Chapter 89: If Line 6

Chapter 89: What-If Scenario 6

◎Make a scene.◎

Upon hearing the familiar address, Qiao Wan’s hands froze.

She slowly turned her head. The moment her eyes met Mu Chi’s, she knew with certainty—the person before her was Mu Chi.

The Mu Chi from her past life.

"Mu Chi?" Qiao Wan murmured softly.

Mu Chi’s pupils flickered, and in the next instant, he reached out and pulled her into a fierce embrace. "Wan Wan…"

"I’ve been searching for you for so long. It was too dark there—I couldn’t find you."

It felt like being trapped in the dungeon again, but worse—utterly dark and bleak. He didn’t know where he was, didn’t know who he was, driven only by instinct to struggle and break free, battering himself until he was bloody, until he finally forced an opening.

But now, he felt that crack slowly closing, crushing his consciousness bit by bit.

Qiao Wan leaned dazedly against Mu Chi’s chest. After a long moment, her nose stung with emotion, and her lips trembled. She raised her hands to shove and punch him. "Why did it take you so long to come?"

"Do you have any idea how awful the version of you in this world is?"

"I’ve been alone here for so long. If you’d come any later, I might’ve almost forgotten you…"

"I’m sorry…" Mu Chi accepted her blows without resistance, holding her tightly, his voice hoarse. "Don’t forget me."

His voice grew faint and unsteady. "Wan Wan…"

Noticing something was wrong, Qiao Wan lifted her head from his chest. "What’s wrong?"

Mu Chi’s eyes seemed to be enduring immense pain, tinged with a bloodshot redness as if filled with blood. The next moment, he lowered his gaze, gently cupped her face, and softly kissed the corner of her lips, pleading in a whisper, "Don’t give up on me, Wan Wan…"

As his words faded, his body trembled violently, and he slowly sagged against her shoulder.

Feeling the weight on her shoulder, the mix of blood and chilly scent rushing into her senses, Qiao Wan finally raised her hand and gently hugged him back. Her eyes reddened as she mumbled, "I missed you."

She truly didn’t want to stay in this artificial Lingjing any longer.

But the person on her shoulder didn’t respond.

Qiao Wan stiffened, about to take a closer look, when a chilly, faint voice came from her shoulder. "Princess Changle has mistaken me for someone else again."

Even as he said this, he remained completely still, quietly resting against the curve of her neck, his breath cold against her skin.

Qiao Wan paused, then after a moment turned her head, meeting a pair of deep, shadowed eyes. She was momentarily stunned.

This was the Mu Chi of this life.

He seemed completely unaware of what had just happened, his expression none of the earlier gentleness.

Hesitating, Qiao Wan straightened slightly and pulled her arms back from around him.

Feeling her pull away, Mu Chi’s body stiffened, and a wave of anger rose within him.

Whether it was on the streets or at the Songzhu Pavilion, when she’d gazed at him blankly, even if it was because of his face, her eyes had held no one else—only him.

But now, she kept pushing him toward others, and when that failed, she treated him as a replacement for another.

What was even more laughable was him—even now, he couldn’t bring himself to let go, to abandon the warmth of her embrace.

At this thought, Mu Chi suddenly leaned in and sank his teeth into the side of her neck.

Qiao Wan yelped and pushed him away, clasping her neck as she glared at him. "Are you a dog?"

Already severely injured, Mu Chi was powerless to resist being pushed aside. His gaze swept over the red mark on her neck, his eyes darkening, but he said nothing.

Seeing that the bite wasn’t too severe, Qiao Wan snorted in annoyance. She knew this Mu Chi was never good to her.

But then, as if remembering something, she glared at him. "If you wanted to jump off the cliff, why drag me along?"

Mu Chi stared into her eyes—because he couldn’t bear to see her run toward Jing Lan.

But he couldn’t bring himself to say it, instead scoffing, "Princess Changle is deeply cherished. If I wanted to escape, I needed a hostage."

Qiao Wan retorted almost immediately, "Are you insane? You didn’t take Qiao Qingni, who was right next to you, but you took me…"

Her voice trailed off, and confusion gradually filled her eyes.

Mu Chi stiffened, pressed his lips together, glared at her, and lowered his gaze without another word.

Qiao Wan also fell silent. She suddenly recalled the odd behavior of this world’s Mu Chi and the lucidity of the Mu Chi from earlier…

They were, in fact, the same person.

