She asked.
Huangfu Mi hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "That's natural. As you told me, I imagined that situation. To be honest, I can really imagine it."
Meng Wan nodded in satisfaction: "Since I'm so good to you, then quickly praise me."
Huangfu Mi smiled and said, "How can you do this? Telling others to praise you."
Meng Wan raised her chin: "At worst, you praise me and I'll praise you in return, how about that?"
“That’s fair.” Huangfu Mi nodded. “Then I’ll say it now—Wan’er, you’re so beautiful. Alright, it’s your turn.”
Meng Wan pursed her lips, clearly dissatisfied with his response, but then curled her lips into a smile: "Huangfu Mi, you have good taste."
Huangfu Mi was still waiting for her to praise him, but when he suddenly heard her say this, he was stunned for a moment before he realized what she meant, and immediately shouted: "You actually cheated!"
Meng Wan shrugged innocently: "Where did I cheat? I clearly praised you, saying you have good taste, is that not enough?"
Her playful tone and bright smile, like summer flowers, made Huangfu Mi's heart flutter. He reached out and tapped Meng Wan on the forehead, then said, "You're so sharp-tongued, I can't win an argument with you. Hurry up and eat!"
Meng Wan chuckled, stuck out her tongue, and said with a delighted expression, "I understand."
Seeing this, Huangfu Mi ladled out another bowl of soup for her and blew on it to cool it down. Seeing that she was almost finished eating, he handed it to her and watched her drink it with satisfaction. Then he asked, "By the way, are you free tomorrow?"
Meng Wan, having finished her meal, nodded with a slight smile, put down her bowl, and said, "You have time? What's up?"
Huangfu Qian rested his chin on his hand and looked at her. When she asked, he said, "I had a great time today. If you're free tomorrow, why don't you come out with me again? You're just sitting at home doing nothing anyway."
Meng Wan raised an eyebrow: "What did you say?"
"You have to come out and keep me company again tomorrow!"
“No, the previous sentence,” Meng Wan said hastily.
Huangfu Mi blinked: "Oh, are you asking if you're free?"
"No!" These two crisp words escaped from her cherry-like lips. Huangfu Mi was visibly startled, then glared at her with obvious disapproval: "You—"
It's unbelievable that someone would be so afraid of the cold; it's truly speechless.
Meng Wan smiled nonchalantly. Now that she had eaten and drunk her fill, she stood up, took his hand, and went out with a grin.
They continued to laugh and chatter all the way. Her little hand was held in his big hand, and although it was still cold, her heart was filled with warmth.
It was almost dark when they returned to the Prince's mansion. Just as the two were about to enter, a loud voice rang out behind them: "Sister, brother-in-law, wait for me—"
Turning around, they saw Xiao Yun'er running towards them. Meng Wan and Huangfu Mi were clearly taken aback. They exchanged a glance and then turned to Xiao Yun'er, "Why did you come at this hour? And are you alone? Didn't your aunt send someone to follow you?"
Xiao Yun waved her hand dismissively, then turned her head to look behind her as if she were hiding from something. Seeing that there was no one around, she breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Sister, don't ask anymore, let's go inside, I'm freezing!"
The two sisters went back to their room first, while Huangfu Mi went to the study to get some things. At this moment, Xiao Yun'er was complaining that she hadn't eaten, so Meng Wan ordered someone to prepare a few side dishes for Xiao Yun'er to eat.
Clearly starving, he ate a couple of large mouthfuls and drank a bowl of soup. After he was full, he patted his round little belly and let out a satisfied burp, saying, "Sister, the chefs in your palace are truly amazing. Their food is much better than what our family's chefs make."
Is that even a question?
The chefs at the Prince of Heng's residence were all imperial chefs personally dispatched by the emperor, far superior to the chefs at the Prime Minister's residence.
However, Meng Wan didn't care about that at the moment. Thinking of Xiao Yun'er's flustered expression just now, she asked, "By the way, what exactly happened to you? Did Father and Aunt know you came alone? I thought you were hiding from someone. Are you alright?"
Xiao Yun'er shook her head, waved her hand dismissively, and said nonchalantly, "It's alright, it's alright. Everything will be fine once I'm in the Prince's mansion, so don't worry. As for home, my aunt and father both know I'm here, so there's no need to worry."
Clearly, she was still hiding something. Meng Wan was worried and wanted to ask again, but Xiao Yun'er didn't answer. She called Mu Ci and took her to the other courtyard. Before leaving, she didn't forget to give Meng Wan a flirtatious wink: "It's getting late, I'm going to sleep now, I won't disturb you and brother-in-law."
Her cheerful tone drew a glare from Meng Wan. Seeing this, Xiao Yun'er quickly stuck out her tongue, then playfully hooked her arm around Mu Ci's wrist and walked out.
Meng Wan then sat back down in her chair, still feeling something was amiss, and lay there lost in thought.
But she was exhausted after all, having walked and talked a lot that day, and she fell asleep almost immediately after lying down.
She slept soundly, but in her hazy state, she felt as if someone was approaching. Their soft, shallow breathing tickled her, and she unconsciously frowned, but did not open her eyes.
She already knew who it was just by the smell, but she didn't want to open her eyes. She just wanted to see and tease him. But he had already noticed that she was awake. Seeing that she was not moving, he took a step forward and asked, "Awake?"
Meng Wan frowned, but still didn't open her eyes.
Seeing this, Huangfu Mi couldn't help but laugh even more happily. He reached out and tapped her forehead, saying, "Stop pretending to be asleep. Make a sound when you're awake."
She remained motionless, her eyes closed, seemingly determined to challenge him. Seeing this, Huangfu Mi had no choice but to lean down and say, "Since that's the case, I'll use my method to wake you up."
Meng Wan could feel his face getting closer and closer. She suddenly opened her eyes and met his sly smile. She was displeased: "Ugh, you're using this trick again. You always bully people!"
This made Huangfu Mi feel wronged.
"Where did I bully you? I knew you were tired after a long day and wanted to tell you to take a shower, but you pretended to be asleep. So who's bullying whom here?"
These words made Meng Wan feel a little embarrassed. Turning her head to look at the rising steam behind the screen, her face suddenly turned red: "You wanted me to take a bath? You should have said so earlier! You rest first, I'm going!"
She turned to prepare her clothes, but her arms were suddenly tightened. Before she could react, she was lifted up by the waist. Huangfu Mi bit her earlobe and chuckled softly, "You bullied me, and you think you can just leave like that?"
Her earlobes were her sensitive spot, so the slightest touch of warm lips sent a shiver through her body, and she couldn't help but gasp, "Ah! Huangfu Mi! What are you doing!"
"Let's wash together." He spoke crisply, then turned and lifted the screen. A maid had already prepared hot water, and upon seeing the two of them arrive, she immediately withdrew. Only then did Huangfu Mi let Meng Wan in.
The water tank was full, and Meng Wan was immediately submerged in the hot water. Unfazed, she frowned and said, "Who wants to shower with you? You're so annoying!"
"You have to wash with me whether you want to or not, this is punishment." Huangfu Mi didn't give her a chance to argue, and quickly took off her clothes and jumped into the water.
"You..." Meng Wan was speechless. She tried to stand up, but found that her clothes were clinging to her body, revealing her curvaceous figure. There was nothing she could do but shrink back into the water.