Chapter 45: Reconciliation

When their gazes met, Xia Tong’s face flushed bright red, and she quickly turned her head away, her heart racing. “Prince… Prince, didn’t you say that I haven’t developed well? How… How can I compare to your curvy concubines?”

What did it matter if someone was well-endowed and good in bed? She had no interest in that!

Seeing her curled up under the blankets, the man’s eyes darkened. “Then why are you so angry?”

Squirming under the covers, Xia Tong felt a sudden wave of uncertainty. Yes, why was she angry?

Just as she was about to explain, a hot hand slipped under her nightgown. Xia Tong was stunned, and she quickly blushed and pushed it away.

In an instant, the man flipped over and pinned her beneath him. His touch was slick and soft, igniting a restless heat within her. He stared intently at her flustered face. “I have not seen those women.”

Meeting his dark gaze, Xia Tong held her breath and remained silent for a moment. She believed the villain wouldn’t lie; he had no reason to deceive her. But why did he feel the need to explain this to her?

“Does your head still hurt?” His stern face softened slightly.

Xia Tong shook her head, her face still flushed and her gaze wandering aimlessly.

“Don’t challenge my bottom line in the future.” He frowned, his tone slightly more serious.

When he had just disappeared that day, this woman was already chatting and laughing with the Crown Prince, strolling leisurely. She deserved to be taught a harsh lesson.

Feeling the intense aura emanating from the other person, Xia Tong couldn’t help but glance at him nervously and said, “I’m sorry. I definitely won’t betray you again. It’s just… Shen Xin saved me, so I couldn’t just watch her die.”

Her voice trembled with unease, and her small face was filled with guilt. Gu Qin’s eyebrows twitched, his gaze icy. “Do you think I’m talking to you about this?”

Noticing that the other party seemed to be getting angrier, Xia Tong felt anxious and didn’t know where to look. Did she say something wrong?

She opened her mouth slightly and was about to explain further when the outline in front of her suddenly enlarged, and she felt a burning sensation on her lips.

“Mm…” Xia Tong’s eyes widened, her hands pushing feebly against his shoulders.

The air was filled with a faint, pleasant fragrance as he gently nibbled on her soft pink lips. After a moment, the man’s restless heart pushed open her parted lips, delving deep inside, their breaths mingling in a heated haze.

The strength of the man was overwhelming, and Xia Tong found herself pinned beneath him, unable to move. The warmth of his male presence made her dizzy, and her already feverish mind went blank, leaving her only able to groan weakly.

His kiss gradually moved to her delicate neck, his eyes swirling with an unprecedented storm, as if he wanted to tear her apart. Realizing that she still didn’t understand her mistake, he felt like throwing her into a den of snakes.

His large hand roamed down her soft waist, instinctively wandering upwards. When his fingers grazed a certain soft spot, he suddenly tightened his throat, instinctively swallowing hard.

“Go…go away…”

Xia Tong jolted back to reality, feeling both shy and angry as she covered his face with her hand to keep him away.

Gu Qin pulled her small hand away from his face, his eyes swirling with an unprecedented storm, looking as if he wanted to devour her. “I take back what I said before.”

For someone so delicate and petite, she has perfect features where they should be, but her waist is so weak that it almost seems like it needs to be broken.

Xia Tong didn’t immediately comprehend what was happening, but when she finally did, her little face turned as red as blood. “You… you… you’re too much!”

Staring at her crimson lips, the man’s gaze darkened further. Realizing she was still sick, he ultimately released her, carefully straightening his robe, his expression cold, as if nothing had just happened.

“Remember to take your medicine.” After saying this, his stern features bore a hint of displeasure. “Stay away from the Crown Prince in the future.”

With that, he stepped out of the room, his usually steady steps slightly hurried, his entire demeanor tense as if he were holding back something.

Outside, Fang Yu and the others immediately bowed upon seeing him come out, but they could only watch as the prince hurried away, unsure of what urgent matter had arisen.

Xia Tong nestled in her blanket, her face burning red. She tossed and turned, struggling to calm down. She… she had been violated again!

No, it turned out he was angry because she had been talking to the Crown Prince. Could it be that the villain was finally drawn to her beauty?