They shared the same past, the same nature.

So often, she could see traces of the Mu Chi from her past life in the one before her now.

Qiao Wan’s breath caught.

She understood better than anyone—perhaps even better than this Mu Chi from ten years ago—what it looked like when he had feelings for someone.

In this life, she’d always believed she and Mu Chi had no connection, so she never considered the possibility that he might care for her.

But now, looking at his expression…

Though she didn’t know when or why, he cared for her.

Mu Chi suddenly coughed weakly.

Snapping out of her thoughts, Qiao Wan looked at his pale face, which gradually overlapped with the gentle version of him from earlier. Remembering how he’d pleaded with her not to abandon him, she sighed and stepped forward to help him up, mumbling, "Let’s go."

She was just unlucky, destined never to escape fate’s arrangements.

Mu Chi stared at her outstretched hand, momentarily stunned. Even though he guessed she intended it for someone else, he silently leaned against her without a word.

Qiao Wan supported Mu Chi all the way to Pingyang Town, following memories from her past life. She originally planned to buy an ox cart and head to a nearby village to find Old Mad to treat Mu Chi’s injuries.

But just as she was about to purchase the cart, Mu Chi stopped her and led her to a narrow path north of Pingyang Town.

Quietly parked on the path was a carriage, its horse sleek, tall, and calm—clearly a thoroughbred.

Qiao Wan: …

She knew this little brat would never leave himself without an escape route!

In his past life, this little jerk must have been laughing at her in his heart while watching her work so hard to escort him north!

Qiao Wan kept a tense face, tossed Mu Chi into the carriage, and drove the carriage with a blank expression, not saying a word the entire journey.

On the third day of the journey, Mu Chi made contact with Si Li, and by the next day, Si Li had already appeared in the city where the two were staying.

Qiao Wan handed the reins to Si Li and silently got into the carriage, still not uttering a word.

Mu Chi didn’t know what he had done to upset her and kept watching her for a long time, but in the end, due to his injuries, he drifted into unconsciousness.

The carriage wasn’t very spacious, and the journey was bumpy. Qiao Wan, being used to a pampered life, eventually laid out a plush blanket and comforter on the carriage floor. Though it still wasn’t comfortable, it was much better.

However, when Qiao Wan woke up groggily, she felt something heavy on her legs.

She opened her eyes and saw Mu Chi, his face ghostly pale, quietly resting his head on her knees, fast asleep.

Qiao Wan was still angry and was about to pull her legs away to distance herself from him, but she paused when she caught sight of his slightly curled-up figure in her peripheral vision.

Over the past few days, the two had kept to themselves without interfering with each other. He rested on the soft seat to recover from his injuries, while she lay on the plush blanket to sleep, so she had grown accustomed to sleeping in the very center.

But now, Mu Chi was curled up in a corner, his body hunched over, his cheeks flushed with a feverish flush, yet his body remained cold.

Qiao Wan pursed her lips and ultimately did not pull her legs away.

Apart from the days and nights when he had been unconscious in the past, Mu Chi had never slept so deeply before.

He was completely worn out, but his body had long been accustomed to constant unease. Only inside the carriage, breathing in the warm, sweet fragrance and watching Qiao Wan sleeping peacefully with her eyes closed, did he feel as if she were enveloped in a warm sunlight.

As if pulled by some instinct, he quietly rested his head on her knees. Something in his chest was pounding hard, but before long, he had already fallen into a deep slumber.

It felt as though this was how it should have been long ago.

In the following days, like he was under a spell, Mu Chi would often rest his head on her knees to sleep whenever he was tired.

Sometimes Qiao Wan would push him away, complaining that he was too heavy, but whenever she woke up again, he would still be curled up peacefully beside her.

After a while, Qiao Wan stopped bothering to push him away anymore.

Finally, at noon on the eighth day, they arrived at Chuzhou.

It was the same Mu residence from her past life, with identical decor inside.

Qiao Wan had already made up her mind: since Mu Chi had kidnapped her, why should she return to Lingjing to be a test subject for Qiao Heng?

She might as well stay here and wait for Mu Chi to launch his palace coup.

Perhaps... she might even see the Mu Chi from her past life again.

The journey had been exhausting, and Qiao Wan was exhausted both physically and mentally. As soon as the carriage stopped at the mansion’s entrance, she eagerly got out, wanting nothing more than to sleep soundly.

