Upon hearing this, Huangfu Yi smiled, as if he had known she would do this all along. He didn't say anything more, but simply took out a delicate little bottle from his pocket and handed it to Meng Wan.
"This is a scar-healing ointment from the Western Regions. After your wound has scabbed over, apply it twice a day, morning and evening. It should prevent scarring."
Meng Wan was surprised, but did not reach out: "Did you wait for me here on purpose?"
Huangfu Yi smiled but said nothing, only extending his hand towards her.
"Take it."
His long, slender fingers slowly reached out to Meng Wan. In the sunlight, his fingertips glowed with a soft, intoxicating light. Meng Wan suddenly remembered the last time he held her in his arms and was about to take her back to Jiangyun Pavilion. His fingers were pressed against her waist, and she suddenly panicked.
Could it be that he... has feelings for her?
But...
She glanced at him. If there were truly feelings she shouldn't have, how should she deal with it?
"Take it." Seeing that she didn't move, Huangfu Yi stretched his hand forward again, almost touching her nose. Meng Wan took two steps back.
"Thank you, Your Highness." Meng Wan did not reach out to accept it, but instead nodded slightly: "It's just that this thing is expensive, and I really can't afford it."
Her deliberate aloofness startled Huangfu Yi slightly. His faint smile held a hint of melancholy, but it lasted only a moment before he burst into laughter.
"So what if it's expensive? As long as it brings you peace and safety, nothing else matters."
He spoke casually, as if it were nothing, and his tone was somewhat unrestrained, but Meng Wan's heart suddenly skipped a beat. Even though she wasn't very knowledgeable about matters of the heart, she still clearly understood his intentions.
She could only pretend not to know about this sentiment. Turning to look at the garden full of flower buds, she said, "Thank you, Your Highness, and... I'm sorry."
She blurted it out suddenly, and even she herself was a little flustered. Before he could speak, she quickly added, "I was ungrateful last time, and I hope Your Highness will not take offense."
It refers to the last time she was in a bad mood, she took it out on Huangfu Yi.
Huangfu Yi smiled slightly but did not speak. The garden fell silent, though the warm breeze continued. The two stood silently, looking at the flower wall, until Mu Ci's voice came from outside the wall. Only then did Huangfu Yi look up at the sky: "I always feel that the days pass slowly, but I have only spent a short time with you, and half a day has already passed."
Meng Wan didn't know what to say. Hearing Mu Ci's voice getting closer and closer, she gave Huangfu Yi a slight curtsy: "Although the weather is warm, it is still windy. Your Highness should go back early so as not to catch a cold."
With that, he walked past Huangfu Yi and strode out.
Back at Jiangyun Pavilion, Meng Wan's heart was still pounding. She was still holding the scar-smoothing cream he had handed her, which seemed to still be warm from his touch. Yet, Meng Wan's heart felt heavy.
Suddenly, her body warmed up and she fell into a warm embrace. Huangfu Mi's unique scent wafted over her, and even without turning around, she knew it was him.
Meng Wan had just put away her chaotic thoughts, and while doing so, she put the bottle of scar-smoothing cream into her waistband. She turned to look at Huangfu Mi and then smiled, "Why are you here at this hour? Didn't you say you had a lot of official business to attend to today?"
Since Huangfu Mi was made crown prince, the emperor has given him a lot of freedom to handle affairs of state, which is also to make room for future development.
Huangfu Mi smiled slowly: "Of course I came over after I finished dealing with it."
Meng Wan nodded, "I didn't realize you were such a capable crown prince." There was a hint of teasing in her tone.
Huangfu Mi wasn't annoyed. He simply reached out and touched half of her cheek. The sensation he felt beneath her face still sends shivers down his spine when he thinks about it now.
His arm tightened: "Even as the crown prince, I still can't protect you, and I even let you get hurt."
His tone was filled with deep self-reproach, which made Meng Wan's heart tremble.
"Silly girl, I'm fine. I have an extra scar, but as long as you don't mind, it's no big deal."
Her eyes were clear and bright, like a clear spring, which stirred Huangfu Mi's heart.
He reached out and removed her veil, revealing a thin layer of scab on the wound on her cheek, which, along with her smile, faintly glowed with a pale pink hue.
"Next time, don't hurt yourself like that." His fingers stroked her cheek, his eyes filled with undisguised tenderness, an expression that made Meng Wan's heart pound wildly.
For the first time, she took the initiative to reach out and wrap her arms around his neck, then slowly kissed his thin lips.
His lips were hot, hers were cold; the slightest touch was like a fire that shot up into their hearts.
Meng Wan couldn't help but tremble.
Before she could react, his large hand had already cupped the back of her head, and he kissed her passionately.
Having not been this close in a long time, Meng Wan was taken aback, but then she closed her eyes. If she could just succumb to him, she thought she would, succumbing to his tenderness towards her.
She couldn't help but wrap her arms tightly around his neck, and in the heat of passion, she whispered in his ear, "Huangfu Mi, let's have a child!"
--
After a night of passionate lovemaking, Huangfu Mi left early the next morning, as he couldn't be late for the morning court session.
When he left, Meng Wan was still asleep. When she woke up, the sun was already high in the sky. Mu Ci relayed a message that someone from the Prime Minister's residence had just arrived, saying that the Third Miss would be coming today.
Meng Wan got up, tidied herself up, and waited for her younger sister to arrive.
The weather was getting warmer and warmer. When Xiao Yun'er came, she was only wearing a very thin long dress, pink and white, which looked very pretty. She turned around in front of Meng Wan and asked, "Sister, do I look pretty?"
She looks good in anything she wears at such a young age. Meng Wan pursed her lips and smiled, "It's natural that you look good, but what's the point of dressing up so flamboyantly today?"
"I didn't do anything, I just thought it looked nice!" Xiaoyun stuck out her tongue and hugged Xueqiu in her arms. "Baby, have you been good lately? I haven't seen you in so long, I've missed you so much. How about you?"
It even started talking to a kitten.
Meng Wan smiled even more happily, reached out and poked Xiao Yun'er's forehead, and said, "She eats and drinks well here with me, but she doesn't miss you at all. Give up!"
In short, Xiao Yun started crying loudly, tugging at Meng Wan's sleeve and refusing to comply.
Meng Wan was helpless; she really had no way to deal with her younger sister. Just as she was about to say something, someone outside announced that the Fifth Prince was requesting an audience.