Gifted Bride of the Sinned Prince

“His Majesty isn’t free till the afternoon,” Gao Bing informed Kang Xi. “I shall take my leave. His Majesty will get angry upon not finding me.” Gao Bing left the corridor, while Kang Xi decided to come later to meet the King.

He turned to leave when he saw Eunuch Lianying approaching him. They greeted each other when Eunuch Lianying delivered the Queen’s message to the Prime Minister.

Kang Xi wondered why the Queen wanted to meet him privately. Eunuch Lianying looked around before whispering near Kang Xi’s ear, “It is about the Crown Prince and your daughter.” Kang Xi widened his eyes in surprise and agreed to go with Eunuch Lianying.

Kang Xi entered the Queen’s chamber, his hands clasped and resting near his abdomen.His head was low and he lifted his hand to greet Zhu Liling. A long pellucid curtain in front of him was hanging several inches above the ground. On the other hand, Zhu Liling was seated on a mahogany chair embellished in golden patterns.

“Greetings, Your Majesty.” Two maidservants slightly raised the curtain. Zhu Liling asked Kang Xi to take the seat Kang Xi sat on his knees on the cushion that another maidservant had put in front of him.

“His Majesty must have told the Prime Minister how his daughter insulted the Crown Prince,” Zhu Liling said.

“I apologize for the mistakes that my daughter made. She was not aware of her actions, Your Majesty,” Kang Xi said. “She is such a thoughtful girl, yet she made such a mistake. Please forgive her, Your Majesty.” Kang Xi kept his apologies sincere and genuine and bowed.

“Prime Minister Kang Xi, I want to give a chance to your daughter. I want her to win the heart of the Crown Prince within these two weeks,” Zhu Liling said. Kang Xi lifted his head and looked at Zhu Liling through the curtain. He was delighted to hear the decision of the Queen. He had not expected that the Queen would like to give a chance to Cha Ying.

.....

“However, I would like to clear a few things with the Prime Minister. Cha Ying will never speak inappropriately with the Crown Prince. She will also formally apologize to the Crown Prince. I don’t like women filled with arrogance. So, tell your daughter if she wants to become the Crown Princess, then she has to throw all her arrogance.” Zhu Liling sounded furious but because the Kang family was one of the strongest ones in the Kingdom, she could not let the opportunity slip off her hands by not making Cha Ying marry Xiaoming.

Kang Xi immediately agreed to the Queen’s condition. “Your Majesty, this time you will not find any complaint from my daughter’s side. She regretted what she did. She wanted to apologize to the Crown Prince, but she didn’t get a chance to do that. I am glad that Her Majesty has given Cha Ying a chance.” Kang Xi didn’t want to lose this opportunity at any cost. Once his daughter would be the Crown Princess, then he would gradually take control over the Kingdom.

“This conversation must remain private, Prime Minister Kang Xi. I like Cha Ying a lot, and I see potential in her to lead the kingdom with the Crown Prince. I hope you have understood my words,” Zhu Liling said.

“I understand well, Your Majesty. This time my daughter will not give any chance of complaint to Her Majesty,” Kang Xi assured the Queen.

“Tomorrow at 10 a.m. I would like to see Cha Ying. Tell her to prepare a formal letter of apology for the Crown Prince. He will no longer be angry at her after receiving a sincere apology,” Zhu Liling suggested to Kang Xi, who nodded his head in compliance.

After a long conversation, Zhu Liling asked the Prime Minister to leave. Kang Xi gladly left for his home. This time he would not let her daughter make any mistake. This was the last chance for Cha Ying to stand in the eyes of the Crown Prince.

~~~~

Liu Jin Yu wiped the sweat beads from her forehead with her long sleeve. She was too tired to carry the large royal umbrella for Xiaoming.

She tried to get into its shade when Eunuch Lishi scolded her. Xiaoming tilted his head a little and asked Eunuch Lishi about his anger.

“Nothing, Your Highness. Jin Yu tried to get under the royal umbrella. She is still new to all this work, so I must teach her,” Eunuch Lishi said while walking behind him. However, he was also outside the umbrella.

Xiaoming didn’t say anything and continued to walk. They reached the orchid pavilion where he was supposed to meet his brothers and sisters.

“Stay here,” Eunuch Lishi told Jin Yu when Xiaoming asked her to follow him. Liu Jin Yu was happy to hear him. She would finally be protected from the scorching summer heat.

She handed the umbrella to the male servant behind her and ran after the Crown Prince. Eunuch Lishi asked her to be careful in front of the other princes and princesses.

Upon seeing the Crown Prince, everyone stood up from their respective seats. They bowed while Xiaoming took his seat.

“Please make yourselves comfortable,” Xiaoming said after taking the seat. Liu Jin Yu stood behind Eunuch Lishi silently and kept her head down.

“We appreciate the Crown Prince taking time out of his busy schedule for us,” Tianjie started the conversation and asked the tea server to serve them tea.

“For my brothers and sisters, I can take out as much as they want,” Xiaoming stated.

“Did the Elder Brother appoint a new servant in his manor?” Jingfei asked as her gaze fell on Liu Jin Yu.

“Yes,” Xiaoming replied, and picked up the teacup to inhale the scent of the tea served to him.

“Aren’t you the dancer from the event that was organized two days ago?” Qiu Mu recognized Qiu Jin Yu, who lifted her eyes to look at him. She wondered what to answer him when Xiaoming intervened.

“Yes. She will work temporarily for me. She asked me to help her with the debt she had on her head,” Xiaoming replied.

“Oh. The Crown Prince shows kindness to any random person,” Qiu Mu remarked, and looked in the direction where Liu Jin Yu was standing. He looked at her from top to bottom and faintly smiled.