Chapter 4 The Ultimatum
The Emperor left.
Before he went, he gave me an ultimatum.
"Within seven days, give me your answer. Which one do you want to marry?"
"You grew up together with my three sons. Surely you can choose one."
I stayed silent.
The wedding wine I had drunk earlier no longer warmed me.
Boring.
Truly boring.
Chief Eunuch Su quietly advised me, "The Third Prince may be a bit wild, but the Second Prince has always been on your side. Or perhaps the First Prince..."
"Chief Eunuch Su, let me think carefully."
I really needed to think.
Think of a way out.
To be honest.
I didn't want to choose any of the Emperor's three sons.
My mother said, "If you marry yourself off carelessly just to see me, then I won't come back."
Actually I had considered it.
But my mother would never know whether I had married carelessly or not.
I didn't want to deceive her.
I wandered outside for a while before slowly returning to the general's residence.
The streets were empty. The night watchman's clapper sounded clearer with every strike.
My father had written to the Emperor—and to me.
He asked if I was doing well, if I had gained weight.
He also asked which of the Emperor's three sons treated me the best.
The reply paper lay on the table.
I still didn't know what to write.
All of them treated me well, and all of them treated me badly.
But I knew.
My father missed my mother too.