Offered As A Lucky Bride To The Mad Princess To Ward Off Misfortune - Chapter 34

34: What Should She Do with Yu Nanqing?

When the physician stepped out of the tent, Yin San approached and asked, “How is His Highness?”

The physician adopted an air of profound mystery. “No need to worry. The Princess Consort is attending to him.”

Yin San, straightforward by nature, wasn’t about to let it go. “The Princess Consort doesn’t know martial arts. She definitely can’t restrain His Highness. You’ll be needed later, so you’d better stay with us to keep watch.”

The physician glanced at her with a hint of disdain. “You wouldn’t understand.”

Why bother teasing a shadow guard when teasing the Princess Consort was so much more entertaining?

With just a single word, the Princess Consort would obediently draw near, fussing over His Highness with tender concern.

Who would have the mind to pick a fight with a shadow guard then?

Too lazy to explain such subtleties to someone as clueless about romance as Yin San, the physician tossed out, “If anything happens, come find me,” and returned to her own tent to sleep.

Inside the tent, Xiao Qiling leaned weakly against a high pillow, her gaze lingering inch by inch over Yu Nanqing’s slender waist as she bustled about.

Yu Nanqing poured a cup of water from the table and gently supported the frail, ailing Prince Ning. “The medicine the physician prescribed is bitter. Your Highness, drink this to wash it down.”

However much Yu Nanqing poured, Xiao Qiling drank, utterly compliant.

Yu Nanqing teased Xiao Qiling playfully, “I knew they were just trying to scare me. How could Your Highness ever lose consciousness? It’s all just nonsense made up by those people outside.”

Xiao Qiling handed the empty teacup back to her, her long, slender fingers appearing sickly pale in the candlelight. She smiled faintly. “Of course, they’re not as clever as my Qingqing.”

Yu Nanqing froze for a moment at the long-unheard endearment but didn’t dwell on it. “Naturally.”

She placed the teacup on the bedside table and reached out to check Xiao Qiling’s forehead. The skin beneath her palm was warm but not feverish.

As she withdrew her hand, she noticed Xiao Qiling’s eyes, at some point, had locked onto her with an intense gaze.

Assuming Xiao Qiling was wary of her, Yu Nanqing smiled and explained, “I don’t know much about medicine, but I do know that serious illnesses often come with a fever, so I checked. I hope Your Highness doesn’t mind.”

“Of course not.” Xiao Qiling replied, her expression softening. Yet her eyes remained deep, the faint red hue in her pupils lending her already breathtaking face an air of seductive allure.

“Does Qingqing have anything else to check?” she asked.

Another “Qingqing.” Yu Nanqing blinked, feeling that Xiao Qiling was unusually gentle tonight.

So gentle she almost didn’t recognize her.

As the thought crossed her mind, Yu Nanqing recalled the peculiar expression on the physician’s face as she left.

Perhaps… She truly didn’t recognize the Xiao Qiling before her.

The realization hit her like a bolt, making her heart skip a beat.

Xiao Qiling’s gaze remained fixed on her face. Yu Nanqing swallowed hard, pretending nothing was amiss, and asked solicitously, “Is Your Highness hungry? Shall I have some food brought in?”

“No need.” Xiao Qiling’s cool fingertips brushed against Yu Nanqing’s lips. “Why are your lips trembling?” she asked softly.

She took Yu Nanqing’s hand. “Are you cold?”

“No, no.” Yu Nanqing pulled her hand back, her lips trembling even more.

Could Xiao Qiling really be unconscious?

When the poison takes hold, consciousness fades entirely, and only killing and drinking bl00d can quell it.

Even children singing folk songs in the alleys knew this.

“I’m hungry too.” Yu Nanqing said, forcing a smile that looked worse than a sob. “If Your Highness lets me go, I’ll have some food brought in for us to eat together. How about that?”

Xiao Qiling noticed the poorly concealed fear on Yu Nanqing’s face and frowned slightly.

A voice echoed in Xiao Qiling’s mind: Yu Nanqing is afraid of her.

Then another: Yu Nanqing wants to escape.

As this second thought surfaced, Xiao Qiling instinctively tightened her grip. Yu Nanqing let out a soft cry of pain, her beautiful eyes brimming with fragility, tempting one to break her further.

