I will never allow it!" he thundered.
Jiaxin stood her ground. "Your Majesty, you promised my mother and me. You even announced it to the people. How can you break your promise?" she pleaded.
The Emperor sighed, his anger slowly giving way to resignation. "Very well. You shall marry the Third Prince the day after tomorrow," he conceded.
A wave of relief washed over Jiaxin. She smiled, a radiant glow illuminating her face.
News of the Emperor's decision spread like wildfire through Liang State.
"She dared to beg His Majesty! How shameless!"
"The Third Prince refused to marry Zhao Yan, let alone Jiaxin!"
"How bold is she! Shameless!"
"Even though she's the daughter of a Prime Minister, she can't just do whatever she wants!"
At the Third Prince's Mansion, a storm was brewing. The Prince, having learned of the Emperor's decree, was furious. He slammed his fist on the table, sending a porcelain cup crashing to the floor.
"She dares to marry me?" he snarled, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Let's see how long she lasts."
The wedding day arrived. Jiaxin stood in the bridal chamber, her heart a mix of hope and trepidation. Ying, ever the faithful companion, stood beside her.
The door creaked open, and the Third Prince entered. He strode towards Jiaxin, his gaze cold and calculating. With a swift movement, he removed her veil.
"Sleep outside," he commanded, his voice devoid of emotion.
"But… it's our wedding night," Jiaxin protested, her voice trembling.
He looked at her with disdain. "Do you think I would spend a night with a girl like you? Desperate to marry me, begging His Majesty for this union. How bold of you," he sneered.
"But I have a—" Jiaxin began, but he cut her off with a sharp, angry shout.
"Enough! Even though I am married to you, you will never have my favor, not to mention, me! Now go out!" he roared, his voice echoing through the room.
Jiaxin, terrified, could barely stand. He seized her hand, dragging her out of the room and locking the door behind him.
She sank to the floor, tears streaming down her face. The Prince's cruelty was a harsh reality check. After a while, she rose and walked into the garden, seeking solace in the moonlit night.
"Jiaxin, suffer the consequences. At least you made the right move," she whispered to herself, wiping her tears. She took a deep breath, a faint smile gracing her lips.
The next morning, Jiaxin prepared breakfast for her husband. She knocked on the door and entered, finding him reading a book. She set the food and utensils on the table, a hopeful smile on her face.
"It's time to eat," she said, taking a seat.
"I have no appetite. Just go out," he replied, not even looking at her.
"But you have to attend the morning court. You should eat first so you won't be hungry," she insisted.
"I said I'm not hungry. Just go out," he repeated, his tone clipped.
"But—" she began again, but he cut her off.
"I SAID I'M NOT HUNGRY! DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND THE WORD 'NOT HUNGRY'? GO OUT!" he shouted, pointing to the door with a furious glare.
Jiaxin, her spirit crushed, rose and walked out. She closed the door quietly.
The Prince threw the book he was reading to the floor, his anger simmering.
Ying, Nanny Lu, Butler Mo, and Jin, the Prince's right-hand man, found Jiaxin outside, sobbing uncontrollably. Ying and Nanny Lu rushed to comfort her, while Butler Mo gently urged her to return to her room. Jin went inside to try and calm the Prince.
"It's alright, my lady, it's alright," Nanny Lu soothed.
"My lady, it's best if you don't approach His Highness today," Butler Mo advised.
"My lady, Butler Mo is right. Let's go back to your room," Ying agreed.
Together, they led Jiaxin back to her room.
This became a daily routine. The Prince would either shout at her or even physically hurt her, but Jiaxin never complained. She would simply cry silently in her room. Despite his cruelty, she continued to fulfill her duties and responsibilities.
The Emperor's birthday was approaching, and the palace was abuzz with preparations.
The Third Prince was in the garden when the invitation for the Emperor's birthday celebration arrived at the mansion.
"Jin, tell your lady to prepare herself for the Emperor's birthday tomorrow," he instructed. Jin bowed and rushed to deliver the message.
Jiaxin, who had been coughing, was sitting in her room, sipping water. Jin entered, his face etched with concern.
"Your Highness, His Highness has instructed you to prepare for the Emperor's birthday tomorrow," he said.
Jiaxin smiled and nodded. Jin noticed her pale complexion.
"Your Highness, why are you so pale? Are you sick?" he asked, worried.
"No, I'm not. It's just that it's been windy lately," she replied, trying to downplay her discomfort.
"Is that so? Then please wear warm clothes to avoid catching a cold," he said, turning to leave.
As soon as Jin was gone, Jiaxin collapsed on her bed, her body succumbing to weakness. She had been pushing herself too hard, masking her pain and fatigue.
YOU ARE READING
Thorns of Love
Historical FictionShe had admired the Prince since childhood, harboring a secret dream of one day being with him. To achieve that dream, she had made herself a laughingstock, begging the Emperor for his hand in marriage. Now, she endured his harsh treatment, endurin...
