Gifted Bride of the Sinned Prince

64 ‘I Love you, Li Hua’

Kang Huijuan met Tianjie in the palace and told him how Lóng Wei humiliated him in one of the market’s shops.

“What was the Sixth Brother doing in the market?” Tianjie asked him.

“The Sixth Prince bought some precious jewels for his soon-to-be wife. I wonder who wants to marry the Sixth Prince. Which Minister gave the hand of his daughter to Prince Lóng Wei?” Kang Huijuan, with inquisitiveness glanced at Tianjie for the answer.

Tianjie chuckled before laughing. “Minister’s daughter?” He controlled his laughter and said, “It is a servant. He fell in love with a servant. Did the Prime Minister not tell you? I thought this news has circulated among everyone in the capital.”

Kang Huijuan also started to laugh upon learning about the truth. “A servant?” Tears appeared in the edges of his eyes as he continued to laugh along with Tianjie. “His choice is just like him. But how could he fall in love with a servant? This servant must be happy to marry him,” Kang Huijuan deduced and finally stopped laughing.

“His bride is beautiful, though. No one can tell she belongs to a servant class,” Tianjie affirmed.

“Is it so? I would like to see her. Who is this woman who has stolen the heart of Lóng Wei? He never glanced at any woman, yet he is head over heels for this servant!” He remarked with an astonished look.

“Why do you want to see a servant? Also, her status is raised after she accepted the offer to marry Lóng Wei. She has become a noble lady, so not anyone can see her,” Tianjie replied.

“Prince Tianjie, I was joking. Why would I be interested in looking at a servant?” Huijuan lifted the tea cup and sipped it.

.....

“How is your hand? It looks better than before. You are able to move it.” Tianjie said and looked at his right hand.

“Of course. It is better now. The internal tissues have healed,” Huijuan answered. “I never expected that the five months would pass so soon and he would return. He said that he got his power back. Is it true, Your Highness?” he scrunched his brows.

“It’s true. Lóng Wei now has equal rights as us princes,” Tianjie replied.

“That’s not a good sign. I remember that Lóng Wei previously has never asked to give back his power. It is strange he asked for it after so many years.” Huijuan was a little suspicious.

“Does it matter? We all know he will only create more trouble. Royal Father has agreed to his marriage, thinking it will bring him on a better path. But everyone knows what kind of person he is! I bet that Li Hua will not survive with him for more than a day after their official wedding,” Tianjie pronounced with certainty. The two talked for long before Huijuan took his leave.

“I want to see who Li Hua is. I want to tell her not to marry Lóng Wei. I want to see his reaction when this woman will step back from the marriage,” Huijuan muttered. He stopped a maidservant, who was heading to the Queen’s Manor.

“Do you know where Li Hua is?” Huijuan asked him.

“Miss Hua is in the Western Palace, Young Master,” the maidservant answered humbly. Huijuan smiled and left for the western palace. However, he could not meet Li Hua unless he got permission. No way he would be able to meet her when he did not belong to the royal family.

“Lóng Wei is lucky this time. I will give him a surprise on his wedding day. Just one more day and he will become a laughing stock,” Huijuan murmured and smirked.

~~~~~

“Lóng Wei wants you to wear these hairpins and earrings tomorrow. I want you to wear this precious jade bracelets which will look beautiful around your wrists. I will make you wear the jade ring after officially becoming your husband. I love you, Li Hua.” Xiwan said what Lóng Wei had instructed him to.

Li Hua was surprised to hear the message from Xiwan’s mouth. Her cheeks flushed red when she heard, ‘I love you, Li Hua.’ Did Lóng Wei have to say this to Xiwan? He was her senior brother.

“Miss Hua, His Highness has sent the jewels in this box,” Xiwan informed her and handed it to Court Lady Hong.

“Why is Senior Brother Xiwan calling me Miss Hua?” She was perplexed. Did by any chance Lóng Wei ask him to say it?

Xiwan smiled. “Because this young lady is no longer a common lady. I shall show my respect towards her,” he replied.

“Why does the Prince send all this when Her Majesty has already sent them?” Li Hua complained and looked troubled.

“Is there any problem Miss Hua? She can tell me as I will deliver her message to the Sixth Prince,” Xiwan said humbly.

“Senior Brother Xiwan, the Queen has told me to wear the jewels that are selected by her. How am I supposed to wear those given by the Sixth Prince? I don’t want any trouble tomorrow,” she stated while fiddling her fingers.

“I will ask the Sixth Prince, and then I will answer Miss Hua,” Xiwan replied.

“No need, Senior Brother. Can he tell the Sixth Prince that I will wear the hairpins His Highness selected for me the next day?” Li Hua requested Xiwan, who promptly agreed to her.

After Xiwan left the chamber, Court Lady Hong said, “Miss Hua, the Sixth Prince might get angry if she refuses to wear these jewels.” She looked at the box in her hand before putting it on the table.

“Court Lady Hong, I cannot wear them either. Her Majesty’s order is supreme,” Li Hua pronounced. “The Sixth Prince might not get angry at me.” Since Lóng Wei had promised her not to see her until the marriage day, there was nothing to fear about. And if he argued with her on the wedding day, then it would be best because he would stay away then.

‘I will wear the jade ring that Feng Lao gave me,’ she thought. ‘I am his only, and this marriage is for a namesake.’