Gifted Bride of the Sinned Prince

“That is why I brought you here. A palace is a chaotic place. Either official would have disturbed us or servants,” Qiu Mu said.

Cha Ying smiled to hear him and looked at the teacup before her on the table. “No one disturbs in the private chamber,” Cha Ying said in low voice and picked up the teacup to drink the tea.

“The servants keep their ears on the doors. They are more interested in our married life. Mother has appointed them to specially report about us. She is more desperate for a grandchild than we are. We married two days ago and she had started already,” Qiu Mu said and chuckled. He picked up the teacup and finished the tea.

“I am not sure whether Mother likes me or not. I heard yesterday from a close servant to her that she did not want me to marry Prince Mu,” Cha Ying said. “I am not speaking against Prince Mu’s mother. I want to win her heart, so I was a little worried,” she explained to Qiu Mu.

“Mother has no complaints. And after what the Queen Dowager did, Mother decided to agree with her son. She is happy in my happiness,” Qiu Mu stated and placed his hand over her hand.

“What did the Queen Dowager do? I heard that she no longer lives in the palace,” Cha Ying affirmed.

“Umm… Her Majesty the Queen Dowager tried to poison her son,” Qiu Mu replied.

Cha Ying was shocked to learn the truth and brought her other hand to her mouth.

.....

“You are already aware of what my father did. Queen Dowager could not accept this fact and decided to take a step that completely ruined her life. Brother Xiaoming did not deserve such treatment. Just because he stood with right, he ended up losing his mother,” Qiu Mu said with a sigh.

Cha Ying lowered her hand. “I hope the Queen Dowager realizes her mistakes and apologizes to her son,” she murmured.

“Even an apology cannot recover their dead relationship. I had suggested the same to Brother Xiaoming, but he thinks it would be an injustice if he forgave her,” Qiu Mu affirmed.

Cha Ying hummed. “The King knows the best for this kingdom and our royal family,” she asserted. Qiu Mu agreed with her.

“Your younger brother is remarkable. I am happy that he is nothing like Kang Huijuan. Kang Horan surely will bring the lost dignity of the Kang Family. I know he will soon pass the civil services examination and will get into government,” Qiu Mu said with a smile.

“Yes, Prince Mu. I am surprised to see Horan suddenly acting as the eldest of the house. He has grown up a lot,” Cha Ying said.

“Kang Huijuan wants to see Lóng Wei,” Qiu Mu told Cha Ying, who was astonished to learn about it.

“Why?” Cha Ying asked.

“He wants to apologize to Lóng Wei,” Qiu Mu asserted.

“Oh. I do not think Prince Lóng Wei will forgive my brother,” Cha Ying stated.

“Lóng Wei may do that. He is a carefree kind of person. Moreover, he has a better knowledge of people. Lóng Wei will see through Kang Huijuan if he talks to him,” Qiu Mu opined.

“When will Prince Lóng Wei return?” Cha Ying asked.

“I have no idea. He has not told us a definite answer. I hope he comes with new energy. He was so devastated when the truth about his mother was revealed,” Qiu Mu replied and came out of those thoughts.

“Prince Mu, we have never been such considerate people, right?” Cha Ying asked.

“We were not. Suddenly we changed. I have seen some good changes in myself. I told you when we initially used to meet each other that I would get attracted to any beautiful woman around me,” Qiu Mu said with a bit of embarrassment in his voice.

“I wonder why Prince Mu was like that,” Cha Ying said.

“I got my lesson then. Ahh, those old days were terrible. I had a bad character,” Qiu Mu admitted to her.

“I was also arrogant and so high of myself,” Cha Ying said.

“Not anymore. You are one in a million among all the women,” Qiu Mu complimented her. They both stood up and stood by the window to look outside at the lake, filled with lotuses.

Cha Ying rested her head on Qiu Mu’s shoulder while holding his arm. He tilted his head and it touched hers.

~~~~~~~~

After plucking some flowers from the royal garden, Xiaolian was running down the stairs, when she missed one of the steps. “Ahhh!” She screamed at the top of her lungs and the basket from her hand fell up in the air.

Huang Xi and Chang Shi were walking ahead of her turned around immediately upon hearing that scream. Huang Xi, who was ahead of Xiaolian saw her falling. He spread her arms out to catch and supported her by grabbing her by her shoulders.

Their eyes locked while the flowers fell above them. The basket fell on the stairs with a thud and their eyelock broke. Huang Xi steadied her and asked her if she was alright. Chang Shi worriedly glanced at Xiaolian, who looked a little terrified.

“I am. Thank you,” Xiaolian said.

“Princess Xiaolian shall walk slowly on the stairs. Her skirt is long and if she will run on the stairs, she may fall,” Huang Xi made her understand.

“I will keep it in mind. Thank you again,” Xiaolian said and looked at the stairs. The flowers landed everywhere on the stairs.

“Aish,” she stomped her foot on the stair, on which she was standing.

“The servant will pick them up,” Huang Xi stopped Xiaolian, who almost bent to pick the flowers from the stairs. Chang Shi looked around and saw the servants at the top of the stairs. They came down as they saw the stairs had flowers.

“Princess Xiaolian should go to her chamber,” Huang Xi told her. She hummed and descended one stair. Huang Xi gave her the way and saw her walking away.