Married To The Cruel Crown Prince

Sheng Li and Jian Guozhi reached Yunxi's home after an hour. They found the cries of a woman from the front yard of the small hut and also saw the people, who were gathered in the yard.

"Mother!" Yunxi said loudly.

Promptly, her mother and the people directed their gazes towards the voice. Sheng Li put Yunxi on the ground, who ran towards her mother.

Yunxi's mother tightly hugged her and carried her up in her arms. "Are you good? You did not get hurt, right?" Yunxi's mother asked her as she looked at her arms and face.

"No, Mother," Yunxi said as she wrapped her arms around her neck.

Yunxi's mother planted many kisses on her face. The people got happy since Yunxi returned home safely. She put her daughter down and looked at the three men.

"Mother, these uncles helped me," Yunxi told her mother, who walked to them and bowed before them.

"Thank you, Brothers, for bringing my daughter safely home," Yunxi's mother expressed her gratitude.

"You should be careful," Sheng Li said. "Your daughter is lucky that she asked for help from me. You shall thank Zhe Yan for showing us the way to your home," asserted Sheng Li, looking at Zhe Yan.

"Thank you, Brother."

Zhe Yan passed her a smile and told her to be careful next time.

"You both don't seem to be from this place," a man said to both Sheng Li and Jian Guozhi.

"Ahh, we are travelers. We are staying in the resthouse," Jian Guozhi answered.

"We must leave as it is late," Sheng Li said and looked at Yunxi. He pinched her cheeks and told her not to leave her mother's side ever again.

Yunxi nodded her head. Jian Guozhi and Sheng Li left the place soon with Zhe Yan.

"Your Majesty did not believe my words when I said that I know Yunxi's way to home," Zhe Yan complained.

"Yunxi doesn't trust other uncles except me. Also, I need to check a few things," Sheng Li stated as he looked around.

"What other things, Your Majesty?" Zhe Yan asked him.

However, Sheng Li did not answer him. Zhe Yan stayed quiet and kept walking along with them.

"We want to see what people are gossiping about. Are they really leaving this place? Going among the people is the easiest way to know what wrong is happening at the higher level that we are unable to understand," Jian Guozhi cleared him.

Zhe Yan nodded his head and said, "You must come with me then. Under the banyan tree, every evening people gather and talk about various issues they face. These days Lord Lian is on everyone's tongue."

Jian Guozhi looked at Sheng Li.

"We must go to that place and check what is going on with the people," stated Sheng Li.

~~~~~

In the morning, Huo Jin's bandage once again was changed to prevent the wound from getting infected. He looked at Yin Na, who was standing beside her brother and he recalled how he kissed her cheek.

"Why did I even do that? I was not supposed to do it," he thought when his internal voice told him it was because he also had feelings for Yin Na.

After the wound was dressed, the doctor left while Wang Hao and Yin Na came forward. Bai Yaling had also come to check on Huo Jin.

"Last night Liang Wu's father had gone to the palace to plead for his son. As I have predicted, he said that a slave has no right to even think about his life," Wang Hao said.

"However, the Empress protected you. Since the Emperor himself does not consider you a slave, so the others cannot either. Her Majesty announced the punishment for Liang Wu," Wang Hao informed him.

Yin Na and Bai Yaling were delighted to hear this.

"It doesn't mean that you will be spared. The Empress will announce the punishment for you after you are recovered," Wang Hao stated.

"What? Why? Why will Huo Jin be punished?" Yin Na asked in confusion. Bai Yaling also looked at her husband for the answer.

"Because I hit Liang Wu," Huo Jin replied. Wang Hao nodded his head. "I will accept whatever punishment Her Majesty gives me. I made a mistake, so the punishment is a must," he asserted.

"But Huo Jin that was because—"

"Yin Na, that's what the Empress has decided. We cannot oppose it. Also, the Empress knows better. The noble class has divided views on Huo Jin's social status. Her Majesty cannot give judgment purely in Huo Jin's favor. A balanced judgment is a must," Wang Hao made her understand.

Yin Na was still not happy about the Empress's judgment. Huo Jin was not supposed to be punished, in her eyes. She pulled up her face and got upset.

"Brother Huo Jin, did you take your morning meals?" Bai Yaling asked him.

"I will later, Sister Bai," he said.

"Do take your breakfast. I prepared it today. Hopefully, you will like it," Bai Yaling said with a smile.

"Sure, Sister Bai. Thank you. I am fine now. So, you do not need to worry about me. Forgive me for giving trouble to all of you," Huo Jin said and lowered his eyes.

"It was me because of whom it all started," Yin Na pronounced.

"It is no one's mistake. So, do not take the blame. I need to go to the Palace. I may come late," Wang Hao stated and turned to Bai Yaling. "Come, I will drop you to the room." He held her hand and took her out of Huo Jin's room.

"You almost lost your life because of me," Yin Na said. "If I had not gone out, this would not have happened," she affirmed.

"He did not attempt to kill me because of you. So, don't be guilty," Huo Jin said. "It was about a slave and a noble class man. No matter how hard I try, I will always be called a slave, a traitor, or a low class," he stated.

Yin Na walked to him and sat beside him, facing him. She held his hands and started to caress them. "But for us, you are Huo Jin," she stated.

"That's why I do not bother about others," Huo Jin stated and pulled his hand away.

"You should go to your room," Huo Jin said.

"I will have my breakfast with you," stated Yin Na with a smile. "You even kissed me yesterday, so it is evident now that you also have feelings for me," she affirmed while recalling the kiss.

"I did that to show my gratitude," Huo Jin modified his words.

"You don't kiss anyone around, just to show your gratitude. You kiss to show affection," Yin Na clarified.

Yin Na closed her eyes. "You can kiss me here if you want to show your gratitude towards me," she said and protruded her lips for a kiss.

Huo Jin opened his mouth and then closed it because he was unable to understand what to say. He found Yin Na moving forward gradually, and it made his heart pound.

She had come too close to her when he flicked his finger at the middle of her forehead and she cried out in pain.

"Ahhh," she caressed her forehead and beamed at him. "Why did you hit me?" She complained.

"Because your mind has lost its right path. Since when did you start to act this way?" Huo Jin asked her and shook his head as he took it as her naivety.

"My mind is at the right place. I have been taught to seduce men. I never tried that, but I can do it for you," Yin Na proclaimed and grinned.

Huo Jin chuckled. "Yin Na, even if you try to do that, it will not affect me. I am a tough man. Moreover, I do not want you to do anything like that. Now, leave," Huo Jin said and gestured to the door.

"I will tell everyone that you kissed me yesterday," Yin Na blackmailed him.

Huo Jin knitted his brows. "That was not a kiss. Don't trouble me." He tried to avoid her.

"Brother! Huo Jin kissed me," she loudly said and stood up from the bed to run out.

Huo Jin widened his eyes. He did not expect that Yin Na would shout about that. She lifted her skirt a little to run out when Huo Jin pulled her down and she was pinned to the bed.

The smile on Yin Na's face disappeared as she found Huo Jin hovering over her.

"You do not need to shout about it," Huo Jin said.

"Why?"

"Because that was not a kiss," Huo Jin replied.

"For me, it was!" Yin Na affirmed and averted her gaze from him. "You must take the responsibility for it," she stated and again looked at him.

"Then, I shall give you the real kiss this time," Huo Jin said and leaned down.