Chapter 201

201 A Death Sentence

Li Hua apologized to Qiu Zedong for not revealing that she was the daughter of the Xu Family. “Your Majesty, after everyone died that day, I was no longer a daughter of the noble family. So, it was best to remain quiet and accept my fate. However, when His Highness took me to Xinshui, I found out that the Shui Family was involved in all this.”

“Prince Lóng Wei has told me about the incident. When the Prince married, everyone laughed at him. As a father, I was hurt but because Prince Lóng Wei kept saying he loves you, I could not stop him. It will be wonderful to tell the regal family and everyone that Li Hua is not from the servant class, but she belongs to the Xu family.” Qiu Zedong gladly accepted Li Hua and glanced at Xu Zifan.

“Last time when Xu Guang Li visited me, he told me that his eldest son would dedicate his life to my service. I believe that you can become as great as with your left arm. It is a matter of time and you’ll excel in it again. Since Li Hua is the daughter-in-law of the Qiu Family, I will bestow you with an important title in the Kingdom along with a residence in Qinping. If you wish to return to Xinshui, I will not stop you,” Qiu Zedong affirmed.

Lóng Wei smiled to hear his father.

“I would like to give my service to His Majesty,” Xu Zifan said and bowed.

“Great!” Qiu Zedong liked his decision. “Tomorrow morning in the imperial court, I will announce it. Also, I will summon Shui Xiaoqing and his son, Shui Feng Lao, to the court. I cannot let a person rule over a territory who betrayed his friend for a selfish motto,” Qiu Zedong asserted. Li Hua was overwhelmed to hear the decision of the King.

Lóng Wei refrained from telling the King that someone from the palace was associated. Because the King would definitely consult with the Queen, the words might spread out which could alert the enemy.

“I would like to talk with Li Hua privately. You both are dismissed,” Qiu Zedong stated. Lóng Wei wondered what it was about. But he had faith that Li Hua would tell him later. They both left with Eunuch Gao Bing while Li Hua stayed back in the chamber with the King.

“Before His Majesty starts, I would like to thank him,” Li Hua said and bowed.

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“You must thank me for bringing out the truth,” Qiu Zedong said. Li Hua lifted her head to glance at the King.

“I found a different change in my son after you both returned from Xinshui. He never conversed with me and I failed to feel what was buried deep inside his words. I do not know about your first meeting with him. He told me that you saved him from dying. Lóng Wei wanted to experience death that day,” Qiu Zedong said with a heavy heart.

Li Hua was stunned to hear the King.

‘I wanted to feel nothing.’

Li Hua finally understood what Lóng Wei meant that day. He was indeed trying to die. But, why?

“Find the truth about why Lóng Wei killed his mother,” Qiu Zedong told Li Hua. “The deal we had made earlier where I had given you two months’ time, I withdrew it on Lóng Wei’s request. I also do not want you to get separated from Lóng Wei after what I witnessed today.”

“Your Majesty, I am grateful to you for withdrawing the deal. I tried to ask His Highness many times. However, he asked me to stay in the past. Also, whenever I bring up that topic, he gets furious,” Li Hua stated.

“When Prince Lóng Wei can do anything for you, then why can you not?” Qiu Zedong’s question troubled Li Hua. She realized that she had not done anything for Lóng Wei.

She looked at the jade ring which Lóng Wei made her wear.

“Your Majesty, I will definitely find out about it,” Li Hua said.

“You must do it at all costs,” Qiu Zedong stated.

“Your Majesty, could you please tell me what happened that day? Maybe it will help me,” Li Hua asserted.

“Prince Lóng Wei had come at midnight to tell me that he killed his mother. He was covered in blood. However, I believe that Lóng Wei didn’t do it. You must find out the truth,” Qiu Zedong stressed in his words.

“Your Majesty, in the cold palace, I found out that His Highness was supposed to be locked in the dungeon for a certain period of time. Eunuch Qian He told me that when His Highness was punished for his mother’s murder, he was locked for several months in the dungeon. That could be another reason behind his today’s behavior towards people around him,” Li Hua concluded.

Qiu Zedong shook his head. “Prince Lóng Wei was troubling the people for a long time. I was forced to do it as the King. Everyone demanded a death sentence for Lóng Wei, but I could not give him. That’s why locking him in the dungeon for several months was the best option,” he asserted and sighed.

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“You may leave. This conversation shall remain between us. Even if the Prince threatens you, don’t tell about it,” Qiu Zedong said. “He will stay alert and will never tell you if he finds out that I want to know the truth.” He made her understand.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Li Hua bowed.

“Your Majesty, I want to make an appeal tomorrow in the court. Will His Majesty allow me to do so?” Li Hua asked for permission first.

“An appeal to punish the Shui family?” Qiu Zedong inquired.

“Yes, Your Majesty. I want to tell the truth in front of the court ministers and reveal the truth to them,” Li Hua asserted.

“I would advise you not to do it now. A minister had approached me for the appointment of Shui Xiaoqing as the governor of Xinshui,” Qiu Zedong stated. Li Hua was astonished to learn the truth behind Shui Xiaoqing’s appointment as the Governor.

“May I know who this minister is?” Li Hua inquired.

“I will tell you about it in the morning tea session,” Qiu Zedong said. “I haven’t told Prince Lóng Wei about it yet. Wait till tomorrow,” he asserted. Li Hua agreed to that.

The King told Li Hua to leave. She complied with his command and left the chamber.

As she stepped out of the door, she found Lóng Wei was waiting for him.

“I sent Xu Zifan to the guest chamber with Gao Bing,” Lóng Wei said. “Come, let’s go,” he extended his hand out which Li Hua held.