Gifted Bride of the Sinned Prince

“Your Highness, I will–”

“That is not needed,” Tianjie did not let her finish the words and asked the servant to leave. He was already annoyed at her for not informing him. But he could not show that anger since Song Jia was still sleeping.

When the evening fell, Song Jia’s eyes showed movement. Her fingers moved and she asked for water in a meek voice. Tianjie ducked his head to hear what Song Jia said and asked her to speak once more.

“Water,” she meekly said.

Tianjie quickly filled the glass with water and brought it close to her mouth. He lifted her head gently and asked her to drink it. Song Jia took a sip and Tianjie carefully placed her head on the pillow. He put the glass on the bedside table and caressed her hair.

“Song Jia,” Tianjie gently called out her name. She had opened her eyes, but she was feeling weak. She wanted to greet him, and tried to sit up when Tianjie asked her not to do so.

“You need rest,” Tianjie said and saw her neck was sweaty. He picked up the soft cotton towel and wiped her neck.

“Why did you buy berries from a stranger? Some of them were poisonous,” Tianjie said as he moved his hand back. He peered into her eyes and said, “Fortunately, the poison was not dangerous.”

.....

“Forgive Song Jia for troubling the prince,” she apologized.

“Do you want to drink more water? It will be good for you,” he stated.

Song Jia shook her head.

Tianjie placed his hand above her forehead and said, “You were burning earlier. Do you know how scared I was seeing that state of yours? Why did you tell the servant not to inform me?” He scolded her a little.

“I did not want to disturb His Highness,” Song Jia said. “I heard what happened in the palace in recent days,” she asserted.

“And you decided to burn in the fever!” Tianjie chuckled and called in the servant. “Prepare a healthy porridge for Song Jia. Do not do any mistakes this time,” he stated. The servant bowed and left for the kitchen.

He glanced at Song Jia, who asked him if he would help her in sitting. “My back hurts from staying in the lying position for a long time,” she said. He hummed and caught her hands. He lifted her she rested her head on the wooden headboard behind her.

Song Jia looked at her clothes and then at Tianjie.

“I asked the servant to change your clothes. They were drenched in sweat,” Tianjie said. “You do not feel uneasiness, right?” he asked.

“I feel better,” Song Jia replied. “Thank you for taking care of me. Nobody ever showed such care toward me,” she said with an overwhelming smile and then downcast her eyes. Song Jia recalled when she was young there was no one by her side when she fell sick. She had to work even if she would be sick.

“For some, life is tough,” Tianjie asserted and brushed her hair from her forehead. “But you came to me and I will take care of you until my last breath,” he said. Song Jia lifted her eyes and continued to smile at him.

“How is His Highness? I heard about his father,” Song Jia said.

“I am well. Father’s heinous actions are unexplainable to me. He will receive his punishment soon,” Tianjie replied.

“That was indeed sad news. It must be shocking for all the princes. Prince Lóng Wei suffered a lot. I have heard how people used to speak about him when I was in Qijiang province,” she said.

“Lóng Wei surely has gone through hell. His entire life was jeopardized in a single night. If he wanted, he could tell us the truth. But he never said that. The reason was simple. We would not have believed him and would have only desired a death sentence. He is a strong person, who never lets us see his other side,” Tianjie said.

“I hope all the princes have made their relationship good with Prince Lóng Wei,” Song Jia stated.

“We did,” Tianjie said. “Lóng Wei is leaving the palace for a while for some inner peace. I am going to miss him. He is a person, who made me question my ideologies when I started to know him,” Tianjie proclaimed.

Song Jia smiled and felt thirsty. She extended her hand out when Tianjie grabbed the water glass. He brought it close to her mouth again and this time she took more sips. When he put it back in its place, Tianjie said, “We will get married soon. Are you ready to become my wife?”

Song Jia stopped blinking for a few seconds and nodded.

“When will we get married?” She asked curiously.

“After the Crown Prince will be coronated as the next King,” Xiaoming answered. “In a day or two the coronation will happen,” he added.

“Hmm. I did not meet His Highness’s mother yet,” Song Jia reminded him.

“I will bring her tomorrow,” Tianjie stated.

“Does His Highness still neglect his mother?” She inquired.

“For these past few days, I did not visit her,” Tianjie replied.

“Can I go to the palace with His Highness? It will not be appropriate for His Highness’s mother to come here. She is an elder and I must go to her,” Song Jia opined.

Tianjie agreed with her and told her that he would take her tomorrow if her fever vanished.

“I am better now, Your Highness. The weakness is there, but it will go by tomorrow,” she said. “Does His Highness know what his mother’s likes are?” Song Jia curiously asked.

“Why do you want to know?” He queried.

“I will prepare a present for His Highness’s mother according to that,” Song Jia said. “I have heard that women who get married in the palace make a place in their mother-in-law’s heart,” she added and smiled at Tianjie.