Chapter 117

117 Behind your mother’s death

The next morning, Lóng Wei and Li Hua took the blessings of the King and the Queen. Qiu Zedong told Lóng Wei to take care of himself and Li Hua too. He hugged Lóng Wei and patted his back.

Li Hua found out that Qiu Zedong’s love for Lóng Wei was extreme. Usually, a father would get angry at his son for making trouble for everyone around him. However, Qiu Zedong’s love for his youngest son was not hidden from anyone.

Lóng Wei pulled away from the hug and stepped back. “Royal Father is getting too emotional. I will return in a week with Li Hua,” he stated.

“I know. But for a father, his child’s safety is at the top. Prince Lóng Wei has enemies around him because he always creates troubles,” Qiu Zedong expressed his concern.

“I have the Second General as my elder brother. Who will harm me when I have his protection,” Lóng Wei said and tilted his head to look at Qiu Mu, who sneered at him.

“Last night, I had this strange dream. I was being attacked and the Second Prince protected me,” Lóng Wei pronounced and smiled.

“Did you get such a dream? Then, postpone this journey. Monk Yuze says that such dreams are a signal for us,” Qiu Zedong opined.

“Royal Father, the dream meant that my elder Brother will protect me no matter what,” Lóng Wei asserted and told Qiu Zedong not to worry. “We might get late if we stay for longer,” he added and looked at Li Hua. Forwarding his hand, he waited for her to put his hand on his palm.

Li Hua put her hand on his palm and he gently closed it while gradually closing the distance between them.

.....

Xiaoming looked at them and asked them to be careful on the journey. “Brother Lóng Wei, do send a message upon your safe arrival,” he requested to Lóng Wei, who nodded.

They bowed once again before the elders and left the greeting hall.

Huang Xi greeted them as soon as they reached the main imperial gates of the palace. Li Hua felt awkward to see the commander bowing his head. She felt that it was because of her title as the Princess Consort of Lóng Wei.

Huang Xi lifted his head. It was his first time seeing Li Hua. For some reason, he found her familiar.

“What happened?” Lóng Wei asked him, who shook his head.

He went towards the carriage and opened the doors for them. Lóng Wei helped Li Hua get into the carriage. She lifted the long gown and ascended the stairs before stepping into the carriage.

“Why were you staring at her?” Lóng Wei asked Huang Xi.

“Forgive me, Your Highness. I think I have seen the same face somewhere, but I think it was my delusion,” he stated. Lóng Wei was not surprised to hear it. He decided not to reveal anything to Huang Xi until they reach Xinshui.

“You prepared everything, right?” Lóng Wei asked, who nodded his head.

“Brother Lóng Wei, I will also accompany you on this journey to Xinshui town.” They both heard Mingquan’s voice and looked in his direction. Mingquan halted before Lóng Wei. “The Royal Father has ordered for it,” Mingquan said and showed him the tiny scroll.

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“I don’t want the Fourth Prince to trouble himself,” Lóng Wei said and stepped forward when Mingquan grabbed his arm.

“It is not the time to argue, Brother Lóng Wei. I will only be of help. Think about your wife before making any decision,” Mingquan said.

Lóng Wei turned to look at him. After staring at him, for a few minutes, he took the scroll from him and tore it into pieces. Huang Xi gulped to witness that. “The Fourth Prince can return,” Lóng Wei stated. “I don’t need you,” he affirmed.

Mingquan snickered and opened his mouth to speak. “Royal Father is searching for the reason behind your mother’s death. If Brother Lóng Wei cannot allow me to accompany him, I will tell our Father about this,” Mingquan proclaimed. He had no way left except to blackmail Lóng Wei.

“What do you know?” Lóng Wei asked.

“Does the Sixth Brother want me to say it here?” Mingquan queried and his brows furrowed.

“Yes.” Lóng Wei didn’t hesitate.

“She had a-”

“Fine,” before Mingquan could complete his words, Lóng Wei interrupted him, “the Fourth Prince can accompany us.” Mingquan was glad to hear it and looked behind. His horse was brought by the stable head.

Huang Xi glanced at Lóng Wei in bewilderment. A secret related to his mother. What could it be? He was curious to know too. Huang Xi knew that Lóng Wei never revealed the exact truth behind killing his mother. But he got curious to know after what Mingquan said.

Lóng Wei knitted his brows. He had not expected Mingquan to know about it all this time. The troublesome thing was that he never talked about it. Why? Mingquan had thousands of chances to tell this to their father. But he never did it.

Mingquan moved close to Lóng Wei’s ear and said, “I am worried that’s why I decided to accompany you and your wife. I don’t seek any benefits from you. I only want you both to be safe.” He stepped back and peered at Lóng Wei, who was still in confusion.

Mingquan hopped on the horse while Lóng Wei got into the carriage. Huang Xi closed its doors and went to his horse. Mounting it, he asked the chauffeur to start. The carriage moved forward, and they left for Xinshui.

Li Hua opened the window and looked outside the carriage. “If you are sleepy, then you can lean on my shoulder,” Lóng Wei said.

“But I am not sleepy yet,” Li Hua replied.

She found Mingquan was also accompanying and asked the reason for it from Lóng Wei.

“He is one of the best swordsmen. The Royal Father wants him to go with us to Xinshui,” Lóng Wei answered.

Li Hua quickly closed the window. “The Fourth Prince will find out about me then. Why didn’t His Highness stop him from coming with us?” Li Hua got anxious and complained to him.

Lóng Wei took a deep breath in and crossed his arms. “Don’t worry about that,” he said and closed his eyes.

~~~~~

Qiu Mu looked at the soldiers, who were ready to chase the carriage. “You all know what you have to do, right?” Qiu Mu asked them, who nodded.

“Only kill Lóng Wei. Don’t harm others. Your main focus should be Lóng Wei,” Qiu Mu instructed them.

“Yes, Master,” they all said in unison and left to kill Lóng Wei.

“You made a mistake this time. All these years, I bore your sight. Now, go to hell. How could you tell everyone that I molested those petty servants? This punishment is to play with me,” Qiu Mu said with a grim look on his face.