Gifted Bride of the Sinned Prince

“I was angry at Brother Lóng Wei because he married the woman whom I desired to marry. However, after deep contemplation, I realized that I should not have created a rift between us because of a woman. I didn’t take any steps when I had the chance. I accepted my present. Also, if she had been with me, it would have only brought danger to her. At present, there are no such feelings left in my heart for Li Hua. Please forgive me, Brother Lóng Wei.”

Lóng Wei sighed. “I had not expected the Crown Prince to be bold enough to admit his crimes. I can forgive you if you help me this time,” he said. Xiaoming lifted his head when Lóng Wei asked him to sit on the chair.

“The Crown Prince doesn’t look good begging me for forgiveness,” asserted Lóng Wei, and he gestured to him to take his seat.

“What help should I provide to Brother Lóng Wei?” Xiaoming asked.

“First, the Crown Prince must prove to me that he is no longer my enemy. I am not a threat to him unless he does something to me. I have no attachment to this Crown Prince’s position. I know you are troubled because of the prophecy that Yuze made for me. However, until I don’t want it to happen, nothing will happen,” Lóng Wei explained to him.

“I envy Brother Lóng Wei because he can do anything he wants while I cannot do what I want. I am the Crown Prince, yet I am held by the claws of people around me.” Xiaoming’s emotions suddenly burst out before Lóng Wei, which perplexed him once again.

“I am not here to hear what’s going on with the Crown Prince’s life. I am here to know how the Crown Prince proves to me that he’s my well-wisher,” Lóng Wei affirmed.

“My apologies.”

.....

For a second, Xiaoming forgot that Lóng Wei could hardly relate to other people’s worries. All he thought about was himself.

“Brother Lóng Wei can trust me because I not only admitted my crimes but also asked Brother Qiu Mu to accept the crime he committed with the female servants in his manor. He had asked me to kill you as well, but I refused. I told him not to take any such steps. However, I didn’t know that he would not listen to me,” Xiaoming told him.

Lóng Wei laughed.”That’s not enough, Crown Prince,” he stated. “Find the evidence that Qiu Mu harassed the female servants in his manor. I believe the Crown Prince is capable of doing that,” he said and got up from the chair. “I will ask about it from the Crown Prince in the evening,” he stated, and left the chamber.

Liu Jin Yu bowed as Lóng Wei came out. However, he didn’t look at her and headed out.

~~~~~

Qiu Zedong put the stamp down and looked at Eunuch Gao Bing. “Lóng Wei has returned!” He exclaimed.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Both the Prince and Princess Consort returned safely with the Fourth Prince and Commander Huang Xi,” Gao Bing informed the King, who smiled.

“Greetings to the Royal Father!” Lóng Wei’s voice echoed in the imperial court. Qiu Zedong was astonished to see Lóng Wei. It was the first time he came to see his father willingly. Gao Bing was also stunned to see him.

Lóng Wei lowered his hands and looked his father in the eyes.Qiu Zedong stood up from the throne and came down to embrace his son. He patted Lóng Wei’s back and laughed.

“I had not expected that Lóng Wei would come to see his father,” Qiu Zedong said and withdrew. He looked at Lóng Wei to make sure that he was healthy.

“I may be manner-less in many eyes, but I do understand my duties as a son toward my father. Also, this time I hadn’t been punished. I had gone to spend time with my wife,” Lóng Wei stated.

Qiu Zedong didn’t expect this change in his son.

“Royal Father, Li Hua could not come to greet you because she’s tired of traveling. She has been resting. However, on her behalf, please accept my greetings,” Lóng Wei again lifted his arms and bowed before his father.

‘Did His Highness hit his head somewhere? Since when has he turned this polite?’ Gao Bing gaped at Lóng Wei in bewilderment.

“That’s fine,” Qiu Zedong said, and smiled.

“It seems the Royal Father is busy. I will come later,” Lóng Wei said.

“No. I have the work to put royal stamps on some important scrolls. Stay here. Let’s have some conversation,” Qiu Zedong said and glanced at Gao Bing. He understood the King’s gesture and left the imperial court.

Qiu Zedong sat on the throne while Lóng Wei sat on the chair which he placed diagonally around the desk.

“This time the Prince seems to be filled with new energy. He looks enthusiastic,” Qiu Zedong said with a bright smile.

“This is all thanks to Li Hua. I found a light in my life. Nobody loves me, but she adores me,” Lóng Wei gave the credit to Li Hua behind the change in him.

“We love you, Lóng Wei. I adore you a lot. But your troublesome acts force me to punish you,” Qiu Zedong stated.

“But even the Royal Father never see that side in me which Li Hua saw,” Lóng Wei affirmed. “I found out that my father wanted me to change and asked Li Hua to do it in two months. If she fails, he will throw her out of my life. I want the Royal Father to take back that condition. Because as long as Li Hua is with me, I will not do anything that hurts my father.”

Qiu Zedong arched his eyebrow in astonishment. He agreed with Lóng Wei’s words. “As long as my son is happy, I will not do anything. Your happiness is precious to me. I have never seen you this happy ever before,” he remarked.

Lóng Wei thanked his father and decided to talk about Li Hua’s real identity. He did not want Li Hua to fall into trouble and decided to converse with his father about it.