Gifted Bride of the Sinned Prince

429 I cannot lose you, Li Hua

Lóng Wei was leaning against the pillar outside the manor, where princesses lived. Jingfei with a smile on her lips came out with Ai Fen and Xiaolian. They saw Lóng Wei, who waved at them. He stood straight and put his hands behind his back. He walked up to them when Xiaolian took a step back and tried to hide behind her sisters.

“Brother Lóng Wei, we are glad to see that you returned safely,” Ai Fen stated.

Lóng Wei did not reply to her and gazed at Jingfei and then tilted his head to look at Xiaolian. “I told you not to trouble Li Hua. She helped you and you accused her of making fun of you!” Lóng Wei said with a grim look.

“Brother Lóng Wei, I have apologized to Li Hua for the mistake I made. Please let that matter go,” Jingfei stated.

“I won’t let that matter go. I will make sure to punish you both in my style. Just wait and watch,” Lóng Wei stated and took backward steps. He turned to leave when Jingfei stopped him.

“I will leave next week. I am guilty of my acts, Brother Lóng Wei,” Jingfei said. Lóng Wei did not say anything and walked away.

Ai Fen looked at her both sisters and then decided to talk with Lóng Wei once. But was it possible to have a peaceful conversation with him? That was her prime concern.

Lóng Wei had gathered all the information about what happened in the past few days in his absence. He regretted his one decision. He was wrong to think that the Queen would not do anything to Li Hua when he would be away. This attack on Li Hua was her plan and he was so ready to expose her true face to everyone in the palace.

However, before that, he had to meet Yuze and found out from him why he decided to put the blame on Qizhen for Ye Yujin’s death when Xiwan was the one, who killed him. Until then, he could not take any steps. He had to talk with Hei Chengxi as well.

.....

He soon reached his manor and saw Feng Lao at the center of the courtyard. He halted in his steps. “Get out of my sight,” Lóng Wei told him and pointed towards the door.

“Forgive me, Your Highness,” Feng Lao lowered his head in guilt.

“No. Do not even ask about it. Just leave my sight at the moment. I do not want to do something that makes Li Hua despise me,” Lóng Wei asserted. Feng Lao did not confront Lóng Wei and silently left the manor.

Li Hua saw that sight and went inside Lóng Wei’s chamber. She sat on the floor chair and waited for Lóng Wei to arrive. She heard him instructing the maidservant. She lifted her head when he reached near her and he took the seat.

“Why do you look upset?” Lóng Wei asked her as he picked the chopsticks to eat.

“I had told His Highness that it was not Feng Lao’s fault. I was the one, who decided to go against your wish. His Highness does not need to be cold with him,” Li Hua stated and kept her eyes down.

“It is between two men,” Lóng Wei stated. “I will not kill him because I respect you. He is alive because of you,” he affirmed.

Li Hua peered into his eyes and found out that Lóng Wei was suddenly in a bad mood. Did the King scold him? It was better not to ask him at the moment. She again lowered her head and saw him putting a dumpling on the saucer before her.

She again looked at him and found him busy eating. Li Hua also picked up the chopsticks and started eating her meals.

“I cannot lose you, Li Hua,” Lóng Wei said after a while, “that is why I am furious at Feng Lao. He was not supposed to listen to any of you. I have told you this earlier too. Because of you, I did not take my life, else I had gone long ago.”

Li Hua’s eyes filled with tears as she realized how foolishly she took a step to catch the Queen.

~~~~~~~

Jin Yu was biting her nails while pacing in the chamber. Xiaoming had not returned. When she found out he had returned, she ran to see him, but he already left for the house. Then, Zhu Liling called her and she could not meet Xiaoming.

Finally, the door opened and she stopped walking. She lowered her hand and soon, Xiaoming was before him. Her body reacted and she ran to him, hugging him tightly. Her hands wrapped behind his nape and she was on her toes. Xiaoming placed his hand possessively on her back and took a deep breath.

“Jin Yu,” Xiaoming called out her name as he made her stand on the floor. He cupped his face and they looked at each other.

“The Crown Prince looks thinner than before. Did he not eat well?” Jin Yu asked with a concerned look. She caressed his arms and looked at his hand. “You did not get injured, right?” she asked as she moved his sleeves up to ensure no injuries on his forearm.

“No. I am absolutely fine,” Xiaoming said. “The matter got solved within days and we returned earlier than expected. I am glad that we do not have to stay away from each other for long.” He caressed her cheek and kissed her lips.

She clutched the fabric of his overcoat from his waist and kissed him back. They pulled apart their lips and opened their eyes to gaze at each other again. Xiaoming drew her for a hug and rested his chin on her shoulder. “It was tough to be away from you,” Xiaoming said.

“Did you receive my message?” Jin Yu asked.

“Yes.” He took a step back and pulled out the letter from his pocket. “My heart fluttered to read this letter. This gave me warmth even when you were not around,” he said and smiled at her.

“You must be hungry. Come, the breakfast table has already been set,” Jin Yu said and held his hand. She dragged him with her. Then, she sat with him on the floor mattress around the floor table to have their breakfast.