Chapter 3

No groom, no guest! God didn't favour me at all. The mansion is large but old. It has a dark and cold aura. The garden is dry, no flower, no green like it has been abandoned for several years.

When I reached the main building, an old lady showed up to take me to my room.

"Little miss, I am the head of all servants, you can call me grandma 'Su'. Our lord is not here now. But he will return in four days. You don't have to wait for him tonight. You are living in one of the room in the main building.Your maid can stay with you. "

"I see. "

"You have to follow the rules of the mansion. Most importantly, you can't enter our lord's room no matter what. No one is allowed to enter the room. " she said with serious tone.

"I see, " I didn't ask why.

Finally we reached the room where I would stay from now onwards. It is clean and simply decorated, contains two bed. Maybe the other one is for Qinqin.

"Please wash up and rest little miss. I will tell the maids to prepare a bath for you. Dinner will be served at 6. If anything happened, you can tell me. Excuse me for now" she said and left.

My room is not too big. But I kind of like it's style. There is also a small book shelf. The house looks scary from the outside but it's a lot warmer inside. Qinqin left behind at the previous mansion to take my belongings. She may arrive before dinner. So I decided to take a bath first.

Grandma Su ordered the maids to prepare a bath for me. I feel more relax after the warm bath. When I finished washing up, it's almost 5pm and Qinqin is waiting in my room. Dinner is also ready.

"Miss, don't you worry about the prince? I mean it's like you are not welcomed here. He might not like you. What if he finds faults at you and chased you out of the mansion?? What you gonna do then?"

I chuckled as she looks funny speaking with a full mouth, "You look panic. Don't worry. You know me well. I'm not a stupid woman who longs only for her husband love. If he chased me out, then I will find my own business and buy a house by myself. I prefer freedom than a bad husband. I don't care about his status or appearance. If he's good to me, I will good to him"

"Wow miss. You look scary right now. You are not innocent at all. Oh my! Goosebumps! Goosebumps!"

"What? I thought you like this type of me. "

"Yeah yeah. Please eat more, miss so that you can fight back that arrogant prince. But why didn't he show up even once!? Did he do that on purpose? He really has a nerve. Ugh! No more thinking! Let's eat, let's eat! "

Maybe she was very angry. I smiled and ate the dinner. Tomorrow??? Sigh! What more is there waiting for me.

The next morning, I was woken up by the knock at the door.

"Who is it?"

"Little miss, Grandma Su send us here to dress you up."

"Oh! You can come in but I can ask Qinqin to do this."

"Grandma Su said that you have to enter the palace. The empress invites you to join the morning feast."

"I understand. I want to wash my face first"

"Yes, little miss. "

I wonder what is the empress's motive...

On the way to the palace,

"Miss. I think something really bad is going to happen. How can you be so relaxed miss? " Qinqin hissed me.

I laughed and ignored her, just looking outside of the carriage. The capital seems more lively today.

"Sun Yinghua, the daughter of the Military General, pay respect to the empress and the imperial concubine" I bowed and waited, not dare to raise my head.

"I heard that the fourth prince didn't come to the wedding. As he has been sent to check the border army camps by the emperor just a few days ago. I hope you don't have a mind. " said the empress. She looks calm and has cold demeanor. Of course she is as the Emperor favours and respects her the most. She is of high capability and has power.

"I understand and I don't have a mind. I'm of grateful for your concern, great empress. "I replied still lowering my head.

"Although the fourth prince is an adopted son, he is also a prince of our country. You became his wife and of course, I concern about you ". She said the word 'adopted' intentionally.

Maybe it's right that the fourth prince is not favored in the palace.

"Thank you, great empress".

"Since you're already here, we want you join the breakfast with us. After all, we are one family." the imperial concubine finally said a word. She looks quiet bold and arrogant. She is sitting beside the empress like a snake waiting for the opportunity to attack. The imperial concubine has two sons. One of them is the crown prince, Sima Shao. The empress doesn't have child. There are six princes in total and only one princess, Xunyang. The emperor dotes on her a lot.

"I am of grateful, imperial concubine." I can sense her bad intentions behind these sweet honey words.