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That night, Lan Xun kept his word and left.
He made sure Mu Shengsheng was settled on the couch, then had the postponed official documents brought over. By candlelight, he continued handling state affairs.
The flickering yellow flame cast shadows on the man’s handsome face. His skin was flawless, his dark eyes focused solely on the documents before him. Fully absorbed in work, he looked serious and commanding, yet carried a unique charm.
Mu Shengsheng peeked through the gap in the bed curtains several times, stealing glances at Lan Xun. Each time she saw his face, she thought it incredibly pleasing to the eye.
As long as this man stayed silent, he didn’t seem so intimidating.
A solitary man and woman, sharing a room.
Mu Shengsheng, lying there, wasn’t entirely obedient. Occasionally she called out, “Your Highness, I’m thirsty.”
Lan Xun brought her water, feeding it to her carefully.
Soon she spoke again, “Your Highness, I’m cold…”
Lan Xun had someone replace her thin quilt with a thicker embroidered one.
“Your Highness… Your Highness…”
No sooner had she sat down than she started again, giving Lan Xun a headache. He raised his head, frowned, and asked patiently, “What do you want now?”
Mu Shengsheng pouted. “I’m not feeling well.”
“…”
Lan Xun put down his documents once more and came over to check on her.
He examined her carefully and found nothing abnormal—at least, she was far better than the terrifying state of last night.
He felt her forehead; no fever. He asked again, “Where do you feel unwell?”
Mu Shengsheng smiled and took his hand.
She had indeed felt dizzy and unwell earlier, but touching the man’s hand was like inhaling a breath of divine air—instantly, all discomfort vanished, and her body felt light and free.
He truly was her remedy.
“I’m feeling much better. You should go back to work, Your Highness.”
Once her body recovered, Mu Shengsheng waved him off and pulled the curtains closed, covering herself with the quilt and turning away, falling asleep immediately.
“…”
Perhaps because she was in the same room as Lan Xun, her breathing was smooth, and she quickly dozed off.
Though light, her breathing was steady, showing no sign of her condition worsening.
Lan Xun stared at the empty palm she had touched. For a moment, he felt an odd sensation—as if he were a tool used and discarded, leaving him with a strange, indescribable feeling.
He tidied the curtains, extinguished the bedside lamp, and returned to his desk to continue reviewing official documents.
The night deepened, and the wind slipping through the window flickered the oil lamp.
At some point during the night, Mu Shengsheng woke, quietly lifting a corner of the curtain to look toward Lan Xun.
Since her collapse from illness and vomiting blood, Lan Xun had not slept, attending to her while handling state affairs.
While reviewing documents today, he had been so exhausted that he had intended to rest briefly, but ended up sleeping face-down on the desk.
Mu Shengsheng observed for a while and confirmed he was genuinely asleep.
She then lifted her quilt, slipped out of bed, and tiptoed over to him, barefoot, careful not to make a sound.
The desk was piled high with documents, leaving just enough space for a man to lie down.
Lan Xun slept with his eyes closed, long eyelashes, high nose like a snowy peak, his face chiseled and mature. The usual aloofness of the Regency Prince was softened in sleep, his whole being calm and peaceful.
If not for his title, he might easily be the most handsome man in the capital, the dream of countless young women.
Mu Shengsheng stared at him for a long moment before remembering her purpose.
Carefully, she leaned in, tilted her chin, and placed a gentle kiss on his handsome lips. Though brief, her goal was achieved.
A strange heat surged through her body, and her life extended by five more days. She felt a pleasure she hadn’t experienced in a long time.
Overjoyed, she almost danced, but fearing she might wake Lan Xun, she forced herself to stay quiet.
Quietly, she returned to bed, unnoticed.
Lying there, she touched her lips, her heart still racing from the excitement.
Excellent—she could live another ten days now!
Soon, she dozed off, unaware that the lamp had gone out. At dawn, Lan Xun suddenly awoke.
He quickly rose and went to check on her, even probing her breath with his finger.
When he confirmed she was still alive, he exhaled in relief.
His lips felt dry; he licked them, tasting an odd sweetness. Had he eaten anything sugary last night?
Returning to his desk, he poured a cup of water and drank.
He vaguely remembered having a dream—of Mu Shengsheng secretly approaching and kissing him while he slept.
His gaze fell on the embroidered shoes at the bedside. They hadn’t moved. She must have remained in bed the entire time.
Perhaps it had only been a dream. After all, in recent days, he had dreamt all sorts of things with her, so it didn’t feel unusual.
By that evening, Tianshu had finally brought Doctor Luo back.
Originally, three days would not have been enough, but on the way, Tianshu heard that Doctor Luo was nearby and hurried to fetch him.
Doctor Luo, upon learning the Regency Prince had summoned him, didn’t dare delay. He handed his tasks to his apprentice and rushed to the capital without rest.
It had already been two days and nights since Mu Shengsheng fell ill.
Tianshu had not slept for two days, changing horses multiple times. Upon returning, Lan Xun told him to rest immediately.
Only the young man in white, Luo Qing, remained, carrying a medicine box to diagnose Mu Shengsheng.
Despite exhaustion, Luo Qing knew the girl might be on the brink of death, so he pushed through.
He sat by the bed, placing fingers on her wrist, his expression shifting constantly.
After diagnosis, he muttered in surprise, “I thought she would die soon… but it seems she still has ten or eight days to live?”
Mu Shengsheng, hearing this, was amazed. The divine doctor could even tell how many days she had left—how incredible!
At the same time, she felt guilty. Would he realize she had prolonged her life by kissing Lan Xun?