Gifted Bride of the Sinned Prince

“He will get angry,” Xiaolian said and they both turned to look at Feng Lao.

“But until Sister Xiaolian will not try, it is impossible for her to win Feng Lao. Go after him before he leaves,” Ai Fen encouraged Xiaolian and pushed her forward. Xiaolian was hesitant to go first but when Ai Fen kept insisting, she picked up the pace and left behind Feng Lao.

Ai Fen smiled and left for her chamber.

“Feng Lao!” Xiaolian pronounced his name. However, he pretended that he did not hear her. Xiaolian did not go after him and stopped midway. Feng Lao furrowed his brows together and he left from there as quickly as possible.

Feng Lao reached the home soon, and when he reached his room, he found Xu Zifan there.

“You took time to return,” Xu Zifan said and stood up from the chair. “How was the mission?” He asked.

Feng Lao closed the door and put the sword on the table. “We succeeded. Zhai Liang was one of the King’s spies,” Feng Lao said and rested his hands on his waist. “It is hard to believe that His Majesty is doing all this. Prince Lóng Wei has not told anything either. Do you know what is going on between the Sixth prince and his father?” He inquired Xu Zifan.

He shook his head. “If I had known, then I would have told you,” Xu Zifan replied.

.....

“Prince Lóng Wei is so mysterious,” Feng Lao affirmed.

“He is. He does not like to share about his past,” Xu Zifan stated.

“It is tough to read Prince Lóng Wei’s mind. I feel that he has a tough childhood,” Feng Lao asserted.

“We all know that. Didn’t you hear Chang Shi that day? Everyone used to stay away from Prince Lóng Wei in the palace. All of the princes and the princesses judged him because of the prophecy,” Xu Zifan stated.

Feng Lao nodded his head. “I know. But there is more to it. He wants to see me in the evening. I think he wants to discuss an important matter with me. He said that he wanted to change the plan,” Feng Lao informed Xu Zifan.

“You should try asking Prince Lóng Wei what is going on with him. Li Hua does not either tell me,” Xu Zifan said.

“I think, I need to follow his orders only. If he does not want to share anything with us, then that must be something bigger,” Feng Lao opined.

Xu Zifan hummed when they heard a knock on the door. Feng Lao went to open the door and found Jingfei outside.

“I saw Brother Feng Lao coming earlier, so I thought to bring lunch for him,” she stated and looked at Lin Jie.

Feng Lao opened the door for them and Xu Zifan smiled to see Jingfei.

“You could have sent the servant,” Feng Lao said. He still talked in an informal tone with her. “Wait! I am not your brother,” he added.

“Feng Lao, do not speak this way with her,” Xu Zifan scolded him and then apologized to Jingfei for Feng Lao’s behavior.

“I wanted to say that the sister-in-law never called me brother. It is strange to hear that word,” Feng Lao explained. “Forgive me for my wrong interpretation,” he apologized then.

“I found out that Brother Feng Lao is older than me. Using the ‘brother’ title for him seemed appropriate to me,” Jingfei said with a tiny smile.

“Hmm. Thank you for the lunch meal,” Feng Lao said. Xu Zifan told him to have his lunch in peace and he left with Jingfei, followed by Lin Jie.

Xu Zifan asked Lin Jie to leave as he wanted privacy with his wife. “Do not take Feng Lao’s word to your heart. He does not despise you,” Xu Zifan told her.

“I did not take those words to my heart,” Jingfei said.

“Tomorrow is the Qiqi festival,” Xu Zifan said.

“Yes. The first festival that we will celebrate together,” Jingfei said and scooped her hand around his left arm. “We have to go to the temple in the morning to worship the celestial couples. Then, in the evening we will go to the market,” she asserted.

“Yes.” Xu Zifan gave a one-word response.

“Are you not excited about it?” She inquired.

“I am,” Xu Zifan answered.

“But you do not look excited,” Jingfei said.

“I am not good at expressing emotions,” Xu Zifan stated. He asked her about the needle contest in which she would participate tomorrow.

“Do you remember about it?” Jingfei suddenly turned happy.

“Yes. You told me how skilled you are in needlework, weaving, and knitting. How can I not remember such an important occasion for you?” Xu Zifan asked and they halted upon reaching outside their room. Tiny raindrops landed on the ground and they both stood next to the wooden pillar.

“I want to win it,” Jingfei said.

“I will be glad if you win.” Xu Zifan gave her his best wishes.

“I have never taken part with the local ladies, so I do not know how tough it is going to be,” Jingfei asserted.

“But you have a fighting spirit, so you will definitely do good,” Xu Zifan said.

“Since you trust me so much, I will do my best,” Jingfei said and looked toward the ground.

“I pray tomorrow night the sky gets clear. Then, we will be able to see the three stars together,” Jingfei said.

“I pray for the same.” Xu Zifan turned to look at her and picked up a tiny leaf that was stuck in between her hair. He lowered his gaze to her and gradually leaned down. Their noses touched, and he kissed her lips lightly.

“Xu Zifan,” Jingfei pronounced his name.

“Hmm?”

She wanted to tell him to kiss her one more time but got hesitant. “Nothing,” she said, “let’s go in.” She smiled at him and walked ahead when Xu Zifan pulled her back. Before she could ask him why he did that, he captured her lips for a long and passionate kiss.