When he went to the Wangfei’s courtyard yesterday, not a single one of her words showed concern for him. She only thought about what benefits she could gain from him. Upon learning he was going on a trip, she didn’t offer a single word of care, her first concern being whether he would take another woman with him. This was his wife. How ironic.
Looking at the young woman before him, who was so full of concern, how could he not adore her?
For the first time, Jin Wang felt a sense of reluctance to part. He pulled Bai Fei Wan into his arms and kissed her on the lips.
Seeing this, the four maids beside them all slipped back into the room.
Just as Bai Fei Wan was about to suffocate, Jin Wang finally let her go.
He carefully placed the sachet inside his robes, against his chest.
He reached out and stroked Bai Fei Wan’s head again. “Do you want to come with me?”
Hearing Jin Wang’s words, Bai Fei Wan was a little stunned. “Can this servant go too?”
Bai Fei Wan was tempted. Could she use this opportunity to leave the Prince’s mansion? Even if she couldn’t leave for good, it would be nice to see the sights of Jiangnan. The scenery of Jiangnan had been praised for its beauty since ancient times, and she might even be able to help Jin Wang.
But she then dismissed the thought, hesitating. “Would this concubine cause you trouble by going? Besides, if this concubine goes, the other sisters might resent me.”
Seeing that she clearly wanted to go but was still thinking of him, afraid of causing him trouble, Jin Wang became even more determined to take her along.
He had blurted it out on an impulse, caught up in the atmosphere of their farewell, and had felt a flicker of regret right after. But now, he truly wanted to bring her with him.
Bai Fei Wan’s heart and eyes were filled with him, and she thought of him with all her being. He would repay her in kind.
Jin Wang’s self-congratulatory moment was a success, but he completely missed the intention behind Bai Fei Wan’s last sentence.
Bai Fei Wan was someone who tended to overthink, accustomed to considering all possible outcomes.
It would be one thing if she could use this chance to leave the Prince’s mansion for good. But if she couldn’t, she would be targeted by the women of the mansion upon her return. She could forget about ever having a peaceful life after that.
“You won’t. I’m just going to investigate some things this time, so your presence won’t have much of an impact. As for matters in the mansion, you don’t need to worry. This Prince will have someone make arrangements so that no one will know you’ve left.”
Hearing Jin Wang say this, Bai Fei Wan was delighted. Her eyes sparkled as she looked at him. “Really? Thank you, Your Highness.” Then she gave him a big bear hug.
Looking at the happy girl before him, Jin Wang said with a doting yet helpless tone, “Alright, this Prince is returning to the front courtyard to arrange some things. Hurry up and pack. We’ll be leaving in a little while.”
At his words, Bai Fei Wan released him. “Yes, I’ll go right now.” With that, she dashed inside like a gust of wind to pack her things.
Bai Fei Wan packed some simple, practical clothes suitable for traveling, and also took some of the medicines and poisons she had made herself.
She then told Ziyu and the others to take good care of the home. This time, she would only be taking Zi Zhu with her.
Before long, two low-profile carriages stopped quietly at the back gate of the Prince’s mansion.
Bai Fei Wan and Zi Zhu slipped out through the back gate. Jiang Shun and Ying Yi were seated at the front of the two carriages, respectively. They were slightly taken aback when they saw the master and servant’s attire, but they quickly recovered.
Jiang Shun immediately stood up. “Bai Zhuzi, this way, please.”
Bai Fei Wan walked straight to the carriage beside Eunuch Jiang.
Zi Zhu, meanwhile, followed Eunuch Jiang’s direction to the carriage behind, which was filled with their luggage for the trip. The person driving it was Ying Yi.
On the surface, Jin Wang was only bringing Ying Yi, Jiang Shun, and over thirty guards from the front courtyard of the mansion on this trip.
The guards in the Prince’s mansion were all trained alongside the Shadow Guards, but their duties were different. The guards operated in the open, while the Shadow Guards operated in the shadows.
Ying Yi was the most skilled martial artist among them and the leader of the Shadow Guards. His duty was to protect Jin Wang and help him handle certain clandestine matters.
Jin Wang’s Shadow Guards were also following in secret, but Bai Fei Wan was unaware of this.
Arriving at the carriage, Bai Fei Wan stepped on the stool and climbed aboard. Jin Wang was already inside.
Bai Fei Wan entered and called out, “Your Highness.”
