626 Xiwan is sick
âSo, did you two talk well? Xiwan isnât seeing anyone, right?â Lin Jiao asked and picked up the porcelain cup to taste the rice wine.
âHe met three young women, but all three were not interested to know about him. He has agreed to see me. He told me many things, Lin Jiao. I felt so bad to hear him,â Ye Xin asserted and sipped the wine.
âWhat did he say?â Lin Jiao was curious to know and put the cup down.
Ye Xin looked around and moved close to Lin Jiaoâs ear to whisper in her ear. Lin Jiao was shocked to learn about Xiwanâs past.
âI always missed my mother. I never knew there are people who had no one around them. The former King was a dangerous man,â Lin Jiao remarked and recalled what Mingquan had told her. He knew what happened with Lóng Wei, but he kept it a secret. Mingquan was truly a good secret keeper.
âXiwan is loyal to Prince Lóng Wei and a dear friend to him. I told Xiwan that Prince Lóng Weiâs name scare me. You know the reason,â Ye Xin stated. âI hope Xiwan didnât take it to his heart,â she murmured.
âI said the same to Prince Mingquan,â Lin Jiao said.
âThen?â Ye Xin tilted her head to hear Lin Jiaoâs response.
âPrince Lóng Weiâs life wasnât good. Father and Brother didnât even discuss with me about all this. We didnât have to be scared of him,â Lin Jiao asserted.
.....
âI have heard about it. Prince Lóng Weiâs mother was captive and she was forced to hate her son. Later, she asked Prince Lóng Wei to kill her upon the Kingâs order. Just talking about it gives me shivers,â Ye Xin affirmed.
Lin Jiao picked up the cup and sipped the wine. âI also get shivers to hear about it,â she stated. âWhen will you meet Xiwan?â Lin Jiao asked her.
âXiwan told me that he would see me the previous evening, but he didnât come. I think he didnât like my personality. I was the only one talking while he was quiet most of the time,â ye Xin said and sighed.
âProbably he was busy somewhere. You know his work,â Lin Jiao said.
âI know, but I waited for him for a long time outside my house,â Ye Xin asserted.
âShould I ask Prince Mingquan?â Lin Jiao asked her.
âNo. Donât disturb the Fourth Prince like this. Moreover, Xiwan may not like to see me impatient,â Ye Xin stated. âMy brother knows about him already. Last night I told him. He assured me that he would help me when I bring about my marriage with Xiwan in front of my father and mother,â she explained to Lin Jiao.
âThatâs great. I hope you two get married soon,â Lin Jiao said with a bright smile.
Ye Xin finished the rice wine from the cup in her hand. âI do not know. Xiwan has not answered me yet. I am ready to become his family and start a family with him, but I do not know where he is. If he was busy, he could have informed me once. I was restless the entire night. I have gone crazy, I think,â Ye Xin mumbled and filled the cup again.
âThatâs why I should ask Prince Mingquan about it. Letâs go,â Lin Jiao said and grabbed her arm. They both stood up and Lin Jiao paid for them.
âI donât think it is a good idea. What if Xiwan doesnât like it? I donât want him to be upset at me,â Ye Xin was a bit hesitant to find Xiwanâs whereabouts from Mingquan.
âAyee. Donât think too much. You love Xiwan and you are worried for him. I will ask Prince Mingquan not to tell about it to Xiwan. Donât worry. Xiwan is a nice man,â Lin Jiao said.
âLin Jiao, wait!â Ye Xin said and halted. Lin Jiao also stopped and gazed at her with inquisitiveness.
âWe drank rice wine earlier. Prince Mingquan may not like our behavior,â Ye Xin stated.
âHe wonât say anything. Why are you worried about everything now?â Lin Jiao got irked.
âTwo young ladies drinking on a bright day. What do you think men will think of us?â Ye Xin questioned her.
âThat we are as great as men!â Lin Jiao said and put her arm around her shoulder. âDo not think too much. Letâs go,â she said and took Ye Xin with her.
They soon reached Mingquanâs office and this time no one stopped them. Lin Jiao peeked inside the office before stepping in and gesturing to Ye Xin to follow her.
They both stopped to see Lin Jiaoâs father present in the office. Lin Jiao widened her eyes and ran out of there with Ye Xin.
Mingquan heard the footsteps and looked toward the door, but no one was there.
âWhat happened?â Ye Xin asked while panting. Lin Jiao had made them run until they reached an open ground where no one could be seen.
âI saw my father,â Lin Jiao replied. âIf he had found me drinking rice wine on a bright day, he would have again locked me inside the residence,â she caught her breath and fanned herself with her hand.
âLetâs go back then,â Ye Xin opined.
âNo. Letâs wait here for a few minutes before we go back,â Lin Jiao asserted.
They both stayed for ten minutes on the ground before going back to see Mingquan. This time, Lin Wujian wasnât there and it relieved Lin Jiao, but Mingquan wasnât either present there.
âWhat is Miss Lin doing here?â They heard a familiar voice and turned to look.
âCommander Huang Xi,â Lin Jiao pronounced his name, who was carrying a scroll in his hand.
âWhere is Prince Mingquan?â Lin Jiao asked him.
âHe has gone out for some work,â Huang Xi replied.
âWhat? When did the Fourth Prince leave?â Lin Jiao questioned.
âFive minutes ago,â Huang Xi answered and placed the scroll on the table. âIs there anything I can do for Miss Lin?â He politely asked.
âCommander Huang Xi, we wanted to know about Xiwanâs whereabouts. So, we came here,â Lin Jiao said.
âXiwan!? Why?â Huang Xi asked.
âDoes Commander Huang Xi know Xiwan?â Ye Xin asked him.
âOf course. Xiwan is my friend,â Huang Xi replied.
Both Lin Jiao and Ye Xin smiled as Huang Xi could help them.
âWhat happened? Why is Miss Lin looking for Xiwan?â Huang Xi was inquisitive to know.
âUmm... If Commander Huang Xi knows then can he tell us about Xiwan?â Lin Jiao didnât answer him, instead asked another question.
âXiwan is sick since the last day. He is resting at his house,â Huang Xi replied.
âXiwan is sick!â Ye Xin got worried. âI want to see him. Could you please take me there?â She requested.
Huang Xi was startled to hear that request.
âPlease, help my friend. Xiwan and Ye Xin has started seeing each other,â Lin Jiao stated. Huang Xi readily agreed to help Ye Xin and told her to follow him. Lin Jiao stayed behind as she felt her head dizzy and told Ye Xin to do her best to win Xiwanâs heart completely.