Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Without marriage, how could she save her life, which was already poisoned to the core?
Song Feiwan felt anxious, but to everyone else, it seemed she was simply distressed about not being able to marry His Highness the Crown Prince.
"Why?" she asked. "Do you not believe me?"
Concubine Rong quickly denied it. "No, I truly care for you and Yu'er. You have suffered over the years. Why didn't you come to me sooner? With me around, no one would dare to bully you."
Song Feiwan replied bitterly, "After His Highness passed away, I was engulfed in grief and couldn't pull myself out of it. My perception of the outside world became dull, so I didn't really feel that life was particularly difficult."
Concubine Rong nodded. "I understand that feeling. These past few years, I too have lost my appetite. Here, without outsiders, I want to talk to you more."
In the harem, women could not truly be friends. The Emperor was a husband and a father, but more importantly, he was a ruler who could never fully comprehend the pain of losing a beloved child.
You can grieve, but not too much; if you go beyond that, it may create resentment in him. So I have had to endure this darkness alone for far too long.
Concubine Rong seemed to have held back for too long; now that she had someone close like Song Feiwan, she poured out her heart.
Song Feiwan looked at her with a heavy heart. To the author and readers, Xiao Yu was merely an obstacle—a paper figure who had died and could be forgotten. But to Concubine Rong, he was flesh and blood, her pride and joy, her only son.
How painful it must be to lose a loved one? It would be hard for her to ever recover from such sorrow in this lifetime.
Concubine Rong held Song Feiwan's hand earnestly. "Because I understand your pain so well, I cannot let you remain trapped in this fire pit for your entire life."
Song Feiwan was taken aback. "Your Highness..."
Concubine Rong continued, "Don't listen to those idle rumors outside. You're not even nineteen yet; how can you be considered an old maid? As for your marriage, don't worry—I will arrange it for you. You can choose from princes and noble families!"
"My brother Rong Xiang—Rong Huan—you've met him, right? His eldest son Rong Jiayi is the Minister of Justice and is fourteen this year. He may be a bit older, but marrying him as your primary wife wouldn't be bad!"
"No, no," Concubine Rong quickly dismissed the idea, mumbling softly. "I heard that boy has a bad fate; better not marry him—let's find someone else."
Concubine Rong's good intentions left Song Feiwan both amused and touched. She felt a deep fondness for this straightforward woman.
"Your Highness, thank you, but my mind is made up. In this life, I will only marry His Highness, the Crown Prince. Alive, I am his; in death, my soul belongs to him!"
Song Feiwan's words rang out with conviction.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed two palace maids moved to tears by her declaration.
"Don't be too touched," she said. "I simply have my own considerations."
First of all, human feelings can only be consumed bit by bit. Noble Consort Rong might help her once or twice, but she cannot rely on that support for a lifetime.
Secondly, she did not share the traditional view that a woman should follow her husband after marriage.
So what if she married into a high-ranking family? She would be trapped in a deep courtyard with countless rules to follow.
She would have to serve her husband and in-laws, bearing child after child; raise her children and perhaps even manage her husband's concubines.
Just thinking about it was suffocating.
In a prestigious household, where was the freedom of a widow from the royal family?
Even if the Crown Prince were to die, the wealth he left behind would be enough for her to live comfortably for several lifetimes.
Not to mention, she was counting on his vast connections to help her navigate through life's challenges!
Noble Consort Rong gazed at her for a long moment, then sighed, "Silly child, why put yourself through this? Your son has already passed away, but your life still stretches ahead!"
Comment 0 Comment Count