Volume 1 Chapter 3: Accidentally Kissing Him
Facing the Imperial Guards surging forward once more, Steward He knew perfectly well in his heart: this Princess Consort was both wise and brave, far from ordinary. As long as she was present today, the sky would not fall over the Prince’s estate; but if she were taken away, the group would be left leaderless and collapse at the first blow. As a mere steward, he could not hold the line even if he risked his life.
Without a second thought, he waved his hand: “Protect the Prince and Princess Consort!”
The guards also felt as if a new path had opened in a seemingly hopeless situation. With a pillar of support now in place, even without Steward He’s order, they immediately abandoned Gong Jinxing, drew their swords, and blocked the Imperial Guards’ assault.
At this life-or-death moment, Hua Xieyi, lying inside the coffin, appeared calm and composed on the surface, yet inwardly she was equally frantic.
She pinched his philtrum and pressed on his chest, but Gong Jinxing still showed no signs of waking. Here she was, trembling with fear and having narrowly escaped death, while the very culprit who had dragged her into this mess slept peacefully and without a care.
At this thought, a surge of malice rose within her. She lifted her leg and straddled Gong Jinxing, one hand gripping his collar while the other raised high, aiming a slap straight at his face.
Why not hit him? If it woke him up, it would save their lives; if not, at least it would vent her anger.
Slap!
A solid slap—not too forceful, but the sensation was satisfying. Hua Xieyi decided to give one more for free, raising her hand for a backhand strike.
Her wrist was caught, icy cold without a trace of warmth.
Gong Jinxing, whose eyes had been tightly shut, suddenly opened them. They were clear, deep, and chilling, blending the ferocity and wildness of a wolf king on a frigid grassland night—captivating yet terrifying to behold.
For a moment, Hua Xieyi found herself locked in that piercing gaze, forgetting to withdraw her hand.
The eyes are where one’s spirit gathers. This man, poisoned by the Western Region Demon Lotus and at the end of his strength, still possessed such formidable intimidation and pressure—he was absolutely not to be underestimated.
Facing Hua Xieyi’s utterly disheveled face, Gong Jinxing’s pupils contracted: “Daring to strike this Prince—have you grown tired of living?”
His voice was extremely low, betraying weakness, yet it carried a chilling sharpness, as if tempered with ice.
A wise man knows when to retreat. Hua Xieyi forced out an awkward smile.
“The fire is at our eyebrows, an urgent crisis. As a physician, I heal and save lives, though my methods may be… unconventional.”
Gong Jinxing snorted coldly: “Including straddling this Prince?”
Uh…
“Isn’t it just because the coffin is too cramped?”
Hua Xieyi scrambled to get up, but unexpectedly, Gong Jinxing simultaneously released her wrist, causing her to lose balance and lurch forward.
Then, then…
The sudden human projectile nearly knocked the newly awakened Gong Jinxing unconscious again. He sucked in a sharp breath and squeezed out a single word through gritted teeth.
“Get off!”
Hua Xieyi’s heart also pounded wildly. She didn’t know what her mouth had bumped into, but her nose certainly hurt—so much that she couldn’t open her eyes, the pain bringing tears.
Just after transmigrating, and it’s already this intense! Not only did she throw herself into his arms, but she also forcefully kissed the current Prince Regent! If her heart were even slightly weaker, the repeated shocks today would have been enough to end her life.
Fortunately, everyone was busy fighting and didn’t witness her disgraceful state, or her reputation would have been ruined.
Grimacing in pain, Hua Xieyi scrambled to climb out. She didn’t even care if her hands grabbed something they shouldn’t or if her toes kicked where they shouldn’t.
Hearing the man beneath her grit his teeth so hard they seemed about to crack, he surely wished he could rip off her cranium and kick it like a ball.
Even with swords and blades flashing outside, it was still better than staying here, where her life was at risk.
Perched atop the coffin, she turned her face and realized through tear-blurred eyes that she had celebrated her luck too soon. Steward He was gripping the coffin’s edge, watching the spectacle with wide eyes, glancing from her to Gong Jinxing, his thin mustache twitching at the corners.
