Gifted Bride of the Sinned Prince

“You do not need to eat it if it is spicy,” Jin Yu said with a worried look.

“But I liked it. I have never eaten something like this,” Xiaoming said and passed a smile to Jin Yu. He lifted the pair of chopsticks to eat and told Jin Yu that the royal food was usually not spicy and tasting something so different made his taste buds revive.

“You must be feeling bored eating the plain food of the palace. Why did you never tell me that you love spicy food more?” Xiaoming inquired her.

“The palace food is amazing for a person like me who used to eat plain food outside. But I am glad you liked this spicy noodle soup,” Jin Yu affirmed, and they both started eating.

They enjoyed their dinner meals together. After they finished, a servant came in with Eunuch Sun Fuguo, who cleaned the table and took the dishes to the kitchen.

“Should I bring some sweets for you? Your eyes are filled with tears,” Jin Yu said. Xiaoming shook his head and drank another glass of water.

“I will get used to spicy food soon,” Xiaoming said and asked Sun Fuguo to inform the royal chef to put more spices in his food from now onward.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Sun Fuguo said.

.....

“Did you arrange the clothes for us about which I had told?” Xiaoming asked Sun Fuguo.

“I will bring the outfits, Your Majesty,” Sun Fuguo said and stepped backward, keeping his head down.

“Are we going out?” Jin Yu’s eyes widened because it was a surprise for her.

“Yes. I promised you I would take you out for two days,” Xiaoming stated.

“Two days?” Jin Yu was astonished to hear him. “Are you sure? But the King and the Queen are not supposed to go out,” she muttered.

“Hmm. But I made it possible for us,” Xiaoming said.

“Where will we stay?” Jin Yu inquired.

“That is a surprise,” Xiaoming replied. The doors opened and Eunuch Sun Fuguo came inside, followed by the servant.

“I am keeping Your Majesties outfits here,” Sun Fuguo gestured to the female servant, who placed the outfits on the table on her left. They left, and the doors closed.

They both stood up from the floor chairs. Xiaoming handed the outfit to Jin Yu first and asked her to change into them. Jin Yu nodded and went to the dressing chamber. It took her fifteen minutes to get changed. After her, Xiaoming changed into a commoner’s dress. He placed the crown carefully on the cushioned rectangular base which was made on the table and also removed the extra rings from his fingers.

When he walked out, he saw Jin Yu looking at her long sleeves with a smile and flapping them.

“I have worn such clothes after such a long time, and it is a lot more comfortable than the royal attire,” Jin Yu told him and looked into his eyes. “You look handsome even in these commoners’ clothes. It will be hard for people to believe that you are a commoner,” she muttered.

“Do not worry. The place we are heading to is not approachable to locals,” Xiaoming stated.

“Oh.” She again got curious about where they were going and asked him about it, but Xiaoming refused to tell her. He approached her and tucked away the hair strands from her face.

“Well, even my queen is pretty. If people look at her, they may wonder from where such beauty has come,” Xiaoming said.

Jin Yu’s cheeks heated to hear that compliment, and she playfully hit his chest before covering her cheeks. “Don’t lie. I know that I am not that beautiful,” she murmured and continued to smile.

“The Queen should not underestimate his beauty,” Xiaoming affirmed and widely smiled.

“Why is the King so formally with me?” Jin Yu asked and bit her bottom lip.

“I sometimes forget that I can openly use informal language with my wife,” Xiaoming stated and held her hands. He lowered them and gently pulled her toward him. He leaned down and kissed her ever so slowly. Their fingers intertwined, and she got on her toes. After sharing a beautiful kiss, they both pulled away.

“Let’s go,” Xiaoming said. Jin Yu hummed, and they both left the manor.

They reached the imperial gates soon and saw Mingquan and Li Tian, who had been waiting for them. They both greeted the King and the Queen.

“Will Prince Mingquan accompany us?” Jin Yu asked with gleaming eyes.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Mingquan replied.

“This is the new general of the Qiu Army, Li Tian,” Xiaoming introduced Jin Yu to the general. She smiled at him and bowed at him when Li Tian asked her not to do so.

“Why? The General is the most respectful rank, so I must show my respect too,” Jin Yu opined. She had forgotten she was the Queen, and now her rank was much higher than all those official ranks.

“Because you are the Queen,” Xiaoming told Jin Yu and placed his hand on her shoulder.

“Please, this way, Your Majesties,” Mingquan showed them the carriage, which was ready for them. Jin Yu and Xiaoming got into the carriage while Mingquan and Li Tian hopped on the horses. Since it was curfew hour, so hardly anyone would see them. Xiaoming chose this time for a reason to avoid the eyes of the people from Mingquan and Li Tian.

The imperial gates opened on Li Tian’s command, and the carriage moved.

“I am so excited,” Jin Yu told Xiaoming, who was sitting next to her. “I can already feel the air is different here,” she muttered.

Xiaoming smiled to see the excitement that Jin Yu carried. This was all he needed in his life and he thanked Lóng Wei for making it happen. Lóng Wei was the one, who used Xiuying’s example in front of his father, which made Qiu Zedong allow him to marry Jin Yu.