The Prince Is Abolished

Chapter 29

Gujarat suited Kang Zhing and she struck gold. The trade deal she made was with the richest merchant of this prosperous kingdom, Murlidhar, and he also fell in love with her.

She tried to resist and told him about her past, but he pursued her till he won her heart. Their whirlwind romance took them to the marriage mandap and she wed him in style within 1 year of her arrival. Lu family, the Emperor of Mi- Xi Jiang, Himalayan master and even the monk came to her marriage and  witnessed her happiness. She gave birth to a daughter in one year.

Ji Gang was also married to a merchant in Mi and she became mother of twin sons during this time.

But Lu Ran stayed single for the next 3 years ostensibly to stabilize her business before marriage. She accepted Xi Jiang's proposal but also wanted to sort her heart and mind completely but failed.

Xi Jiang didn't pressurize her but said:

'You are afraid of me now Lu Ran. You are letting fear of uncertainty get to you and you are drawing your steps backwards instead of going forward. I know what happened with you, but that is no reason to feel threatened all the time.'

Lu Ran knew that Xi Jiang was right. Ever since Xi Mang, she indeed had become more cautious and was prone to hyper-speculate on her connection with Xi Jiang. But how to control it? 

Kang Zhing was already pregnant the second time when she came to meet Lu Ran.

'So, my dearest! How are you doing with the emperor?'

'You tell me first. How is your spouse treating you now?'

'His brain is filled with love for me. He is also coming to Mi and he also wishes to open a trading post here because he is like you; totally committed to good karma at all costs and wants to plant herbs from his native place here.'

Lu Ran laughed and said: 'I always found him very endearing. I hope you, uncle, and brother are doing well there.'

'Of course. My father is teaching Mi's language and my brother is already stationed with the best of Gujarat. He is about to start as a junior teacher in the astronomy department as well.'

'This is huge!'

'Yes. And now, tell me about you and the emperor? Where is aunty and uncle?'

'Nothing to tell for now about the emperor. We are still there where we were. My parents are away to Avang for opening a charitable clinic.'

'Oh! I missed them! Lu Ran come sit with me. Let's talk a bit.'

The two ladies sat down and Kang Zhing took her hand and said:

'What you and I underwent is a trauma that is truly life-altering. Even after his punishment, I used to wake up at night fearing some dark entity trying to rape or kill me. When I met my husband, you already know how scared I was of his approach but he helped me come out of this subconscious fear. 

A simple hug from him would ward off all these bad dreams, insecurities, and now, I feel that what happened to me was just a nightmare which I ended with my own hands. I want you to come out of it too. You are such an accomplished woman, and have led all types of fights. Why and what should you be so scared off?'

' I...try to move forward but I want some protection and my freedom. He is the emperor and even as the empress I will be his subject. I fear losing everything if I make another mistake. I... I feel afraid that if I let myself fall in love, then I will be a caged bird or lose all those who I love. I love Xi Jiang, I want him, but I am so afraid, Zhing. I keep thinking about moving onwards but then stop. My parents have told me to let the past go, but I don't know why I am so stuck?'