Chapter 49

49 Can break any Rule

“Prince Lóng Wei, what happened exactly? Could you please explain to me? I can be great help to you,” stated Huang Xi as the two walked on the broad cobblestone path.

“I don’t need anyone’s help. Commander Hei Huang Xi shall not poke his nose in my matter,” Lóng Wei said rudely.

Huang Xi grasped Lóng Wei’s arm and said, “Why is the Prince sulking? He must take this commander’s help. I am good at investigating such crimes.”

Lóng Wei forced a smile on his lips. “Sadly, I don’t have trust in this great commander,” he stated and resumed the walk after yanking his arm off Huang Xi’s grip. He kept walking ahead while Huang Xi followed him.

Near the horse stable, Lóng Wei stopped when a maidservant appeared in front of him. She was panting and bowed before the Sixth Prince. “Weren’t you supposed to be near Li Hua for her service?” Lóng Wei asked her. He had told her to stay close to Li Hua. If anything would happen, then she had to report to him as soon as possible.

“Yo-your Highness, I was with Miss Hua only. Earlier, Miss Hua screamed and fainted. So, I was searching for His Highness to inform him,” the maidservant answered while catching her breath.

Huang Xi was bewildered to hear that. Before he could ask, Lóng Wei walked away. The maidservant followed the Sixth Prince, and the two reached the Western Palace, where Li Hua was residing.

Lóng Wei entered the chamber and found Li Hua on the bed. “I heard you fainted. What happened?” He asked as he settled on the mattress beside her. Li Hua could not even get time to sit straight on the mattress.

Court Lady Hong was shocked to see Lóng Wei in the chamber. “Your Highness, you are not supposed to be here.” She got troubled and asked him to leave. However, Lóng Wei didn’t listen to her words.

.....

Li Hua, who was in a half-lying position, used her elbows to lift her body. She straightened and shook her head. “Nothing happened, Your Highness. You shall leave.” Li Hua decided not to tell him and urged him to leave the chamber.

“Why did she faint?” Lóng Wei tilted his head to look at Court Lady Hong.

“Miss Hua also refused to tell me. Physician Peng was also puzzled, Your Highness,” Court Lady Hong answered. “His Highness shall as it is not considered a good omen to see the bride before the marriage,” she requested.

Lóng Wei told Court Lady to leave the chamber, who didn’t argue as it would only lead to the increased temper of Lóng Wei.

Once the door closed, Lóng Wei turned to look at Li Hua, whose knees were in the air. She downcasted her eyes.

“Did you eat your breakfast?” Lóng Wei asked her.

“Yes, Your Highness,” Li Hua answered. Lóng Wei moved his hand towards her feet and pulled her towards him. Her legs rested on his laps while their faces came infinitesimal closer. For a second, her breath hitched. “I don’t want to force you to tell the truth. But if you still do not trust me, then it will hurt me,” Lóng Wei stated.

He looked at her hair which looked shinier to him than before. He lifted his hand, and his fingers brushed her temple. “Why did you scream and then faint?” Lóng Wei tucked the hair strands behind her ear.

“Your Highness, when I got the oil massage on my hair, I recalled my close friend, who is no more. I felt strange, and my breathing also became ragged. I ended up screaming,” Li Hua told Lóng Wei but didn’t go into details.

“It must be tough on you since you lost so many dear ones,” Lóng Wei stated and stroked his fingers in her long, silky hair. Li Hua hummed. “Why did you not tell them?” He asked.

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“I thought I would be called insane,” Li Hua replied.

Lóng Wei was amused to hear her response. “Do you want to go out with me?” Lóng Wei asked.

“That’s not possible, Your Highness. It is the second time you broke the rule and come here,” Li Hua stated and pulled her legs up when Lóng Wei grasped her right ankle. Her high-waist skirt pushed up, and her milky, white leg was visible. She widened her eyes and reached her hand to push it down before Lóng Wei would see it.

“For you, I can break any rule thousands of times. Moreover, the Queen will be happy only if I break this rule. In her eyes, it is a bad omen to see the bride two days before the marriage day. So, it will delight her only,” Lóng Wei affirmed. “I will show you something... beautiful,” he asserted.

“What? I cannot go outside the palace, Your Highness. His Highness may like to break rules, but I hate it,” Li Hua said, with a stern tone.

“And I love to make people break the rules,” Lóng Wei said with a smirk, and his fingers grazed over her bare leg. Li Hua forgot to push the skirt down and gaped at him. She looked down and slapped his hand. He pulled back his hand, and she quickly covered her leg, at the same time, putting her feet on the floor.

Lóng Wei looked at the hand on which Li Hua slapped. “You have smooth skin. I wonder how long I will control myself.”

Li Hua looked at him in astonishment and gulped seeing the grin on his face. Did he imagine something he should not have?!

“I am sleepy.” Li Hua made an excuse to make me go out.

“You never got to sleep when you worked as a servant,” Lóng Wei stated. “No one will find out. After our marriage, you won’t be allowed to go out for days or even months. Then, you will regret it.” He started to convince her.

When Li Hua did not agree, he thought of using another trick. “If you refuse to go out with me, then I will stay with you all the time for two days,” he said with a smirk.

Li Hua sighed, and her brows furrowed. “Fine, I will go out with His Highness. But he must promise me something.” She put forward her condition. “His Highness will not see me until the marriage day,” she affirmed.

“Fine,” Lóng Wei agreed immediately.

Li Hua had not expected it. “I want to make myself restless to see you in these two days. The love between us will strengthen then,” he, with a smile, stated.

He rose to his feet and outstretched his hand to her. Li Hua didn’t place her hand on his palm when Lóng Wei bent a little and grasped her hand tightly. He pulled her up and said, “This is better.”

“Will the people not see us? Then-” she paused as Lóng Wei put his index finger on her lips.

“Shhhh. No one will see,” Lóng Wei said and called the Court Lady Hong in. He put his hand down and turned to look at her.

“We are going out. Make sure no one finds out,” Lóng Wei instructed Lady Hong, who rebelled against his idea and asked him not to do so.

“We servants will get punished, Your Highness,” Lady Hong expressed her concern.

“Not until they find out that Li Hua is outside. So, do your job well,” Lóng Wei said with a smile and dragged Li Hua out with him.