Love matters

Once there was a very handsome prince in China and there was a peasant girl who worked in the king's farm with her mother.

So, one day they heard the prince had got married.

A year later, the girl still worked in the farm with her mother.

So, one day as they both sat having lunch, another mother daughter peasant duo joined them for the meal.

As they spoke along, they heard that the news, they had heard about the marriage of the prince earlier was a rumor spread by a supervisor who had an eye on Io. He had also spread bad words for Io. Trying to lay a trap. The good character of a girl was greatly valued in those days. Somehow, he came to know that Io had feelings for the prince. Now, by spreading this rumor he hoped that her heart would break and she would fall into his lap.

It so happened that she showed no emotions. Neither did she cry nor did she react in any way which could open the doors to the supervisor.

After almost a year also, she still loved the prince.

One day her friend Lai asked her,

"I still see you smile to yourself when the prince passess by."

"Yes, i love him."

"But, he is married."

"I love him like I love my mother. I love him like i love the mountains and the winds and you." she smiled.

"What do you mean?"

"I don't mind if i can't possess him. This love will stay forever here."

"What if you get married?"

"I won't get married because I am too old to get a good husband now. I do not have enough dowry too. My mother tried as far as she could."

With this both resumed work. Six months later, Lai got married to another supervisor and began to ignore Io.

Io felt bad at this a little. She cried one day but resumed work post the event.

But, on that afternoon Io and Lai had lunch together with their mothers beside them as Lai was now carrying her child.

Sooner, they heard that the prince was planning to get married and girls from all the neighborhood dynasties would be attending the ceremony. However, this time they were inviting all the girls who thought they could have something good to offer to the prince.

Io told her desire to her mother.

"You foolish girl. Why would the prince take your hand?"

"I am not worried if he will, i am more worried about the fact that this is the only chance to tell him that I love him. This would be all that i would ever want from you."

Her mother had pity on the daughter. So, she thought of arranging a beautiful kimono for her. Whatever she had saved for her marriage she used it all to get her a kimono.

Io looked like a queen in that kimono. Her mother went with her to attend the show. She imagined being thrown out by the guards and she could see the entire court laughing at her stupidity.

One by one each said what they could offer the king and the prince. The beautiful princesses of several kingdoms visited them. Each stood with the representatives who spoke on behalf of them.

When Io's turn came, she stood up and everyone looked around for the representative.

However, she bowed low and began,

"I speak for myself, oh! Holy king. I am a peasant in your farm with my mother and i can only offer love to the prince." Tears trickled down her cheek with those words. She just prayed that the king would show mercy and not throw her and her mother into the prison.

But, nothing of that sort happened and she was asked to take her seat back.

After all was over, they went home.

After almost a month, a drummer drummed the message in the village gate.

Both were asked to appear before the king. With fear in their hearts her mother took Io the palace and instead of hand cuffs they were greated with flowers.

Io was chosen by the prince for he was looking for someone who could love him.

"I know you love me, I have seen you in the farms. Spreading bad rumors can only confuse those who are weak and the faint hearted. Purity of a heart cannot be defined by those whose heart is itself so crippled that they cannot let their love decide for themselves, the ones who cannot accept that love is a bond of the heart, not all humans can be bonded in the same way. Mine and your heart has the same tune. He doesn't know that his love is an act of possession and benefits, his heart does not even know how to sing. "

" How do you know it, o' prince."

The prince moved slightly and behind him stood the supervisor handcuffed and chained.

"It is true my prince, she is an ill natured and she has a de filing character, she is not a good woman, she flirts with every single man on the farm, goes with many, laughs like all are his mates. I have proof."

"It is not true my prince." tears trickled down her eyes.

"I smile and talk good with others because they are as troubled as I am. A little smile brings some joy to all weary hearts, my prince."

"We forgive you." the prince took her hand as he took her hand and went inside the palace.

The Ming dynasty was very strong in those times.

She lived happily ever after and bore two sons, the future rulers of the Ming empire.