Deng Hui wore a smile on her lips and stood up from the chaise. "Prince, your mother is not abusing her powers. I did what I was told. How can I let rumors spread about you? Do you know what people are saying? That you brought a girl from the village-"
Nianzu cut the words of his mother in the middle. "I do not care what the other people are saying. I also do not believe these groundless rumors. I respect you, it does not mean that I let you decide on my life. And, do not even think about making me marry the woman of your desire. Father has given me the time to think about my marriage," Nianzu affirmed. "The other day Minister Gu Zhenya was here. I do not know what you are planning with him, but trust me, if I smell something wrong, I will request myself to dethrone you. So, work with utmost honesty," Nianzu's words appeared threatening to Deng Hui.
"I will not do anything wrong. I have never been given such a big responsibility that's why I am learning from others. Minister Zhenya was only thinking about you," Deng Hui clarified herself. Nianzu was still skeptical about the words of his mother. Her actions differed completely from her words. He did not want to argue with her anymore, so he took his leave.
Arriving outside his chamber, Nianzu asked Eunuch Chung about Chuntao. "My Master, Chuntao is waiting for you inside," Eunuch Chung replied. Nianzu nodded and walked in. He saw Chuntao was pacing in nervousness in the chamber.
"Forgive me for letting you fall in this trouble," Nianzu first apologized. Chuntao immediately halted at her place and bowed. Nianzu walked to her and asked her if she was fine.
"Yes, your highness. His Highness does not need to apologize. I was the one who created troubles for you. I should have been within my limits," Chuntao stated and lifted her eyes. Nianzu was standing tall in front of her. There was something strange in the eyes of Nianzu.
"You never crossed your limits. When people get jealous, they spread rumors," Nianzu stated.
"Why would people be jealous of this lowly person? I have nothing," Chuntao asserted. Nianzu deeply gazed at her.
"You are wrong. You are not lowly either. There is something in you that's why I told you to work for me. Since you are close to a Prince, that became the reason for jealousy among the people," Nianzu asserted. Chuntao understood the meaning of Nianzu now. She fidgeted her fingers out of nervousness.
"Your highness, I want to say something," Chuntao stated.
"Hmm. Say."
"I want to leave the Palace. The new administrative policies have been set up and implemented throughout the Han Empire. Even my village situation is improving. My friend told me how expeditiously the new policies have been adopted there." There was a bright smile on her lips as if she succeeded in a big task.
Nianzu was afraid of letting her go. He did not want her to go but if he would not then it would be difficult for her. 'The woman he loves, he does not want her to get affected or harmed in any way.' Every time, he could not save her. Nianzu had a deep contemplation after conversing with Sheng Li. He indeed started loving her and he did not realize when it all happened. Nianzu could not either want to step back from the marriage proposal that had come for him. He wanted to make his father happy by fulfilling his wish and also wanted to pay back the King of Huan Province by marrying his daughter.
"Your highness, one day or the other I need to leave the Palace. Then, why not, now? I can take care of myself and-" Chuntao could not complete her words when Nianzu pulled her into a hug.
It was shocking for Chuntao and she placed her hands on his arms to push Nianzu away, but he did not let her go. "I know you are a grown-up. I will send you away. Do not talk about clearing debts. In this short period of time, you brought out my true self and I loved conversing with you. I found a friend in you with whom I loved sharing everything. I will miss your presence," Nianzu stated as his arms tightly wrapped her, drawing her closer.
Chuntao curled up her fingers. In the toughest time, the Fourth Prince gave her shelter, protection, and warmth. He not only saved her from turning into an entertainer but also saved her from the aftermath. She had never thought that she would ever learn Chinese, philosophy, and music! The Fourth Prince indeed changed her life. There were strange feelings towards the Prince in her heart which she never wanted to accept because she was a lowborn and she still would not accept them. But this hug was enough for her. She lifted her arms and placed them on the back of Nianzu. She caressed his back.
"Thank you, your highness. I will also miss you. You gave me a new life." Chuntao had fallen short of words. Her eyes had turned watery, but she could not be emotional at this moment. Nianzu pulled back and turned himself away.
"Leave. I will not see you. Take care of yourself. If you need any help in the future, I will send Chung to you," Nianzu stated. His hands were behind his back and had clenched his fists. "Leave. Don't look back, else I will not let you go. You have to stay in the Palace throughout your life then," Nianzu pronounced.
Chuntao stepped back, turned, and walked out from there. A tear fell from the eye of Nianzu and he closed both his eyes. Something came to mind. He picked something from the table there and ran behind Chuntao. As he came out of the chamber, he asked Chung, who pointed the finger towards the left. Nianzu, without wasting any second, ran after Chuntao and saw her walking away. "Miss," he called her. Chuntao halted at her place and turned to look at him. Nianzu walked to her and forwarded his hand, which had a tassel.
"I forgot to give you this. This is a farewell gift from my side," Nianzu asserted. Chuntao looked at his hand and the tassel. It was a Royal Tessel. A circular porcelain red-colored ring and beads are attached to it. "If you fall in any trouble, you can show it. Take it," Nianzu pushed his hand towards her, his eyes glistening.
Chuntao picked it up and thanked him. "Sadly, I do not have anything to give to his highness," Chuntao stated.
"You have already given me something," Nianzu thought while peering at her. "Go! The evening will fall soon and you might get late for your home. Lock it from inside at night and yes…" Nianzu took out a pouch full of coins from his pocket. "…take this too. It's your wage. Don't refuse it. It's the money earned by your hard work," Nianzu pronounced. Chuntao could not hold her tears and started crying.
"You are such a nice person, Fourth Prince. I will… I will…" Her voice choked, and she lowered her eyes. Nianzu patted her head and told her not to cry. With the thumb, he wiped her tears from the cheeks. "Don't cry," Nianzu said. Chuntao suppressed her sobbings and looked into his eyes. Nianzu pulled his hand back and gestured to her to go away. Chuntao nodded and soon left his sight. Nianzu heaved a sigh as he watched her leave. "This is to protect you. I wish I could be with you, but some people are not meant to be there together," Nianzu murmured. He started crying and went to the watchtower to see her view for the last time.
Half an hour later, Nianzu saw Chuntao at the Fu Imperial Gates from the high watchtower. His eyes again turned misty. His heart was sinking with her every step outside the Gate. He knew he would never see her anymore or might see her privately, but not from the front. 'Go stop her,' his inner voice told him but he did not. 'She might lose her life if I stop her today. I will be happy to watch her from far away rather than not seeing her ever again,' Nianzu told himself.
