Gifted Bride of the Sinned Prince

Yi Xinze did what Lóng Wei had told him to do. He told Hei Chengxi that someone from the palace had ordered him to harm the Crown Prince. He told Hei Chengxi everything that he had told Lóng Wei.

“Father, do you believe his words? For many years no one tried to harm the Crown Prince,” Huang Xi said as he stopped his father from going to the King.

“Huang Xi, enemies become as you grow in power,” Hei Chengxi told his son. “Crown Prince Xiaoming is the next-in-line king, so maybe consorts or concubines are behind this attack. We cannot jump to conclusions yet as to who was behind it and only ask His Majesty’s permission to investigate everyone in the palace,” he added.

Huang Xi understood his father’s words and decided to follow his orders. They both went to the Imperial Court, where the King was present with a few of his ministers. They waited for the court session to end first.

After an hour’s wait, the court ended. Kang Xi and the other ministers bowed to see Hei Chengxi. It was important as Hei Chengxi held a higher rank than them. In contrast, Huang Xi bowed to see those ministers.

“General Hei, it has been a long time since we last saw you,” Kang Xi stated, keeping a fake smile on his lips.

“We met a few weeks ago at the Sixth Prince’s marriage, Prime Minister Kang,” Hei Chengxi reminded him and looked at the state council minister.

“General Hei, let’s meet tomorrow where we higher-ranking officials usually drink and enjoy. The borders are secured and everything is peaceful in the Kingdom,” Kang Xi opined and gazed at Huang Xi. “We will appreciate it if General Hei brings his son as well,” he added.

.....

“Sure, Prime Minister Kang. Let’s talk later as we have some work with His Majesty,” Hei Chengxi ended the conversation and walked ahead. The court ministers bowed as he walked away and lifted their heads after a few seconds. Huang Xi pursued his father all the way to the imperial court.

“Why did the Prime Minister invite General Hei and his son? They are favored by the King more than anyone else,” Zu Yuan, the State Council Head, said. His equation with Hei Chengxi wasn’t good after he reported him for the illegal funds he had accumulated.

“We must know what General Hei is up to these days. Also, his growing power is not good for us. We need to find many things about him tomorrow,” Kang Xi said, and walked away, followed by the other court ministers.

~~~~~

Inside the imperial court, Hei Chengxi informed Qiu Zedong of the information he received from Yi Xinze.

“How will General Hei investigate? The person doesn’t know the name. We cannot believe him merely because of his words,” Qiu Zedong asserted.

“Your Majesty, the Crown Prince may have hidden enemies within the palace. Please allow me to investigate everyone in the palace. The Crown Prince may get attacked in the future,” he affirmed.

Huang Xi wondered if the King would allow his father to investigate the royal family. It might cause turbulence among them.

“Hei Chengxi, I want you to bring solid evidence. Who knows, the one who ordered the attack isn’t from the palace, but among the officials. Don’t jump to conclusions merely because of his words,” Qiu Zedong refused to give permission to Hei Chengxi for investigation.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Hei Chengxi acknowledged the command of the King. From his experience, he truly suspected the person was from the palace. Xiaoming’s activities, only a person from the palace would find, not an official. But since the King had already refuted the permission, he stayed quiet.

They bowed to leave when Qiu Zedong told Huang Xi to bring Li Hua to the court.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Huang Xi accepted the orders and left the court with his father.

“Huang Xi, I will see you at home,” Hei Chengxi told him and walked away first. Huang Xi wondered why the King wanted to see Li Hua.

He informed Li Hua about the King’s message and escorted her to the imperial court. Huang Xi left after escorting her.

Li Hua lifted her head after she kowtowed before the King. “His Majesty asked for my presence,” Li Hua said.

“Yes. I heard Prince Lóng Wei isn’t in the palace. He has again gone against my order. What should I do about it? No matter how much I punish him, he will not understand. However, I had high expectations of his wife,” Qiu Zedong said with a disapproving glance.

“Forgive me, Your Majesty,” Li Hua said.

“Since you have started this, you must stop this. In the prison, he raised his voice at the Second Prince and even called him by his name. Prince Lóng Wei had never behaved in this manner before. The enmity between the Xu and Shui families has nothing to do with our royal family. Yet, the Prince is taking it too seriously. I empathize with your situation, but this behavior of the Prince is not acceptable to me.”

Qiu Zedong had many complaints from Li Hua. She brought more chaos to Lóng Wei’s life.

“I am still unable to understand if you entered the palace with a plan or if you were indeed here for work. Lóng Wei chases you everywhere. He isn’t supposed to do that. I wanted him to realize his duties as the Prince, but he is more focused on your family matters, which have already ended,” Qiu Zedong proclaimed. He wanted answers from Li Hua about how she would make things right. How would she make him behave like a prince?

Li Hua could not stay quiet anymore. She knew if she said anything recklessly, she might get punished for it.

“Your Majesty, I don’t think it is wrong to investigate a matter which no one dares to look into. The duty of higher-ups is to maintain law and order, but it didn’t happen in Xinshui. Prince Lóng Wei only brought out the truth about the unfairness in the lives of the people who do not belong to a high-class noble family,” Li Hua didn’t hesitate to speak about what she truly felt. She didn’t like it when they all used to think that Lóng Wei was not on the right path.

She decided to make the King aware of what Qiu Mu did to Lóng Wei. “Your Majesty, Prince Lóng Wei had his reason for misbehaving with the Second Prince. He sent-”

She paused upon hearing the sound of the opening of the large door. She turned while the King fixated his eyes on the door.

Li Hua was stunned to see Lóng Wei. He stopped next to her and bowed before the King.

“Why did the Prince enter without prior permission?” Qiu Zedong asked and arched his eyebrow. He wondered if Lóng Wei had again come to prevent Li Hua from his scoldings.

“Royal Father, forgive me,” Lóng Wei said, and he lowered his head.

“It seems the Prince already knows why I summoned his wife,” Qiu Zedong remarked.

“How would I know about it?” Lóng Wei posed a question. “I am here to ask for a position from the royal father.” His request shocked Qiu Zedong while it confused Li Hua.

“A position?” Qiu Zedong caressed his beard.

“Yes, Royal Father.” He lifted his head and looked into the eyes of his father.

“I want to become the Governor of Qinping,” Lóng Wei said. “I will serve my duties as the Prince and help the royal father,” he proclaimed.