Gifted Bride of the Sinned Prince

The golden hairpin had the danglings on both sides, reaching the bottom of her ears. The flower petal mark between her brows completed her appearance as a married woman.

“Your Highness, the Consorts will also be present, and they may try to humiliate you as the Sixth Prince’s wife. Her Highness must try to remain calm,” Court Lady Hong informed Li Hua, who nodded her head. She was confused as to why the consorts weren’t present in the morning tea hours in the Greeting Hall.

However, before she could ask, she heard Lóng Wei’s voice. “Li Hua can answer them if they try to humiliate her. I wished to be a part of this tea ceremony, but I am restricted to do so. Though I will be around you.” Lóng Wei walked to Li Hua and looked at the headpiece that she had put on. “It must be heavy to carry such a headpiece. I love to see you with open hair,” he said in a low voice.

Court Lady Hong, who was standing in their vicinity, ended up hearing them and smiled. However, before Lóng Wei could notice it, she pursed her lips together.

“Indeed, it is a little heavy, Your Highness,” Li Hua touched the headpiece over her head and sighed.

“Then, just remove it. I will talk to the Queen,” Lóng Wei stated.

“I cannot remove it, Your Highness. It is not uncomfortable. Also, if I complain about such small things, then how will I bear a bigger burden than this thing?” She argued with him. She took a promise from Lóng Wei that he would not intervene in today’s tea ceremony.

Lóng Wei glanced at her right hand which forwarded to him. He put his palm over her hand and pulled her close. Leaning to her ear, he whispered, “Wifey, I won’t intervene, but I will definitely come to see you. I heard you will play Guzheng. Don’t worry, I won’t intervene.” He leaned back and peered into her eyes.

.....

Li Hua shook her head. “If I found His Highness around, then my attention may divert. So, His Highness must better not come around,” she urged him.

“Oh. Your heart has already started to flutter because of me,” Lóng Wei cocked his eyebrow and teased her.

“I will get late if I keep talking to the Sixth Prince,” Li Hua stated, ending their conversation. She wore the golden pot bottom shoes with heels and left with Court Lady Hong, followed by two personal attendants.

She had never imagined that marrying into a royal family was this tough. Official wives of the Princes must look way more beautiful than the rest. Somehow, she reached the manor. She lowered her head to lift her dress and ascended the stairs.

One head servant of the manor led her to the main patio of the manor. It was surrounded by the artificial pond. On that patio every royal lady was seated, waiting for Li Hua.

Jingfei wondered why Li Hua didn’t get sick. She heard noble consort Xiuying say, “The Sixth Prince got a beautiful wife for himself,” She gazed at Zhu Liling, who nodded at her.

Li Hua stopped in the middle of the patio; gave formal greetings to the Queen, Noble, Virtuous consorts, and the concubines present. Zhu Liling praised Court Lady Hong for teaching Li Hua about the formal greetings, who bowed before her to express her gratitude.

Li Hua then gave formal bows to the three Princesses. Ai Fen smiled seeing Li Hua and looked at her mother, Noble Consort Xiuying, who had started to speak.

“Virtuous Consort Ruoxi and I could not attend the marriage of the Sixth Prince. It was unexpected that Prince Lóng Wei would marry earlier than the eldest son of the Qiu family,” Xiuying remarked. “Your Majesty, these days, the rumors about the Crown Prince’s sexuality had risen again,” she commented, to which Virtuous consort smiled.

“Noble Consort Xiuying, the Crown Prince is searching for a suitable bride for him. The Crown Prince doesn’t want someone who will misuse her powers in his name. Noble Consort Xiuying knows it well. The King punished her severely when she tried to hid her son’s mistakes by accusing an innocent servant.” Xiuying felt humiliated by Zhu Liling’s words.

“Li Hua, we all are eager to drink the tea prepared from your hands,” Zhu Liling said, in her soft tone and gestured to Eunuch Lianying, who came forward. He bowed before the Queen first and then turned to Li Hua.

“Please take this seat,” Eunuch Lianying said, gesturing to the floor mattress, right before her. She sat down gracefully while the servants brought two-floor tables to put before her. On one table, various tea powders extracted from flowers were mostly put along with a fresh honey pot. While on another table, the porcelain teapot with warm water and teacups were put.

Eunuch Lianying had instructed three other maidservants to bring Guzheng.

Li Hua placed her left hand gently on her right wrist so as not to let the long sleeve hit any of the small pots, which had crushed tea powders. She decided to serve Jasmine tea, which was known for its fresh and long-lasting fragrance. Using rose, lavender, and chrysanthemum, she started to prepare it.

“Li Hua, did Prince Lóng Wei not try to harm you?”

Li Hua stopped swirling the tiny silver spoon while mixing the hot water into the teacup.

“It isn’t an appropriate time to discuss such things, Virtuous Consort Ruoxi. Let Li Hua prepare the tea without any disturbance,” Zhu Liling said. The Queen’s tone was polite yet filled with fury. She asked Li Hua to continue, who resumed her work.

Li Hua put the first teacup on the plate, and the maidservant brought it to the Queen, who took its scent first. Everyone on the patio was handed their respective teacups. Jingfei put it on the table and waited for what her mother had to say.

Zhu Liling tasted the tea and found the mellow taste of every flower used. Also, the right proportion of sugar used kept the original taste of the Jasmine tea. She complimented Li Hua for preparing Jasmine tea. The sweet freshness of the tea was enough to lighten up the mood.

Li Hua thanked the Queen for liking the tea made by her.

Zhu Liling’s eyes fell on the Guzheng and asked Eunuch Lianying why it was brought.

“Your Majesty, Princess Li Hua knows how to play it. Last evening, Court Lady Hong has sent a request to me that Princess Hua wants to play it today, in this tea ceremony,” Eunuch Lianying explained to Zhu Liling, who was impressed to hear it. The Consorts, the concubines, and the Princesses were surprised to find that a woman from the lower class knew to play Guzheng.

“If Her Majesty allows, I would like to play this Guzheng while they enjoy their respective Jasmine teas,” Li Hua requested to the Queen, who immediately granted her permission.

The servants again filled their tea cups while the floor tables from the front of Li Hua, were taken away. A large table, the same as the size of Guzheng, was placed before her, who was ready to play it.

Lóng Wei, who was behind the pillar of the corridor which led to the patio, was witnessing this site. He captured every single moment with his eyes. Though, he was unable to hear their voices. However, seeing Li Hua calm, he was assured that no one had bullied his wife till now.