149 Under Heavy Scrutiny [Bonus chapter]

“Many officials will see us from here,” Lóng Wei said as he looked at the road ahead of him. “Are you ready to get recognized, Wifey?” Lóng Wei asked and tilted his head to peer at her.

Li Hua nodded at him. “I will not be scared anymore. His Highness is right. Someday, the truth about me, will be revealed. I don’t need to hide anymore because I have His Highness by my side,” Li Hua stated.

Lóng Wei smiled. “Is this your way of proposing to me?” His brow arched in amusement. “You love to confess your feelings in an interesting way,” he said.

“I didn’t confess my feelings, Your Highness,” Li Hua clarified his misunderstanding. “I am using His Highness. He told me that I could use him as my shield in any situation,” Li Hua reminded him of the words he told her on the wedding night.

Lóng Wei ducked his head and softly kissed her cheek. Li Hua’s eyes grew bigger, and she immediately stepped back, covering her cheek with her palm.

“How could His Highness do this in the open?” Li Hua scolded him.

Lóng Wei couldn’t help but smile at her. He saw the tint of red that had appeared on her cheeks. “When you can confess so beautifully in the open, then I can also return those feelings this way in the open,” Lóng Wei affirmed. Li Hua gradually put her hand down and started to walk ahead of him.

Lóng Wei stood straight and followed her.

“I have not been to the market. So, you need to guide me,” Lóng Wei informed her.

.....

“His Highness shall not lie. I remember now that he was the one who sent a rose flower with a red ribbon attached to it. He didn’t even care that time my father could catch him,” Li Hua asserted and recalled the day when she received a red rose that a servant brought to her.

Lóng Wei was surprised to hear that she remembered about it. “I didn’t send the flower to get into your father’s eyes. If I had to, then I would have brought the flower myself,” Lóng Wei asserted. “What did you do with that flower?”

“I thought Feng Lao sent me,” Li Hus replied.

“You hurt me with that answer,” Lóng Wei said.

“The only man I had communication with outside my family was Feng Lao. So, I thought that he sent that flower. I had kept it safe inside a notebook,” Li Hua answered.

“Did you ask him?” Lóng Wei asked her.

“No. I was too shy to ask about it,” Li Hua stated. “Forgive me for having a misunderstanding at that time,” she apologized.

“Then, how did you realize today that I sent that flower?” Lóng Wei questioned her.

“Because only the Sixth Prince can act that way,” Li Hua affirmed. “He was secretly stalking me, so it was obvious that he would not give the flower coming in front of me,” she proclaimed and halted to look at him.

“I wanted to come in front of you and propose to you in front of your family. However, for some reason, I could not. That’s why I sent that flower in someone’s hands,” Lóng Wei explained the reason behind sending the flower.

“What was the reason?” Li Hua gazed at him with inquisitiveness.

“Umm... Royal Father had found out that I was roaming outside the cold palace,” Lóng Wei answered.

“Oh, then?” Li Hua got curious to know. “Who could do this?”

“I was put under heavy scrutiny. That time Qiu Mu had come to Xinshui. I think he saw me,” Lóng Wei answered.

“His Highness shall not take the name of the Second Prince. He’s his elder brother,” Li Hua asserted.

Lóng Wei chuckled. “He is only three years older than me. Also, I have decided to take the name of those people, whom I don’t like,” he affirmed. Li Hua was stunned to hear his weird decision. He indeed loved to take troubles. “Let’s talk about us. We both are here to spend time together, not to talk about anyone unimportant in our lives,” he muttered and grasped her hand.

historical

“These days kids don’t even understand not to hold hands openly. Such mannerless kids.” They heard a rude comment that came from an old woman, who looked from a noble family. Li Hua tried to pull her hand back, but Lóng Wei didn’t let it go.

The old woman was in a sedan and the porters had stopped for a while at that place.

“Why don’t you shut your eyes!?” Lóng Wei asked the old lady. “Are you feeling jealous seeing us this way? I guess when you were young, your husband didn’t hold your hand this way.”

Li Hua’s jaw dropped down upon hearing the reply of Lóng Wei to the old lady. She had not expected that he would argue with a person almost thrice his age.

The porters and servants started to giggle.

“I can hold my wife’s hands, hug her and kiss her wherever I want to,” Lóng Wei pronounced and dragged Li Hua with him. The old woman could not open her mouth. She had never seen such an ill-mannered and unruly person.

“Why did His Highness say such words to the old lady? Did he not understand the word ‘respect’?” Li Hua inquired. “Also, it is inappropriate to hold hands,” she stated and finally pulled her hand back.

“Why is it inappropriate? I held my wife’s hand, not her daughter’s. Who is she to comment about it?” Lóng Wei got furious. “She should be happy that I didn’t punish her for commenting on me,” he asserted.

Li Hua didn’t like the childish behavior of Lóng Wei.

“I’m not going to the market,” Li Hua said.

“What? Why?” Lóng Wei got confused.

“His Highness may get angry at anyone. I don’t want that to happen,” Li Hua stated.

“I won’t unless no one comments on us,” Lóng Wei assured her.

“That’s not good. His Highness has to promise me that he will not say anything to anyone in the market. If he promises me, then I will lead him to the market. Else, we both will head back,” Li Hua affirmed and forwarded her hand.

“Fine,” Lóng Wei put his palm on hers, “I won’t do anything. I will stay quiet.” He promised.