Offered As A Lucky Bride To The Mad Princess To Ward Off Misfortune - Chapter 29

29: Like a Seed Breaking Through Ice, Sprouting…

The water rushed fiercely, but fortunately, their luck held—they didn’t crash into the rocks beneath the waterfall.

Yu Nanqing utterly despised water. Having nearly drowned upon her rebirth, and now plunging into the depths beneath this steep cliff, she was practically pushed to shore by Xiao Qiling and the current.

“Cough, cough—”

As soon as they reached the bank, Yu Nanqing coughed violently, water spilling from her lungs. Her soaked clothes clung heavily to her body, making it hard to breathe.

Behind her, half of Xiao Qiling’s body remained submerged in the water. The wound on her shoulder blade had bled profusely, staining her dark robe red and tingeing the surrounding water with faint traces of bl00d.

Yu Nanqing had been the one riding in front of the horse. When she saw the assassin’s arrow aimed at her, she had no intention of dodging. She couldn’t be of much help, but she refused to be a burden to Xiao Qiling.

So why had Xiao Qiling pushed her out of the way?

In that moment, Yu Nanqing’s mind went blank, and she didn’t even know where to begin to help Xiao Qiling.

“Your Highness isn’t dead yet.”

Xiao Qiling’s voice snapped Yu Nanqing back to reality. “I…”

Seeing Yu Nanqing’s dazed, almost soulless expression, Xiao Qiling considered her age and sighed helplessly. “I’m out of strength. Pull me up.”

Yu Nanqing nodded hurriedly. She hesitated for a moment, unsure how to handle Xiao Qiling’s injured arm, then jumped back into the water and supported Xiao Qiling’s waist, helping her onto the shore.

“And… and then?”

“Then, don’t cry.” Xiao Qiling said, chuckling softly as she watched Yu Nanqing, who seemed too afraid to even touch her properly.

“I’m not…” Yu Nanqing touched her face, only to realize warm tears were streaming down her cheeks.

“You’re so afraid of water. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have let you come along this morning.” Xiao Qiling said, raising her hand to wipe Yu Nanqing’s face. But as she lifted her arm, a tingling numbness spread through her left arm.

The dark robe concealed the true color of the bloodstains.

The arrow had been poisoned.

The faint smile on Xiao Qiling’s face faded. She could feel the poison spreading through her veins—not quickly, but after the fall into the water, her remaining strength was rapidly draining.

She bit her tongue sharply, forcing herself to stay alert.

If the people from the cliff came searching for them, let alone protecting Yu Nanqing, she might not even be able to protect herself.

“Find a cave to hide in for now.”

The terrain at the base of the cliff was far more complex than above, but fortunately, they encountered no wild beasts along the way. Yu Nanqing found a concealed cave and carefully inspected it. Finding no traces of animal activity, she dared to bring Xiao Qiling inside.

“Sit here for a bit. I’ll go gather some dry firewood.”

Their clothes were completely soaked. Without a fire to dry them, their body heat would vanish quickly. Yu Nanqing piled more vegetation at the cave’s entrance to conceal it before she felt safe enough to leave.

A quarter of an hour later, Yu Nanqing returned with dry branches and built a fire, using skills she’d learned on the battlefield in her past life to spark a flame.

The fire illuminated a corner of the cave, bringing a touch of warmth to the space.

Leaning back against the stone wall, Yu Nanqing was nearly exhausted. She stared at the dense, shadowy forest outside the cave for a long time before letting out a slow breath.

Rubbing her aching forehead, swollen from the fall into the water, Yu Nanqing moved closer to Xiao Qiling. “That white horse probably didn’t fall with us. How long do you think it’ll take your hidden guards to notice something’s wrong and find us?”

The only response was the sound of wind blowing into the cave.

“Your Highness?” Yu Nanqing raised her voice slightly.

Her voice echoed in the silent cave, but there was no reply.

“Xiao Qiling?” Yu Nanqing turned, gently nudging Xiao Qiling’s arm. Xiao Qiling’s breathing grew heavy for a moment before she slowly opened her eyes.

“No respect for titles.” Xiao Qiling said softly, her voice gentle.

Yu Nanqing tightened her grip on Xiao Qiling’s hand, her voice trembling. “Your Highness…”

“Shh…” They were very close, and Xiao Qiling’s voice grew fainter. “Don’t be afraid. The hidden guards will find us soon.”

