Jiang Xuanjin was infuriated almost to death.
How could such a person exist? Not only did she disregard manners and etiquette, but she also ignored reason! He, a dignified man of seven feet, lying in the arms of a young girl—how absurd! Moreover, he was the appointed Lord Ziyang, respected by all who saw him. Where did this audacity come from?
“Look how hot you are, like a freshly roasted sweet potato,” Huaiyu teased as she held him close, boldly assessing him. “Struggle all you want. A few more struggles and your head will spin even more.”
Jiang Xuanjin’s body stiffened. His gaze was as cold as the winter snowstorm, fixed firmly on her.
The look in his eyes was deadly, but Huaiyu showed no fear, patting him cheekily. “Be good, rest a while. We’re still far from the medicine hall.”
“Are you a fugitive?” he asked coldly.
Huaiyu raised an eyebrow. “Why would you say that?”
“If not a fugitive, how could you be so audacious?” Jiang Xuanjin squinted. “Taking advantage of my weakness and showing such disrespect—have you considered the consequences?”
Huaiyu smirked. “Consequences? They wouldn’t be that severe. After all, you’re renowned for your self-restraint and propriety. Just because I hugged and kissed you, are you going to kill me?”
Everyone knew the Jiang family’s strict upbringing produced gentle and virtuous offspring, adhering strictly to conventions. Jiang Xuanjin was exemplary in this regard, always prioritizing state affairs over personal grievances.
It was precisely because of this reputation that she dared to act so recklessly.
Jiang Xuanjin closed his eyes and lay stiffly in her arms.
She truly understood him well. No wonder she appeared fearless, confident that he would not use force against her.
If it were Princess Danyang, she would have dragged such a person out and beheaded them, right? Villains never feel sorry for themselves; it’s the good people who end up burdened.
With a heavy sigh, Jiang Xuanjin coughed a couple of times. The carriage indeed jostled, and while the horse galloped fast due to imagined worries for him, unexpectedly, the girl’s embrace was steady. As he lay there, his consciousness gradually blurred.
In his daze, Jiang Xuanjin felt the person gently patting him, humming a familiar tune softly and tenderly.
Huaiyu was humming “Spring Banquet,” and as she looked down at him, noticing his lack of response, a fleeting gleam flickered in her eyes.
This might be Jiang Xuanjin’s most vulnerable moment, and also her best opportunity to end him.
She reached out and felt around his body; there were no sharp objects. Searching further, she found no dagger or similar weapon either. Huaiyu furrowed her brow. What should she do? Strangle him? But with the horse galloping outside, Jiang Xuanjin would notice the slightest sound.
Huaiyu regretted deeply. Why didn’t she pick up a knife during the street fight just now? At the very least, a dagger would have sufficed. How could she have walked away without doing so?
Staring at the person in her arms, she felt somewhat unwilling. As she gently patted him, she pondered earnestly if there were any other options available.
Jiang Xuanjin had not slept well for a long time, and this sleep was unusually sound. In his dream, he walked leisurely on thick green grass, seeing in the distance a palace skirt blooming under a tall jujube tree, vibrant in color and dancing in the light and shadow.
When he opened his eyes, he still felt a bit disoriented.
“Awake now?” Someone reached out and waved a hand in front of his eyes by the bedside. “Impressive! The physician said you might sleep until tomorrow.”
Upon hearing the voice, Jiang Xuanjin’s expression darkened again. “Why are you still here?”
Huaiyu looked at him in surprise, then seemed a bit aggrieved. “I was worried about you! I escorted you to the medicine hall, afraid they wouldn’t take good care of you. I’ve been anxiously waiting here. And now that you’re awake, you’re blaming me!”
Pausing briefly, Jiang Xuanjin glanced around the room.
It seemed to be a chamber in the medicine hall. Outside, the sky had darkened, and lamps were lit inside the room. The girl sat beside his bed, while Cheng Xu stood quietly in the distance.
Rubbing his brow, he got up from the bed. “Give me the prescription. I’m going back to the residence.”
“Why are you in such a rush!” Huaiyu pushed him back down with a clawed hand. “The medicine brewed here at Jishi Hall is much better than what’s brewed at your residence! The old physician said your illness came on strong. It’s best to stay here a couple more days for proper recuperation. If you go back now, won’t your residence turn into chaos?”
More importantly, how could Jiang Xuanjin’s family allow her to make a move here? The duck that’s almost in their mouths definitely can’t fly away!
Her sincere expression puzzled Jiang Xuanjin deeply.
Could this person… genuinely have his best interests at heart?
“Master, I’ve already sent someone back to inform them,” Cheng Xu finally spoke from the side. “I believe you wouldn’t want the Old Master to worry, so I mentioned you’ll be busy at the palace for a few more days.”
With Cheng Xu’s confirmation, Jiang Xuanjin fell silent for a while and finally obediently lay back down.
But…
Even with his eyes closed, he couldn’t ignore the burning gaze beside him. He frowned slightly. “Why are you staring at me?”
Li Huaiyu propped her chin on her hand, smiling mischievously as she looked at him. “Because you look good.”
Nonsense. How could a sick person look good? Jiang Xuanjin furrowed his brow.
“Don’t give me that skeptical look,” Huaiyu said. “I don’t lie.”
At this statement, Jiang Xuanjin couldn’t help but chuckle in exasperation.
She doesn’t lie? From the moment they met until now, she hadn’t spoken a single truth! If she doesn’t lie, then there are no liars left in the whole world!
“Oh, you finally smiled!” Huaiyu clapped her hands joyfully. “You look even better when you smile! I just love seeing you smile!”
Especially when he laughed out of exasperation, Jiang Xuanjin found it particularly relieving. He closed his eyes with a stern face.
Huaiyu watched him amusedly for a while, then got up and walked over to Cheng Xu, extending her hand to him.
“What is it?” Cheng Xu looked puzzled.
“The prescription. Didn’t the physician say it needs to be brewed again before the end of the Dog hour? Give me the prescription, I’ll find the medicine boy,” Huaiyu said.
“Well…” Cheng Xu shook his head. “I’ll go myself.”
Huaiyu widened her eyes. “What? Afraid I’ll poison him?”
“Not at all, but anything Master consumes should be overseen by me,” Cheng Xu replied firmly.
Annoyed, Huaiyu placed her hands on her hips. “So, you’re afraid he’ll be poisoned? I can oversee it just fine. Besides, if I wanted to harm him, having you leave wouldn’t change anything, would it? It’s just you here. If you go brew the medicine, I’ll still be left to watch over him.”
Cheng Xu stood there dumbfounded, pondering her words and finding them oddly reasonable!
“Then…” Cheng Xu took out the prescription.
Huaiyu snatched it from him and squeezed it in her hand, waving it at him before walking out.
Jiang Xuanjin on the bed opened his eyes.
“Master?” Cheng Xu asked nervously. “Shouldn’t I go with her to see what she’s up to?”
“No need,” Jiang Xuanjin coughed lightly. “I want to see for myself what she’s planning.”
Cheng Xu scratched his head and whispered, “I find this girl straightforward. She doesn’t seem like she wants to harm you. From what she said…”
“You believe her words too?” Jiang Xuanjin frowned. “After all these years by my side, you still fall for such sweet talk?”
Cheng Xu paused, not daring to say another word.
Jiang Xuanjin brooded for a moment with a dark expression, then muttered quietly, “Can’t trust anyone. Anyone who trusts is a fool.”