Hot…
So hot.
Within the opulent yet warm palace, only heavy breathing remained. Curled up on the bed was a petite figure, her jade-like arms tightly wrapped around herself. Like a small beast defending itself, even when injured, she remained vigilant, observing her surroundings.
The incense burner had been knocked over, yet the effects of the medicine she had taken had already been triggered by the fragrance…
Wen Qitian hugged her knees and bit down on her arm, using the pain of the bite to stay conscious.
Despite being on guard day and night, she still hadn’t managed to prevent it!
After Tao Zhi’s death, Wen Qitian had remained cautious, even beginning to suspect Bai Zhi.
At that time, Bai Zhi had fallen ill from bad food, giving Tao Zhi an opportunity. Later, it was during Bai Zhi’s watch that Tao Zhi met with an accident.
It was hard not to suspect her.
But now, everything was wrong.
The one who had truly betrayed her was Yue E.
Yue E had deliberately put laxatives in Bai Zhi’s food to send her away, allowing Tao Zhi to take her place. Even the location of the portrait when Tao Zhi first appeared had been told by Yue E.
Wen Qitian believed she had no grudge against Yue E, yet the other had started scheming against her from so early on.
Yue E stood before her, apologizing, “I’m sorry, miss. She has done me a great favor, and I must carry out what she asks.”
Years ago, Yue E had been a young girl abducted by Yazi. It was the Shangshu Mansion that redeemed her, allowing her to follow the young lady. If not for the Shangshu Mansion, she might have been forced into a Qinglou by now.
Yue E would rather do hard labor as the lowest-ranking maid than enter a Qinglou.
Later, when the eldest young lady entered the palace, Minister Xia, worried about her, arranged for Yue E to accompany her, so she would have someone to rely on.
During this year in the palace, someone had been managing everything behind Mo Qianxia’s back. Mo Qianxia rarely contacted Yue E, who usually appeared like an ordinary palace maid, having little interaction with Wen Qitian. However, that day, they met in the Imperial Kitchen.
Mo Qianxia had sent someone to instruct Yue E to do one thing: to put medicine in Wen Qitian’s food and then find a guard.
Upon learning everything, Wen Qitian opened her mouth but realized with shock that even speaking had become difficult.
She wanted to ask who that person was.
If Yue E owed a debt of gratitude to that person, had Wen Qitian not treated Yue E well?
As if reading Wen Qitian’s thoughts, Yue E smiled helplessly. “So, miss, this servant will repay you with her life.” Even if she didn’t die, that person wouldn’t let her go.
Wen Qitian’s originally clear black-and-white eyes grew misty, covered by a layer of tears. She watched helplessly as Yue E swayed lightly, a trickle of blood flowing from the corner of her mouth.
In the last few seconds of her life, she said, “Don’t worry, miss. His Majesty will return soon. This servant didn’t find anyone else.”
Wen Qitian bit down on the tip of her tongue, feeling a surge of blood and anger.
This was the first time she had witnessed the passing of a life so closely, yet now, she could hardly focus on anything else as she struggled to protect herself.
Perhaps in Yue E’s eyes, by following the orders to administer the medicine and repaying with her life, she had fulfilled her duty to both her former and current masters.
This would have been true only if there were something between her and Nan Leli, but the key was that she and Nan Leli were completely innocent…
As she was lost in thought, the door was kicked open with a bang. Wen Qitian flinched, unable to suppress a soft moan from her throat.
The cold wind rushed in, sobering her for a moment. However, whatever medicine Yue E had given her was potent, and within seconds, she lost her senses again.
When Nan Leli entered, this was the scene he saw.
Pale yellow silk bed curtains hung on either side. The woman hugged her knees, her jet-black hair cascading down her back and spilling across the bed. Her usually fair and delicate face was flushed with an unnatural redness, and her eyes resembled a young deer that had strayed into the mortal world. The corners of her eyes were tinged with crimson, and droplets glistened like dew on her lashes. With just one glance, Nan Leli nearly lost his breath.
His gaze fell upon her slightly parted lips.
