Yu Qingwu was already in a bad mood, and Xie Jin Yan’s tone only made her more irritable.

She turned around, her face not looking good, and glared at him, "Xie Jin Yan, what madness do you want to unleash again?"

"Sit still, don't move."

Xie Jin Yan ignored her. He scooped out some Yu Ji cream (Jade Muscle Cream) from a small ceramic jar, leaned over, and gently applied the lilac-colored cream to Yu Qingwu's wound with his fingertips.

A wave of coolness and comfort spread from the wound, and a delicate fragrance filled her nostrils. Yu Qingwu was slightly stunned. In addition to being shocked, she looked at Xie Jin Yan with some uncertainty, "This is... Yu Ji cream? The Yu Ji cream that can smooth out all scars?"

"Yes, I got it from the Empress Mother a few days ago." Xie Jin Yan responded softly, his movements gentle and meticulous. When his fingers brushed over her scabbed scar, a hint of pity was faintly revealed.

Yu Qingwu thought she must have been mistaken, and felt even more confused.

Xie Jin Yan actually went to the trouble of getting the priceless Yu Ji cream for her?

She knew that this small jar of Yu Ji cream required hundreds of medicinal materials, and the refining process was complex and lengthy, with a very low success rate.

So far, it had only been limited to use within the palace, and even among the palace concubines, not everyone could use it.

This jar of the Empress’s was probably bestowed by the Emperor. It must have taken Xie Jin Yan a lot of effort to obtain it.

But why would he do this?

Shouldn't he be happy that she had become like this?

"Shijie, don't do such pointless things in the future."

While Yu Qingwu was lost in thought, Xie Jin Yan spoke again.

He put away the ceramic jar, took out a handkerchief to wipe the stains on his fingers, and then reached out to her, saying, "Let's go. Old Madam Shen's birthday banquet begins at noon. If we're late, we might not get anything to eat."

There was a hint of jest in his words…

When was the last time she joked with Xie Jin Yan? Four years ago? Five years ago? Or eight years ago?

Yu Qingwu couldn't remember anymore…

Their eyes met, and Xie Jin Yan's gentle eyes made Yu Qingwu feel a little lost and afraid. She stood there stiffly, staring at him blankly for a moment, and finally couldn't help but ask, "Xie Jin Yan, what exactly is wrong with you today?"

"What's wrong?" Xie Jin Yan raised his eyebrows, looking at her with a smile that was not quite a smile, asking knowingly, "Am I too amazing today, making Shijie unable to bear it?"

He was clearly the Crown Prince of a country, so how could he be so casual with crude and lewd words?

Yu Qingwu's face flushed red, and she glared at him angrily, "I want to ask, why did you ask the Empress for Yu Ji cream for me? Shouldn't you be happy that I've become like this?"

The slightest bit of gratitude she had felt for him a moment ago instantly vanished, and a charming anger floated in the peach-colored corners of her eyes.

Xie Jin Yan lowered his eyes. The burning sensation that had dissipated not long ago suddenly ignited again when it touched the woman's eyes, and his Adam's apple moved subtly.

He coughed lightly, trying his best to restrain himself. He slowly leaned down, gently lifted her chin with his cool fingers, his nose almost touching her face, and said with a faint, husky laugh, "Shijie, don't misunderstand. The reason I'm giving you Yu Ji cream is just because I think this face of yours..."

"Affects my mood... in bed..."

*Smack!* Before Xie Jin Yan could finish his sentence, he received another solid slap.

Yu Qingwu shook her numb hand, her face red with anger as she cursed him, "Vulgar! Vile!"

As she spoke, she shrank back, afraid that Xie Jin Yan would suddenly go crazy and drench her with wine again.

But this time, the man in front of her did not fly into a rage as she had expected. He touched the red handprint on his face, stared at her with gritted teeth, and laughed instead of getting angry.

He slowly leaned down, suddenly pressed close to her ear, as if deliberately evoking certain memories, his voice cold and seductive, "Didn't Shijie already know that I was vulgar back in Shu? Shijie cooperated very well that day, so what? Have you forgotten so quickly?"

"Or should Shidi help you remember now?"

Hearing this, Yu Qingwu's face turned pale in an instant, and that unbearable memory flooded into her mind like a mountain torrent.

The person who almost took half of her life in the Shimen (sect) washroom that night… was Xie Jin Yan?

Yu Qingwu's body shook, her chest heaving violently. She looked at the man in shock and fear, and questioned in a trembling voice, "That night, the person who broke into the washroom was you?"