Chapter 4: Who Saved Her?

"Want to die?" His thin lips pressed slightly down, his tone eerily cold.

She was forced to lift her head and meet the man's gaze.

The night was desolate; if Shen Shuangning knew who she had encountered, she would be frightened to death.

But perhaps catching that familiar scent, she instinctively relaxed her mind, allowing the evil to erode her reason.

Thus she not only wasn't afraid of the man's threat, but boldly pressed close, coquettishly calling him "my lord."

Xiao Jingyuan merely saw the Third Prince heading this way and followed, never expecting to be molested by a stranger.

Besides being held like this by his mother in childhood, he had never been so offended before.

What's more, after this powder-faced young man embraced him, he dared to call him "my lord"—a term wives use for their husbands.

Xiao Jingyuan's forehead veins throbbed; he instinctively thought the Third Prince had sent someone to disgust him on purpose.

He then seized her slender, fragile throat, roughly pressing her against the pillar, pain making tears well in Shen Shuangning's eyes.

Each knuckle was cold and white as jade, his black pupils reflecting the woman's pale, delicate face.

Xiao Jingyuan felt murderous intent.

But the next moment, he froze.

The person before him lifted her watery eyes, their depths shimmering like spring water, lips naturally red, exquisite beyond description, like a bewitching elf of the night.

Xiao Jingyuan wasn't one to lust after beauty, yet seeing this springtime allure, his twenty‑year‑dormant heart jumped inexplicably, his fingers unconsciously loosening.

At the age of coming of age, when vigor is at its peak, a man's natural instincts are fully present.

After regaining his composure, his already aloof face grew even colder.

It turned out to be a girl.

His thin lips let out a cold chuckle.

The Third Prince, vying with the Crown Prince, has long sought to win over the Yan Prince's mansion—has he already resorted to a beauty plot against him?

Only when Shen Shuangning raised her hand, digging her nails into the hand gripping her neck, did Xiao Jingyuan release her.

A woman without even a dagger meant nothing to him.

"Leave at once, and I'll spare your life." Xiao Jingyuan narrowed his sharp eyes; his proud gaze exuded a chilling menace, colder than this winter night.

Shen Shuangning's mind was clouded; seeing the man's ferocious aspect, she was about to cry.

Her tears fell like broken beads, large drops streaming down, affected by the drug's effect, she sobbed uncontrollably—a truly unsightly sight.

Xiao Jingyuan felt only irritation.

Forget it.

He had no time to waste here.

Just as he lifted his foot to leave, a crowd approached from afar.

Their steps were uniform and resonant, far from the bearing of ordinary manor guards.

Xiao Jingyuan's expression shifted slightly.

Zhai Ji actually keeps private troops at the Drunken Cloud Pavilion?

Xiao Jingyuan turned back, his tall figure looming; a hand covered her lips, and in an instant they hid behind the rockery, so close their breaths intertwined.

The footsteps in the distance drew nearer, without pausing.

Shen Shuangning didn't know the situation; she felt terrible, pressed against the wall by the man, the drug's effect making her unable to control herself, both hands fidgeting anxiously.

She was not the inexperienced fifteen‑year‑old Shen Shuangning; she had rolled in bed with Xiao Jingyuan countless times, he had once cold‑face rejected her advances, and a seasoned woman knows exactly how to win over a aloof man.

Xiao Jingyuan was fully focused on monitoring the distant movements.

Suddenly, his face changed, as if he were extremely annoyed.

"No tears till the coffin is seen!"

He grabbed her two restless hands, pressed them above her head, his eyes full of warning.

Shen Shuangning seemed puzzled, gazing at him doubtfully, her disheveled clothes revealing a delicate collarbone.

Under the moonlight her face was gorgeous, almost demonic; if she returned to her female form, even a sage could hardly resist such allure.

Young Master Xiao's eyes flickered with killing intent for a moment, then he narrowed them slightly.

At last he discovered she had been drugged.

"If you keep moving, I'll throw you out." He lowered his voice, issuing a stern warning; seeing her comply, he freed a hand to feel her pulse.

Soon after, a flash of surprise crossed Xiao Jingyuan's eyes.

It was the Western Regions' Yiluo fragrance.

