Xuan Yuan Beichen did not understand what she meant by "this lifetime." He wondered if there was some other entanglement between them that he was unaware of. Why did he have no memory of it?
Hearing her voice growing increasingly choked with sobs as she murmured her apologies, Xuan Yuan Beichen leaned close to her ear, gently patting her back and softly comforting her.
"It's alright, I forgive you this time, but don't let it happen again! Be good, get some sleep. When you wake up, everything will be fine."
After a long while, Mu Anran finally fell into a deep sleep.
Only when she was sound asleep did Xuan Yuan Beichen close his eyes, holding her in his arms.
The night passed, and when Xuan Yuan Beichen awoke, he saw that Mu Anran was still sleeping.
Having held her all night, his arm had gone numb. Gently supporting her head with his right hand, he freed his left arm, which had been pressed numb. Then he sat up, moved to the edge of the bed, tucked her in properly, and finally shifted to his wheelchair. He wheeled himself to the door and opened it.
"Yan Xue, push me to the next room to wash and change. Yan Yu, you stay and guard Taizi Fei. Remember, no one is to disturb her rest."
Upon hearing this, Yan Xue pushed Xuan Yuan Beichen to the adjacent room to wash and change.
Thinking about Mu Anran's turmoil the previous night, Xuan Yuan Beichen realized that there were some things he ultimately could not let go of. Only with sufficient power and influence could he protect her properly.
"Shen Zhi, go summon people to Taizi Fu for a meeting. Also, have the steward go to the palace. Tell them that my old ailment has flared up, and Taizi Fei took care of me all night, so neither of us can enter the palace today to express our gratitude. Please ask Grandmother, Father Emperor, and Mother Empress for their understanding."
Upon hearing this, Shen Zhi cupped his hands in silence and withdrew.
When Mu Anran woke up, it was already noon. Her mind felt chaotic. Sitting up, she rubbed her temples, remembering only that at the beginning of the previous night, she had explained to Xuan Yuan Beichen that she would no longer betray him.
Afterward, they had argued, he had kissed her, torn off her clothes, and she had recalled the nightmares of her past life. Beyond that, her memories were hazy.
Pulling back the covers, she glanced down and saw she was wearing only a bellyband. Had she and Xuan Yuan Beichen consummated their marriage last night or not?
Yet she vaguely remembered that her reaction afterward had been particularly intense.
She pinched her temples, trying to recall the events of the previous night for a long time. As she pieced everything together, her heart grew increasingly alarmed. What had she said last night? Good heavens, where was Xuan Yuan Beichen? With the state she was in last night, had she scared him away?
Panicked, Mu Anran got out of bed directly.
But in her haste, she fell to the floor.
Yan Xue, outside the door, heard the commotion and hurried in. "Taizi Fei, are you awake…"
Seeing Mu Anran fallen on the floor, she rushed forward to help her up. "Taizi Fei, what happened?"
Mu Anran anxiously grabbed her hand. "Where is Xuan Yuan Beichen? Where did he go?"
Yan Xue helped her sit on the bed. "The Crown Prince is in the study. Taizi Fei, don't worry. If you wish to see him, I can have Yan Yu go and call him."
Mu Anran stood up urgently. "I need to see him!"
Yan Xue quickly stopped her. "Taizi Fei, even if you want to see the Crown Prince, you cannot go like this. Let me help you change your clothes first, alright?"
Only then did Mu Anran realize that if she went out in this state and others saw her, she truly wouldn't be able to face anyone.
Yan Xue swiftly brought over a dress and helped her put it on.
As soon as the dress was on, Mu Anran rushed out, heading toward the study from memory.
Yan Xue hurriedly grabbed her shoes and chased after her, "Taizi Fei, wait, you haven't put on your shoes!"
Mu Anran ran all the way, ignoring even the pain of stepping on the stones. All she knew was that she had to see Xuan Yuan Beichen. She had finally been reborn and couldn't live without him!
Xuan Yuan Beichen was in his study discussing matters with several trusted ministers when suddenly there was a commotion outside.
"I want to see Xuan Yuan Beichen, move aside…"
"Taizi Fei, the Crown Prince has ordered that no one is allowed to enter. Please don't make this difficult…"
"Move aside…"
The door was suddenly pushed open, and Mu Anran rushed in with her hair disheveled!
The two guards at the door entered and clasped their fists in apology, "Please forgive us, Crown Prince. We couldn't stop Taizi Fei…"
What a joke—it had already spread throughout the mansion that the Crown Prince had spent the entire night comforting Taizi Fei. If they injured her while trying to stop her, how many lives would they have to pay for it?
Mu Anran saw several people in plain clothes sitting in the study, but their demeanor was anything but ordinary. One of them seemed to be the Minister of War—she thought she had seen him once before…
She seemed to have seen something she shouldn't have…
Her heart grew even more panicked. "Xuan Yuan Beichen, I woke up and didn't see you. I…"
Xuan Yuan Beichen noticed her bare feet on the ground, slightly dirty.
"That's all for today! You may leave for now. If there's anything needed, I will have Shen Zhi notify you."
One of them looked at Mu Anran with a hint of murderous intent in his eyes. "Crown Prince, some people might need to be dealt with…"
Xuan Yuan Beichen gave him a warning glance. "She is my wife. Whoever dares to harm her will not only lose their life but the lives of their entire clan."
Upon hearing this, the others had no choice but to bow and withdraw.
Yan Xue, who had caught up, stood there holding a pair of shoes, unsure of what to do.
Xuan Yuan Beichen wheeled his chair over to Mu Anran and pulled her into his embrace.
"Why did you run out barefoot? How did Yan Yu and Yan Xue serve you?"
Mu Anran lowered her head, not daring to meet his gaze, and whispered, "I woke up and didn't see you. I thought you didn't want me anymore. Did I say something I shouldn't have last night? Do you despise me now?"
Xuan Yuan Beichen gently held her shoulders.
"No, I will never despise you, nor will I ever abandon you. But you must behave. Don’t run out like this again in the future. The floor is cold—what if you catch a chill?"
Yan Xue silently stepped forward, took out a handkerchief, wiped Mu Anran’s feet clean, and helped her put on her shoes.
In her heart, she wondered, having seen so much she shouldn’t have, would she even live to see tomorrow’s sun?
Mu Anran wrapped her arms around Xuan Yuan Beichen’s neck and leaned against his shoulder. "Xuan Yuan Beichen…"
Xuan Yuan Beichen thought about how she had clung to him all night, calling his name, and his heart softened even more.
"I'm here. You just woke up at this hour. Let’s go have lunch first, alright? Aren’t you hungry?"
Only then did Mu Anran realize it was already noon. Oh no! According to tradition, shouldn’t they be going to the palace today to express their gratitude? She released her hold on Xuan Yuan Beichen’s neck and looked at him pitifully. "Xuan Yuan Beichen, it’s over, it’s over! Aren’t we supposed to go to the palace today to express our gratitude?"
Xuan Yuan Beichen smiled and reassured her, "It’s fine. I’ve already sent someone to the palace to say that my old illness has flared up. We’ll go pay our respects tomorrow."
Upon hearing this, Mu Anran smiled and kissed his cheek, "Xuan Yuan Beichen, you're so wonderful!"