There weren’t many hidden guards in the hunting grounds, but as soon as someone noticed their disappearance, they would surely come searching.

After saying this, Xiao Qiling fainted again, her body collapsing into Yu Nanqing’s arms.

Yu Nanqing’s hand trembled. She called Xiao Qiling’s name several times, but there was no response.

Feeling the sticky bl00d under her palm, Yu Nanqing realized that if the bleeding continued, Xiao Qiling might not survive until the hidden guards arrived.

Yu Nanqing whispered an apology to Xiao Qiling and carefully began to undo her outer robe. Besides the arrow wound on her shoulder, Xiao Qiling had several other cuts from blades, the seeping bl00d creating a shocking sight.

Yu Nanqing examined the wounds in silence, her eyes growing darker with anger.

When she pulled the inner layer of clothing down to the shoulder, the arrow wound was fully exposed.

The arrow had nearly pierced to the bone. Xiao Qiling had already pulled it out, but the wound was laced with black bl00d.

Poison.

Yu Nanqing’s pupils constricted. She looked at Xiao Qiling’s face, which was growing pale and tinged with a faint bluish hue. Her breathing was extremely weak.

Yu Nanqing slammed her fist against the cave wall, futilely venting the suffocating frustration in her heart.

She shouldn’t have stolen the spotlight at the Spring Qiong Banquet yesterday. Perhaps then, those people wouldn’t have harbored such intense killing intent. Or maybe she shouldn’t have suggested competing with Xiao Qijun for prey, so that when the black bear appeared, they might have been at the edge of the hunting grounds, where the guards could have protected them.

Why had she insisted on challenging Xiao Qijun, dragging Xiao Qiling into this mess?

The fire crackled in the cave, gradually warming their bodies. Yu Nanqing looked down at the unconscious Xiao Qiling, the faint breeze in the cave carrying a desolate chill.

In truth, she had been too careless, too arrogant. Her impression of the declining Great Qi from her past life was too ingrained, and she had overlooked that the current Great Qi was still firmly under Emperor Wenjing’s control. The rigid hierarchy of imperial power could crush anyone.

No matter how much she knew, she was, after all, just a newlywed princess in the deposed crown prince’s household. Her recklessness directly implicated those around her.

What was the deal with that black bear? It was clear from the start that its target had been her. Like the assassins, whoever was orchestrating this dared to act in front of the entire court and nobility, relying on the supreme power of the emperor.

Yu Nanqing covered her mouth, swallowing the overwhelming emotions, feeling a deep sense of defeat and powerlessness.

But now wasn’t the time for her to wallow in despair.

She couldn’t delay any longer.

Knowing that Xiao Qiling already carried an incurable poison in her body, Yu Nanqing leaned down, pressing her lips to the poisoned arrow wound.

The bitter, metallic taste of bl00d spread in her mouth. Yu Nanqing repeatedly sucked out the tainted bl00d, hoping this primitive method could slow the poison’s spread in such a critical moment, as she knew no medical techniques.

Only when the bl00d flowing from the wound turned bright red did Yu Nanqing stop. She tore off a strip of soft inner cloth, struggling to stay calm as she bandaged Xiao Qiling to stop the bleeding.

Her hands trembled with an inexplicable emotion. Yu Nanqing had no time to dwell on it—she only knew Xiao Qiling couldn’t die here.

Even in her past life, Xiao Qiling’s death was far off. It absolutely couldn’t be now.

After finishing, Yu Nanqing could no longer hold on. Her body was frail to begin with; a single fall into water at the Duke’s residence had once left her unconscious for days.

Her newly recovered health couldn’t withstand this ordeal, and her consciousness finally succumbed to her body’s weakness.

The sky seemed to mirror Yu Nanqing’s mood, darkening gradually. The lush vegetation at the cave’s entrance blocked out the last rays of light, leaving only the dying embers of the fire in the cave.

When Xiao Qiling awoke, her robes had dried by the fire, and her left shoulder, pierced by the arrow, had regained some sensation.

She surveyed the cave—it was the same as before she fainted.

Except for Yu Nanqing, lying behind her.

Yu Nanqing was curled up, her outer robe placed beneath Xiao Qiling. She shivered uncontrollably, her face flushed unnaturally, clearly running a fever.

Nearby, on the ground, was a pool of nearly dried bl00d. Its dark, almost black hue indicated it wasn’t ordinary bl00d.

