560 More than alive


    Xiaoming got tongue-tied by Lóng Wei’s question.


    “Why do you doubt yourself so much? Do you think I could have taken down the King without the Crown Prince’s help?” Lóng Wei asked.


    “Brother Lóng Wei could have,” Xiaoming replied.


    “Then, that would have been at the expense of many lives,” Lóng Wei replied. “I will not be in the pce for some time,” he then stated.


    Qizhen and Xiaoming were bewildered by his statement.


    “Where is the Prince going?” Qizhen asked with a worried expression.


    “The ce where Yuze was born and studied,” Lóng Wei replied. “Li Hua and I will stay there for some time. The more I stay here, the angrier I will turn,” he murmured.


    “But Brother Lóng Wei is the governor,” Xiaoming stated.


    “Make someone else. I am not interested in being governor anymore,” Lóng Wei asserted. “The real reason I became governor was that I wanted to find the truth,” he stated.


    .....


    “I will appoint a temporary governor until Brother Lóng Wei returns,” Xiaoming replied. “Does Brother Lóng Wei really think I can be the King?” He asked.


    “Yes. He was born to be a King,” Lóng Wei answered.


    Xiaoming stood in front of Lóng Wei and hugged him. He caressed his back and said, “Don’t feel that you are alone. I am truly apologetic for my past actions. Forgive me for hurting you. Your heart must have hurt seeing your elders behaving wrongly with you. I know that I cannot turn back time, but I can make our present and our future the best. Brother Lóng Wei, thank you for staying alive.”


    Lóng Wei lifted his hands and ced them on Xiaoming’s back. “Forgive me for talking rudely to the Crown Prince. Thank you for standing with me,” Lóng Wei said with a smile. This was the first time Lóng Wei hugged Xiaoming back. All these years, he was furious at him, but not anymore.


    Qizhen smiled to see them. They were not even real brothers, but the love between them was stronger than real ones. He witnessed it today and he felt happy about it. At least, they didn’t fight like his brother and him.


    When they withdrew, Xiaoming turned to face Qizhen.


    “Why doesn’t Uncle Qizhen be the King? He has entire military support and—”


    Before Xiaoming could finish his words, Qizhen interrupted him, “I could not save the person I loved the most. I was incapable of giving my wife and my son the life they deserved. Because of me, many lives were taken. A real king doesn’t have such qualities.” Qizhen nced at Lóng Wei and then lowered his gaze.


    Xiaoming looked at Lóng Wei and realized that both son and father still didn’t have a good rtionship. It must not be easy for Lóng Wei.


    “He is right,” Lóng Wei said and asked Xiaoming not to refuse it. He turned to leave when Qizhen asked Lóng Wei to stop and converse with him.


    “Later. I am tired. I want to rest. I will see you in the morning,” Lóng Wei said and walked away.


    Xiaoming told Qizhen not to be disappointed. “Brother Lóng Wei will surely end the misunderstandings between you both. He remains in denial for some time and then he changes his mind,” Xiaoming stated.


    “I wish I would have been strong enough to take them away from the pce. I tried my best not to reveal about Yu Jun, but somehow Qiu Zedong found out about her,” Qizhen murmured and sighed.


    “Someone must have revealed it to Father,” Xiaoming stated and decided to ask Qiu Zedong about it.


    ~~~~~


    Li Hua strode across the corridor of the manor while keeping her gaze on the entrance. The rain had started to pour down and it worried her.


    “Li Hua, Prince Lóng Wei wille soon,” Feng Lao said and asked her to go to her chamber.


    She shook her head. “You should leave, Feng Lao,” Li Hua opined.


    “I will after Prince Lóng Weies,” Feng Lao said.


    Lóng Wei entered the manor and saw both of them conversing with each other.


    “Prince Lóng Wei!” Feng Lao said with excitement and smiled.


    Li Hua turned promptly and lifted her long skirt to step down the stairs. She ran to him while Lóng Wei walked up to her in the rain with an umbre in his hand.


    Li Hua hugged him tightly and started crying. Lóng Wei looked at Feng Lao and gestured to him to leave. He walked up to them and bowed to them before leaving the manor.


    Lóng Wei ced his hand on Li Hua’s back and patted it gently. “Shall we go inside?” He asked.


    Li Hua withdrew from the hug and sniffled. She didn’t say anything and walked in with Lóng Wei.


    In the chamber, Lóng Wei told Li Hua that he would like to take a bath first. Li Hua hummed and asked him if she should help him.


    “No,” Lóng Wei refused and tucked the loose tendrils behind her ear. He stroked her cheek with the back of his palm and said, “Don’t cry anymore. My heart will ache more seeing the woman I love cry.”


    Li Hua quickly wiped the tears from her eyes and smiled at him. “I will not cry. I will ask Nuan Xi to prepare the bathhouse,” Li Hua told him.


    “I will wash up in cold water. Stay here. I will return soon,” Lóng Wei asserted. Li Hua hummed and saw him leaving.


    “He looks devastated,” Li Hua murmured.


    Lóng Wei entered the bathhouse and undressed to get into the pool of cold water. He took a dip and came out of the water, taking a deep breath. He did that thrice and then sat on the left edge of the pool on the stairs. His arms rested on the wooden floor above the pool.


    “Can I really stay happy? Can I live a normal life?” He questioned himself. He remained in his deep thoughts for over an hour and he didn’t realize it until he heard Li Hua’s voice.


    He tilted his head and found her behind the sliding door. “Your Highness will get sick if he stays in the cold water for a long time,” Li Hua worriedly said.


    Lóng Wei realized that he surely could lead a cheerful life. Li Hua was beside him all the time. The first person who made him feel more than alive was Li Hua.


    “Your Highness, I have ced the clothes here. I am waiting for you in the chamber,” Li Hua said and left the bathhouse.