Chapter 71

Miss, the medicine is clearly on your chest, but what's wrong with your hand?" Xin Hui stared strangely at my stiff right hand, which I couldn't even hold chopsticks with, feeling both pity and amusement as she took the bowl and handed me a spoon before she began to chatter, "Look at you now, you're more of a mess than I am with my damaged meridians."

I set down Xiao Yin in my arms, with some difficulty I made the gesture of interlocking fingers, and said resentfully, "Try spending a whole night sleeping while holding this pose with someone!" Strange! I and Qi Ran's hands—when did we start holding hands like this? Why do I have no memory of it at all?

"Oh, I see!" Xin Hui's face lit up with sudden realization as she leaned in to closely examine my neck and collarbone, smiling ambiguously, "Miss, you finally slept with the Young Master last night?"

I blinked, "How do you know?" After saying that I felt it improper, I blushed and turned my head away.

"Cough cough..." Xin Hui tried hard not to laugh as she picked up a bronze mirror and placed it before me, "Miss, have a look yourself."

"Look? Look at what?" I stared, then moved closer.

Good heavens! I froze, utterly embarrassed! My neck and exposed collarbone were covered in bluish-purple kiss marks. Ugh... Even though nothing happened, now even jumping into the Yellow River couldn't wash this away.

"Don't worry, Miss, I'll go find you a high-collared garment to put on so it won't be seen. Ha!"

I felt a vein pop on my forehead, my lips twitching for a while before my face flushed, and I muttered resentfully, "Xin Hui, hasn't anyone told you you're so gossipy?"

Speaking of gossip, I swallowed a mouthful of food, had Xin Hui feed Xiao Yin a few bites, then hurriedly changed the subject, "Xin Hui, what indications has Wen Ruobin given you?"

"Indications?" Xin Hui blinked, her face slightly reddening, she whispered, "Miss, what are you talking about?"

"Sigh!" I scratched my head, "Do you not understand what I'm saying? Then I'll ask more clearly—has he ever said he likes you?"

Xin Hui's hand holding the bowl jerked violently, spilling food onto the bedding; she struggled to pull out a smile, and after a moment said, "Miss, why would you think that? Of course not."

"Xin Hui, don't wrongly accuse me!" came Wen Ruobin's extremely aggravating voice from the doorway; he strolled over to me, composed and stern, folding his fingers seriously, "Counting both formal and informal confessions, I've declared my feelings to her twelve times, all rejected. Not that I'm saying—alas, after years of flirting in the powdered crowds where I navigated with ease, yet..."

"Pa—" Xin Hui set down the bowl and said lightly, "Miss, this blanket got dirty; I'll go get a fresh one."

"Hey, Xin Hui!" I watched her hurry off, her back not heeding my calls, helplessly I finished her sentence myself, "Aren't there plenty of blankets here?"

"She's avoiding me." Wen Ruobin's face showed a smile of bitterness I'd never seen before; he then took a deep breath, switched to his usual aggravating grin, and leaned in...

I hurriedly pulled the blanket up to my chin. No way! If that guy sees those... I'd be laughed to death!

"Strange, I was saying, the Young Master's mood is exceptionally good today. Now seeing Xiao Ruo you sleeping on... this bed..."

"Wen Ruobin," I coolly smiled and interrupted him, "I wouldn't dare say anything else, but when it comes to the trait of gossiping, you and Xin Hui really look like a married couple."

"Really?" Wen Ruobin gave a light smile, his smile tinged with bitterness, "That's truly an honor."

I let out a long sigh, forget it! Even though this guy is aggravating... I asked, "How did Xin Hui reject you?"

Wen Ruobin wiped the smile from his face and sat down on the edge of my bed, sighing dejectedly: "It's just because she refuses to answer anything, only saying no, that I have no choice! A few days ago I was wondering if she's too attached to you, my master, and that's why she won't accept me. I've been considering whether I should secretly get rid of you."

My mouth twitched, cold sweat breaking out even in my heart, and I sneered: "Thanks for coming all the way to tell me that." Indeed, as expected of someone from Ice Ling, every one of them is a monster.

"But now it's clearly impossible; if I were to harbor murderous intent toward you, I'd likely be swallowed whole by the young master before I could even kill you."

I gave a dry laugh twice, saying nothing in reply.

"Xiao Ruo, you… do you know why Xin Hui is so hostile toward me?" Wen Ruobin's face showed a look of being at a loss, his eyes almost pleading: "Is it because I used to have other women? But it was just playing around…"

Never mind, I'll just ignore those two sentences.