The mansion’s butler was waiting respectfully at the door. Mu Chi instructed him to take Qiao Wan to the rear courtyard, but the butler asked, "Young Master, who is this young lady...?"

Qiao Wan, who had only wanted to rest a moment ago, couldn’t help but pause.

Mu Chi was silent for a moment before replying stiffly, "A hostage."

Qiao Wan paused slightly, then snorted coldly and followed the butler to the rear courtyard without looking back.

Mu Chi watched her retreating figure, his lips moving slightly, but in the end, he said nothing.

That night, however, after Mu Chi finished reading the intelligence reports and petitions from the past few days alone in his study, he was engulfed by a deafening silence. He suddenly found himself missing the days in the carriage.

The tight space, where only she and he existed, with no room for a third person.

He would rest beside her, catching the faint scent of plum blossoms from her, and fall into a deep sleep.

Not like now, spending sleepless nights in cold, empty silence.

Mu Chi pursed his lips and stayed in the study for a long time, so long that the candle on the candlestick flickered and went out, plunging the room into darkness. Only then did he finally stir.

Why was he torturing himself?

Qiao Wan was right here in the mansion. She wasn’t Princess Changle anymore—she had to rely on him to live safely and comfortably!

As if finally finding an excuse, Mu Chi’s figure swiftly vanished from the study.

But moments later, Mu Chi stood expressionlessly before the locked door and similarly locked window.

Of course, he could force the door and window open, but that would undoubtedly wake Qiao Wan.

She was spoiled and stubborn; if he woke her, he wouldn’t get any peace either.

Mu Chi frowned, staring at the tightly shut door for a long time before finally turning on his heel and leaving.

Yet it wasn’t just that day—the same thing happened the next day, and the day after, every single day.

Mu Chi had to go to the military camp during the day. If not for the butler’s nightly reports that Qiao Wan was eating well and in good spirits, he would have doubted whether she was even in the mansion at all.

Until the afternoon of the fourth day, just after Mu Chi had dealt with a few rebellious generals, the butler sent someone to him.

When Mu Chi saw the person, he instinctively quickened his pace before catching himself and stopping with a frown.

The person knelt on the ground: "Young Master, Princess Changle wants to chop down the pine tree in the courtyard."

*

Qiao Wan, indeed upset by Mu Chi’s "hostage" remark, had locked her room and refused to see anyone except the butler who delivered her meals, sleeping around the clock.

Her body was weak, and it took three full days of rest for her to recover.

After three days, her strength returned, and she had the energy to explore the courtyard she had never stayed in during her past life. It was then that she noticed the pine tree in the courtyard, which, though thriving, blocked half the sunlight, making the entire courtyard chilly, shadowy, and oppressive.

With nothing else to do, she ordered the tree to be cut down.

After all, she had such an unreasonable nature now, so no one would question it.

Unexpectedly, before the workers arrived, a voice reached her first: "What has that pine tree done to offend Princess Changle?"

Qiao Wan turned to look. Mu Chi, dressed in a pure white fox fur cloak, walked over. The fur, like frost and snow, accentuated his noble and dazzling looks.

However, his fur cloak and dark hair were slightly messy, as if he had rushed back in a hurry.

Qiao Wan was taken aback for a moment. Even though she had guessed that this Mu Chi might care for her, seeing his cold expression, she couldn’t help but feel irritated. She scrunched her nose and snorted lightly, "I don’t like how it looks."

Mu Chi noticed her momentary pause. She was thinking of someone else again, but this time, he faintly felt that her gaze also included him.

Mu Chi looked at the pine tree, which was even older than the mansion, and said softly, "What has Princess Changle ever liked?"

She had always been proud and finicky, with very few things catching her eye. And what she disliked was far from limited to this pine tree.

Qiao Wan shot him a puzzled look. "I haven’t done anything to you either, yet you still took me hostage..." Mentioning the word "hostage," her voice grew displeased again. "Even if I am a hostage, Master Mu shouldn’t be so harsh with me, should he?"

Upon hearing the title "Master Mu," Mu Chi frowned deeply, his gaze sweeping across the courtyard, which rivaled that of a princess's residence, before turning to her. "Does Princess Changle still think this is your *Lingjing*?"

Qiao Wan, irritated by his sarcastic tone, mentally rolled her eyes. "What if I *do* think this is *Lingjing*? What will you do about it?"

