11
Upon hearing the sound, Mu Mingtang no longer pain any attention to Xie Xuanji and rushed past him, running inside.
Xie Xuanji was momentarily stunned, and because of this lapse in focus, Mu Mingtang managed to get past him. By the time Xie Xuanji reacted, he immediately quickened his pace to chase after her and grabbed hold her. “Are you looking to get yourself killed?”
Mu Mingtang had already reached the entrance of the bedchamber when Xie Xuanji suddenly pulled her back, causing her to stumble back two steps. Extremely annoyed, she turned around and tried to pry his fingers off. “The prince seems to have woken up. Let go of me!”
Xie Xuanji’s face remained cold, and he didn’t let go. The sound just now had been so abrupt that Xie Xuanji suspected it might have been an illusion, but Mu Mingtang had heard it too, so explaining it as an illusion no longer made sense.
But why had Xie Xuanchen suddenly woken up? Had he heard their conversation?
Xie Xuanji grew even more vigilant. Whether Xie Xuanchen was conscious or not ultimately made no difference. As soon as Xie Xuanchen woke up, he would go on a killing spree. When he was unconscious, his attacks were indiscriminate, making him somewhat easier to subdue. But if he had even a sliver of awareness and attacked with some method, that would be far worse.
Xie Xuanji was already irritated, and Mu Mingtang kept struggling, which only added to his frustration. He snapped, “The moment he wakes up, he’ll attack anyone nearby. Do you have a death wish, rushing right up to him? Tsk—”
A sharp pain shot through Xie Xuanji’s hand, and he instinctively loosened his grip. He raised his hand to examine it—a long, slender, fair-skinned hand, accustomed to a life of ease, now marred by a neat row of teeth marks, completely disrupting its aesthetic.
Xie Xuanji had never encountered anyone like her. Furious, he yelled, “I’m trying to protect you, and you bite me? Is this the manners the Jiang family taught you? Is this your upbringing?”
“Sorry to disappoint the Prince of Jin. This is exactly the kind of ill-mannered, poorly bred person I am. Besides, I’ve already married into the family as the Jiang’s wished, repaying their kindness in raising me. I have nothing more to do with the Jiang family. My rightful surname is Mu, and I have no desire to be a Jiang.” Mu Mingtang shot Xie Xuanji an irritated glare. “My parents taught me from a young age that if someone lays their hands on you inappropriately, you bite them.”
Mu Mingtang spoke through gritted teeth, gave Xie Xuanji another glare, then turned and walked quickly forward. But after just two steps, her pace gradually slowed to a halt.
On the bed, Xie Xuanchen was propped up halfway. His face was terrifyingly pale, and he looked extremely weak. He paid no attention to Mu Mingtang and Xie Xuanji, instead keeping his head lowered as he strained against his wrist, pulling the iron chain taut with a clanking sound.
The wound on his wrist, which had been nearly healed, was now bleeding profusely again, Mu Mingtang’s heart clenched at the sight. The iron ring was so heavy that she needed all her strength just to lift it halfway, yet Xie Xuanchen could raise it with one hand, even pulling it taut until it rattled loudly.
The sound of the iron chain rattling was starkly clear inside the room. Mu Mingtang listened fearfully, too terrified to step forward. Xie Xuanji also stood at the door, looking as though he were facing a great enemy.
As the sound of the chains continued, Xie Xuanchen’s face grew paler and paler, clearly a man at the end of his strength. This all-too-familiar noise was undoubtedly a nightmare for many. Outside, the captain of the guards sensed something wrong and urgently knocked on the door: “Your Highness Prince Jin, has Prince Qiyang awakened?”
The moment the words “Prince Qiyang has awakened” were spoken, the soldiers outside visibly tensed up. The sounds of swords being drawn and feet running came in rapid succession as the soldiers formed battle arrays, drawing their gleaming white blades with a sharp shing in front of the hall.
The atmosphere outside the Jade Qilin Hall instantly became taut with tension. The unfolding situation outside was clearly transmitted into the hall. Hearing the sound of the military signals, Xie Xuanchen seemed to curl his lips into a faint smile as he slowly raised his head to look at Xie Xuanji.
“I’m not even dead yet, and you’re already so anxious?”
When Xie Xuanchen was asleep, he looked quiet and innocent. Mu Mingtang had silently complained more than once that he looked like a pretty boy. But now that his eyes were open, she immediately understood why no one in the world had ever made such remarks about Prince Qiyang looking like a pretty boy.
Faced with eyes like those, no one could utter words like effeminate or pretty boy. Outside the hall, hundreds of soldiers had gathered. Inside, Xie Xuanji and Mu Mingtang stood but at this moment, no one dared make a sound.
However, this single sentence seemed to drain all of Xie Xuanchen’s strength. After speaking, he suddenly coughed up blood and collapsed heavily onto the bed. Startled, Mu Mingtang quickly gathered her skirt and stepped forward. “Your Highness? Your Highness?”
