She knew Bai Ling’s character well; like the current Crown Prince, he was gentle, cultivated, and had a soft spot for women.
In modern terms, wasn’t he just like a central air conditioner?
He treated every girl with equal care and was very gentlemanly.
Sun Ningning didn’t dislike this type of person.
But she would never be like the young ladies of ancient times, sweetly thinking the other party liked her, getting all flustered and hearts aflutter.
She quickly walked up to Bai Ze and saw that his arm was tightly bandaged, the bleeding had stopped.
Immediately, she looked at him with her sparkling eyes.
“Cousin, Ningning is heading back now!”
Without the cover of makeup, her face was now deathly pale.
Her body looked as fragile as a flower stem about to snap.
The System had been frantically beeping in her mind:
【Host, if you delay any longer, you’re going to faint right in front of Bai Ze.】
Sun Ningning: 【No, no, I have to leave quickly. Otherwise, he’ll think I’m deliberately trying to take advantage of him or something.】
Hearing Sun Ningning’s sweet farewell, her tone somewhat urgent, Bai Ze watched her without speaking.
His gaze lingered on her shoulder, her tightly bitten lower lip, her sweaty forehead, the tip of her nose…
Bai Ze felt a sharp pang in his chest, his expression darkening.
Sun Ningning sensed her strength rapidly draining away, lamenting how weak the original host’s body was.
She turned and bowed to Bai Ling:
“Thank you, Third Highness, for your protection earlier. This humble girl must return now; my maid must be worried.”
Hearing the distinction between “Cousin” and “Third Highness,” a flicker of discomfort crossed Bai Ling’s heart.
Still, he sincerely said, “Second Young Lady, take care. Go back quickly and tend to your wound.”
Sun Ningning bowed gracefully like a proper lady.
Turning back, she flashed a smiling face at Bai Ze, soft and harmless with a hint of flirtation.
“Cousin, see you next time.”
Her departure was swift. Bai Ling had already withdrawn his gaze, lifting his teacup for a sip.
But Bai Ze’s eyes remained fixed on the girl’s retreating figure until it disappeared around the corner.
Her steps so unsteady—was she that badly injured?
Bai Ze’s mind flashed to the image of Sun Ningning turning without hesitation, tightly embracing him to block the knife.
And her apology for dirtying his clothes…
“Tch”
He turned away impatiently.
“Third Brother, make yourself at home.”
Without even glancing at his brother’s reaction, Bai Ze strode out the door.
Ling Shuang and Feiyun bid farewell to Bai Ling and hurried after him.
Bai Ling chuckled softly, holding his teacup and watching the floating tea leaves, sighing deeply in his heart.
He muttered to himself, “What exactly does Second Brother want to do…”
“Does Second Brother want to bring down the Crown Prince, or does he want to…”
“This Prince should go to his fiefdom sooner. When the weather changes, it won’t involve a leisurely prince like me. Heh, people should know when to be content.”
…
Sun Ningning’s footsteps quickened as she left.
Clutching her shoulder, as she reached the first floor, the scene before her began to spin.
She squeezed her eyes shut and reopened them, shaking her head.
Leaning on the wooden railing with one hand, she slowly approached the room where Xiaoyue was still sleeping.
Not far away
Bai Ze descended gracefully from the fourth floor, his steps silent on the wooden deck.
He intended to coldly call out to Sun Ningning, but then he saw her weakly shuffling along the railing.
That strange feeling surged in Bai Ze’s heart again.
After following Sun Ningning for a few steps, he saw her swaying, about to collapse from weakness.
In an instant, Bai Ze’s steps quickened, swift as a passing breeze.
Sun Ningning was listening to the System shouting in her mind:
【Host, you’re suffering this injury in someone else’s place. There’s nothing I can do to help you. Just endure a little longer.】
【Beep beep beep, danger! Detection shows the Host is experiencing hypoglycemia symptoms. Accompanied by moderate anemia… Host, quickly find something to eat!】
Sun Ningning had occasionally experienced hypoglycemia in modern times.
Pale complexion, heart palpitations with sweating, trembling hands, and dizziness.
Combined with her current unhealed injury and excessive blood loss from before, she now felt the symptoms had intensified to the point of nearly fainting.
When she finally couldn’t hold on any longer and collapsed weakly,
Sun Ningning never expected to fall into an embrace that carried the scent of incense mixed with faint blood.
Her mind could no longer form coherent thoughts, everything was hazy.
Her delicate, pale little hands trembled uncontrollably, cold sweat continuously beaded on her forehead, and she bit her lip tightly trying to stay conscious.
In her dazed state, she heard Xiao Ze’s voice.
Though it carried its usual coolness, this time she detected a hint of human warmth.
“Sun Ningning!”
“Ling Shuang, summon the physician. Feiyun, go to the kitchen and bring some blood-nourishing food.”
“Yes, Master”
Before losing consciousness, Sun Ningning felt herself being lifted horizontally into someone’s arms.