Gifted Bride of the Sinned Prince

681  I would love to be your husband

In the evening, Xiaolian sent a message to Huang Xi to meet her in the lotus pavilion of the royal garden. Huang Xi was a bit surprised to get the sudden message from the Princess. He went to see her and ascended the pavilion's stairs.

Xiaolian had her back toward him and was looking at the lotuses in the lake.

"Good evening, Princess Xiaolian," Huang Xi said and stood a step behind her.

Xiaolian turned around and peered at him. Both of her hands were clasped together and were in front of her belly like a sophisticated lady.

"Why did Princess Xiaolian call me at this hour? I was going to head home," Huang Xi asked, but he didn't look at her.

"Why is Commander Huang Xi avoiding me these days?" Xiaolian asked as she finally got to meet him in the evening.

"I did not avoid Her Highness," Huang Xi answered and kept his gaze away from her face.

"Say it while looking at my face," Xiaolian said sternly, "it is an order."

Huang Xi gazed at her. "I never avoided Princess Xiaolian," he stated. "Since the Third Princess has nothing to say to me, then I must take my leave," he asserted.

"Huang Xi, the pressure is huge on me this time. Don't you have to say anything to me?" Xiaolian asked him.

"Pardon me, Your Highness. I am unable to get what Her Highness wants to say," Huang Xi was perplexed.

"Was there nothing between us?" Xiaolian asked him. "I am the last royal princess who is supposed to be betrothed to a nobleman soon. However, I want to ask Commander Huang Xi once. Will he like to take me as his wife?" She asked.

Xiaolian did feel the odd behavior of Huang Xi for the past few days. However, she didn't pay heed to that until Lóng Wei talked about it in the morning. She recalled how Lóng Wei told her Huang Xi was again in love with someone. When she asked Lóng Wei to elaborate, he hinted to her it was she. The reason why she decided to talk to Huang Xi after contemplating the entire day.

Huang Xi was startled by the sudden question of Xiaolian.

"You avoid a person for two reasons: either you hate him or you love him. Does Commander Huang Xi hate me?" she asked. Xiaolian knew her fate. She would have to accept any nobleman, which Xiaoming would choose for her and she had no problem with that. However, if Huang Xi would become her husband, she would be happy since she had known him.

Huang Xi exhaled deeply, wondering what he should answer. He gulped as he felt his heart had again started beating just looking at her for longer.

Both Lóng Wei and Mingquan were standing far from the pavilion, but Huang Xi and Xiaolian were visible to them.

"Brother Lóng Wei said he would not be involved. Suddenly, he hinted to Sister Xiaolian about Huang Xi's growing feelings for her," Mingquan stated.

"Because Huang Xi is going to run away only. Later, he is going to cry. So, I decided to hint Xiaolian about Huang Xi's feelings for her," Lóng Wei explained the reason why he did that.

"What does Brother Lóng Wei think then? Will Huang Xi agree to marry Sister Xiaolian?" Mingquan asked.

10:10

"He will," Tianjie stated and halted next to Lóng Wei.

asked.

"He will," Tianjie stated and halted next to Lóng Wei.

"What is the Third Brother doing here? Does he also know about Huang Xi and Sister Xiaolian?" Mingquan queried.

"Hmm. It was evident from the time they both started going to pottery house," Tianjie affirmed.

"Has Prince Tianjie started noticing the couples in the palace?" Lóng Wei asked him.

"No. They are exceptions. Even if no one wants to notice them, it cannot be avoided," Tianjie stated. "Brother Xiaoming pressured Princess Xiaolian for a marriage because he also knows," he informed them.

"Really?" Lóng Wei was astonished to learn about that. "So, everyone knew except us?" He gazed at Mingquan. "We found out late," he murmured and shifted his gaze toward the pavilion.

At the pavilion, Huang Xi decided to finally speak. "Is Princess Xiaolian asked me to marry her because she feels pressured?" he asked.

"I will not lie to the person whom I admire," Xiaolian said. "I felt a connection between us. A friend with whom I could easily share my thoughts without worrying much. These past few weeks have been wonderful for me. But when you started ignoring me, it bothered me as well. I was rejected by the man whom I fancied once. So, I was scared to ask you since I didn't want to be hurt again. Now, I feel the marriage pressure, so I think I should ask Huang Xi instead of carrying regret for ignoring the fact that I also like him."

Xiaolian didn't hesitate to express her thoughts which she had been thinking throughout the day.

"Thank you for being truthful, Princess," Huang Xi said. He knew Xiaolian was an incredible woman. After he started to know her, he definitely found that cheerful and caring side of her.

"What about you, Huang Xi? Should you not tell me the truth?" Xiaolian asked him.

"When I saw the Princess near that tree, my heart fluttered. It beat crazily, which only happens when you love someone. At first, I thought it was wrong, so I ran away. The second time, I saw Princess Xiaolian, again the same thing happened. I knew it was love. However, I was a coward to face the Princess. And then, it kept happening and I kept avoiding it," Huang Xi truthfully said to Xiaolian.

"Since I know about it so you should answer me. We will look a great pair together. Don't you think?" Xiaolian asked with optimism. The smile on her face showed it all.

"Am I suitable enough for the Princess?" Huang Xi asked.

"Hmm." She nodded at him. "More than suitable." Xiaolian stepped toward him and held his hand.

"I think we should leave now," Mingquan said as he saw Huang Xi and Xiaolian had held hands.

"Let's stay a bit more. We need to tease Huang Xi later," Lóng Wei said with a smirk.

Tianjie hung his arm around Lóng Wei's neck and turned around with him. "Li Hua needs you. Aren't you going to take care of her?" Tianjie asked him and dragged Lóng Wei out from there. Mingquan smiled and ran after them.

In the pavilion, Huang Xi peered into Xiaolian's eyes. "I may not be perfect in many aspects, Huang Xi. But I will try to be a great woman for you. For me, you already are a great man," she stated with a glint in her eyes.

Huang Xi hummed and smiled at her. He hugged Xiaolian and closed his eyes after feeling the warmth of the person he fell in love with. "Princess Xiaolian, I fell for you. Forgive me for not accepting it, telling it you and kept running away from you. I would love to be your husband," he said and drew her further close.

Xiaolian moved her hands up to her back and shut her eyes. "I also love you, Huang Xi. My entire life

be devoted to you only," she said.

"I vow the same," Huang Xi stated.