Kneeling on the footrest, she saw that the blood he had spat was bright red, instantly staining half the bed. Her heart wrenched, and immediately searched for a handkerchief, wanting to wipe away the bloodstains.
Xie Xuanchen had fainted again. Xie Xuanji, without a doubt, let out a long sigh of relief. Glancing sideways, he saw that Mu Mingtang had unhesitatingly rushed to Xie Xuanchen’s side, seemingly unaware that his hands were stained with countless lives and blood. A strange feeling suddenly welled up in Xie Xuanji’s heart.
When Xie Xuanchen went on a rampage, he wouldn’t spare anyone, regardless of status. Xie Xuanji should have left immediately, but watching Mu Mingtang kneel by the bed, carefully wiping the blood from the corner of Xie Xuanchen’s mouth, he couldn’t help asking, “Aren’t you afraid?”
Mu Mingtang turned back and was surprised to see Xie Xuanji still there. “Afraid of what?”
“Aren’t you afraid he’ll kill you?”
“No.” Mu Mingtang turned around and carefully wiped the blood off Xie Xuanchen’s collar. “He is the Marquis of Wu’an. He doesn’t kill innocent people. Besides, he’s the one who saved my life in the first place. Even if he didn’t recognize me and ended up killing me, that would still be a debt I owe him.”
Xie Xuanji’s brow furrowed even deeper. The title Marquis of Wu’an was from a very distant time. How could Mu Mingtang know about it? Judging by her words, could it be that they had known each other long ago?
Xie Xuanji watched coldly for a moment longer, then turned and left. When the guards outside saw him emerge, they all breathed long sighs of relief. “Prince Jin, how is His Highness Prince Qiyang?”
“Second Brother woke up briefly, but now he’s unconscious again. You stand guard over Second Brother. I will go summon the imperial physician immediately.”
“Yes, sir.”
After Xie Xuanji left, the guards temporarily stood down from the alert, but they were far from relaxed. They remained on edge, keeping watch outside the hall. Through the window, Mu Mingtang could hear that the frequency of their patrols had noticeably increased.
A single handkerchief was quickly stained red. Mu Mingtang sighed softly and made to get up to find a clean handkerchief and fetch some water. But as soon as she moved, her wrist suddenly went cold as a hand gripped it tightly.
Mu Mingtang’s legs went weak, and she collapsed to her knees. Terrified, before she could even let out a scream, a cold voice silenced her: “Shut up. If you dare make a sound, I’ll kill you.”
Mu Mingtang forcibly stifled her scream, her heart nearly stopping from fright. Xie Xuanchen was looking at her now, his gaze sharp, his thin lips tinged with a hint of red from the blood—tragically beautiful yet fierce. There was no sign of unconsciousness about him whatsoever.
He glanced out the window, then back at Mu Mingtang. Understanding immediately, Mu Mingtang nodded. “Don’t worry, Your Highness. I won’t tell them.”
Xie Xuanchen stared at her for a long time, as if assessing her trustworthiness, before slowly releasing his grip. The moment she was free, Mu Mingtang snatched her wrist back, wincing in pain as she cradled and rubbed it.
His grip was stronger than that of the most robust blacksmith. Had Mu Mingtang not witnessed it herself, who would believe that such strength came from a patient who had been unconscious for a long time and was so weak he was barely clinging to life?
Seeing Mu Mingtang rubbing her wrist, Xie Xuanchen finally remembered that his strength operated on a different scale from ordinary people’s. A grown man couldn’t withstand a single punch from him, let alone a delicate woman.
It was fortunate that Xie Xuanchen had been unconscious for a long time and his strength was greatly diminished, otherwise, Mu Mingtang’s arm would have been ruined by now.
Xie Xuanchen braced himself, trying to sit up. Mu Mingtang noticed his movement and wanted to help him, but a single look from Xie Xuanchen made her shrink back. Xie Xuanchen tried to sit upright, but his limbs were bound by heavy, burning-hot chains. Coupled with his prolonged unconsciousness and weakness, he failed several times.
Mu Mingtang thought to herself, what a difficult, temperamental, yet fragile man. Watching Xie Xuanchen’s efforts, her heart raced with anxiety. Finally unable to bear it any longer, she whispered, “Your Highness, please let me help you. With so many guards patrolling outside, if you keep struggling and make noise that draws them here, that would be terrible.”
Xie Xuanchen absolutely despised the fact that he had become so weak as to need a woman’s help, but he knew Mu Mingtang was right. And that only made it feel even worse.
Seeing that Xie Xuanchen didn’t argue, Mu Mingtang took it as consent. She immediately helped him lean against the bedpost and thoughtfully placed a cushion behind his back. After doing all this, she noticed that this difficult man’s expression wasn’t very pleasant. But then again, his face had been sour ever since he woke up, so Mu Mingtang, ever optimistic, didn’t take it personally at all.
Once Xie Xuanchen was comfortably seated, he finally had the chance to speak. He looked Mu Mingtang up and down, raising an eyebrow slightly. “Who are you?”