Unintentionally, he recalled the lingering, intimate dream from the previous night…
“Your Majesty!”
Nan Leli frowned, his wide sleeve sweeping through the air as the bed curtains fell, concealing the two figures within. Eunuch Zhang, who had rushed over, witnessed this scene and bowed his head with his attendants. “Remove the unclean things.”
The servants quickly reacted, efficiently dragging away the corpse on the floor without leaving a single trace of blood.
In an instant, only Wen Qitian and Nan Leli remained. Encountering a familiar face, Wen Qitian completely let down her guard in her delirious state, clinging to the source of cold aura.
Nan Leli’s eyes paused on her wrist. The jade-like arm was dotted with bloodstains, like red plum blossoms blooming in winter—tragically beautiful and captivating.
He took a deep breath and tried to peel her away from his embrace, but Wen Qitian seemed intent on defying him. Her petite figure was pushed aside only to cling to him again, as if she wished to transform into a snake demon from the Shanhai tales.
“Wen Qitian!” A vein throbbed on Nan Leli’s forehead as he suppressed his stirring emotions, his voice cold with warning. “If you continue like this, do not blame me for being impolite.”
Her response was a kiss that sealed his lips.
The man’s pupils constricted sharply.
A dangerous atmosphere spread between them. Wen Qitian’s eyes were hazy; every fiber of her being yearned for something, desperate for relief.
She looked up, undeterred by the man’s threats, like a small creature finding its way home to a safe harbor, nestling intimately against him.
Nan Leli gritted his teeth in frustration. “You wretched girl, sober up, or I’ll… Mmm!”
Again??
After what felt like an eternity, Nan Leli was filled with pent-up agitation, his hawk-like eyes narrowing dangerously.
This wretched girl was pushing her luck!
“Whimper, whimper~” The beauty in his arms, receiving no response for so long, couldn’t help but narrow her eyes and instinctively whimper in protest, a sound that made Nan Leli’s ears flush red.
Nan Leli was now in his early twenties. While other princes were being initiated into such matters, he had been forced to stay away from imperial power and campaign at the border to survive. Surrounded by rough men in the military camp, he had never entertained such thoughts.
By the time he returned to the capital, he had passed the age of impulsive youth. His self-control was exceptional; he even disdained the women offered by other ministers and found illustrated booklets repulsive.
But now…
After the initial shame and annoyance came waves of disgraceful longing.
Nan Leli looked down, gazing at the girl’s delicately tinted brows and eyes, his Adam’s apple unconsciously bobbing.
If it were her… perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad…
After all… he would never fall in love with anyone. It was rare to find someone in this world who genuinely cared for him like this. They could make do together. Aside from being a bit spoiled, prone to whimpering, and overly clingy at times, spending a lifetime with her might be tolerable.
Lost in his tense emotions, Nan Leli completely forgot that things like imperial physicians and antidotes existed in the world.
After consoling himself, he took a deep breath and proceeded instinctively. Yet, at the most critical moment, a soft cry of pain instantly snapped him back to his senses.
This couldn’t happen…
This happened while she was not in her right mind. Although Nan Leli disregarded rules and conventions, if they were truly to be together in the future, why should they lack what others had?
Others had an eight-carriage procession, a proper wedding ceremony, and a flower candle night, while they only had a hurried encounter controlled by drugs?
Even knowing she liked him, he couldn’t be careless under such circumstances.
His thoughts were torn, clashing noisily in his mind, while the young girl kept trying to provoke him. In the end, the man closed his eyes, his hand reaching beneath the covers…
*** Outrageous!
Eunuch Zhang and the others were busy dealing with the mess left behind by Mo Qianxia and Yue E, occasionally standing guard outside to ensure they didn’t miss their master’s orders.
Only the howling wind remained in the darkness, concealing all lingering tenderness. The silver moon shifted, and it wasn’t until the latter half of the night that those outside finally heard the command. They quickly prepared the heated water for bathing.
Nan Leli had initially intended to go to the main hall, as his own quarters had flowing water, but when he looked down and saw the young girl’s peaceful, sleeping face, he immediately abandoned the idea.
