Liu Wan was a little stunned.
Xia Siheng steadied himself, yet could not stop the corners of his mouth from lifting.
"Sending flowers yesterday was indeed presumptuous of me. I forgot that Xie Jin'an used to like giving you winter plum blossoms. If bringing those flowers made you think of him..."
"Your Highness!" Liu Wan interrupted him.
Then she continued, "It's different."
You two have always been different, from beginning to end.
Xia Siheng smiled and took a sip of tea. "I even prepared a gift to apologize."
He pushed the box beside him toward her.
Liu Wan lowered her head and saw a stack of property deeds inside, with a token resting on top.
"You haven't offended me in any way, Your Highness. There's no need for an apology."
She pushed it back.
Xia Siheng pushed it toward her again. "This is a Hidden Guard token. I personally selected all these Hidden Guards. They will obey your orders and keep you both safe."
"The deed is for this residence of mine. It's also a gift for Wanwan. She's still young and doesn't understand the importance of having a home. Once she grows up and has a residence of her own, she'll have the confidence to choose whether or not to marry, won't she?"
Liu Wan froze for a moment.
She lowered her eyes, considering whether to accept it.
She said, "You've helped my daughter and me so much, Your Highness. If you're doing this to repay my aunt's kindness, you've long since repaid that debt..."
"I'm not!" Xia Siheng interrupted her.
Liu Wan looked at him. There was a trace of burning intensity in his dark eyes.
He stared straight at her and said, "You met Mama Qing yesterday. Do you still not know why I've done so much?"