The Tale Of Mei Xiang

Prologue

It was known throughout the land that the Emperor was looking for a woman to marry his beloved Crown Prince. 

Even living towards the edge of the capital city, the news reached my father who was but a lowly magistrate. I didn't know if the Emperor was that open-minded to let the whole country know that there was a chance someone not of high-ranking to be married to the Crown Prince or he was just that desperate. 

For me, I couldn't understand why he wished to bestow another woman to the Crown Prince; he already had his Crown Princess who's reputation for being ruthless was well-known. The woman would only suffer by entering the Crown Prince's household. 

Which made me find it weird when some girls staying nearby were considering and even daydreaming about marrying the Crown Prince. You would just be a concubine, someone of no importance. With the Crown Princess in charge of his household, I'm sure life as a concubine won't be easy, much less if you're favoured. 

Maybe it was because the Crown Prince was chosen to be the next Emperor. Being a concubine to a prince doesn't mean much but being a concubine to an Emperor is a whole different world. Still, there is a chance that he wouldn't end up as the next Emperor. 

Not only were there rumors about the Crown Princess, but about the Crown Prince too. People are saying about his lazy attitude and playful demeanor is not at all fit for an Emperor. Compared to his many surviving brothers, he had no special talent. 

The 4th Prince was known for his beautiful calligraphy while his blood-brother, the 14th Prince, was known for his military strategies. The 8th Prince was known for his way with words and the charming aura he has. Although the 10th Prince was not smart, he was known for being easy-going and mischeivious. The 13th Prince was known for his skill in archery and the 17th Prince, though very young, was already known for excelling in his studies. 

It was going around that when the Emperor meets with the Mongols or any another civilization, the Emperor didn't showcase the Crown Prince's talents because he simply had none. Some say that the Emperor was considering on stripping his position. 

So, when my father announced yesterday that I was to enter the palace and to meet the Empress, you can probably tell how upset I got. 

Despite the power and prestige that came with marrying the Crown Prince, I despise sharing my husband and the need to fight for him even though that was our culture.