As Meili moved to climb into the carriage, the Crown Prince dismounted and offered her his hand to help her climb up onto the platform.
She took it, though she knew this was just the start of him continuing his pursuit of her. A course of action from which she didn't seem to be able to dissuade him.
Now that he was nearby and there was no audience to overhear them, she lowered her voice and said to him, "Zhu Yicai, is this really a good idea? What does your wife think about you accompanying me on this trip to the temple?"
"I haven't told her, and it's none of her business. Why would I care what that woman thinks about anything I do?" his voice dripped with distaste.
"Because she's your wife," Mei Meili said gently. "Because she will find out anyway, and that will be more hurtful to her. Because she's probably already very sensitive to your interactions with me and other women."
