Gifted Bride of the Sinned Prince

674  That's a secret, Miaoran [Bonus chapter]

"Feng Lao, I do not know how to return your favors," Miaoran said as she kept her gaze low. They both were present in the front yard of the residence.

"You don't need to return my favors. I never did any favor on you," Feng Lao said. "From now on, your life has begun," he asserted and she lifted her eyes.

"Will we meet after this? I know you are busy," Miaoran said in a low voice.

"We live in the capital, so I will definitely meet you frequently," Feng Lao asserted.

Miaoran smiled at him. "Feng Lao, you gave me this new life. I am grateful to you," she said and asked him if he would feel lonely again.

"Perhaps. We won't be talking with each other after dinner," Feng Lao said.

"Yes," Miaoran nodded at him.

"The next time we see each other, I hope I find a new person in you. I want to see the strong Miaoran. By that time, you must turn healthy too," Feng Lao stated.

"Will you not see me tomorrow?" Miaoran asked.

"Hmm. I have important work to complete," Feng Lao stated.

"Are you going somewhere?" Miaoran asked him.

"Yes. Don't worry. I will return soon," Feng Lao answered.

"Where are you going?" Miaoran wanted to know the town he was heading to.

"That's a secret, Miaoran," Feng Lao replied.

"Oh." Miaoran fell into a deep thought for a few seconds before she opened her mouth to speak, "I hope to see you soon, Feng Lao. Tell Brother Xu Zifan and Sister Jingfei how thankful I am to them. I will definitely come to see them frequently. We do not live quite far, so it's not like I can't see any of you," she asserted.

"You are right. If you need anything, you can come to us anytime. In my absence, Xu Zifan will help you," Feng Lao assured her.

"Hmm."

Feng Lao took a step back and lowered his gaze which one did while bowing. Miaoran did the same and then watched him leave. She walked behind him and went up to the entrance. Feng Lao hopped on the horse and gave her a final glance before leaving for his home.

Miaoran kept looking at the way from where Feng Lao headed to his home until he disappeared from her sight.

"Feng Lao is a nice man," Lady Hui's voice fell into Miaoran's ears and she turned to look at her mother. "Is he married?" she asked.

"He is not," Miaoran replied and walked inside with her mother.

"Whoever will get him be the lucky one," Lady Hui said.

"Mother is right," Miaoran agreed with her mother's words and they headed to the room which was prepared for Miaoran.

"Your brothers and sisters-in-law have gone to their respective in-laws' houses. They will not be here until the next week," Lady Hui stated and pushed the doors of the room. "Take some rest and then we will meet for the evening tea."

Miaoran thanked her mother for accepting her.

"Don't say it anymore. I am already guilty of not acting anything before. I made you suffer in that marriage for years," Lady Hui said with an upset look on her face. She took Miaoran inside the room and made her sit on the bed.

"You are free to do what you want. No one will bother you from now on. Just keep smiling always and no more tears," Lady Hui urged her daughter. Miaoran hugged her mother by circling her arms around Lady Hui's waist and she rested her head on her abdomen.

"I miss all this for years," Miaoran said and she closed her eyes.

~~~~~~

Li Feiyi sat on the chair comfortably in the pavilion with Zhang Xi. She looked around and found a newer kind of atmosphere. The air in the palace was different.

"What is Miss Li thinking?" Zhang Xi asked as he forwarded the teacup to her. "Please drink," he humbly said and returned his hand to the rim of the teacup before him.

"Nothing, Your Highness," Li Feiyi replied and lifted the teacup. She took a sip and gently place it on the table.

Zhang Xi noticed the hairpin in her hair bun and asked her if she put on the same which his mother gave to her through his hands.

"Yes, Your Highness," Li Feiyi replied. "I thought I should wear it," she asserted.

"I am glad you did," Zhang Xi said and smiled brightly. "It is for you only," he stated.

"My Elder Brother keeps asking me about it. He was teasing me all the time," Li Feiyi said and smiled a little. Her fingers tapped on the rim of the teacup.

"General Li Tian will miss his sister when she will leave his home," Zhang Xi asserted.

"I can go to see my brother anytime, right?" Li Feiyi asked.

"Of course. Also, you will see your brother daily in the palace," Zhang Xi reminded her.

"Ahh, yes. I will get to see my brother every day," Li Feiyi said.

"Do you want more tea?" Zhang Xi brought his hand toward the teapot, but Li Feiyi humbly refused it.

"I need to finish this first," she drank the remaining tea from the cup and placed the empty cup on the table. The maidservant came forward on Zhang Xi's instructions and took the teapot and teacups to the kitchen.

"I have brought something for His Highness," Li Feiyi said and showed the scented sachet to Zhang Xi. "I made it myself for His Highness," she said with a beautiful smile on her lips.

Zhang Xi gradually moved his hand forward and took it from her. The sachet was of silk and teal blue in color. The golden thread embroidery on the sachet would mesmerize everyone. Li Feiyi had embroidered two small peonies flowers with red thread to focus attention on them.

"This is beautiful, Li Feiyi," Zhang Xi said with a wide smile and brought the sachet close to his nose. He inhaled the fragrance that was put inside the sachet and it turned out to be his favorite one. He tucked it on his waistband and stood up from his place.

Li Feiyi was happy to see Zhang Xi's reaction. "Please Keep this with you all the time," she asserted.

"I will," Zhang Xi assured her.