Gifted Bride of the Sinned Prince

“I feel the same. The connection seems so strong between us,” Li Hua said and put the teacup on the table. “The tea tasted heavenly,” she said and thanked Song Jia for brewing the tea for them.

“I am glad Sister Hua liked the tea,” Song Jia replied.

“I do not know many things about Prince Lóng Wei, but I have heard from Prince Tianjie about him. Even the last night, I could not say anything to him. I hope he is doing well,” Song Jia said.

“Prince Lóng Wei is better than before,” Li Hua said. The servant took away the teapot and cups.

“It must have been tough for Prince Lóng Wei. He was wronged by everyone in the kingdom. Prince Tianjie told me after Sister Hua came into Prince Lóng Wei’s life, he turned better,” Song Jia stated.

Li Hua hummed. “We both made each other’s lives better. I had come here to find the culprits behind my family’s slaughter and met Prince Lóng Wei. He has protected me since the day he returned from the cold palace. As much as he became a better man, I also found a change in myself. I transformed into a better person thanks to him and saw the world from a different perspective,” Li Hua affirmed while keeping a tiny smile on her lips.

Song Jia hummed when Li Hua asked her about her journey. “It must be difficult for Sister Jia to survive in a world of men,” she said.

“Sister Hua is right. It was difficult. Though, I could only meet an elite section of men. It was hard to keep yourself untouched by them, but I made it. In the Dragon’s palace, I only see the world that men had set for us dancers. However, Prince Tianjie’s one affectionate gesture could not stop my heart from falling for him,” Song Jia said.

.....

“Prince Tianjie fought a lot for marrying Sister Jia,” Li Hua said.

“Pardon me for intruding in the conversation of Her Highnesses,” the maidservant said and continued, “Princess Consort Cha Ying has called you two to come to the Queen’s manor.”

Both Li Hua and Song Jia looked at each other before standing up.

Upon reaching the Queen’s chamber, they found the royal tailor and his assistants whom Jin Yu had called to make new dresses for every woman in the palace.

“Li Hua, Song Jia, you two took the time to come. Tell the royal tailor what kind of dresses you two want,” Jin Yu said.

“Her Majesty is gifting us the dresses,” Ai Fen told them.

“Umm… I will take some time to think, Your Majesty,” Li Hua said. Jin Yu nodded and asked the two to sit down on the chairs. The royal tailor told them about the new styles that he discovered and would make them prettier.

“I generally prefer simple clothing,” Cha Ying said.

“Princess Consort Cha Ying is the wife of the Second Prince, who is the prime minister of the Qiu Kingdom. She must dress in any of these new styles to look different from the others,” the royal tailor stated.

Jin Yu agreed with his words and asked Cha Ying not to hesitate to use the new style. She also ordered one dress for Jingfei and told the royal tailor to make the first dress for Jingfei.

“Shouldn’t the Queen make the first dress for herself?” the royal tailor asked her.

“Sister Jingfei is considered the most beautiful royal lady after Queen Dowager. Since she is married, I want to give her first then we all can have our dresses,” Jin Yu said. Cha Ying found Jin Yu was thoughtful of the people around her.

“When the dress gets ready, I will go and give it to Sister Jingfei,” Li Hua said.

“Sure.” Jin Yu shifted her gaze again at the royal tailor and told him he had a week to prepare Jingfei’s dress.

Xiaoming stopped outside Jin Yu’s chamber when heard the voices of the women. He asked the maidservants about it.

“Your Majesty, all the royal ladies have gathered on the request of Her Majesty. The Queen wants to gift a dress in new styles to each of them,” one of the maidservants informed Xiaoming.

“Inform me when everyone leaves,” Xiaoming commanded the maidservant and walked away.

~~~~~~~~

Lóng Wei hugged Xu Zifan warmly and pulled away. He placed his hands on Xi Zifan’s shoulders. “You look much better now. Your wife is taking good care of you,” Lóng Wei remarked. It made Xu Zifan and Mingquan smile.

“I wanted to come yesterday to see the Prince and Li Hua, but then I thought you both must be tired,” Xu Zifan said.

“Yes. We both were sleeping till evening,” Lóng Wei replied and pulled out the chair for him. Mingquan and Xu Zifan also took seats around the table.

“Feng Lao did not come. I hoped to see him,” Mingquan said.

“Feng Lao has gone to see Chang Shi and Xiwan, Your Highness,” Xu Zifan replied.

“Did Li Jianjun trouble you after I left?” Lóng Wei asked.

Xu Zifan shook her head. “He regrets his actions and even apologized to Jingfei. It was tough to please Jingfei to let the past grudge go away, but later she agreed and forgave Jianjun,” Xu Zifan told Lóng Wei.

“How is Prince Lóng Wei’s father doing? I heard from Feng Lao he got sick in the middle of the month,” Xu Zifan said worriedly.

“Father got cold all of a sudden. He did not realize his age for a second and played in rain with a few kids,” Lóng Wei stated.

“Li Hua’s birthday is coming soon. What have you planned to give your sister?” Lóng Wei questioned him.

“I have to think,” Xu Zifan said.

“What about Brother Lóng Wei? What will he give the Sister-in-law as a present?” Mingquan curiously asked.

“I am confused about what to give to her,” Lóng Wei murmured when they heard a voice.

The assistant to Mingquan informed him Lin Jiao had come to see him. Mingquan rose to his feet and asked him to let her in. After a few seconds, Lin Jiao entered the room with a wide smile on her lips. But that soon faded as she saw two unknown faces.

“You are Lin Jiao!” Lóng Wei arched his eyebrow and stood up.