Recalling what had just happened, she felt a surge of anger. In bed, she appeared like a defiant and seductive figure, but once she got out of bed, her face turned cold and fierce. Men were indeed no good!

“Master, it’s time to take your medicine,” Fang Yu suddenly entered, holding a bowl of medicine.

Xia Tong felt embarrassed seeing anyone right now, but she still feigned calmness and sat up, taking the bowl and downing its contents in one go.

Seeing that her spirit had improved considerably, Fang Yu chuckled softly and retreated with the empty bowl.

After another night’s rest, Xia Tong’s fever finally subsided. Today was the old lady’s birthday, and since the plot was about to unfold, Xia Tong didn’t dare to slack off. After changing her clothes and stepping outside, she found Xi Feng waiting for her at the door.

“Please forgive me, Princess. In fact, I let those women into the master’s yard on my own initiative. The prince has definitely not touched them.” Xifeng pursed his lips and said very seriously.

The cold wind blew outside, and Xia Tong didn’t know how long he had been waiting, but she didn’t hold it against him. After all, it was just a misunderstanding.

“How did you get hurt on your face?” she asked curiously.

Following behind her, Xifeng hesitated for a moment, then finally replied in a low voice, “I got hurt accidentally while running an errand last night. Thank you for your concern, Princess.”

He had only wanted to create a sense of urgency for the princess. Who would have thought that the prince and the princess would reconcile, and he ended up being punished to stay in the snake pit for a whole night.

Behind them, Hongxue was somewhat indignant. The prince had actually punished Xifeng so severely for this woman. Fortunately, his skills were good, and the snakes inside were non-venomous. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have only sustained this little injury.

“I can see that you don’t look well either. Remember to rest more,” Xia Tong reminded him before turning to walk ahead.

Outside the residence, a carriage was already waiting. When she stepped up the wooden steps to get inside, she saw a cold figure sitting inside. The man was still reading a bamboo slip and merely lifted his gaze slightly upon her entrance, saying nothing.

Thinking of what had happened yesterday, Xia Tong felt her cheeks flushing again. But it was cold outside, so she moved closer to the man, grabbing his warm hand with her icy fingers, trying very awkwardly to focus on the bamboo slip in his other hand.

He didn’t look at her but naturally grasped her cold little hand, frowning slightly. How could she be so weak despite wearing so many layers?

The carriage swayed slightly, indicating that they had begun to move. Xia Tong was actually quite worried, not knowing if today’s plot would unfold as it did in the original story. Anyway, she needed to cling tightly to the big shot’s thigh first.

“When grandfather asked father to cancel the engagement, wasn’t the prince angry?” After a moment, she still boldly brought up this taboo topic.

The man’s expression remained unchanged, his eyes still lowered, his voice deep. “So, the person is dead.”

Xia Tong: “…”

In her memories, her grandfather had fallen gravely ill and had been dragging on for a while. Eventually, it seemed that he passed away because the imperial physician didn’t arrive in time.

However, her grandfather was already on his last legs. From what the villain implied, the delay of those physicians wasn’t just a coincidence.

A chill ran down Xia Tong’s spine, and she felt goosebumps rise. She wanted to discreetly pull her hand away from his grip.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught the man looking at her with a calm expression. He tightened his hold on her hand. “This king will not kill you, and no one can touch you.”

As their eyes met, although his expression was emotionless and his tone somewhat cold, Xia Tong inexplicably felt warmth in her heart. Fine, she now believed that he was genuinely attracted to her beauty.

Xia Tong didn’t particularly mourn for his grandfather, as that man wasn’t worth much in her eyes, and neither was the entire Xiahou family. She was mainly concerned about her own parents. Upon reflection, even though the villain was brutal to others, he had always been forgiving and tolerant toward her. He had never once mentioned letting the female lead go.

“Your Highness… why are you so nice to me?” She stole a glance at him, her expression complicated.

If it were merely due to her beauty, she didn’t think she was striking enough to be exceptional; surely, he had encountered more beautiful women than her.

Rubbing her small hand, the man looked at her meaningfully and replied, his gaze darkening slightly, “What do you think?”