615 Please take me with you
Lin Jiao drank water after wiping the tears from her eyes. Mingquan took the water glass from her and placed it on the tray which the servant was holding. She left upon getting Mingquanâs gesture and the doors closed.
Lin Jiao was still trembling in fear. Bai Jue went extreme today. She had many bad experiences in her life, but this one was the worst.
Mingquan held her hands, and she peered at him. âI am here,â he said and caressed her hands.
âWhy didnât the Fourth Prince come earlier? He almost kissed me,â Lin Jiao said, and again her eyes filled with tears.
âI didnât think Bai Jue would stoop this low,â Mingquan said, and he pulled her close. He put his hand on her back and patted it. âHe will be punished severely for molesting you,â he assured her.
Lin Jiao felt better with that warm embrace. He slowly moved his hand to the back of her head. He stroked her hair and asked her not to think about it.
âHow am I supposed to forget it? I was truthful to him, yet he was forcing himself on me,â Lin Jiao muttered.
âYou donât listen to me. You could have refused to speak with him. Why did you go away?â Mingquan scolded him.
Lin Jiao moved back and glared at him. âI didnât know what was going on in his mind. Why did His Highness take so much time to come there? What if he had done something to me? I want my father to be here,â she said.
.....
âIn my presence, nothing would have happened. You donât have to think about it anymore,â Mingquan told her.
âThank you for saving me once again, Your Highness,â Lin Jiao said and lowered her gaze.
âDo you want to sleep?â Mingquan asked.
Lin Jiao shook her head.
âThen, what should I do to cheer you up?â He inquired her.
âJust stay with me,â Lin Jiao said, âuntil my father and brother return home.â She raised her head, and asked, âWill His Highness stay with me? This was scary for me.â
Mingquan hummed and told her he would stay with her.
âThank you.â She then placed her hand on her stomach. âI am starving. Will His Highness take eat lunch with me?â
âOf course. I cannot see you eating alone. It will make me hungry too,â Mingquan said and called in a servant. 4
Lin Jiao looked at his large hand which was holding her hands. Her heart fluttered feeling that warm touch and unbeknownst to her, a tiny smile formed on her lips.
âWhatâs the reason for this smile?â He asked.
Lin Jiao stopped smiling. âNothing,â she murmured.
~~~~~~
Ai Fen did an embroidery over the silk handkerchief and looked at it. âSister Xiaolin will surely like it,â Ai Fen said and stood up.
She left to see Xiaolian, however, she didnât find her in the chamber. From the servant, Ai Fen found out that Xiaolian had gone outside with her mother to her uncleâs house.
She descended the stairs and reached the bottom soon. While heading towards her chamber, she encountered Huang Xi, who was followed by three soldiers.
Huang Xi and the three soldiers bowed to her before going ahead.
âCommander Huang Xi is still upset with me,â she mumbled. But it wasnât her fault either. She said the truth to him. She didnât like the way he treated Jingfei.
âYour Highness!â Ai Fen heard a familiar voice and turned around to check.
Chang Shi was standing before her.
âThe Second Princess dropped her handkerchief,â Chang Shi said and forwarded it to her. Ai Fen was so lost in her thoughts that she didnât realize it.
âThank you,â Ai Fen said after she took the handkerchief from Chang Shi. It had gotten the dirt on it. âOh no. It got dirty,â she muttered.
âIt needs to be washed,â Chang Shi said.
âHmm.â
âDid the Second Princess drink after that day?â Chang Shi suddenly asked her and she gazed at him.
âNo. Why do you ask?â Ai Fen questioned while knitting her brows together.
âI was just curious,â Chang Shi replied with a smile. âThe Second Princess looks upset. Is everything okay with her?â
âThereâs nothing to do these days,â Ai Fen said. âAlso, I heard from my mother yesterday that I have to get married after my two brothersâ marriage,â she ended up telling Chang Shi.
âIs Her Highness upset about it?â Chang Shi inquired.
âI am nervous to know whom I will get married to. But I cannot even speak about it. I have to get married before turning twenty-three,â Ai Fen stated.
Chang Shi hummed.
âThank you for the handkerchief. I should go,â Ai Fen said when Chang Shi stopped her.
âDoes the Second Princess want to go outside?â Chang Shi asked.
âWill you take me out? But I do not know where I should go,â Ai Fen said. âDo you know any good place to visit since you have visited many places?â She inquired.
âI was thinking to go to the nearby mountain to pick up the herbs,â Chang Shi said.
âMountain?â Ai Fenâs eyes shimmered. âI would like to accompany you,â she expressed her desire.
âForgive me, Your Highness. I cannot take the Second Princess to such hilly terrain,â Chang Shi said.
âI have never been to the mountain. Father never allowed his daughters to go and explore such places. Please take me with you. It is a bright day,â Ai Fen requested him.
Chang Shi wanted to turn down her request, but then Ai Fen looked so desperate to have a day out.
âYour Highness should inform her mother first about it. Then, we will go,â Chang Shi said.
âSure. I will see you at the imperial palace gates,â Ai Fen said and quickly went to see his mother.
Chang Shi went to the palace gates and waited for Ai Fen to come. After fifteen minutes of waiting, Ai Fen arrived.
âMy mother allowed me. Letâs go, Chang Shi,â Ai Fen stated.