Li Zhanjue smiled and replied, "Since you haven't forgotten, that's enough."
Meng Qingluan's answer was flawless, but Chen Yan, listening from the side, felt a surge of displeasure.
Where is the air of a celestial being? He's just a mixed-race man with homosexual tendencies…
He had previously said that he was better looking than Li Zhanjue.
Shen Yan was unhappy and scratched at Meng Qingluan's palm with his fingers to express his dissatisfaction.
Meng Qingluan squeezed his hand, signaling him not to touch him in front of outsiders.
The subtle interactions between the two naturally caught Li Zhanjue's eye.
Li Zhanjue remained silent, his expression inscrutable, revealing neither joy nor anger. He simply stood there, observing the two of them.
Shen Yan noticed his gaze, and in a showy manner, shook their tightly clasped hands. Then, he deliberately bent down and whispered in Meng Qingluan's ear, asking in a low voice.
Why are you looking at him? Didn't you say I'm prettier than him?
Meng Qingluan was speechless at his unprovoked question, and answered in a low voice as well.
"Just being polite."
"So?" Shen Yan insisted on getting to the bottom of it. "Even polite words won't do. Who do you actually think is prettier?"
Do you like him more, or me?
Meng Qingluan didn't understand his competitive mentality; she simply thought it was a typical display of possessiveness.
"You're beautiful, you're beautiful, no one in the world is more beautiful than you."
Meng Qingluan's words were clearly perfunctory, but...
He appreciated it.
The two people deliberately lowered their voices, but to a martial arts practitioner, they were indistinguishable from normal conversation.
Besides the hurt, there was also a faint burning jealousy, and a hint of envy...
What are you jealous of?
Jealous of Meng Qingluan, who could so easily steal the attention of his beloved?
Or is it... jealousy of Shen Yan? Because she unconditionally favors him?
Li Zhanjue quickly dismissed the increasingly unrealistic thoughts in his mind and took the initiative to interrupt the obstructive scene.
“Mrs. Meng, I have come here today specifically to apologize to you.”
Meng Qingluan gave a forced smile, "No need..."
"There's no need for formalities between us. We've known each other for a long time, so why be so tense just because you know who I am? I still prefer how you treated me before."
"..."
Li Zhanjue's words were unclear.
It's unclear whether his reference to "previous attitude" refers to his relentless pursuit of him, or to his attitude when Meng Qingluan scolded him...
In short, Meng Qingluan did not want to switch back to either of them.
Cherish life.
As Meng Qingluan was pondering whether to answer or pretend not to understand, a cool sensation suddenly touched her wrist.
When she came to her senses, Li Zhanjue had already grabbed her wrist without her noticing.
Li Zhanjue felt a cool, delicate sensation on his skin as his fingertips touched it. He felt a slight resistance to this kind of skin contact, but it wasn't unacceptable.
Shen Yan's face darkened completely. He raised his arm, which had been hanging by his side, and grabbed Li Zhanjue's wrist through his sleeve.
It looked like ordinary strength, but only the two of them knew how much force it contained.
Chen Yan exerted force, his knuckles turning white, almost crushing his wrist.
Li Zhanjue felt the pain, but still refused to let go.
Shen Yan's tone was icy, "Your Highness, please release my wife."
Li Zhanjue remained calm, but with his other hand he calmly raised Meng Qingluan's hand.
"I just wanted to check if Meng San Niangzi's wrist was injured."
"Ah, why are you so nervous? I'm just concerned about Meng San Niangzi."
Shen Yan's eyes hardened, and with a sudden burst of strength, he grabbed Li Zhanjue's hand and flung it away like trash.
Just as he tossed it aside, Li Zhanjue grabbed Meng Qingluan's hand again, like a persistent leech.
"..."
Shen Yan was almost out of control. He wanted to punch this bastard and let him know that this was not something he should covet.
Unable to bear it any longer, Meng Qingluan flung her hands away from the two of them.
Shen Yan, who had been holding her hand, was also pulled away, and turned to look at her with a wronged expression.
"Luanluan, I didn't do anything wrong..."
Meng Qingluan took a deep breath, her face dark, and glanced at him.
Shen Yan shut his mouth, not daring to utter a single word.
Seeing that the two were angry, Li Zhanjue let go of their hands and a faint smile appeared on his lips.
Learn from Chen Yan's mannerisms, loosen your grip and lower your eyes.
"It was my fault. I saw the injury on your wrist and was only concerned about whether you were alright, but I neglected your feelings."
Meng Qingluan: "..."?
What's the deal?
Shen Yan gritted his teeth so hard they almost broke. This bitch, so she was waiting for him here all along?
Li Zhanjue looked up and said understandingly, "Don't be angry with me, Third Madam Meng. This is a secret medicine from the palace. Applying it will reduce swelling and pain, won't leave scars, and will even make your skin more delicate and smooth."
As Li Zhanjue spoke, his bodyguard handed him a bottle of ointment.
Meng Qingluan: "..."
Shen Yan stared at her longingly, "Luan Luan..."
Shen Yan asked pitifully, trying to stop Meng Qingluan from accepting Li Zhanjue's gift.
Meng Qingluan hesitated, much to her dismay; the pain relief and swelling reduction were hardly tempting.
Yes, the skin becomes more delicate and smooth...
Hmm, this sounds even better than La Mer?
Meng Qingluan feigned reluctance, "Wouldn't that be inappropriate?"
Li Zhanjue smiled seductively, "There's nothing wrong with it. It's not anything valuable; it's something the ladies in the palace always keep on hand."
Meng Qingluan beamed with joy, her earlier anger dissipating, and she readily accepted the gift.
"Thank you, Fifth Prince."
Chen Yan: "..."
Shen Yan felt as if a thunderbolt had struck his mind, a bolt from the blue that sent shivers down his spine.
Seeing Shen Yan's discomfiture, Li Zhanjue felt a sense of relief and even a joy of being recognized.
Li Zhanjue was startled by the thought that popped into his mind, and shifted his attention back to Shen Yan.
"Ah, you're also injured, so I've prepared medicine for you."
Shen Yan immediately dropped his aggrieved expression, his face darkening like churning black ink.
Meng Qingluan sensed that someone was trying to poach her, so she grabbed Shen Yan's arm, and the two of them naturally linked arms.
"No need! One bottle of medicine is enough for the two of us."
"..."
Upon hearing this, Li Zhanjue did not insist and nodded with a smile.
Shen Yan was still resentful about Meng Qingluan accepting the medicine Li Zhanjue had given her, and was furious.
But he also knew that he couldn't embarrass her in front of outsiders.
He kept a cold face and didn't say a word.
Seeing that the time was almost up, Li Zhanjue got down to business.
"The scientific expedition has been moved up, so you only have three days to prepare. Remember to go to the examination venue in three days..."
Meng Qingluan was slightly surprised. How could the imperial examination be held so far in advance?
What kind of trick is this emperor playing?
“I know,” Shen Yan interrupted impatiently, giving the order to leave, “Your Highness, please take care, I won’t see you off.”
After saying that, Shen Yan picked Meng Qingluan up in his arms and strode towards the bedroom in the backyard.
Meng Qingluan: "..."
Hey, what's going on?
How come it's so similar to the plot in the erotic book?
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