Chapter 151: Holding Hands and Growing Old Together

Xiao Mingyu observed the change in Nan Xueyin's expression, and a smile finally tugged at the corners of his mouth.

He stroked the White Jade Guanyin Pendant in his hand. "Yinyin, do you know? Actually, you are exceptionally clever; much of what you said is not wrong. I do indeed mind your background, mind your status, and have consistently refused to tell you that I like you. I also truly will not kill you; on the contrary, I will spare your life and let you protect me on the way back to Lianzhou."

Closing his fingers, Xiao Mingyu gripped the White Jade Guanyin Pendant in his palm, leaned down, and looked at Nan Xueyin with a smile. "But we have known each other for so many years; I still understand your personality, and I can guess many of your thoughts. I know that you probably really don't like me anymore. You are thinking of Xiao Youlan, bent on returning to his side, or perhaps, you might even kill me for his sake."

Nan Xueyin said nothing.

This was indeed her thought.

With the Gu Poison in her body still unresolved and her life held in Xiao Mingyu's hands, even if she wanted his life, she would not do it herself.

However, she could also "make a mistake" while protecting him, couldn't she?

If he were killed by an Assassin, Xiao Mingyu would have no way to blame it on her.

Once he was dead, she could find Bai Sheng to get the antidote and return to Xiao Youlan's side.

"It is just that the White Jade Guanyin Pendant you value most is in my hands. If anything happens to me on the road, I will shatter this pendant. I know this is the only memento your parents left you. Tell me, between this pendant and Xiao Youlan, which one is ultimately more important?"

Nan Xueyin narrowed her eyes.

"So, really, don't think so much. Later, I will have someone come in to feed you medicine to temporarily slow the poison. Tomorrow, when we return to Lianzhou, you must protect me well; there cannot be any mistakes."

Xiao Mingyu wore a smile. "After we return to Lianzhou, we will start over. Forget Yan Zhirong, and forget Xiao Youlan too. Just you, just me—we are both still young and can start over from the beginning."

Having finished speaking, without waiting for Nan Xueyin to say anything, Xiao Mingyu turned and walked out, neatly pulling the door shut.

Nan Xueyin lay on the bed, trying to struggle with force against the ropes on her body.

But her whole body was listless, and she could not break free no matter what.

Not long after, the door gave a soft sound, and an old woman with a face full of wrinkles entered, carrying a bowl of medicine in her hands.

She was a stranger; Nan Xueyin had never seen her before.

Xiao Mingyu was truly cautious, specifically finding an unfamiliar old woman to prevent Nan Xueyin from using emotional appeals to persuade the woman to let her go.

The old woman walked to the bedside and helped Nan Xueyin sit up.

"Untie me, I will drink it myself," Nan Xueyin said coldly.

The old woman, however, acted as if she had heard nothing; she did not untie the ropes, but merely fed her the medicinal broth patiently.

The medicinal broth was extremely bitter; Nan Xueyin had no choice, so she furrowed her brows and swallowed it with gritted teeth.

The old woman fed her very carefully, and seeing Nan Xueyin drink the last drop, she then took the bowl away.

"Are you a servant newly bought by Xiao Mingyu?" Nan Xueyin asked.

The old woman still heard nothing and did not speak; she took out a handkerchief and wiped the corners of Nan Xueyin's mouth.

Nan Xueyin suddenly felt irritable.

She felt that this old woman was far too calm.

Nan Xueyin pondered briefly, then moved her body, deliberately letting the old woman see her neck, which had been rubbed red by the ropes.

The old woman indeed showed signs of being unable to bear it and moved to untie the ropes binding her.

Once her hands regained freedom, before the ropes were even fully undone, Nan Xueyin suddenly launched an attack, grabbed the old woman's right hand, twisted it behind her back, and forcibly pinned her onto the bed.

Nan Xueyin coldly questioned: "The medicine Xiao Mingyu told you to feed me, what is it for?"

The old woman made whimpering sounds, unable to answer, her whole body trembling in fear.

Nan Xueyin sensed something unusual, pried open her mouth, and was slightly stunned.

This old woman had no tongue.

No wonder she could not make a sound.

The wound was still fresh; it seemed Xiao Mingyu had just done it not long ago.

Nan Xueyin went to look at the old woman's ears, and sure enough, she had already been made deaf as well.

Nan Xueyin knew that by sending such a person, Xiao Mingyu could ensure everything was foolproof to the greatest extent.

Nan Xueyin could not bear it and released the old woman.

She originally wanted to help the old woman stand steady by the bed, but the old woman was terrified of her, rolled onto the floor, and knelt, kowtowing several times.

Nan Xueyin sat on the edge of the bed, looking at her appearance, and furrowed her brows fiercely.

Eastern Palace.

Shu Yu and Song Jianing arrived back a beat late.

Xiao Youlan had just sent off Bai Sheng from the Duan Prince Mansion and was standing in place, dazed. There was no shelter here, and the scorching sun shone straight down, yet Xiao Youlan seemed to have no sensation of it.

"Crown Prince!"

Shu Yu could not bear it and called to him, "It is too hot standing here; you should go back and rest. We still have to find Miss Nan later!"

Xiao Youlan glanced sideways and gave a hum.

He looked at Song Jianing again, his voice calm, "Today, thank you."

Song Jianing shook her head.

She was still young and was a young lady raised in the boudoir; she had never run in such a hurry before and was already exhausted, her face pale.

Xiao Youlan said again: "Shu Yu, you take Miss Song back to rest."

Shu Yu responded and was about to lead Song Jianing back.

"Wait a moment!"

Song Jianing, however, thought of a very important matter.

Xiao Youlan had originally intended to return to the study to arrange and prepare for searching everywhere for Nan Xueyin; upon hearing this, his footsteps paused slightly.

Song Jianing took two quick steps, walked in front of Xiao Youlan, and took out that neatly folded piece of paper from her bosom. "This... was given to me by Miss Nan. She should have wanted to hand it to the Crown Prince, but she did not have time."

Xiao Youlan was somewhat puzzled and took it.

This piece of paper had been handled repeatedly and had many obvious creases.

Xiao Youlan slowly unfolded the paper, and his gaze suddenly paused.

The scent of ink overflowed from the paper, the line of characters elegant and beautiful, yet carrying a sense of vigorous strength.

"To hold your hand and grow old with you."

In the bottom left corner, the three characters "Nan Xueyin" were also written in very small script.

Xiao Youlan's fingers unconsciously rubbed over these three small characters; his heart felt soft, yet also very aching and sour.

This was something he had wholeheartedly wanted her to write; she had brushed him off with a few words at the time, and he had thought she had forgotten.

He had not expected that she had remembered all along.

"No wonder, Miss Nan asked for pen and ink two days ago, and has been hiding in her room these past few years..." Feihong, standing to the side, also saw this and could not help but sigh with emotion.

Xiao Youlan silently folded the paper back up, holding it in his hand with gentle movements.

He thanked Song Jianing and walked toward the study.

Feihong followed by his side, "Crown Prince, we must rescue Miss Nan, even if it means taking her from the Emperor..."

Xiao Youlan, however, frowned, "Something is wrong."

"What is wrong?"

Xiao Youlan recalled, "Just now, Bai Sheng came over and only brought two antidotes; he did not bring that pendant."