Xiao Qiling touched the wound on her shoulder, her pupils narrowing slightly. She hurriedly pulled Yu Nanqing into her arms, gently parting her lips to check her mouth under the dim firelight. After confirming there were no cuts or breaks, Xiao Qiling let out a small sigh of relief.

Thankfully, Yu Nanqing’s unconsciousness wasn’t related to the poison from the arrow.

Yu Nanqing’s faint, shallow breaths brushed against Xiao Qiling’s fingers, seeming to travel straight to her heart.

Her heartbeat quickened, growing more urgent.

Xiao Qiling looked at Yu Nanqing’s closed eyes, her lashes trembling slightly.

She had thought herself long accustomed to such assassination attempts. Whether it was her or those around her, injuries and losses were inevitable. Since her mother’s passing, she believed she no longer feared partings.

Indecision breeds failure.

This was the greatest taboo for rulers throughout history. Step by step, she had fought her way to this point, even poisoning her own body to carve out a path to survival under the emperor’s grip.

She refused to allow herself weaknesses, refused to be swayed by others.

Thus, she ignored the rumors circulating outside, even letting them fester. Partly to reassure the emperor, and partly to weed out those who sought to cling to her for fame and profit.

When the imperial edict for her marriage arrived, Xiao Qiling had planned to send the bride far away. Someone from the Duke’s residence would never stand on her side.

Yet, on the day of the wedding, she attended the ceremony. She couldn’t quite explain why—perhaps she was intrigued by the reports her hidden guards had gathered about Yu Nanqing, or perhaps it was fate.

But to her, such rituals meant little. She hadn’t taken them seriously, treating Yu Nanqing like a stray cat she might feed in her courtyard, kept out of mere amusement.

She hadn’t expected to grow accustomed to Yu Nanqing’s presence, nor had she anticipated the surprises Yu Nanqing would bring. They shared similar childhoods and the same resolute ambitions.

Xiao Qiling looked at the pool of tainted bl00d on the ground.

Even in this, they were alike.

Like a seed breaking through ice, sprouting.

Xiao Qiling closed her eyes, as if finally giving in, and pulled Yu Nanqing into her arms, letting out a heavy breath.

Moments later, a few bird calls echoed from outside the cave. Xiao Qiling’s eyes snapped open. She gently propped Yu Nanqing against the cave wall, drew her dagger, and leapt outside.

The night outside had grown completely dark, the forest eerily silent. Xiao Qiling whistled, and the bird that had called flew toward her, circling her several times before flying off again.

A quarter of an hour later, the sound of hooves approached. The guards from the Prince Ning’s residence had finally found them, led by a few highly skilled hidden guards.

“We arrived late. Please forgive us, Your Highness.” The group knelt in unison. They had seen the horse pierced by arrows and the signs of a struggle, making it easy to imagine the fierce battle Xiao Qiling had faced before falling off the cliff. “Is Your Highness injured?”

“I’m fine.” Xiao Qiling said, her gaze deep and indifferent, her tattered, bloodied appearance unable to mask her usual authority. “The Princess is running a high fever. Fetch the residence’s physician quickly.”

The news of Prince Ning and his Princess being attacked and falling off a cliff spread quickly after they returned to the camp. However, the imperial physicians accompanying the hunt didn’t arrive promptly.

Another major incident had occurred during the hunt.

A black bear had suddenly appeared in the hunting grounds, attacking several courtiers and their families. The imperial physicians were overwhelmed, especially since the companion of Prince Chen was said to be the most gravely injured. The physician skilled in treating fractures had been summoned to the Duke’s residence, which was now shrouded in gloom.

The black bear’s corpse was hung high, its body riddled with countless sword and knife wounds, a testament to the difficulty of killing it.

In the past, the person who killed such a beast would have been rewarded. But this bear was too ferocious, causing too many casualties. Emperor Wenjing was furious and ordered a thorough investigation into the incident.

The commander of the imperial guard responsible for patrolling the Western Hills hunting grounds was immediately summoned. He knelt before Emperor Wenjing, kowtowing repeatedly. “Your Majesty, please investigate clearly. The imperial guard thoroughly inspected the hunting grounds for dangerous beasts multiple times. The black bear’s habitat is far from the deer herds and was isolated outside the hunting grounds.”

The Noble Consort, who had nearly lost her composure upon seeing Prince Chen’s injuries, pointed at the commander and scolded, “If it was isolated outside the hunting grounds, how did it appear inside? This is clearly your negligence. Today it attacked Prince Chen. Tomorrow, will another bear come for me or His Majesty? How many heads do you have to lose?”

