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Realizing that he seemed to have been teased, Lan Xun’s face darkened instantly. He closed his eyes, gritted his teeth, and spoke each word deliberately: “Mu Shengsheng!”
Mu Shengsheng had only spoken the truth. She craved the life-extending power that came from him—it was almost addictive. Whenever she saw Lan Xun, she wanted either to embrace him or to kiss him, clinging to him as if she couldn’t let go. Her body was no different from a normal person’s.
Seeing Lan Xun’s expression grow dark, she lowered her head in grievance. “Shengsheng only wants to be close to Your Highness because I like you so much. Otherwise, once I die, I won’t have the chance. If Your Highness despises me, Shengsheng will never dare offend again…”
Before she could finish, Lan Xun lifted her chin. His warm lips pressed tightly against hers, simple and direct, then parted after a brief moment.
His voice was magnetic, low and threaded with control: “This is the last time.”
Without another word, he withdrew swiftly, not even looking back.
Mu Shengsheng hadn’t fully reacted when the life-extending power surged into her body again. Her life was extended by another ten days—twenty in total now.
She couldn’t contain her joy, her smile spreading uncontrollably across her face.
She thought about having just mentioned marriage, and Lan Xun had not refused outright—he only said he didn’t want to be a widower. Did that mean he agreed… or not?
Then she recalled his warning of “the last time.” What would happen if she kissed him again?
Leaving Lingxi Courtyard, Lan Xun made his way to the main residence.
It was already evening, the sky dimming, and the Regency Prince’s mansion was shrouded in twilight.
Lan Xun went into his room, neither rushing to dinner nor busying himself with documents. Instead, he first requested water for a bath.
Tianshu, observing everything from the rooftop, sighed. So stubborn, like a dead duck. Look at him—he’ll be soaking in ice water again tonight.
Others might not understand the Regency Prince, but Tianshu knew him well. He was completely infatuated with Miss Mu yet couldn’t let go of his composure, pretending to remain restrained—deservedly suffering!
As for Lan Xun, he would pay a painful price for that proactive kiss all night long.
At this rate, Mu Shengsheng might not die of her illness, but he would die young from the stress.
Meanwhile, at the residence of the Su Ning family…
After Zhenzhu received twenty lashes, she died the next day.
Xie Wannian cried uncontrollably in front of Lady Su Ning. Partly from grief, but mostly from jealousy.
After all these years, she hadn’t even touched one finger of Lan Xun, yet Mu Shengsheng had him holding her?
Wiping her tears, she wailed, “Mother, you must act for your daughter! Cousin was bewitched by that Mu Shengsheng, which is why Zhenzhu died. Daughter wants that jinxed woman to pay with her life!”
Lady Su Ning, however, barely glanced at the frail girl. “She was already close to death. No matter how fond Lan Xun was, it wouldn’t last long. Why stir trouble? Didn’t you see what happened to the Zhen Guo residence when they offended Lan Xun? Do you want the same to happen here?”
She patted her daughter’s hand, speaking earnestly. “The Empress Dowager has already approved your marriage. That frail girl may not even live to see your wedding. Do not create problems and ruin this marriage!”
Tears streaming, Xie Wannian shook her head. “Mother, you don’t understand. Yesterday, she looked so radiant, nothing like someone about to die. If left alone, that divine doctor might really cure her illness.”
Lady Su Ning had already heard of Doctor Luo’s skill and initially had some doubts, but she soon relaxed. “Even if cured, don’t worry. That frail girl’s condition still wouldn’t allow her to become the Regency Prince’s primary wife. At most, she would be a concubine. Once you become the main wife, you can easily handle her.”
Xie Wannian still shook her head. “Mother, you don’t see it—cousin is already bewitched by her. With her around, he won’t marry me.”
“Enough!”
Xie Wannian’s reckless personality was bound to cause trouble, and Lady Su Ning suspected she had spoiled her daughter too much.
Previously, Xie Wannian had fasted for three days to force the Regency Prince to marry her. Now that the marriage was finally moving forward, she might ruin it again.
Lady Su Ning couldn’t comprehend it. She had influence, cunning, and even had plans to replace Lan Xun in controlling the puppet emperor—so how did she end up with a wild, love-obsessed, useless daughter like Xie Wannian?
Xie Wannian wanted to continue arguing, but Lady Su Ning had her sent back to her room and decreed: “Since the Princess caused trouble at the Regency Prince’s mansion, she will be confined for a month. Have the palace watch over her. She must not step outside her room!”
Her mother not only wouldn’t help her, but actually punished her! Xie Wannian was furious.
Her eyes glinted with determination. She would have to act herself, to swiftly eliminate this thorny problem.
A frail girl—could she not handle that?
Seeing that the ten-day or so period Doctor Luo mentioned was almost up, Mu Shengsheng might have another attack at any moment. Yet the medicine hadn’t been prepared.
The next day, Lan Xun personally went to Luo Qing to urge the matter.
Luo Qing’s expression was complicated. He handed a small porcelain vial to Lan Xun. “Your Highness, the herbs have been prepared according to the prescription. But there is one problem…”
Lan Xun took the pill, a curve forming on his lips. “What problem? Speak directly. I’ll find a way.”
Luo Qing replied with concern, “I only managed to make one pill with the herbs available. No way to test it or make more unless we find additional herbs—but there isn’t enough time…”
This meant Mu Shengsheng herself would have to try the medicine—just one chance, and then fate would decide.
Lan Xun’s expression darkened. He couldn’t be certain whether to give it to her now or wait until she fell ill and administer it then.
After a moment of thought, he said, “In any case, prepare the next pill as soon as possible. List all required herbs, and I’ll have them found immediately.”
The medicine was rare, and the herbs were precious and hard to obtain. Finding them would require time, effort, and money.
Luo Qing, eager to tackle this rare case, opened the Qing Nang Jing and showed two more formulas to Lan Xun. “Your Highness, I’ve studied these. They may also work for Miss Mu’s condition…”
Lan Xun immediately said, “Prepare both and have her try them.”
“Yes.”
Lan Xun looked at the small vial in his hand, considering for a moment, but ultimately decided to let Mu Shengsheng choose for herself.