Chapter 162: The Prince Consort Arrives

However, the cold light in her eyes vanished in an instant. Hua Lianying's body sank into the water, and by the time she splashed back up, Nan Xueyin's expression was once again full of ignorance and helplessness.

The maid reported the news quickly, and Xiao Mingyu rushed over soon after.

Hua Lianying was fished out in time. She could not care about her bedraggled, soaked state and struggled to speak to Xiao Mingyu: "She hasn't lost her memory! Nan Xueyin is faking it!"

Before the words had even faded, Nan Xueyin had already lunged toward Xiao Mingyu.

"Prince, I'm scared."

Her voice trembled lightly, carrying an obvious sense of grievance.

The look in Xiao Mingyu's eyes as he gazed at Nan Xueyin held clear tenderness.

Nan Xueyin shrank behind him and looked cautiously at Hua Lianying, "I don't know why, but she was so fierce to me the moment she came over. Prince, she even called me sister... Is she your Side Consort?"

Hua Lianying felt this scene before her was too eyesore, and gritted her teeth, "What are you pretending to be weak for!"

"Shut up!"

Xiao Mingyu shouted angrily, rebuking Hua Lianying.

Turning to Nan Xueyin, his voice softened, and he comforted her patiently: "She is not a Side Consort; she is nothing at all. Don't be afraid, with me here, no one can hurt you."

Nan Xueyin nodded obediently.

Watching this scene, Hua Lianying felt that Nan Xueyin's posture was very familiar.

It was as if...

It was what she had done to Xiao Mingyu in front of Nan Xueyin in the past.

What was this called?

The tables have turned?

Hua Lianying gritted her teeth, "Nan Xueyin, you can fool others, but you can't fool me! You haven't lost your memory at all! You're even imitating how I used to act!"

But before Nan Xueyin could say anything, Xiao Mingyu ordered coldly: "Slap her mouth!"

Two maids walked forward; one held down Hua Lianying's shoulders, while the other rolled up her sleeves and delivered two crisp, sharp slaps.

The slap Nan Xueyin had given Hua Lianying earlier had not yet healed, and being struck again now, her face was so swollen that its original appearance could no longer be seen.

She had never felt so aggrieved, "I... everything I said is true!"

Xiao Mingyu narrowed his eyes dangerously.

The maid caught the Prince's displeasure and gave Hua Lianying two more slaps, "You wretched thing! How dare you speak recklessly about the Prince Consort!"

Hua Lianying had no tears left to cry.

In the past, she had always pretended to be aggrieved, deliberately putting on a miserable show of being bullied by Nan Xueyin to lead Xiao Mingyu into conflict with Nan Xueyin and drive a wedge between the two of them.

But now, she had clearly done nothing, yet she had suffered these slaps for nothing.

She hated it to the core!

"Lock her up! Without my order, she is not allowed to step half a step out of her room!" Xiao Mingyu commanded.

"Yes!"

The maids moved to drag Hua Lianying away.

As they passed by Xiao Mingyu, Hua Lianying was unwilling to give up; she struggled free, lunged to Xiao Mingyu's feet, and clutched his legs, shouting at the top of her lungs: "Prince, believe me, she really hasn't lost her memory... really hasn't... I saw her eyes in the water, those were Nan Xueyin's eyes, she definitely hasn't lost her memory..."

Xiao Mingyu frowned, and without a second thought, kicked Hua Lianying flying with one foot.

This blow used his full strength; the back of Hua Lianying's head struck the ground, and she immediately fell into a coma.

The two maids lifted Hua Lianying up and carried her back to her small courtyard.

Nan Xueyin looked worried: "Prince, will she be alright?"

Xiao Mingyu glanced sideways: "She has been speaking ill of you, and you are still worried about whether she is alright?"

Nan Xueyin said in a low voice: "But she is a weak woman after all. Perhaps..."

She glanced at Xiao Mingyu and lowered her eyes again, "Perhaps, she just admires the Prince and said those things on purpose, wanting the Prince to cherish her as well."

Xiao Mingyu looked at her with interest: "You aren't jealous at all."

Nan Xueyin pursed her lips, "I am, I just keep it hidden in my heart."

Xiao Mingyu's heart softened, and he touched her cheek, "I don't cherish her. I only cherish you. From now on, I will have them keep a strict watch; today's incident will not happen again."

Nan Xueyin revealed a shy smile, nodded her head, and said "Mm."

"I still have some matters to attend to; would you like to come to the study to keep me company?" Xiao Mingyu asked.

"But I haven't finished feeding the fish." Nan Xueyin pointed not far away.

Xiao Mingyu laughed: "Then go feed the fish. You don't know how to read; if you go to the study, I fear you'll just fall asleep."

Nan Xueyin only smiled softly.

Xiao Mingyu took a final, deep look at her, then left with his entourage in high spirits.

In a place where he could not see, the curve of Nan Xueyin's lips fell, her gaze turned cold, and she rubbed her own face.

