53 Deserves someone Better
Xiaoming stood in front of his father and lowered his head. “Royal Father, the assassin consumed the poison just before Prince Qiu Mu could start his investigation,” Xiaoming informed Qiu Zedong, who looked troubled.
“Did you not remove the rings? Did the Second Prince not get the assassin examined properly?” Qiu Zedong questioned him.
“Father, he was examined properly. I had no idea how the tiny poisonous root was found in his robes,” Qiu Mu said and clenched his fists. “Commander Huang Xi informed me that the assassin had told about the forest, where he met the person after curfew hours, who ordered him to murder the thirty servants.”
“Did you send a unit of soldiers in that forest? I want the expeditious results, General Qiu Mu,” Qiu Zedong raised his voice. The sternness in his voice was clear to show that he didn’t like the clumsy behavior of Qiu Mu. “Since the First General is not present in the Capital, it’s the responsibility of the Second General to limit the crimes.” Qiu Zedong reprimanded Qiu Mu, who apologized to his father for the dy.
“I want the oue, General Mu,” Qiu Zedong said with a menacing expression.
“Yes, Your Majesty. Give me a day, Your Majesty. I will find out who is behind all this,” Qiu Mu urged his father, who was already annoyed seeing the sluggishness of the Second Prince.
“You may leave,” Qiu Zedong told Qiu Mu, who bowed and left the private chamber of his father.
Xiaoming told his father to calm down. “Father, as per your orders, the preparation has started for Prince Lóng Wei’s marriage. Since the Pce will be opened to the chief officials of the Kingdom on the marriage day, I was thinking of raising the security,” Xiaoming expressed his desire.
“Of course. Tighten the security,” Qiu Zedong affirmed. “I wished to see you get married first. However, you refused again. The youngest is getting married while the eldest is still a bachelor,” the King remarked.
.....
“I will also marry soon after finding an appropriate woman for myself,” Xiaoming said humbly.
“Why doesn’t the Crown Prince go for a concubine first? Many low-rank officials’ daughters are willing to be your concubine,” Qiu Zedong said.
Xiaoming, for a second, flinched. He did not want to take any concubine. However, conveying such a thought to his father would only anger him. So, he stayed quiet.
“I will ask the Queen to look for a concubine for the Crown Prince,” Qiu Zedong affirmed and a tiny smile appeared on his lips.
“Royal Father, I don’t want to take any concubine,” Xiaoming requested him.
“Why?” Qiu Zedong’s brows furrowed.
“I would like to bring an official wife first,” Xiaoming answered. He again refrained from saying that he didn’t want more women in his life. Being the Crown Prince was not easy. He was supposed to follow the norms, the principles, decided by their forefathers. Nheless, he was confident that someday he would convince his father.
“Why did the Crown Prince fight for Li Hua?” The King’s sudden question startled Xiaoming. “The Crown Prince cannot fool his father. Did he have feelings for Li Hua? He can tell the truth to me,” Qiu Zedong asserted.
Xiaoming gulped and pressed his thumbs tightly against his fingers.
“The Crown Prince deserves someone better. Moreover, Prince Lóng Wei fell for Li Hua at first sight. No one is ready to marry him, so Li Hua was the best choice for him,” Qiu Zedong exined to Xiaoming.
“Yes, Father,” Xiaoming agreed with his father’s words, but deep down in his heart, he was hurt.
“Is there anything the Crown Prince wants? I can fulfill his wish. I don’t want any kind of jealousy among my sons for a mere woman,” Qiu Zedong affirmed.
“The Royal Father has given this Prince everything,” Xiaoming politely refused.
“The Crown Prince always wins my heart with his words, his actions. I am proud of the Crown Prince,” Qiu Zedong said with a smile. Xiaoming passed a tiny smile to his father.
“Miss Cha will be present in the marriage hall. It is a good chance for the Crown Prince to find how sophisticated, well-mannered and intelligent the Prime Minister’s daughter is!” Qiu Zedong again started to praise the Prime Minister’s daughter.
“Father, I do not want the Prime Minister to get involved with the Qiu Family with my marriage to his daughter. The Royal Father also knows that Prime Minister Kang Xi isn’t a trustworthy person.” Xiaoming spoke about what was revolving in his head for months or years.
“Kang Xi is the most loyal person around me. He saved your father’s life from the enemy,” Qiu Zedong corrected the Crown Prince. “Moreover, I wanted his daughter to be the Crown Princess. Miss Cha possesses not only beauty but also a smart brain. For the Crown Prince, she is perfect in my eyes,” he stated.
Xiaoming highly doubted it. Though he had never seen him, from his mother, he heard simr words. But they were his parents. They would only exaggerate about a woman from a high-ranking noble family. He decided to leave and made an excuse before the conversation would stretch.
Xiaoming stopped near the stairs which led to the garden. “Where is Lóng Wei? I need to destroy every evidence before he will catch me,” he murmured and pinched the skin between his brows. It was his first time doing such a thing. He thought that he would seed in this, but he underestimated Lóng Wei.
“There is no way that she woulde to me,” he murmured and sighed.
“What is the Crown Prince talking about?” Mingquan suddenly appeared from behind, and it startled Xiaoming.
“Fourth Brother, you here?” Xiaoming thought to divert the topic. “I was thinking to take a walk in the garden,” he said.
“Oh. But it’s afternoon, Your Royal Highness,” Mingquan answered.
“In the evening,” Xiaoming replied. “I shall take my leave. I still have a little work toplete,” he said humbly.
“Sure, Your Royal Highness.” Mingquan bowed while Xiaoming left to his chamber.
Mingquan squinted his eyes in skepticism. “Whom does the Crown Prince refer to? Who was supposed toe to the Crown Prince?” He muttered.
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50 GTs and 200 votes: 7 chapters on Monday
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