Chapter 91 “I Want You to Marry Me”

Chapter 91 "I Want You to Marry Me"

"What do you mean?"

I didn’t understand what Xie Yan was saying. I had never seduced anyone. I could only pout in helpless frustration, my eyes instantly welling up with tears as I retorted, "I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t understand. I’ve never seduced anyone."

"First, it was the gardener from the Crown Prince’s residence, and now you’ve set your sights on my Imperial Guard Commander. From a gardener to a commander—I must say, your taste has certainly improved." Xie Yan said this, his usually calm and unreadable face now flushed with anger. His fingers tightened around my chin, making tears fall uncontrollably.

I had no idea what he was talking about. My chest felt tight with bitter resentment, as Xie Yan pinned these baseless accusations on me, nailing me to a pillory of shame.

Who was this gardener Xie Yan mentioned? And who was the Imperial Guard Commander?

If I had to guess, my master was the Imperial Guard Commander, but where did this gardener come from? I had no recollection at all. I could only look pitifully at Xie Yan’s cold expression.

His phoenix eyes were dark and heavy, like the relentless snow of the deepest winter, and his chilling gaze alone was enough to make anyone tremble. I was terrified and forced myself to rack my brains to figure out who this gardener was.

Was it the kind gardener from the Crown Prince’s residence who had taught me gardening but suddenly resigned and returned to his hometown? But I had never seduced him. Whether it was my master or the gardener, I had only approached them with a sincere desire to learn. Why was Xie Yan accusing me of seduction? Why was he slandering and bullying me like this when I had done nothing wrong?

"I didn’t! I never seduced anyone!"

"Xie Yan, stop bullying me like this!"

Even a worm will turn. Since I knew I hadn’t done any of this, I raised my voice in denial, staring straight back at Xie Yan, hoping he would rein in his aggression and stop tormenting me.

But when Xie Yan heard my defense, he let out a scornful laugh, as if he’d heard the biggest joke in the world. His voice was low and cold, and though he was laughing, there was no trace of amusement on his face.

"Then why did you spend all your time with that gardener back then, even forgetting meal times? What were your intentions?" Xie Yan’s lips parted slightly, his voice clear like jade striking a plate, but I sensed danger in it and shivered. He continued, "You didn’t come for dinner last night. Did Xiao Qiu eat with my Imperial Guard Commander instead? What else did you do together? Was it worth skipping your morning milk tea to rush into his arms?"

Lately, Xie Yan had been treating me with indifference, and I couldn’t figure out what he was thinking. After being doted on for so long, his coldness made me doubt myself.

I thought he didn’t care about my whereabouts, whether I joined him for meals, or even if I brought him milk tea. Every time I came for a meal, he would give me a cold stare. When I brought him milk tea, he wouldn’t hug or kiss me like before. Instead, he would glance at me with those phoenix eyes, scrutinize me, and then arrogantly start eating.

I thought he didn’t care, but it turned out he cared deeply. Counting the days, it was only one night I hadn’t joined him for dinner, and it was the first time I hadn’t brought him milk tea. Yet he held such a grudge, accusing me of things I hadn’t done. I was speechless.

"Why aren’t you saying anything?"

"Aren’t you usually silver-tongued and eloquent?"

"Why aren’t you defending yourself now? Or,"—as if considering a disgusting possibility, Xie Yan’s sharp eyebrows furrowed tightly, forming a deep frown—"have you taken a liking to that brute?"

"Feng Jiuyue, since when have your standards dropped so low?"

"Aside from having full use of his legs, what does he have that compares to me? A brute who knows only how to charge into battle—how could he captivate you so much? Why do you eagerly seek him out every day? Feng Jiuyue, are you that cheap? He has a wife and children back in the barbarian lands. Are you trying to break up his family?"

I had been trembling in fear, but now I was shaking with anger. The frustration of being falsely accused reached its peak, and I no longer cared if it would provoke Xie Yan. I reached out to pry his fingers off my chin.

But my strength was no match for his. Instead, I winced in pain, letting out a pained whimper. