Xiao Changheng propped himself up, pulling Yun Qingqing close to his side, his heart feeling as if gripped by a giant hand.
“Someone! Fetch the physician!” the man roared hoarsely.
Nanzheng rushed in, stunned by the scene, and immediately sent the night watch guards to summon the physician. He hurried over to help the prince up but was forcefully pushed away by Xiao Changheng’s sweeping sleeve.
Amid the chaos, the young girl suddenly frowned and whimpered, clutching the man’s lapel and snuggling into his embrace.
Xiao Changheng stiffened, his movements halting.
The girl seemed to have finally found a comfortable position, her brow smoothing as she buried her face against his chest and fell still.
“Um, Your Highness…” Nanzheng ventured cautiously, “It seems… the Princess Consort has fallen asleep?”
“…”
Xiao Changheng let out a heavy sigh, his heart settling back into place.
The young girl’s breathing was even, her pulse steady.
But as his large hand brushed over her neck, he felt it damp with sweat.
Late at night.
In the Pian Dian of the Wangfu.
A man with an ethereal, immortal-like countenance but vacant eyes sat upright by the bedside. His long, well-defined fingers dipped into a copper basin, wringing out a cloth before carefully, meticulously wiping the face of the woman lying on the bed.
After completing this task with utmost care, his slender fingers gently caressed her cheek.
Then slowly traced over her soft, warm lips.
“Qingqing…”
The man’s deep voice was barely audible.
“If I could live a long life… would you… be willing…”
…
Yun Qingqing knew nothing of what happened after she lost consciousness.
She woke up refreshed and invigorated. After washing up and having breakfast with the assistance of the Wangfu maids, she immediately rushed out to find someone to attend to important matters.
“You used up that—huge pile of talismans yesterday!”
The woman gestured exaggeratedly, stating with righteous indignation, “You have to compensate me!”
Xiao Changheng set down his teacup and chuckled softly:
“Very well. How shall I compensate you?”
“So straightforward? Then, you’ve already agreed! No backing out!” Yun Qingqing immediately sealed the deal.
“I want a drop of your Xintou Xue.”
Nanzheng gasped. He already knew this woman was audacious, but he never imagined she could push the boundaries even further!
“Agreed.”
…Yet the prince didn’t even blink before agreeing!
Yun Qingqing, on the other hand, paused. All the arguments she had prepared went unused, nearly leaving her at a loss for words.
Seeing Nanzheng’s expression change, she quickly coughed and placed a prepared small jade vial on the table, adding:
“Don’t misunderstand. Since the fingers are connected to the heart, drawing blood from the fingertip will suffice. Use this knife.” She then slapped a specially made small knife onto the table.
Nanzheng finally breathed a sigh of relief, though his feelings remained quite complicated.
Xiao Changheng picked up the knife and, without changing expression, cut his finger, letting the blood drip into the jade vial.
“That’s enough!”
Seeing him squeeze out three drops of blood without hesitation, Yun Qingqing grabbed his hand to stop him and applied the prepared talisman ash to his fingertip.
The man smiled faintly, allowing her to proceed.
“…”
Yun Qingqing silently collected the jade vial and the knife, then placed a prescription on the table.
“Depletion of Xintou Xue is no small matter. Remember to take this tonic according to the prescription for seven consecutive days,” she instructed expressionlessly. “I’ll take my leave now.”
Xiao Changheng nodded and said gently:
“Very well. Nanzheng will escort you back to your residence.”
Yun Qingqing’s brow furrowed even tighter. She looked at him for a moment before turning and walking out.
After only a few steps, she turned around and stomped back to stand before Xiao Changheng, slapping the table.
“No, how can you be so careless? Someone asks for your Xintou Xue (Heart’s Blood) and you don’t even question it? Aren’t you afraid…”
“Qingqing is this king’s betrothed, not just ‘someone,’” the man interrupted calmly.
“……”
Yun Qingqing felt the logic wasn’t quite right, but couldn’t pinpoint exactly why.
