Chapter 65

65 Give us some privacy

“Your Highness, Miss Hua said that she will wear what the Queen has told her. From the next day, Miss Hua will wear what the Sixth Prince wants her to,” Xiwan delivered Li Hua’s message to Lóng Wei.

“Hmm. Tell Court Lady Hong to arrange a meeting for her. Since we cannot see each other, tell her to put a translucent curtain between us. I need to talk to Li Hua,” Lóng Wei instructed Xiwan.

Xiwan looked at Lóng Wei with inquisitiveness, who asked him if he had a problem delivering the message.

“Absolutely not, Your Highness.” Xiwan lowered his eyes. “Miss Hua said that she does not want any trouble before the marriage,” he answered.

“I didn’t even start troubling her. I am gentle with her,” Lóng Wei said and rose to his feet. He wore the shoes and walked out of the chamber. Xiwan followed him and asked where he was heading to.

“To see her. She forced me to see her,” Lóng Wei stated and descended the stairs when Xiwan came in front of him.

“My humble apologies for stopping the Sixth Prince this way. However, I think that His Highness shall not break his promise. I will surely ask Court Lady Hong to arrange a meeting for you both, where the Sixth Prince and Miss Hua will not look at each other.” Xiwan calmed him down while agreeing to Lóng Wei’s previous suggestion.

“Go then. Tell Lady Hong to do it in ten minutes. I need to talk to Li Hua. Also, tell Li Hua to not provoke me to see her face-to-face,” Lóng Wei said with a stern tone. Xiwan bowed and ran out of the manor.

He stopped outside Li Hua’s chamber to catch his breath. Wiping the sweat from his forehead using his long sleeve, he said, “The Sixth Prince has an urgent message for Miss Hua.”

.....

Court Lady Hong let Xiwan get in, who informed them what Lóng Wei wanted. Li Hua got troubled to hear that. Why did he want to meet her? Did he not understand the meaning of a promise? But she could not do anything either, except follow Lóng Wei’s order.

“Then, in the next chamber, I will make the arrangements for both Miss Hua and the Sixth Prince,” Court Lady Hong said. Xiwan turned to leave when Li Hua stopped him.

“Senior Brother, why is His Highness doing it?”

Xiwan turned to gaze at Li Hua. “His Highness wants to see Miss Hua wearing the jewelry that he has brought for her. Miss Hua, the Sixth Prince never even bought anything for himself. It is a big thing that His Highness wants to give you everything that is in his capacity.” Xiwan made Li Hua understand.

He found her upset and asked her why she agreed to the marriage if she was unable to decide whose orders to follow.

“What does Senior Brother Xiwan mean?” Li Hua looked puzzled.

“Miss Hua, since you agreed to marry the Sixth Prince, you must follow his orders. Until you follow His Highness, you do not need to fear anything,” Xiwan said with a smile.

“But it can create arguments among the Queen and the Sixth Prince,” Li Hua opined. Earlier, Xiaolian scolded her for meeting Lóng Wei and not following the Queen’s orders.

“The Queen must have already known about it. If Her Majesty had to demand answers from the Sixth Prince or Miss Hua, she would have done it by now,” Xiwan told Li Hua.

“Miss Hua, since you call me a brother, I would like to tell you an important thing. The Sixth Prince wants to marry a servant, which has already made him a laughing stock in many eyes. I should not be saying this, but except the King, no one bothers whom the Sixth Prince marries.”

Li Hua was surprised to learn about that. She found Xiwan was quite close to Lóng Wei. He even knew what he liked, what he hated, and his other traits. Lóng Wei was not the type to even make anyone his friend. Then, how come he let Xiwan know about him?

“I shall take my leave, Miss Hua.” Xiwan left for the Sixth Prince’s manor.

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Five minutes later, Court Lady Hong came to Li Hua and asked her to follow her. Li Hua walked behind her and they reached the patio. A large curtain partitioned the two sitting spaces. Li Hua upon Court Lady Hong’s instructions sat on the left while on the right side of the curtain Lóng Wei was supposed to take the seat.

