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Mu Shengsheng held her breath, waited for the perfect moment, and with all the speed she could muster, pressed her lips against the man’s burning-hot lips.
The moment their lips met, a tingling, electrifying sensation coursed through her. Mu Shengsheng felt as if she were bathed in spring sunshine, surrounded by blooming flowers. She could almost see a vibrant scene before her—fluttering butterflies and birds circling and singing joyfully.
Along with this came a rush of life energy, swirling like a vortex and flooding into her body. Instantly, she felt revitalized, and her remaining life surged as if rolling forward, gaining several days in an instant!
Mu Shengsheng was utterly shocked. Just one kiss could extend her life by so many days? Then why had she bothered so desperately to think of ways to get close to him before?
Having faced repeated failures and teetered on the brink of despair, Mu Shengsheng suddenly felt the drive to survive again.
Her sudden kiss caught Lan Xun off guard; he hadn’t expected her to be so bold.
Her lips were cool to the touch but tasted sweet and soft, with a faint metallic tang of blood. Lan Xun had imagined every delicious thing in the world, yet nothing could compare to this—the scent and taste were so tempting, making one want to take another bite.
He had dreamt of this many times, but those dreams were always fleeting and unreal; in comparison, the real sensation of her lips was far more vivid.
Unfortunately, just as he started to entertain the thought of savoring it, the girl shyly pulled back, biting her moist lips. Her previously pale, lifeless face was now flushed red, resembling a peach blossom in full spring bloom, delicate and intoxicating.
Lan Xun exhaled a scorching breath, his throat dry as if it might smoke, swallowing reflexively.
Even after some time, he could still feel the coolness lingering on his lips, and recalling that tingling, electric sensation made a heat rise from his lower abdomen, an impulse he could hardly suppress.
His eyes gradually darkened, his voice hoarse as he asked, “Mu Shengsheng, do you know what you are doing?”
This was the first time he had been so overtaken—his head claimed by her.
“I… I know,” Mu Shengsheng said, blushing, breathing rapidly, her heart pounding.
Her mind raced. She couldn’t directly tell him that she had done this to prolong her life. She needed a plausible excuse for her actions.
“Since Shengsheng is a dying person, there’s nothing left to worry about,” she murmured, burying her head in his chest, tears brimming, revealing her feelings sincerely. “In truth, the moment I first saw Your Highness, I fell in love at first sight… The few times I pestered you were just so that, before I die, I could look at you a few more times, and that would satisfy me.”
Was this a confession?
Many women had confessed to Lan Xun before, and he had heard such words countless times, so often that his ears almost formed calluses. Yet today, recalling the kiss just now, he felt as if some invisible thread had entwined around him, impossible to shake off.
It is said that the words of the dying are sincere. Could everything she said be true?
Had it not been for Doctor Xu’s confirmation, Lan Xun would have found it hard to believe—a young girl in her prime was visibly wilting away before his eyes.
Mu Shengsheng nestled closer and continued, “It doesn’t matter if Your Highness does not accept Shengsheng’s feelings. I only ask to spend the remaining time by Your Highness’s side. That would be enough for me to die in peace.”
Saying these words, Mu Shengsheng could barely suppress a smile. After all, if she could seize a little advantage while staying close to him, she wouldn’t die!
Seeing Lan Xun silent and unresponsive, she spoke on her own: “Since Your Highness says nothing, Shengsheng will take that as consent.”
Noticing Lan Xun still hesitated, she immediately feigned weakness, clutching her chest and collapsing slightly against him, gasping. “Your Highness… Shengsheng feels so unwell…”
Her act seemed as if she could vomit blood at any moment.
That was enough. Lan Xun was scared.
He stopped pushing her away, though his body stiffened, sitting like a stone, tense and immobile, letting Mu Shengsheng manipulate him as if he were a toy.
After all, why quarrel with a dying person?
At that moment, a “gurgle” erupted from her stomach. She hadn’t eaten since yesterday, and now, after gaining six extra days of life in an instant, her energy was fully restored, and hunger hit.
“Your Highness… I’m so hungry,” Mu Shengsheng tugged at his sleeve.
Lan Xun summoned Xuanji and instructed the kitchen to prepare food.
Knowing she had not eaten for a long time, the kitchen staff were ready at a moment’s notice. Soon, hot dishes were brought one by one.
Prepared in the Lingxi Courtyard kitchen, the food suited Mu Shengsheng’s tastes—plain, vegetarian, without salt or seasoning.
Although she had regained her strength, she still acted weak, claiming she could not walk, letting Lan Xun carry her to the table.
“Your Highness… would you like to eat with Shengsheng?” she asked earnestly.
Lan Xun shook his head. “No need. The king has already eaten.”
The bland dishes were probably not to the Regency Prince’s liking, so Mu Shengsheng did not ask further. She picked up her chopsticks and began eating, her appetite suddenly strong.
Lan Xun sat beside her, watching her eat with satisfaction, frowning—unsure whether to be happy or worried.
Suddenly, she seemed capable of eating so well—could this be a revival of life?
He noticed that after she woke, her complexion had returned, full of vitality. Was it a temporary surge, or the effect of the pill he had given her?
It had been a rare pill given to him by Doctor Luo, meant for emergencies, capable of buying extra time. Last night, when Mu Shengsheng’s condition was critical, Lan Xun gave her the pill to sustain her just long enough for Doctor Luo to arrive.
After finishing her meal, Mu Shengsheng returned to the couch to rest.
She held onto Lan Xun’s arm, softly pleading, “Your Highness… stay with Shengsheng tonight, won’t you?”
Doctor Xu guessed that her time was near, and Lan Xun could not be certain whether her condition had improved. He intended to stay, fearing something might happen in the middle of the night.
Lan Xun withdrew his arm from her grasp, warning with a hint of command, “I may stay, but you’d better not take advantage of me.”
Mu Shengsheng’s idea of taking advantage was merely to have him in the same room, so she could secretly kiss him while he slept to prolong her life. What else could she want?
Fingering the hem of her clothes, she whispered, “I’m not afraid… why are you? Shengsheng is so sick, how could she climb into your bed?”
Lan Xun nearly choked. This little creature had no filter—what was she saying?