Better to leave it for tomorrow.
Hot water was poured into the wooden tub, steam rising and blurring his vision. The man’s strong, sturdy arms effortlessly lifted her. His face, contorted with frustration, looked as if he could swallow several Wen Qitians whole. His hawk-like eyes narrowed slightly, his lips pressed tightly together, as if completing some arduous task, every muscle in his body tensed to the extreme.
Suppressing a certain emotion, he gritted his teeth and closed his eyes. The Emperor, who had never served anyone before, endured the torment, spending nearly half an hour washing her before placing her back in bed and wrapping her up. His face darkened as he pinched her cheek fiercely, muttering through clenched teeth, “I must have owed you in my past life!”
The sleeping girl slapped him in dissatisfaction.
The man stared in disbelief. “Use me and then discard me?”
In the past, he would have dragged her up and vented his anger, but now, Nan Leli glared at her fiercely before supporting himself on the bed to stand up.
Damn it, the aftermath of her slap was there, but why did certain parts not respond?
It was now the fourth watch. Eunuch Zhang, standing guard outside, noticed the prolonged silence inside and couldn’t help but doze off. Suddenly, the palace doors swung open, startling him. When he looked up, he saw the Emperor, who should have been satisfied, weakly leaning against the doorframe, his face resembling a Luocha coming to claim a life in the night.
He gasped in shock. “Y-Your Majesty?”
The man said coldly, “Have someone prepare cold water.”
Eunuch Zhang: “…”
He hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back, secretly glancing at the hand supporting the doorframe and muttering to himself, “What’s wrong with the Taiyiyuan? After all this time of recuperation, His Majesty is still so weak.”
But why did His Majesty want cold water?
As he ordered someone to fetch cold water, he remained puzzled, thinking to himself that he should have the Taiyiyuan prescribe more medicine soon. The Emperor… was not up to it.
…
Wen Qitian slept extremely comfortably, as if she were back in her own soft, cozy bed at home, with its smooth silk sheets and the lazy afternoon summer sunlight.
Except the air conditioning was blowing too cold!
Wait!
Something seemed off?
Memories flashed through her mind—images of Yue E’s betrayal, the weakness in her body, her futile attempts to resist before completely succumbing… and the man’s frustrated face playing like a movie.
Then what happened?
She seemed to…
“Wen Qitian!”
“You little brat, wake up for me… Mmm!”
A kiss…
Wen Qitian broke out in a cold sweat, her thick lashes trembling slightly as she abruptly opened her eyes. A pair of dark, lifeless pupils were fixed on her with a deathly stare.
Seeing her awake, a low, mocking voice escaped the man’s thin lips: “Awake?”
“…” Was it too late to pretend she wasn’t?
Heavens!!
What happened last night? System, are you there?
The System promptly came online: [What’s wrong, Host? I think I malfunctioned last night. Did something happen on your end? The Darkening value dropped by 7%—wow, so happy!]
Shut up, thanks!
Wen Qitian felt utterly hopeless, curling back up like a silkworm. The next second, the man grabbed her by the nape of her neck and sneered, “Do you remember what you did?”
“…”
At this moment, Wen Qitian was completely weak and limp. With his grip on her, she resembled an innocent kitten, her little paws trembling slightly.
The man seized her wrist as she tried to strike him, narrowing his eyes with overwhelming pressure: “Don’t want to take responsibility?”
Wen Qitian: “…” It’s not like anything actually happened, right?
It was just…
Her beautiful almond-shaped eyes darted around, landing on the man’s jade-like fingertips. As if remembering something, her face flushed red.
“Well… actually, we haven’t reached the point of taking responsibility.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, the air suddenly turned icy cold…
[Author’s Note]
Emmmm, use your imagination, hehehehe~ Happy Lunar New Year’s Eve, everyone~
Shameless plug for my good friend’s sweet ancient romance novel “But My Husband Is Blind” by Feng Chui Qi You Yu.
The male lead is a blind beauty, and the female lead is a cousin living under someone else’s roof. You know, blind people—they can’t see, but their perception is incredibly sharp~