Gifted Bride of the Sinned Prince

He took a horse from the city’s stable for rent and then went to the place where Liu Jin Yu would be. If he had done anything early, he would regret it throughout his life.

The horse stopped, and Xiaoming jumped down from it. He saw Liu Jin Yu dusting the tables when her eyes fell on him. She stopped and looked around. Most of the workers had headed to their respective homes.

Liu Jin Yu stopped what she was doing and rushed to him. “Why did His Royal Highness come out of the palace?” She asked in an extremely low voice, which was audible to Xiaoming only.

“Whom are you marrying? I want to meet the man,” Xiaoming said.

Liu Jin Yu knitted her brows and peeked inside the restaurant to make sure Wu Jin would not see them.

Liu Jin Yu looked at the horse and then at Xiaoming. “The Crown Prince shall return. I cannot make him meet my soon-to-be husband. He lives far from here,” she lied to him.

“Tell me the place where he lives. I will find out,” Xiaoming stated.

Liu Jin Yu panicked because if Wu Jin came out, then he would pose hundreds of questions before them. He would perceive Xiaoming as a noble who liked Liu Jin Yu, and he might try to set them up.

.....

“Please come with me,” she requested, and walked ahead. Xiaoming followed her while taking the horse with him. Liu Jin Yu took him towards the forest and made sure that no one was around.

Xiaoming tied the horse around a thin tree stem and walked to Liu Jin Yu. She had crossed her arms around her chest and gazed at him with an upset look.

“The Crown Prince doesn’t care about his life at all,” she stated and glared at him. “Why is he so interested in knowing whom I will marry?” Her tone became a little harsh. She curled her fingers as she didn’t like the way he talked to him.

“Because I don’t want you to marry him,” Xiaoming stated, taking a step forward.

“I like him.” Liu Jin Yu knew where it was going. Xiaoming broke his promise and developed his feelings for her. That should not have happened. She would not let him do anything stupid that could lead to her death.

“Don’t lie to me,” Xiaoming said.

“Why would I lie about the man whom I want to marry?” She arched her eyebrow.

“Because you know what I will ask from you,” Xiaoming affirmed.

A lump formed in Liu Jin Yu’s throat. She didn’t want to admit the thoughts she currently had in her mind.

“Then, I must refuse it,” Liu Jin Yu said.

“You should decide after listening to me, Jin Yu,” Xiaoming opined. He took another step towards her and then another. Thus, he soon closed the distance between them and stood tall in front of her. He removed the fake mustache from his upper lip and looked into her eyes.

“I will protect you, Jin Yu. Marry me. Be my woman,” Xiaoming said. His ears turned red while his heart raced at an incredibly higher speed. His words were sincere for her and so were his feelings.

Liu Jin Yu lowered her hands and continued to look into the eyes of Xiaoming. “Forgive me. I cannot marry the Crown Prince. “I will no longer be His Royal Highness’ friend because he broke the promise and developed feelings for me,” she said, her eyes downcast. This is the last time I recognized him. After today, I will forget if I ever met the Crown Prince.”

She again looked at him while keeping herself firmly in her place.

“I don’t want to use force, Jin Yu. Not with you, at least. You also know I am capable enough to marry you. I don’t want you to despise me. That’s why I came to you. To convince you,” Xiaoming asserted.

“I should not be His Royal Highness’ choice. I want to live freely. The palace doesn’t have freedom, and I cannot accept it,” Liu Jin Yu affirmed. She clutched the edges of her dress.

She was hurt while saying those words to Xiaoming. He not only spared her life but also did many things for her. She felt the pain while saying such words to Xiaoming, but it was for their betterment. She couldn’t risk her life, and she didn’t want Xiaoming to become weak as a result of his feelings for her.

“I will give you freedom. You don’t need to worry about that,” Xiaoming assured her.

Liu Jin Yu chuckled. “One who cannot raise his voice, can never fight for my freedom,” she mocked him. Hurting Xiaoming’s feelings was the best available option for her. He would start to hate her if she was harsh on him.

“I admit it, Jin Yu. But you can see the change in me. I never went against my father’s orders. I am ready to fight for what I truly want. I only want you to agree to my proposal,” Xiaoming said while being gentle with her.

“I am afraid, but I refuse. I don’t want to marry the Crown Prince. I never saw him as a man,” Liu Jin Yu stated, and clenched her fists.

Xiaoming chuckled and closed the remaining distance between them. He grasped her hands and found how strongly she had fisted them. “At least, do not lie to me. I know I have swayed your heart. You told me that you would always support me. I need your support throughout my life.” Their eyes were glued to each other and their faces came close.

“The Crown Prince will bring doom upon himself. Everyone will turn against him. I may lose my life. If he continues to love me, he will be affected badly. It may sound great to become the wife of the Crown Prince, but not to me. I want a peaceful life,” Liu Jin Yu stated.