Chapter 125 [VIP] Savior’s Gratitude (12)

Chapter 125 [VIP] Savior's Gratitude (12)

Nan Yan was held tightly by the man, her entire head pressed into his embrace. She could almost hear the thunderous pounding of his heart like a drum in his chest. His breathing was also somewhat hurried, yet the hand resting on the back of her head remained motionless.

Nan Yan found the situation amusing. It seemed this man wasn't as calm as he appeared on the surface, huh?

At first, she had pretended to struggle in panic, but when she realized he was simply holding her still, her body relaxed slightly. She then tried pushing at his chest, only to find that he stubbornly refused to let go.

The young lady grew frustrated now, her breathing turning rapid, though it was out of irritation rather than fear.

In her past, no matter how spoiled or willful she was, she had only ever been this close with her betrothed. Now, suddenly, she found herself embraced tightly by a man whose breath, slightly labored, brushed against her ear... Even if she was clueless and insensitive, she understood the distinction between men and women!

At that moment, her ears uncontrollably flushed red, as if dyed with a layer of rouge, revealing a faint pink hue.

Xiao Feihuo had initially been focused on the movements beneath the tree and hadn't noticed the situation in his arms. But when he eventually became aware, without knowing when it started, that the struggling had ceased, he instinctively looked down.

His gaze happened to fall upon her earlobe.

The young lady's earlobe was round and delicate, thin and unadorned with any piercings or earrings, likely due to a fear of pain. Her originally fair skin now seemed to have been stained with blush, turning a vivid rosy shade.

Xiao Feihuo turned his face away with great discomfort, attempting to restrain himself from looking, yet his gaze involuntarily drifted back, even harboring an irresistible urge to gently nibble on the earlobe if he could lower his head.

Xiao Feihuo was startled by this sudden thought that had crossed his mind.

He couldn't fathom what was happening to him.

Perhaps it was the commotion beneath the tree that was too distracting, or maybe it was the softness of the embrace that made his ears uncontrollably flush red. His entire body stiffened, and he dared not move an inch.

What a calamity, how did he always find himself in such chaotic situations?

When the noise beneath the tree finally subsided, the monk and nun hastily adjusted their attire, both with flushed cheeks, as if they had engaged in some secret conversation.

In the end, all that could be heard was the nun scoffing at the monk, followed by her exclamation, "Tsk, you shameless monk! Don't you dare look at yourself in the mirror? How dare you even dream of a noble lady from Yan Yun City? Are you afraid of losing your head?"

The monk promptly embraced the nun, trying to soothe her with words like, "I wouldn't dare, my dear sister. Not in a million years would I dare touch that noble lady. Today, when I saw that young lady's appearance, it stirred my desires. You didn't see her; she was so captivating that just one glance made me long for her. I wonder if I'll ever have the chance in this lifetime..."

Before he could finish, the nun interrupted him with another barrage of punches, forcing him to repeatedly apologize, swearing never to do it again.

Xiao Feihe, who had been lost in his own thoughts, was suddenly startled by these words, his gaze darting downward.

His expression shifted, but fortunate for him, he had been shielding the person in his arms from hearing any profanities.

Staring at the duo below, Xiao Feihe narrowed his eyes, a faint hint of malevolence lingering in their depths. Recalling Nanyan's words earlier and connecting them with the monk's shameless behavior, it wasn't hard to deduce whom the monk held secretly in his heart.

An endless surge of murderous intent instantly erupted within him.

This den of rogues and harlots, what sinister deeds could they be concealing? Yet, they dared to harbor designs on a noble lady!

After a while, the nun left first. Shortly after, the monk straightened his attire, putting on an artificial air before following suit.

After ensuring that all movement beneath the tree had ceased, Xiao Feihao gently landed with Nanyan in his arms. The moment he released her, the young lady unleashed a relentless barrage of criticism.

This time, the young lady's anger was at its peak. Her tiny fists rained down on him relentlessly as she scolded,

"Xiao Feihao, what on earth were you doing tonight? Why didn't you go down to save people? Why did you keep holding onto me? What kind of spectacle do we make, a lone man and woman hiding like this?"

"What do you take me for? Let me tell you, even if I've called off the engagement, it doesn't mean you can bully me so casually!"

The enraged maiden lifted her head to glare at him. Under the soft moonlight, her face seemed veiled by a delicate layer, and within the hazy shadows, her eyes burned like flames. Anger flushed her cheeks, turning the corners of her eyes a rosy hue.

Xiao Feihao rubbed his arm, still stinging from her blow, and thought to himself that the young lady had quite a fierce hand – she must be feeling it too. He lowered his gaze to look at her, and indeed saw a face filled with regret and frustration.

