Lianhua was able to attend the celebration held in town only because she didn’t have Quan to look after. His uncle Zhong had offered to take him off her hands for a few weeks and she had jumped at the chance. Don’t get it wrong, she loved her son but sometimes he was a real handful.

She had been able to participate in the dance performance and she had been so happy. But when the performance had ended tiredness had swept through her and she had rushed home. After she had given birth to Quan Zhong had forbidden her from doing any form of strenuous activity, dancing included. If he knew she had performed at the celebration he would sure as hell have a fit.

It was getting late so she went to the river to have a bath. It was dark so she wasn’t worrying about someone seeing her so she bathed naked. She had returned back to the house when she realized she left her robe on the table outside. She wrapped her body in the thin material that had been with her hanfu and went to get it.

She had just bent to pick it up when she felt something, or someone, tug her arm harshly. She had gotten ready to give the assailant a tongue lashing but she was properly silenced when she was pulled into a hard chest and firm lips claimed her mouth.

Lianhua’s eyes widened in shock. Her first instinct was to push the person away and she struggled for a few minutes but then she felt a familiar heat building between her legs. There was only one person who was able to make her feel this way. Unwillingly her body surrendered to the kiss and she whimpered as her still damp body began to heat up.

Abruptly, the person released her lips and stuffed his head in her neck, she listened as he took in a deep breath as if smelling her. The kiss had left her so stunned she couldn’t even react.

“You think you could run away from me?” she heard the person whisper her in ear. “Huh, Lianhua?” the man eased his head away from her neck and she was able to look up at his face. Slate grey eyes met emerald green. Lianhua’s mouth dropped open loosely as anxiety filled her heart.

He had found her.

“X-Xuelang.” His name left her mouth in a low whisper.

“Did you miss me, love?” He smirked down at her, his perfectly straight white teeth gleaming.

“How…” she swallowed hard. “How did you find me?”

“Is that the only thing you have to say to me after not seeing me for so long?” his gaze darkened, he was getting angry. “You left me Lianhua, why don’t you start with telling me why?” he didn’t release her from his tight grip, if anything his hold tightened.

In dismay Lianhua lowered her head. “When I found out you were the prince of Xing Wei of course I ran.”

“Was that the only reason?” his voice had turned gruff.

“Of course it wasn’t!” she snapped her head up to stare at his eyes. “I was scared out of my mind! Do you know how frightening it is to wake up and find that the man you had given your all to was rumored to be the most dangerous man alive?” she was near shrieking now. “Do you?! Huh?”

He didn’t answer but she saw his eyes flash gold and knew her words had affected him in some way.

“I would have never hurt you Lianhua, you have to believe me.” A pained look crossed his handsome face.

“How was I supposed to know that, you didn’t tell me anything.” Salty tears were running down her cheeks now. “Every time I had asked you about yourself you skirted around the question and barely told me anything. What else did you expect me to do when I found out you were the prince?” She was pounding on his chest with her fists. “You can’t say I didn’t ask, because I did but you just didn’t tell me the truth.”

“I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you who I was Lianhua.” He pulled her closer to his chest, caging her hands between them. She sniffled as his hand came up to caress her wet hair. “Is it too late for me to make up for all the mistakes that I have made?” she sniffled some more not knowing how to answer.

For a long moment she said nothing. She had forgiven him a long time ago for what he had done but she had never forgotten. He wouldn’t harm her physically she knew that but there was no telling how much damage he could cause to her emotionally.

“Do you have any more secrets that I need to know about Xuelang?” she finally asked. For the first time that night she felt his body relax a little. He pulled her away from his chest to look at her face.

“No, I have non –” he stopped midsentence his brows drawn into a frown. “Maybe I do have one.”

She watched as he battled with himself considering if he should tell her or not. Moving her hands from his chest she grabbed his cheeks between her palms.

“Tell me.” She demanded. Not breaking eye contact he finally spoke.

“I can’t procreate.” She drew away from him, her brows scrunched together. Was she hearing him right? “If you decide to be with me Lianhua I will not be able to give you children.” Lianhua laughed. A loud belly-filled laugh. When she saw him frown she tried to calm herself.

“Don’t you worry about that, we’ll be just fine.” She smiled then kissed him.

Translation:

Donghai – East Sea

Hanfu – traditional Chinese clothing for women (‘Han’ refers to the dynasty in which the clothing was worn and ‘fu’ means clothing in Chinese.)