Gifted Bride of the Sinned Prince

“I waited for him to come to have breakfast. But he didn’t come. I was so hungry,” Li Hua complained.

“Did you not eat breakfast?” Lóng Wei inquired, casting a glance at the Court Lady.

“I tried a lot, but the Princess Consort wanted to wait for the Prince,” Court Lady Hong answered. “I will send the lunch,” she said, and walked out.

“You should not have waited for me. I had gone to see my father. I wanted to converse with him about you. I thought if I just talked my way, then that would be better,” Lóng Wei informed her. Li Hua was astonished to find that Lóng Wei had already conversed with the King.

“Why did His Highness converse with His Majesty? I should be the one who must have told the truth to His Majesty,” she said.

“I didn’t want him to punish you. However, I refrained from telling him why you entered the palace. I didn’t tell the father that you thought someone from the palace was after that incident. In the evening, the Royal Father will meet you and your brother,” Lóng Wei explained to her. Li Hua thanked Lóng Wei for doing so much for her.

“It’s nothing compared to what you did for me,” Lóng Wei remarked.

“What did I do? I only hurt His Highness by talking repeatedly about Feng Lao. I did nothing for him till now,” Li Hua said while fiddling with her fingers.

.....

Two servants came inside and set the table for their lunch meals. Court Lady Hong told them to enjoy the lunch and walked out, closing the doors behind him. Lóng Wei took Li Hua to the table, and they took their seats.

They had their lunch in silence. Li Hua wondered why Lóng Wei was so silent. She lifted the glass to drink water. Lóng Wei put the chopsticks on the plate and drank water.

The servants cleaned the table and left. Lóng Wei approached Li Hua, who was near the bed and removed her overcoat. Li Hua let him do it while twiddling her fingers.

Lóng Wei put the overcoat aside and went to the other side of the chamber. Li Hua looked where he was heading and found he had brought a small wooden box with him.

Lóng Wei opened it and showed her the jade rings that he had purchased for them. “I want us to wear it. When you fall in love with me, make sure to make me wear this jade ring,” he asserted with a tiny smile.

Li Hua looked at the green jade rings. The rings had flower patterns over one side, which were made from gold.

“I wanted to do it on the day of the marriage, but you weren’t ready. I didn’t force you since that would have made me a bad person in your eyes.” Lóng Wei expressed his thoughts and took her hand in his. He put the ring box in her hands and told her to keep the jade rings in her safe possession.

Li Hua realized that her words hurt Lóng Wei. She felt terrible for telling herself that after she took revenge, she would leave Lóng Wei.

“Your Highness,” Li Hua finally said.

Lóng Wei, who was removing his shoes to get into the bed, looked at her and asked her what happened.

“Why don’t we wear the rings now?” Li Hua asked him and then opened the ring box. She took out the rings and handed one to Lóng Wei. She placed the ring box on the small, circular bedside table, stood straight and held his left hand.

“Forgive me for hurting your feelings all the time,” Li Hua said as her eyes filled with tears. “I didn’t mean to hurt you,” she said when Lóng Wei withdrew his hand, perplexing her.

“Li Hua, as I said, I want these rings to be in our fingers when you will feel the same for me. The love that I carry for you, I want the same from you. I don’t want it to be a decision in a rush. Just because I helped you all this time, should not be a reason to like me or love me,” Lóng Wei told her about his expectations from her.

“Our marriage is the biggest proof that we are inseparable. It is not a decision in a rush,” Li Hua said, and looked down to grab his hand once again. She held it tightly this time and inserted the jade ring into his index finger.

“His Highness must always wear it,” she said, and stood on her toes to kiss his cheek. Her feet landed on the floor, and she looked into his eyes. She opened her arms and wrapped them around Lóng Wei, embracing him warmly.

“I am lucky to have Prince Lóng Wei as my husband. I am overwhelmed with the feeling that he fell in love with me and, even when we hadn’t met, he protected me.” Li Hua wanted to say many things to him, but could only say that.

Lóng Wei’s lips curled into a smile. His heart thumped loudly against his chest. Li Hua called him Prince Lóng Wei for the first time. His name sounded beautiful in her mouth.

Li Hua withdrew when Lóng Wei grasped her hand and inserted the jade ring into her left hand’s index finger and then raised his index finger.

The tips of their fingers touched, and the two smiled at each other.

“We shall rest. You are still tired from the journey. Come, let’s sleep till the evening,” Lóng Wei said and they both lowered their hands. Li Hua removed the shoes and got into the bed with Lóng Wei. She yawned and closed her eyes, snuggling close to Lóng Wei.

“Your Highness, thank you. You saved my first brother that day. Even if I express my gratitude a thousand times, it is not enough,” Li Hua stated.

“Li Hua, you don’t need to thank me so many times. Next time, you will get a punishment for doing so,” he warned her and closed his eyes.

“Fine. I won’t do it anymore,” Li Hua said.