Chapter 9: Love Entanglement

Queen Hua laughs loudly like an insane woman as she stands up from the armchair.

"Xie'r...."

"Come to me,"

"I will make you the Emperor."

"Xie'r?"

"You will own the greatest Tang..."

Queen Hua laughs nervously as she falls on the floor helplessly.

Prince Xie and guard Won stands at a distance watching Queen Hua's display as tears roll down from prince Xie's eyes slowly.

"The imperial physician said Queen Hua has gone mad"

"I am ready to atone for her sins and mine" guard Won said impulsively while prince Xie stares at his mother speechlessly.

"Xie'r!"

"Xie'r!"

"My Emperor..."

"Xie'r?"

Queen Hua calls out anxiously and runs into her inner chamber with the feelings of following prince Xie while laughing loudly.

The court officials pester Emperor Jin on getting married to Marquis Qin's daughter to stabilize the kingdom with the Qin's army influence.

Weeks later, the daughter of Marquis Qin arrives in Tang kingdom and by then Churong had already escape from the palace with Lin.

It was noted that prince Xie influenced the officials of the marriage vulgar idea thus Churong runs to him without a second thought.

Churong and Lin live happily at the Xie mansion as prince Xie treats Churong with love, care and deep affection. He doesn't want the throne or whatever, he just want to spend the remaining years of his life with Churong.

Lin and Yan's relationship grew stronger even when their masters' relationship deteriorates.

The daughter of Marquis Qin named "Lady Lou" stays in the guest manor and Emperor Jin never paid her a visit neither did he thought of Churong.

Guard Won confessed the crimes that he had committed with Queen Hua thus Emperor Jin sentenced him to death by hanging and after his death; his body should be hung on the city gate as a lesson to other rebellious individuals.

Due to Queen Hua's current condition, Emperor Jin mercifully moved her to an isolated district in the royal palace and place two maidens to take care of her needs and minor health.

Queen Fei didn't stop after all this retribution as she keeps poisoning the meals and drinks of Emperor Jin through the maids but thanks to Yan, he thoroughly checks the meals Emperor Jin eats before serving it.

For half year, Churong has been living with prince Xie without the consent of Emperor Jin.

"He has a new bride"

"Why will he care about me?" Churong always thought and decide to love the one that naturally loves her without craving for power or making fake promises.

The court officials persuade Emperor Jin to immediately marry Lady Lou officially but he waves the issue aside by bringing up one issue or calling off the morning meeting.

One evening, Emperor Jin sadly sits on his bed in his chamber drinking the tea slowly.

"Churong" the name comes to his mind after so many months.

"How is she?"

"Where is she?"

"Why is she no longer pestering me?"

Emperor Jin contemplates within himself in a low tone, he drops the cup on the nearby table calling "Yan!"

Yan rushes into the chamber with a wide smile.

"Master" Yan calls politely.

"Summon Consort Churong here" Emperor Jin commands vividly but Yan didn't make a move, Emperor Jin faces Yan anxiously.

"What is it?"Emperor Jin asks annoyingly.

"Master" Yan clears his throat.

"You were so busy and didn't care about Lady Jin"

"She left the palace since the arrival of Lady Lou" Yan explains sadly to Emperor Jin who wide his eyes in surprise.

"Churong has been away for almost a year now?" Emperor Jin asks anxiously and Yan nods his head awkwardly.

"Where is she?" Emperor Jin asks again impulsively.

"She – she is with prince Xie" Yan stutters fearfully.

"Prince Xie?" Emperor asks sadly as he exhales deeply.

Prince Xie and Churong runs along the streets, stopping in different stores and purchasing foods, beautiful hairpins and tasting new wines.

The royal carriage approaches them, other people move away courteously while prince Xie and Churong stands at s pot holding hands anxiously.

"Get in" Emperor Jin commands vividly.

"Who are you?" Churong asks sarcastically making prince Xie to smirk mockingly.

"I am sorry your majesty"

"You are talking to the wrong person" Churong added annoying and turns to leave.

"Churong, I am the Emperor"

"Don't make this hard on me" Emperor Jin said arrogantly and Churong faces him while rolling her eyes annoyingly.

"Your majesty"

"I don't deserve your time"

"Please go back to the cold palace of yours and forget about me" Churong snorts angrily.

"Absurd!" Emperor Jin shouts angrily as prince Xie holds Churong's hand, they walk away to the next street while Emperor Jin stares at them in anger.

Yeah! It was painful for Churong but she had to spill in other to ease the pain her heart is feeling.

Months later Emperor Jin conferred Lady Lou with the title of Consort Jin this news struck the heart of Churong, prince Xie tries to comfort her but to no avail.

The Chu family (Marquis Chu and Madame Chu) live in fear as they heard of their child's attitude in the imperial palace and her deadly fate.

Empress Dowager falls ill thus everyone visits the palace to see and take care of her.

Churong and prince Xie enters the palace to see the sick Empress Dowager who lies still on the bed with a sad smile.

"She always love smiling" Quinlong said impulsively in a sad tone as everyone nods their heads in agreement.

"Why the long faces?" Empress Dowager asks with a weak smile in a low tone.

<<<>>><<>><><>

Months in the court, Emperor Jin decided to visit Empress Dowager on his way he cross path with Churong, Lin and Yan.

Emperor Jin signals Yan and he courteously leaves the hall way with adamant Lin.

"Chu—"Emperor Jin approaches Churong but she walks backward fearfully, he smirks.

"Your majesty" Churong bows courteously.

"Churong, look at me" Emperor Jin said politely but refuses still facing down thus he walks closer to her pulling her softly to his chest.

Churong shakes abruptly to pull out from his embrace but he holds her waist tightly and smirks.

"Rong" Emperor Jin calls impulsively and she faces him sadly.

"What do you want from me?" Emperor Jin asks softly in a low tone.

"What I want?" she asks and rolls her eyes annoyingly.

"I want you to be a simple man."

"I want you to love me forever, only me." Churong said impulsively in an angry tone.

"Okay." Emperor Jin said slyly.

"I don't take okay for an answer…" Churong informs vividly and he pulls her closer thereby kissing her passionately meanwhile prince Xie has been watching the scene in anger.

"Bad news!" A maid runs into the hallway in tense.