"Xiao Man, Xiao Man," Nangong Yu called out anxiously, her name on his lips.
In the latter half of the night, Xiao Man's expression turned pained, and she struggled incessantly, her fever spiking. Ye Qing's medicine offered no relief. Nangong Yu could only call Xiao Man's name repeatedly, praying she would pull through.
As dawn approached, though only a single night had passed, Nangong Yu felt it had been exceptionally long. He looked haggard, his hand clasped around Xiao Man's, never letting go. Suddenly, the jade pendant in his palm moved. Nangong Yu's spirit surged, and he leaned in close.
"Xiao Man, are you awake?"
Her long eyelashes fluttered, and she struggled to open her eyes. Xiao Man vaguely saw a figure and instinctively whispered, "Your Highness..."
Nangong Yu's body stiffened. He was clearly dressed as the Pavilion Master of Tianji Pavilion, yet Xiao Man called him Your Highness. Had she seen through his identity?
However, he was not worried about his identity being exposed now. He was far more concerned about Xiao Man's health.
"How do you feel? Are you any better?"
"Your Highness, I apologize."
Nangong Yu, holding Xiao Man's hand, was overcome with joy and tears. "It's good that you're alright. It's good that you're alright. It was my fault. I shouldn't have left you alone. I'm sorry."
"The General's Manor..."
"I've sent word to the maids you had. They know what to do. Don't worry."
Xiao Man weakly closed her eyes and fell asleep again. Nangong Yu panicked. "Xiao Man, what's wrong? Ye Qing!"
After taking Xiao Man's pulse, Ye Qing breathed a sigh of relief. "Don't worry, she's passed the critical stage. She suffered severe injuries, so she needs to rest well. Be at ease."
Nangong Yu relaxed, his body slumping. However, after a moment, his expression turned grim again. "Jiu Yu Lou."
"We're already investigating. We found out that the one who placed the bounty on Xiao Man's life is someone from the General's Manor." Ye Qing looked at Xiao Man with complicated emotions. Even though she was favored by Xiao Zhen, without Xiao Zhen in the manor, Xiao Man was isolated and without support.
"Who?"
"The secondary wife, Madam Yan."
A sinister smile curved Nangong Yu's lips. "A good General's Manor, a good Madam Yan. Do they really think that no one can deal with them in Xiao Zhen's absence?"
"What do you intend to do?"
"Xiao Man is soft-hearted and unwilling to strike ruthlessly. This King will lend her a hand." Nangong Yu reached out and tucked a stray strand of Xiao Man's hair behind her ear. "Everyone who has hurt you will pay a heavy price."
"Xiao Man, what do you plan to do? Keep her here to recover?" Ye Qing disagreed slightly. After all, Tianji Pavilion was not a good place for recovery. Once Xiao Man woke up and knew she was in Tianji Pavilion, she would suspect Prince Qin's intentions were ill-advised.
"Go to Leling Mountain Villa."
Leling Mountain Villa was located on Luoshen Mountain, on the outskirts of the imperial city.
Luoshen Mountain was private property, and Leling Mountain Villa was even more mysterious. No one knew who its owner was, only that it was a paradise on earth. However, Luoshen Mountain was filled with formations and traps. Those who were not invited could not ascend the mountain at will, or they would risk their lives.
Xiao Man did not know how long she had slept. When she woke, her eyes fell upon a completely unfamiliar environment.
Just as she was about to get up to investigate, she pulled on her wound and cried out in pain, falling back onto the bed.
At this moment, a maidservant hurried in. Seeing Xiao Man awake, her face lit up with joy. "Miss, you're finally awake! Young Master, Miss is awake."
Young Master? Which young master?
She clearly remembered seeing His Highness Prince Qin before she fainted. Where was she now?
As the maidservant's voice fell, hurried footsteps approached from outside. A moon-white robe fluttered like a celestial being, highlighting a face as stunning as a banished immortal. It was none other than Prince Qin.
"Your Highness Prince Qin."
Nangong Yu sat by the bed, helping Xiao Man to sit up. "You're finally awake. You slept for five days."
Xiao Man looked at Nangong Yu, feeling that the Nangong Yu before her was somewhat unreal. She couldn't help but reach out to touch his face. Nangong Yu was startled by Xiao Man's sudden action but did not move, letting her caress his face.
"It really is His Highness Prince Qin."
"What, does someone dare to impersonate this King?" Nangong Yu's voice softened, his usual coldness receding. Even his ordinarily indifferent face showed a hint of a smile.
"I just think that Your Highness Prince Qin looks very handsome when he smiles," Xiao Man said softly.
Nangong Yu chuckled at her words. "You must be hungry after sleeping for so many days. Someone, bring the food that's been warming in the kitchen."
The maidservant complied and left. Moments later, she returned with the food, placing it on the small table by the bed. Nangong Yu picked up a pillow, placed it behind Xiao Man to support her, picked up a bowl of porridge from the table, scooped a spoonful, carefully blew on it to cool it, and brought it to Xiao Man's lips.
Xiao Man was somewhat taken aback. When had His Highness Prince Qin become so gentle? Although his gentleness made her feel a chill down her spine, she subconsciously opened her mouth and swallowed the porridge, her heart filled with suspicion. Was she still dreaming? And why was her dream Prince Qin so gentle?
The bowl of porridge was soon emptied. Xiao Man looked at the still gentle Nangong Yu, thinking she must still be dreaming. But why was she dreaming of Prince Qin Nangong Yu, and why was he so gentle in her fantasy?
Perhaps she found the cold and aloof Prince Qin too terrifying, so she imagined a gentle Prince Qin?
Xiao Man was extremely curious. Driven by an inexplicable impulse, she reached out again and pinched Prince Qin's face. The warm skin, the smooth touch – everything felt so real.
"Am I dreaming?" Xiao Man murmured softly. "How could His Highness Prince Qin be so gentle?"
The smile on Nangong Yu's face grew more tender. "What, can't this King have moments of gentleness?"
Xiao Man abruptly pulled back her hand, her face filled with shock. It was truly Prince Qin, not a dream. To confirm she wasn't dreaming, Xiao Man pinched her thigh hard. Tears welled up in her eyes from the pain. It was really not a dream!
Heaven above, what was she doing? She was actually molesting Prince Qin. Would Prince Qin fly into a rage and chop her up? She had no ability to resist right now.
"Where... where is this?"
"Leling Mountain Villa."
Xiao Man had heard of Leling Mountain Villa but had never been there before. "Did Your Highness save me?"
"Yes," Nangong Yu replied affirmatively. The smile on his face vanished, and he reverted to the cold, indifferent, and high-and-mighty Prince Qin. "Xiao Man, your life was saved by this King. From now on, it no longer belongs to you, but to this King. Without this King's command, you are not allowed to die." Su Dan Novel Network.
Xiao Man looked quietly at Prince Qin's exceptionally handsome face, then smiled. Her smile was radiant. "My life belongs only to myself. Even if His Highness Prince Qin saved me, my life still belongs only to me."