Font Size:
Luo Qing’s smile froze; he felt an unsettling chill from Lan Xun’s gaze. Hastily, he stood and bowed. “A humble subject pays respects to the Regency Prince.”
Lan Xun stepped into the room and asked, “How is she?”
Luo Qing reported truthfully, “The poison has been neutralized, but she needs a few days of rest to recover. Additionally, perhaps due to the effects of the pill she took yesterday, Miss Mu’s condition has stabilized considerably. There is no sign of a relapse for now, which gives me time to prepare the medicine.”
He was referring to the time Mu Shengsheng had collapsed from vomiting blood—her episodes of illness.
Normally, a small spit of blood was minor, but uncontrollable vomiting and near-death bleeding counted as severe episodes.
Lan Xun nodded. “Nothing more for you here.”
Luo Qing, understanding the hint, bowed and left immediately.
Lan Xun walked slowly to Mu Shengsheng’s bedside. Looking down at her, he asked, “Feeling better?”
Recalling his threatening look last night, Mu Shengsheng felt a little afraid of him…
Yet her eyes couldn’t help but glance at his lips. Just one bite could grant her strength and replenish her life force. The invisible allure was addictive—who could resist?
She stared at him for a long moment, until he looked at her. When their eyes met, she quickly averted her gaze, burying her head as she replied, “Shengsheng is much better. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness.”
Lan Xun nodded. “Xie Wan’ning has been sent out of the capital and can no longer harm you. From now on, focus on your recovery. Eat whatever you want, use whatever you need—don’t hesitate to command. After all, your suffering was because of my involvement…”
He thought, had he acted sooner to completely sever Xie Wan’ning’s obsession, many women wouldn’t have suffered. He could only hope that this lesson would make her behave; if she continued to resist, he would have no choice but to act ruthlessly.
Speaking of eating… Mu Shengsheng finally realized her stomach was empty, practically pressing her front against her back.
She had only eaten a few pastries and oranges last night out of stubbornness and then slept the entire day. Feeling dizzy and weak, she suspected she had nearly fainted from hunger.
The room was so quiet that her stomach’s growls were clearly audible, even to Lan Xun.
Lan Xun instructed Zi Su outside, “Bring something to eat.”
The kitchen had already prepared millet porridge, and soon Zi Su carried it in.
Zi Su brought the porridge confidently to Lan Xun’s hands before stepping back.
Lan Xun paused in surprise. She wasn’t serving Mu Shengsheng herself? Did she intend him to do it? After a moment, he carried the bowl to the bed and said, “Sit up and drink some porridge.”
Mu Shengsheng tried to sit, but dizziness and weakness overtook her, and she collapsed back.
Lying there with eyes closed and brow furrowed, she murmured, “Shengsheng is dizzy and weak. Your Highness, could you help me?”
Lan Xun placed the bowl nearby and sat on the bed’s edge.
With one arm around her shoulders, he effortlessly helped her sit up.
Mu Shengsheng slumped into his embrace, pressing her face against his chest, whining, “I can’t… Shengsheng is so dizzy… so uncomfortable…”
Though she seemed to be suffering, feeling the strength in his arms energized her. Her dizziness vanished, and she felt less hungry. The comfort made her unwilling to leave his embrace, quickly making up for the lost day’s energy.
Mu Shengsheng giggled quietly against him.
Lan Xun immediately saw through her act, his voice turning cold. “Mu Shengsheng, are you hungry or trying to take advantage of me?”
“…” She had already ‘taken advantage’—she didn’t even need the food.
Embarrassed, she smiled sheepishly, rising from his embrace and pretending innocence. “Your Highness, you misunderstand. Shengsheng isn’t trying to take advantage—it’s really uncomfortable… though I feel better now.”
Lan Xun steadied her shoulder with one hand while handing her the porridge with the other.
Mu Shengsheng took a spoonful after spoonful. Feeling awkward with him watching so closely, she scooped some for him out of habit. “Do you want some, Your Highness?”
Lan Xun turned his face away. She had eaten already, and her saliva lingered on her lips… yet recalling their kiss, he remembered how much of it she had already given him.
Her tender lips had been chapped—he had accidentally pressed too hard last night while kissing her.
The unfinished business had left a lingering heat in him, a difficult-to-control desire.
Seeing him staring, Mu Shengsheng felt slightly guilty and asked, blinking, “Is there something on my face?”
Lan Xun recovered composure, took a handkerchief, and wiped her lips clean.
The accidental touch of her lips was like touching a lethal weak spot, igniting imagination. Her weakened body, poisoned earlier, was even more delicate… untouchable.
The man suppressed his desire, calmly finishing cleaning her lips and said, “Rest well. I have business; I’ll see you another day.”
He helped her lie down, summoned Zi Su to attend her, and left.
Stepping outside into the cold wind, Lan Xun inhaled deeply, letting the heat in his chest dissipate.
For the next few days, Mu Shengsheng rested in bed, occupying herself with books.
Lan Xun had specially sent rare ancient texts from the library, and Mu Shengsheng read them with interest, never feeling bored.
Lan Xun visited twice, but only exchanged a few words before leaving in a hurry.
One day, after court, Lan Xun left the palace to deal with unfinished documents. He had become accustomed to bringing work back since Mu Shengsheng had been staying at the Regency Prince’s residence.
Just as he mounted his carriage, a young man blocked his way.
It was Emperor Lan Heng, no longer in dragon robes, wearing a simple brocade robe. He lifted the carriage curtain and casually sat beside Lan Xun.
Lan Xun stared at him for a moment before asking, “Your Majesty, this is…”
Lan Heng laughed brightly. “It’s been a long time since I visited the Royal Uncle’s residence. Today, some matters the Grand Tutor explained unclearly, so I thought to trouble you, Royal Uncle, to clarify.”
As a child, the young emperor had been close to Lan Xun, often following him and visiting the Regency Prince’s residence. Growing up, the relationship cooled, and visits became rare.
Today, he suddenly requested to visit—could it be that his intentions were not merely formal?
Could it be… about Mu Shengsheng?