During his time in the Northern Border, enemy spies who used beauty plots against him had often employed this trick; he was no stranger to it.

Xiao Jingyuan's gaze toward Shen Shuangning gradually shifted.

Yiluo fragrance is stronger than ordinary aphrodisiacs; holding out this long requires great willpower.

Xiao Jingyuan, by moonlight, made out her attire and immediately understood.

It turned out she was that unlucky soul.

Now he believed it—the other party was not the Third Prince's man.

Perhaps from the pain of being gripped, Shen Shuangning regained a moment of clarity, helplessly pleading, "Save me……"

But she still couldn't make out who stood before her.

Xiao Jingyuan hesitated a heartbeat, then bit his own finger, letting her suck on it.

The woman's lips were full and small, shimmering with a pearlescent hue; when her fingertip touched her moist lips, Xiao Jingyuan stiffened for an instant.

He then turned his head away, shut his eyes tightly, and upon opening them again had regained clarity.

The wind whispered softly; suddenly a loud shout came from outside the rockery.

"Who's there?!"

This person is Zhai Ji's confidant.

He noticed someone hidden behind the fake mountain.

Just as he was about to approach, the person inside came out.

The man's face was like cold frost, his whole body exuding an aura that warned strangers to keep away.

"Young Master?"

I never expected to meet the Young Master of the Yan Prince's Manor here.

Could it be that the Third Prince's assault is related to Xiao Jingyuan?

The confidant narrowed his eyes and asked, "Young Master, why are you here?"

Before Xiao Jingyuan could answer, a soft, boneless hand reached out from the white fox-fur cloak, naturally climbing onto his neck, evoking endless imagination.

Upon seeing that hand, the confidant guessed what had happened; indeed he saw Xiao Jingyuan's hair a little disheveled, making it easy to imagine what they had done in that sort of place.

Xiao Jingyuan looked annoyed at being disturbed and coldly said, "You tell me?"

The other party immediately lowered his head, embarrassed, and said, "It's this subordinate who disturbed the Young Master's elegant pursuits; Young Master, please calm your anger."

Xiao Jingyuan snorted coldly, lifted his foot, and left.

Suddenly he was called again.

"Wait."

Xiao Jingyuan stopped not far away and turned his head.

"The Third Prince was schemed against; we, acting on orders, are to capture the assassin. May I ask if the Young Master has seen any suspicious person?"

Xiao Jingyuan lowered his eyes, glanced at the woman in his arms, and expressionlessly said, "If you think I'm suspicious, go ahead and act."

"This subordinate doesn't mean that..."

Xiao Jingyuan said, "The Third Prince's injury may not be due to an assassin; making him keep his pants in order is more important than anything."

Hearing this, the confidant's face inevitably flushed; to mock a prince so brazenly, only the Young Master of the Yan Prince's Manor could do such a thing.

Watching the Young Master's departing back, the confidant straightened his waist and curled his lips.

Engaging in licentious conduct with a maiden outside, and still having the nerve to speak of their Third Prince?

Leaving the Drunken Cloud Pavilion, Xiao Jingyuan went straight to the Hall of Skilled Hands.

Clearly it only takes the time to finish a cup of tea to reach the quack doctor's place, yet along the way it felt especially arduous.

Upon arriving at the place, Xiao Jingyuan kicked the door open, having no patience whatsoever.

"Don't ask anything, just treat first."

After saying that, he went to sit outside the screen, poured himself tea, and downed two cups in a row.

Mu Yu gave Xiao Shizi a strange look, then shifted his gaze to the person on the bed.

Shen Shuangning's face flushed crimson, her lips opening and closing as she breathed, occasionally emitting a restrained moan.

Mu Yu noticed the clue.

"She has been poisoned by Yiluo Fragrance," Xiao Jingyuan said.

Yiluo Fragrance works only on women.

Mu Yu carefully felt Shen Shuangning's pulse, his face suddenly changing: "You made her drink your blood?!"

Not a question, but an affirmation.

Xiao Jingyuan said calmly, "If not for that, she wouldn't have lasted until now."

"Do you know how dangerous your blood is?" Mu Yu said somewhat reproachfully.

The Young Master Xiao threw out a line: "Isn't there still you?"

Mu Yu nearly choked with anger. Really will cause her trouble!

