Chapter Fifty-Seven: The Beauty of Youth

"Are you displeased with your husband, Yan'er?" Zhongli Yu raised his brow, watching her adorable eye roll.

"I wouldn't dare," Zhan Yan replied, pretending to shiver in fear.

"Yan'er, if you keep acting so charming, I won't be able to hold back," Zhongli Yu said hoarsely, his emotions barely contained as he gazed at her delicate beauty.

"You... you really are..." Zhan Yan's face flushed crimson, utterly lost for words.

Her cheeks glowed like rosy clouds, her eyes sparkled like stars, and her shyness only heightened her allure. Unable to resist any longer, he pressed his lips to hers.

Zhan Yan tried to turn away, but it was too late; his kiss left her weak and powerless, unable to resist his desires. Remembering his wounds had not fully healed, she managed to regain her composure and pushed him away—but her strength was gone, and she was limp in his arms. His passionate kisses swept her away, and she soon surrendered, responding fervently. She ceased resisting him, yielding willingly, and together they reveled in this long-awaited bliss. Clothes fell away, his body still wrapped in white bandages, but neither cared. As he prepared to take her—

"Master, Generals Liang Ruhai and several others request an audience," Lihun's voice sounded outside the door, this time cautious and distant, not daring to approach too closely.

"Lihun, from today onward, if you allow anyone to set foot in this courtyard again, you will disappear from my sight forever," Zhongli Yu growled through clenched teeth.

The generals, just entering the courtyard, exchanged puzzled glances, unable to fathom what had brought on Prince Chun's ire.

"Yes, Master," Lihun replied respectfully. The prince had spoken loud enough; the visitors had already heard, so he needed say no more. He dared not offend the prince again.

"Generals, the prince is 'recuperating' and cannot receive visitors. Please wait until he has recovered," Lihun emphasized the word 'recuperating' with special weight.

"This..." Liu An began, puzzled. They simply wanted to check if the prince had recovered, but his temper seemed severe.

"No matter. Knowing the prince is awake, we are relieved. We shall not disturb him further," General Liang Ruhai said with a smile. His skills surpassed those of his companions, and he detected the prince's slightly labored breath, guessing what had transpired.

The group departed, still confused, except for General Liang Ruhai, who left with a smile. Ah, youth, he mused silently.

Lihun hurried to hide, resolved not to appear before the prince for several days. Others could attend to the prince; he wisely decided to go to Li Lan's quarters.

"We shall continue," Zhongli Yu murmured as silence returned outside, capturing her sweet lips once more. Her face, flushed with embarrassment, had erased any irritation from the earlier interruption. With a sweep of his hand, the curtains fell, veiling the room in springtime passion. Desire ignited anew, and at last, together, they reached the peak of happiness.

His wounds not fully healed, he could only take her once. Reluctantly, he gazed at her and said, "Yan'er, when I recover, you must compensate me properly."

"We'll see when your wounds heal," Zhan Yan replied, amused by his insatiable expression. She sat up and reached for her clothes.

"Don't dress yet, Yan'er. It's more comfortable holding you like this," Zhongli Yu snatched her clothes and pulled her into his embrace.

"We'll catch a chill," Zhan Yan protested, though his warmth made that unlikely.

"No, I'll keep you warm," he mumbled, holding her as he drifted toward sleep.

"Zhongli Yu, it's summer—it's hot, all right?" Zhan Yan exclaimed, her intent to check his wounds thwarted.

"If it's so hot, why bother dressing?"

Zhan Yan was at a loss for words.

Unable to resist him, exhausted from their earlier exertions, she soon fell into a deep sleep.

Zhongli Yu watched her slumber, then rose quietly. Noticing blood seeping from his bandages, he hurriedly replaced them himself, cautious not to wake her. If Yan'er discovered his wound had reopened due to their 'activities,' he would lose his privileges in the days to come, he thought smugly. Unbeknownst to him, the woman behind him had already opened her eyes slightly. Despite her fatigue, concern for his injury kept her restless, and she awoke as he rose. Watching him fuss like a child so she wouldn't notice, she couldn't bear to expose him. Once he had finished tending his wound and prepared to return to bed, she closed her eyes and drifted off peacefully.

He returned to bed, embraced her, and fell contentedly into sleep. It had been so long since they had slept so soundly together. When they awoke, night had fully fallen.

"Qingyun, fetch Grandpa Meng. Let him examine the prince's injury," Zhan Yan called, still worried about Zhongli Yu's wound.

"Yes, Miss."

"Who is Grandpa Meng?" Zhongli Yu asked curiously.

"He's the renowned Divine Physician Meng—Meng Tao."

"You know him?"

"Of course. He was my grandfather's sworn friend; otherwise, how would he have helped me by claiming I wouldn't live past fifteen?"

"Was he the one who discovered I'd taken the Seven-Day Netherworld?"

"Yes. If Grandpa Meng hadn't come, I wouldn't have known how long I'd have to worry."

"Indeed, we should thank him properly for relieving you of your worries."

"Get up and get dressed," Zhan Yan urged, sitting up and pulling on her clothes.

"Yan'er, help me dress. My wound makes it difficult," Zhongli Yu pleaded, watching her with longing as she finished dressing.

Zhan Yan laughed inwardly; he was clearly exaggerating, but she didn't bother to expose him. She took his clothes and helped him dress.

"Miss, Divine Physician Meng has arrived," Qingyun announced as soon as they were dressed. Without waiting for a reply, Meng Tao entered.

"This young fellow forbade anyone from stepping into this courtyard, yet now you summon this old man?" Meng Tao chuckled, his gaze tinged with playfulness.

"Ahem, Grandpa Meng is a divine healer. With you here, my husband will recover faster. Naturally, you are the exception," Zhan Yan replied, embarrassed but eager to please.

"You little thing, sweet-talking as ever. Move aside so I can take a look," Meng Tao waved her away.

Zhongli Yu sat by the bed, listening to their conversation and sensing their familiarity. He greeted Meng Tao courteously, "Thank you, Divine Physician Meng."

"Just call me Grandpa like the girl does. I dislike formalities," Meng Tao waved dismissively.

"Yes, Grandpa Meng," Zhongli Yu replied obediently.

"Good, good..." Meng Tao laughed, as if he'd gained another grandson, repeating his approval.

He gently untied Zhongli Yu's bandages and saw the wound had split open. Shaking his head, he sighed, "Ah, youth..." pointedly leaving his remark unfinished.