Who knows what those ridiculous family rules are, why must one get married at sixteen?
"Well, to tell you the truth, the marriage was decreed by the Emperor, but it was I who begged for the imperial edict." Speaking of this, she felt somewhat downhearted, "Mu Shaoling, he doesnât like me, how could there possibly be mutual affection. After the new year, he told the Emperor that he was going to look for medicine, and to this day, thereâs no word that heâs returning. What if he doesnât come back, and it drags on for a year or even longer, what am I to do? Thatâs why I need to find him."
"Did he say when he would return when he left?"
Yang Chuxia always felt that Mu Shaoling should return, and was Mu Shaoling truly not fond of the Commandery Princess Dongyang at all? That might not necessarily be the case; it was said that those Mu Shaoling didnât like were directly thrown out.
This Commandery Princess Dongyang has been in the Capital City for several months now, and there hasnât been word of her being thrown out, to claim itâs due to status reasons is simply nonsense.
Mu Shaoling is a divine physician, with a status that is innately transcendent.
Not to mention the noble ladies of the Capital City, even princesses and commandery princesses of the imperial family dare not do as they please in his presence, would he really care about status? Furthermore, those ladies in the Capital City, each with status and identity, are nonetheless tossed aside by him just the same; would he really care about a commandery princess from a tribe in Yunnan?
Itâs unthinkable.
As for why he left the Capital City, seeking medicine might be one reason, and another might be out of anger at being forced into marriage by the imperial edict.
"He didnât say," the Commandery Princess Dongyang added, "I didnât even see him; the next day I heard he had left the estate."
"I think, itâs best for you to return to the Capital City sooner rather than later, and youâd better make haste. What if Mu Shaoling finds out youâre not in the Capital City and then he returns? Then you would be the one violating the Emperorâs decree and fleeing the marriage."
The main thing is, the Emperor is aware of Mu Shaolingâs departure from the Capital City; he did it openly and aboveboard. What could the Emperor do to him? And you, would that work out for you?
"But is there still time?" At this point, Commandery Princess Dongyang felt she had been a bit impulsive. How had she ended up rushing to Funan all of a sudden?
If she had known, she would have waited, waited until she was certain Mu Shaoling wasnât coming back before setting out to find him.
But that wouldnât work either; as soon as the imperial edict was issued, the message was sent to Yunnan, and her father must already be on his way. What if the wedding took place and there was one less person at the ceremony? Based on her fatherâs temperament, he would definitely make her return to Yunnan.
All things considered, it seems like no option would work.
"Abandon the carriage and travel by fast horse, perhaps you could make it in time to the Capital City."
"Forget it, I donât want to think about this for now, Iâll eat first." Unable to find a solution for the moment, Commandery Princess Dongyang decided to think it over later, as she was extremely agitated.
That night, Commandery Princess Dongyang tossed and turned in bed like flipping pancakes, unable to fall asleep, uncertain of what to do next.
It was two years ago that she met Mu Shaoling when he visited their tribe to exchange for a unique flower grown by her people. Thatâs when she saw him for the first time.
She had never seen such a handsome man before, more beautiful than even her, a woman. She was smitten at first sight. But not long after, Mu Shaoling left their tribe. She had told him then that she wanted to marry him, but he had refused.
Yet she was not disheartened. Isnât there a saying, âconstant dropping wears away a stoneâ?
So as soon as she turned fifteen, she led a group out of the tribe. She was determined to find Mu Shaoling in the Capital City, not believing she couldnât win over a man.
But now, it seems she might not be able to after all.