Mu Yu is a female doctor; knowing the patient is a maiden, she peeled off her clothes layer by layer and began acupuncture.

After half an hour, having withdrawn the needles, Shen Shuangning had already fallen into deep sleep.

And the Young Master Xiao had also left.

"Who's paying the consultation fee?" Mu Yu stomped her foot, angrily said.

Afterwards, from the woman's clothes they found a jade pendant, its pattern intricate, engraved with a flowing, conspicuous "Rong" character.

Rong State Duke's Manor.

Mu Yu raised her eyebrows.

After Shen Shuangning returned to the Duke's Manor, she fell ill, dazed, and lay in bed for three full days before recovering.

Shen Er and A Heng, who allowed her to sneak out of the manor, also were punished; besides that, no major incident occurred.

Shen Shuangning paid a price, altering Shen Er's fate in this life.

Winter sunlight streamed through the window, the house heated by ground dragon, warm and cozy.

Shen Shuangning opened her arms; Aunt Liu of the clothing shop stood aside to take measurements for the young lady and sew clothes.

"The Fourth Miss has grown taller again; the front closure feels a bit tight. When making the new spring silk gauze, we could add half an inch of brocade trim to the collar—it would look splendid and accentuate the shoulder line even more beautifully."

Shen Shuangning blushed slightly.

Madam Shen seated nearby laughed: "This girl has been a picky eater since childhood, refusing this and that; not until she came of age did she start growing shoots; the new clothes just made no longer fit her, but her figure is becoming more and more exquisite."

"Mother!" Shen Shuangning pouted, "You also make fun of me."

"You're almost marrying, your skin still this thin." Madam Shen signaled the maid to give Aunt Liu silver, and also said: "This year's new clothes, also give a share to the Fifth Miss, go."

Aunt Liu bowed, smiling obsequiously: "Thank you, Madam of the Duke's Manor, common woman has noted." Then she retreated.

"Your health is better; in a moment go pay respects to your grandmother, she always mentions you." Madam Shen took the snail-shaped dark pigment from the maid's hand, carefully drew eyebrows for her daughter.

After the old Duke passed away, the eldest legitimate son Shen Lang inherited the title, that is Shen Shuangning's father; Shen Lang still has two younger brothers, the second and third branches.

Only the third branch's uncle passed away five years ago, leaving behind wife and daughter; the third branch has no male heirs, so the manor takes extra care of them.

Whatever Shen Shuangning possessed, Madam Shen never let the Fifth Miss fall short.

Among noble and aristocratic households, the Duke's Mansion was relatively small in population and quite harmonious. In Shen Shuangning's memory of the past fifteen years, it had always been carefree, sweet, and happy.

Until she married into Prince Yan's Mansion, then bad news came one after another: first her father died in battle while suppressing bandits, her eldest brother went missing, her second brother committed suicide, and her mother, unable to bear the blow, passed away. In just two years, the main branch of the Duke's Mansion was left with only Shen Shuangning; finally she too met her demise in Prince Yan's Mansion, her beauty faded and she perished......

Shen Shuangning gazed at her mother, who was within arm's reach, and couldn't help but wrap her arms around her waist, her eyes turning slightly red.

In her previous life, she never even got to see her mother's final face—it was her failure to be filial.

"From now on, Ningning will never run around recklessly again; I won't let Mother worry."

In this life, she is determined to change the fate of the main branch of the Duke's Mansion.

Madam Shen gently stroked her daughter's hair.

When Shen Lang entered and saw his wife and daughter embracing, his gaze unconsciously softened, making his stern face appear quite gentle.

During these few days that Shen Shuangning was ill, no matter how busy Shen Lang was, he always made time to visit her; at first, seeing his daughter's sickly state, he had shed tears several times, but now, seeing his daughter finally recovered, a smile appeared on his face.

These few days since her rebirth have left Shen Shuangning feeling as happy as if she were in a dream, fearing that it might just be a dream.

On the way to the Hall of Virtue and Benevolence, Madam Shen said: "That Young Marquis Xie saved you; we ought to go pay our respects. I sent a visit card yesterday, and this morning they returned a reply. After we pay our respects to your grandmother a moment later, you can come with me."

She also said: "By the way, have you picked out the thank-you gift?"