But her regret was over why she had used her hand to hit him – she should have used a stick!

She was now massaging her aching palm.

Hitting someone so hard that her own hand hurt, Xiao Feihao couldn't help but twitch an eyebrow. He found himself increasingly able to interpret the meaning behind her glaring stare.

But upon hearing her words, Xiao Feihao suddenly asked, "You really don't know?"

The question was rather abrupt, causing Nan Yan to lift her gaze and look at him with a perplexed and disdainful expression. "What are you talking about? Knowing or not knowing? Can't you be more clear? What am I supposed to know?"

Xiao Feihe couldn't articulate the peculiar sensation stirring within him. His heart seemed to beat faster, compelling him to lower his eyelids.

"It's... what those two were doing, right?"

He deliberately spoke in a hushed tone.

Nan Yan looked at him doubtfully. For some reason, she suddenly found this person before her a bit odd. His voice also sounded strange, which made her instinctively take a step closer to him. "What are you talking about? Xiao Feihe, did I hit you too hard that you're acting strangely now?"

She patted the person's shoulder forcefully, but her wrist was suddenly seized by the other party. Xiao Feihe lifted his gaze to look at her, a hint of something indiscernible in his eyes.

"Do you want to know?"

Nan Yan naturally sensed this person's abnormal behavior, but pretended ignorance. She found his words inexplicable and spoke with frustration, "What's wrong with you tonight? Are you feeling unwell? Why are you talking in riddles?"

As soon as she finished speaking, her waist tightened, and she was abruptly pulled towards him.

Nan Yan froze, staring blankly up at the person. When she regained her composure, her cheeks flushed with anger. She glared at him, her annoyance nearly overflowing.

"Damned Xiao Feihe, what are you doing?!"

Before she could finish her sentence, the man suddenly bent his waist. His palm supported her back as he gently pressed her towards him, and his cool lips met hers in a kiss.

The moment their lips touched, an inexplicable emotion swirled within Xiao Feihe's heart. It was a mix of tension and guilt, yet he found himself inexplicably drawn to this action.

He had no idea what had come over him.

In that instant, his heart raced uncontrollably.

Especially when his gaze lingered on her slightly flushed lips that continually parted and closed, he could glimpse a subtle hint of pink within them whenever she cursed, leaving him momentarily captivated and his thoughts at a standstill.

And then...

In a sudden, unexplainable impulse, he lowered his head and kissed her.

As he had anticipated, her lips were soft and slightly sweet, sending his heart into an uncontrolled flutter the moment their mouths intertwined. His breathing grew heavier, and with meticulous care, his tongue traced the outline of her lips before cautiously slipping inside, endeavoring to delve deeper. He truly couldn't comprehend what had come over him tonight.

Despite having consumed not a single drop of alcohol, he felt as though he were already drunk, his gaze turning hazy and unfocused.

The one being kissed was initially caught off guard, but as he attempted to deepen the kiss, a slippery sensation startled her. Her eyes widened, filled with a touch of innocence and surprise. However, she quickly regained her composure. Her fair cheeks flushed visibly red, and she slapped him, forcefully pushing him away.

Xiao Feihao's head tilted slightly from the blow, his face stinging.

Nan Yan wasn't satisfied after pushing him away. Perhaps she felt that the servant she usually ordered around had dared to overstep his bounds and take liberties with her, causing her to instantly see red with anger!

She scrubbed at her mouth, disgusted, spitting and stamping her foot.

"You shameless scoundrel! How dare you! Go to hell!"

As she scolded, her hands also began to continuously strike him, crackling like raindrops, dense and swift. Her eyes grew increasingly red, and her chest heaved up and down with anger, repeatedly uttering just a few choice phrases of abuse.

It was herself who ended up furious.

In truth, Xiao Feihe regretted his action the moment he was pushed away. A vague sense of unfamiliarity and annoyance stirred in his heart. He hadn't felt any remorse when he initiated the kiss, but afterward, an inexplicable irritability took hold of him. He sensed that something was amiss within himself, perplexed by his own uncharacteristic behavior.

What would you call this?

Why, all of a sudden, did they end up kissing?

Intentionally getting close was already overstepping the line, and now he even... Isn't this tantamount to being disrespectful towards her?

Xiao Feihao's mind was in disarray at this moment, utterly perplexed as to why he had become so impulsive. In that fleeting instant, he hadn't pondered at all; his actions were purely instinctive, leaning in to kiss her without a second thought.

Xiao Feihe was momentarily perplexed. The person in front of him persisted in pestering him, causing a sense of irritation to well up in his chest. Without thinking, he grabbed her wrist and called out instinctively.

"Enough, stop joking around..."

As the words were spoken, the person opposite seemed to be taken aback for an instant, their eyes reddening abruptly.

