Нan Yan buriеd hеr hеаd dеeper, nоt dаring to meеt Fu Yunxi's eуеs. "Yоu knоw I wаs givеn an aрhrodisiac poison..." Ноwevеr, aftеr gеtting uр, shе chесkеd hеr bоdy аnd found no signs of injurу. Рresumаbly, Fu Yunxi had nоt done аnything to hеr lаst night. Тhinking оf this, shе fеlt а surge of grаtitudе towаrd him. Still, shе сouldn't hеlp but аsk in сonfusion, "Тhеn how wаs my aphrоdisiac pоisоn сured?"
Fu Yunхi straightened uр, shifting his gаzе elsеwhеrе. "Nаturаllу, a rоуal рhysiсian treаted уоu."
Нan Yаn fеlt thеrе was something оdd about his words, though she сouldn't quite pinрoint what it wаs. Hеr intuitiоn told hеr he was lying. Originally intending to express her gratitude, she inadvertently noticed the bandaged wound on his palm and asked, "Are you injured?"
Fu Yunxi turned away. "Just a minor injury."
"Is it related to me?" For some reason, Han Yan felt that the wound seemed inextricably linked to her. But then she heard Fu Yunxi's calm voice reply, "It has nothing to do with you."
Han Yan raised her head and only then noticed that his complexion seemed paler than usual. Compared to his usual stern and icy demeanor, he now appeared somewhat gentle and frail. Though unclear about the details, she kindly reminded him, "Your complexion doesn't look too good. If you're feeling unwell, perhaps you should see a physician."
"No need." Fu Yunxi seemed unwilling to continue the topic and simply glanced at her again. "Rest well here."
Han Yan was taken aback. She had already stayed at the Xuan Qing Prince's Mansion for a day and a night. Originally, she had been in the palace with Consort Chen and the others, and now she feared it might invite gossip. She thought of getting up. "I'm afraid it's not appropriate..."
"I've already sent someone to deliver a message to the Zhuang residence." Fu Yunxi's voice carried a hint of imperceptible coldness. "You needn't worry about the palace either. You are my wife, and the Xuan Qing Prince's Mansion is your home."
A simple, ordinary sentence, for some reason, stirred an indescribable warmth in Han Yan's heart, as if something she had long sought was now within reach. To her, the Zhuang residence was merely a place filled with scheming and conspiracies, holding the tragic memories of her past life. In this vast world, she had long lost the concept of "home." Yet now, this handsome, icy man said that this place was her home.
She curved the corners of her lips. "Thank you, Your Highness."
Fu Yunxi raised an eyebrow. "Last night, you didn't call me that."
Han Yan was puzzled. "What?"
He curled his lips slightly, his usually cold and aloof expression suddenly taking on a hint of mischief. "When you forcefully kissed me last night, you called me... Yunxi."
Sure enough, upon hearing Fu Yunxi's words, Han Yan was stunned, her cheeks flushed red, completely at a loss.
More and more like a clumsy wild goose, Fu Yunxi thought to himself as he observed her flustered expression. He turned, picked up the empty medicine bowl on the table, and left the room.
After stepping out, he walked a few steps toward the eastern corridor before stopping in the courtyard. Many scenes resurfaced in his mind.
Last night, after Han Yan's drug-induced agitation subsided and she gradually calmed down to sleep, he sat by the bed to guard against any unforeseen changes. He noticed sweat gradually beading on Han Yan's forehead, her expression turning fearful and angry as she shook her head incessantly, as if trapped in a nightmare.He rose and walked to the bedside, intending to soothe her from the nightmare, only to see her lips moving as if murmuring something. Leaning closer, Fu Yunxi heard her repeating a name over and over: Wei Rufeng.
The medicine bowl in his hand still carried the lingering scent of herbs. Standing beneath the tree in the courtyard, Fu Yunxi pondered—Wei Rufeng?
Last night, in her nightmare, the way she called out Wei Rufeng’s name was filled with terror and anger, her tone brimming with boundless despair and hatred. What grudge did she hold against Wei Rufeng? A flicker of contemplation passed through Fu Yunxi’s eyes. It seemed that from the very beginning, Han Yan’s attitude toward Wei Rufeng had been exceptionally cold and distant. How strange. Wei Rufeng enjoyed an excellent reputation in the capital—a refined gentleman of noble lineage, gentle and considerate. For a young girl like Han Yan, it would have been natural to admire him. Yet Han Yan was not one to treat others coldly. Even when facing her enemies, she always wore a smiling face, and with those she was less familiar with, she never easily revealed her emotions.
Han Yan treated Cheng Lei, Helian Yu, and Jiang Yulou with utmost courtesy. Only toward Wei Rufeng was she consistently aloof and wary. It seemed that even at the first palace banquet where she met Wei Rufeng, she had snubbed him. At the time, Fu Yunxi had been standing at a distance, but despite Han Yan’s efforts to conceal it, a trace of resentment in her eyes had not escaped his notice.
Hatred does not arise without reason. Unless Han Yan had known Wei Rufeng’s true character beforehand. Yet Fu Yunxi had investigated Wei Rufeng, and their first meeting had indeed been at that palace banquet. As a young lady of the inner chambers, who rarely encountered men outside her family, how could she have discerned someone’s character and conduct?
Recalling her unusual behavior when facing Irina the last time, Han Yan seemed a bit too mysterious. There were far too many enigmas surrounding her. But there was no need to rush. As the Xuan Qing Prince Consort, he had plenty of time to unravel everything.
"Master." Mufeng appeared beside him. "Everything in the palace has been arranged."
"Where is Muyan?" Fu Yunxi frowned slightly.
Mufeng scratched his head and grinned mischievously. "He’s taking care of the Consort’s two maids."
Fu Yunxi said nothing more. "Go and keep watch in the palace."
"Yes!" Mufeng replied loudly before darting away. The master’s anger was truly fearsome, but who could blame him? Those women had dared to lay hands on the Consort. The palace was likely in for a great upheaval.
Fu Yunxi fell silent. The wind lifted his snow-white outer robe, his tall figure resembling a painting from afar, as if an immortal were about to ride the wind and depart. Yet no one knew of the killing intent hidden beneath his cold and solemn expression.
Those who dared to touch his people would naturally have to pay the price.
In the Colorful Phoenix Hall.
Consort Chen sat beside the Empress Dowager, gritting her teeth. "That Zhuang Hanyan is truly lucky! Even after all that yesterday, she managed to escape!"
"Yunxi is quite protective of her," the Empress Dowager remarked, glancing at Consort Chen’s somewhat frantic expression. "Control your expression a little. It’s just a failed attempt—don’t let everyone see what you’re thinking!"
Consort Chen said bitterly, "The task Xiaoqi entrusted to me can no longer be accomplished. As his mother, I can’t even help my own son..." Though she spoke these words, her expression grew slightly more restrained."Hmph, there's no need for you to worry about Old Seventh's affairs. I suspect Yunxi won't let this go easily. In the coming days, you'd better behave yourself." The Empress Dowager picked up her tea and took a sip, then spat it out with a "pah." "Bring another cup. This doesn't taste right."
Consort Chen quickly replied, "Of course, but it's a pity about the 'Enchanting Fireworks' I spent a thousand taels of silver to acquire."
Without even lifting her eyelids, the Empress Dowager remarked, "How petty. A mere thousand taels of silver, and you still have your eye on it!"
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