After returning to the front courtyard and arranging some matters, Jin Wang had Jiang Shun stay behind while he went to Qingya Courtyard alone and in secret.
He hadn’t stayed in the main courtyard just now. If the Wangfei found out he went to Qingya Courtyard, it was possible that by the time he returned from his trip, Bai Fei Wan would no longer be in the Prince’s mansion.
So he had Jiang Shun remain in the front courtyard to avoid arousing the Wangfei’s suspicion.
When Jin Wang arrived, Bai Fei Wan was already in bed. Seeing him enter, she was a little surprised; she had thought His Highness wouldn’t be coming today.
Bai Fei Wan quickly got up. “Your Highness, what brings you here? Have you eaten?”
Bai Fei Wan’s question made Jin Wang realize he hadn’t eaten dinner yet.
He had been talking with his Imperial Father in the study until late. His Imperial Father had told him to eat in the palace before leaving, but thinking of his departure the next day and the unresolved matters in the mansion, he had come straight back. Since returning, he had been too busy to eat.
“Not yet.”
Bai Fei Wan had only asked out of politeness; she hadn’t expected that Jin Wang truly hadn’t eaten.
“Ah, you haven’t eaten this late? Please wait, I’ll have Zi Zhu make you something to eat.” With that, she draped an outer robe over her shoulders and went out.
A short while later, the food was ready, and Bai Fei Wan quickly beckoned Jin Wang over to eat.
“It’s so late, so the food is a bit simple. Please make do with it.”
Watching Bai Fei Wan bustle about for him, Jin Wang’s heart warmed. “It’s very good. This prince likes it very much.”
“Would you like to eat a little as well?”
“There’s no need. This servant ate my fill in the evening and can’t eat anymore. Please, eat quickly, Your Highness. This servant will serve you.” Saying so, she picked up her chopsticks and placed some food on Jin Wang’s plate.
Jin Wang ate whatever Bai Fei Wan served him.
Watching Jin Wang eat, Bai Fei Wan couldn’t help but say, “Your Highness, no matter how busy you are every day, you must remember to eat on time, do you understand? Your health is the most important thing. No matter how well you do or how successful you become, without a healthy body, it’s all in vain.
“This servant doesn’t wish for you to accomplish great deeds; this servant only wishes for you to live a healthy life.”
These words came from the bottom of Bai Fei Wan’s heart. She genuinely hoped Jin Wang would be safe and healthy. If something were to happen to him, the women of his inner residence, like herself, would suffer along with him. For the sake of her own life, she had to constantly remind Jin Wang to protect his.
Listening to Bai Fei Wan’s words, Jin Wang was comforted. The other women in the rear courtyard cared for him only to gain benefits for themselves, but the woman before him truly and simply wished him well.
He listened quietly as Bai Fei Wan nagged at his side, feeling that this moment was incomparably warm and blissful.
After dinner, by the time Jin Wang had washed up and returned, it was already very late.
However, Jin Wang had no intention of letting Bai Fei Wan off. He only wanted to possess her now; he wanted to feel, tangibly, that Bai Fei Wan belonged to him.
After an unknown amount of time, Jin Wang coaxed, “Wanwan, one more time, alright? I have to leave tomorrow, and it will probably be at least a month before I can return.”
Bai Fei Wan had been so tired she could barely keep her eyes open, but upon hearing Jin Wang’s words, she was instantly wide awake. “Your Highness is leaving tomorrow?”
Jin Wang used a pitiful tone, “Mhm, so I still want to…”
Thinking about how long Jin Wang would be gone and how she could get a good rest in the future, Bai Fei Wan agreed and responded to him with enthusiasm.
This was the first time Bai Fei Wan had ever responded to him so passionately, and Jin Wang grew even more excited.
After the storm of passion subsided, the two lay in each other’s arms.
Bai Fei Wan said, “Your Highness, what time are you leaving tomorrow?”
“I have to go as soon as I wake up.”
“Then have you packed your things?”
“Mhm.”
On this trip to investigate the private salt, the Third Prince, Prince Heng, would surely spare no effort to obstruct Jin Wang, and the Fourth Prince would certainly make a move against him as well.
For the sake of her own life, Bai Fei Wan couldn’t help but remind him again, “Then you must be careful when you’re away. Don’t do anything dangerous, don’t put yourself at risk, and bring more men to protect yourself.
“If you encounter danger, don’t try to face it head-on. Run quickly. Don’t think running is shameful. You must believe that as long as the green hills remain, you’ll never have to worry about firewood. Of the thirty-six stratagems, fleeing is the best.
“Also, take care of yourself when you’re away. No matter how busy you are, eat on time. The work will never be finished. You must put yourself first.”
Bai Fei Wan nagged for a long time. Jin Wang was deeply moved; her heart and eyes were truly filled with him. He didn’t know what scenarios Bai Fei Wan had imagined to make her think his trip would be dangerous, but he liked her concern very much.
He even considered whether he should bring Bai Fei Wan with him, but he quickly dismissed the idea. He had official business to attend to, not a leisurely tour. It would be inconvenient to bring her. He would take her next time he went out for fun.
“Alright, I promise you, I will definitely protect myself.”
Bai Fei Wan noticed that Jin Wang had been using “I” when speaking to her today. Had something happened that she didn’t know about?
What Bai Fei Wan didn’t know was that the reason Jin Wang had changed his self-address was that he had successfully conquered his own heart.
“You should sleep early. You still have to get up early to travel tomorrow.”
Jin Wang hugged Bai Fei Wan a little tighter. “Alright.”
The two fell asleep in each other’s arms.
After sleeping for less than four hours, Bai Fei Wan woke up.
She quietly got up to pack some things for Jin Wang. His trip to investigate the private salt smuggling case would surely be very dangerous, and she was the one who had brought it about. If not for her, Jin Wang wouldn’t have had to wade into these muddy waters.
Therefore, she had to prepare some things for him to lessen the guilt in her heart.
By the time Jin Wang woke up, Bai Fei Wan was almost done packing.
Seeing Jin Wang awake, Bai Fei Wan hurried forward. “Your Highness, you’re awake. Breakfast is ready. Please get up, wash, and eat.”
Jin Wang looked at the little figure before him. “Why are you up so early today?”
“Isn’t Your Highness going away? This servant got up to pack some things for you to take when you leave.”
After Jin Wang finished washing up, Bai Fei Wan pulled him to the dining table. “Quick, this servant made this personally. See if it suits your taste.” She then picked up a dumpling and gave it to Jin Wang.
Only after seeing Jin Wang eat it did Bai Fei Wan say, “In our hometown, there’s a saying: ‘dumplings for departure, noodles for return.’ It symbolizes a family’s longing for a relative who is away and the hope that someone is waiting for your return. So you must eat more.”
A family? Jin Wang thought. Yes, we are a family. “Delicious. This prince likes it very much.” Jin Wang finished the entire large bowl of dumplings Bai Fei Wan had made.
After breakfast, Bai Fei Wan went over the things she had packed for Jin Wang one by one.
“This bag is food. Conditions are limited when traveling, so remember to eat these. And this bag is medicine, just in case. There are all kinds of medicines inside for external injuries, stopping bleeding, reducing inflammation, antidotes, and so on.
“Also, this sachet. I embroidered it myself. Inside are two Antidote Pills. As long as it’s not a poison that kills on contact with blood, these Antidote Pills can cure it. Even if they can’t, they can stop the poison from spreading.
“This is very important. You must carry it with you at all times.”
Watching Bai Fei Wan bustle about and worry over him, Jin Wang was deeply moved.