Tears promptly tumbled down like a string of broken pearls, splashing onto his palm one by one.

Xiao Feihao recoiled from the heat but, upon seeing her pitiful and aggrieved expression, his head instantly spun with worry.

He really hadn't meant to yell at her; it was just that his mind had been in disarray, and he hadn't thought things through. He truly hadn't intended it!

Regaining his composure, Xiao Feihao instinctively pulled her in front of him. Now, he was genuinely flustered, sweat beading on his forehead from anxiety.

"Ah, don't cry, don't cry, please don't cry..."

"Forgive me, I was truly wrong!"

"Milady, please, grandmother, have mercy on me. I didn't mean to raise my voice at you. I just... I lost my mind, I momentarily went mad!"

"I deserve to be damned, I'm such a scoundrel! You can scold me, or even hit me if you wish. I promise I won't get angry or retaliate. Please, don't cry anymore, alright?"

Xiao Feihao took her hand and gently slapped his own face a few times. Nanyan lifted her eyes, tears still glistening on her cheeks from the recent crying session. The rouge she had applied on her eyelids had smeared, giving her a subtle rosy hue.

Little did she know how vulnerable and inviting this appearance made her seem.

Upon witnessing such a hue, Xiao Feihuo felt his heartbeat accelerate momentarily. He instinctively attempted to avert his gaze, yet his eyes seemed glued to the sight, unable to shift away. It wasn't that he was unwilling; his gaze simply refused to obey his command, fixated as it was.

Nan Yan clenched her fingers and was just about to lift her hand.

Suddenly, the other person reached up to cover their cheeks again, peering through splayed fingers with both eyes fixed on the speaker. Then, they lowered their head, mumbling, "Go on, hit me. This prince is blessed with thick skin and sturdy flesh; I feel no pain. You can strike anywhere, just not the face. This prince still has to rely on this face to make a living."

With those words, he genuinely moved closer to place his palm in hers.

Southern Yan grew even more enraged by these words and was about to strike his delicate, handsome face. With a slap in the air, Xiao Feihe immediately pretended to howl in extreme pain, then loudly begged for mercy, repeatedly calling her grandmother for leniency. At this point, he completely disregarded his status as a prince.

Nanyan mused inwardly that this man was truly gifted. With such acting skills, even professional theater performers would weep in admiration.

In the end, Nanyan couldn't help but laugh at his clownish antics. However, after her laughter subsided, she felt a bit embarrassed and turned away, huffing through her nose as she scolded, "Serves you right!"

Only when he heard her laughter did Xiao Feihuo dare to sneak a glance at her from between his fingers. Seeing that she had turned away, still unwilling to acknowledge him, Xiao Feihuo leaned closer, but this time, he refrained from touching her. Instead, he asked, "Are you still angry?"

"Should I hit you a few more times to vent your anger?"

Nanyan rolled her eyes secretly. Didn't he know that force applied has an equal reaction? She had struck him countless times tonight, and her hand was already aching and numb. If she continued, would she still have a functioning hand? This man truly had thick skin.

Nan Yan turned away, huffing once more, still ignoring him.

Xiao Feihe grew somewhat anxious. He followed her, blurting out without much thought, "How about this? I'll take responsibility. If I've overstepped, I'll visit Lord Li's residence in a few days to formally propose marriage, treating you like a goddess with the finest food and drink at home, alright?"

After saying those words, Xiao Feihe was somewhat taken aback himself. He realized that he had spoken without much contemplation, as if it had been an unconscious response.

He looked at her in mild surprise.

Little did he expect that she wouldn't even be interested in marrying him!

Yan Nan, having heard enough, finally couldn't hold back any longer. She turned to look him up and down, then disdainfully pushed away his approaching face.

"Who said I want to marry you? Shameless!"

Hearing her resolute tone, for some reason, Xiao Feihe suddenly felt as if an arrow had pierced his heart.

His little heart took quite a blow, especially when he saw the disdain in her eyes. He gritted his teeth and couldn't help but retort, "What's wrong with me? This prince is also a handsome man of great talent, though not comparable to certain officials in the court, I am certainly a knowledgeable, considerate, and gentle gentleman."

"A rare and unparalleled gentleman that even a lantern search couldn't find," Xiao Feihe harrumphed, emphasizing his point particularly.

Nan Yan couldn't help but laugh again. She clapped against the tree trunk, her cheeks flushing with mirth.

"Xiao Feihao, do you even have any shame? Don't you know your own reputation? Everyone in Yan Yun City is aware of it. They say you even have an illegitimate child and are a notorious womanizer! You're nothing but an utterly shameless rogue!"

Xiao Feihao: "..."

What on earth was she talking about?

