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“We are extremely happy to know the Fourth Prince’s answer,” Lin Wujian said and looked at his daughter.

“I have already told Miss Lin that we will get married after Prince Lóng Wei returns to the capital,” Mingquan stated.

“Pardon me, Your Highness, but when will Prince Lóng Wei return?” Lin Yongyi asked.

“Probably after a month,” Mingquan replied.

“So, my sister is here for a month only,” Lin Yongyi said and looked at Lin Jiao, who twitched her lips.

“Should I not marry then? My brother doesn’t need to miss me then,” Lin Jiao opined.

“How could you say that, Lin Jiao?” Lin Wujian scolded her and asked Mingquan not to mind her words. “She still hasn’t grown up,” he murmured.

“Then, why is Father marrying me off? He knows well that I am still a kid,” Lin Jiao argued with her father in front of Mingquan.

.....

Lin Wujian got tongue-tied and looked at Mingquan, wondering what he would be thinking. Xiwan and Chang Shi looked at each other before smiling.

“Miss Lin is a grown-up woman... She is a twenty-two-year-old woman,” Mingquan pronounced and she gazed at him.

“I am a kid for my father and brother,” Lin Jiao said.

“Lin Jiao, don’t talk this way with the Fourth Prince,” Lin Wujian again reprimanded her and gritted his teeth.

“Not for me,” Mingquan stated.

Everyone looked in his direction.

“Miss Lin is not a kid for me. I see her as a woman. That is why I decided to say yes to this marriage,” Mingquan stated.

Lin Jiao stopped blinking to hear him and continued to stare into his eyes. She could feel the heat on her cheeks and her heart it was hammering against her chest. It was the same feeling that she got when he teased and later kissed her.

“I am not feeling well,” Lin Jiao said. “I will take my leave first.” She didn’t listen to what her father had to say and left the room.

“This girl!” Lin Wujian gritted his teeth and looked at Mingquan, “Kindly forgive my daughter for her this kind of behavior. In this one month, I will make her learn etiquette.”

“The state minister didn’t have to do that. Miss Lin’s originality is her uniqueness,” he asserted.

“May I see Miss Lin in her room?” Mingquan asked for his permission.

“Of course. His Highness does not need to ask for it,” Lin Wujian stated.

Mingquan thanked him and went to see Lin Jiao.

~~~~~

Lin Jiao picked up the water glass which was full of water. She drank it and plonked the glass on the table.

“How could he say that in front of my father and brother?” Lin Jiao murmured.

“But I said nothing wrong. You are indeed a woman,” Mingquan pronounced, and she jumped out in fear.

“What is the Fourth Prince doing here?” Lin Jiao questioned him and saw him closing the door.

“Did you find the answer?” Mingquan asked and approached her.

“What answer?” Lin Jiao pretended not to know anything and crossed her arms across her chest.

“You surprisingly look prettier today,” Mingquan said. “Eh... Why are your cheeks red? Did you blush when I said those words?” He inquired her and touched her cheek with the pad of his finger.

She took a step back. “I came running here that’s why they are red,” Lin Jiao answered.

“Who taught you to lie? Don’t you know liars are punished?” Mingquan questioned her and took another step toward her.

“I di-didn’t lie,” Lin Jiao stuttered.

Mingquan took her by the surprise by wrapping his arm around her waist and he pulled her to his chest. She widened her eyes and grabbed his forearms.

“Leave me, Prince Mingquan. You cannot–”

“Shhh!” Mingquan pressed his finger on her lips. “I am thinking to give you another kiss so that you will come to a decision faster and confess that you love me,” he whispered in her ear.

She lowered his finger and said, “I already told His Highness. It is tough to sway my heart.” She averted her gaze away from him. “The Fourth Prince should stop going after me,” she affirmed.

Mingquan gripped her chin and made her look at him. “You should not lie to me. I see through the people. You can ask anyone in the capital about me. I know those things which others don’t,” he pronounced.

Lin Jiao bit her lower lip. “Did His Highness punish Bai Jue?” She inquired.

“I did. He is asked to do hard labor for a month,” Mingquan said.

“Such a light punishment! Tsk,” Lin Jiao remarked and twitched her lips.

“It isn’t a light punishment. A nobleman who never worked in large fields and other low-paying jobs finds such work tough,” Mingquan proclaimed.

“Oh. His Highness can let me go now,” Lin Jiao said.

“I can feel your heartbeats. They are rapid. I caught your lie,” Mingquan said.

“What?” She tried to move away but he didn’t let her go. His hand moved from her chin to the back of her head as he made her stand still.

“What are you afraid of? Why don’t you share it with me? You won’t find a person like me in the entire kingdom,” Mingquan stated.

“I am not ready to leave such a life. Also, my father will miss me. I am his treasure,” Lin Jiao said and pouted her lips.

“You can come daily here,” Mingquan said.

“But the palace is a different place. His Highness isn’t understanding me,” Lin Jiao stated.

“I do understand you. It’s tough to leave your home where you spent your childhood, teenage days, and even adulthood,” Mingquan asserted.

“Your Highness, give me time. I will surely answer you soon,” Lin Jiao said and gazed into his eyes.

“Sure. I will wait for your answer,” Mingquan stated with a smile.