Gifted Bride of the Sinned Prince

61 About his Past

“Miss Hua looks beautiful in this beautiful Hanfu dress,” Court Lady Hong complimented Li Hua. She had put on a plain, sky-blue Hanfu dress. The white jade hairpin on her hair bun was the perfect match with the dress.

“Everything seems so expensive,” Li Hua said as she looked at the mirror.

“It has to be expensive.” The Queen’s voice fell into Li Hua’s ears, and she promptly stood up. Stepping forward, she bowed before Zhu Liling. This sudden visit of the Queen was unexpected to her.

Zhu Liling lifted Li Hua’s chin and smiled at her. “Don’t be like a servant anymore, Li Hua,” she said and put her hand down, “Li Hua’s wedding dress is ready, and the auspicious time is out as well.”

Zhu Liling tilted her head slightly when a maidservant came forward with the red wedding dress with golden embroidery over it. Zhu Liling picked it from her hands and forwarded it to Li Hua.

“Keep this in your possession. You have to look beautiful tomorrow. You will use the Queen’s beauty products, which I personally use. Tomorrow morning, I will send a few gold jewelries.” Zhu Liling informed Li Hua, who was surprised to hear all this.

She was astonished to see that the Queen did not consider her a servant. She downcasted her eyes and looked at her wedding dress. Tears appeared in her eyes, and she was on the verge of crying. Unable to control herself, she burst out in tears, which perplexed everyone present in the chamber.

Li Hua recalled how her mother had called the designer from the capital to prepare a wedding dress for her. Her fingers clutched the dress tightly, and she cried profusely.

“Li Hua, what happened?” Zhu Liling got worried to see her crying and caressed her arm. She took Li Hua to the recliner and made her sit on it. Court Lady Hong swiftly brought a glass of water and handed it to the Queen, who gave it to Li Hua.

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“Drink it,” Zhu Liling said. Li Hua grabbed the glass and drank water. Court Lady Hong put the glass on the table and wondered why Li Hua cried out of the blue.

Zhu Liling, who sat beside Li Hua, wiped the tears from her cheeks and asked her the reason behind her sudden emotional burst.

“I-I recalled my late mother,” Li Hua said in a low voice. “She always used to say that she would prepare a beautiful wedding dress for me. Seeing it today, I could not control myself,” she said and lowered her head, “please forgive me for disturbing everyone.” She sobbed and wiped the tears on her eyes from the back of her index finger.

“It is understandable at this moment. Every woman recalls her mother only when a wedding dress is given to her. When I came to this palace, my mother also handed me the wedding dress.” Zhu Liling emphasized with her.

She lifted her hand and caressed Li Hua’s head. “Don’t cry anymore. I had asked the Head, who looks after servants’ affairs, and he informed me that you have no family. I had thought of sending a message to them. From tomorrow, this royal family will become yours too. You can come to me any time if you feel troubled,” Zhu Liling said in her soft tone and pulled back her hand.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Did Li Hua have her breakfast?” Zhu Liling looked at Court Lady Hong for the answer.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” She immediately replied to the Queen.

“Give us some privacy.” Upon Zhu Liling’s order, the servants left the chamber.

“Li Hua, the decision to marry my youngest son, must be toughest for you,” Zhu Liling initiated the conversation about Lóng Wei. Li Hua would not deny that it was a tough decision for her. But to achieve her aim, she had no other way.

“Prince Lóng Wei has been notorious and a troublemaker from a young age. Probably because his mother failed to look after him. She did not give her son enough time, and this built anger inside him. Yesterday, King and I were together when he told me that Prince Lóng Wei listens to you well. His Majesty thinks that Li Hua has the ability to bring Prince Lóng Wei on the right path. Not only this, she can bring the truth out. The truth why the Sixth Prince killed his mother.”

Li Hua was bewildered to hear it and, for a few seconds, peered into the Queen’s eyes before lowering them.

“I don’t think that the Sixth Prince will tell me any such thing when I am not even a part of this family, Your Majesty,” Li Hua reasoned.

Zhu Liling smiled a little. “Prince Lóng Wei is eager to marry Li Hua. He loves you, else he would not have rushed this marriage and created such havoc in the palace. Li Hua, we all want to help Prince Lóng Wei, and knowing the truth about his past is important to us. Whatever you will find, report that to me if you are unable to tell the King. I am worried for my youngest son,” Zhu Liling said with a troubled expression.

Li Hua was unable to grasp anything. Why did she have to find out how Lóng Wei’s mother died? She wasn’t interested in his life. And she was not even comfortable asking him anything related to his past.

“What are you thinking, Li Hua?” Zhu Liling’s question brought her out of those thoughts.

“Nothing, Your Majesty. Surely, I will report it to Her Majesty if I find anything out. However, I cannot guarantee it,” Li Hua stated.

“I am glad that you agreed to this. The Sixth Prince will surely tell Li Hua about his past. When someone loves you dearly, he shares everything with you. Prince Lóng Wei keeps himself isolated from us, it troubles us. We want him to be like the other princes,” Zhu Liling affirmed. Li Hua nodded her head, and told the Queen not to worry.

Zhu Liling stroked Li Hua’s hair and blessed her. “Prince Lóng Wei is lucky to marry you. I shall take my leave. I need to look into the preparation for tomorrow,” Zhu Liling said and rose to her feet. Li Hua also stood up and bowed before her.

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for this precious wedding dress and other valuables,” Li Hua again expressed her gratitude.