The Princess Who Divorced Her Husband - Chapter 5.2

“Young Master Zuo, there she is—Xiao Mei,” Uncle Zhong pointed toward the girl in white playing with the children on the grassy field.

It was her—Yan Mei. Zuo Shengxing couldn’t take his eyes off her, as if he was spellbound.

“Wait, Uncle Zhong. Let’s not disturb them.” He pulled Uncle Zhong back just as the old man was about to step forward.

Is that really Yan Mei? he wondered. Look at her—so joyful, so radiant. He’d never seen her smile like that before. This carefree, vibrant woman before him felt like someone entirely new.

So she can smile like this… he thought, mesmerized.

Yan Mei, glowing under the autumn sun, laughing as she rolled on the green field with the children. There was no trace of sorrow on her face. She no longer seemed unreachable. Zuo Shengxing was entranced, completely unaware that Uncle Zhong was quietly chuckling at his “focus.”

“I say, Young Master Zuo, you seem to like Xiao Mei quite a bit, don’t you?”

“Ah—n-no, it’s not like that…” Zuo Shengxing snapped out of it.

“Come on, no need to be shy! Even an old man like me knows the saying, ‘A fair maiden is a worthy match for a gentleman.’” Uncle Zhong patted his shoulder and grinned. “You’ve got excellent taste. That girl—clean, beautiful, and with a good heart”!

“Oh? Really?” Zuo Shengxing was a bit surprised. He’d known Yan Mei for nearly three months, but this was the first time he’d heard someone speak of her kind nature.

“I don’t lie,” Uncle Zhong said proudly. “A girl who truly loves children can’t have a bad heart. Just a few days ago, little Douzi had a terrible fever. Xiao Mei was so concerned that she rushed into town to find a doctor and remained by his side until late at night. You tell me—isn’t that a truly kind girl?”

“Yes…” Uncle Zhong couldn’t see the guilt stirring in Zuo Shengxing’s heart. He was ashamed. He knew nothing of Yan Mei’s life. He’d only known that she often went out on horseback—but where she went or what she did, he had no idea. With how poorly he’d treated her, it was no wonder she’d become disheartened. He had failed her.

“It’s really not easy to find someone like her,” Uncle Zhong sighed. “A girl that good deserves a good husband, and good things should come to her.”

He beamed at Zuo Shengxing. “Don’t you think so too, Young Master?”

“Y-yes, I do…” Zuo Shengxing avoided his eyes, guilt eating at him. He turned his eyes back to Yan Mei and once again became entranced.

As usual, Yan Mei began her journey back home at dusk, riding slowly while enjoying the scenery.

The crimson sunset blazed like fire before her eyes, and the breeze brought the scent of wildflowers and fresh earth. The entire field swayed like a green blanket in waves. She drank it in, basking in the peace and freedom of the moment.

This time of the day and her time with the children were her two favorite parts of life. She adored those kids. With them, she didn’t feel lonely. She could laugh, let go of her worries, and feel alive. That’s why she came nearly every day. Around them, she felt needed—felt she still had a place in the world.

But when she looked up again, the sky had darkened. At some point, gray clouds had chased away the sunset, and without warning, fat raindrops began pouring down. In seconds, she was soaked.

A torrential downpour—heavy and sharp—struck her like needles. Yan Mei tightened her grip on the reins and urged her horse to run. But no matter how fast it galloped, the white blur of rain never seemed to lift.

Then, everything happened too fast. Her white horse suddenly reared with a loud shriek, and she felt herself flying backward—then an impact flung her into the air.

“Yan Mei—!”

She vaguely heard someone calling her name but had no time to figure out who—it was all she could do to brace for impact as she tumbled down a slope.

After several rough rolls, a pair of strong arms caught her.

“Yan Mei, are you alright? Are you hurt?”

“Shengxing?” She blinked, trying to focus on the face holding her. For a moment, it felt like a dream.

Seeing her blank stare only made Zuo Shengxing more anxious. His hands trembled as he felt for injuries through her soaked clothes. “Tell me—did you hit anything? Where does it hurt?”

