Gifted Bride of the Sinned Prince

“Your Highness, I brought it,” Huang Xi informed Lóng Wei and lowered his head. He found that Lóng Wei had only put on the thin silk robe on his upper body when he realized that he disturbed the Sixth Prince.

“Is His Highness busy with his wife?” Huang Xi asked. “Please forgive me for intruding out of the blue. I will return later,” he bowed and stepped back to leave when Lóng Wei stopped him. He stepped out and closed the doors.

“Follow me,” Lóng Wei told Huang Xi and the two walked ahead to the other chamber. Huang Xi closed the door behind him upon Lóng Wei’s order and advanced on him.

Taking out the seal from the pocket, Huang Xi showed it to Lóng Wei. “I brought it, Prince Lóng Wei,” said Huang Xi with a proud smile.

Lóng Wei took the seal from him and checked its authentication.

“It is real, Your Highness. I asked my Father to give me his seal,” Huang Xi stated. Upon noticing the inquisitive gaze of Lóng Wei on him, he continued, “If I had stolen it or replaced it, then Father would have been suspicious. So, I decided to ask him. I said that I might face danger while accompanying the Sixth Prince and his wife.”

Lóng Wei smiled and hummed. “You used my name to take the seal from your father,” he said.

“Yes. It was the best available option. Father also cares for the youngest prince,” Huang Xi said while keeping a smile on his lips. “So, does His Highness accept my friendship? Will he consider me his friend?” Huang Xi was eagerly waiting for Lóng Wei’s answer.

.....

“Why do you want me to be your friend? Everyone runs away from me. The First General favors the Crown Prince. Did the Crown Prince ask you to befriend me?” He asked Huang Xi.

“I knew that the Sixth Prince would raise suspicion on my loyalty. However, he also knows that I tried to become his friend since we were kids. I have no ill intention for him,” Huang Xi stated.

“I want a valid reason, Huang Xi,” Lóng Wei affirmed.

“Because he’s different from the others,” Huang Xi answered.

“Do you know I use people for my benefits? I may use you and throw you away when you won’t be needed anymore,” Lóng Wei tried to intimidate him. However, Huang Xi’s neutral expressions amused him.

“The Royals use the people, don’t they? However, I have full faith in Prince Lóng Wei that he will never try to take advantage of me. I believe even if he takes advantage of me, then, it will be for the good,” Huang Xi affirmed and curled his lips up for a tiny smile.

“So, you mean that the rest of the royal family members are using you all?” Lóng Wei arched his brow and Huang Xi left out of the words. He was stuck on what he should say.

Lóng Wei forwarded his hand while Huang Xi gazed at him in bewilderment. “Let’s be friends, then. You have passed the exam. Thank you for the seal,” Lóng Wei said and gestured to him to shake his hand.

Huang Xi shook hands with Lóng Wei and thanked him for trusting him. After a while, they both pulled their respective hands back.

“Will you not ask what I want to do from this seal?” Lóng Wei questioned him.

“If His Highness thinks that he must tell me, then he can. Else, I will not ask. He must need it for a good cause,” Huang Xi replied.

“Then, I won’t tell you. You may leave,” Lóng Wei asserted. “Thank you for this seal.” Huang Xi bowed and thanked Lóng Wei for acknowledging him as his friend. He left while Lóng Wei looked at the General’s Seal.

Lóng Wei heard the familiar sound coming out from his chamber and quickly advanced towards the door. He was perplexed to see Jingfei, who was giving something to Li Hua.

Li Hua took the bamboo dumpling steamer from Jingfei and thanked her. “I tried it for the first time. Since Li Hua has become a part of this family, I thought to bring some for her and Brother Lóng Wei. Brother Lóng Wei usually refuses to take anything from us, but I hope Li Hua will eat these with him.”

“I will inform His Highness about this. We will surely eat them, First Princess,” Li Hua assured her. “I would like to apologize for the Sixth Prince’s behavior with her. I am glad that the shine on her face has returned once again.”

“When you know that I don’t like to take anything from any of my step-siblings, especially from you, then did you bring the dumplings?” Lóng Wei stepped inside his chamber and halted before them.

“Brother Lóng Wei, let’s forget about the old matters. Jingfei as an older sister made dumplings from her hands for everyone in the family.” She kept her tone as polite and sweet as possible.

Lóng Wei chuckled and took the bamboo steamer from Li Hua’s hands.

“Court Lady Hong, taste it,” Lóng Wei stated.

Jingfei was shocked to hear him and the colors on her face blown off.

“It is not meant for servants, Brother Lóng Wei,” Jingfei stated, keeping her tone polite.

“But since these are for me, I can give them to anyone I want,” Lóng Wei pronounced. He opened the lid and asked Court Lady Hong to come forward. His eyes remained fixed on Jingfei.

Cold sweat started to form on the palms and at the nape of Jingfei.

Court Lady Hong came forward and brought her hand to the steamer when Li Hua picked the one. “I will eat since the First Princess made them for us with so much love,” Li Hua affirmed.

Lóng Wei asked her to put it down. However, Li Hua didn’t listen to him and ate the dumpling.

Lóng Wei handed the steamer to Court Lady Hong and asked Li Hua to throw the dumpling out of her mouth, but she didn’t. She chewed it for a while. “It is delicious, First Princess,” Li Hua said and passed her a tiny smile. “Thank you for the dumplings. We will eat the rest too,” Li Hua assured her.

Jingfei could not stop but embraced Li Hua warmly. “Li Hua, thank you.” Jingfei pulled away and glanced at Lóng Wei.

“I didn’t mix anything, Brother Lóng Wei. Unlike him, Jingfei will never stoop low and her younger sibling this way,” Jingfei stated and took her leave.

“If I found anything wrong, then don’t expect me to spare you,” Lóng Wei said, in a stern tone and narrowly gazed at her. Jingfei didn’t respond and walked out of the chamber, followed by her attendants.

As soon as Jingfei left, Lóng Wei ordered Lady Hong to throw out the dumplings. Li Hua lowered her eyes and twiddled her fingers. Lóng Wei seemed furious, and it appeared that he would scold Li Hua for not listening to him.

Court Lady Hong ran out of the chamber with the bamboo steamer in her hands.

“Jingfei might have mixed something in it. She doesn’t like you and me a bit,” Lóng Wei said, looking at Li Hua, who kept her head low.

“Your Highness, if anything happens to me, then he will have the reason to gain more power. No one will consider His Highness notorious. Instead, everyone will think that even the Sixth Prince has enemies around him,” Li Hua stated and lifted her head. Lóng Wei was astonished to hear the words of Li Hua.

“You don’t have to do such a thing to prove to anyone that I can have enemies. You are not allowed to take such risks, Li Hua,” Lóng Wei affirmed.

“The Sixth Prince did so much for him. I must at least do something which can make everyone believe that he’s not the one who always creates troubles,” Li Hua stated and lifted her eyelids to peer into his eyes.

“I want you to not risk your life for me. You are the only one I have and I cannot bear anything happening to you. Don’t trust any of them. They all want me to disappear,” Lóng Wei made her understand.