Why Have You Given Me This Cruel Fate?

"It is the truth. You love him and that is why you do not want to get married to young master Chao xiang."

"No….. That is not the case. The only reason why I do not want to marry ChaoXiang is because he will ruin my plans in the future and…. and… I do not love him." Princess Xiao Ai quickly stood up and protested.

She was trying really hard to convince herself that she doesn't love The Second Prince but her heart was saying something else. Zhan smiled as she saw her confused expression.

"Alright then. You can go ahead and get married to young master Chao Xiang. But you have to remember that you will never be able to see your disciple or talk to him like you used to again. Oh! I just remembered that we are supposed to meet him at Qingfeng restaurant today. But since….. you are marrying young master Chao Xiang, there is no need to go again"Zhan said and gave a mocking smile at Princess Xiao Ai.

Princess Xiao Ai's face fell. She quietly sat down again and went into deep thoughts. She reminisces about her past encounters with The Second Prince. On the bridge where she had accidentally kissed him, in the bamboo forest where she had saved him and their meeting at Qingfeng restaurant.

Suddenly, tears began to trickle down her face and her eyes were now red.Zhan is shocked at the sudden change of mood and expression. She now felt guilty because she never intended to hurt her feelings.

"Young mistress. I…. I am really sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you like this. Just….. just forget whatever nonsense I've said." Zhan guilty pleaded trying to take Princess Xiao Ai's thoughts away from The Second Prince.

Princess Xiao Ai's grip on her skirt tightened in pain and torment. Her heart was full of heart wrenching emotions which came as tears through her eyes. She thought about her life in Western Xia, The great tragedy that happened to her family,Her escape from death, her pretense of being Jiang Meihui and her encounter with The Second Prince.

Her tears became magnified while Zhan regretted ever bringing up the topic.

"Why…. Why can't I just have a peaceful life?" Princess Xiao Ai looked up, as if venting all her anger and frustration on God.

"Why can't I just experience happiness for a day? I've finally found the person I love. Why can't I just stay happy with the person I love for a lifetime like every other human being. Why have you given me this cruel fate?" Princess Xiao Ai burst into tears again. Her face and eyes were red from consistent crying.

Zhan looked at Princess Xiao Ai in pity and remorse with tears filled in her eyes. She now understood what Princess Xiao Ai was going through. She was from Western Xia. Her family was killed by the soldiers of Song Dynasty and she had to take revenge putting up a pretense of being someone she isn't.

On one hand was her revenge and on the other hand was the love of her life. She had to make a choice. If she chose revenge, she would never be happy again and if she chose the love of her life, she would live in guilt forever. And Amid all these is a marriage she doesn't want but had no choice than to consent to.

Zhan moved closer to Princess Xiao Ai and gave her a warm and comforting hug but the pain was so great that the hug couldn't subside.

"Young mistress. It's going to be alright, please don't cry anymore. Please don't cry." Zhan pleaded and the two of them stayed in that position for a while. Comforting and easing each other's pain.

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"Greetings to Your Royal Majesty." Minister Jiang and the Minister of Affairs chorused and bowed as they arrived at Empress Song's study.

"I need the Minister of Affairs to put posters around the city about the competition that will be held at the palace for the selection of The Second Prince's wife." Empress Song ordered.

"Yes, Your Royal Majesty. I will get it done right away." The Minister of Affairs replied and bowed.

"Minister Jiang, I would like you to make an estimation of the amount that will be needed for the process of the wedding."

"Yes, Your Royal Majesty." Lord Jiang replied and bowed.

"That will be all for now."

"Your grace is immeasurable, Your Royal Majesty." The Ministers chorused and bowed before leaving.

"Why is there a sudden army procession? Did something happen?" The Second Prince frowned and asked after seeing battalions on the palace pathways.

"Your Royal Highness, The Crown Prince is leaving for the frontier fortress. It has been months now and all the goods that have been supplied to the frontier fortress have always been hijacked by bandits. So His Royal Majesty has personally asked The Crown Prince to go with the goods in order to protect it from another bandit attack." Huan carefully explained.

"Thank goodness. The Crown Prince will be out of the capital for a while. I will be able to visit Master Qi Lang anytime I want now." The Second Prince said and beamed with happiness like a little child that has been given a candy.

"No,Your Royal Highness. Don't forget that it is not only The Crown Prince that asks of you. What about Her Royal Majesty? If she finds out that you sneak out of the palace, she won't spare me." Huan protested.

"At least I will be able to see Master Qi Lang at Qingfeng restaurant this afternoon." The Second Prince said and smiled.

"I wonder why you like Master Qi Lang so much." Huan gave a deep sigh.

"That is none of your business" The Second Prince snorted and left.

"How is it not my business? Do you want to abandon me? Don't even think about it." Huan shouted and followed him.