Rules Of Pretend Love Part II
Meihua
Mortal Heavenly Empress Bai Qian~
“Why are you running from me?” I cringe at his presence as I navigate the concealed corridors, desperately hoping to shake off Prince Jinghua. He has been tailing me relentlessly, following me from the opulent halls of the Grand Princess’s palace to the humble service areas designated for the manor’s servants. The air surrounding him carries an aura of royalty, demanding respect from all who cross our path. Their lowered gazes and submissive nods are unmistakable signs. It serves as a constant reminder of the impropriety of my escape plan. Yet, my feet seem to have a mind of their own, driven by an instinct to flee.
As I navigate through the intricate maze of passageways, my heart races in my chest. I am fully aware that I cannot elude Prince Jinghua forever, but I am determined to try. The mere thought of being trapped alone with him in a concealed corridor fills me with an overwhelming sense of dread.
“Hey,” his monotone voice echoes through the long halls, causing me to quicken my pace even more. “Please stop. Let’s talk about this.” His words are laced with an alarming persistence that does nothing to quell my determination. If anything, it makes my gait speed up, but I can hear his footsteps getting closer and closer behind me, and I know he is gaining on me. Still, I refuse to slow down. Every fiber of my being is focused on one thing – escape.
My mind races as I try to come up with a plan. Maybe if I can find a way out of this passageway and into the main courtyard, I could make greater distance between us and lose him in the vastness of the palace grounds. But then again, probably he knows these passageways just as well as I do. I hear him gasping for breath behind me, and awareness of my inferior role beneath his is conflicting. But my stubbornness refuses to budge. No matter what he says or does, there is no way he can convince me to become his partner of a fake courtship.
“I, Prince Jinghua, command you to cease!” The moment he exerts his authority as a royal prince and issues the order for me to halt, an undeniable take hold over me overpowers all else. Reluctantly, I come to a stop, my heart pounding within my chest.
My blood boils with frustration. It vexes me to surrender to someone who has consistently provoked me since our initial meeting. My jaw clenches as I gracefully drop to my knees and lower my gaze, adhering to the customary deference in the presence of a member of the royal family. I remind myself to act with thought and discretion so as not to bring shame upon the esteemed Grand Princess or General Bai. “You may rise,” he proclaims, and I submit to him because I haven’t any other choice.
His chiseled cheekbones disappear, overwhelmed by plump and puffy cheeks as he slowly exhales through his slightly parted lips, the sound barely reaching my ears. In the dimly lit corridor, his small, beady eyes shine, their sharpness accentuated. A faint masculine scent lingers in the air, mingling with subtle hints of sweat, the distinct smell of mugwort in his hebao, and the gentle warmth of his skin.
His lips, pressed together with such force, create a thin line. The corners of his mouth reluctantly turned upward, forming a half-smile that appeared painfully forced and the atmosphere fills with an uncomfortable tension, as if the air itself held its breath, waiting for the moment to pass. The sight of his contorted expression is cringe-worthy, as if witnessing a delicate dance between physical discomfort and politeness. Anxiety grips me, as I have never encountered such a troublesome and persistent stalker before. And, I can’t help but think that he rarely smiles, for if he knew what he looked like, he probably wouldn’t.
“My aunt raves about you,” he begins, his haughty voice lacking the desperation one would expect from someone in need. He quickly amends his wording as he notices my frown, attempting to sound more diplomatic. “A proposal beneficial to us both. My aunt informs me of the days you’re meant to rest. Instead, those days you take odd part-time jobs in town. Perhaps you need financial help and would consider this profitable offer… a business proposition.”
He pauses, allowing his words to hang in the tense air between us before continuing. “I am to stay in the capital for three months, and my mother would like me to marry again. But I’d rather not. Therefore, during this time, you will pretend to be my new person of interest, my fake lover who will capture my heart before ultimately rejecting my affections. The end goal is for you to leave me so devastated that I won’t consider anyone else.”
