Gifted Bride of the Sinned Prince

“How can you not ask about them?” Ye Xin questioned her.

“Why would I ask the Fourth Prince about it?” Lin Jiao inquired, “Wait! Why do you know about them?”

“Because one of them is my type,” Ye Xin said with a smile.

“What!?” Lin Jiao exclaimed in shock. “Don’t tell me you fell in love with one of them,” She stated.

“He is too handsome and is very humble in attitude. I could not stop my heart from falling for him,” Ye Xin said with a smile and placed her hands on her chest to feel the rhythm of her heartbeats.

“It seems my heart will explode to think about him,” Ye Xin asserted and kept smiling.

“Why did you not ask him then?” Lin Jiao inquired her.

“How was I supposed to ask his name? They dropped me home. I was too shy to ask his name,” Ye Xin stated and quickly held Lin Jiao’s hands.

.....

“Will you ask Prince Mingquan about it?” Ye Xin requested her.

“Ayee! How can I ask their names? Also, I don’t know when I will see Prince Mingquan. You can go to the governor’s office and find out about him,” Lin Jiao stated.

“As if they will let me enter the governor’s office,” Ye Xin said. “Please ask the name of the man, who was standing left to Prince Mingquan,” She again requested Lin Jiao.

“Ye Xin, how am I–” She could not complete her words as Ye Xin stopped her from speaking.

“Don’t you consider me your best friend? We have done so many things for each other. You should ask Prince Mingquan about him. Please,” Ye Xin said with pleading eyes.

“Okay. Okay. Don’t make me feel bad,” Lin Jiao said and Ye Xin hugged her tightly in excitement.

“You are such a good friend, Lin Jiao. May you get married soon to Prince Mingquan!” Ye Xin said in happiness and pulled away.

“Are you praying for me to leave my house soon?” Lin Jiao pouted her lips.

“Don’t tell me you still have not confirmed your feelings for Prince Mingquan. You still didn’t fall in love with him!” Ye Xin’s eyes widened in bewilderment. “Girl! The Fourth Prince carried you in his arms in front of so many people. Prince Mingquan rescued you again yesterday. That sight was itself so romantic,” she said.

Lin Jiao didn’t speak anything and fiddled with her fingers. She had not told her friend that she already fell for Mingquan, but she was hesitant to admit it.

Ye Xin found it strange. Lin Jiao would usually ask her to stop saying that, but now, she was silent.

“Lin Jiao, did you try to stare into the Fourth Prince’s eyes for ten seconds?” Ye Xin questioned her and saw her fidgeting with her fingers.

Lin Jiao looked into her friend’s eyes. “Is it really true if I stare at the person for ten seconds without blinking, then nothing happens? But if we are unable to, then does that mean I have feelings for that person?” Lin Jiao again wanted to confirm it from Ye Xin.

“Yes. It happens. Did you stare at Prince Mingquan for ten seconds? I thought you also liked him,” Ye Xin said and sighed. She was disappointed to know that Lin Jiao didn’t fall for the charms of the Fourth Prince

“I could not keep the count past five seconds. I could not meet the Fourth Prince’s gaze for ten seconds,” Lin Jiao said.

Ye Xin’s jaw dropped down to hear it and then, a broad smile formed on her lips. “Tell me what did you feel after that?” She asked.

“My heart palpitated as if it would explode or come out of my chest. I was unable to focus around him. I cannot believe I got this strange disease,” Lin Jiao said.

“Disease?” Ye Xin chuckled and asked her friend not to call love a disease.

“It is the magical feeling which makes us happy for no reason. Falling in love is not a disease, my friend. I am so happy for you. You should tell Prince Mingquan about it. He will definitely be happy to hear about it,” Ye Xin encouraged her while keeping a smile on her lips.

Lin Jiao lowered her head. “I don’t know. I am confused. I think if any man would do such things for me, I might have developed the same feelings,” She assumed.

“No. That doesn’t happen, Lin Jiao,” Ye Xin asserted.

