Xia Siheng returned to the Prince's Manor, his clothes covered in blood and the marks of battle.
The little girl in Jing Wu's arms had already fallen asleep against his shoulder.
When Liu Wan saw them return, she abandoned all concern for decorum, lifted her skirts, and hurried over.
"What's wrong with Wanwan?" she asked Jing Wu.
Jing Wu said, "The little princess is fine. She's just fallen asleep from the long journey."
"Pan Chun." Liu Wan summoned Pan Chun and gently brushed the dust on the little one's face. "Take Wanwan to rest. Give her a bath after she wakes up."
"Yes." Pan Chun carefully carried the little one away.
Liu Wan turned to Xia Siheng, worry showing on her face.
"Wan'er, don't come closer." Xia Siheng backed away a little, his expression taut, and instructed the servants, "Prepare water for my bath."
"Your Highness." At the sight of him, Liu Wan's heart leaped into her throat.
Could he have been gravely wounded and been afraid to let her notice?
"No, Wan'er. I'm afraid all this blood and dust will dirty your clothes," he explained patiently.
Liu Wan had known his plan from the beginning. It seemed he had successfully taken his revenge.
His tense expression now was likely because he was suppressing the emotions surging through him after his vengeance.
She stepped forward and gently took his hand, her expression tender.
She led him inside.
As soon as the door closed, she threw herself into his arms and held him tightly.
"The blood on you isn't dirty at all. You should be proud of it."
To kill his enemy with his own hands and protect Great Xia, he had studied and trained in martial arts since childhood, working tirelessly day and night.
Now, at last, he had fulfilled