Gifted Bride of the Sinned Prince

522 Why are your cheeks red? [Bonus chapter]

Xu Zifan placed the royal decree on the table which carried the order of his appointment as ranked second official. He looked at chaofu (the formal robe of the official) when he heard Jingfei’s voice.

“Xu Zifan, did you like it? Now, Jianjun cannot make fun of you,” Jingfei said while smiling brightly.

“Did you ask His Majesty for this?” Xu Zifan inquired.

“I was telling my father how Jianjun made fun of you when we both had gone out,” Jingfei said and stroked her hand over the chaofu robe.

“You didn’t have to inform about such a small matter to your father,” Xu Zifan said. “Don’t you think people will say that I got this rank because I married the First Princess?” He didn’t want to get angry at Jingfei, so he kept his cool.

“I didn’t ask for it. I merely wanted my father to punish Li Jianjun. He insulted you, so I could not bear that,” Jingfei asserted.

“When I can bear it why can’t you do it?” Xu Zifan questioned her.

“Because I’m your wife,” Jingfei replied.

“No. You want me to be a higher rank official because you were once the Princess,” Xu Zifan stated.

.....

Jingfei’s eyes turned misty. That was not true. She didn’t think the way Xu Zifan interpreted it. “Father said that he will make you rank the second official. Had I known that you would be furious, I would have stopped my father,” she said as a tear rolled down her cheek. She quickly wiped it and averted her gaze from him.

“Have your dinner,” Jingfei said and she walked away.

Xu Zifan realized that he wrongly interpreted Jingfei’s intentions. He sighed, but he didn’t go after Jingfei. But the tear that fell from her cheek suddenly flashed before his eyes. It bothered him for a few minutes and he left his room to see Jingfei.

However, he didn’t find her in her room. Lin Jie told Xu Zifan that she didn’t come there which worried him and he began searching for her.

“Where are you heading to?” Feng Lao asked as he saw Xu Zifan running.

Xu Zifan halted and turned to look at him. “Did you see Jingfei?” He asked.

“Yes. She headed to the kitchen. Why do you ask?” Feng Lao queried.

“I will tell you later,” Xu Zifan said and he left for the kitchen.

“Did he fight with her?” Feng Lao murmured and went ahead.

In the kitchen, Jingfei instructed the chef about the dinner. She turned to leave after she told the chef what dishes to be prepared but stopped to see Xu Zifan there.

The chef and his helpers greeted Xu Zifan, who didn’t hear them as his entire focus was on Jingfei. She decided to leave and walked past him when he held her wrist.

The next second, he took her away with him. Reaching the corridor from where his room was near, he stopped and asked Jingfei to forgive him.

“I am guilty of what I said to you,” Xu Zifan said.

Jingfei didn’t say a word when he asked her to at least speak to him.

“What do you want me to say? You are doubtful of my intentions for you. If there is someone who is anxious for you, then that’s me. More than your sister, or your friend, I worry for you. Don’t you see that? You also know that I do not hold the princess’ power anymore, yet you didn’t believe me. You thought I want you to be at a good rank for my personal use.”

Jingfei expressed her thoughts. She thought he would be happy, but the opposite happened.

“Forgive me,” Xu Zifan said and lowered his eyelids. He could not meet her gaze while she continued to stare at him.

Instead of going away, Jingfei opened her arms and then embraced him. Her gesture stunned Xu Zifan and he heard her say, “I cannot even get angry at you. I know you are an honest person, who wants to achieve things with honesty and hard work. However, Father is happy seeing his daughter happy. That’s the main reason he raised your rank. You should ask my father or get angry at him instead of me. I have only now. When you get angry at me, I get sadder. But I cannot be upset with you for a long time.”

Xu Zifan placed his left hand on her back and caressed it. “You understand me so well, Jingfei. I want to apologize for doubting your intentions for me,” He said.

Jingfei pulled away and looked into his eyes. “Give me a present and I will forgive you,” She said with a smile.

“A present? I have to go to the market,” Xu Zifan replied.

“I don’t want you to buy me anything from the market. I want an instant present,” She asserted, keeping the same bright smile.

“I have to think if I possess something precious to present to you,” Xu Zifan asked for a minute from her when Jingfei pointed her index finger at his lips.

“Will that not be an instant present?” Jingfei inquired in amusement.

Xu Zifan’s fingers curled and he kept peering into her eyes.

Xu Zifan’s face slowly moved closer to Jingfei. Their lips were only an inch apart to get connected when someone cleared his throat.

Xu Zifan and Jingfei tilted their heads and saw Feng Lao and Huang Xi.

Jingfei immediately pulled away and they both felt awkward.

Feng Lao and Huang Xi smiled while keeping their heads low.

Xu Zifan’s cheeks had flushed red. Jingfei told him that she would see him later and quickly left for her room.

“Wh-what are you two doing here?” Xu Zifan asked as he stepped down the stairs and halted before them.

“Why are your cheeks red?” Feng Lao asked and touched Xu Zifan’s cheek.

“Th-they aren’t red,” Xu Zifan promptly yanked Feng Lao’s hand away.

“Feng Lao, they were kissing,” Huang Xi said and they laughed out together.

“We didn’t. Will you two stop?” Xu Zifan scolded them.

Both Feng Lao and Huang Xi pursed their lips to suppress their laughter and teased Xu Zifan for some time.

“Why are you two here?” Xu Zifan again asked.

“Prince Lóng Wei is here,” Huang Xi said and took Xu Zifan with them.