When did he ever have an illegitimate child?

Which of those big shots started this rumor about him?

Xiao Feihe ground his teeth, almost wishing to stuff all those rumormongers into bags and beat them up. Why would they spread such nonsense about him having an illegitimate child? Was he that kind of disreputable person?

Taking a deep breath, Xiao Feihe finally couldn't resist tapping her head when he saw her laughing so carefree. "What nonsense are you spouting? When did I ever have a child with someone? Who on earth told you these idle tales?"

South Yan looked at him doubtfully, rubbing her head with an expression of disbelief. "It's been circulating secretly in Yan Yun City. Didn't you promise to spend your life with a courtesan three years ago? She even gave birth to your child, right? Weren't you later punished by the Emperor to guard the royal mausoleum? Have you already forgotten all about it?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Feihe seemed to recall the incident as well. There was indeed something like that, but he wasn't the one involved with that woman.

That was his esteemed Second Imperial Brother, the Emperor's own son. How could his improper behavior be linked to him?

Xiao Feihao was truly infuriated by her ignorance. The rumor was too disgraceful, and he couldn't help tapping her head again. "How can you forget so quickly? This has nothing to do with me. Three years ago, how old was I? A peerlessly handsome young man in the prime of his youth would never be involved with children, right?"

He explained further, "It was my cousin, my Second Cousin. He fell in love with a courtesan back then and was so obsessed that he was willing to die for her. Eventually, the Emperor ordered him to be exiled to his fief. From then on, he could only return with an imperial decree. That's the whole story. At most, I'm guilty of knowing but not reporting. As a prince, I've indulged in everything, except for..."

The word "women" lingered in his mouth before he swallowed it back. Looking down at Nanyan's clear, bright eyes, he suddenly felt hesitant and guilty.

So he turned his head to avoid her gaze and coughed softly. "In short, this matter has nothing to do with me. Those rumors circulating in Yan Yun City are all false."

Nanyan nodded thoughtfully upon hearing this, her brows knitted in deep contemplation. Then, she leaned forward and asked, "And what happened after that? What was the courtesan's fate?"

Seeing her eagerly poking her head, Xiao Feihe could tell that her curiosity had been piqued, and she was now trying to dig into the royal family's secrets. He felt a touch of helplessness.

Xiao Feihe found himself at a loss, amused yet exasperated. He realized that she held no grudges; despite having just cried her heart out, she was now intently prying into others' private affairs.

He placed his hand on her head, speaking with a hint of resignation, "The child was eventually born but was sent away. Being born in such circumstances, it would be tolerable while they're young, but if their identity were to be exposed later on, they would face disdain and rejection. Thus, His Majesty sent the child far away."

He let out a soft sigh before continuing, "As for the woman, the Emperor didn't have her killed. He gave her a sum of silver and allowed her to leave, but with the condition that she would never again set foot in Yan Yun City for the rest of her life."

Nanyan nodded upon hearing this, finally understanding the situation. So this man was essentially a scapegoat, wasn't he?

It was understandable; after all, he was the Emperor's son. Scandals involving princes would naturally be more severe than those of mere lords.

Her gaze toward him became evasive, alternating between sympathy and disdain, a subtle mix of emotions that resembled pity for a fool.

Xiao Feihao's eyelids twitched. He really wanted to hold her in his arms and give her a good scolding, but he lacked the courage.

After a deep breath, he patted her shoulder and said, "Alright, enough with the idle talk. It's time we head back. I need to descend the mountain tonight to find someone to investigate the matter. There's something off about this temple. Remember, don't wander around at night or alert others. Also, keep tonight's events to yourself for now. Got it?"

Nan Yan finally nodded sincerely this time.

Regarding this matter, she knew even more than he did. If they didn't alert anyone, spending the night there wouldn't be a problem.

Afterward, Xiao Feihe took a shortcut to escort her back to the temple. However, as soon as they entered the courtyard, he caught a glimpse of a dark figure darting past through the window.

It was already very dark outside, and no lights were lit inside the room.

Xiao Feihe initially thought it was just his eyes playing tricks on him. He didn't give it much thought and was about to turn around and leave when—

Suddenly, memories of the events in the forest that night and the false monk's words flashed through his mind. He instinctively tugged on Nanyan's sleeve, pulling her behind him.

"Wait just a moment..."

Nanyan turned back in surprise, looking at him questioningly. "What now?"

Xiaofeihao knitted his brows and whispered an explanation, "It seems like there's someone hidden inside the room."

Upon hearing this, Nanyan immediately understood. She had long known that there were secret passages within the temple's guest quarters, but she hadn't known which specific room. It turned out to be the very courtyard where she was staying.

