For a moment, Cheng Xu almost didn’t recognize him.
It was well known that Lu Jingxing, though reviled by the world for his association with Eldest Princessyang, was blessed with a handsome appearance. To put it crudely, he was “charming and handsome,” or in more refined terms, “possessed an air of elegance and grace, like a phoenix comb not returned, slumbering in the moonlit hall.” In short, with just a glance, one could see a thousand charms and myriad sentiments gathered in the corners of his eyes.
But the man standing before Cheng Xu now lacked even the most basic semblance of humanity, let alone charm.
“Answer me!” Lu Jingxing grew impatient at Cheng Xu’s silence, his brow furrowing.
Cheng Xu snapped out of his daze and quickly bowed. “Miss Bai is currently with our master at the Bai Mansion.”
…With Jiang Xuanjin? Lu Jingxing’s pupils constricted, his lips turning pale. He stared at Cheng Xu for a moment, then staggered a few steps and stepped out of the gate.
“Master Lu!” Cheng Xu hurriedly called out, “If you could spare a miraculous medicine for our master, who is seriously ill…”
With a flip of his hand, Lu Jingxing placed a small red wooden box in front of Cheng Xu. “Take me to see her. You may also give this to your master.”
Cheng Xu was overjoyed and thanked him profusely before saying, “Please follow me.”
In the guest room of the Bai Mansion, Huaiyu sat by Jiang Xuanjin’s bedside, staring blankly at him, while two guards stood behind her, also staring blankly.
Ah the cautiousness of someone of high status was indeed heavy. After finally dismissing Cheng Xu, she found herself still under the watchful eyes of the two guards. Even if she wanted to approach Jiang Xuanjin, the two guards behind her would draw their swords at the slightest movement.
“It’s boring.”
“How’s your face?” Jiang Xuanjin coughed twice and opened his eyes.
“Hmm? Awake?” Huaiyu quickly put on a smiley face, approached, and helped him sit up, then considerately placed a pillow behind his back.
Jiang Xuanjin was running a high fever again, his face flushed, and his ink-stained eyes were cloudy. He looked at her, then around the room, and hoarsely asked, “Where’s Cheng Xu?”
“He’s gone to get you some miraculous medicine,” Huaiyu replied honestly.
Miraculous medicine? Jiang Xuanjin frowned, as if not understanding what that meant. After a moment, he closed his eyes again. “Why are you still here?”
“Me?” Huaiyu chuckled. “You’re running a high fever again. If I’m not here, then where else should I be?”
Slightly annoyed, Jiang Xuanjin said, “Others can take care of me too. You should ChengXu suspicion.”
ChengXu suspicion, ChengXu suspicion, always ChengXu suspicion. Huaiyu shook her head, sighing. “Just consider me as your niece-in-law trying to be filial to her uncle-in-law in advance.”
Jiang Xuanjin’s face darkened, and he gave her a cold glance.
“Ah you’re just so peculiar. When I’m not serious, you’re unhappy. When I am serious, you’re still unhappy?” Huaiyu shrugged. “What exactly do you want from me?”
“Stay away from me,” Jiang Xuanjin said.
Feeling wronged, Huaiyu said, “Do you hate me that much?”
He just snorted coldly, not answering.
Huaiyu sighed, about to pretend to be aggrieved and say a few soft words, when suddenly the door burst open with a loud bang.
Startled, she turned to look, but before she could see who it was, a gust of wind rushed in, and a flash of silver appeared before her. Without a word, she was grabbed around the waist and pulled back several steps.
“Ah!” Li Huaiyu was startled, instinctively elbowing fiercely toward the intruder’s waist.
Little did she know, the intruder was well aware of her moves. Before she could strike, a hand had already intercepted the spot she aimed for. Her elbow hit, only to be caught directly in his grip.
That familiar sensation…
Li Huaiyu’s mind stirred slightly as she looked up. Lu Jingxing’s phoenix-like eyes gleamed with a dazzling light, piercing straight into hers. As their gazes met, his expression softened, and he even let out a low chuckle.
“You troublemaker, truly skilled in causing mischief for centuries,” he whispered lightly by her ear.
Though it sounded like his usual teasing tone, the hand around her waist trembled noticeably, and there was a hint of quiver in his playful intonation.
Li Huaiyu laughed, “Since you’ve recognized me, what’s there to fear?”
The hand around her waist tightened slightly, and Lu Jingxing’s eyes shimmered faintly red. “What else could I fear?”
Of course, he feared… This was one of his dreams.
Dan Yang passed away, despite his best efforts to find a way out for her. He had thought that with time, he would surely encounter her soul in his dreams, but many days had passed without a single dream of her.
Lu Jingxing felt that he wasn’t particularly sentimental, and his relationship with Dan Yang could only be described as casual. Yet, when she was truly gone, he surprisingly found this bustling capital akin to a stifling prison.
He had no intention of granting her request for medicine under pretenses, but upon seeing that letter… The three characters “come see me” in cursive, only Li Huaiyu could write them, and only Lu Jingxing could recognize them.
A person who had already passed away had written these three words to him. Instead of feeling scared, he felt joy. But amidst his joy, he also felt fear. What if someone suddenly woke him up and realized it was all a dream? What if Dan Yang’s soul had truly departed?
As he was about to say something, a surge of killing intent suddenly rushed towards him from behind.
“Watch out!” Li Huaiyu pushed him away in one swift motion.
Though the Chengxu Sword remained sheathed, the force of the push was considerable, accompanied by a sharp sound of air being torn apart, separating the two of them.
“What are you doing?” Lu Jingxing asked with a hint of anger.
Chengxu didn’t respond, only casting a cautious glance towards the direction of the bed.
Li Huaiyu was momentarily stunned, realizing there were others in the room, and cursed inwardly. She quickly looked towards Jiang Xuanjin’s direction.
Jiang Xuanjin leaned against the headboard, expressionless, watching them with eyes deChengxu of emotion.
“Haha, Manager Lu’s visit was quite sudden. You forgot to pay respects to His Highness,” Huaiyu chuckled nervously, giving Lu Jingxing a nudge.
Lu Jingxing shot her a look, then turned his gaze to Jiang Xuanjin, his expression less friendly now. “Indeed, I overlooked it. Our esteemed Lord Ziyang, known for his omnipresence, how did you end up in this Bai Mansion guest room looking like this?”
Jiang Xuanjin didn’t answer but instead countered, “What brings you here?”
“What else could it be? I’m here to deliver medicine to His Highness, so our loyal and patriotic Lord Ziyang can recover soon and continue to eradicate evil,” Lu Jingxing said, half-jokingly, as he handed the small box containing the elixir to Void.
Chengxu accepted it, looking a bit hesitant.
According to protocol, anything intended for His Highness’s consumption had to be inspected. But the medicine pill was no larger than his thumb; he couldn’t exactly break it in half and taste it first, could he?
“What are you thinking? Finally, the medicine is here, and you’re not going to let your master have it?” Huaiyu raised an eyebrow, snatching the box from him and walking towards the bed.
Jiang Xuanjin spoke coldly, “I don’t need it.”
“Why not? Just look at your complexion! Even a dead duck wouldn’t be as stubborn as you. Hurry up and take it. Here, have some tea,” Huaiyu exclaimed in disbelief, opening the box and holding the pill between her fingertips, offering it to his lips.