Dawn was just breaking.
Ning Yuwǎn had just returned to the mansion of the heir apparent.
Inside the room, most of the candle had burned down. Yàn Zhāo snipped off the slightly long and blackened wick with practiced ease.
He stepped back inadvertently, and only then did Ning Yuwǎn notice that there were already two burned - out candles on the desk. The red wax had dripped halfway across the table, yet no one had tidied it up.
Although the mansion of the heir apparent was rumored to be a fearsome place in the outside world, Yàn Zhāo was not a master who treated his servants harshly.
Except for the guards on shift - changing patrol, the others could leave on time without waiting on them.
Presumably, he had sent Liánzǐ and Liányè away early tonight.
"Yuwǎn, you're back."
"Didn't you sleep all night?"
Ning Yuwǎn carefully used her spiritual power to warm her body before reaching out to hold his hand in return. Her slender fingers seemed to lightly rest on his wrist imperceptibly. As expected, his heartbeat was too rapid.
"Why didn't you sleep?"
"Waiting for you."
Yàn Zhāo tried to hold back his cough, but with Ning Yuwǎn staring at him, he couldn't suppress it even more.
"Cough... Yuwǎn, don't look at me like this."
He didn't mention what had happened during the night, but continued the topic from yesterday, seemingly leading her to prove "something" through her actions.
But Ning Yuwǎn felt even more guilty. Through the frail Yàn Zhāo, she seemed to see the weak Qīng Yú.
Although she didn't regret her decision, she didn't know how to face Yàn Zhāo for a moment.
She had been with Qīng Yú for a hundred years. She was not heartless.
Moreover, in the few remaining memories she had, the former Yú Wǎn had relied heavily on Qīng Yú.
Qīng Yú also seemed to dote on the former Yú Wǎn excessively!
So, Ning Yuwǎn was a little worried that she had once made a love vow with Qīng Yú.
Then... did she count as betraying Qīng Yú?
And... did she count as betraying Yàn Zhāo?
Yàn Zhāo pursed his lips tightly, as if using too much force, making them even redder than usual.
The corners of his eyes were hazy with sleep because of staying up all night. The faint redness at the corners added to his allure.
On a normal day, Ning Yuwǎn would probably be unable to resist his charm and play coy.
But today she was preoccupied. Even when Yàn Zhāo leaned in on his own initiative and exhaled hot breath near her ear, saying, "Yuwǎn, I missed you."
Counting the days, it had been more than a month since Doctor Yán's advice. Yàn Zhāo didn't want to hold back any longer.
"My lord."
But Ning Yuwǎn rejected him. Even though he tried to tempt her with his charm, she would rather turn her head away and not look, saying, "A patient should follow the doctor's advice!"
"My lady."
Yàn Zhāo drooped his eyelids dejectedly. "Do you have someone else outside?"
Although he was weak, his sense of smell was always more sensitive than ordinary people. He smelled a faint fragrance of pine and bamboo on Ning Yuwǎn's body.
"I don't."
Ning Yuwǎn's reaction was extremely strong, looking just like a guilty person.
Ripples rippled in Yàn Zhāo's enchanting eyes. He let go of Ning Yuwǎn's hand. "Then will you tell me where you went tonight?"
It wasn't that she didn't want to, but it was hard to say!
Ning Yuwǎn was secretly shocked. She couldn't just tell Yàn Zhāo: I'm a dragon, and I met a little demon I knew tonight. He has been reborn as a human.
She didn't dare to say it!
Especially since Yàn Zhāo's illness required a dragon bead as a guide!
It wasn't that she didn't trust Yàn Zhāo, but there seemed to be a character like "Chén Shì Měi" in the storybooks, who repaid kindness with enmity and was heartless!
One should learn from the mistakes of the predecessors!
Moreover, since the moment she woke up, there had always been a thought in her heart reminding her: Be wary of humans!
Coupled with the tragic fate of the original body, it was only natural for her to be on guard against humans.
Seeing Ning Yuwǎn remain silent with a hint of struggle on her face, Yàn Zhāo tightened his lips. "You're hiding too many secrets. When will you be willing to be honest with me? Yuwǎn, I'm your husband."
After a night, Yàn Zhāo told himself that Yuwǎn must have important things to do and that he shouldn't suspect her casually!
