26 CHAPTER 26 : Why did my mere words affected you that much?

Currently, Li Xi Rui is watching Long Jie inhaling the food in front of him without considering his status as a prince. A few minutes ago, he hesitantly move his chopsticks to the chicken legs. After the first bite, he starts eating with vigor. The man in front of her doesn't seems like a prince at the moment. So she watched him eating like he is afraid someone would take his food away.

Even her father and Bai Wu Chen had been infected with Long Jie as they seemed to be moving their chopsticks faster and faster. Apart from the three men, the ladies could only stares. The men ate 3 whole bowls of rice each and the ladies, they couldn't eat anything.

As usual, after eating something spicy, Li Xi Rui will personally serve a cup of hot milk with honey to every member. When Li Xi Rui personally serve Long Jie a cup of milk, he couldn't help but smile genuinely for a brief second. Unfortunately, Li Xi Rui didn't noticed the devastatingly beautiful smile. The smile that could make every lady swooned. All the females in the vicinity are now staring at the 2nd prince as no one really sure if they had just witnessed a historical moment.

Li Xi Rui is playing the zither she had given up before. But under everyone persuasion, she once more decided to play that musical instrument for the farewell party. She plays a beautiful song full of her emotions. It's beautiful and sad at the same time. Long Jie couldn't help but staring openly at the beautiful lady in front of him. Why is it so sad? Today, Li Xi Rui didn't wear a veil and her beautiful features are free for him to admire. Despite his infatuation, he is drawn to her beautiful eyes. The few times he saw her eyes, it seems cold and emotionless. It reminded him of his own pair of eyes. But now, that pair of eyes held sadness and emotion. He felt suffocated. So he excuses himself and walked to the garden. Staring at the vast sky, he wondered if he is too late. If she would just give him a chance, he will be loyal to her.

"Greeting 2nd prince", Li Xi Rui is now standing in front of him.

He himself doesn't realize when had she come. Alas, he still politely replied, "No need to be polite Xi Rui". He doesn't care if she wanted to be polite to him. He will still call her Xi Rui!

Li Xi Rui need to walk across this garden in order to reach her courtyard but when she saw this man standing there alone, she couldn't help but greeted him. "Forgive this miss for disturbing the prince. This miss is just on her way to her courtyard. Then, exc...us..e..", Li xi Rui is in the middle of excusing herself when Long Jie interrupted.

"Xi Rui, tell me. Did I do something to make you hate me that much?", Long Jie stared at the beautiful lady.

Giving signal to the servants to leave them, Li Xi Rui held his gaze. "2nd prince, why did you say that?".

"I couldn't help this sinking feeling that you have change. Did I do this?", Long Jie held her cheek gently.

Startled, Li Xi Rui could only stand there and allows Long Jie to hold her face. "I may or may not change. But did you know how hurt I've been when you accused me?", she still held his gaze. She dropped all politeness and formalities unconsciously.

"I thought you only care about him. So, why did my mere words affected you that much? I never thought of hurting you", he caressed her soft velvety cheek.

"It may seems insignificant to you but words could hurt much more than actions. Does it occurred to you to investigate everything before you started to hate me? Is it fair to receive the final verdict before I could declare myself as innocent?", she could smell his fragrance. She couldn't help but allowed him to touch her. It's like her body remembered his touch.

"Is it to late to apologize?", he is now touching he long locks.

"It's never too late for an apology. But, Long Jie, debt must be paid in full", she said, still looking at the man toying with her hair.

"I'm willing to pay any price. Just give me a chance to apologize", he kissed the lock of hair and retreating himself. After one last look, he left.

Li Xi Rui could only look on as Long Jie walked away. Un-bestknown to them, Madam Li and QiQi had been watching the interactions between Li xi rui and Long Jie.

In Li Xi Rui's Courtyard~

Li Xi Rui had been absent minded after their meeting. Her thought seems to be justifying Long Jie's action.

'Should I give him a chance? Will it be okay? Although it was another lifetime, in this life, he hasn't do anything to hurt me. So should he still be punished for his wrong doings that he himself hasn't committed yet? But if in the end he still repeated the same mistakes, would I be remorseful in this life too? If it's to cease becoming enemies, she could do that. But she couldn't fully trust him yet'. Just then her own word rang in her head, " Is it fair to receive the final verdict before I could declare myself as innocent?".

Xiao Xi had been watching her miss although it seems like the miss had forgotten about her. She saw all the exchanges between 2nd prince and her miss. 'They make a beautiful pair! Their children will certainly become beautiful like their parents', she thought to herself.