Xiao Qiling’s breath caught for a moment.

Seizing the opportunity, Yu Nanqing pushed her hand away and bolted.

One step.

Two steps.

Three… and then she stopped abruptly.

An arm hooked around her waist, lifting her off the ground. She was thrown onto the bed, and Xiao Qiling pinned her ankles, looming over her.

The gentle facade from moments ago had vanished, replaced by a heavy aura of menace and killing intent.

“Where is Qingqing going?” Xiao Qiling’s voice remained soft despite the shift.

Yu Nanqing, dazed by the sudden sequence of events, felt her scattered hair fall away, clearing her vision.

“I… I wasn’t going anywhere. I was just going to get food for you.”

How could she dare admit the truth?

She coaxed Xiao Qiling in a trembling voice, “If Your Highness doesn’t want food, I won’t go.”

Xiao Qiling regarded her skeptically. “Really?”

Yu Nanqing nodded. “Of course it’s true.”

The pressure on Yu Nanqing’s shoulders eased slightly, and a smile returned to Xiao Qiling’s face. “Is there anything else you’d like to do?”

Yu Nanqing no longer harbored hopes of escape, only praying not to provoke Xiao Qiling into further madness.

“Nothing.”

“Good. Shall we retire for the night, then?”

Yu Nanqing, who had been panting softly, nearly choked at the suggestion, coughing violently.

As she coughed, Xiao Qiling released her, allowing her to sit up and catch her breath. Once she calmed, Yu Nanqing refused firmly, “No, Your Highness is afflicted by the poison tonight. I must stay by your side. Your Highness should rest alone.”

Xiao Qiling’s fingertips brushed Yu Nanqing’s temple, her tone as gentle as her touch. “So you think I’m ill?”

Yu Nanqing couldn’t fathom how Xiao Qiling, in her current state, could still pinpoint the flaw in her words. It was baffling.

Xiao Qiling’s eerie red eyes met hers slowly, then she leaned down, stopping two inches from Yu Nanqing’s nose, her breath teasingly close.

After a long moment, she chuckled softly. “Fine, I am ill. But you don’t need to be so afraid.”

Yu Nanqing bit her lip, trembling harder. “Y-Your Highness?”

“I don’t drink human bl00d. That was a lie to scare you.” Xiao Qiling said, as if reading her thoughts. She laughed softly, her fingers brushing the damp corner of Yu Nanqing’s eye. “Do you think I’d poison myself with something so sinister?”

Yu Nanqing froze, a shocking possibility dawning on her. “Does Your Highness mean… you poisoned yourself? It wasn’t His Majesty?”

As she stirred, Xiao Qiling pressed her back onto the bed, her tone cryptic. “Everyone, including him, thinks it was his doing.”

Yu Nanqing was puzzled. “How did Your Highness deceive him?”

“Your curiosity is insatiable, Qingqing.” Xiao Qiling said lazily, toying with a strand of Yu Nanqing’s hair. Just as Yu Nanqing’s curiosity peaked, Xiao Qiling’s lips curved into a bewitching smile, like a spirit ensnaring its prey. “But trust me, you don’t want to know.”

“No, I do.” Yu Nanqing said boldly.

Xiao Qiling’s lifespan had always been a thorn in Yu Nanqing’s heart. If the poison was indeed from Emperor Wenjing, and no antidote had been found after all these years, the future looked grim.

But if Xiao Qiling had poisoned herself, how could there not be an antidote?

Xiao Qiling coaxed her. “Be good. You don’t want to know.”

Yu Nanqing insisted, “Please, Your Highness, tell me.”

Her words seemed to touch a nerve. Xiao Qiling suddenly rolled off the bed, her interest in teasing Yu Nanqing apparently gone.

Having finally gotten Xiao Qiling to open up, Yu Nanqing wasn’t about to let the opportunity slip. She grabbed Xiao Qiling’s sleeve, pulling her back onto the bed.

“Your Highness!”

Xiao Qiling shook off her sleeve, about to reprimand her, but saw Yu Nanqing let out a muffled groan as she hit the bed.

Her strength, far greater than when she was lucid, nearly sent Yu Nanqing crashing into the wall.

