After that day, when her mother had scolded her, Mei Lin felt a sudden clarity, and all her doubts and worries vanished. But when Murong Jing He appeared, she still didn’t show any signs of gratitude or joy, her expression as calm as ever. Seeing the light of expectation in his eyes gradually fade into disappointment, she suddenly felt her heart race, and she wanted nothing more than to hold him tightly and never let go.
Pretending to stumble, she wasn’t surprised when he caught her, and then she sneakily took the ugly sachet from his waist and hid it. It wasn’t something she had made for him, but seeing how much he treasured it made her heart ache. So she carefully made a new one, planning to give it to him when the time was right.
Murong Jing He had long developed the habit of touching the sachet when idle, so he quickly noticed it was missing. In a moment of panic, he almost turned the entire garden upside down in search of it.
Mei Lin didn’t expect him to cause such a commotion. Initially stunned, she quickly realized what was happening and hurriedly pulled him into the room, pressing a new sachet into his hand.
This new sachet was made of stone-blue fabric, also tied with a lover’s knot. Inside, it was filled with calming herbs. The embroidery and knotwork were far superior to the previous one.
Murong Jing He held the sachet, initially confused, thinking it wasn’t the one he was searching for. Fortunately, he caught himself before blurting out something that could have caused trouble. As he turned the sachet over in his hands, unable to stop smiling, he suddenly noticed that on the inside, two characters were embroidered: “Chun” (Spring) and “Jing” (his name).
His thumb lightly brushed over the characters, and he felt his heart race, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed. When he looked up, he met Mei Lin’s slightly anxious and nervous smile. In return, he gave her a wide grin that looked almost like he was on the verge of tears, and then he pulled her into a tight embrace.
“I will never let you down,” he whispered hoarsely, lifting his head slightly.
Mei Lin nodded in response and then took the sachet from his hand, tying it around his waist.
“I took your other sachet,” she explained, a bit embarrassed. In truth, she could have just told him directly, but instead, she had gone about it like a thief. “It was something I made for fun and had gotten wet—it wasn’t worth keeping.”
Seeing that he seemed somewhat reluctant to part with it, she added, “If you like, I can make more for you in the future.”
Murong Jing He beamed, nodding eagerly.
Mei Lin glanced outside at the servants still anxiously searching for the missing sachet and gave him a gentle push. Murong Jing He understood and called out to Qing Yan, telling him there was no need to continue the search.
Qing Yan, ever observant, noticed the new sachet at Murong Jing He’s waist and the different expressions on both their faces. Understanding the situation, he smiled, acknowledged the order, and left.
After Qing Yan departed, the courtyard quickly quieted down, and the servants returned to their duties.
Murong Jing He turned back to Mei Lin. Since the healer had fully restored her health, she looked more vibrant and beautiful with each passing day, no longer resembling the frighteningly thin figure she had been a year ago.
Mei Lin grew self-conscious under his gaze and turned away to tidy the sewing box that had been upturned. But before she could do much, he wrapped his arms around her from behind, his hot breath tickling her ear and causing her to shiver involuntarily.
“I’ve already made arrangements. When autumn comes, I’ll marry you,” Murong Jing He whispered in her ear, speaking not as an emperor but as a man.
Mei Lin was slightly startled and instinctively turned her head to ask, but he silenced her with a deep kiss. When he finally pulled away, he said, “I will only take you as my wife. You will be the only woman in my palace.”
Mei Lin gripped his arm tightly, her eyes downcast as her chest heaved with emotion, unable to speak for a long time. When she decided to let go of everything and stay by his side, she never expected him to marry her, let alone promise to have no other woman. Hearing him say it now felt like a dream, almost unreal.
“But...” Murong Jing He began, snapping her out of her daze. She was about to smile wryly, thinking there was a catch, but he continued, “But I’ve waited for you for a year. I don’t want to wait any longer.” As he spoke, his hand stealthily slid over her newly restored, soft chest, making his intentions unmistakably clear.
Mei Lin’s face flushed red, and all the sweet, anxious feelings from his words flew out the window. She angrily shoved his hand away, ready to push him out of the room, but then she met his eyes, filled with desire and longing, and her heart softened.
“Well... well, at least wait until tonight,” she murmured shyly, her eyes darting everywhere except at his burning gaze that seemed ready to consume her.
Murong Jing He pursed his lips, appearing somewhat reluctant, but he still nodded. “You’ve agreed, so no backing out.” In truth, he was ecstatic—he had thought he would have to coax her for much longer to get what he wanted.
Mei Lin nodded, thinking to herself that even if she changed her mind, he probably wouldn’t let her. Remembering something else, she added, “Yue Qin... Yue Qin was only trying to help me. Please don’t hold it against him.”
At the mention of Yue Qin, Murong Jing He was reminded of his foolish mistake, and he couldn’t help but feel a headache coming on.
“I’m not holding anything against him. I actually wanted to give him some experience outside the capital. There are people watching over him, so don’t worry. In a few years, when he’s achieved something, I’ll bring him back to the capital,” he reassured Mei Lin. Seeing her relieved smile, he also relaxed.
What Mei Lin didn’t know was that in a few years, when Yue Qin had grown up, Murong Jing He would be even less willing to let him near her.
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