In Luoyang, in the early morning, Du Qin met the Fourth Prince.
"Your highness, Miss Chuntao is in Village Nyang (Imaginary name)," informed Du Qin.
"Is it all arranged by the Emperor?" Nianzu questioned him.
"Yes, your highness. Miss Chuntao will get married the next day to a peasant family."
"What?" Nianzu was shocked to hear that. He could not believe his father arranged the marriage of Chuntao in a peasant family. However, if he would ask his father, then there were no chances that Han Wenji would agree to his request. So, he thought of going to Village Nyang first to meet Chuntao.
"Who's the person with whom she will marry? Do you know about that?" Nianzu asked him.
"Yes, your highness. It is a man in his late 20s. He is from a good peasant family," Du Qin answered.
"You may leave. Thank you again for helping me." Nianzu expressed his gratitude. "Ahh, could you please tell me where she is in Nyang?" Nianzu queried.
"It was my duty, your highness. The last house in Nyang. The region where most peasants live." Du Qin bowed and jumped out of the window, as he could not use the main door. Nianzu, on the other hand, walked out and told Eunuch Chung that he would come in the evening. Chung did not question his master while Nianzu walked away.
He took a horse from the stable and left for Nyang on it. In the entire journey to Nyang, his mind got filled with not only fear but also insecurities. "Will she converse with me after so many things happened!? Father might have warned her. It is my fault to let my feelings show on my face," Nianzu thought. By noon, he reached Village Nyang. He first left his horse outside the village entrance, tied it to a tree.
He kept walking on the route and entered Village Nyang. Unlike Shanxi, the village was quite loaded with people. He was surprised to see that people enjoyed each other's company more here than Village Shanxi. The conical hat which he had tied around his neck, he quickly wore it so that people would not get doubtful upon seeing him or would not recognize him.
He went near a man who was in his late 30s. "Sir, do you know the region where peasants live?" Nianzu humbly inquired from him. He saw the man was a little suspicious of him because of his dress and tried taking a peek at his face. "My friend shifted here a few months back. I am a rank 6th officer in the Department of Justice," Nianzu lied and took out a tiny pouch full of coins and willingly showed him.
"Master, you just need to go straight, then turn left and take one more left. The route will take you straight to the region where peasants live," the man quickly replied. Nianzu opened the pouch and handed him two coins. The man was a little dejected, not able to get the full pouch of money. Nianzu thanked him and moved ahead.
Nianzu kept walking on the told route and after an hour, he started to see the tiny fields. A smile formed on his lips because he was now close to Chuntao. The kids were playing, people were leaving for fields in groups, the old people were under a huge banyan tree – conversing with each other. The atmosphere of this region was lively and the picturesque sight made his heart happy.
He continued to walk to reach the last house. A few keenly looked at him while others did not bother. Nianzu regretted not wearing a commoner's dress. He pulled the fan from the sash and brought it near his face after opening it. Fifteen minutes later, the last house was visible from his sight. A smile appeared on his lips and he hastened his steps towards the house.
Halting right in front of the house, he looked inside and found Chuntao was seated on the wooden floor of the house while her head was rested against a pillar. The smile on his lips faded away as he found that Chuntao cried a lot. He closed the fan and walked inside the house.
Chuntao tilted her head and was shocked to see Nianzu there. "W-what is his highness doing here?" She stuttered and lowered her head. Nianzu grasped her hand and took her inside the room of that small house. "Your highness, it's inappropriate to be inside," She protested when she saw him closing the door from inside. She did not want any more troubles for her, however, Nianzu did not listen to her.
After closing the door, Nianzu put down the hat, and it fell backward, resting on his back. The room was quite tiny, with limited space.
Chuntao took a step back and lowered her head. "Why is his highness here? The Prince has said that he would never meet me." Nianzu found the anger and dejection in Chuntao's tone.
"It was necessary," Nianzu answered. Chuntao lifted her eyes and met his gaze.
"Why are you here? Why did you live in Shanxi?" Nianzu did not reveal the truth as he wanted to hear what Chuntao would answer him.
"I left the village. I am getting married tomorrow," Chuntao replied.
"You loved your parental house. You had no intentions of marrying this early, then why? Be truthful with me," Nianzu urged her.
Chuntao's eyes filled with tears. If she would tell him the truth, then the Emperor might punish them. "A girl has to leave her parental home one day. My soon-to-be husband is a nice person. He promised me that he would take me to my home whenever I would ask him," Chuntao faked a smile. However, Nianzu knew she lied about everything to him.
"How did you find the groom for you?" Nianzu wanted to know how much Chuntao could lie to him.
"My neighbor introduced me to my soon-to-be husband," replied Chuntao. She kept the fake smile on her lips. "His highness shall leave. If someone will see you and me together, then it might bring problems." She humbly requested him.
"I do not care what people will say." Nianzu's tone suddenly changed for the first time in front of Chuntao. He stepped closer to her and said, "I only care about the person standing in front of me.." Chuntao widened her eyes as the two gazed at each other.
