Gifted Bride of the Sinned Prince

The long curtains were hanging loose around the pillars. She walked ahead and reached the other side of the chamber, where a huge bed was placed at the center. It was surrounded by the red curtains and the bedsheet used was red. She wondered if Lóng Wei asked the servants to decorate the chamber this way. One thing that she was sure about was that Lóng Wei didn’t like vibrant colors.

She turned and gazed at Lóng Wei, who had followed her inside.

“Your Highness, you do not like such colors. Then, why did His Highness ask the servants to decorate this grand chamber?”

“Did I ever say that I hate vibrant colors?” Lóng Wei asked.

“No. But in the palace,” Li Hua lifted her hand, “the room isn’t well decorated.”

“I like to keep that place dark,” Lóng Wei answered and reached out his hand to remove the unbuttoned overcoat from his shoulder. He removed it and threw it on the floor.

“Let’s have dinner. I am hungry,” Lóng Wei said and walked away. Li Hua picked up the overcoat from the floor and put it on the bed. She ran after him and sat on one of the mahogany chairs.

Three maidservants walked in and set the table for them. They stepped back and upon Lóng Wei’s order, they left.

.....

Li Hua used to think that the cold palace was full of miseries. However, it seemed the opposite to her. Everything about it was different. She wouldn’t deny that Lóng Wei was happier being in the cold palace because it was luxurious!

She picked the chopsticks and looked at Lóng Wei. “Your Highness, thank you. I am extremely happy. I got to see my brother. Thank you for saving my brother’s life,” Li Hua said.

Lóng Wei gazed at her. “I will give you hundreds of surprises to make you happy,” he stated. “Start eating,” he said.

Li Hua smiled a little and began eating. Lóng Wei found that she ate more than usual in her regular diet. It delighted him.

“Your Highness, what if the Fourth Prince and Commander Huang Xi see my brother?” Li Hua suddenly expressed her concern.

“Don’t worry about it,” Lóng Wei said.

“Will His Highness tell them about my identity?” Li Hua queried.

“I need to tell them because Huang Xi is already suspicious of you,” Lóng Wei replied.

“How? I swear I never-”

“He’s the General’s son,” Lóng Wei interrupted her in the middle. “He might have seen you as he had come to Xinshui with his father. I think it was two years ago when he came to Xinshui,” he said.

“But I never went out. I don’t remember the General visiting the Xu Residence,” Li Hua reasoned.

“But he has seen you somewhere. I heard him say this. I will converse with him tomorrow morning. He is a good person. I let him accompany us because he will be of help. So, don’t worry,” Lóng Wei assured her.

“I believe in His Highness,” Li Hua said and again resumed eating.

“I told you to address me as ‘Dear Husband’. Can’t you do this small thing for me?” Lóng Wei sulked.

“Doesn’t it sound too cheesy?” Li Hua’s right eyebrow arched.

“It sounds more affectionate,” Lóng Wei corrected her. “Do you want to show your feelings through actions?” He thought to tease her.

“Pardon me? Actions?”

“Ahh, earlier, you blushed on the same word. According to your beloved brother, women show their feelings more through their actions. I wonder what your actions will be?” Lóng Wei said and smirked.

“I don’t know what His Highness is thinking in his mind,” Li Hua said, pretending that she didn’t understand his words.

“The same as what you are thinking in your head,” Lóng Wei replied and licked his lips. Li Hua gulped, and her eyes flickered. She quickly lowered them to avoid his gaze and focus on eating.

Li Hua finished her meals earlier than him and picked up the glass of water. After drinking water, she felt full. “It was such a delicious dinner,” she said and waited for Lóng Wei to finish the food.

“Will we go to the Xu Residence tomorrow?” Li Hua asked out of the blue.

“If you want to, then we will go,” Lóng Wei answered.

“Of course, I want to. I want to check.” Li Hua sounded low as she once again recalled that night. “It was burned, right?” She asked.

“Hmm. The assassins put it on fire. I won’t stop you from visiting your house. However, I want you to remain strong,” Lóng Wei said, and he put the chopsticks down. He had finished eating his meals.

“I don’t think I will be able to see it. Let’s not go tomorrow,” Li Hua changed her decision immediately and stood up. She walked away while Lóng Wei called a servant inside. He drank the water and walked to the innermost part of the chamber. He found her standing near the window, looking at the night sky.

He silently advanced to her and stood beside her. “I missed this beautiful night sky,” Li Hua said. “However, it still feels empty.” She tilted her head to look at him.

“What should I do to make it full?”

“His Highness cannot make it full,” Li Hua replied. “Before going to sleep, I always used to look at the night sky. I had my family, my people and my loved ones around me. That’s why it appeared beautiful and full. However, now, it no longer appears the same,” she proclaimed.

Lóng Wei leaned against the window and crossed his arms. “I am also your family, your husband and your lover. I believe that I can fill that emptiness,” he said, with a confident tone.

Lóng Wei moved his hand in the air, gesturing to her to come to him. Li Hua came near him and put his hand on her shoulder. He turned along with her as his arm wrapped around her, drawing her close.

“I also found this sky empty until I watched it with you today,” Lóng Wei said.