“Why?” Lin Jiao raised her head to look into her eyes.

“Umm... Even Bai Jue is concerned for you. You cannot deny this fact. He likes you, Lin Jiao. I know that his way of treating you is different, which isn’t likable to you, but even Prince Mingquan uses his authority on you in the beginning. You didn’t find it weird. So, it depends. I bet if Bai Jue or any other man if made the same efforts as Prince Mingquan, you would not have felt such feelings,” Ye Xin explained to her with an example.

Lin Jiao nodded at her. Ye Xin found her still confused and she advised her to spend more time with Mingquan.

“Why should I?” Lin Jiao frowned.

“To feel what love truly is! Also, you should see what kind of person Prince Mingquan is at a personal level,” Ye Xin advised her.

“It seems like a headache,” Lin Jiao said and laid down on the bed.

Ye Xin smiled to see her and asked her if she would not go out today. “Did your Father and elder Brother scold you yesterday?” She inquired.

“No. Prince Mingquan spoke with my father. Then, Father didn’t say anything to me,” Lin Jiao said.

“See! How considerate the Fourth Prince is toward you,” Ye Xin stated.

“I requested Prince Mingquan yesterday. That’s why His Highness talked to my father,” Lin Jiao said.

“You make so many excuses not to see the good side of the Fourth Prince,” Ye Xin remarked and asked her if she would not go out.

“I am not allowed to go out for three days,” Lin Jiao replied.

“Why? Since when you started to follow the rules?” Ye Xin was surprised to know.

“The Royal Physician has advised me to let my wound heel. I need three-day bed rest. He told me he amputated the leg of a former soldier because he didn’t let his wound heal,” Lin Jiao stated and again goosebumps appeared on her skin.

“Oh. Then, you should take a good rest. I should also go to my home,” Ye Xin said and stood up.

“I will send you out,” Lin Jiao offered and sat up on the mattress. But Ye Xin stopped her and told her to rest.

“If you meet the Fourth Prince do ask about that man,” Ye Xin said while taking backward steps. She waved at Lin Jiao and left for her house.

Lin Jiao laid on the mattress again and looked at the ceiling. Moving her sleeves up, she looked at the bracelet that Mingquan had tied on her wrist.

She sighed and spread her arms out on the mattress. “I am bored again. What to do? I cannot move too much. My leg needs rest,” She murmured when she heard a knock on the door.

She tilted her head and the female servant walked in.

“Young Miss, the Fourth Prince is here to see you,” She informed Lin Jiao, who promptly sat on the bed and pushed her skirt down.

The female servant let the Prince walk in and Mingquan entered the room.

“I want some privacy,” Mingquan told the female servant.

“Will Your Highness take tea or water?” The female servant asked.

“Nothing,” Mingquan answered and the female servant bowed before leaving. The doors closed and Mingquan looked at Lin Jiao.

She bowed to him and he ended up smiling.

“I thought Prince Mingquan is busy with work,” Lin Jiao said and looked at him.

“I got free early today,” Mingquan said and asked her if he could sit on the bed.

“Sure.”

Lin Jiao moved back a little and let Mingquan sit on the bed.

“Why did the Fourth Prince come?” Lin Jiao inquired.

“To see you,” He replied and brought his hand to her hair. “Your hair is a little messy,” he said and caressed them when Lin Jiao quickly brushed them with her fingers.

Mingquan lowered his hand and praised her for being obedient.

Lin Jiao smiled at him.

“Bai Jue came to see me,” Mingquan said.

“What? Why?” Lin Jiao arched her eyebrow.

“I had summoned him. Forgot?”

“Ahh.”

“I reprimanded him. Also, I told him I would marry you soon,” Mingquan said.

Lin Jiao gulped to hear that.

“Why did you never clear your thoughts about him? Bai Jue is madly in love with you,” Mingquan stated.

“How is that possible?” Lin Jiao seemed confused.

“I do not know. I will handle it in my way now,” Mingquan told her.