Gifted Bride of the Sinned Prince

679  He is in love

"You did what?" Xu Zifan asked and placed the teacup on the table before them. It was an early morning and Xu Zifan wanted to talk to Feng Lao about his meeting with Miaoran from last evening.

"I told you not to do that," Xu Zifan said.

"I was confused. It is tough to explain," Feng Lao asserted.

"You are running away. You think you will again lose someone," Xu Zifan stated.

"She is my friend and if anything wrong happened–" Feng Lao could not finish his words as Xu Zifan stopped him.

"You really have not come out of the trauma, Feng Lao and you lied to us, to me," Xu Zifan said.

"I didn't want to worry you or the others," Feng Lao asserted.

"You cannot dwell in the past for too long. You always think of others before yourself. I was also at your place, but I had this positive aspect in my life too. I got to live and the same has happened with you. Prince Lóng Wei wanted to punish you, but he did not. Because you deserve a chance to live this life to the fullest. With Miaoran, you have felt happiness and comfort. Stop me if I am wrong," Xu Zifan affirmed.

"I agree with your words. I do not know why I have turned like this," Feng Lao stated. "I also want to feel love, be in love, and have a family of my own. But it is hard," he said and lowered his head.

"I understand. It is surely hard," Xu Zifan said, "but it is not impossible. You remember the time when Jingfei was supposed to get married. Everyone was angry at me for choosing her. However, it was the best decision of my life. She loves me more than anything, Feng Lao. The same kind of love Miaoran carries for you. We saw how desperate she was to see you. Hardly people do that. Despite what happened in her first marriage, she still holds the faith in good. And the reason is you." Xu Zifan pointed his finger at Feng Lao.

"Me?" Feng Lao was perplexed by inquisitiveness.

"Yes. You. She told us you showed her the world doesn't lack good people," Xu Zifan stated. "You helped her at her lowest point. When a broken woman like Miaoran can turn into such an optimistic and strong person, then why can't you? The Feng Lao I know never feared anything," Xu Zifan asserted and filled him with enthusiasm.

"I asked her to wait for my response," Feng Lao said.

"You know what you regretted the most till now?" Xu Zifan arched his brow at him.

"I lost my change in everything," Feng Lao replied.

"Yes. You did lose your chances. Don't do this anymore. Go to Miaoran and tell her you are ready to embrace her," Xu Zifan affirmed.

Feng Lao exhaled a deep breath. "Fine. I will go at the lunch hour to see her," he said.

"That's the Feng Lao I know," Xu Zifan said and smiled at him. "Let's finish the tea before it turns colder," he opined.

~~~~~

Huang Xi looked at the wooden circular box carved with beautiful motifs. He was supposed to give it to Xiaolian yesterday, but he could not.

"Perhaps I got such a feeling for no reason," he told himself and lowered his hand which had the box in it. He headed to see Xiaolian in her chamber.

The maidservant outside the chamber let Huang Xi walk inside. He stepped inside and saw Xiaolian standing as if she was waiting for him.

Huang Xi greeted her and found out she was dressed beautifully. Was there any occasion? He wondered.

"What is it, Commander Huang Xi?" Xiaolian queried.

"Oh. Mother has sent this for the Princess. I told my Mother how Princess Xiaolian helped me in making those bowls. So, she sent this as a gesture of thank you," Huang Xi replied and handed her the wooden circular box.

Xiaolian gently grabbed it. "The hand-carved motifs are beautiful," she said with a smile.

That smile again stole Huang Xi's heart. He could feel his heart thumping against his chest. That feeling was a strong one and he knew he somehow fell for Xiaolian.

Xiaolian carefully opened the box and saw a jade inside it. It looked quite expensive and she asked Huang Xi to thank his mother. "It was not necessary though," she said and peered at him.

To her surprise, Huang Xi was staring at her and it puzzled her.

"Commander Huang Xi," Xiaolian pronounced his name, but he didn't respond to her. She walked up to him and touched his arm while again calling his name.

Huang Xi came out of the trance and told Xiaolian he would leave.

"But Commander Huang Xi–" she paused as Huang Xi left her sight.

Huang Xi stopped behind the pillar and placed his hand on his chest. He could feel his erratic heartbeats when a hand touched his shoulder.

"No, I don't like you!" He promptly turned around while saying that.

"Huang Xi, whom don't you like?" Mingquan asked him with a bewildered expression.

"Nothing, Your Highness," Huang Xi said. He could not tell his thoughts to Mingquan.

Mingquan squinted his eyes in suspicion. "You are lying, right? Tell me. What happened?" he asked Huang Xi again.

"I was a bit startled. Nothing more. The Generals have called all the commanders for the meeting. So, I should leave," Huang Xi lied and quickly went away.

"What was that? He acted weird," Mingquan mumbled.

"He is in love," Lóng Wei said and chuckled.

"Really? With whom?" Mingquan tilted his head to the left to gaze at Lóng Wei.

"Who could it be?" Lóng Wei wanted Mingquan to make a guess.

"Sister Xiaolian?" Mingquan asked.

"Hmm." Lóng Wei smiled. "After what happened with Ai Fen, Huang Xi isn't ready to understand he can fall in love again," he affirmed.

"Should we help him?" Mingquan asked as the two started walking.

"Let him realize this by himself, Brother Mingquan," Lóng Wei stated with an amusing smile.