In my life, I have encountered two princes, and I can’t help but ponder how this prince differs so greatly from Commander Bai. Commander Bai is a dedicated gentleman who would never treat the Grand Princess or General Bai’s desire for him to marry as a mere game. If he had any reservations, I believe he would express his thoughts honestly, rather than engaging in a fake love affair that would raise expectations from the elders.
“I don’t like to tell lies.” I feel compelled to focus on my moral compass and convey how his proposal makes me feel dishonest. He responds, sounding self-righteous, with a sincere nod, “I understand. A prince does not lie.” His words elicit a mocking laugh from me, despite my best efforts to suppress it. “The Fourth Prince intends to deceive the world with a fabricated lover. If that isn’t a lie, I don’t know what is.” How shameless is he when he retorts with a straight face? “It won’t be a lie. It will be a misunderstanding.”
Humph, he’s quite the rake. He is an absolute scoundrel.
If there was even a hint of melancholy or desperation in his expression, perhaps I might feel sympathetic to his predicament, recalling how my friend Ming was forced into marriage against his will and realizing that in this world, regardless of one’s status, one cannot avoid an unwanted wedding. But his impassive demeanor doesn’t conjure any emotions of compassion.
Why should I help him?
Refusing him is the only proper thing to do. “Fourth Prince, but I cannot assist you. I’m certain there are others who would be better suited than me. May I be excused? I have many tasks to attend to.” My response is based on what feels right to me, but what he says next momentarily makes me consider his offer. “I will triple whatever my aunt pays you each month for each meeting. Our rendezvous will not exceed eight encounters, but be no less than six. Meihua, this is an offer you should consider.”
Wow, it’s truly amazing how effortlessly he can provoke someone, treating me as if I’m nothing more than a money-hungry individual. And now that I think about it, his entire offer is offensive. What does he take me for?
My face twitch when a smirk curls at the corner of my lips and I shake my head in blatant disdain towards him. “I’m sorry.” I say, even though I’m not in the slightest. “It’s unfortunate you’re in such a bind.” Using my most sincere voice, I speak while feeling secretly delighted he’s in a pickle. “But I believe it would be best if you withdrew your offer. Let’s just pretend this awkward conversation never took place.”
It is quite rare for a woman of common birth, like myself, to have the luxury of rejecting someone of his status. And honestly, it is quite satisfying. It gives me a thrill like no other. However, despite lolling in my moment of private delight, I can’t help but feel tempted when he offers me a generous sum of money. “I will pay you one hundred silver coins for each meeting,” he says.
Vision of the sky raining coins momentarily blinds me, and my mind is flooded with thoughts, like hot lightning. With this money, I could rescue my siblings from their current lives and we could live together as we did before.
“I am willing to pay you ten times your monthly salary. Meihua, it would be foolish for you to pass up on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he continues. Although I am overwhelmed with disapproval, outrage, and disgust, I am left dumbfounded when I respond, despite all my reservations, with one simple request: “I want everything in writing.”
Prince Jinghua~
- I, Fourth Prince Jinghua, the legitimate second son of Emperor Taolin and Empress Liang, and the younger twin brother of The Crown Prince Jingyuan of the Huaxia Dynasty…
The brush pauses in midair as I turn to her and ask, “And what about you?” Her double braids cascade forward as she gazes over my shoulder and replies, “Just Wang Meihua, that’s it.”
- I, Fourth Prince Jinghua, Emperor Taolin and Empress Liang’s legitimate second son, younger twin brother of The Crown Prince Jingyuan of the Huaxia Dynasty, and Just Wang Meihua, that’s it, agree to enter a three-month partnership. During this period, we will meet each other a minimum of six times, pretending to be exclusive lovers. In exchange for her services, Wang Meihua, attendant of House Bai, will receive one hundred silver coins for each session. At the end of the three months, both parties will go their separate ways, and neither will hold the other to any future obligations. As an incentive, there will be a bonus if Empress Liang is convinced of our performance, and all talks of marriage cease. I, Prince Jinghua, will gift an additional 5 gold ingots to Wang Meihua.
- If Wang Meihua were to develop feelings for me, the contract will be null and void. In such a case, excluding any gifts earned during our previous meetings, all other monetary compensation must be returned to me.
