Married To The Cruel Crown Prince

On the third day of Ying Lili's and Sheng Li's stay in their private residence, the snowfall began. On Sheng Li's orders, special arrangements were already made to make sure that Ying Lili would enjoy her first snowfall as much as she could with him.

On the patio, Sheng Li brought Ying Lili with him. She had worn a white hanfu dress with red embroidery on it. They sat on the heated mattress which was warm because of the heating floor system.

Ying Lili looked up in the sky and smiled brightly. "Can I catch the snowflakes?" She asked and without waiting for Sheng Li's response, stood up. She walked ahead and stood by the pillar. Outstretching her hand, she let the snowflakes fall over her palm.

Sheng Li stood beside her and held out his hand.

"Where were you in last year's winter?" Ying Lili asked.

"I was in the North-West Province," Sheng Li answered.

"You stayed outside in such harsh weather. It must be tough," Ying Lili said and pulled her hand back.

"It wasn't tough, Lili. A year ago, my thoughts were different from what they are today. I love to stay outside the palace because I didn't have to see many evil faces," Sheng Li said.

"But you wanted to return to Luoyang at the earliest. That's why you pushed your limits in the military campaigns. This is what I got to hear in Juyan," Ying Lili said.

"So, you used to talk about me even before marriage," Sheng Li arched his brow, with a grin on his face.

"Never. I heard from my Father about you. You were a tyrant in everyone's eyes: a cruel Prince. You spread such good rumors about you," Ying Lili affirmed.

"I spread only a few rumors. The rest of the rumors are made by people," Sheng Li corrected her. He lifted his arm and wrapped it around Ying Lili's shoulder. He drew her close and continued, "Lili, the first snowfall means that you will stay with your lover for a long time. In your lover's happiness, you will find yours. Everything turns so peaceful during the snowfall. Our lives will turn the same."

Ying Lili smiled upon hearing the meaning. She tiptoed and kissed Sheng Li's cheek. He tilted his head and found her smiling. "I am lucky to see it with you," she stated and looked straight.

Sheng Li turned her to face him. "First kiss in the snowfall has a different feeling," he said and pressed his lips on Ying Lili's. She wrapped her hands around his neck while he pulled her up. The gentle sound of the wind chime reverberated on the patio.

"Your cheeks are cold," Sheng Li said as he gradually pulled from the kiss. He kept his palms on her cheeks and asked her how long she wanted to stay outside.

"Until the snowfall stops," Ying Lili answered and brought her hands on his cheeks. "Your nose has turned red," she whispered.

"The snowfall will happen the entire day and night. We will catch a severe cold if we stay here more. The floor is warm, but we cannot stay outside for long," Sheng Li advised her.

"Let's stay for fifteen minutes and then we will go inside," Ying Lili negotiated with him.

"Fine," Sheng Li agreed to her request. Ying Lili turned to look at the courtyard while holding Sheng Li's hand.

~~~~~~

Lei Wanxi tapped on the wooden handrail as he watched the snow falling. "Ahh, I won't go to work anymore. It is going to be cold," he muttered and looked up at the sky.

"Prince Wanxi shall not become lazy," Zhu Lin said. "He always sneaks off his work," she opined.

"Zhu Lin, glad you come here." Lei Wanxi was delighted to hear her and circled his arm around her waist. Pulling her close, he rested his head on her shoulder. "Zhu Lin, everyone becomes lazy during winter," he asserted.

"Prince Wanxi is always lazy," Zhu Lin complained and asked him to stand straight if he didn't want anyone to see them.

"But no one is around. It's cold. Everyone must be inside their chambers," Lei Wanxi answered.

"Prince Weng Yu roams in the corridor. Last time he has seen us kissing," Zhu Lin stated. Lei Wanxi stood straight and looked around. He didn't find Weng Yu in the corridor and told Zhu Lin not to be shy.

"Shy? I never get shy," Zhu Lin remarked.

"Tomorrow we will play in the snow. I will throw many snowballs at you, so you need to be careful of me," Lei Wanxi warned her.

"I am good at aiming. Prince Wanxi will be defeated," Zhu Lin said confidently.

"Are you challenging me? Don't forget that I am good at such games. It's not archery. It's throwing snowballs. Last year, I defeated Brother Nianzu, Brother Rong Zemin, and Brother Yu. Brother Sheng wasn't in Luoyang else, I had defeated him," he said proudly.

"Then, let's have a match tomorrow. One, who will defeat has to do everything that the other person would say," Zhu Lin proclaimed. Lei Wanxi agreed with her and told her not to cry later if she got defeated.

"Prince Wanxi shall not forget that he is weaker in strength than me," Zhu Lin mocked him.

"Does that matter, Zhu Lin? In games, more than strength, one's mind-matter," Lei Wanxi opined. "Let's not argue anymore. We need to enjoy this snowfall– our first snowfall together," he said and looked towards the ground which had turned white.

Zhu Lin swooped her hand around Lei Wanxi's arm. "Are we not going to marry? I am eager to marry the Prince," she said.

"Zhu Lin, let Brother Sheng and Sister Lili come back. Then, we will get married," Lei Wanxi answered and knocked on his left temple with her right temple.

~~~~~

Hello Dear Readers,

Should I give more stories about the other characters? Because I have decided to wrap up the story in a few chapters. I have decided to give a few months' gap, and then I'll accordingly show their kids. You can tell me your opinions.

THANK YOU

HAPPY READING