"Miss, you're finally awake. If you hadn't woken up, I truly wouldn't have seen you again," a maidservant exclaimed.
Jiang Yu Li looked at Xiao Huan, who was beaming with relief, and asked, "What... what happened to me?" Her voice came out hoarse.
"Miss, you fell ill after being out in the rain and lost consciousness. It was only with great difficulty that you finally woke up," Xiao Huan explained.
Jiang Yu Li nodded, attempting to sit up, but found herself completely drained of strength. Xiao Huan rushed to help her, saying, "Miss, please be careful."
"I'm fine. You've been on watch all night; go and rest," Jiang Yu Li replied, shaking her head.
"Miss, your maidservant is not tired!" Xiao Huan quickly denied, shaking her head.
"Nonsense! How can you not be tired after staying up all night? Go and rest, or I'll get angry," Jiang Yu Li said, feigning anger.
Suddenly, Xiao Huan knelt on the ground with a thud, begging, "Miss, please, just let your maidservant serve you here. Please, do not send me away."
Jiang Yu Li was taken aback. She had meant it as kindness, so why did Xiao Huan seem so afraid? She couldn't help but ask, "Xiao Huan, tell me, what exactly happened?"
At first, Xiao Huan was hesitant to speak. It was only after some coaxing and persuasion that she finally opened up.
Upon hearing that the servants in her courtyard had been beaten by the King of Bei Jiang because she had fainted, Jiang Yu Li felt an overwhelming sense of guilt. She hadn't expected to implicate others. However, she couldn't confront the King of Bei Jiang, as he was, in his own way, worried about her.
"Xiao Huan, go to my private treasury and take some silver. Distribute it among the people in the courtyard. If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have fallen ill," Jiang Yu Li said, her heart filled with remorse.
"Miss, please, please don't think that way. It's my fault for being negligent; how could I have let you get caught in the rain? Your illness is my responsibility," Xiao Huan quickly replied.
Jiang Yu Li shook her head. "Back home, I was always so mischievous. I fell ill from the rain countless times, and my parents would always scold me. I've gotten through it all these years. But after coming here, I realized that when the master makes a mistake, it's the servants who are punished. It won't happen again."
Xiao Huan was stunned. "Miss, you..."
"I'm fine now. Help me get dressed and ready," she said, fearing that the King of Bei Jiang would vent his anger on Young Master Yan because of her getting sick from the rain.
After getting dressed and ready, she hurried to the front courtyard. As expected, she heard the King of Bei Jiang's men say that he had invited Young Master Yan to the manor early that morning.
Jiang Yu Li felt a pang of anxiety. She wanted to go in, but after what happened yesterday, she felt too ashamed to face Young Master Yan.
In the study, the King of Bei Jiang regarded Yan Jin Chao with a stern and cold gaze, his voice chilling. "Yesterday, Yu Li returned after being out in the rain and is now bedridden due to illness. Young Master Yan, how do you propose we handle this matter?"
Yan Jin Chao looked up at the King of Bei Jiang and said indifferently, "Your Highness, instead of asking me, why not find a physician for Miss Jiang?"
"Presumptuous..." the King of Bei Jiang said coldly.
Yan Jin Chao's expression remained unchanged, his demeanor cool. "I am merely a commoner, not a physician. Your Highness has approached the wrong person."
"Young Master Yan, do you not know that Yu Li harbors feelings for you?" the King of Bei Jiang asked, his gaze sharp.
"Your Highness, I have no romantic feelings for Miss Jiang. I ask that you refrain from speaking in such a manner in the future," Yan Jin Chao replied calmly, his expression unusually placid, as if he were not speaking to royalty.
The King of Bei Jiang was momentarily taken aback. This person before him, even after losing all his memories, possessed an innate dignity that made him neither subservient nor inferior. Even when speaking to him, there was no trace of humility. It was as if he possessed a natural nobility, a damned inherent refinement that left the King of Bei Jiang feeling unsettled. How long had it taken him to cultivate the bearing of a King? Why did Yan Jin Chao possess it so effortlessly, even with his memories gone? The inherent nobility remained in his bones.
"Young Master Yan, based on what you've just said, I can ensure you never leave the King of Bei Jiang's manor," the King of Bei Jiang stated coldly.
"I am aware of that, but Your Highness, a forcefully plucked melon is not sweet; you know this," Yan Jin Chao replied.
The King of Bei Jiang scoffed. "I do not know that. I only know that Yu Li is madly in love with you."
Yan Jin Chao's expression grew even cooler. "Your Highness, allow me to reiterate: I have absolutely no romantic feelings for Miss Jiang. I implore you not to use such matters to discuss going forward."
"Yan Jin Chao..." the King of Bei Jiang roared. "Don't think I won't dare to do anything to you!"
"Your Highness reigns over everything in Bei Jiang City, and your words are always heeded. However, I do not like her, and that is that."
"What if I told you that your path to survival is to fall in love with Yu Li?" the King of Bei Jiang looked at him coldly, a hint of malevolence flashing in his eyes.
"Your Highness can control a person's life and death, but you cannot control my feelings. I also do not wish to delay Jiang Yu Li's life and let her precious years slip away. Is this what Your Highness desires to see?"
"Do you believe I will kill you?" The King of Bei Jiang was truly enraged. He drew his sword and held it against Yan Jin Chao's neck, as if a single movement could slit his throat.
"I do, but Your Highness cannot threaten me," Yan Jin Chao said calmly.
The King of Bei Jiang laughed in his fury. "Now I am curious, what else could possibly make you anxious?"
"Your Highness, if you wish to see me anxious, I have not encountered such a situation yet."
The King of Bei Jiang snorted. "I find no pleasure in slaughter, but I believe that earnest effort can move mountains. Yu Li's resilience is unmatched. One day, you will be moved by her persistence."
Yan Jin Chao remained silent. If liking someone could be changed by being moved, there would not be so many heartbroken lovers throughout history.
Outside the door, Jiang Yu Li let out a sigh of relief. She had genuinely feared that the King would punish Young Master Yan for a disagreement. The household had already been punished because of her, and she felt guilty enough. If Young Master Yan were also punished because she fell ill from the rain, she would be devastated.
The door suddenly opened without warning. Jiang Yu Li froze. She saw a pair of cloud boots stepping out, embroidered with bamboo leaves. She instinctively looked up and met a pair of dark eyes, which, unlike before, held a chilling depth. It was like a deep autumn night, causing one to shiver.
"Young Master Yan," she said, bowing.
"Miss Jiang," Yan Jin Chao replied faintly.
"Yu Li, it's good that you're here. Come in," the King of Bei Jiang called from inside.
Jiang Yu Li bowed. "Young Master Yan, I'll be going in."
Yan Jin Chao nodded and walked away. A faint, fresh scent drifted in the wind. She paused, realizing she had never noticed it before. This time, she was very close to him, and she could smell it.
"Yu Li, what are you doing? You just recovered and you're standing outside in the cold? Aren't you coming in?"