Then, belatedly, he let out a startled cry: "The Prince has awakened!"
The clashing of swords and spears abruptly ceased.
From inside the coffin, Gong Jinxing gave two light coughs—whether from anger or not was unclear.
"He’s awake! The Prince is truly awake!"
The crowd instantly erupted in excitement.
Many, both shocked and overjoyed, felt the weight lift from their hearts and knelt in unison.
Hua Xieyi, still straddling the coffin, was momentarily unaccustomed to such reverence, feeling almost undeserving and fearing it might shorten her lifespan. With a light leap, she gracefully descended.
The guards sheathed their weapons and leaned in to assist Gong Jinxing.
Steward He discreetly handed Gong Jinxing a clean white handkerchief, winking meaningfully.
Hua Xieyi turned her head, and her face flushed crimson with embarrassment.
On Gong Jinxing’s pale face, his left cheek bore a rosy imprint of five fingers, while the right cheek was marked distinctly with a rouge lip print.
Both were her own handiwork from moments earlier—one from her hand, the other from her lips.
Several guards struggled to suppress their laughter, their faces turning as red as boiled shrimp.
Yet, Gong Jinxing failed to grasp Steward He’s well-intentioned hint. He accepted the handkerchief only to brush off a few wood shavings from his chest, then stood composedly before the crowd, maintaining an air of solemn dignity.
The guests who had risen to their feet, along with Xie Lingyu, wore subtle, complex expressions. Xie Lingyu shot a fiery glare at Hua Xieyi, as if wishing to strip the skin from her body.
Hua Xieyi quietly shrank back, her head lowered in profound shame—this was humiliation of the highest order.
Gong Jinxing, completely unaware, mistook her retreat for timidity. He extended a slender, jade-like hand and unexpectedly grasped hers, stepping forward to shield her behind him.
"My wife is timid. I hope Her Majesty the Empress Dowager does not frighten her."
Timid? Who was it moments ago who pointed at the Empress Dowager with insolence and calmly stirred up trouble among the civil and military officials?
Moreover, this protective stance and the doting tone in his words—was this still the Prince Regent known for his indifference to women?
Xie Lingyu sneered, "Frighten her? This daughter of the General’s Mansion not only attempted to harm you but also dared to defy her superiors. Her audacity knows no bounds. I intend to detain her in the Dali Temple for rigorous interrogation."
Hiding behind Gong Jinxing, Hua Xieyi guiltily tried to free her wrist, only to find his grip tighten even more, almost painfully so.
The man before her wore a black robe embroidered with golden thread and a qilin serpent pattern. His back was not broad—in fact, it seemed somewhat frail from illness—yet his spine stood straight and resolute, steady as a mountain.
His hand was bony, his fingertips icy cold, like frozen ice. Hua Xieyi understood this was a symptom of the Western Region Demon Lotus’s Cold Poison, which made the body feel as if trapped in an ice cavern.
It seemed he was at the end of his strength, barely holding on. Especially the faint trembling of his fingertips hidden in his sleeve, clutching Hua Xieyi’s hand as if desperately seeking a sliver of warmth from her palm.
Hua Xieyi obediently stopped struggling. Since escape was impossible, she resigned herself to fate. With a better attitude of repentance, she hoped he wouldn’t abandon her after crossing the river.
Gong Jinxing spoke softly, "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager misunderstands. My princess and I share a bond stronger than gold. She was willing to sacrifice herself and join me in the afterlife. How could she possibly poison me?"
Xie Lingyu's gaze swept over their clasped hands, a faint flicker of fire dancing in his eyes.
"In the bridal chamber, there were no others. So why did the Prince Regent suddenly faint?"
"A sudden illness," Gong Jinxing replied without hesitation, his tone indifferent. "With a delicate wife by my side, I couldn't restrain my emotions."
A wave of hushed whispers swept through the crowd. Everyone turned their meaningful gazes toward Hua Xieyi's tragically disfigured paper-like face.