The Tale Of Mei Xiang

第三章 (Chapter 3)

第三章

The 4th Prince was staring at me, analyzing me, but I was in too much shock to care.

He cleared his throat and that snapped me back to reality. Reluctantly, I got to my knees and bowed. "Thank you for this kind opportunity, your majesty. Mei Xiang will do her best to make sure this opportunity your majesty has given me will not be forgotten," I said robotically, with no feelings at all and the words felt heavy on my lips.

"That's good to hear," the Empress said and I tried not to show how much I hated her for damning me to this life. "I'm sure you'll do a great job and serve the Crown Prince just fine."

Suddenly, the 4th Prince stood up and a glimmer of hope sparked within me. I thought he was going to save me from a doomed life somehow or maybe say he'll marry me instead. I just felt that being married to him will be so much better than being married to the Crown Prince even though being married will take away my freedom. He doesn't have any wives, yet.

"Imperial Mother, your son has to return home to go through the documents that Imperial Father asked me to go over. Please excuse your son," he said instead. Nothing he said will save me from a damned life.

"Have a safe journey back, my son," the Empress said and allowed him to leave.

He bowed and then left the room without a glance at me. Now that he was gone, the Empress' eyes were on me. "Mei Xiang, who do you think will make a better husband? Yin Zhen or the Crown Prince?"

Her fingers skimmed the rim of her teacup and she took a few sips. I gulped and tried to search for a way to answer her. "I cannot say, your majesty. The Crown Princess seems to be living a good life so I would say that the Crown Prince is a decent husband but not the best as she has his doubts about him.

"The 4th Prince hasn't been romantically involved with a girl before, as far as I heard, so it is too soon to decide if he will make a good husband. Though, with all the merits and achievements he has, he can be a really good husband if he wants to."

She tapped her nail guard against the wooden armrest of her chair and watched me. The silence in the room had me tensed up. My throat was dry but I didn't dare to take a sip of tea from my cup. I prayed in my heart that I had answered good enough.

"So," she spoke and fear seized my heart, "you think they're both good husbands?"

"If they wish to be, your majesty. They always have a choice," I said, letting the last part slip off my tongue and I winced when I realised that I said.

"The question was, who do you think will make a better husband, not if you think they're good husbands," she harshly reminded me and my hands started to shake.

First, I kinda reminded her and probably gave off the impression that I think I'm smarter than her. My smart answers were just proving that point rather than letting me escape from the palace as soon as possible.

Second, I didn't answer her question and attempted to change the subject. I was avoiding her question and that was punishable by death. All of these which has caused her to get angry at me. I won't be surprised if I leave the palace after I'm dead.

"Your majesty, my lowly status gives me no position to judge which one of them will be better than the other. Please forgive me, your majesty," I said in an apologetic tone and knelt on the floor, my face facing the floor down.

"If you're unhappy with my decision to marry you off the to the Crown Prince, say so. I'm trying to help you get married into a family of high status and secure your life but if you're going to look horrified when I want to help you, there's no reason for me to continue to help you," she said and the intensity in her voice made me press my forehead harder against the floor.