Gifted Bride of the Sinned Prince

“Tell the Queen I will see her at the lunch table,” Xiaoming said.

Sun Fuguo bowed and left the imperial court.

“What could be the reason that he is still not here? I hope he and others are safe and sound,” Xiaoming murmured.

The large mahogany doors of the court opened and Xiaoming looked in that direction. A smile formed on his lips as he saw the familiar face before him.

“Lóng Wei!” Xiaoming rose to his feet and quickly came down.

Lóng Wei stopped and bowed to the King. “Greetings to Your Majesty.” He brought his hands to her shoulders length and bowed to him. Lóng Wei lifted his head and gazed at Xiaoming before lowering his hands.

“Lóng Wei!” Xiaoming spread his arms out and then hugged him tightly. “Finally Brother Lóng Wei has returned. I was thinking about him only,” he stated before withdrawing from the hug.

“I heard the news. Congratulations,” Lóng Wei said and smiled at him.

.....

“Thank you, Brother Lóng Wei,” Xiaoming said and hugged him tightly. Lóng Wei placed his hands on Xiaoming’s back before they both pulled away. He placed his hands on his shoulders and patted them. “Brother Lóng Wei surprised us with his arrival,” he said.

“I love giving surprises,” Lóng Wei stated.

“How are the others? Why did Brother Lóng Wei get late to return?” Xiaoming inquired.

“All are well. We spent a good time in Xinshui. That’s why we got late,” Lóng Wei replied.

Sun Fuguo had reached the court by then and was surprised to see Lóng Wei before him. Lóng Wei’s eyes met his and Sun Fuguo promptly bowed to him.

“I will see His Majesty later. I am sleepy and tired,” Lóng Wei said and bowed to Xiaoming before heading to his manor.

While walking in the corridor, he encountered Cha Ying and Song Jia, who were surprised to see him.

He halted for a brief moment as Cha Ying greeted him. Song Jia slightly bowed after that. It was the first time Song Jia saw Lóng Wei.

“Finally, you returned. I wonder why did you even run away in the first place,” Lóng Wei muttered.

“I could not handle the pressure,” Cha Ying replied. “Prince Lóng Wei saw me that day,” she murmured.

“Is there anything that can be hidden from my eyes?” Lóng Wei self praised himself and walked ahead, saying nothing to Song Jia.

“Prince Lóng Wei has a strange way to speak,” Song Jia said.

“Indeed,” Cha Ying said with a smile. “Did the others know about their return?” she mumbled.

Lóng Wei stepped into his chamber and changed his clothes first before heading to see Li Hua. To his surprise, Li Hua was already sleeping on the bed. He walked up to her and got into the bed. Covering them from the quilt, he snuggled close to Li Hua and drifted off to sleep in a few minutes.

~~~~~~~

Mingquan immediately left his work as soon as he found out about Lóng Wei’s and others return to the palace.

As he stepped out of the office, he saw Lin Jiao before her with a packed lunch box in her hand.

“What are you doing here?”

“Is the Fourth Prince going outside?”

They both asked each other at the same time.

“I brought lunch for the Fourth Prince, thinking we will eat it together,” Lin Jiao asserted.

“I cannot eat today. Forgive me,” Mingquan said.

“Why?” Lin Jiao queried.

“Brother Lóng Wei and others have returned. I need to see them,” Mingquan replied. “Will you go by yourself or should I drop you at your house?” He asked.

“I thought we would have lunch together. Prince Mingquan can go to the palace after eating the lunch meals,” Lin Jiao said.

Mingquan thought for a while and then nodded at her. He didn’t want to upset her since it was her first time bringing lunch for him. He took the box, wrapped in a silk cloth, from her and walked into the office.

The assistant had already cleaned up the table and smiled to see Lin Jiao.

“I will leave after having lunch with Miss Lin,” Mingquan said. The assistant nodded and strode out of the room.

Mingquan placed the lunch box on the circular table near the window and pulled out a chair for Lin Jiao.

She sat on it with a cheerful smile and waited for Mingquan to sit down. After he took a seat, Lin Jiao opened the lunch box.

“It took me two hours to prepare this meal. Even the house servants were surprised by my act. I tried my best, Prince Mingquan,” Lin Jiao said and handed him a pair of chopsticks, “I Hope you will like the food.”

Mingquan looked at the tiny dumplings and picked one. He took a smiling bite of it while Lin Jiao keenly peered at him, wondering whether he would like it.

“You are good at cooking.” Mingquan brought the dumpling close to her mouth, “eat it.”

She brought her hand close to her mouth and took a small bite. Mingquan ate the remaining dumpling and they both began eating. He saw she had even prepared sweets for him.

“I learned cooking for His Highness,” Lin Jiao said.

“I can see that,” Mingquan said. “Thank you for the delicious lunch meal,” he asserted and filled a glass of water for her. She drank the water first and used the same glass he drank water.

“Thank you for having lunch with me,” Lin Jiao said and she put the chopsticks into the lunch box. She closed the box and tied the silk cloth around it.

“I will drop you at your house,” Mingquan said.

“No. I will go by myself,” Lin Jiao replied. “Prince Lóng Wei has returned after a long time. I already took a lot of time off the Prince,” she said.

“Your house is in the way. If I let you go out alone, then I will only be worried,” Mingquan said and took the lunchbox from her.