Chapter 193 is very precious.

The evidence Lan Wu mentioned is tangible. The portraits go without saying, and the handkerchief she embroidered for Chu Mingheng is still in the treasure box; it's embroidered with orchids.

Chu Mingheng said he missed her, so he should at least give her something in return.

When this was mentioned, Chu Mingheng pretended not to understand. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "I have read every letter that Awu sent me no less than a hundred times."

Who wants to hear this...?

Lan Wu blushed slightly, said "Oh," and looked down at the pearls sewn onto the hem of her skirt.

At this time of year, although it is still a bit chilly on the mountain, it is already considered warm compared to winter.

Lan Wu changed into a spring dress, a honey-scarf-colored gauze dress embroidered with peonies, and put on a lotus-root-colored cloak. She wore a magnolia hairpin in her hair, and when she lowered her head, the delicate jade beads on her ear swayed gently and lightly touched her cheek.

Suddenly, the jade bead on her ear was caught.

She turned her head to look and met Chu Mingheng's deep eyes.

They looked at each other, and she was the first to look away.

“I know,” Chu Mingheng suddenly said.

Lan Wu looked over again, puzzled—what did she know?

"I know that A-Wu has always loved to dress up," Chu Mingheng said casually again. "A-Wu is beautiful, so she should enjoy the best things in the world."

Lan Wu seemed somewhat bewildered. After a moment's hesitation, she softly asked, "Is Your Majesty talking about yourself?"

This answer surprised Chu Mingheng, but after pondering it for a moment, he suddenly smiled: "What Awu means is that I am the best."

Lan Wu wasn't fooled this time. She snorted softly, turned her head away, and opened the window a crack to look at the passing scenery.

Chu Mingheng didn't hug her, but slowly said, "I had someone find some gemstones. The blue ones are clear, the green ones are sparkling, the pink ones are delicate, and the red ones are dignified..."

He watched as Lan Wu turned her head back.

"Who do you think should receive these gems?"

Lan Wu appeared unmoved, displaying remarkable backbone.

She also has many gems.

"Oh, right, there are also East China Sea Purple Pearls, each one round and full, especially precious."

"I wonder which small country has presented some novel items as tribute, such as flowers made of glass. Doesn't Awu like flowers? Would you like to take a look?"

Each of the things Chu Mingheng mentioned danced in Lan Wu's heart: East Sea Purple Pearl, Glass Flower... things that sounded precious, things Lan Wu had never seen or owned.

"Just take a look?" Lan Wu raised her eyes slightly and asked softly.

Chu Mingheng looked at her, smiling without saying a word.

Lan Wu immediately understood, but her expression became a little strange. After hesitating for a moment, she still spoke up: "I also prepared a gift for you."

"Although I have no gemstones, no purple beads, and no glass flowers, what I give you is more precious than those."

“It’s extremely precious,” she emphasized.

Chu Mingheng's interest was piqued, and he nodded, saying he wanted to see Lan Wu's exceptionally precious gift.

Upon arriving at the villa, Lan Wu pulled Chu Mingheng into the main hall.

They are returning to the capital tomorrow, and they have almost finished packing. However, the handkerchief that Lan Wu prepared has been placed at the very back of the display shelf, not in a conspicuous place, waiting to be given to Chu Mingheng.

She approached Chu Mingheng with the treasure box in her hand, handing it to him while whispering, "Your Majesty, please open it carefully; it is very precious."

Her attitude really surprised Chu Mingheng.

So they carefully opened the treasure box as she instructed.

What comes into view is a neatly folded silk handkerchief, embroidered with a dark blue pattern and silver rolled edges.

To be honest, Lanwu's needlework skills aren't very good. Last time, it took her a long time to finish embroidering a purse for him. This handkerchief is much simpler, but the pattern...

Chu Mingheng smiled, holding the handkerchief in his hand, but his eyes were on Lan Wu. He reached out his other hand and pulled her in front of him, saying softly, "Now I know why it's so precious."

"Is Awu offering herself to me?"

"Orchids, orchid grass... that must be Awu."

Lan Wu was taken aback for a moment, subconsciously touched her ear, looked at the handkerchief in his hand, and nodded hesitantly: "...I guess so."

Chu Mingheng smiled even more gently, carefully placed the handkerchief down, picked up Lan Wu, and went to the couch behind the screen.

Lan Wu tensed up and grabbed his clothes.

"Since A-Wu has offered herself to me, I will naturally accept her with pleasure." With that, he gently placed Lan Wu on the couch, glanced at the bright sunlight outside the window, and then slowly turned his head back to begin undressing.

"I didn't—that's not what I meant..." Now that things had come to this, Lan Wu understood Chu Mingheng's unspoken meaning. She wished she could swallow back what she had just said. Her stunned gaze gradually materialized as she watched him unbutton his outer robe. She quickly stepped forward and grabbed his clothes.

Lan Wu's face flushed crimson, and she couldn't help but whisper, "It's still daytime, and...and we're leaving tomorrow, we'll talk about it when we get back—"

"That won't do." Chu Mingheng followed her example and whispered, glancing at the palace where Lan Wu had lived for three months. The palace was filled with Lan Wu's aura, which was truly maddening.

"Once she leaves, I don't know when she'll return. Ah Wu should at least leave me with something to remember her by."

If Lan Wu were still unwell, Chu Mingheng would certainly not want to touch her. However, he received a message from the female physician yesterday saying that Lan Wu's health had recovered very well.

If provoked like this again, Chu Mingheng would naturally not hold back any longer.

He gently held Lan Wu's hand in his arms, turned his head and kissed her neck: "Take off your clothes, A Wu."

Generally speaking, Lan Wu would not compromise easily, but in this situation, the outcome would be the same whether she compromised or not.

But the thought of the palace servants seeing her pulling Chu Mingheng into the hall in broad daylight, and the hall doors remaining closed for a long time, made Lan Wu's mind buzz.

Before she could come up with a solution, she heard the sound of cloth tearing.

Lan Wu stared wide-eyed at Chu Mingheng.

Chu Mingheng's expression was very natural, as if he had no idea how much effort he had put in. Even when he looked back at Lan Wu, his gaze was calm, and his tone was indifferent: "See? I've been holding back for a long time."

Lan Wu swallowed hard, not daring to move, letting him tear off her clothes and throw them carelessly on the ground.

Her bodice was emerald green, and her fair body lay nestled in a dark brocade quilt, the colors standing out strikingly at first glance.

Chu Mingheng's tall body pressed slightly against her, and the bright sunlight shone in, illuminating the calmness on his face and the desire in his eyes.

“…The curtain, pull the curtain up…” Lan Wu murmured, reminding him.

Then, the curtains were drawn, and the tent dimmed for a moment before a passionate kiss landed on her body, on every inch of her skin…