Gifted Bride of the Sinned Prince

640 Smiling at me [Bonus chapter]

Lóng Wei stepped into the prison, where Kang Huijuan was locked. The cell was damp and hardly any shade of light was available there. Kang Huijuan was lying on the floor covered in straws with his back toward Lóng Wei.

Lóng Wei stepped up and got on his knees. He placed the lantern next to him and patted Kang Huijuan’s arm.

“Wake up. I am here,” Lóng Wei said.

Kang Huijuan opened his eyes and turned to look to make sure he wasn’t dreaming. He immediately sat up and moved a little back.

Lóng Wei clicked his tongue with the roof of his mouth to see the condition of Kang Huijuan. “What state have you gotten?” Lóng Wei muttered.

“I met your younger brother, who is far better than you. I didn’t expect him to be full of manners,” Lóng Wei asserted while looking at the wall behind Kang Huijuan.

“You stopped counting days after a while,” Lóng Wei chuckled and looked into Kang Huijuan’s eyes.

“Speak whatever you want to say. This is the last time you are seeing me. After today, I won’t come to see you even if the King asks me to see you,” Lóng Wei affirmed.

“Forgive me, Prince Lóng Wei.” Kang Huijuan lowered his head as he could not meet Lóng Wei’s gaze. “I am regretful of my actions. Please forgive me. I know the Sixth Prince gave me chances to turn into a good person. However, I failed his expectations,” he said and slapped himself. He apologized to Lóng Wei while apologizing to Lóng Wei.

.....

After a minute, Lóng Wei held his hand. “You can stop, Kang Huijuan,” he said and stood up.

“I was never bothered about people like you who always wanted me to be locked in the cold palace. You asked me how I spent my days in the cold palace. Now, you must have known how those days were. For six months I was in the cold palace because of your lies to the former King. I wasn’t allowed to get out of the dungeon for over a month. Did you realize what you do to me?” Lóng Wei questioned him.

Kang Huijuan was merely crying. He had no words to say to justify his wrong actions. He admitted his crimes, his faults, and his evil behavior toward Lóng Wei.

“Forgive me, Prince Lóng Wei. I do not know how much time has passed here. Forgive me,” Kang Huijuan said and held Lóng Wei’s legs.

“I don’t want your child to hate me, so I free you. I hope you become a good human. This is the last thing I can do for you, your wife, and your brother,” Lóng Wei stated and stepped away from him.

He looked at Kang Huijuan, who was shocked to hear his words. He only wanted forgiveness from Lóng Wei. But he never knew the Sixth Prince would let him go. He would pardon him, Kang Huijuan had not expected it.

“I hope you learn from Kang Horan. He is such a bright kid,” Lóng Wei said and called in the soldiers.

The two soldiers ran in and bowed. They were ready to listen to the command.

“Release Kang Huijuan,” Lóng Wei said and he walked out of the cell.

Outside the cell, Horan was standing with a shocked look on his face.

“I fulfilled your wish, Kid,” Lóng Wei said and walked past him when Horan stopped him.

They both turned to face each other.

“Earlier His Highness said that a criminal should not be forgiven because the victims are mostly affected by his actions,” Kang Horan said. “Then, why did His Highness pardon my elder brother?” he asked.

“Because I don’t want anyone to hate me. I have already received a lot of hate from many people. I don’t want his child to curse me in the future. I want a peaceful life,” Lóng Wei said with a smile.

“I was the victim of his actions, but then I found a wonderful person because of Kang Huijuan’s action,” he stated and walked away.

Horan was unable to understand the last statement of Lóng Wei. He went inside the cell and found his brothers were released from the shackles.

Horan helped Huijuan walk forward and supported him.

“Thank you, Horan,” Kang Huijuan said as he put his hand around Horan’s shoulder.

Lóng Wei reached the palace ground, where he saw Mingquan.

“Brother Lóng Wei, come with me to the office. I have to show you something important,” Mingquan said and held his hand.

“What does Brother Mingquan want to show me?” Lóng Wei asked.

“I will tell when we reach the governor’s office,” Mingquan said.

“I need to inform Li Hua before going out, or else she will be worried,” Lóng Wei said.

“I already told Sister-in-law that I’m taking her husband out,” Mingquan said, and he dragged Lóng Wei along with him.

After they got into the carriage, Lóng Wei asked about Xu Zifan from Mingquan.

“He is doing well,” Mingquan replied.

“Hmm. What does the Fourth Brother want to show me?” Lóng Wei asked.

“I want Brother Lóng Wei to meet Lin Jiao, my betrothed,” Mingquan said enthusiastically.

“Eh? The Fourth Brother could have brought her to the palace and why do I need to meet her? I don’t even like to know about other women except for my Li Hua,” Lóng Wei truthfully told him.

“Brother Lóng Wei, don’t say that. I have been waiting for this day for a long time,” Mingquan said.

“I only said the truth,” Lóng Wei said in a low voice. “How did Brother Mingquan meet Lin Jiao?” he inquired.

“It was a fateful encounter. I was catching someone that day and ended up meeting Lin Jiao. She is very different. It was hard for me in the beginning to understand her. But with time, I realized she should be in my life,” Mingquan said with a wide smile.

“Hmm.”

“Brother Lóng Wei, I met Uncle Qizhen in the morning. I saw him coming out from your mother’s chamber. I had gone to that side of the palace and ended up seeing him,” Mingquan informed him.

“Father misses her. He could not spend enough time with her. He is still in regret, which cannot vanish easily,” Lóng Wei stated. “I wish that night I had saved her. Perhaps she would be smiling at me,” he asserted and sighed.