Gifted Bride of the Sinned Prince

“Ahh, she must have gone home,” Ye Xin said. “Should we eat? I will order two servings for us.” Xiwan couldn’t refuse it and sat with her around the circular table.

Ye Xin quickly gave the order and looked at Xiwan. “This is my first time here,” Xiwan said.

“Really? I thought you knew the capital better than me,” Ye Xin stated.

“I do, but not such places,” Xiwan said and thanked the boy who placed two water glasses on the table. He drank the water and gently put it down.

“Why does Miss Ye Xin like me? We didn’t even have any conversation before,” Xiwan asked out of curiosity.

“It is tough to explain. The day you escort me home, I ended up falling...” She paused and bit her tongue, “... I mean my inner voice said to me that I should not let this person go and I did not take time to confess.” Ye Xin tried to give him a suitable explanation.

Xiwan hummed when the server brought their order: Two bowls of noodles with dumplings.

They both began eating and silence surrounded them. Ye Xin wanted to speak more with him, but she wondered if he would find her ill-mannered for speaking too much.

.....

“The noodles and dumplings here are really delicious,” Xiwan said with a smile. “Thank you for bringing me here,” he stated.

“I’m glad Xiwan joined me,” Ye Xin stated and told him he could say her name without being formal.

They continued eating with a limited conversation between them. After they finished, Ye Xin opened the pouch to pay at the counter.

“I will do that,” Xiwan said as he had taken out the five taels when Ye Xin told him not to do that.

She grabbed his arm and said, “I brought you here. I should pay. This is the first time you ate here.”

“So?” Xiwan arched his eyebrow. He turned his head to look at the owner and handed him the coins. “The noodles and dumplings were very delicious,” he said.

The owner thanked him and asked him to come again.

“Sure,” Xiwan said and gazed at Ye Xin. They both left the restaurant. Ye Xin had so many things to say to him, but he was silent. He wasn’t beginning the conversation at all.

They were headed to the route which would lead Ye Xin to her house.

“I can go by myself,” Ye Xin said.

“May I know how you find out about me? Did you ask Prince Mingquan about me?” Xiwan inquired her.

“Yes,” Ye Xin replied.

“Yes. Did Prince Mingquan tell you what I do?” Xiwan asked.

“Spying,” Ye Xin replied.

“Nothing more?” Xiwan asked.

Ye Xin shook her head.

“I am a highly trained spy and I have killed many all this time,” Xiwan stated.

“Spies are supposed to do that,” Ye Xin asserted.

“You are right. But I thought you would not like my profession. I will keep doing it for a long time,” Xiwan stated.

“Why would I not like it? You catch those who are a danger to the kingdom. When the Fourth Prince told me that you are a spy, I was surprised. I have never met a spy before and it will make me proud if we get together,” she affirmed.

“Ye Xin, I have not found any suitable match for myself yet. I want to get married soon and have my own family,” Xiwan pronounced.

“Marry soon?” Ye Xin mumbled.

“Yes. I have no one,” Xiwan said.

“What about your family?” Ye Xin queried.

“Everyone died when I was a kid. My father was loyal to the former King, the father of Prince Lóng Wei,” Xiwan asserted.

“Ahh. I am sorry that you’ve had to undergo all this,” Ye Xin said. “It must have been tough to live all alone by yourself. How did you live then? Forgive me, if I am crossing my boundaries,” she stated.

“I am happy that you are curious to know about me. In the matchmaking agency, I met three women, but no one was interested to know what I was in the past. So, please do not apologize,” Xiwan said with a smile.

“I am very much interested to know more about you,” Ye Xin said.

“I feel overwhelmed,” Xiwan asserted.

“How did you grow up when no one was around you?” Ye Xin asked the same question which she asked earlier.

“Monk Yuze was my master. He took care of me,” Xiwan replied. “Then, I entered the palace as the cook,” he added.

“Oh. I am ready to marry you. When do we have to do that? I will tell my family and introduce you to them,” Ye Xin excitedly said.

“That was sudden,” Xiwan ended up smiling.

Ye Xin scratched the back of her head. “Am I rushing things?” She asked.

“Umm... Let’s meet more frequently before taking the decision to marry. Maybe you will not like me after knowing me more. Indeed, I want to marry before the next month’s end, but at the same time, I want the person to know me better and the same goes for me,” Xiwan explained to her.

“I understand. I will meet you every day,” Ye Xin said with a wide smile. “Let’s spend more time together to know each other. I will try my best to win your heart,” she confidently said.

In her mind, she already had taken him as her husband. She knew a lot of noblemen in the capital, but none swayed her heart. Xiwan was different. He was a very calm and thoughtful person. Moreover, he was strong, and perfect in martial arts. Those qualities she always wanted in her future husband, but mostly the single noblemen of her age around her were officials.

“Xiwan, can I hold your hand?” Ye Xin requested.

“Yes. Can I?” She halted in her steps while Xiwan stopped a step ahead of her. He gazed at her and lifted his hand slowly.

Ye Xin placed her hand above his and said, “I am the first one to grab this hand and I will be the last one to leave this hand. Xiwan, thank you for coming into my life.”