Dazed, Yu Nanqing struggled to sit up, only to find Xiao Qiling staring at her again.

More precisely, staring at her lips.

Instinctively, Yu Nanqing pursed her lips, tasting the salty tang of bl00d—she must have bitten her lip by accident.

As she raised her hand to wipe the bl00d, a cold sensation gripped her wrist.

The bed sank slightly. Yu Nanqing looked up, stunned, to see Xiao Qiling holding her hand, leaning close. The scent of cool sandalwood mixed with the bitter tang of medicine filled her nose.

Her lips were gently kissed, a soft tongue tracing and lapping at the bl00d, as if savoring a rare delicacy.

Yu Nanqing’s breath stopped.

Only after licking away every trace of bl00d did Xiao Qiling slowly pull back, gazing lazily at the speechless, shocked Yu Nanqing.

Seemingly satisfied, she relented. “The emperor’s poison I did use. Afterward, I tested several others until I found this one, with symptoms similar to the poison’s flare-ups.”

Yu Nanqing opened her mouth, trying to say something.

Xiao Qiling leaned down again, brushing her lips against the corner of Yu Nanqing’s mouth. The red in her peach-blossom eyes lingered, exuding an enchanting allure.

“But I think I misspoke earlier.”

Her fingers grazed the wound on Yu Nanqing’s lip, coaxing fresh bl00d to seep out. The restless, suppressed emotions in her heart surged uncontrollably.

Dark thoughts, fueled by the poison’s effects, deepened the crimson in her eyes, revealing a silent coveting.

“Your bl00d, Qingqing, is quite delicious.”

Yu Nanqing: …

Yu Nanqing fainted from fright.

The Next Morning

By dawn, the eerie red had faded from Xiao Qiling’s eyes.

The physician, after expertly checking her pulse, remarked, “Your Highness has recovered faster than usual this time. Shall I administer another round of acupuncture?”

Dressed in a plain cyan robe, her dark hair cascading loosely, Xiao Qiling sat upright at the desk, once again the familiar Prince Ning the physician knew.

“No need.” Xiao Qiling said calmly, setting down her teacup. She seemed about to say more but held back.

The physician quietly packed her medical kit. As she nearly finished, Xiao Qiling spoke. “When I’m under the poison’s influence, could there be… anomalies in my memory?”

“Pardon?” The physician didn’t quite grasp her meaning. “Does Your Highness mean forgetting memories from before?”

This was a grave matter. If Xiao Qiling’s memory was affected—losing fragments now and then, eventually forgetting her past entirely—how could their grand plans proceed?

Xiao Qiling shook her head. “Not quite.”

The physician sat beside her, checking her pulse again. “What kind of anomaly does Your Highness mean?”

“I have memories of events that never happened.” Xiao Qiling said, frowning. “They feel far removed from reality.”

The physician ventured cautiously, “Are they related to the Princess Consort?”

Xiao Qiling’s gaze turned cool.

Sensing she’d stumbled onto something significant, the physician chose her words carefully. “Last night, when Your Highness was afflicted, you allowed no one near except the Princess Consort, who stayed to care for you.”

Xiao Qiling’s tone was ambiguous. “She was in my tent last night?”

“When Your Highness woke, was the Princess Consort already gone?” The physician, aware of Yu Nanqing’s habits, noted that in the prince’s residence, she often slept late. “Yin Er and Yin San were guarding outside all night. Your Highness could ask them.”

“No need.”

The physician agreed it wasn’t necessary and, after checking her pulse again, prescribed a calming tonic.

Xiao Qiling’s eyes lowered slightly, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

“So that’s how it is.”

Yu Nanqing was roused by the sound of rain, the droplets pattering heavily on the tent’s roof, louder than in a proper house.

The light filtering through the tent was dim, shrouded by the bed’s curtains, making it feel as though last night’s heart-pounding events still lingered.

The cut on her lip had healed, but her throat was parched. Propping herself up, she called, “Chenxiang.”

No footsteps responded.

She called again, still no answer.

Assuming Chenxiang had gone to another tent, perhaps to prepare food, Yu Nanqing didn’t fuss. She lifted the bed curtains, got up, and shuffled to the table to pour herself a cup of water.

The water was warm, soothing her dry throat. Chenxiang must have recently replaced it.

