She walked to the couch and lay down. She closed her eyes. If she could not see him, she could pretend he did not exist.
Prince Zhou wanted to ask Fu Rou to open her eyes but saw her delicate and frail disposition. Her complexion was white like snow while her lips were a shocking red. All of a sudden, he got an inspiration and started painting.
As he was about to finish his painting, Prince Zhou looked up only to see that Fu Rou had laid down completely. Her hands lay limply off the couch and her head tilted downward.
“Don’t lie down. You are supposed to depict a sick beauty and should look frail and beautiful. The position you were in just now was good. Now, it is too much and—” Prince Zhou suddenly realised that something was off. He threw down his brush and took big steps towards Fu Rou. He shook her. “Head Seamstress Fu?”
Fu Rou did not move. She had fainted. Prince Zhou’s expression changed as he carried Fu Rou and dashed out of his residence.
Fu Rou sighed out loud and got up slowly. She felt like she had just woken from a very comfortable sleep. She was shocked out of her wits when she saw Prince Zhou standing in front of her. Sitting up, she retreated backward slowly. Prince Zhou saw how shocked she was and decided to tease her. He got on the bed and closed the distance between them. He moved in until she had nowhere else to go. When Fu Rou started panicking, Prince Zhou pulled backward.
“I…” Fu Rou silently called for help as she surveyed her surroundings. Beautiful decorations and exquisite furnishings filled the room. It was apparent that she was in Prince Zhou’s residence. “Why am I here?”
“You were supposed to act like you were sick, not actually be sick.” Prince Zhou was now beside a couch, but his eyes remained fixed on her. Fu Rou noticed the bowl of medicine he was carrying. Prince Zhou informed her, “The Imperial Physician said that you need more rest because you have overworked yourself. He prescribed you this medicine.”
Fu Rou was still half conscious as she reached for the medicine. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
However, Prince Zhou did not give the bowl of medicine to her. Instead, he blew gently on the hot bowl of medicine and served a spoon to her, “Open your mouth.”
Fu Rou instantly became alert and tried to get off the bed. Yet, with his bigger stature, Prince Zhou easily stopped her with his arm.
“Be good. Don’t think of running away when I am feeding you.” It was fun to play with this girl.
“A man and a woman should not be so close to each other. Your Highness, you are becoming increasingly excessive. Please pardon me for not complying.” What nonsense!
“Lie down.” Prince Zhou continued to laugh, his mood hardly affected.
“You…if you are so straightforward, I will have to call for someone.” Fu Rou blushed.
Prince Zhou remained calm. “You can shout and let everyone know. Then you have to choose between remaining single forever or marrying me and becoming my concubine.” Prince Zhou was looking forward to marrying her.
Fu Rou was startled as her mind ran. She knew that things might really turn out to be what he just said. She would rather die than let him have his way!
“If others see a female official on my bed, you will never be able to regain your innocence. On the other hand, I will escape just fine. After a brief reprimanding by my Imperial Father, I can take you in as my concubine. If you want to take the hard way and shout away, you can go ahead…” Prince Zhou intentionally dragged the end of his sentence.
Fu Rou was silent.
“Not going to shout?” Aiya, what a pity! “Lie down obediently and keep your reputation in mind. I have even sent the maids outside and am personally here to serve you. What else are you unhappy about?”
Fu Rou calmed down. “Didn’t the Imperial Physician come to see me? The rumors would still spread.”
“I have a few people that I trust among the Imperial Physicians. They will not spread any rumors.” Prince Zhou lifted the spoon. “Open your mouth.”
“I will drink the medicine by myself.” Fu Rou stubbornly declined.
This made Prince Zhou more interested and he purposely made a serious face. “Head Seamstress Fu, do you know that men do not like being provoked by females?”
Fu Rou could not help retort, “Females also do not like to being fed medicine by men.”
“If you talk back to me one more time, I will take you right now.” Prince Zhou was filled with desire. “I stick to my words. Do you want to challenge my patience?” Come, try me. I will see if you dare!
Fu Rou unwillingly opened her mouth. Regardless of what she wanted, she had to give in to Prince Zhou in order for him to back off. Prince Zhou fed Fu Rou the medicine. He laughed inwardly when he observed her surprise reaction from the bitterness of the medicine. He continued to feed her and very soon she finished it.
As Prince Zhou scooped the last remaining medicine for Fu Rou, he suddenly asked, “What is the name of the man you like?”
Fu Rou desperately wanted this whole situation to end and replied, “His name is…” She suddenly came to her senses. “Why are you asking me this?”
Prince Zhou remained expressionless, but many thoughts formed in his mind. “You are so afraid of being caught on my bed, so you are obviously unwilling to become my woman. That means that you must have another person in your heart. What is his name? Is he working in the palace?”
Fu Rou’s eyebrows knitted together. “Why must I tell you this?”
“You did not correct me. That means he really is working in the palace.”
Fu Rou had not imagined that Prince Zhou would be so sharp and was slightly taken aback.
“I wasn’t too sure initially, but your expression now has allowed me to confirm my suspicions. If he is working in the palace and he can come into contact with the Head Seamstress, is he a guard? Or an official in court? He can’t possibly be a eunuch, right?” Prince Zhou’s curiosity was piqued.
Fu Rou had her guard up this time and she remained silent.
“Do you think you can hide everything by remaining silent?” Prince Zhou chuckled. “I heard that you were from the Han Mansion before you entered the palace. That man must be related to the Han Mansion.”
Fu Rou shut her eyes.
“Closing your eyes? I must have guessed right?” This woman does not hide her feelings, it is easy to read her.
Opening her eyes, Fu Rou stared bravely at Prince Zhou. “I don’t care whether you make the correct guess or not. You are right, I already have someone in my heart. In this lifetime, I will only have him in my heart.”
She said it, so please let her off!
Chapter 15.1: Depth
In the battle between Great Tang and Sheng Empire, life ended in the most violent ways. It did not matter who the enemy was, living was a victory.
Sheng Chumu was the bravest and most outstanding because he was fearful of death. Death would mean that he and Fu Rou would be forever apart. As such, he rejected Lu Qi’s offer of a drink and the Lu family’s invitation for a meal. This all made sense. He treasured his life dearly. It was all for his woman who was waiting in Chang’an for his return.
Sheng Chumu’s eyes were bloodshot but he forgot that the battlefield was littered with flying arrows. His horse was shot by one and it lost its footing, throwing him down onto the floor. A few enemy troops rushed towards him with murderous intent and it seemed that it would be his end.
In the blink of an eye, a black shadow flashed past him. The man dealt decisive blows and quickly finished off the enemy troops.
“Thank you.” Sheng Chumu observed that the man was wearing Great Tang armor. The man turned around with his blood stained face. Gritting his teeth, he yelled, “Sheng Chumu!”
Sheng Chumu lit up and exclaimed in surprise, “Fu Tao!”