But he had no idea what Yuwǎn's important things were.
He finally understood how Ning Yuwǎn felt when she secretly felt jealous of him and Péi Yúnlù.
Because, before Ning Yuwǎn returned, he had been completely soaked in jealousy.
To say or not to say?
Ning Yuwǎn lowered her eyes. She couldn't say it!
But she didn't like to build lies either. She tried to change the topic.
"Zǐyán."
But Yàn Zhāo reached out to cover her red lips. His eyes were still downcast, but his fingers were getting colder. It seemed that he had mustered all his courage. "Yuwǎn, if you can't say it now, I can wait."
Until you want to say it!
He pretended to be generous, but there was a thorn in his heart. "My lady is right. I'll follow the doctor's advice. I'll go to the study to take a nap."
Without waiting for Ning Yuwǎn's reply, he left in a hurry.
Clearly, he was the one who had asked the question, but he was also the first to flee.
He was afraid that Ning Yuwǎn would say the answer he had imagined, and he was afraid that he would make her unhappy and that she would want to leave.
He had always suspected that Ning Yuwǎn was not the original person. She was a somewhat capable wandering soul who had possessed the body.
If he really exposed it!
Would she leave?
"Yuwǎn."
As the autumn sun just rose and the dew - laden wind blew, there came a passionate call.
"Zǐyán."
Inside the room.
Ning Yuwǎn stared blankly at the red candle burning. The red wax dripped slowly.
"Princess of the heir apparent?"
Liányè got up early and gently pushed open the outer room. She had thought she would see a beautiful couple embracing on the bed in the inner room from afar.
But unexpectedly, only Ning Yuwǎn was sitting there.
She was still wearing the gorgeous clothes she had worn when entering the palace yesterday, as if she hadn't slept all night.
"Shall this servant help you take a bath and change your clothes?" Liányè asked in a low voice, but saw that Ning Yuwǎn's eyes didn't move, as if she was lost in thought.
She was sharp - eyed and noticed the traces of frost and dew on Ning Yuwǎn's hair. She quickly and carefully helped her wipe it off.
After a long time, Ning Yuwǎn frowned slightly. "The heir apparent didn't sleep all night. Send Doctor Yán to check on him."
Yàn Zhāo was already weak, and his heartbeat had been too rapid just now. This was the most vulnerable time for him.
Doctor Yán had received her snow lotus and ginseng that were over a hundred years old. It was time for him to develop better medicine.
Ning Yuwǎn pursed her red lips and lowered her eyes in thought: Before she found a way to cure Yàn Zhāo, he couldn't have any accidents!
She didn't want that!
Liányè obediently agreed. Seeing that Ning Yuwǎn was absent - minded, she carefully combed her long hair. In her heart, she secretly guessed the reason why Yàn Zhāo wasn't in the room.
Last night, the heir apparent had returned to the mansion alone, saying that the princess of the heir apparent would return soon.
But today, the princess of the heir apparent hadn't changed her gorgeous clothes, which obviously meant that she had just returned.
The heir apparent had stayed up all night. Maybe he had lost his patience after waiting for so long and had a tantrum with the princess of the heir apparent before leaving in a huff?
Liányè pursed her lips and frowned. The heir apparent was usually cold and ineloquent.
She didn't know if he had said something wrong?
But the princess of the heir apparent was gentle, generous, beautiful, and intelligent. At this time, she was still worried about the heir apparent's health.
It must be the heir apparent's fault!
Liányè easily came to this conclusion. The beautiful princess of the heir apparent couldn't be wrong.
"What? Zhāo'er had a fight with the princess of the heir apparent!"
In just a moment, Mama Wáng in the kitchen had heard the news.
She was kneading dough. She had observed carefully several times before and knew that Ning Yuwǎn liked to eat noodles for breakfast. So she had gotten up early on purpose to cook a bowl of noodles with scallion minced meat for Ning Yuwǎn.
Unexpectedly, she heard such astonishing news!
"The princess of the heir apparent is virtuous, gentle, and dignified. Zhāo'er is really lucky to marry her! How could he be willing to have a tantrum with her?" Mama Wáng wiped the flour off her hands. "No, I have to go and talk to him!"