I lowered my head, pondered for a while, then suddenly looked up and said: "Do you know I was once the empress of Qi Guo?"

Wen Ruobin blinked, nodded somewhat bewildered, but a nearly imperceptible gleam flashed in his eyes.

"You must have noticed as well—Xin Hui's tendons in her hands and feet have been injured before, and her martial arts have been crippled."

His expression gradually grew solemn as he fixed his gaze on my dark eyes, like the sea before a storm—deep and unfathomable.

I sighed and said in a low voice: "But you don't know what happened when I was in Qi Guo. Especially Xin Hui—she suffered harm that she could never in her lifetime tell you about directly… Back then…"

The room was unusually quiet, so quiet that… I could hear the "shush" of the breeze sweeping past the leaves outside the window.

I quietly watched Wen Ruobin, and he stared back at me with the same deathly stillness, his eyes growing ever deeper, as if one could see the surging depths within. Suddenly…

"Slap—" a fierce, burning pain flared across my face, and then the wound on my chest that I had just medicated was tugged as well. I collapsed onto the bed, thinking to myself: This counts as the third time I've been slapped since arriving in ancient times, and the only time I've been struck without holding any grudge.

"Squeak—" Xiao Yin let out a panicked cry, lunged over to lick my swollen red face, then turned to glare angrily at Wen Ruobin, about to pounce at him…

Enduring the searing pain in my chest, I struggled to sit up, cradling the still-angry Xiao Yin in my arms, and gave a wry smile: "Now I actually somewhat believe you're sincere toward Xin Hui. Your sincerity is exactly proportional to the force of the slap on my face."

"You don't deserve her treating you like this at all." Wen Ruobin stared at me coldly.

I forced a faint smile, my tone bitter and helpless: "Whether it's worth it is up to Xin Hui to decide. What's the point of us arguing about it so heatedly here?"

This stalemate continued for a while, and Wen Ruobin finally sighed dejectedly: "Forget it, digging into the past is pointless. I just want to know how I can help her let go of her knot and accept me…"

"How would I know that kind of thing? Whether she accepts you or not is none of my business. All right, all right, don't get angry, let me think." I scratched my head, and suddenly a fragment surfaced in my mind: "Come to think of it, back where we're from… there seemed to be an article called something like 'Top Ten Techniques for Pursuing Women'; I wonder how it went…"

"'Top Ten Techniques for Pursuing Women?!'" Wen Ruobin's eyes bulged like copper bells, his mouth able to hold an egg: "Who… who wrote this, so… hehe… so insightful a book?"

"Forgot it! Anyway, why do you care so much? Just tell me if you want to hear it or not."

"Yes, of course I want to." Wen Ruobin forced down the smile tugging at his lips and spoke solemnly.

"I don't remember the specifics exactly, but in short: you need a thick skin, but you shouldn't cling obsessively; you should know how to timely show off your strengths to give a sense of security; sweet talk is definitely essential, but each sentence must sound genuine; besides, girls like romantic things. Romance basically means giving flowers, candlelit dinners, and the like; and different flowers carry different meanings. For example, the language of roses is…"

"Xin Hui, Xin Hui! You mustn't blame me for corrupting your future husband; if you want to blame someone, blame that idle net writer who churns out this trashy poison that corrupts Xiao Yu's thoughts."

"Ha ha—" My memory search was painful, but Wen Ruobin listened, dazed for a while, then couldn't hold back any longer and burst out laughing: "I said Xin Hui would occasionally blurt out a few sentences I don't understand, and now it's clear it's because of your influence. It's a miracle that Qiran stays with you every day and hasn't been scared off by your shocking, outrageous behavior."

"Tch! Making a mountain out of a molehill." I pursed my lips disdainfully; though I didn't speak, I thought to myself: It's just that their mental fortitude is better than yours. Besides, you haven't seen the icy heart and lungs of the Bu Sha killer yet—that's what true composure in the face of change looks like!

Just as I was silently swearing to myself, I suddenly felt the atmosphere in the room turn strange.

I started, looked up, and saw a silhouette before the open door, and I couldn't help but smile: "Xin Hui, did you bring the blanket?"

Since being stabbed by the Han Blood Sword, aside from the first time when my whole body went numb from the cold and I felt no pain, every time I circulate the true qi within my body the wound flares with excruciating pain; I've tried many times, it's always the same, and in the end I had no choice but to give up.

Perhaps that's why my spiritual sense has deteriorated so much lately that I didn't even notice Xin Hui arriving at the door.

Xin Hui nodded without expression, didn't even glance at the somewhat dazed Wen Ruobin, and lowered her head to walk into the room.