Clink—

A faint sound of porcelain tapping caught her ear. Following the noise, she saw a figure in pale cyan.

Xiao Qiling sat at the table, her hair unbound save for a single cyan ribbon, one long end trailing to her chest, accentuating her jade-like face.

Their eyes met, and the air grew heavy with an unspoken tension.

Xiao Qiling said nothing, merely watching Yu Nanqing with a faint, unreadable expression.

Yu Nanqing opened her mouth, the events of last night flooding back, stirring a complex mix of emotions. Her heart raced. Did Xiao Qiling remember everything?

If Xiao Qiling asked, Yu Nanqing wasn’t sure how she’d explain. She was the one taken advantage of, yet Xiao Qiling hadn’t been fully conscious. By staying, she’d arguably taken advantage of the situation herself.

Xiao Qiling stood and approached. “Slept well?”

Yu Nanqing nodded. “Where’s Chenxiang? I need to wash my face.”

“I’ll have someone else come in.” Xiao Qiling stepped outside to give an order.

A maid entered with toiletries, and Yu Nanqing went through the motions stiffly, moving slower than usual to buy time.

But no matter how she delayed, the task eventually ended.

The maid inserted the final hairpin into Yu Nanqing’s hair and curtsied. “Princess Consort, are you satisfied?”

Yu Nanqing glanced at herself in the bronze mirror and nodded. “It’s fine. You may go.”

Xiao Qiling remained in her original seat. Yu Nanqing took a deep breath and walked over. “Has the poison in Your Highness’s body been suppressed?”

“It should be fine,” Xiao Qiling said, gesturing for her to come closer. “I heard from the physician that you tended to me last night. I troubled you.”

The words “heard from the physician” struck Yu Nanqing. She looked at Xiao Qiling in surprise, the morning’s pent-up tension dissolving effortlessly, her lips curving upward. “That’s what the physician told you?”

Xiao Qiling nodded. “Did she get it wrong?”

“No, no.”

If Xiao Qiling didn’t even know who had cared for her, she certainly didn’t remember what had happened between them.

“As Your Highness’s consort, it’s my duty to care for you. No need to take it to heart.”

Xiao Qiling, observing Yu Nanqing closely, noted her transformation and said calmly, “Still, I troubled you.”

In high spirits, Yu Nanqing didn’t want to dwell on whether it was trouble or not. She changed the subject. “It’s raining today, and it won’t clear up soon. We can’t hunt anymore. When will we return to the capital?”

“We were supposed to stay three more days, but the emperor’s men have already relayed an order. We’ll return this afternoon.”

With key court officials at the Xishan Hunting Grounds, Emperor Wenjing had spent the first three days hunting in the forest but had been reviewing memorials in the council tent since. With the weather uncooperative, they’d return early.

“So soon?” Yu Nanqing was surprised. “Can Yu Nanbo return? That day in His Majesty’s tent, his leg was in a splint. He probably can’t move easily, right?”

“You…” Xiao Qiling hesitated, recalling her arrangements. “Are you worried about him?”

Yu Nanqing frowned. “Why would I worry about him?”

“In Great Qi, officials cannot hold office with disabilities. I was thinking, if Yu Nanbo travels back in this rain and something happens on the road, even without His Majesty’s restrictions, he might not be able to take the spring exams.”

“That’s his fate.” Xiao Qiling said indifferently. On that note, she remembered something else. “Would you like to take a master?”

“Take a master?” Yu Nanqing, sipping water, slowly set down her cup and sat up straight.

“You’re not thinking of Elder Li, are you?” She hadn’t expected Xiao Qiling to still be wary of that matter after so long. But on second thought, she’d never clearly stated her stance to Xiao Qiling. “Rest assured, I won’t take Elder Li as my master. First, as I’m now part of the prince’s household, I won’t pursue the imperial exams, so I don’t need a mentor. Second, Elder Li is Prince Chen’s grandfather. If I studied under him, wouldn’t that cause trouble for you?”

Xiao Qiling shook her head. “I’m not talking about Elder Li, but Elder Wei.”

She placed her hand over Yu Nanqing’s. “Are you interested?”

Yu Nanqing was momentarily stunned.