Emperor Wenjing’s expression darkened at her words. “Was anyone aware of the bear entering the hunting grounds’ borders?”

“No, Your Majesty.” the commander said, his head bowing even lower. “I’ve already sent men to investigate the bear’s usual haunts. We will uncover the truth. Please, Your Majesty, grant me another chance.”

Emperor Wenjing’s anger was barely contained, though he retained his composure. “Tell me everything that happened today, without omitting a single detail.”

“…The bear initially chased Prince Ning and the Princess. They hid in a tree, and the bear attacked it relentlessly. Prince Chen, to save Prince Ning, shot an arrow at the bear, which then turned and chased them.”

Upon hearing that the bear had pursued Prince Chen because he was saving someone, the Noble Consort nearly snapped her ornate hairpins in frustration. “And Prince Ning? Was he injured?”

Before the commander could respond, a eunuch rushed in to report, “Your Majesty, Prince Ning has been found after the assassination attempt. The Princess is unconscious.”

“Assassination? How could…”

Emperor Wenjing shot the Noble Consort a glance and said sternly, “How is Prince Ning?”

The Noble Consort, as if suddenly realizing something, hurriedly added, “Yes, yes, don’t just talk about the Princess’s condition. How is Prince Ning?”

The eunuch replied, “Prince Ning is gravely injured, covered in bl00d.”

The Noble Consort touched the ornate gold hairpin in her hair. “So, he’s still alive.”

The atmosphere in the tent dropped to a chilling low. The commander, kneeling on the ground, had served in the imperial presence for years and understood Emperor Wenjing’s temperament well. In that moment, he sensed he had glimpsed the emperor’s true thoughts and dared not breathe too loudly.

After a long silence, Emperor Wenjing finally spoke, the tension in the tent unrelenting, his tone ambiguous. “Send the imperial physicians to check on them.”

Outside the imperial tent, the courtiers who had regained their energy were buzzing with discussion about the day’s events in the hunting grounds. Some even spread rumors that the black bear was a divine warning, provoked by Emperor Wenjing holding the Spring Qiong Banquet during the spring hunt, signaling that he shouldn’t prioritize literature over martial prowess.

At the same time, another rumor circulated: the warning wasn’t about the banquet itself but its champion. Ancient traditions forbade women in the harem from meddling in politics, and the Princess of Ning’s essay had broken this rule, prompting the heavens to send the black bear as punishment.

Since many courtiers had witnessed the bear initially targeting Yu Nanqing, this rumor further deterred those who had begun to harbor ambitions regarding Prince Ning.

The rumors spread through the Western Hills hunting grounds, but the disturbances didn’t reach the tent of Prince Ning’s residence.

The imperial physician sent by Emperor Wenjing prescribed a few doses of fever-reducing medicine for Yu Nanqing and left. At midnight, as Yu Nanqing’s fever subsided, she regained consciousness.

“Has the fever fried your brain?” Xiao Qiling teased, noticing Yu Nanqing staring blankly after opening her eyes. She walked over, gently turning Yu Nanqing’s face to inspect her closely.

“Physician, come give her a few acupuncture needles to check.”

The physician’s silver needles glinted coldly in the candlelight. Yu Nanqing snapped back to her senses and dodged to the side. “No, I don’t want needles.”

Xiao Qiling, her dark hair loose, chuckled softly. “The physician’s acupuncture skills have improved so much, she can treat you from a distance.”

Yu Nanqing pulled the blanket higher, trying to hide her face.

Xiao Qiling swiftly tugged the blanket down. “Now that you’re awake, let the physician check you again.”

As the physician took Yu Nanqing’s pulse, her eyes kept drifting to Xiao Qiling. Xiao Qiling knew what she was looking at but didn’t respond.

After the physician finished and went to prepare the prescription, Yu Nanqing instinctively reached to lift the collar of Xiao Qiling’s inner robe.

Xiao Qiling caught her hand, a smile in her eyes. “Is the Princess so eager right after waking up?”

Yu Nanqing glared at her, pulling her hand back before asking quietly, “Has Your Highness’s poison been neutralized? Are you alright?”

Xiao Qiling glanced at the physician, who stepped forward to explain, “The Princess stopped the poison from spreading in time. The remaining poison isn’t strong and can be fully cleared with a few days of treatment.”

