In That Night

I open the red veil that covered my face. See the room where I am now. A bedchamber was decorated with lots of red ornaments. I sit on the bed and this bed covered by red bedcover too.

I feel like I'm dreaming. Still fresh in my memory about my mother's words when she covered my face with red veil. I can still feel her warm embrace.

I looked at my surroundings. My tears dripp. I am married now. I left my parents' house. Now I'm at Xiao Wangfu (the prince's manor).

All passed like a dream. The words of Eunuch Zhu who led the procession rang in my mind.

'First, bow to Heaven and Earth! '

'Second, bow to Ancestor! '

'Third, bow to parents!'

'Fourth, bow to supouse!'

That sentence came to my mind. The scene where I bow my body came to my mind too. I remember that I did my wedding ritual without enthusiasm. Actually, I was trying to hold back my sadness at the time so I didn't care about anythink.

I don't care who is come to my wedding party. I don't care who congratulates me. I don't care about their present for my wedding.

I even didn't pay attention to Xiao Junwang.

I feel my mind is floating. It was like my body was at the wedding ceremony, but my spirit was somewhere else.

When I realized from my daydream, I was already in this bedroom.

Suddenly I feel scared. Tonight is my wedding night. How can I pass this tonight with a man who I don't know?

The sound of the door being opened was heard. I immediately covered my face again with the red veil. My fear is increasing. I could feel someone sitting next to me on the bed.

"Are you feel cold?" The man who sat beside me. asked me. Is this my husband's voice? His voice is so calm. Doesn't sound arrogant.

"Your hands are trembling," he continued, and I see my hands. Without realizing it, my hands trembled. His hands hold my trembling hands.

"Your hands are cold too. Are you sick? "He asked me and his voice showed that he was worried. I'm too scared to answer.

He took off his hand. Then he took off the red veil that covered my face. Immediately, I can see the face of the man who is now my husband.

Xiao Junwangye's face looks like Bixia. Even though he wasn't as handsome as Guo Wei Wangye, he is a handsome man. His head is oval. He have thick eyebrows. Both of his eyes were light brown.

The clothes he wears are so suitable for him. He looks elegant in the clothes.

He smiled at me. His smile looks sincere. His cheeks flushed red. He looks healthy. The shadow of the thin and pale boy appeared in my mind . Why he is very different from his condition when he was a boy?

'Is this the prince called the waste prince by people? Is this man really my husband? 'I ask my self. I was shocked and doubted that the man in front of me was my husband. This man is different from my image about That Waste Prince.

"Is my Junwangfei)* sick?" He asked me again.

[Junwangfei: the main wife/consort of the prince of second rank]

"No, Junwangye. Chenqie)* is not sick, "I answered slowly. He nodded his head then smiled at me again.

[Chenqie)*: this subject wife/ I, used by the wives of the imperial family]

"You just stay quiet. When we are still at your house, you don't say anything. I try to talk with you there, but you still silent, "he said to me. His face showed his disappointment. However, he smiled again.

"Because of that, I think Xia He is sick. Seeing your face isn't pale now, I'm sure that you are healthy. I feel relieve, "he said to me.

"Xia He, let's drink nuptual wine," He is not waiting for my answer. He walked over to the table. Pour the wine into a cup and bring it near me.

"This is a prayer so that our marriage is happy," he said to me and drank half of his wine. Then he gave me the cup.

"I'm glad Xia He is my wife," he said and his words blushed me. We never met before. We also don't know each other. Why did he say that he was happy because I became his wife?

"I always feel in love with Xia He," he said again. I was surprised to hear his direct words. My face immediately feel hot.

Many men showed their love for me. They will send poems and fancy gifts to show their interest. But, they don't say it directly like he did to me.

Hearing his statement, many questions appeared in my mind. Why is he in love with me? Is it because of my beauty? Has Xiao Junwangye been secretly watching over me all this time?

Does he not know what I have done? Why did he still like me after so many rumors appeared in the society about me?

I saw the cup was still in my hand. I haven't drunk it yet. My heart feels restless and doubtful. I looked at his face.

"Junwangye, didn't you hear rumors about me?" I asked him. I want to ensure his feelings for me. I don't know why I want to ask this question to him.

Maybe because my heart so hurt. Rejected by people who I love since I was little. Betrayed by a friend who I mostly trust. Humiliated by the community. All of that made my heart broken.

Since Mei Xiu betrayed me, I lost my confidence. I doubt everything. I doubt if I have future. I'm sure no one will love a girl with a background like me.

Hearing his statement, fear arose in my heart. I'm afraid that he doesn't know the rumors about me, then when he hears it oneday, he will hate me. Much better if he hates me from now. So my heart not getting sick.

"Rumors about you and Huangtaiji?" He asked me. My eyes glared at him. The question made me know that he had heard the rumor. I slowly nodded my head. He sighed. I'm waiting for the next word.

"I don't believe the rumor, Xia He," he said to me in a soft voice. His words calm my heart.

"Even if the rumor is true, I don't care. I love Xia He for whole you are, "he continued his words.

"However, my feelings for you ..." I did not dare to continue my words. I don't sure that I have stopped loving Guo Wei Wangye or not. However, he did not show an angry expression.

"I will patiently wait for you to love me with all your heart," he said and my tears fell. I am moved. His words treat wounds in my heart. Why he so kind to me?

"Drink this nuptual wine," Xiao Junwangye persuaded me. He even raised my hand so the cup touched my lips. I obeyed his words. I drank the contents of the cup.

My cup is empty in one gulp. He took the cup from me. He make his face closer to my face. He gave a kiss on my forehead. Then he kissed my cheeks. Finally he kissed my lips for a long time.

My heart is beating fast. His hands untied my waist ribbon. At that moment, I felt scared again.

"I'm not ready," I said softly. Xiao Jungwangye stops. He backed away. I saw that he trying to calm himself. He smiled at me.

"No problem, we just go to sleep," he said quietly. His words made me feel calm.