The Princess Who Divorced Her Husband - Chapter 6.1

Yan Mei scooped water from the bathtub and gently poured it over her body.

When she looked at her arms and chest, she saw the marks Zuo Shengxing had left on her. Those pink traces told her how deeply he had loved her…

Not only her arms, chest, and neck—there were marks in other places too. When she thought about it, she felt like she had gone back to the passionate night before. Just remembering it made her body feel hot again.

No, she must not think about it anymore! Yan Mei focused on washing her tired body. She tried hard not to think about that night or that man.

Yan Mei had returned to the Governor’s Mansion half an hour ago.

After spending the night with Zuo Shengxing in the small house, she woke up in his arms just as the sky was getting light.

She got up carefully and put on her clothes, trying not to wake him. Then she went to the back and used well water to clean herself. When she came back holding the water, Zuo Shengxing was just getting dressed.

“I brought this for you to wash your face,” she said as she placed the water basin on the table.

“Why didn’t you wake me up when you got up?” Zuo Shengxing didn’t care about washing his face at all. When he opened his eyes and didn’t see Yan Mei beside him, his face turned dark. “You scared me, you know that?”

“I’m sorry,” Yan Mei said softly.

“Forget it.” After he washed his face, Zuo Shengxing walked over to her.

“Yan Mei…” he reached out his hand. In the morning light, Yan Mei looked so pure, like a white plum blossom—elegant and beautiful. He wanted to hold her.

But to his surprise, Yan Mei didn’t walk toward him. Instead, she stepped back.

“Yan Mei…” Before Zuo Shengxing could say anything else, the butler, Uncle Ren, shouted “Young Master!” from outside.

Uncle Ren had come with over ten servants to find them. When only their two horses returned the night before, Zuo Wende (Zuo Shengxing’s father) was worried that something had happened to them. So, he ordered all the mansion’s servants to search for them through the night.

That was how Yan Mei and Zuo Shengxing were brought back to the Governor’s Mansion. Because Uncle Ren and the others were there, Yan Mei didn’t need to speak directly with Zuo Shengxing. She could avoid him for now.

Yes, she was avoiding him. After what had happened between them, she didn’t know how to face Zuo Shengxing anymore.

Why did he do that? Did he mean every word he said? Didn’t he always ignore her before?

Last night felt like a dream. Yan Mei didn’t regret it—but she felt uneasy and unsure. She didn’t know what Zuo Shengxing was thinking. She had already given up on him before, but now he had lit a new hope in her heart. She was afraid. She feared the possibility of experiencing disappointment once more. Afraid of getting hurt again.

But things couldn’t be avoided forever. Even if Zuo Shengxing was out now and might come back late, she believed he would come to Yongmei Garden to find her—no matter how long it took.

In the end, she couldn’t run away forever.

“Sigh—” Yan Mei let out a deep sigh and stepped out of the bathtub.

“Shengxing, I’ll wait for you.”

******

After dinner, Nanny stayed with Yan Mei.

Ever since the princess came back this morning, she hadn’t stepped out of her bedroom. All three meals had been eaten in her room. Today, the princess was strangely quiet. Until now, she still hadn’t said a single word to Nanny.

“What’s wrong with my princess?” Nanny really wanted to ask her. But she knew her temper—if the princess didn’t want to talk, even the emperor couldn’t force her.

This morning, the princess came home with her husband. Uncle Ren said they had spent the night together. So what happened last night? Did that heartless man bully the princess? Sigh…

“Nanny, why are you sighing?”

Thank goodness! The princess finally spoke!

Nanny asked without delay, “Princess, yesterday with your husband…” but she stopped mid-sentence, stunned—because she saw Yan Mei blushing.

“Princess…” Nanny froze. She didn’t know if she should keep asking.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. It was already late. Who could be coming at this hour? Nanny opened the door, confused.

“Young master…?” Nanny wondered if her eyes were playing tricks on her. How could Zuo Shengxing suddenly show up at Yongmei Garden? It made no sense!

“Nanny, long time no see. How are you?” Zuo Shengxing said with a warm smile, looking as cheerful as a spring breeze.

“Uh… I’m good… I’m good…” Nanny stammered. She began to wonder if she was imagining things. Since when did Zuo Shengxing greet her so kindly?

Zuo Shengxing’s eyes found Yan Mei. He gave her a gentle smile. Yan Mei glanced at him quietly, then lowered her head.

“Young master, why are you here so late…?” Nanny still had to ask, even if she doubted herself.

Nanny’s obvious hostility made Zuo Shengxing feel both amused and helpless.

“Nanny, this is my room.” He didn’t blame Nanny—her reaction was his own fault.

Nanny stared at him like he was a monster. “You mean… you’re sleeping here tonight?”

“That’s right.” Zuo Shengxing smiled. “Not just tonight. Tomorrow, the next day, and from now on, I’ll be staying here with my wife.”

He walked up to Yan Mei. Yan Mei looked at him, then turned her eyes away.

“Isn’t this what they call ‘the bird returns to its nest,’ Yan Mei?”

Looking at Zuo Shengxing’s relaxed smile, Yan Mei felt angry. Why could he smile so easily and naturally, while she had spent the whole day anxious and unsure? It wasn’t fair. She felt wronged.

Hmph! I won’t fall for it this time! If he thought she’d act like last night again, he was completely wrong! Last night caught her off guard. But tonight, she was ready.

Trying hard to stay calm, Yan Mei told the stunned nanny, “Nanny, it’s late. Go rest.”

“But…”

“Don’t worry. I can handle it.”

Zuo Shengxing glanced at her. He wasn’t too happy with her word “handle.” It felt distant—like this morning, she was still keeping her distance.

“Nanny, relax. I won’t eat Yan Mei.” He had to send Nanny away before he could communicate with his lovely wife.

Though unwilling, Nanny finally left quietly.