Yu Nanqing’s face lit up with joy. “Really? Did what I do actually work?”

“Of course it’s true.” Xiao Qiling said, gesturing for the physician to leave. “Go prepare the medicine.”

The physician bowed and said, “Yes,” then turned to organize her medical kit. She overheard Xiao Qiling ask Yu Nanqing, “You saved my life, Princess. Is there anything you want?”

The physician thought to herself that she had saved Xiao Qiling countless times and never been asked what she wanted. Moreover, the poison Xiao Qiling had been exposed to today was nothing compared to the poison already in her body. Even without Yu Nanqing’s intervention, she wouldn’t have died.

It would just take longer to recover if the poison reached her heart.

Glancing toward the bed, the physician deliberately slowed her movements, hoping the Princess’s request wouldn’t be too excessive.

Then she heard Yu Nanqing say, “Can I not take the medicine?”

The smile on Xiao Qiling’s lips faded slightly. “That won’t do. Pick something else.”

Yu Nanqing knew that request was impossible, but the arrow had been meant for her, and Xiao Qiling had taken it in her place. Her act of sucking out the poison was merely returning the favor—Xiao Qiling owed her nothing.

After some thought, Yu Nanqing chose a more appropriate response. “Then I hope Your Highness won’t take a blade or arrow for me in the future.”

Xiao Qiling fell silent for a moment, her expression unreadable.

Yu Nanqing, seeing her furrowed brow, wondered if she had misunderstood Xiao Qiling’s intentions.

Perhaps the arrow wasn’t deliberately taken for her, but Xiao Qiling had pushed her down and hadn’t had time to dodge?

Realizing this possibility, Yu Nanqing fell silent as well.

Taking a blade or arrow for someone wasn’t a small matter. If she were misunderstood, she’d be unhappy too, especially given Xiao Qiling’s status.

Yu Nanqing reached out, tugging lightly at Xiao Qiling’s sleeve. After hesitating, she said softly, “I-I was just speaking offhand. I only hope Your Highness won’t put yourself in danger in the future.”

Xiao Qiling gazed at her for a long moment before smiling slowly. “Alright.”

Relieved by her smile, Yu Nanqing scooted further into the bed. “Your Highness’s injuries are far worse than mine. Come lie down and rest.”

In the candlelight, Yu Nanqing’s delicate chin and porcelain-like skin stood out. Her gesture of clutching the blanket seemed both inviting and shy, yet her eyes were clear as jade.

Xiao Qiling closed her eyes briefly, her voice hoarse. “I need to change the dressing on my wound. You rest first.”

Yu Nanqing didn’t suspect anything and obediently slipped under the covers. Xiao Qiling turned, taking the physician with her as she left.

In the secondary tent of Prince Ning’s residence, the physician’s apprentice was pouring out the freshly brewed medicinal soup. The physician dismissed the others, then brought the bowl to Xiao Qiling. “Your Highness, let me check your wounds again.”

When the imperial physician had come earlier, she had just finished cleaning Xiao Qiling’s wounds, which the physician had bandaged. She wasn’t entirely confident in his work.

Seeing her caution, Xiao Qiling allowed the physician to reapply medicine and rebandage the wounds. The bleeding had completely stopped, and despite the water exposure, there was no infection.

As the physician worked, she glanced at Xiao Qiling’s expression, sensing her displeasure. Tentatively, she asked, “Is Your Highness still troubled by the assassination attempt?”

Xiao Qiling shook her head, her fingers idly stirring the medicinal bowl as she gazed at the bitter liquid inside. “She was quite frightened today. Tomorrow, mix some calming herbs into her medicine.”

“Yes,” the physician replied, surprised that this was what troubled Xiao Qiling. She added, “Your Highness, the Princess is frail. Incidents like today are bound to happen again. She currently believes the emperor merely dislikes you, but if she ever learns of Your Highness’s rebellious intentions and becomes afraid…”

Xiao Qiling tilted the bowl, gently swirling the medicinal soup. “Are you worried she’ll run?”

The physician nodded. “Would Your Highness let her go?”

“Let her go?”

Xiao Qiling tilted her head back, downing the bitter medicine in one gulp. The bowl revealed an intricate design of mandarin ducks playing in water. She stared at it for a moment before suddenly laughing. “How could I?”

A young beast that willingly stumbled into the hunter’s net—how could it ever have the chance to escape?