Chapter Twenty-Seven: A Nocturnal Stroll

In the end, it was the vendor, laughing until his sides ached, who broke the silence.

"Hahaha, you two are such a loving couple! My lady, you are truly fortunate. It is rare to see a man so willing to indulge his wife like this. May you two enjoy a long and happy life together, growing old as one!"

"I and he..."

"Thank you, boss!"

Wen Zhiyan had wanted to offer an explanation, but Li Honghui interrupted her, tossed a silver ingot to the vendor, donned his mask, and pulled her away.

"Oh, thank you, young master! Thank you, my lady! May you be blessed with children soon!"

The vendor’s joyous well-wishes echoed behind them, making Wen Zhiyan even more flustered. "Your Highness, I have absolutely no intention of clinging to you."

Li Honghui turned back with a curious look, glanced around, and pulled her into a deserted corner.

"Your Highness."

Wen Zhiyan stepped back, brushing off his hand, and deliberately kept her distance.

Li Honghui chuckled. "I haven't even said anything, and yet you are so quick to draw a line, Miss Wen. That truly saddens me." He stroked the chin of the dog mask he was wearing. "Am I really that lacking in charm?"

"That is not what I meant!" Wen Zhiyan quickly clarified. "If Your Highness were a young man from a common family, it would be one thing, but you are of noble blood, and I am the daughter of a disgraced official. I know my place, and I feared Your Highness might misunderstand, which is why..." She continued, "The vendor calls every man and woman who stops at his stall a 'young couple' just to please his customers. Please, do not take offense."

"Strange," Li Honghui said, looking even more perplexed. "Do I look like I’m offended?"

This left Wen Zhiyan at a loss for how to respond. "Your Highness..."

"Alright, alright, there is no need to take it to heart. Since we both know it was just a stall owner’s ploy to please his guests, why bother caring? And why feel the need to explain yourself to him?"

Li Honghui lifted her veil, catching a glimpse of her damp eyes and cheeks flushed from the urgency of her explanation. She reminded him, quite unexpectedly, of a peach hanging from a branch in the early morning—fuzzy, dewy, and brimming with moisture at the slightest touch.

"Your Highness may not care, but I must," Wen Zhiyan insisted. "That is why I felt compelled to explain."

"Fine, fine, I won't overthink it, alright? I surrender to you." Li Honghui pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the dew from this little damp peach. "We are out to have fun, so just relax. Besides, my reputation as the Prince of Fu is well known. Everyone knows I spend my days fooling around and doing nothing of substance. Any girl who truly ended up with me would likely be the most unfortunate person alive." He paused, teasing her intentionally, "I understand now—you don't want that misfortune, do you?"

Wen Zhiyan was momentarily speechless. She snatched her veil from his hand and hastily covered her face. "I truly don't know what to say to you, Your Highness. Just pretend I never said anything." She turned, cupped her burning cheeks, and hurried away.

"Hey!" Li Honghui’s voice called out behind her. "Wait for me!"

He caught up in a few strides and, without asking, grabbed her hand and led her forward. "A boat ride! Come on, let’s go for a boat ride!"

As they drifted along the lake, the wind lifted her veil, revealing the delicate tip of her nose. The atmosphere was perfect, but Li Honghui, like a mad dog, suddenly leaned in and let out a sharp "Woof!" startling Wen Zhiyan.

"Boatman! Speed up! Head to that bank!"

"Right away, sir! Please, sit tight!"

The boatman rowed vigorously, sending the small boat rocking. Wen Zhiyan lost her footing and tumbled into Li Honghui’s arms.

"I apologize, Your Highness..." She tried to rise, but Li Honghui held her tightly.

"Oh, I’m so scared! Hold on to me!"

Wen Zhiyan gritted her teeth in frustration, lowering her voice. "What exactly are you trying to do, Your Highness?"

"There’s a vendor selling candied haws on the other bank. I want to buy some. Aren't you going to have some?"

"Candied haws are for children! How old are you, Your Highness?"

Wen Zhiyan was nearly driven to distraction. She had raised a mischievous younger sister before, but she had never encountered anyone as troublesome as Li Honghui at his age. If it were anyone else, she would have scolded them, but he was a prince! Unless she had a death wish, she didn't dare say a harsh word to him.

Her remark seemed to hit a funny bone. Li Honghui burst into laughter, resting his chin on her shoulder, trembling with uncontrollable mirth.

"Your Highness is truly mad..."

"You look so cute like this. Don't always keep such a straight face; you should smile more." Li Honghui poked her arm, his tone unconsciously laced with a touch of spoiled affection that made her heart flutter.

She remained silent for a moment, then gave a slight nod.

The boatman, as if trying to prove he could row faster than anyone, rowed with manic intensity. The small boat zig-zagged forward, splashing them with water all the way. As Wen Zhiyan tried to dodge the spray, Li Honghui pulled her even closer, the heat of her uneven breathing against his neck feeling both ticklish and numbing.

The candied haws that night, accompanied by the moonlight and their slow walk home, tasted exceptionally sweet. From that day on, Li Honghui noticed that Wen Zhiyan smiled much more often; she was no longer as guarded, nor did she arm herself like a hedgehog whenever he was around.

Of course, Li Honghui’s intentions weren't purely altruistic; he had his own agenda.

One night, slightly tipsy, he pushed open the door to Wen Zhiyan’s room. Just as Wen Zhiyan began to think he was like any other man, coming for her body, and prepared herself to submit, Li Honghui lit the candles.

He turned to see that Wen Zhiyan had already loosened her robes, revealing her shoulders beneath the thin fabric. Li Honghui jumped back in shock, turned his head away, took off his outer coat, and threw it over her, covering her completely.

"You—you—what are you doing? What kind of person do you think I am?"

Wen Zhiyan was baffled. "It is the middle of the night. You did not call for anyone, yet you came to my room alone..." She picked up his coat and sniffed it lightly, "...and you have been drinking so much..."

"Hey, hey! I only drank to build up my courage!"

"And what exactly did Your Highness need courage for?"

Wen Zhiyan was even more confused. Aside from wanting her, what else could he possibly need courage to ask for?

Li Honghui sat dejectedly on a stool, covering his eyes. "In any case, put your clothes on properly first!"

Wen Zhiyan obeyed, dressed properly, and sat on the stool opposite him. "So, what did you come to see me for, Your Highness?"

Li Honghui, as if making a final, desperate decision, pulled his hands away from his face. "I wanted to ask... Ah! Why are you still not dressed!"