"Miss, if there's nothing else I'll head back first—the pharmacy is still decocting your medicine." Having said that, she turned and left without waiting for my reply. I blinked slightly, thinking: Xin Hui… she's strange.

Suddenly it clicked in my mind… I suppressed the teasing smile at the corner of my mouth, afraid that Xin Hui, who hadn't yet stepped out the door, would hear me, so I leaned closer to Wen Ruobin, almost cheek to cheek, stifling my laughter and whispered: "One of the Top Ten Techniques for Pursuing Women: to test whether a girl likes you, see if she shows jealousy when you're being intimate with another woman."

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Xin Hui's steps falter over here, and then her pace became a little flustered. Sure enough…

Strangely, only when I turned back did I notice that Wen Ruobin wasn't delighted at all; instead he gave a wry smile, stepped back a bit, and gave a dry laugh: "I'm afraid… that before I can even test whether Xin Hui likes me, the young master will have already done me in."

"You've been cooped up in the room for so many days—how about going out to catch some sun?"

"Qiran… why must you say such a considerate, gentle sentence with such a terrifying expression?"

"Well... well." I shivered from the coldness in his blue eyes, watching him toss the wronged Little Silver aside without daring to protest, instead I couldn't even speak coherently.

"Qi Ran, why are you wearing the mask again?" The atmosphere was too eerie, I nervously grasped for words. How strange! I haven't done anything wrong, why am I feeling guilty?

Speaking of which, he's worn a mask for years—doesn't he fear getting sunburn marks on his face? Cough... I know I've gone off-topic.

Qi Ran took the cloak hanging at the head of the bed, wrapped me completely in it, then lifted me horizontally into his arms, his grip a little too tight, and said expressionlessly: "This morning, wasn't it you who said you didn't want me letting others see you?"

I froze for a moment, suddenly recalling that morning's interlude.

In the morning, I was the first to wake. The bright spring sunlight streamed through the thin paper window into the room, drifting bit by bit over Qi Ran's crystal-clear face. His long lashes, high nose bridge, delicate features……

I lifted a strand of his long hair and played with it lightly; staring, I found myself dazed.

No wonder Lan Yan said that someone who gets along with him for a long time, receiving his care and attention, no woman could fail to fall for him… sigh! It's truly troublesome; fortune is fortune, but thinking about how many rivals we'll have if we stay together gives me a headache.

Bai Shengyi's alluring face flashed through my mind, making my whole body shudder involuntarily. I couldn't help feeling that his gaze when looking at Qi Ran was strangely odd—no… could he be gay?

Good heavens! What nonsense is this? Seven predestined saintesses, a former "me", a young lady still not enough, plus a man thrown in…

"What are you thinking about?" a warm, pleasant voice sounded beside my ear.

I wound the hair in my hand around my finger and, without thinking, snapped: "How can I keep you locked in the room so no one else sees you!"

"Why?"

"Do I even need to ask? You haven't seen how many people outside are eyeing you… ah——" I jerked in surprise, my gaze lifting from the black hair I was twirling in my hand to meet a pair of blue eyes full of smiles and teasing.

Done for! That was the first thought flashing through my blank mind.

Where's a hole I could crawl into? That's the second thought.

Right, should I pretend to faint or fall asleep? That was my last thought before Qi Ran held me tightly.

"Hahaha…" I laughed helplessly leaning in Qi Ran's embrace, until the furious Qi Ran lowered his head and fiercely kissed my lips, my laughter fading into low moans.

Qi Ran murmured: "Bing Yi, you are mine!"

"Cough..." Nonsense! I'm not anyone's—"I am…" my own! Sob… why can't I bring myself to say it now?

I panted, leaning in Qi Ran's embrace as he carried me down the long corridor to the Pear Garden.

The air was filled with a faint valley fragrance, I heard his steady, powerful heartbeat, felt his tender care. I couldn't help but reach out to wrap my arms around his neck, resting my head on his shoulder, and softly sang:

We went around in circles before we met.

I promised myself I would no longer trouble myself needlessly.

Because I know what I want.

As long as your shoulder is willing to let me lean…

Qi Ran's steps paused, "What strange song are you singing again?" his voice betraying a tender smile he couldn't hide.

My face flushed slightly as I buried my face in his neck, murmuring: "You've already figured it out, haven't you? Why ask?"

