Gifted Bride of the Sinned Prince

“Will you marry me, Song Jia?” Tianjie asked her.

Song Jia promptly lifted her head and looked at him with a puzzled expression. “My Lord, did you follow me here?” She asked instead of responding to his question.

“No. I live here,” Tianjie answered and walked up to her. She told him that he should leave as it was her time to rest.

“You are in my heart. How am I supposed to leave without hearing what I want to?” Tianjie halted right in front of her and held her left hand. Song Jia tried to pull it back, but he did not let it go. “Why did you wear it if you have not felt something for me? Lying will do no good to you,” he stated and looked at her fourth finger.

“My Lord, I cannot marry you. I have made myself clear about it earlier too. My world does not coincide with his world,” Song Jia stated.

“Do you know who I am?” Tianjie questioned her. “I am not the son of a nobleman,” he then told her the answer, but it was vague.

Song Jia looked at the dress of Tianjie. She keenly observed it and then gazed into his eyes. Tianjie let go of her hand and knelt. Song Jia confusedly glanced at him and found that he had slid the table away on which the zither was placed.

“Now, there is no barrier,” he said and took another step toward her. But to his surprise, Song Jia stepped back.

.....

“My Lord, please leave before the owner of this residence comes. He may punish you for…” she took a brief pause, “for coming here and then seeing you with me.”

“Are you concerned for me?” Tianjie asked with a smile. “Hardly anyone is worried for me,” he asserted.

“I am showing general concern, My Lord,” Song Jia replied and looked toward the door. “I request him to leave,” she again repeated her words, this time more formally, and lowered her eyelids to show respect.

“Who owns this residence?” Tianjie asked even though he had the answer. He wanted to confirm it from Song Jia’s mouth.

“I am not liable to answer this question,” Song Jia replied.

Tianjie rubbed his temple before pulling Song Jia toward her. He had his arm around her waist while her hands rested on his arms. “My Lord?!” She exclaimed after that sudden pull. Her brows furrowed and her heart beat fast against her chest.

“I want you to know that I am in love with you. The first day I saw you in Qijiang, I fell for you. I have told you this already but I wanted to say it again. I am a selfish man, but I am unable to do it this time. I always wanted to marry a woman with a strong political family, but after the day I saw you, my thoughts have jeopardized,” Tianjie did not hesitate this time to speak his feelings out. He did not hide his feelings this time. He wanted to chase his happiness this time.

“Many men have fallen for me. We had the same conversation on this matter in Qijiang too,” Song Jia stated.

“But no man has ever chased you. I did and will keep doing until you say a yes,” Tianjie affirmed.

“Who are you? What is your real identity?” Song Jia asked him.

“I am Qiu Tianjie, the Third Prince of the Qiu Kingdom,” Tianjie introduced himself to her.

“What? The Third Prince?” She pushed him with a greater force, but he tightened his grip around her. In turn, he pulled her and told her efforts were in vain.

“Your Highness, please let me go,” Song Jia urged.

“I will, after you give me the answer,” Tianjie affirmed.

“My answer is no,” Song Jia replied with a furious expression.

“I never saw you angry,” Tianjie stated with a grin.

“This situation is not funny, Your Highness,” Song Jia asserted.

“I know,” Tianjie said.

“Why did His Highness lie to me about his identity? How did His Highness find out that I am here? No one knew about it,” Song Jia questioned him.

“That was necessary at that time. However, I never agreed with your assumptions. It was you who thought I am from the noble class,” Tianjie stated. ” I happened to find out about your presence. I do not want you to perform dance anymore for the people. Become my wife,” he expressed his desire again.

They both heard the maid’s voice. “Lord Li is here to see Lady Song,” the maid said from the outside.

Song Jia’s eyes grew bigger and she looked at Tianjie in shock. “Please hide somewhere, Your Highness,” Song Jia requested him.

“Answer me first. Tell me that you want to marry me,” Tianjie put forward a condition.

“I cannot do that,” Song Jia said and knitted her brows in worry.

“Then, let him come inside and see us together,” Tianjie adamantly said.

“Song Jia, should I walk in?”

Tianjie heard the voice and realized it was not of Li Zixuan. Who could it be?

“Fine. I will marry His Highness,” Song Jia said in a hurry, and asked Tianjie to hide. “Please, Your Highness,” she requested him. Tianjie pulled his arm back from her waist and stepped back. He looked around and went to the left. He slid the door and went inside before closing it.

“Lord Li can walk in,” Song Jia said softly.

Tianjie remained behind the door as he wanted to see who was the man that came to see Song Jia. It was not Li Zixuan. He was sure about it.

The door opened and Li Jianjun walked in. Song Jia bowed to see him and greeted him formally.

“You are turning prettier with each day, Song Jia,” Li Jianjun said. Tianjie did not like such a statement from another man’s mouth for the woman whom he loved.

Song Jia returned his compliment with a smile and asked Jianjun to take the seat. `