Is it true that when one's luck runs out, even cold water can get stuck in one's teeth?

He was actually waiting for her here.

Nan Yan's fingers instantly reached out from her sleeves and instinctively grasped the fabric of the person beside her, a hint of tension flashing in her eyes. "Are you sure you didn't see wrong? How could there be someone in my room? Don't lie to scare me."

As she spoke, she leaned closer to this person. Xiao Feihe looked down at her, and for some reason, he felt a warm and soothing sensation in his heart. He seemed to enjoy this feeling of being relied upon and trusted by her.

Xiao Feihe reached back to hold her hand, but hesitated for a moment before settling on holding her sleeve instead. Lowering his head, he softened his tone to reassure her. "Don't worry, I'll go in first and check."

He lit the candles on the candelabrum, casting more light into the room. The two of them entered, one after the other, but the chamber was deserted except for a cloak hanging on a screen.

Xiao Feihe found it odd. Could it really have been a hallucination?

He scanned the area again, checking under the table, inside the cabinets, and behind the curtains, but found no one. Xiao Feihe frowned. Could he have truly made a mistake?

Nan Yan tugged at his sleeve, hesitantly asking, "There's nothing here. Did you perhaps see wrongly?"

Xiao Feihe shook his head. "I'm not sure."

Seeing that the room was empty, Nanyan seemed to exhale in relief. She released the sleeve she had been holding onto and sat down on a bed nearby. Perhaps unintentionally, the tip of her foot tapped against the bottom board of the bed, producing a muffled sound.

It was this action that caused Xiao Feihao's expression to shift slightly. He turned his head to look at Nanyan, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, stretching her hand out with great effort to reach for the small pouch under the pillow. Her face wore an air of emptiness. Xiao Feihao surmised that there must be hidden dried fruits or snacks within.

He walked over and lifted the quilt, rapping on the wooden planks of the bed. As expected, something felt amiss; it seemed hollow. Noticing this, Xiao Feihao's expression darkened. How could this be allowed?

A secret passage led directly into the women's quarters. If everyone were asleep at night, how would anyone know if a monk snatched someone away through the tunnel?

Xiao Feihao promptly pulled back all the bedding and tapped around the area again. The sound was indeed different.

Nanyan, standing aside, also knew that he had discovered the secret passage. However, she pretended to be ignorant, her face showing annoyance. "Xiao Feihao, what are you doing? You've thrown my blankets on the ground. How am I supposed to rest at night?"

Xiao Feihao reached out to cover her mouth and then inspected the bed frame. "Don't speak for now. Can you hear something?"

Nanyan listened for a while, then blinked, not understanding the situation.

Xiao Feihao shook his head helplessly, reasoning to himself that it was normal for her not to understand. After all, she was a well-bred lady. It was already quite daring for her to play tricks or cause trouble for her arch-nemesis. How would she know about such underhanded methods used in the jianghu?

Xiao Feihao jumped onto the bed frame and felt around on both sides. Indeed, he found that the position of the panels on either side seemed off; one side was solid, while the other was hollow. It seemed there was indeed a passageway beneath.

South Yan observed him tapping and probing the bed frame, feeling curious herself. Mimicking his actions, she climbed onto the bed and began to feel around. Suddenly, a click echoed in the room.

A hidden panel beneath the bed creaked open, catching both of them off guard. They exchanged a glance but before they could utter a word, they tumbled down together in an instant.

The fall left them both dazed.

Dust swirled in the tunnel, yet fortuitously, Xiao Feihe, before they descended, managed to grab hold of South Yan. He pulled her into his embrace, sparing her from injury.

Though, he himself took quite a hard hit.

Pausing, Xiao Feihao glanced at the entrance, which was a stepped secret tunnel. However, the steps had been smashed by the two of them, making it temporarily inaccessible.

Rubbing his aching shoulder, Xiao Feihao quickly reached out to help her up, brushing off the dust on her. Then, he asked, "Are you alright? Did you get hurt?"

Nan Yan touched her head and then her arm before cheerfully shouting back at him, "I'm fine, I think. It doesn't hurt."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Feihao instinctively rubbed his sore buttocks. Strangely, the already painful area seemed even more painful now... Of course, she wasn't in pain; he was the one hurting, right?

Xiao Feihao was genuinely impressed now. He had been fumbling around for a while without finding any hidden mechanism, yet she had found it as soon as she arrived. Was it just good luck?

Nanyan also mused that her luck was indeed decent. Just as she was about to speak, she suddenly spotted a dark figure dashing out from the secret tunnel. She instinctively cried out,

"Xiaofei He, be cautious! Someone's there!"

