Gifted Bride of the Sinned Prince

665  You are a strong woman [Bonus chapter]

"Miss Li Feiyi, I am overwhelmed by your words. I have not expected to hear such a confession today. It was beautiful," Zhang Xi said and slid his hand into his pocket. He took out the hairpin box while Li Feiyi looked at him with astonishment.

Zhang Xi placed the box on the table and said, "My mother asked me to give this to Miss Li Feiyi." He pulled his hands back and rested his hands on his lap.

"What is it, Your Highness?" Li Feiyi inquired.

"Miss Li Feiyi should check herself," Zhang Xi replied. She nodded at him and opened the tiny latch on the wooden box. Her eyes shone to see the gold hairpin embellished with precious jades.

"This is of my mother. She wanted to pass it on to her daughter-in-law. Now, it is yours, Li Feiyi," Zhang Xi dropped the honorific and showed his fondness toward her. In just one meeting, Li Feiyi won his heart, so he could not wait and handed her the hairpin.

"I am grateful to His Highness," Li Feiyi said with a smile and lifted the hairpin. She beheld it for a while and gazed at Zhang Xi. "Can I wear it?" she asked.

"Of course, it is for you," Zhang Xi stated.

Li Feiyi brought her hands to her hair and inserted the hairpin into her hair bun. "How does it look, Your Highness?" She asked and turned around on her place.

"It is made for you, Feiyi," Zhang Xi said with a smile. She turned to face him and again thanked him.

"You need to wait for the further order. The betrothal gifts will be sent and you need to pay a visit to the palace too," Zhang Xi told her.

"I understand. I cannot express how happy I am. I will be a dutiful wife to Prince Zhang Xi," Feiyi said.

"What do you like to eat Feiyi?" Zhang Xi suddenly asked her.

"Why is the Fifth Prince asking about it?" Feiyi queried.

"Because I want to know," Zhang Xi answered.

Feiyi smiled and told him about the few dishes she loved to eat. She asked the same question from Zhang Xi, who swiftly answered her.

"Feiyi, I forgot to ask something. Where are your parents?" Zhang Xi asked.

"My parents passed away a few years ago," Feiyi replied.

Zhang Xi immediately apologized to her.

"It is alright, Your Highness. Brother might have forgotten to tell about it," Li Feiyi said.

"Hmm. So, General Li Tian looked after you since that time. You have no elders at the home except him," Zhang Xi deduced.

"Yes, Your Highness. My father passed away because of a prolonged illness, and a year later, my mother passed away. I was sixteen at that time. It has been five years now," Li Feiyi said.

"Yet you grew up so beautifully, Feiyi. Li Tian is a great big brother," Zhang Xi said.

"I agree," Feiyi said with a smile. "The tea has turned cold. I will ask the servant to heat it," she asserted.

"Leave it. Let's talk more. I enjoy talking to you," Zhang Xi requested her. "Tell me more about you," he asserted.

"Umm... I do not know what to tell," Feiyi said with a confused expression. "I would like to know about Prince Zhang Xi. I asked my brother, but he did not tell me anything. He said when I would see the Fifth Prince, I should ask him myself," she said.

Zhang Xi's heart fluttered to find that there existed a person, who was asking about him, thinking about him. She fell for him first, but he fell harder for her.

~~~~~~~

"Brother Xu Zifan asked me to give this to you," Miaoran said and handed the newly stitched outfit to Feng Lao.

"Ahh, thank you." Feng Lao took the outfit from Miaoran and checked it. The tailoring was done well. "I thought I would not get this dress for today. It is Prince Mingquan's marriage in the evening," he said and asked her if she would like to come with them.

"I don't think I should go," Miaoran politely refused.

"Come with me. You should enjoy such moments," Feng Lao said. "You have new dresses, so you can wear one," he added.

Miaoran remained silent. She was not invited to the marriage and it would be inappropriate for her to go to the palace.

"I understand. Have your dinner early and sleep well. I may return late," Feng Lao stated. He did not pressure her since she was still adjusting to this new environment of hers.

"Hmm."

"You won't feel lonely, right?" Feng Lao asked.

"No."

"Did you apply the medicinal paste over the bruises?" Feng Lao asked with a worried look.

"I did yesterday before sleeping," Miaoran replied.

Feng Lao felt a bit upset. He decided to beat up Chen Xiao until his skin would bleed. Only then, he would know the pain that Miaoran was still undergoing.

"You don't need to feel bad for me, Feng Lao," Miaoran said.

"How do you know what I am thinking," Feng Lao chuckled.

"I guessed with your facial expressions," Miaoran said. "I am happy with the fact that I am at least alive. I know the scars and wounds he gave me won't heal so early, but to live my life to the fullest, I have to heal myself," she asserted.

"You took the brave step of running away. Some women fear taking that step too. You are a strong woman. Always remember this, Miaoran," Feng Lao said.

"Oh, I will," Miaoran stated and decided to leave.

"Did you have your lunch?" Feng Lao asked.

"No," Miaoran answered.

"Let's have lunch together then," Feng Lao suggested to her.

"Sure," Miaoran readily accepted his suggestion and told him she would bring the meals.

"Ahh, just sit. Let the servants do the work. I told you to take as much as rest you can," Feng Lao said and unbeknownst to him, he grasped her hand. He took her to the table and pulled out a chair for her. He made her sit on it and went out to tell the servant.

Miaoran looked at her hand and blinked rapidly for a few seconds.

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