Married To The Cruel Crown Prince

Han Wenji took the pills from the Royal Physician. "Your majesty, your condition is better than the previous day," The Royal Physician gladly informed the Emperor. 

Han Wenji passed a tiny smile to him as he handed the silver glass to Eunuch Jin, who placed that on the table. 

"Your majesty, I shall take my leave," the Royal Physician stood up from the chair, bowed, and walked out. 

Han Wenji looked at Eunuch Jin and asked, "Did you send the message to the Fourth Prince?" 

Eunuch Jin nodded his head. "He might be on his way," he replied. Han Wenji looked towards the entrance and saw the figure of Prince Nianzu. A smile carved on his lips seeing his son there. 

Nianzu bowed, lifted his hands, and joined them to formally greet the Emperor. He put his hands down as his father told him to take a seat. 

"Is father doing well?" Nianzu asked as he took the seat on the chair a meter away from the bed. 

"Yes. Prince might have noticed wondered why did I call him here." Han Wenji waited for Nianzu to respond, who shook his head. "I am afraid, but I am still wondering what it could be about." Nianzu lied because he did not want to show interest in the marriage proposal that was received from the Huan Province. 

"Did you think about the marriage with the Princess of Huan?" Without beating around the bush, the Emperor queried. Taking a pause, the Emperor continued, "My friend wants us to take our friendship at a much stronger level. This marriage will surely deliver the message to the people regarding our strong friendship. Prince is getting older and I do not know how much I am going to live. Before dying, I want to see my son getting married," Han Wenji expressed his deep desire. 

Nianzu widened his eyes a little. "Father is still healthy. He should not speak this way," Nianzu stated. "I am still thinking about it, Father," he then added. 

"According to me, you shall not refuse for this marriage. His daughter is perfect for you," Han Wenji tried to convince Nianzu. 

"Father, give me a week. I will surely give you my answer," Nianzu requested, keeping his tone polite. "I understand father wants my best but marriage is a big decision for me. I need a little more time to contemplate about it," Nianzu affirmed. Han Wenji agreed to his son's request though internally he was worrying if he could survive for long or not! 

Eunuch Jin found the tense expression on his master's face so, he thought to talk to Nianzu. Looking at the Fourth Prince, Eunuch Jin said, "Princess of Huan has same qualities as you. She even takes part in Court matters, showing her intelligence. Prince shall not refuse for such a great woman." 

"I understand, Eunuch Jin. As I said, I need more time to think about this," Nianzu asserted. 

"Son, you can take your time. I know, you will not disappoint me," Han Wenji said with a tiny smile on his lips. 

"Yes, Father. I shall leave as a father must rest. Take your meals properly and do not take the stress. I will soon tell you my decision," Nianzu stated, and stood up from his seat. He bowed before leaving the chamber. 

"Your Majesty, you should have told the Prince to get married to the Princess of Huan. You and I both know that your health is not much stable," Eunuch Jin anxiously said. 

"I do not want him to live unhappily just for my happiness. I will be a little dejected if the Prince refuses this marriage, but his happiness is my priority. It's up to Heaven, now. Whatever will be the decision of Prince Nianzu, I would gladly accept that" Han Wenji proclaimed with a menacing expression. 

Nianzu returns to his chamber and saw Chuntao there. "Miss, why are you still here?" Nianzu asked. 

"Your highness, tomorrow there is a fair in the market. A friend of mine from the village dropped a message for me. We are childhood friends and she wants me to go to the market with her. Since his highness was not here since the morning, so I decided to wait," Chuntao answered him. "So, can I go to the market tomorrow?" Chuntao asked for permission. 

"Why not? Let's go together tomorrow. I never heard about any fair in the market. I want to see how does it looks like," Nianzu delightedly stated.

Chuntao nodded her head. "Thank you for the permission, your highness. However, wouldn't it be a problem if a Prince goes with a person like me? Forgive me," she lowered her head, "if I sounded rude," and completed her words. 

"Ahh, yes. I forgot around you that I am a Prince," Nianzu declared. Chuntao lifted her head to meet his gaze when she heard him, "Then, let's meet in the evening under that tree where you once saw me and helped me," Nianzu suggested. He wanted to drive off the thought of getting married from his head, so wanted to go out. 

Chuntao agreed with him. "I will wait for his highness there," Chuntao asserted. 

"And, if I come early there, then I will wait for you," Nianzu affirmed.

"Does his highness want to drink the tea? I have learned today a special tea from the tea maker. I hope his highness will like it," Chuntao asked with gleaming eyes. 

"Hmm. I would like to have that tea," Nianzu went towards the floor desk and sat around it while Chuntao walked out. Nianzu opened the drawer to take out the flute when his eyes fell on the scroll which had the message of King of Huan regarding marriage. He opened it again and re-read it. 

"My father wants me to marry her but my heart is not ready to accept the decision of my father. If I refuse this marriage, then his friend might get dejected. He always helped my father and even protected him," Nianzu murmured.