Elder Wei, having served three emperors, held the rank of First-Grade Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. Countless officials had been mentored by him, and those seeking to study under him were as numerous as fish crossing the river.

Yu Nanqing said cautiously, “But since I can’t take the exams, is there really a need?”

Xiao Qiling’s voice was gentle. “Taking a master isn’t always about scholarship.”

It was about lineage.

Among the scholarly elite, a master’s lineage was as weighty as a mountain. Respecting one’s teacher was a timeless virtue. Emperor Wenjing could prevent princes from forming factions, but he couldn’t stop courtiers from aligning with their mentors. When positions opened in court, recommendations often favored those from the same faction.

“You’re my consort now, but will you always be just my consort?”

Yu Nanqing’s eyes snapped up.

Xiao Qiling’s expression was soft, a faint smile in her eyes.

Then, she heard Xiao Qiling ask with a low chuckle, “Do you want that?”

Do you want that?

Of course she did.

Entering the court, rising to the rank of minister—those ambitions had been etched in her heart since her past life, when she was named top scholar in the Golden Hall. They had never wavered.

Yu Nanqing felt Xiao Qiling’s poison might not be fully suppressed—she still seemed a bit mad. She had to remind her, “Your Highness, I’m a woman.”

No sooner had she spoken than her forehead was flicked.

Clutching her forehead, she looked at Xiao Qiling with dissatisfaction. “I didn’t say anything wrong.”

Xiao Qiling gave her a cool glance. “I’ve already brought it up directly. You know what I mean, so don’t play coy. Otherwise, I’ll toss you outside to sober up in the rain.”

Yu Nanqing: …

Fine, this was the familiar Highness she knew.

“So, do you want it or not?”

“Of course I want it.” Yu Nanqing said, putting on an excited expression and tugging at Xiao Qiling’s sleeve. “I won’t let Your Highness down.”

“Elder Wei is upright and was once my teacher. His standards are high, and he’s only formally accepted a handful of students, all of whom have achieved great things in court.”

Xiao Qiling paused, then lowered her voice to name a few. “He’s taken an interest in you. It’s a rare opportunity. I’ll take you to the Wei residence soon, but it’ll be up to you to seize it.”

The names Xiao Qiling listed included officials of at least Fifth Rank, a fact not secret in court. But hearing them together revealed the extent of their influence.

More importantly, if she became Elder Wei’s disciple, she’d gain access to the heart of Xiao Qiling’s power.

She could see it, and Xiao Qiling had clearly considered it—and allowed it.

Yu Nanqing stood to offer a formal bow of thanks, but Xiao Qiling pulled her hand. Caught off guard, Yu Nanqing stumbled forward, the faint scent of sandalwood enveloping her, leaving her momentarily dazed.

“What’s this?” Xiao Qiling tugged at her sleeve, pulling out a handkerchief with a mix of white and floral patterns.

When Yu Nanqing saw the handkerchief, she instinctively reached for it. “Don’t look!”

Xiao Qiling was quicker, turning to examine it.

It was embroidered with two mandarin ducks.

But unlike the usual playful ducks in water, one duck, adorned with golden-threaded feathers, spread its wings proudly, head held high. The other, smaller duck hung its head, as if being scolded.

Far more lifelike than the roasted pheasant she’d once botched.

“You told me to embroider you a handkerchief.” Yu Nanqing said. “But I warned you, my needlework isn’t great, and it’s been ages since I last embroidered. If you don’t like it, don’t say so to my face.”

How could she dislike it?

The two ducks, so endearingly expressive, clearly conveyed Yu Nanqing’s frustration at being teased.

It must have taken considerable effort.

Xiao Qiling’s fingers traced the fine stitches. “When did you embroider this?”

She’d asked for it yesterday. Had Yu Nanqing already made it and hidden it?

Yu Nanqing turned her head, silent for a long moment before admitting, “…This morning.”

After waking on Xiao Qiling’s bed, humiliated and furious over last night, she’d fled to her tent, unable to sleep. So she’d called for needle and thread.

Xiao Qiling’s concealed eyes trembled violently.

She nearly let her facade slip.

Yu Nanqing, after being taken advantage of and so thoroughly frightened, had woken up angry yet still embroidered mandarin ducks for her.

What should she do with Yu Nanqing?