“That won’t be an issue. Trust me, I would never fall for someone like you.” Meihua rolls her eyes, and she shakes her head at me, amused clearly, but I find myself scoffing at her reasoning; she truly does not know how many times I’ve heard this exact argument before.
However, soon enough, she will experience the overwhelming intensity of my affections and devotion, even if they are artificially created. The passions that I’ve provoked in women previously, these emotions possess a potent power that cannot be ignored.
As she reads the words inscribed on the contract, her lips move silently, nonchalantly skimming over the contents. “I have a few conditions to add,” she explains, reaching out to take the brush from my grasp. Moving closer, her left arm gently brushes against mine.
The pointed tip of the brush, soaked in thick, opaque ink, gracefully caresses the parchment, leaving behind delicate, yet perfectly etched characters on the pristine white paper. Her controlled strokes impress me. One’s penmanship reveals much about a person. Suddenly I’m intrigued by her and when I steal a glance at her face, which is mere inches away from mine, I realize she is far from the tomboyish girl I initially mistook her for.
No, she is a beautifully, entirely agreeable young woman.
Meihua’s intelligent gaze, her straight, high-bridged feminine nose, her naturally full lips devoid of any hint of rouge, the single captivating beauty mark beneath her left eye, and the comforting scent that emanates from her proximity’s closeness make me question whether spending time with her might actually be more pleasurable than I initially expected or imagined. It even leaves me wondering if she possesses the ability to read my thoughts, considering the intriguing addition she makes to the contract I had drafted.
There will be no physical contact between the parties unless in unavoidable situations where physical touch is necessary. In such cases, additional penalty fees will be added on to the base sum of 100 silver coins per encounter:
– Holding hands: 100 silver coins
– Embracing: 200 silver coins
– Brushing of lips on one’s cheek or forehead: 300 silver coins
– Kiss on the lips: 1 gold ingot
If I, Wang, Meihua, am subjected to any lecherously inappropriate requests or unapproved/perverted intimate situation, I will not hesitate to request an audience with the Empress to reveal Fourth Prince Jinghua’s deception.
Taciturn, a straightforward and uncomplicated woman, is something I can appreciate. “Your last clause is quite harsh. Must we so distrustful, Meihua?” Then I blurt out without thinking, “What if I fall for you? Will the penalty fee be as costly as an entire dynasty?”
Her head slowly rotates, aligning her eyes with mine, and in that instant, my heart quickens its pace. Time stretches, elongating into what feels like an eternity. The air crackles with anticipation, every sound muted by the intensity of the moment. I catch a whiff of her delicate fragrance, a subtle floral scent that intoxicates my senses. The proximity of our bodies creates a warmth that envelops me, making me acutely aware of her presence.
With just the slightest movement, a mere inch forward, I could bridge the gap between us, and the possibility of kissing her might be worth a precious gold ingot…. ‘Stop it, Jinghua. Everything is fake. Focus and stay the course.’ Internally reprimanding myself and regaining my temporarily lost composure. A well-practiced mask of apathy becomes my expression of choice.
“That would be silly and it’s not in your character. I think you might be romantically impotent. Anyway, someone promised to find me, so he must be looking and I’m waiting for him,” Meihua says.
My face might not show it, but I’m flabbergasted to be called impotent. The teasing words linger in the air, while her voice carries a buoyant melody, reminiscent of sunlit meadows blooming with the scent of spring, revealing her amusement. I want to present my argument regarding my so-called impotency, but I can hear the distant voices of other servants approaching, and her eyes flick towards the sound.
“We shouldn’t be seen like this by others. If possible, please send me a notarized copy of this contract. I suppose we have a deal. Shall we agree on the rules of our pretend love?” She extends her hand towards me, patiently awaiting my response. As our hands meet, a peculiar sensation washes over me, and suddenly, I am engulfed in the fragrance of peach blossoms, as if standing amid an orchard rather than this narrow corridor.
It’s mysterious how in this moment, with our hands intertwined, it feels as though I have lived this exact moment before, a sense of déjà vu that stirs an indescribable longing within me.