Yan Mei just stared at him in shock.

Oh no, he thought. Did she hit her head? His fingers searched the back of her head, voice trembling. “Your head—does it hurt?”

She shook her head. No, she didn’t feel any pain.

Zuo Shengxing exhaled deeply in relief. He picked up Yan Mei and carried her toward the woods at the bottom of the slope.

“Where are you taking me?” Yan Mei was puzzled as to why Zuo Shengxing didn’t bring her back to the Governor’s residence.

“The rain’s too heavy—it’s not suitable to ride anymore. I know this area well. There’s a hunter’s cabin not far from here. Hunters rarely come during autumn and winter, so it should be empty now. I’ll take you there to shelter from the rain and check your injuries.”

Worried about her wounds, Zuo Shengxing used his qinggong to run swiftly and soon arrived at the place he had mentioned.

It was a small hut made of thatch and firewood. Opening the door, one could see hunting tools hanging on the walls. There were no tables or chairs—just straw spread across the floor. The interior was disorganized and crude, but at least it looked clean.

Zuo Shengxing gently laid Yan Mei on a pile of dry straw. He pulled out some firewood and started a fire, instantly warming up the whole room.

“Warm yourself by the fire—it’ll help,” Zuo Shengxing said. He originally wanted Yan Mei to take off her wet clothes to dry them, but realizing there were no spare clothes to change into, he gave up the idea. Fortunately, the fire was strong; once her body warmed up, the clothes should dry too.

But he still wanted to check her for injuries. Without removing her clothes though…

“Yan Mei, um…” he asked hesitantly, “do you feel anything wrong with your body? In places I can’t see…”

“Huh?” A flush crept onto Yan Mei’s pale cheeks. She shook her head. “No. I don’t think I’m hurt.”

“Are you sure?”

“Mm.” Zuo Shengxing’s concern warmed Yan Mei’s heart. This was, after all, the first time he had shown her any real care.

“Ah, your hands…” Zuo Shengxing suddenly noticed scrapes on both her wrists—luckily just superficial cuts with some bleeding.

“There’s a well behind the house. Wait here—I’ll be right back.”

Yan Mei quietly watched as Zuo Shengxing took a basin and went around the back. Soon, he returned with clean water.

He tore a strip of cloth to use as a rag, soaked it in the water, and wrung it out.

“I’ll clean your wounds. It might sting a little; just bear with it.” As he spoke, he gently began tending to her hands.

Although Zuo Shengxing was careful, the pain caused Yan Mei to gasp.

He stopped immediately. “Did I hurt you?”

Yan Mei shook her head. “It’s fine. Go on.”

Zuo Shengxing gave her an admiring look. “I knew you were a strong girl.”

Yan Mei mumbled softly, “You’re wrong. I’m not as strong as you think.”

“What did you say?” Zuo Shengxing didn’t catch it.

“Nothing.” Yan Mei watched him tear another piece of cloth, split it in two, and wrap both her hands.

“This’ll do for now,” Zuo Shengxing said, still worried. “I’m afraid you may have other injuries…”

“Even if I do, they’re probably just small ones.” Yan Mei suddenly laughed.

“What’s so funny?” In the firelight, her beautiful face glowed even more radiantly, making it difficult to look away.

“It’s just… funny!” she said with a charming smile. “This feels like the first time we’re actually getting along!”

Indeed, it was. Over the past three months, they had barely seen each other, and every time they did, it ended badly—either arguing or bickering. That’s what made Yan Mei laugh.

However, even if he shared her feelings, Zuo Shengxing was unable to laugh in the same way she did. On the contrary, he felt sad—for her.

“Oh no—my horse!” Yan Mei suddenly remembered. “Shengxing, my horse—it’s still out there in the rain…” she cried anxiously.

“Don’t worry. It’ll be fine. Those horses are well-trained. If they don’t see us, they’ll head back to the Governor’s residence on their own. I’m sure it’s almost home by now.”

“Them?” Yan Mei’s expression darkened. “You were riding too? You followed me?”

