638 I donât want to lose a friend over a woman
Xiwan placed the tray on the floor table on which two wine jars and wine cups were present.
âAre we going to drink?â Huang Xi asked them.
âOf course,â Lóng Wei picked up the jar and pulled the cork out. He inhaled the scent of the wine and gazed at Xiwan. âYou know my choice,â he said and poured the wine for them.
âI kept these wines in my collections for this special occasion only,â Xiwan said. They all picked up the wine cups and toasted for Lóng Weiâs safe return.
Xiwan took a sip and said, âWe thought Prince Lóng Wei would return with good news.â
âWhy all were waiting for the good news from my side?â Lóng Wei chuckled before taking a huge gulp of wine.
âBecause Prince Lóng Wei married the earliest among all,â Huang Xi replied.
âThat doesnât mean I will become a father first among all the princes,â Lóng Wei stated.
âI wonder what Prince Lóng Weiâs children will be like?â Xiwan mumbled.
.....
âLike me. They will be strong like their father and humble, and sweet like their mother,â Lóng Wei said with a smile and gazed at Chang Shi.
âWhy are you quiet? Arenât you happy to see me?â Lóng Wei questioned as he placed the wine cup on the table.
âI am happy,â Chang Shi said with a smile.
âIs everything good with you? Wait! Did you also find a woman for yourself?â Lóng Wei inquired him. Xiwan and Huang Xi looked at Chang Shi in astonishment.
Chang Shi didnât reply which amused Lóng Wei.
âWhy does it seem you are into someone?â Lóng Wei squinted his eyes.
âReally?â Xiwan asked Chang Shi why he didnât tell him about it.
âPrince Lóng Wei has noticed something wrong. I am usually quiet,â Chang Shi answered and averted his gaze from Lóng Wei. He drank the wine in a go which was unusual of him.
Lóng Wei didnât ask him further and looked at Xiwan. âHuang Xi told me how a woman proposed to you. I am happy for you. When will you two get married?â He asked.
âSince Prince Lóng Wei has returned, so I will talk with Ye Xinâs parents about the marriage. I hope the marriage date is next week,â Xiwan said enthusiastically.
âWe also hope the same,â Lóng Wei picked up the wine jar and filled their cups again.
âHow is Feng Lao?â Chang Shi asked.
âBetter than before. He has come out of his trauma,â Lóng Wei answered. âHe was popular among ladies in the Valley of Peace,â he muttered and they all laughed.
âDid he not get attracted to anyone?â Xiwan queried.
âNo,â Lóng Wei replied.
âFeng Lao is tough to please. Princess Xiaolian has sent a love letter to him. He talked rudely to her. I heard this,â Xiwan stated.
âFeng Lao is another me but in an opposite way,â Lóng Wei said.
All three gazed at Lóng Wei wondering why he said that.
âFeng Lao isnât like Prince Lóng Wei,â Huang Xi stated. Xiwan agreed with his words.
Lóng Wei chuckled while Chang Shi observed him.
They had a great time together. Huang Xi and Xiwan drank too much that they laid there only and fell asleep.
âThey both canât hold liquor well,â Lóng Wei said and held the jar.
âHow was Prince Lóng Wei? I hope he found inner peace and mental calmness,â Chang Shi said.
âI did find them. I am better now,â Lóng Wei replied and brought the wine cup close to his mouth. He took a few sips before putting it on the table.
He tilted his head and looked at Chang Shi.
âWho is the woman who has occupied your mind?â Lóng Wei asked him.
âWhat is His Highness saying?â Chang Shi again avoided that question and lifted the cup to drink wine when Lóng Wei held it.
âDo you think avoiding the question will bring an answer to you?â Lóng Weiâs question made him contemplate.
âWho is the woman you like?â Lóng Wei asked.
âI didnât want it to happen,â Chang Shi asserted and walked out of the room.
Lóng Wei frowned to hear him and stood up. He went behind Chang Shi and saw him seated on the stairs, leading to the front yard.
âWhat happened?â Lóng Wei sat beside Chang Shi. âWe promised each other to tell everything,â he added.
Chang Shi sighed with a regret. âI feel attracted to Princess Ai Fen,â he said and knitted his brows.
âSo?â
âHuang Xi loves her,â Chang Shi said.
âHe used to,â Lóng Wei corrected him. âIf you do not want to pursue your heart because you think Huang Xi will get hurt, then you are wrong.â
They both gazed at each other.
âHuang Xi is my friend. I cannot do this to him. He does like her and holds feelings for her. I do not want to break my precious friendship with Huang Xi because of this reason,â Chang Shi stated.
âYou deduced everything wrong when you know Ai Fen has no feelings for Huang Xi. Not even a bit. I do not know how your attraction grew toward her, but I know it didnât develop without any reason,â Lóng Wei asserted.
âShe goes with me to the forest frequently. I never converse much with women nor do I feel comfortable. However, around Princess Ai Fen it is different,â Chang Shi briefed him.
âDoes Ai Fen have the slightest hint about this?â Lóng Wei asked.
âI think so. But we both are quiet. My reason is simple. I donât want to hurt Huang Xi. I do not know about Princess Ai Fen,â Chang Shi stated.
âHuang Xi will only be happy to see you together with someone. You should not be worried about thinking he would not like your attraction toward Ai Fen. He has nothing to do with her anymore,â Lóng Wei said.
âIf you think Huang Xi will get hurt, then tell him first. I know he will only be supportive of you,â Lóng Wei advised him and patted his back.
âI donât want to lose a friend over a woman,â Chang Shi said.
âThat will not happen,â Lóng Wei stated. âPerhaps Ai Fen wants you to confess first to her. It is difficult for women to admit their feelings first. Xiwanâs betrothed is an exception,â Lóng Wei stated. His words encouraged Chang Shi a bit and he felt better sharing his thoughts with Lóng Wei.