673 Never let my daughter suffer
"I am glad as the father of Miaoran, you have finally understood the value of your daughter. Her life was more precious and separating from Chen Xiao was necessary for her," Feng Lao told Lord Hui.
"Humans live in a society and we have to follow the norms accordingly. This was my thought. I am guilty of my actions for never looking at my daughter as my pride. Instead, I saw her as a burden," Lord Hui admitted those evil thoughts in him, which had persisted in him for a long time.
However, the change came when he heard a few noblemen, who appreciated his daughter's decisions. The prejudices Lord Hui had carried broke in a day after listening to them. How they would do anything for their daughters to bring her out of such a marriage.
Miaoran was overwhelmed to hear her father. This was the first time, he was talking in her favor.
"I had plans to bring my daughter in the evening, but Feng Lao took her here. I want my daughter to live with us," Lord Hui announced his decision.
Feng Lao smiled brightly to hear Lord Hui and glanced at Miaoran. This was the best present Miaoran had ever received in her life.
"What do you say, Miaoran?" Lord Hui asked with a faint smile on his lips.
"I would love to," Miaoran replied.
Lady Hui was happy for her daughter and she placed her hand above Miaoran's. "No one will say anything to you. We are with you," she told Miaoran. Feng Lao felt immense happiness which was hard for him to express. He was truly happy for Miaoran because she always longed for her family's love. It took a lot of time for her family to understand her, but at least, they did.
"Chen Xiao is in prison and he will never trouble Miaoran anymore, nor does anyone from his family. I assure you all," Feng Lao said comfortingly.
"Thank you, Shui Feng Lao," Lord Hui said. "You are a lifesaver for my daughter. I will never forget this favor of yours. In this life, if you will ask me anything, I will do my best to give it to you," he asserted.
"Ahh," Feng Lao furrowed his brows together and continued, "With the mighty God's grace I have everything in my life. Thank you for saying that. I only want Lord Hui and Lady Hui to keep their daughter's life and happiness first before taking any decision for her. She needs your love and support. That's what makes you all a part of the family."
Feng Lao's words touched Miaoran's heart.
Lord Hui nodded his head. "I will never let my daughter suffer. I promise this," he said and looked at Miaoran.
"Thank you, Father," Miaoran said and she wiped the tears from the back of her palm. She gazed at Feng Lao and thanked him as well.
"You should not cry so much. Now, you should always smile and live your life to the fullest," Feng Lao advised her. Miaoran nodded at him and began smiling.
~~~~~
Huang Xi and Xiaolian sat beside each other on the open patio after an hour of pottery session. "Did Commander Huang Xi go to the war ever?" Xiaolian asked.
"Never. Borders have always been peaceful," Huang Xi replied. "I never got the chance to go on a battle. There are sometimes uprisings or rebellions among the locals, so to appease them I have gone," he asserted.
"Commander Huang Xi's job is tough," Xiaolian stated. "Autumn has come. Soon, the winter will start and then military activities be stopped for a while. Am I right?" She curiously asked.
"That's not possible, Princess Xiaolian. The military has a role to protect the kingdom in every season. We cannot stop our activities. Surely, the break is given but not to everyone in the military at once," Huang Xi corrected her and then explained to her.
"Oh. Then, this work is tiresome. You all do work throughout the year without taking any breaks. We all enjoy our lives, staying inside our rooms and resting most of the time," Xiaolian said.
"Princess Xiaolian is from the royal family, so she has the privilege to enjoy her life to the fullest," Huang Xi affirmed.
"Privileges only before a princess gets married and sent off to her husband's home," Xiaolian said. "Sister Jingfei told me it's more fun outside the palace. We have a free life with fewer restrictions," she opined and a tiny smile was carved on her lips.
Huang Xi agreed with her. "Is Princess Xiaolian doing well?" He suddenly asked about her well-being.
"Sister Ai Fen will get married soon. However, she thinks we both should get married on the same day. Our eldest brother, the King, has agreed with Sister Ai Fen's suggestion. Even the Second Brother is helping him in finding a suitable man for me. However, I am scared now. I wanted to get married and I was prepared for it since my teenage days. But I have this strange, unexplainable feeling in my heart and mind too," Xiaolian expressed her troubled thoughts to Huang Xi.
"Is it because Princess Xiaolian has feelings for Feng Lao?" Huang Xi asked.
"No. Feng Lao is the close chapter of my life," Xiaolian replied.
"I apologize," Huang Xi said. "Why is Princess Xiaolian scared?" He inquired.
"I do not know," Xiaolian replied and fiddled with her fingers. "I think I am thinking too much," she asserted and smiled a little before standing up.
"Perhaps the Princess is scared of the responsibilities she has to bear after the marriage," Huang Xi stated.
"Maybe," Xiaolian said.
"I believe the Princess will get a good husband and family. She does not need to be scared. The right thing finds its way to the right person somehow," Huang Xi stated.
Xiaolian hummed and inhaled deeply. She felt a bit better after sharing those thoughts with Huang Xi.
"I should leave, Princess Xiaolian. I will see you here at the same time," he said and stood up. He bowed to her and walked away.
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