Thorns of Love

Chapter 3

A week had passed since Princess Shin had decided to return home. To ensure her safety, Xunlei accompanied her, along with his trusted aide, Jin. They set out early in the morning, aiming to reach the border within three days.

Ying entered Jiaxin's room, finding her bundled under four quilts.

"My lady, they've left," she announced, placing a cup of tea on the bedside table.

"Let them be," Jiaxin replied, taking a sip of the tea.

Ying watched her curiously, her brow furrowed. "Why are you always covered in quilts?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

Jiaxin smiled, a flicker of sadness in her eyes. "It's nothing," she said, her voice barely a whisper.

Ying's concern grew. "Are you sick again, my lady? Like last time?" she asked, her voice laced with panic.

Jiaxin shook her head, her smile fading. "No, I'm fine. It's just... I can't show myself," she said, her voice barely audible.

"Is something wrong? You haven't let me in here for days," Ying said, taking Jiaxin's hand.  Her eyes widened in alarm.

"You're as cold as ice! My lady, what's happening?" she exclaimed, her voice trembling.

"Bring me the white coat, Ying," Jiaxin said, her voice calm despite the tremor in her hand.

Ying hurried to retrieve the coat, her heart pounding with fear. Jiaxin took the coat and stood up, throwing off the quilts. Ying gasped, her eyes widening in horror.

"Your... your hair, my lady," she stammered, her voice barely a whisper.

Jiaxin looked at her reflection in the mirror, her face pale and drawn.  She pulled the hood of the coat over her head, concealing her hair.

"What kind of disease do you have, my lady? Your hair has turned white! What's happening?" Ying cried out, her voice laced with desperation.

Jiaxin's smile was tinged with sadness. "It's not a disease, Ying. It's the cold poison. My hair turning white is a sign that I don't have much time left," she said, her voice soft but steady.

Ying burst into tears, throwing her arms around Jiaxin. "There must be a way! You can't die! You can't leave me alone!" she cried, her voice choked with grief.

Jiaxin patted Ying's back gently. "I have three months left. It's possible I might die after the war. You can serve me well during those three months, and then I'll set you free," she said, her voice laced with a quiet strength.

She stepped out of the room, Ying following close behind, her eyes filled with tears.

"My lady, how will you explain this to His Highness when he returns?" Ying asked, her voice filled with worry.

Jiaxin smiled faintly, her eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and resignation. "Don't worry. He barely notices my presence, and he won't notice my hair either," she said, her voice barely a whisper.

"But my lady, you're as cold as ice! What if His Highness accidentally touches you?" Ying exclaimed, her voice rising in panic.

Jiaxin stopped walking and sat down on the grass beneath a willow tree, a sad smile playing on her lips. "He despises me, Ying. He'd rather let me die than touch me," she said, her voice filled with a quiet despair.

A day and a night passed. Butler Mo and Nanny Lu had noticed Jiaxin's hair, but they were unsure what was happening. Then, unexpected news arrived.

Ying rushed into Jiaxin's room, her face pale with fear.

"My lady!" she cried, kneeling before her.

Jiaxin was struggling with a throbbing headache. She looked at Ying, who was catching her breath, her eyes wide with panic.

"Speak," Jiaxin said, her voice strained.

Ying looked at her with a mixture of worry and fear. "The Third Prince and Jin were ambushed during their journey. Jin managed to return, but the Prince is missing," she reported, her voice trembling.

Jiaxin stood up, her fist clenching. "The Prime Minister's mansion," she said, her voice cold and determined.

Ying stared at her in astonishment.

"They probably want to kill him. Since he didn't marry Yan and they couldn't control him, they sent assassins," Jiaxin said, her eyes blazing with a fierce determination. "Ying, lead me to Jin."

Jin was lying in his room, his face pale and drawn. Jiaxin and Ying entered, their faces etched with concern.

"My lady," Jin said, attempting to sit up, but Jiaxin stopped him, urging him to lie down. She sat beside him, her gaze fixed on his wounded form.

"Is he wounded?" she asked, her voice soft but firm.

"Yes, my lady. My master was badly wounded," Jin replied, his eyes drawn to the white coat she was wearing, her hood pulled over her head.

"Tell me where you two separated and which direction he went," Jiaxin instructed. Jin provided the details.

"My lady, let me come with you," Jin said, his voice filled with concern.

"Stay here. Ying will take care of you," Jiaxin said, rising to her feet.

"But my lady, it's dangerous out there," Jin protested, his eyes pleading. Ying nodded, her expression mirroring his concern.

"I can manage. But your master won't live long if we don't find him," Jiaxin said, her voice laced with a quiet urgency. She turned to leave.

"Stop her," Jin said to Ying.

"She's already decided. I tried to stop her, but she wouldn't listen," Ying replied, her voice filled with helplessness.

"Tell Butler Mo to deploy a secret bodyguard for her," Jin suggested, his voice filled with concern.

Ying nodded and turned to leave, but Jin stopped her. "Why does my master's wife look so pale? Why is she wearing a coat and covering her head?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.

"She just likes the style," Ying answered, rushing out of the room to avoid further questions.

Jiaxin mounted a white horse, her figure cloaked in a thick white coat, the hood pulled over her head. She urged the horse forward, its hooves pounding the earth as they raced towards the forest.  She rode through the night, her eyes scanning the darkness, searching for any sign of the Prince.

As dawn broke, she found a cave deep within the forest. She dismounted and entered, her heart pounding with hope. There, lying unconscious on the ground, was the Prince.  She rushed to his side, her eyes filled with concern.

"Xunlei! Xun, wake up!" she called out, her voice filled with urgency.

She checked his breathing and examined his wounds.  She began cleaning and dressing the wounds, her movements swift and sure. She built a bonfire, seeking to warm him.  She stayed by his side, her heart filled with a quiet determination, until night fell.

Midnight arrived, and the Prince stirred. He opened his eyes, his vision blurry. He saw that his wounds had been cleaned and dressed. He sat up, his gaze falling on Jiaxin, who was sleeping beside him, her white coat pulled over her head.