Gifted Bride of the Sinned Prince

Lóng Wei hummed as he looked at the night sky.

“I have to leave the next day after my marriage.” They both heard Xiaoming’s voice and turned to look at him. “I will not even get time to spend with my wife,” he added.

“I think it is a bigger situation in Qijiang. Our Father would not have called us princes if the situation was not tough,” Mingquan opined.

“I also think the same,” Xiaoming replied.

“I will take my leave. I have to tell my dear wife about my departure. Aish! I do not like all this,” he murmured, and he walked away after giving them a slight bow.

Mingquan smiled at the reaction of Lóng Wei. “That is why he cannot be the Crown Prince. He can be a good leader, but he is not ready to do the kind of work like Brother Xiaoming. I hope that His Royal Highness’s doubt has been cleared after this,” he stated.

Xiaoming agreed with his words. It was surprising to him that Lóng Wei stepped back from his duty, but because it was their father’s order, he had no way left except to accept it.

“It seems that the Crown Prince wants to discuss something with me. But he is hesitant to speak up about it,” he stated.

.....

Xiaoming wanted Mingquan to help him find Liu Jin Yu’s father, but he wasn’t sure if he should give such a task to him or not. What if he fell into danger while finding the truth? Then, he would blame himself for it. However, he did not know how much time it would take him to return. It may take a week or even a month or even a few more months to solve the problem in Qijiang.

Finally, after deep contemplation, he decided to tell Mingquan about it. He took Mingquan to his manor because that was the best place to talk about such a private matter.

As they settled around the floor table, Xiaoming asked Sun Fuguo not to let anyone come in without his permission. Sun Fuguo left the chamber while the two brothers were now alone.

“Brother Mingquan, Liu Jin Yu belongs to the noble class,” Xiaoming informed him. That truth astonished the Fourth Prince, and he asked him why he did not reveal it when everyone questioned the capability of Liu Jin Yu to carry out the duties as the Crown Princess.

“Because we do not know who her father was. She and her mother were thrown out by her father after he married another woman. Shortly after Jin Yu’s birth, her mother died, and she had a tough life after that. I promised her that I would help her. But then, this recent situation in Qijiang will delay my plan to search for Jin Yu’s father. I want Brother Mingquan to help me with this,” Xiaoming narrated the past of Jin Yu to Mingquan in brief.

“I will undoubtedly assist His Royal Highness,” Mingquan readily accepted Xiaoming’s request. “I would like to know from the Crown Prince if he had prepared anything for it. And how do I have to start?” He asked.

Xiaoming opened the drawer and took out the folded sheet. He forwarded it to Mingquan and told him that he had made a list of officials, among whom one was Liu Jin Yu’s father.

“Check Kang Xi’s history first and share relevant information with Jin Yu. She will help Brother Mingquan too, while I will be away. I will try to find a solution in Qijiang as soon as possible,” he stated.

“Why does Sister Jin use the ‘Liu’ surname?” he asked Xiaoming.

“Because Wu Jin, her master, gave this surname to her,” Xiaoming replied.

Mingquan told him not to worry about it any longer. He would try his best to find the father of Jin Yu with her. Xiaoming thanked her for being so helpful.

“Ahh, Brother Mingquan, I have found out that Brother Lóng Wei is close to you among all the princes. Do you know anything related to Brother Lóng Wei’s past that made him hate his mother?” He inquired.

“Unfortunately, I know nothing except that his mother never cared for him. This all of us know,” Mingquan replied. “I am curious to know why the Crown Prince suddenly asked about it.” He waited for Xiaoming’s response.

“Because I hated him for something that was never present there. Now, I regret doing all those bad things to him,” Xiaoming answered, and knitted his brows together.

“The journey to Qijiang is the best opportunity to clear every misunderstanding with Brother Lóng Wei. I hope we all princes live together in harmony and love,” Mingquan suggested first and then prayed for them.

Xiaoming nodded at him. They had a few more conversations before Mingquan took his leave.

~~~~~~

Lóng Wei took a deep breath as he told Li Hua about Qiu Zedong’s sudden decision to send him to the Eastern Province.

“Your Highness, it is your duty as the prince to help your elders. Do not worry about me. I have many people around me. Nothing will happen to me,” Li Hua told him and placed her hand above his. She patted it when Lóng Wei pulled her for a hug.

“I cannot stay away from you, Li Hua. I need you all the time around me. When I go to the administrative office to work, I try to wrap up my day’s work as soon as possible just to be here on time. How will I stay away from you in Qijiang?” He complained and rested his chin on her shoulder.

“I also miss His Highness when he is not around, but his duties are important too,” Li Hua said.

Lóng Wei drew back and looked her in the eyes. “I will request my father once. It is not my duty to solve those matters. I am the governor of Qinping, not the governor of Qijiang,” Lóng Wei stated when Li Hua chuckled at him.

“This is so wrong Your Highness. You have finally got the opportunity to make everyone believe how good you are. You have to go to Qijiang to help the people out there. Use your skills for the people’s betterment,” Li Hua advised him.

“Why? Did they ever think about me? Why should I think about those people?” Lóng Wei pulled up a long face. He was not the King, nor was he the Crown Prince. It was not his duty to think about others.

“But His Highness thinks about the people. I know His Highness will return soon. If he will not go, then I will be upset. I want to brag about my husband’s accomplishments,” Li Hua expressed one of the wishes.

“You want me to go away from you. This is so wrong,” Lóng Wei said, and he lay down on the mattress. Li Hua turned to him and lay beside him.

“I only want my husband to show people how good he is at solving such matters,” Li Hua stated and lifted her body on her right elbow while her left hand rested on his chest.

“Qijiang people will not help me with anything,” Lóng Wei reasoned.

Li Hua realized how tough it was to make Lóng Wei understand that he could not expect to take from people all the time.

“Your Highness, do not be like this. Selflessly help others as you did for me and my elder brother,” Li Hua opined.

“That was because I loved you. I do not love those people,” Lóng Wei stated. Her head spun to hear his words. She was going to speak further when he pressed his index finger on her lips. He wrapped his arm around her waist and flipped her. Her hands rested on his forearms when he closed the distance between them.

“Fine. I will go to Qijiang and will not ask my father to reconsider his decision,” he said as he lowered his index finger. He kissed her lips and again looked into her eyes. She smiled and pursed her lips together. He buried his face in the crook of her neck and gave small kisses there. She giggled and asked him to stop. “I am going to miss everything about you,” he whispered as he peered into her eyes again.