“Why did the Court Lady agree to the Sixth Prince? She could have told Senior Brother Xiwan that it was impossible to meet today.” Li Hua was still upset about meeting Lóng Wei.

“Miss Hua, the Sixth Prince doesn’t listen to me or anyone here. If I had stopped him, he would have come to meet Miss Hua without asking to make such an arrangement. It is surprising that His Highness kept his promise of not seeing you, instead, he would be on the other side of this curtain,” Court Lady Hong said. She left the patio to check if Lóng Wei arrived or not.

“I know the Sixth Prince will even break his promise. It is all His Highness’s way to see me and tease me. He must be feeling lonely,” she murmured.

~~~~~

Lóng Wei came to the patio with Court Lady Hong and found the large curtain which prevented him from looking at Li Hua.

“Give us some privacy,” Lóng Wei told her. Li Hua lifted her eyes and looked at him through the translucent curtain. Court Lady Hong stepped back and soon left them alone.

Lóng Wei sat on the floor chair on the right side of the curtain. “It seems you are eager to see me, that’s why you didn’t listen to me when I told you to wear them,” Lóng Wei said.

“Your Highness, in the morning-”

Lóng Wei interrupted her in the middle. “Who are you going to marry?”

“The Sixth Prince,” Li Hua answered.

“Then, do what I say. I bought them for you. It took me a lot of time to select them,” Lóng Wei answered. The wind blew and the curtain swung along with the air, showing his face to her. But she promptly averted her gaze from him.

“Did the Queen come to punish you when I saw you yesterday?” His question confused her. “No, right? She doesn’t bother about it. So, this promise that you took from me has no meaning. Because I respect your decision, I agreed to it,” Lóng Wei explained to her.

“What if the Queen asks me why I didn’t wear the jewelry that she asked me to? His Highness shall not anger her,” Li Hua tried to make him understand.

“I will tell her. Don’t bother about it,” Lóng Wei said.

Li Hua lowered her head and fidgeted with her fingers. “Did you sleep well?” Lóng Wei asked her.

“I slept well, Your Highness,” Li Hua replied.

“That day you had a nightmare. So, I thought if you have trouble sleeping,” Lóng Wei asserted.

“No, Your Highness. Anyone would get good sleep on such a soft mattress,” Li Hua said. Lóng Wei hummed.

“Ju Lin is safe,” Lóng Wei told Li Hua, who was delighted to hear it.

“I will meet her later,” she murmured.

“You cannot. I have sent her out,” Lóng Wei said. Li Hua was bewildered to learn about it. Lóng Wei sent Ju Lin! But where?

“Don’t ask anyone or discuss it with anyone. It is between us. I have put my trust in you,” Lóng Wei warned her.

“May I know why His Highness sent Ju Lin out?” She was curious to know. She found him silent. “I will wait for His Highness’ answer. Hopefully, he will tell me tomorrow,” she then said.

“Li Hua, forget about your past lover tomorrow when you will take the vows with me. I don’t want you to keep him in your mind anymore.” Lóng Wei’s tone was soft. Li Hua looked away because it would not be going to happen.

“I have not taken my breakfast in the morning. So, I will leave as I am hungry. I am eagerly waiting for tomorrow,” Lóng Wei said and rose to his feet. “Lóng Wei loves you,” he told her and it made her eyes widen. She recalled how he sent the same message through Xiwan.

“His Highness should not have asked Senior Brother Xiwan to say that,” Li Hua complained and lifted her head.

“What did I say to him?” Lóng Wei acted unaware.

“Those words, Your Highness,” Li Hua said.

“I said many words. Which words are you talking about? Be clear,” Lóng Wei demanded and smirked.

“Nothing,” Li Hua replied, “Your Highness.”

Lóng Wei smiled. “You need to answer with the same words. When a man confesses his feelings to his woman, she should respond to him too,” he stated. Before Li Hua could speak, Lóng Wei left the patio.