Xiaofei He reacted swiftly, picking up a wooden plank on the ground to block the incoming figure. The shadow behind him turned out to be a square-faced monk in gray robes. Upon seeing the two of them descending from above, he had initially intended to ambush and kill the man before abducting the woman. However, he didn't anticipate that they would evade his attack.

The square-faced monk only knew some basic martial arts, which were no match for Xiaofei He. After a few exchanges, he found himself struggling to defend. Realizing that he had made a grave mistake, he grew even more anxious. He had provoked someone he shouldn't have, failed in his attempt to snatch the woman, and now, he had exposed the existence of the secret tunnel. If he allowed the couple to escape, the Blissful Temple would meet its doom.

At this thought, the monk's expression turned even more ferocious. He drew a dagger from his robe and lunged at Nanyan. Xiaofei He's face paled, and without hesitation, he rushed forward to shield her.

"Yan Yan, be cautious..."

In that instant, a gash opened on his arm, and blood instantly seeped through his clothes, dripping onto the ground.

"How are you, Xiao Feihao?"

Nan Yan's face paled with fear, and her fingers instantly gripped his garment tightly.

Xiao Feihuo glanced at the wound and subtly furrowed his brow. "I'm fine, don't be scared. It's just a tiny cut, nothing serious."

After saying this, Xiao Feihao sensed something amiss. Despite the wound being merely an inch long, he inexplicably felt his limbs weakening.

Most importantly, the square-faced monk, upon seeing him injured, was no longer in a hurry. He ceased his attack and simply hid in the shadows, intently observing the pair. It was clear that he was waiting for something.

Xiao Feihao held the person in his arms tightly. Gazing at her slightly trembling eyelashes, his breathing became more rapid.

Scanning their surroundings, even though it was pitch black, he could discern that there were multiple passages leading in all directions, with unknown destinations.

Suddenly, Xiao Feihao gripped Nan Yan's fingers tightly. Leaning close to her ear, his forehead resting against hers, he whispered weakly, "Run..."

With that, he threw the wooden plank in the opposite direction and, pushing against his limits, dashed with Nan Yan down one of the secret passages.

They ran for an indeterminate length of time until a faint light appeared before them. Upon closer inspection, they realized it was a hidden chamber.

Xiao Feihao approached cautiously. After confirming that no one was inside, he led Nan Yan in to hide.

He had no idea where the other end of the secret chamber led, but the moment Xiao Feihao entered, he felt his strength drain from him. His entire body felt weak and limp, as if he didn't even have the energy to lift a finger. If not for Nan Yan's support, he would have collapsed on the spot.

Now he understood why the monk had retreated into the shadows after slashing him – the dagger must have been coated with a numbing or paralyzing agent. This time, he had truly let his guard down.

Xiao Feihe struggled to search within his embrace, finally retrieving the sole dagger for self-defense after a long while. He then handed it to Nanyan, saying, "Yanyan, hide first. Hold onto the dagger tightly. If anyone approaches you, don't hesitate to stab them in the chest."

As he spoke, his knees gave way uncontrollably, and he knelt down. This panicked Nanyan, who held his hand tightly with moistened eyes as she cried out, "Xiao Feihe, what's wrong? Is the wound too painful? Should I bandage it for you?"

"No, there's a paralyzing powder on the wound. I'm currently weak. Don't be afraid. If I can't protect you, you'll have to protect yourself. Do you understand?"

With all his remaining strength, Xiao Feihe grasped her wrist and pushed her away. "Go hide now. Don't come out. Don't stay with me. I'll be a burden to you."

The young lady's eyes reddened instantly. She clung stubbornly to his palm, her voice choking with emotion as she pleaded pitifully, "I won't leave. I can't fight that monk. Will you stay with me? We'll hide together."

This left Xiao Feihao feeling rather helpless all of a sudden.

Indeed, it would be too much to leave her alone, but if she were to follow him, the danger might be even greater.

Xiao Feihe hesitated for a moment, just about to speak,

Nan Yan pursed her lips, a determined look on her face as she helped the person to stand up. They then proceeded to walk further inward together.

Only then did she discover a hidden chamber behind the secret room. Nanyan promptly supported the person and concealed themselves within. Upon entering, she noticed that the inner chamber was filled with numerous jars and vials, containing a variety of common potions, anesthetics, and a hodgepodge of miscellaneous tools. It appeared to be a pharmaceutical laboratory.

Xiao Feihe's gaze fell upon the array of vials containing intoxicating powders, and his spirits lifted slightly. An idea seemed to have struck him, and with some effort, he raised his hand to point in the direction of the stone table, his voice weak as he said, "Yanyan... take a look. See if there's any antidote for Paralyzing Powder or something similar on that stone table. As long as there's an antidote, I'll be fine..."

Nan Yan was momentarily taken aback before quickly realizing the situation.