I lay with closed eyes on the bamboo chair beneath the wisteria-draped arbor; sunlight filtered through the gaps in the blossoms, falling on my face and body, while a gentle breeze carried the refreshing floral scent over my brow and eyes…

The warm breeze brushed my face, intoxicating. I slightly narrowed my eyes, watching Qi Ran half-kneel not far away, using a short iron hoe to tend the flower seeds, weed, and loosen the soil. Deep down I felt immense frustration: why, as a prince and a young master who usually doesn't have servants, does he also handle the work of a doctor, gardener, and cook with such order?

What's even more absurd is that he can do this kind of work… so refreshing, so unworldly, it's… it's practically like an artist toying with his own creation—utterly unreasonable!

Speaking of the doctor, I suddenly remembered something I'd wanted to ask Qi Ran for a while; seeing him… cough… I forgot again.

"Qi Ran, if the tendons in the hands and feet are severed, can you heal them?"

Qi Ran's motion paused, he turned to look at me and said: "Are you referring to Xin Hui's injury?"

I nodded, forcing a smile: "Then can her hands still be healed?"

Qi Ran's brows furrowed slightly, he said calmly: "She's been injured for too long; there are difficulties. But it's not hopeless—I'll do my best."

"Good!" I laughed happily: "With you, the great divine doctor Xiao, what couldn't be done?"

Qi Ran smiled helplessly, the corners of his mouth turning up gently, his smile like he was basking in sunlight, "Really, there's nothing I can do with you." Having said that, he turned back to continue tending his flowers and plants.

"If it weren't for Little Silver back then, I couldn't even imagine Xin Hui's hands and feet," I murmured, then a thought flashed: "Right, Qi Ran, how did you come to know Little Silver?"

"Little Silver?" Qi Ran blinked, then realized, "Oh, you mean the Little Civet? When I was fifteen, my master suddenly brought it back and left it in my care to raise. Later, because some things happened, my master has kept it staying in the 'Separate Heavenly Cavern'."

"Qi Ran, you also know the 'Separate Heavenly Cavern'?" Then why, when I fell off the cliff that day, did you not think of it at all…

"My master never allowed me to set foot in the 'Separate Heavenly Cavern'." He turned to look at me, his eyes gradually showing regret and heartache, making me instantly regret asking that: "My senior brother… Bai Shengyi and the others can go. Only I… only I…"

I widened my eyes and exclaimed: "Bai Shengyi is your senior brother?!"

Qi Ran nodded, lowered his long lashes, and said lightly: "My master is one of the Three Great Masters of the Heaven-Harmony Continent, the Azure Bamboo Hermit—Xie Yanke."

"The Three Great Masters of the Heaven-Harmony Continent?" I exclaimed in disbelief.

Qi Ran gave a helpless yet understanding smile, his pleasant voice ringing again: "The Ice Spirit King Xiao Yifei, the Azure Bamboo Hermit Xie Yanke, and the Cloud Sea Spirit Snake Lord Cheng You are the three great masters recognized over the past twenty years." He paused, then continued: "My master has taken three disciples in his life; I am his youngest disciple, and Bai Shengyi is his second senior brother."

"Huh?" I said in surprise, "Then what about your eldest senior brother?"

Qi Ran glanced at me and said lightly: "I've never seen my eldest senior brother; in fact, my master said that even before Bai Shengyi entered his door, the eldest senior brother had died, and his corpse was placed in the Separate Heavenly Cavern. I don't know why, but my master strictly forbids me from going there."

Qi Ran clenched the short iron hoe in his hand, each word squeezing out from between his teeth: "If I had ever gone there, even just once…"

"Qi Ran——" I forced myself to sit up and look at him, my gaze softening bit by bit, I whispered: "I'm fine now, nothing's wrong."

Qi Ran's complexion finally eased, he loosened his clenched hand and turned his head away.

I don't know why, but suddenly Bu Sha came to mind. I sighed, lay back on the bamboo chair, and said softly: "Qi Ran, if we three could just stay here forever, not having to worry about outside strife and intrigue, how wonderful would that be."

Qi Ran's motion paused, he turned his head to look at me, his blue eyes swirling with undeniable firmness and tenderness, plus a hint of ruthlessness. I stared, then heard his solemn promise: "Rest assured! That day will come!"

I smiled from the heart, about to speak, when I saw Qi Ran's brow suddenly tighten, gazing toward the door, he said lightly: "Bing Yi, I have something to attend to. Later I'll have Mo Yan come in; if you're bored alone, just let him escort you back."

I enjoyed closing my eyes, letting the sunlight wash over my face, I slightly curled my lips and said: "Oh, okay." Mo Yan? Wasn't that the man who took me to the prison that day?

I heard the sound of Qi Ran shaking dust from his clothes, his footsteps fading away until they vanished.

(End of chapter)