Stuck In Between A Rock And A Hard Place.

"By the order of His Royal Majesty, Emperor Taizu.The Crown Prince will head to the frontier fortress, protect the dignity and honor of the dynasty and come back victorious." Emperor Taizu's announcer read the imperial edict on the palace grounds.

The Crown Prince got on one knee and stretched forth his hand to accept the imperial edict.

"I, Zixin, The Crown Prince of Song Dynasty promise to come back victorious and make the nation proud." He took the edict and bowed three times in the direction of Emperor Taizu's palace. He heroically stood up and turned to face The Second Prince.

"Safe journey brother. Show the enemy the power of the Song Dynasty." The Second Prince said and smiled.

"Don't worry, I won't disappoint you.Take care of Mother and Father.No childish tricks." The Crown Prince replied and ruffled his hair.

The Crown Prince looked at the palace and the people who came to bid him farewell one last time as if he wouldn't return again. A sad smile appeared on his face.He got on his horse and drew out his sword.

"For Song Dynasty!" The Crown Prince shouted to boost the morale of the soldiers and the soldiers reciprocated.

"For Song Dynasty!" The soldiers chorused and marched outside the palace gates with the goods supply Following the lead of The Crown Prince.

The Second Prince stared at The Crown Prince until his back could no longer be seen.

In the Jiang family's house, Madam Chen came out of Madam Jiang's room with Madam Jiang. Hosting and chattering as if they had both received a fortune.

"It was nice talking to you. I think I will come here more often. Now that we are in-laws." Madam Chen said and laughed heartily.

"Yes yes please feel free. This is also your house now. Thank you so much Madam Chen." Madam Jiang replied.

"Don't mention. I will leave now." Madam Chen slightly bowed and left happily that her mission as been a success.

Princess Xiao Ai saw Madam Chen at the front door, about to leave the house and a slight frown appeared on her face.

"Nothing good comes from Madam Chen's presence.What is she doing here?" Princess Xiao Ai thought to herself and walked towards Madam Jiang.

"Mother, you asked of me." Princess Xiao Ai bowed to her and said,

"Yes my dear. I wanted to inform you about the good news. You will be married to Chao Xiang in seven days time." Madam Jiang announced in great delight. Her greatest wish was to get her daughter married to a good boy from a great family. Even if she died after getting her married she wouldn't blame God for taking her life.

Princess Xiao Ai froze on the spot with opened mouth. She stared at Madam Jiang in disbelief and shock.

"Dont worry my dear. Everything will be fine once you get married to him. Chao Xiang is a really nice guy." Madam Jiang explained in a bid to convince Princesses Xiao Ai. She knew Princess Xiao Ai might not want to agree to the marriage as she isn't the real Jiang Meihui but if she doesn't convince her, people might suspect her identity and it will be disastrous for all of them.

Madam Jiang patted Princess Xiao Ai by her shoulders and went to her room leaving Princess Xiao Ai in a dilemma.

Princess Xiao Ai tights her fist in anger and storms to her room.She sat down with a thud while Zhan broke into the room.

"Young mistress, what am I hearing? You are… You are going to marry Chao Xiang in seven days?" Zhan shouted in anger as if she was in Princess Xiao Ai's place but got no reply.

"Young mistress! You can't do this. You can't sacrifice your life for someone who is already dead. You are not Jiang Meihui, why must you marry ChaoXiang!" Zhan protested without even stopping for a moment to breathe.

"Shut Up!" Princess Xiao Ai ordered in a stern voice and bangs her hand on the table in anger.

"Do you think it is as easy as you think? I can't refuse the wedding because everyone knows that Meihui is in love with Chao Xiang. If I refuse,people will start to gossip and the risk of my identity being exposed will increase. If my identity is exposed it will mean death for all of us. Don't you understand?" Princess Xiao Ai replied in a fit of rage and helplessness. Amid the anger on her face, helplessness and sadness was evident in her eyes.

Zhan stopped protesting and quietly sat down opposite her.

"What will you do now?" Zhan muttered and looked at Princesses Xiao Ai with sympathy.

"I do not know. I am now stuck between a rock and a hard place." Princess Xiao Ai replied and let out a deep sigh.

The Second Prince and Huan have sneaked out of the palace in order to meet Princess Xiao Ai at Qingfeng restaurant.

"Your Royal Highness, are you sure we will see Master Qi Lang at Qingfeng restaurant?" Huan asked with a look of doubt on his face.

"Ofcourse, he said he will be there." The Second Prince replied and happily continued walking to the restaurant.

Few minutes later, They arrived at Qingfeng restaurant and went to the same room where he and Princesses Xiao Ai stayed the last time and to his shock he didn't find her in the room.

"What did I tell you, Your Royal Highness? You should listen to my advice sometimes." Huan mocked and laughed.

"Is this funny?" The Second Prince asked in anger and hurt.

Huan's smile quickly faded as he noticed The Second Prince's change of expression.

"I am sorry,please forgive me." He bowed and apologized.

The Second Prince was beyond hurt and frantically looked around the room again hoping to see Princesses Xiao Ai hiding somewhere in the room but his wish wasn't granted. He left the room and came downstairs to the entrance of the restaurant.

"Why isn't he here? Is he alright? Did something happen to him?" The Second Prince thought and looked up to the sky.

Huan watched The Second Prince by the side and couldn't believe he was like this just because he couldn't see Princess Xiao Ai. He stayed quiet knowing fully well that if he said something to get on The Second Prince's nerve, he wouldn't be spared.

Madam Jiang goes to Princess Xiao Ai's room to call her. Princess Xiao Ai came out of her room and bowed to her.

"My dear, can you please go to the silk store for me. I am not feeling very well." Madam Jiang gently pleaded.

"That is not a problem, mother. Please go to your room to rest." Princess Xiao Ai assured her and smiled.

"Thank you dear." Madam Jiang said and went back to her room.

"Young mistress, we can meet your disciple at Qingfeng restaurant if you want." Zhan suggested.

"No need. Mother has sent me on an errand. I do not want to disappoint her and sneak somewhere else." Princess Xiao Ai replied with a pale face.

Princess Xiao Ai and Zhan go to the silk store in the horse carriage.

"Your Royal Highness. Where should we go now?" Huan asked in a low voice not wanting to get The Second Prince more angry than he already is with him.

"Don't talk to me! This is all your fault. Why did you have to say we wouldn't meet him at Qingfeng restaurant?" The Second Prince complained and walked away.

"I am sorry. I won't say anything again." Huan shouted and followed him.

"Young mistress, we have arrived at the silk store." The coachman riding the horse carriage announced.

"Okay." Zhan replied and got down from the horse carriage with Princess Xiao Ai.

"It's strange." Princess Xiao Ai frowned and said while looking around the street.

"What is strange?" Zhan asked curiously.