Lousi POV
I ran from one street to another with smile on my face, it has always been impossible to escape from my family mansion especially when my father always had his eyes on me.
Lantern Festival was drawing closer and everyone was busy in the mansion, that was how I was lucky to escape without notice.
I'm Lousi Zhao, the only child to Mr. Zhao and Madam Zhao.
My father was the former general but after the way between Yanbei borders, he retired and the Emperor made him the new prime Minister along side with one of the best mansions in the city.
All throughout the Emperor's rule, Tang city has been the greatest and most flourishing.
The trade and series of event happening were thrilling and also, there was no war unlike in the past.
I jumped from one table to another admiring the wonderful earrings, necklaces, jades and other attracting ornaments until I got to an old man's table.
He had nothing on his table, aside for tablet that had some words written on them.
"Hey! Why are you leaving?" he called me and I turned to him.
"Me?" I wondered.
"Yes, you." he nodded and I walked closer to him.
"Don't you want to check your future fortune?" he questioned and I smirked.
"There's no need. All these are fake." I shook my head and attempted to leave.
"You won't know if you don't try." his statement stopped me and I faced him.
"Fine." I rolled my eyes.
He held my hand and closed his eyes, few minutes later, he opened his eyes and stared at me with seriousness.
I almost thought their was a mole on my face.
"You are quite a lucky lady." he nodded in affirmative and I stared at him without a word.
"Your fate is bright but bleak, you will have to overcome numerous storms. You will definitely be a royal lady." he informed me and immediately I pulled my hand away from him grasp.
"I know. I know this is it." I placed some coins on his table and snorted.
"All these are scam!" I concluded.
"Hey you!" before he could finish his statement, I was already running into the streets.
I bought few things for my personal servant, Si and my mother - my hands were full, so I decided to return home.
When I got home, the courtyard was empty and quiet.
I didn't see any servant on sight.
Our mansion was very wide and had the best view in the courtyard.
"Mother! Si'er!" I called their names as I rushed into the general hall.
I saw my parents and Si discussing indistinctly, as soon as they saw me, they stopped talking and turned to me.
Their faces were gloomy and worried, I wondered what was wrong as I approached them.
"Mum. Dad. Did something happen here?" I asked until my eyes dropped at Si.
"Lou'er..." my mother called out to me dolefully.
Fear had already enveloped my face because they were all keeping me in anxiety, I didn't know what was happening.
"Mum, is anything wrong?" I asked skeptically.
"You will be getting married in two days time." my father spilled bluntly, before turning his back at him.
He was my father and that was unlike him.
He would be loving and tender to me. Rather than being strict.
"Marry? That's a good news." I exhaled in relief.
"Then, why the long faces?" I asked with curiosity dancing in my eyes.
"That's because you will be getting married to the Emperor." my mother informed me sadly and I gasped in shock.
"What?" I exclaimed.
Were they pushing me to my death? Everyone knew how old and brutal the Emperor was. I was only eighteen and I was asked to be his wife, not just wife but concubine.
"No. That's not possible. I can't get married to the Emperor." I refused bluntly while shaking my head.
"The decision is final." my father said strictly. He was still facing me with his back.
All through the night, I couldn't place anything right. I was confused. I was bothered.
It ached my heart that I couldn't make decision for myself.
Other girls my age were married and about to get married to bright scholars but I was being sold out by my parents greed or something else.
I couldn't accept such.
After all the scary rumors I have heard about the Palace, I wouldn't love to embark on this encounter.
Once anyone stepped their foot in the Palace, as the Emperor's lady, it was extremely difficult to come out.
"This is bad. Can't I have a different story?" I muttered sadly as I tried to catch my sleep.
This was all a dream, I hoped.
The banging sound woke me up as Si came in with a basin containing fresh water, I sat upright on my bed.
"What's happening outside?" I asked.
It was morning and the noise was too loud.
"It's... It's actually nothing my lady, don't bother." she said nervously as she placed the basin on the table.
I knew Si like the back of my palm and I know when she was lying, and this time, she told me a blatant lie.
I shoved her apart and rushed out of the room, she followed me.
I entered the courtyard and saw my mother admiring jewelries with short exclaims, there were dazzling red boxes all over the courtyard and I wondered where all the gifts were coming from.
"Mum, what are all these?" I asked with my eyes scanning the entire yard.
"It's a gift from your future husband." she said absentmindedly.
She was so engrossed on the jewelry she was admiring.
"Mum, I'm never going to marry the Emperor." I stood by my word.
I wouldn't do it.
"Stop it Lou'er, I know it's not right but you have to do it. What more would you want if not a prestigious life." she asked with a raised brow.
"But..." I was still persistent and unwilling to let them win over me.
I can't marry that old ugly man.
"No buts, it's final." my father's voice came up resonating the atmosphere.
"The royal carriage will be here to pick you up tomorrow." he was facing me with his back.
He still didn't have the courage to look at me by the face. I knew he was also feeling more awful than I was.
"And if I don't?" I pursed my lips staring at his back in disgust.
"You know what happens to anyone that disregards the Emperor's Decree." he reminded me sternly.
"Death?" I raised a brow, calling the word as though it was new to me.
"My Lady..." Si held me back with a worried face.
I can't really marry this man. Was that fortune teller really right about my fate? This came to unexpected and fast.