“You said you wouldn’t harm me,” the man’s deep eyes were gentle.
“……”
Yun Qingqing pressed her lips together, speechless, then said coldly:
“Anyway, remember this: if someone with evil intentions gets hold of your Xintou Xue (Heart’s Blood), it could cause major chaos! If anyone else makes such a request, you absolutely must not agree!”
“Mm, noted.”
His obedient demeanor left her at a loss for words. She turned and left.
Once outside the room, Nanzheng behind her suddenly remarked quietly:
“Princess Consort need not worry. If anyone else dared make such a request of His Highness, by this time next year, the grass on their grave would be over a person’s height.”
Yun Qingqing:…
Was it her imagination, or did his words carry a hint of sourness?
……
Back at the Yun Estate, Yun Qingqing checked on her mother and took her pulse before returning to her own courtyard.
After ordering that no one disturb her, she returned to her room, locked the door, and took out the vial of Xintou Xue (Heart’s Blood) she had just obtained.
She indeed had a great use for the Regent King’s Xintou Xue (Heart’s Blood).
This man was enveloped in Purple Qi, his Da Qi Yun (Great Fortune) powerful enough to shake heaven and earth. His Xintou Xue (Heart’s Blood) was no different from Tian Cai Di Bao (Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures); in her hands, it could produce extraordinary effects.
She then opened a box containing other ingredients she had prepared over the past few days, various Fu Zhuang (Talisman Script), and the thumb ring given by Divine Doctor Tang.
To ordinary eyes, this thumb ring was merely a finely carved piece of high-quality jade with exquisite patterns on its surface.
But Yun Qingqing could see the San Qing Zhi Qi (Qi of the Three Pure Ones) flowing upon it—extremely rare in this world where spiritual energy was scarce.
She arranged the Fu Zhuang (Talisman Script) into a complex Zhen Fa (Formation/Array), placed the various materials on the talisman papers in order, set the Ling Yu Ban Zhi (Spiritual Jade Thumb Ring) at the Zhen Yan (Formation Eye/Array Core), and sat cross-legged at the center of the formation.
Finally, she opened the vial, dipped her fingertip in the blood droplet, lightly touched it to her forehead, concentrated her mind, and formed a hand seal.
The bloodstain suddenly emitted a golden light, then vanished into her brow. A clear stream flowed into her mind, instantly clarifying her thoughts. The Ling Yun (Spiritual Essence) of all things became vividly apparent in her clear eyes.
Yun Qingqing slowly raised her hand, her fingertips tracing golden threads that connected the materials on the Fu Zhuang (Talisman Script). These fine lines extended into extremely complex Zhen Wen (Formation Patterns/Array Lines), all converging at the Ling Yu Ban Zhi (Spiritual Jade Thumb Ring).
After a full hour, she stopped and withdrew her energy, letting out a long breath. She picked up the thumb ring, examined it, then pricked her finger and dripped a drop of blood onto it.
Instantly, her Shen Shi (Spiritual Consciousness) established a connection with the thumb ring. A satisfied smile appeared on her face. With a wave of her hand, the circle of Fu Zhuang (Talisman Script) and formation materials all disappeared.
—All had been stored inside the Ling Yu Ban Zhi (Spiritual Jade Thumb Ring).
Having crossed over, how could she not have a Suishen Kongjian (Portable Space)? Since heaven hadn’t provided one, she’d just make one herself!
With the major task completed, Yun Qingqing changed clothes, put on a veil hat, and prepared to go out to check on the progress of Yun Zhiping’s embezzled assets.
After only a few steps, she saw Qiao’er, fuming with anger, confronting the steward:
“What do you mean there’s no one available? Usually there are so many servants idling around, but when we actually need them, they all disappear! I think you’re doing this on purpose!”
The steward replied with a forced smile:
“Miss Qiao’er, what are you talking about? The courtyard on South Street is old and in need of repair, so all the able-bodied laborers in the mansion have gone there to fix it up. Isn’t that perfectly normal?”
“What’s going on?” Yun Qingqing walked over and asked.