"Right, an antidote! If we find it, everything will be alright."

"And with so many bottles here, surely one of them must be the antidote."

She promptly set Xiao Feihe down and rushed over to the pile of vials, frantically searching through them, her actions becoming more urgent by the second.

As time ticked away, Nan Yan meticulously searched high and low, eventually discovering a small, jade-colored porcelain bottle labeled "Jie Ruanjin San" nestled within a tiny cabinet. With a thrill of excitement, she prized it open and carefully tipped out a gleaming, pearl-white pill, smooth as jade.

She held the pill to her nose and sniffed. Its aroma was subtle, carrying a hint of orchid fragrance. It wasn't unpleasant, suggesting it was unlikely to be a toxic counterfeit.

She immediately turned around and, in a hushed yet excited tone, called out to him, "Xiao Feihao, I found it."

It was at that precise moment that a creak sounded from outside.

It seemed that the wooden door of the chamber was pushed open from the outside.

The sound of the door being pushed open was substantial, and Xiao Feihe heard it immediately, his brows knotting in response.

Unaware of the situation, Nanyan raised the bottle in her hand towards Xiao Feihe. Just as she was about to relay the joyful news by holding the pill between her fingers once more,

Xiao Feihe lunged at her with all his might, pulling her into his embrace and covering her mouth with his hand.

His rush to move was so abrupt that, after rolling on the ground, he pinned her under the stone table, their bodies perfectly concealed by its shelter.

Yet, in his haste to silence her, he inadvertently pushed the pill into her mouth along with his hand.

In that instant, panic replaced the surprise on Nanyan's face, her cheeks flushing with anxiety as she struggled to speak.

Her mouth was tightly covered, leaving her unable to utter a sound. She persistently pointed at her own lips, desperately trying to convey a message – the medicine had been forced into her mouth.

Perhaps it was due to her repeated gestures...

Xiao Feihao finally understood the plea in her eyes. His expression froze, surprised by the coincidence. He reached for the medicine bottle,

"Is there more? Are there other antidotes?"

Nan Yan anxiously passed the bottle over and then shook it. Not a single sound emerged; only one pill was left, swishing around in the emptiness. Xiao Feihe's expression froze. He released his grip and, after a moment of hesitation, directly said to Nan Yan,

"…Open your mouth."

Nan Yan immediately blushed and shook her head in embarrassment. She covered her own mouth, sweat beginning to form on her forehead. With her eyes, she conveyed to him that it was useless to open her mouth – the antidote had already dissolved.

At this moment, the noises outside grew louder. Xiao Feihe looked down at Nan Yan, whose face was flushed red from holding back, a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes...

Then, he slowly leaned in, stopping inches from her face. His breath, slow and scorching, brushed against her cheeks as he whispered, "Yanyan, this time... can I?"

Nanyan's eyelashes quivered slightly, and she remained silent.

The tension between them lingered for a while.

Xiaofeihao's embrace tightened slightly as he watched her eyelashes flutter. His heart echoed her tremors, and after a moment, he said, "If you don't respond, I'll take it as your consent."

Upon hearing this, Nanyan's eyes couldn't help but redden once more, this time out of genuine anger.

This damn guy! She couldn't even find the words to speak right now!

Finally, after uttering those words, Xiao Feihuo couldn't restrain himself any longer. He lowered his head and devoutly and earnestly kissed her.

This kiss was different from the previous one that even he himself didn't understand. Xiao Feihuo's grip tightened, and his heartbeat accelerated.

This time, it was... conscious.

The soft sensation on his lips urged him to pry open her lips more forcefully. This time, her eyelashes fluttered, as if indecision flickered in her eyes, but eventually, she closed them, not rejecting him, thus accepting his action.

For some reason, Nanyan's surrender to resistance stirred a surge of joy in his chest. He cautiously explored every inch, vaguely feeling a swelling sensation in his heart, an inexplicable sense of fulfillment.

Especially her demeanor of compliance...

Until his strength gradually returned, he lingered, bestowing gentle kisses upon her lips, each one making his breath hasten. With a low, suppressed sigh, he yielded to the intensity of the moment.

Nan Yan, on the other hand, obediently leaned against his embrace. Her breathing was slightly hurried, and her eyelashes drooped lightly. Blushes of desire tinged her cheeks, and her body seemed to lack strength, remaining still in his arms.

......

In the meantime, Jin Yanli had another nightmare. Lately, he had been plagued by such dreams, but the scene that unfolded before him tonight left his heart pounding with unease...

Awakening, he found himself incapable of slumbering again.

He couldn't fathom why he had such a dream.

He dreamed of Nan Yan marrying another man. In the wedding hall, he helplessly watched her approach the groom step by step. He saw the groom lift her veil and tenderly smooth her hair with an affectionate touch.

