Double Jade's fate

She continue to read her book and totally ignore him. The emperor knows that he have to say something about the sister situation. 

"She is now married off to a man named Han Wei in Kang An county. Instead of being the official wife, she is reduced to an a concubine because she have lost her maidenhood." He pause and look her feet and slowly touch them gently. 

"Continue, i am listening."

"My sources tell me that she is suffering in that household. She is told to do the chores and serve the old man instead of her husband. "

The empress slowly turn her head to look at him. 

"What do you mean serve?"

"Whatever he needs. Including in bed."

"My father... my father, did he say anything about this?"

"Nothing."

She throw the book across the room. She scream and he laugh. 

"He promise me that she will marry well! He lie! He lie! I ... I will kill him!"

"You can't kill him in this tiny room." He laugh again. 

"Bring him here! How can he! How are he!" She is fuming mad with rage and the emperor is still laughing. She walk up and down in the room and stop. She look at the emperor and go down her knees. 

"Please save my sister. Bring here back to the capital!"

"Why should i? Isn't the job of a father's?"

"Please i beg of you. All her life she never suffer before."

He stared at her pleading face. He touch her face and grab her chin. 

"What do i get in return?"

Her eyes open wide and look nervous. She knows there is nothing that she can give to this tyrant. Her eyes cast down and begin to feel hopeless. There is nothing she can do for her sister. As an empress, she is powerless. 

"All i ask is very simple. I always ask for the same thing. Love me even you pretend and fake it, i will accept it. Also if i managed to get her back, she will have to stay in this room with you. Both of you will never see the outside world again. Would you agree?" 

She waited for a long time and the emperor never appear in her living quarter. Everyday the empress walk up and down. Trying to peek through the sealed windows. Even the food served in her room has no appealing to her. She tried to talk to the eunuch but he is lip seal there is no news what is happening beyond this cold palace. She watch the seasons change with the small peep hole that she found while trying to find away to see the outside. Soon winter is approaching how much longer should she wait. Is Chun Gui going to live through this life like this? The empress thinks and ask herself daily if she shouldn't ask her sister to do things for her that hurt her karma. 

She remember that evening her sister is asking the empress was then the crown princess what to wear for the gathering at consort Liu for the mooncake festival. Together they choose a pink and white dress. with a pink shoes. The next evening, she went to the mansion to fetch her sister and together they go off to the palace. Outside there are many carriages. From a distance she saw Shung Yu and her maid. She dislike looking at her but she have to maintain a smile and a friendly look. After the noble ladies greeted each other, everyone walk in. The gathering have bring in most of the noble ladies. Everyone is talking and having a good time. Occasionally, she goes near Shung Yu to talk to her. She ask to see her hairpin. Later she personally pin it back to Shung you's hair. The night goes on smoothly. She ask her sister to asked to see the hairpin a few times so that it comes loose.With the other noble ladies, they succeed it getting it loose. Eventually drop when walking. The crown princess knows that Consort Liu values her hair accessories a lot as the emperor that time had given her the most expensive accessories When seeing someone pick up from the floor and carelessly put it on her hair, will cause consort Liu to be angry. This might cause Shung Yu to have a small trouble. 

That evening, she saw the trouble came. She saw that Shung Yu was flog in public. She also saw the blooded stain dress. It wasn't meant to be so serious but it happened. The next day, she was told that Chung Yu had a miscarriage. At that time, the crown princess, did not know if she should be happy or afraid. That child that belong to the man she secretly loved is gone. She console herself as said it was destine. She lived her life everyday knowing that Shung Yu is under depression. Her sister grow afraid. She is worried that they will suffer the karma. 

After they know that consort Liu is to be sent to the royal nunnery to live in there, they sigh and said it's over. There is nothing to worry about. 

When the snows begin to fall heavy, the emperor comes walking in. He is wearing his fur coat while she is shivering in the cold room. The empress is wrapped up in her blanket on her bed. There is a small furnace producing heat but is not enough. He ordered the eunuch to bring in a bigger furnace. Also hot tea and hot bowl of noddles. While waiting, he drop his fur coat on her. She is still wearing her thin summer dress. he rub her hands and blow heat on them. However she still shivering so he hug her tight instead. They watch the eunuchs bring more furnaces and more firewood. They heat up the room within minutes. The emperor also order some winter wear for her. They hurry off to find in her old quarter to find her winter wear. 

While warming up, she slowly turn her head to look at him. Her teeth chatter as she try to speak. "My sister.."

"Warm up first. I will tell you." He move to the table and pour a cup of hot tea for her. She hold it and instantly she feel better and take sips of it. Finally when she is all better, she look at him. The emperor is siting no the chair looking at her. He reach out inside his gown to take out a letter.

"She has written you this letter."

Her hands is still shivering a bit as she reach out to take it.

"My dearest sister. How are you? I am living well enough. The personal guards of the emperor had came by and convey the message. I don't think i will like to live with you in the palace. I am not suitable. I am now used to the lifestyle here. Life here is slow.I don't have anxiety. I don't need to think about how to get more power and who to get rid. I am tired of that. I watch father everyday battle on and off court. I watch him frown over the issues he had. We are even the pawns for him to use in getting what he wants. I don't want to live like that. I want to be free.

I am now married into the riches family in the county. I have three meals a day. Even though i am not the official wife, i will be content. I am the only woman in the house who is able to read and write. I will soon have my own children and they will inherit the family business. 

Don't have to worry about me. I am well. I will keep on living. 

Your sister, Chun Gui"

She put down the letter. She looks like she doesn't want to believe anything written on it. They simple stare at each each hearing the cracking of the firewood. 

"What is going on? This letter isn't written by her!"