Mu Chi seemed taken aback by her retort and paused for a moment.

Qiao Wan stepped closer to him. "I'm only a hostage, after all. Would Master Mu lock me up?"

"Qiao Wan!"

"Why are you so worked up?" Qiao Wan looked up at him, blinked, and smiled. "Or perhaps, Master Mu, you'd kill me?"

Mu Chi's eyelashes trembled slightly.

Qiao Wan suddenly found Mu Chi rather amusing. For instance, he clearly had no intention of imprisoning or killing her, yet he maintained a stern expression, putting on a tough act.

"So," Qiao Wan stepped back and continued, "between locking me up, killing me, and chopping down this tree, Master Mu, you choose."

Mu Chi pressed his lips tightly together. "Aren't you afraid I might actually kill you?"

Qiao Wan tilted her head, exposing her slender neck. "Then go ahead and kill me."

Mu Chi froze, stared at her for a long moment, then abruptly turned and marched toward the door.

"Wait!" Qiao Wan quickly called out to him.

Mu Chi's steps faltered.

Qiao Wan took a folded note from her sleeve and shoved it into his hand. "These are the items I need. Thank you, Master Mu."

Mu Chi frowned, giving her a puzzled look before opening the note. He let out an incredulous laugh. "Do you really think I would get these for you?"

The note was filled with her favorite hairpins and jewelry, including five or six styles of priceless red jade hairpins.

"If Master Mu isn’t willing to provide them, that’s fine," Qiao Wan replied sweetly. "I’ll just feel depressed about my plain looks and be too ashamed to see anyone."

Mu Chi stared at her for a long time before finally turning and leaving in a huff.

Qiao Wan leisurely returned to her room and watched as several guards spent an hour removing the pine tree from the courtyard. The previously dreary yard instantly felt more spacious.

Over the next few days, Qiao Wan stayed in her courtyard as usual, rarely venturing out. When she did, she made sure to do so only when Mu Chi was absent.

Each night, she securely locked her doors and windows with heavy bolts, drew the curtains, and slept peacefully until morning.

On the fifth day, Qiao Wan noticed the steward waiting respectfully outside the courtyard early in the morning, accompanied by over a dozen guards carrying sandalwood chests.

Seeing her, the steward hurried over and explained that Mu Chi had instructed them to deliver the chests. The guards then brought them inside.

Qiao Wan opened each chest one by one and found that the jewelry inside matched exactly what she had listed.

She quietly examined them, and after a long while, she smiled faintly.

That night, for the first time, Qiao Wan did not lock her doors or windows. Instead, she sat quietly in her room, reading an unfinished novel from the previous day.

Mu Chi arrived during the hour of Hai (9–11 PM). Seemingly surprised to find her still awake, he paused at the door before stepping inside.

Qiao Wan greeted him with a smile, invited him to sit, and poured him a cup of tea.

Mu Chi glanced at her hesitantly, but upon noticing the smile on her lips, he relaxed slightly.

Just then, Qiao Wan calmly pulled out another list and handed it to him.

This one contained the luxurious clothing she had painstakingly thought of over the past few days.

Once again, Mu Chi stormed off.

Qiao Wan remained seated with a smile, her tea still more than half-full.

After a long while, she set down the cup, stared at her wavering reflection in the tea, and pouted. "In this life, you really aren’t very likable."

This time, however, Qiao Wan didn’t have to wait long. The following afternoon, the steward had the clothing chests delivered, each item exactly as she had listed.

That evening, Mu Chi visited her room again, his expression much calmer.

Qiao Wan’s eyes lit up at the sight of him, but before she could speak, he interrupted her. "From now on, if you need anything, tell the guards."

Qiao Wan frowned, thought for a moment, and asked, "Are you sure?"

"Yes."

She glanced at him and nodded. "Alright."

With that, she turned and walked to the door, addressing the guards stationed outside. "Go and prepare a few fine silk undergarments for this princess—"

Before she could even finish her sentence, a swift gust of wind rushed from behind her, and a pale hand slammed the door shut with a loud bang.

Qiao Wan turned around to find Mu Chi pinning her against the door with one arm, gritting his teeth as he said, "Qiao Wan, don’t think this act of yours will make me allow you to leave!"

Author's Note:

Puppy: Feels like he’s being easily manipulated...

Probably about two more chapters until the end~