“I wasn’t following you.” Zuo Shengxing told her everything—about Uncle Zhong, the children, and what had happened.

“I was some distance behind you at first. Then it suddenly started pouring, and I was afraid you might be in danger, so I caught up—just in time to see you fall off your horse…” Zuo Shengxing pressed a hand to his chest, still shaken. “Even now, the thought scares me. If I hadn’t been there… Luckily, you’re okay.”

Yan Mei was deeply moved. He was worried about me? Is this real?

“So you’re the Master Zuo’ Uncle Zhong talked about!” She hadn’t realized Shengxing was the same person.

“What? Surprised? Do I not look like the type who’d do good deeds?”

“I didn’t think that,” Yan Mei replied sincerely. “I know you have a kind heart.”

“Really?” Zuo Shengxing was both flattered and caught off guard. Given how he had treated her, it should be her who was the kind one.

“Actually, you’re kind too, aren’t you?” In that moment, he forgot all the things he’d heard about how Yan Mei treated her servants. What he saw now was a girl who loved children—a kind-hearted Yan Mei.

“You surprised me. I didn’t think you liked those kids…”

“You’re surprised? Why?” Yan Mei frowned. “Can’t I like them?”

Zuo Shengxing briefly explained, “No, you misunderstood me. I just meant—you’re a noble princess…”

“Even a princess is human!” Yan Mei interrupted indignantly. “Do you think being with them lowers my status? If you really think that, then you don’t understand me at all. So what if I’m a princess? So what if they’re commoners? Aren’t we all born of parents, just the same?”

She looked at him with a mix of anger, sorrow, and tenderness. That one look shook Zuo Shengxing’s soul—he found himself utterly lost in her gaze.

“I’m not as “noble” as you think.” Yan Mei said softly. “My biological mother was Han Chinese, you know?”

Zuo Shengxing shook his head. He had always assumed she was the daughter of Prince Yongjun’s official consort.

“My mother was originally a maid. After she got pregnant with me, my father made her a concubine. But she died of illness when I was three.” Yan Mei smiled faintly. “So technically, I’m half Han. This title of ‘princess’ isn’t all that legitimate. If I weren’t my father’s only daughter, I wouldn’t have gotten it.”

“I never knew…” Zuo Shengxing was stunned. He had always assumed she was a spoiled, arrogant noblewoman. But clearly, that wasn’t the case.

“So the princess and her sons don’t treat you well, huh?” he couldn’t help guessing.

“I suppose so,” Yan Mei shrugged. “My father loved my mother the most, so of course the princess resented her. My half-brothers were the same. But thankfully, my father protected me. They disliked me but couldn’t bully me.”

Yan Mei gave a quick smile and added, “Anyway, why am I telling you all this?” She shook her head. “What I meant was—I actually sympathized with Xiao Xue at first. She reminded me of my mother. Both were maids who fell in love with their masters.”

“Yan Mei…” Zuo Shengxing looked at her, deeply moved. He had never expected her to say something like this.

Lowering her eyes, Yan Mei continued, “But things turned out so differently than I expected… Ah-choo!” She sneezed hard.

“Cold?” Zuo Shengxing saw her shiver. Without thinking, he pulled her close.

“Shengxing?”

“This way’s warmer.”

Yan Mei quietly gazed at his warm, sun-like smile. This was the first time they had been so close. It was the first time she felt she might truly capture his wandering heart.

Ah, this is what I’ve longed for. Even if it’s just a moment, let time stop here. Let him belong to me completely. Even if it’s fleeting, I’ll be satisfied.

Zuo Shengxing looked at her intently. “Yan Mei, you’re so beautiful.”

Yan Mei smiled faintly. “Is that a compliment?”

“It’s a compliment—and the truth.”

She smiled again, gently. “Some things… can’t be undone with just a compliment or a truth.”

“Yan Mei?”

“I’ve always loved you.” Ignoring Zuo Shengxing’s shocked expression, she continued with a soft smile, “Maybe I have loved you since we were kids, or perhaps it started when I married into your family.” The timing doesn’t matter—what matters is I truly love you. That’s real.”