Jin Wang looked at the entering Bai Fei Wan. She was dressed in a crescent-white, tight-sleeved long robe, her long hair tied up high with a ribbon of the same color. With her radiant smile, she looked just like a handsome young gentleman.
“Why are you dressed like this?”
“It’s more convenient for traveling and can avoid trouble,” she said, her curious gaze sweeping over the carriage’s interior as she sat down opposite Jin Wang.
Jin Wang reached out, pinched her chin, and examined her from left to right. “I finally understand why some men like to keep actors or have a taste for handsome boys. If Wanwan were a man, this Prince would definitely keep you.”
Bai Fei Wan felt as though Jin Wang was teasing her. “Your Highness! What are you talking about?”
Bai Fei Wan ignored Jin Wang and looked around the carriage instead.
The carriage was spacious, its floor covered with a thick velvet carpet. There was a small soft couch for resting and a small table set with tea and desserts. As expected of the Prince’s ride, it was truly fine.
Jin Wang just nodded casually and said no more.
Looking at Bai Fei Wan’s expression, Jin Wang asked, “Are you that happy?”
Bai Fei Wan nodded without thinking. “Mhm, I’m happy. This is the first time this servant has been out since coming to the Prince’s mansion.”
“I’ll take you out when I have time in the future.”
“Okay! Thank you, Your Highness.”
“While we’re outside, don’t call me Your Highness anymore. We are just…” Jin Wang was about to say “a married couple,” but a glance at Bai Fei Wan’s attire made him change it to, “brothers traveling together.”
Bai Fei Wan blinked at Jin Wang and asked tentatively, “Then what should I call you? Big Brother? Gege? Brother Chen?”
Hearing Bai Fei Wan’s sweet call of “Gege,” Jin Wang felt a tingle run through his entire body. He coughed to cover it up. “Then call me Gege.”
Bai Fei Wan immediately replied, “Alright, Gege.”
Bai Fei Wan’s excitement lasted until they left Jing Cheng. It was fine inside the capital, but once they were out, the bumpy carriage jostled her up and down.
Before long, she started to feel drowsy. She let out a delicate yawn, her eyes filling with tears, looking exceptionally cute.
Jin Wang looked at Bai Fei Wan. “What, sleepy?”
Bai Fei Wan nodded. “Mhm, I went to bed a little late yesterday.”
Thinking of last night, Jin Wang knew it was his fault for keeping her up so late. Plus, she had woken up early today to pack his things, so she hadn’t slept well.
“We have to travel for the whole day today. We can only find an inn to rest tonight when we reach Guangling County. You can go sleep on the soft couch for a while.”
Bai Fei Wan yawned again, her eyes a little hazy and her eyelids drooping. She said softly, “Would you like to sleep for a while too?”
Seeing her pitiful state, Jin Wang said, “Alright, this Prince will sleep with you.”
With that, he bent down, pulled Bai Fei Wan to lie on the soft couch, and gathered her into his arms. He kissed her forehead and said, “Go to sleep.”
Bai Fei Wan snuggled into Jin Wang’s embrace, hummed in agreement, and fell asleep.
Jin Wang gazed at the sleeping girl in his arms. Her skin was as flawless as a peeled egg, her nose was small, and her peach-blossom lips were slightly parted. She looked very well-behaved.
She also had a faint, milky scent. As he watched her, Jin Wang also fell asleep.
In a blink of an eye, the sky began to darken.
The carriage slowly came to a stop. Jiang Shun’s voice came from outside, “Your Highness, we’ve arrived at the inn.”
In a daze, Bai Fei Wan felt the carriage stop and slowly opened her eyes. The moment she did, her gaze met Jin Wang’s. She then realized she had been sleeping nestled in his arms the entire time.
Jin Wang was leaning against the soft couch, reading a book in his hand, while she was hugging his thigh, her head resting against his waist, with one of her legs even draped over his calf.
Bai Fei Wan was a little embarrassed. She quickly let go, removed her leg from his, and called out softly, “Your Highness.”
Her dazed and charming appearance from just waking up was truly alluring. Coupled with that soft call and those watery eyes, Jin Wang couldn’t resist lowering his head to kiss the lips of the woman in his arms.
After the kiss ended, Jin Wang stroked Bai Fei Wan’s head. “We’re at the inn. Let’s get down first.”
He then pulled Bai Fei Wan up. The two of them straightened their disheveled clothes before finally disembarking from the carriage.