Gifted Bride of the Sinned Prince

141 I will not force him

The next morning, in the palace, Xiaoming was reprimanded by his mother as she found out about the last day’s incident.

“I had told the Crown Prince not to create any trouble with the daughter of the Prime Minister. Why did he send the robe back that Cha Ying made for him? Since when did the Crown Prince start disrespecting and hurting people?”

Eunuch Lianying told the Queen to calm down. “Your Majesty, it is an auspicious day. The Prime Minister’s daughter will be present today. The Crown Prince will make up with her,” he suggested to the Queen.

“Royal Mother, she cannot become my wife. She wants to be the Crown Princess. That’s why I sent back the robe along with her. I do not want to give false hopes to Miss Cha Ying.” Xiaoming remained calm while answering his mother.

“What is the Crown Prince saying?” Zhu Liling was confused by Xiaoming’s statement that Cha Ying wanted to be the Crown Princess.

“If the Royal Mother allows, can we talk in private?” Xiaoming humbly requested her. Zhu Liling glanced at Eunuch Lianying, who bowed and asked the servants to leave the chamber. Eunuch Lishi looked at Xiaoming anxiously and left with Eunuch Lianying.

Once everyone left, Zhu Liling asked him to speak.

“Thank you, Royal Mother, for sending everyone out,” Xiaoming lifted his head and continued, “I asked a question from Miss Cha Ying: Why should I select her? Her answer was: she’s the most suitable woman to become the Crown Princess. She could have said ‘wife’ instead of ‘Crown Princess’.”

“Cha Ying thought using a title is better, my son. Why did you get angry for such a small matter?” Zhu Liling was unable to understand her son’s mind.

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“She made a second mistake too when I told her that I am not interested in marrying her. She brought Li Hua into our conversation. She said that I refused to marry because of Li Hua. What more can I expect from Miss Cha Ying? I felt insulted for speaking this way to me. It is a palace matter and she is not even a part of this palace. Yet, she had to say such a thing to me. After marriage, if I am unable to love her, which I am sure that I never will, Miss Cha Ying will keep bringing Li Hua into our relationship.”

Xiaoming’s anger was clear while speaking his thoughts with Zhu Liling.

“Cha Ying associated your name with Li Hua!?” Zhu Liling was upset to learn this. It angered her that Cha Ying didn’t even think it was the Crown Prince whom she was conversing with.

“Royal Mother, please don’t force me to marry her. As a mother, you will always want me to be happy. I know that with Miss Cha Ying, I will never be happy. Her first impression on me has cleared everything. Miss Cha Ying is out of this selection. If the Royal Mother still forces me to reconsider my decision, then I am afraid I will ask my Royal Father to punish Miss Cha Ying and the Prime Minister. I want to keep it private, that’s why I am quiet.”

Xiaoming announced his decision to his mother. He knew that his mother wanted to consolidate power with him, but he didn’t want to ruin his life just for power. There were better Ministers than the Prime Minister, who would be loyal to him till the end.

“Cha Ying should not have said all such things to the Crown Prince. I used to think she was a mindful, young woman. This was not expected of her.” Zhu Liling was also disappointed in her. “Since the Crown Prince doesn’t want to marry her, then I will not force him,” she announced her decision, making Xiaoming happy. He thanked her for understanding him and bowed.

Later he excused himself and left for his manor. Eunuch Lishi was delighted to find that the Queen agreed not to let Xiaoming marry Cha Ying. “I need to go out today. I will come in the evening,” Xiaoming informed Eunuch Lishi.

“May I know where the Crown Prince is going? Today is the Dragon Boat Festival. The officials are on leave.” Eunuch Lishi was confused. “Also, the few ministers’ daughters will also come today. His Royal Highness shall shift his outside work to a later date,” he suggested to Xiaoming, who shook his head.

Xiaoming put the dagger inside its sheath and turned to look at him. “If I do not go out today, then I may lose,” he asserted.

‘She robbed me. If she can rob the nation’s Crown Prince, then she can do anything. I want to find this woman.’ He contemplated and gazed at Eunuch Lishi, who looked perplexed.

“Don’t worry. I will be back before the festival starts here. If anyone asks about me, then tell them that the Crown Prince does not want to see anyone,” Xiaoming instructed him.

“What if His Majesty calls for the Crown Prince? What excuse shall I make, Your Royal Highness?” Eunuch Lishi furrowed his brows.

“I have already talked with my Royal Father. He will not come here,” Xiaoming replied and went to the study desk. He opened the drawer and took out a pouch that was full of gold coins. Putting it inside his pocket, he left for the market.

Xiaoming rode another horse to reach the same shop and asked the owner if he could take care of his horse. The middle-aged man told his name.

“His Royal Highness can call me Muchén.”

Xiaoming hummed while Muchén took the horse to the nearest stable in the market while Xiaoming settled on the chair, away from the entrance so that he would not come to the notice. The servant of the shop asked Xiaoming if he would like to drink the water, and, who refused.

“Is he a young man?” Xiaoming asked about the person.

“He is the same age as our master,” the servant replied.

“I thought it would be her brother,” he murmured. Muchén returned and checked on the Crown Prince. “His Royal Highness must be feeling hot. Shall I fan him? The day temperature, these days is soaring high,” Muchén said and quickly took out a paper fan.

“Give it to me,” Xiaoming stated. Muchén forwarded his hands, on which he had put the fan. Xiaoming picked it up and asked him to resume his work. “Inform me when he comes,” Xiaoming told him. Muchén nodded and bowed again before walking away.