188 Return the Jade Ring

“But if we don’t reach at the time, then Commander Huang Xi may tell them that we are together and doing this,” Li Hua opined. “What will my Elder Brother think then? We can kiss later,” she suggested to him.

Lóng Wei hummed and let her go. Li Hua stood up and looked down to dress up the high-waist skirt when Lóng Wei told her to stand straight. “I will do it,” he said, and stroked his hand on the dress. The plates on the dress turned right and he asked her to turn.

“Why?” Li Hua inquired.

“Just turn around,” Lóng Wei said. Li Hua turned her back to him and he dust off her dress from behind. Li Hua blinked her eyes a few times when Lóng Wei’s hands touched her hips.

“It is done,” he said, and he got up from the floor. He hugged her from behind and then withdrew.

“Your Highness, did you throw away the jade ring that Feng Lao had given me? I know that you haven’t. I want to return it through Brother Tang Zhaodang to Feng Lao,” Li Hua expressed her desire.

This was unexpected by Lóng Wei. “Do you really want to do it?” He inquired.

“Yes. I don’t want it to be with us anymore. His Highness should give it to Brother Tang and tell him to return it to Feng Lao tomorrow morning,” Li Hua explained to him.

“Let me burn that,” Lóng Wei said.

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“No. Feng Lao must get the idea by the morning that I am alive. An enemy will make mistakes when he finds his vulnerability. I do not know why he gave me that jade ring that night when he was supposed to marry the woman whom my brother liked once and still does. It is better to send it back to the owner, who stopped me from going close to my husband.” Li Hua’s words once again won Lóng Wei’s heart. He smiled and put his hand in his pocket.

Taking out the red jade ring, he showed it to Li Hua. “I thought we would go to the Shui residence and then I would throw this ring at his face. I will give it to Tang Zhaodang,” Lóng Wei said with a slight smile.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Li Hua said.

Lóng Wei put it back in his pocket. He held her hand, and they both left to see the others.

Li Hua pulled her hand back as they reached outside the chamber. They walked in and Li Hua greeted them before taking her seat.

“Why did Brother Lóng Wei ask us to gather?” Mingquan inquired. Lóng Wei had taken his seat next to Li Hua.

“Because Li Hua thinks if we reveal that from the Xu family, two people are alive and know everything about that night, then they may harm them. We need to talk about this to the Royal Father first. Li Hua thinks that the King will send a summon to Shui Xiaoqing and Feng Lao to come to the court. Moreover, I should not take the law into my own hands,” Lóng Wei proclaimed.

Mingquan was astonished to find that Lóng Wei agreed to Li Hua’s words so easily. It was tough to please Lóng Wei. When Lóng Wei started to think about rules and laws, he thought.

“Princess Consort is absolutely right. We cannot do anything irrational here. In the town, hardly any recognized Princess Consort.” Huang Xi glanced at Tang Zhaodang, who assured them he would not tell anyone.

“We are leaving for Xinshui tonight, after taking our meals. Li Hua wants to present the truth to His Majesty imminently,” Lóng Wei announced. This was unexpected, but no one objected because it seemed right to leave Xinshui before anyone would find out.

“Xu Zifan, you are also coming with us,” Lóng Wei said, and he glanced at Tang Zhaodang.

“I want you to do something for me.” He took out the jade ring, which bewildered everyone.

“A jade ring?” Huang Xi muttered.

“Feng Lao gave this to Li Hua on that night. Return this to him in the morning,” Lóng Wei said.

“Your Highness, what will I answer him if he asks me about it?” Tang Zhaodang asked.

“I haven’t thought about it,” Li Hua said.

“Tell Feng Lao that Lóng Wei gave it to you in the market. He won’t question you anymore,” Lóng Wei stated. Tang Zhaodang nodded and walked up to him. He took the jade ring from Lóng Wei and assured them that he would return it.

Lóng Wei tilted his head to glance at Li Hua, who did not look upset anymore.

“Sister-in-law made a good decision. Returning tonight will be best because no one knows about it,” he asserted and passed a tiny smile to her.

“Let’s end the meeting here. Tang Zhaodang, don’t leave now. Leave after us,” Lóng Wei told him, who complied with his command. Soon, all of them left the chamber.

Li Hua removed the shoes to get into the bed. She thought of lying down for a while. However, Lóng Wei appeared before her and smiled brightly at her.

“Does His Highness need something?” She asked.

“You forgot?” His brow cocked up.

“What did I forget, Your Highness?” She queried. “I want to lie down for a while. My lower back is aching,” she told him.

Lóng Wei got worried and asked her if he should ask Qian He to bring the physician. Li Hua shook her head.

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“But it may increase if I do not call the physician. Wait here! I will return in a while,” Lóng Wei said when Li Hua stopped him.

“Your Highness, it is not because of any illness. It’s because,” she paused, thinking he would understand.

Lóng Wei waited for her response with bated breath and discovered her hesitating.”What happened? Did you get a hit on your back? Let me check,” he worriedly said.

“Your Highness, it is my time of the month,” Li Hua replied.

“Oh.” “I will ask Qian He to bring the chamomile tea for you,” Lóng Wei said. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier? I would not have let you walk. Do you want me to postpone the journey? It will be more painful,” he said.

Li Hua refused him. “It is not that painful, Your Highness,” she answered.

“Are you telling the truth?” He asked to confirm it again.

“Yes.”

Lóng Wei walked up to her and scooped his arm around her to bring her to the bed. “Lay down. I will soon be back,” he said and caressed her back. Li Hua hummed and sat down on the mattress.

Lóng Wei stepped back and walked out. “Will she be fine during the return journey? What if the pain gets severe?” He murmured and met Qian He.

“Send the chamomile tea,” Lóng Wei ordered him. Qian He turned to go to the kitchen when Lóng Wei asked him, “Is it safe to travel if a woman is on her month?”

Qian He turned back to look at Lóng Wei. “Since His Highness will use a carriage, then, it will definitely trouble Her Highness. If Her Highness goes in a palanquin, then it will be better,” Qian He answered.

“What if the carriage goes slowly?” Lóng Wei inquired.

“That’s good too. If His Highness thinks that Her Highness will get troubled in the journey, then he shall wait till the morning,” Qian He advised him. Lóng Wei understood his words and asked him to send the chamomile tea.