When Madame Kong’s words were transmitted to Kong Yu, the mama expected that she would burst into tears and blame her mother for not doing something about it. Unexpectedly, Kong Yu didn’t vent, neither did she cry nor did she say a word. Instead, she looked at her reflection in the copper mirror, gradually turning into a devastating beauty with makeup. Then, she put on new clothes.
The whole time, she wore a faint smile, but it couldn’t hide the bitterness and pain within her.
The horse carriage came, she went in, the same smile still present. Did she accept her fate? Was she willing to marry to Qujiang? Wasn’t she bent on Jing Rong? Didn’t she want to be Prince Rong’s consort?
She raised the window curtain. It only took one hour from the moment they received the edict and now, she was already on her way to the imperial palace.
On this day of spring, the streets, bordered by all kinds of flourishing peach blossoms trees, were covered in petals, falling one by one, covering the carriage as it ran amidst the drizzle of flowers.
The petals danced and floated, ending their final course on Kong Yu’s head, shoulders and in her opened palms. As the petals landed into her hands, Kong Yu felt the dewdrops coldly seeping under her skin. The coldness seemed to awake a memory from years ago.
“Ah Rong, quick, look at this. It’s so pretty,” spoke a tender and childish voice that had yet to mature and brimming with hope.
That year, Kong Yu was nine, holding in a hand a small bouquet of peach flowers. She was facing a small stream. Leaning at the base of the peach tree was Jing Rong who hurried there at her call. Jing Rong was only eight, but he didn’t have the smiling expression a child of that age should have. His face seemed frozen into a sullen expression that made others feel distressed for him. Kong Yu happily sat next to him and scattered the flowers on his small shoulders.
“Do you really like peach blossoms a lot?” His eight-year-old voice sounded bleak to the ears.
Kong Yu nodded. “When Ah Rong grows up, can you plan lots and lots of peach blossoms trees for me?”
Jing Rong didn’t agree or disagree at that time, but now, he did plant rows of peach blossoms trees, all because of Kong Yu.
Looking at the petals in her hands, her mouth curled into a brilliant smile. Slowly her fingers curled, clutching onto the petals.
She entered the palace and was ushered by the palace servants to Fuyang hall. Upon her arrival, she saw the almighty emperor and Concubine Xiao who was smug about her successful plan. Like a puppet, Kong Yu greeted them as courtesy demanded before obediently taking a seat at the side. She listened to Qi Zhen’s speech.
His words were to put her at ease for her marriage to Qujiang. From now on, the Kong family would have no worries for a lifetime, enjoy wealth and fame, all because she was granted the title of Princess Huiwen. Naturally, Concubine Xiao said a few words, but whatever she said, it all went through Kong Yu’s ears.
From start to finish, she had her eyes lowered, staring at the petals in her hands. Her smile had never left her, causing Qi Zhen and Concubine Xiao to think that she might even be willing to marry.
From a certain point of view, it was a great honor for a declining family to suddenly have a princess amongst their members, not to mention that princess would soon become Qujiang’s imperial concubine.
After a while, she was led out of Fuyang hall.
Outside, it had started raining.
Plic! Plac! Plop! Plop!
The raindrops fell in pitter-patter on the roof tiles, sliding down the slanted roof, free falling and splashing water when they reached the puddle on the ground. Droplets fell onto Kong Yu’s skirt.
A servant opened an umbrella and held it above her head. “Princess, the Emperor has ordered us to send you to Shaoxin hall.”
‘That’s right!’ She almost forgot. She was now a princess and the palace would now be her new home before she was to be wed to Qujiang.