Mu Mingtang finally realized, belatedly, that they had arranged a marriage for Xie Xuanchen without his knowledge and had even forced the wedding to take place. Putting herself in his shoes, if someone had taken over her house, helped themselves to her money, and claimed to be her spouse while she was asleep, Mu Mingtang would have beaten that person to death.
Moreover, Xie Xuanchen was a legitimate descendant of nobility, a son of a high-ranking official. If the Xie family’s circumstances had been normal, the kind of woman worthy of Xie Xuanchen would have been a virtuous and talented lady from a distinguished family. Yet now, the primary consort had become Mu Mingtang, a merchant’s daughter who had fled from hardship.
Even Mu Mingtang herself felt that this was taking advantage of someone in a vulnerable position and was utterly shameless.
Mu Mingtang’s confidence wilted. Looking down, she stammered, “I am the adopted daughter of Jiang Honghao. A few days ago, His Majesty bestowed me upon you as your primary consort. Please rest assured, Your Highness, this is only a temporary measure. I am fully aware of my own standing, and I have no delusions of remaining as your primary consort. I only wish to repay your kindness. Once Your Highness has recovered, I will voluntarily step down and vacate the position of primary consort. Then, you may marry a lady from a distinguished family.”
Xie Xuanchen rolled his eyes impatiently. But with his hands pinned down by the black iron shackles, he couldn’t gesture, so he could only suppress his irritation and say, “I asked for your name.”
“Oh?” Mu Mingtang looked up in surprise. Noticing the impatience in Xie Xuanchen’s eyes, she quickly replied, “My name is Mu Mingtang.”
“So your surname is Mu.” Xie Xuanchen seemed lost in thought. Mu Mingtang sensed that something was off—why did he emphasize only her surname, as if he already knew her name?
Thinking about this too deeply was terrifying. Mu Mingtang dared not dwell on it and quickly stopped herself. She knelt on the footrest, while Xie Xuanchen reclined against the bed frame. In that moment of silence, they almost looked like a couple sharing adversity.
Mu Mingtang bit her lip softly and asked, “Your Highness, then I…”
Xie Xuanchen turned his head. Waiting a long time without hearing Mu Mingtang stammer out the rest of her sentence, he frowned. “You what?”
Mu Mingtang felt awkward, but she wasn’t someone who cared much about saving face. Seizing the opportunity, she blurted out directly, “Your Highness, what do you think we should do about this marriage?”
“Waking up to find I already have a wife, that’s not bad at all. Saves me the trouble.” Xie Xuanchen smiled as he spoke. Beneath his eye was a tear mole. On a woman’s face, such a mole would have made countless others envious, but on Xie Xuanchen’s face, it didn’t appear charming—only sinister.
He was already cold and menacing, and he had just spat blood, leaving traces of red on his lips—both alluring and deadly. When he smiled like that, his thin lips and tear mole complemented each other, giving him an even greater sense of venomous beauty.
“After all, it was Xie Xuanji who walked through the wedding ceremony for me. If I weren’t still alive, I’m afraid my brother might have even consummated the marriage on my behalf.”
He had indeed heard everything. Mu Mingtang sighed and chose to remain silent on this topic. Matters between a sister-in-law and her brother-in-law were inherently sensitive. Right now, Xie Xuanchen’s ire was directed solely at Xie Xuanji. If she chimed in, it would likely turn on her instead.
But judging by Xie Xuanchen’s meaning, he wasn’t planning to annul the marriage?
Mu Mingtang stole glances at Xie Xuanchen. Noticing this, he gave her a light glance. “If you have something to say, say it. No tricks.”
Mu Mingtang smiled, dutifully brought Xie Xuanchen a cup of water, and asked, “Your Highness, so is it settled between us?”
“Mmm.” Xie Xuanchen then furrowed his brow and gave Mu Mingtang a wary look. “What do you mean by that?”
“Nothing, nothing. I just mean this is fine.” Mu Mingtang was overjoyed. Indeed, her benefactor was nothing like the despicable Jiang family. Upon waking to find he had gained a wife, not only did he not mistreat her, but he accepted it quite naturally. From now on, she was the legitimate Princess Consort of Qiyang.
Unable to contain her delight, Mu Mingtang’s eyebrows and eyes rippled with obvious joy. In high spirits, she unconsciously became more talkative. “Your Highness, why did you wake up today?”
She hadn’t expected this question to stir up a hornet’s nest. Xie Xuanchen smiled, a sinister edge to his voice. “I was awakened by the two of you.”
…
“That hairpin. Bring it to me.”
Mu Mingtang dared not say a word. She slipped out to find the hairpin. With Xie Xuanchen’s sudden awakening, none of them had paid any attention to a hairpin. The jade hairpin was still lying intact on the floor. After Mu Mingtang brought it over, Xie Xuanchen turned it over, examined it briefly, then snapped it in two.
“Green as grass, indeed. If I hadn’t woken up, I’m afraid my head would be the same color as this by now.”
**