That was the spot Xiao Mingyu had just touched; she rubbed it vigorously, as if to wipe away every trace.

The sky turned dark.

Xiao Mingyu finished reading the last page of the accounts and finished giving the necessary instructions.

He sat at his desk, thinking about where to sleep later.

For the past few days, he had been sleeping alone; after all, his body had developed such a condition that he could not react to other women, and besides, even when he was with other women, his heart was entirely filled with Nan Xueyin.

How about...

A flash of inspiration struck Xiao Mingyu's mind: should he go sleep with Nan Xueyin tonight?

In any case, she had lost her memory and simply considered herself the Duan Prince Consort.

When facing Nan Xueyin, Xiao Mingyu always had very intense reactions.

At the thought of this, Xiao Mingyu's heart began to beat rapidly.

But would that be too fast?

If they really were to sleep together, should he have Nan Xueyin drink a contraceptive decoction?

If she drank it, what if she asked why the Consort was also drinking this?

If she did not drink it, and Nan Xueyin became pregnant with his child, that would also lead to many troubles and inconveniences...

"Prince."

Just as Xiao Mingyu was hesitating, Bai Sheng entered.

"What is it?"

"The Consort is here," Bai Sheng reported.

A former colleague having unexpectedly become the "boss's wife"—this transformation was too sudden, and whenever he said the words "the Consort," Bai Sheng still felt a bit unaccustomed to it.

Xiao Mingyu raised his eyes, "Hurry and let her in."

Bai Sheng acknowledged the order.

When Nan Xueyin entered the study, a maid behind her was carrying a Food Box.

"Why have you come so late?" Xiao Mingyu asked in a gentle voice.

"The Prince has not returned for so long, so I came to take a look," Nan Xueyin said, "I also had them make lotus seed soup; it clears heat and dispels internal fire."

The maid added in a timely manner: "The lotus seeds inside were peeled by the Consort herself this afternoon."

Nan Xueyin lowered her head shyly.

Xiao Mingyu rose and stepped forward, squeezing her hand, "You have worked hard."

"It was no trouble at all," Nan Xueyin said, "Prince, would you like to have a taste?"

"Since the lotus seeds were peeled by the Consort herself, I must naturally have a taste."

The maid walked forward, took the lotus seed soup out of the Food Box, and placed it on the desk.

Xiao Mingyu went over and sat down, scooped up a spoonful, and put it into his mouth.

Nan Xueyin's eyes were bright, filled with anticipation, "Is it good?"

Xiao Mingyu nodded, "It is good."

Nan Xueyin breathed a sigh of relief, "As long as it is good, I was worried the Prince might not like it."

The maid and Bai Sheng exchanged a glance; both were tactful, retreated one after the other, and even closed the study door.

Xiao Mingyu noticed this out of the corner of his eye, thinking that the servants in this estate were indeed sensible, knowing that it was night and they should give the Prince and Consort space to be alone.

However, he truly had not yet decided whether he should sleep with Nan Xueyin.

"Prince, you have been busy all day, are you tired?"

Nan Xueyin asked as she walked behind Xiao Mingyu, pressing her hands onto his shoulders.

After all, Nan Xueyin had been an Assassin; even though she had lost her memory, the strength in her hands remained, and her kneading made Xiao Mingyu feel very relaxed and comfortable.

He smiled and said: "Although it is tiring, with Yinyin's company, it is not so arduous."

Nan Xueyin kneaded patiently and asked softly: "Then where will the Prince rest later? Will you sleep in my room?"

Xiao Mingyu had not made up his mind and did not reply for a moment.

Nan Xueyin looked puzzled, hooked her arm around his neck, and leaned down slightly to look at him, "What is wrong?"

Her dark hair fell down, brushing against Xiao Mingyu's cheek and neck, causing a persistent, unbearable tickle.

Xiao Mingyu gazed at Nan Xueyin's rich, alluring face, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down; he was, after all, deeply stirred by desire.

He wrapped his large hand around Nan Xueyin's waist and pulled her onto his lap, "Yinyin, let's not go to the room, let's just stay here in the study..."

Nan Xueyin obediently wrapped her arms around his neck and lowered her head, leaning closer and closer; she was about to take the initiative to kiss his lips.

Just as they were inches apart, suddenly, Nan Xueyin furrowed her brows.

She abruptly pushed Xiao Mingyu away, and with a "pfft" sound, she spat out a large mouthful of blood.

The color of that blood was strange; it was not bright red, but blackish.

"Yinyin..."

Xiao Mingyu was greatly shocked, wanting to ask her what was wrong.

Nan Xueyin was in great pain and collapsed to the ground, "Prince, it hurts... my whole body hurts..."

Xiao Mingyu was suddenly struck by a bad premonition—

This was likely the Gu Poison in her body acting up.

But by his calculations, it was not yet time; how could the poison suddenly flare up?