Such a joyous scene...

Yet Jin Yanli felt a sudden, thunderous snap within his mind.

Such an outcome sent a shudder through his heart, and he pressed a hand firmly against his chest. A poignant ache, difficult to express, swiftly spread from his chest, and this agony jolted him awake from his nightmare almost instantly.

Awakening with a sense of disorientation, he felt an emptiness in his chest, as if a vague sorrow had settled upon him, causing a suffocating ache.

Upon awakening, Jin Yanli found herself unable to drift back to sleep. She threw on an outer robe and ventured into the courtyard, initially intending merely to stroll around and clear her mind.

Without realizing it, he found himself standing before the courtyard where Nan Yan once resided. Back when their marriage contract was yet to be annulled, she would frequently visit him at the Jin residence. On occasions when weariness or drowsiness overtook her, this very courtyard served as her sanctuary for midday repose.

Yet now, this courtyard is empty too.

Since their broken engagement, she hadn't set foot in the Jin residence, and he had barely caught sight of her. Despite not having seen her since that fateful day, her image seemed to have taken root in his mind, refusing to be dismissed.

Lost in his thoughts, Jin Yanli was abruptly startled by a noise coming from inside the room. His heart stirred, and he instinctively pushed open the door, calling out,

"Yanyan..."

But the person in the room wasn't Nanyan; it was merely a plump-faced young maid tidying up.

In truth, after calling out "Yanyan," he had already realized the impossibility – how could Yanyan possibly be here?

She was no longer his betrothed; their engagement had been dissolved, and she would never set foot in his backyard again in this lifetime.

At the thought, Jin Yanli's chest tightened slightly, followed by a bitter ache.

The young maid on the other side of the door jumped in fright upon seeing him. Her face paled instantly as she stammered, "M-Master, I didn't mean to be lazy. It's just that I was too busy during the day and forgot to clean. That's why I came at night to tidy up."

Jin Yanli wasn't too concerned about whether or not she had been slacking off. Instead, he rubbed his aching temples and waved dismissively, "It's fine, I'm not blaming you."

Perhaps because Master Jin was unusually not displaying a cold demeanor or losing his temper this time, the young maid mustered a bit more courage, "Master, it's so late. What brings you to Miss's courtyard?"

At the sound of this, Jin Yanli cast her a glance, his expression instantly turning cold once more. He merely replied coolly,

"Meddling."

The young maid was so frightened that her legs turned to jelly. Trembling all over, she couldn't figure out where she had gone wrong or why this nobleman had suddenly become displeased with her.

Unconsciously, she reached under the bed and pulled out a small bundle. Her face on the verge of tears, she asked, "Your Excellency, do you remember this? Miss Li said she made it for you. Would you like to take a look?"

Upon hearing this, Jin Yanli seemed slightly taken aback. He turned to look at the bundle in the maid's hand and then inquired,

"What is this?"

The young maid fumbled with the bundle and pulled out an unfinished wristlet. "My Lord, don't you recall? Miss Li said she wanted to make one for you in the tent. Unfortunately, she didn't finish it. She even mentioned wanting to surprise you."

"I-I've kept it safe all this time. Miss Li said I shouldn't tell you beforehand, so I didn't. But now that Miss has left, I thought I should..."

Jin Yanli's gaze was suddenly drawn to the poorly crafted wristlet, and he instinctively took it from her hands.

He examined the uneven stitching at the cuff, which was clumsier than his own work. Yet, the person who made it had been so diligent, sewing circle after circle. There were even faint traces of dried blood on the threads. He could almost picture the young lady accidentally pricking herself and curling her brow in a delicate manner.

Yet...

An indescribable wave of bitterness surged in his chest.

Staring at the unfinished sleeve, Jin Yanli felt a sudden stinging sensation in his eyes.

It suddenly dawned on him that during his time in the encampment, he had been secretly looking after Li Qingrou ever since he found her, his savior. As a result, he had neglected his promise to Nan Yan to take her fox hunting. He had been ignoring her all that time...

That was why he hadn't known about the sleeve she had made for him in secret. It wasn't until today, when the servant informed him, that he became aware of it.

Jin Yanli clutched the sleeve tightly against his chest, as if by doing so he could hold onto her tightly. He was at a loss about what to do; he didn't even understand his own feelings anymore.

Didn't he already get what he wanted?

Didn't he already annul the marriage?

Didn't he already find the person who had once stirred his heart? Why...?

Why did he feel as if a piece of his heart had been hollowed out, leaving him with an empty, aching sensation that muffled even the sound of his own heartbeat?

What kind of feelings did he truly have for her...

Had he truly made a mistake?