Gifted Bride of the Sinned Prince

‘I am ten steps ahead of you.’

Qiu Mu’s head spun as those words kept banging against his head like a stone hitting him. He started to throw everything that came in his hand to subdue his anger.

“Lóng Wei, I will kill you,” he threw the dagger in the air and it hit the wooden wall. His chest rose and fell because of the anger. The person he hated the most was Lóng Wei and this hatred was for many years. Lóng Wei used to leave no ground to humiliate him. He not only doubted his capabilities as the General in the army but also as a Prince.

“My Lord, please calm down,” Eunuch Shi Rang requested him and quickly filled the glass with water for him. Shi Rang forwarded it to Qiu Mu, who pushed it away. The water splashed on the floor and the metal’s voice echoed in the chamber.

“Just get lost from my sight!!” Qiu Mu screamed at Shi Rang, who bowed and turned to leave. However, seeing the Crown Prince in front of him, he stopped.

Qiu Mu was perplexed to see Xiaoming in the early morning in his chamber. Xiaoming looked around and found Qiu Mu destroyed many things for no reason.

“Give us some privacy,” Xiaoming told Eunuch Shi Rang, and Eunuch Lishi. They both walked out of the chamber, shutting the doors behind them.

“Forgive me, Crown Prince. I didn’t intend to do it,” Qiu Mu said and let out a frustrated sigh. “It is all because of him.” He gritted his teeth in annoyance.

.....

“Brother Qiu Mu should not have to go this extreme. Brother Lóng Wei loves to get on the nerves of the people around him. Why did Brother Qiu Mu plan to kill him?” Xiaoming scolded Qiu Mu while keeping his tone polite.

“Because he did something which almost ruined my reputation,” Qiu Mu affirmed.

“Brother Qiu Mu should not have molested the young female servants,” Xiaoming remarked and knitted his brows. “You cannot fool me. I am your elder brother,” he stated.

Qiu Mu chuckled at him. “Molested? They were the ones who showed interest in me. It isn’t wrong when you get attracted to someone,” Qiu Mu said. “Lóng Wei wanted to snatch away my position. That is why I did it. The Crown Prince knows that he’s a threat to us. If he dies, everything will get resolved.” Qiu Mu tried to get the support of Xiaoming.

“Tell the truth to the Royal Father,” Xiaoming said with a plain expression on his face.

“Pardon me?” Qiu Mu tilted his head. He was shocked to hear that statement.

“Admit your crimes, Brother Qiu Mu. It is not good to treat a woman this way. You are a prince and if words go out, the situation will deteriorate,” Xiaoming opined. He wanted Qiu Mu to realize his mistake.

“The Crown Prince shall not forget that it was mutual. I never-”

“Then why didn’t Brother Qiu Mu marry any of them? Why did Brother Qiu Mu throw them out of the palace? Why did Brother Qiu Mu make them see the false dreams of becoming his concubine? Why did their condition become worse than before?” Xiaoming posed several questions in front of Qiu Mu.

“What has happened to the Crown Prince? What is he talking about? In the Palace, isn’t it normal? I admit that it was the attraction for a few moments, but why would I make such petty servants my concubines? They should feel happy that I at least glanced at them. The Second Prince of the Qiu Kingdom isn’t any ordinary person.”

Qiu Mu failed to understand that what he did was heinous in Xiaoming’s eyes. The one thing Xiaoming hated was when a man proudly said that he could do anything with a woman.

“Be ready to get punished, Brother Qiu Mu. Imagine someone doing all this to one of our sisters. Will your thoughts be the same? You have time till the afternoon to think. If you do not go to the King yourself, then I will inform him,” Xiaoming pronounced and turned to leave.

“Before preaching to me about right and wrong, the Crown Prince must look at what he did. He killed thirty servants,” Qiu Mu stated, which made Xiaoming stop in his way. “Shouldn’t he admit his crimes first?” He questioned him.

“Of course, I will admit it. I am heading to meet our Royal Father,” Xiaoming said, and he left the chamber.

Qiu Mu threw the vessel on the floor and fisted his palms. “It all happened because of Lóng Wei,” he muttered.

~~~~~~

Xiaoming halted outside the manor of the King. Since today was not the court session, the King was taking a bath in the hot water spring of his manor.

Eunuch Gao Bing informed Qiu Zedong about the Crown Prince’s sudden visit to him.

“Tell the Crown Prince to wait for me in my private chamber. Give him tea,” Qiu Zedong ordered Gao Bing, who bowed and walked away.

Xiaoming refused to take the tea and asked Gao Bing if he would wait.

“Why doesn’t His Royal Highness take a seat?” Gao Bing asked humbly.

“That is not needed, Eunuch Gao Bing. Thank you for asking,” Xiaoming said and passed a tiny smile to him. Eunuch Gao Bing guessed that Xiaoming was in some trouble. He walked out to learn the truth from Eunuch Lishi.

“Greetings to the Senior Eunuch,” Eunuch Lishi was glad to see that.

“Eunuch Lishi, is everything good with the Crown Prince?” Gao Bing queried.

“Did the Senior Eunuch also notice it?” Eunuch Lishi arched his brow. “I am afraid, but I also do not know. These few days, the Crown Prince was in some deep trouble. He didn’t sleep, eat well, and could not concentrate on his work. However, the previous night,” Eunuch Lishi looked around and moved closer to Eunuch Gao Bing, “he was happy. He ate properly and then had a good sleep.”

“That seems strange, Eunuch Lishi. I think he has come to discuss it with his father. The Crown Prince usually shares his problems with his father more than his mother,” Gao Bing said. Eunuch Lishi agreed with his words.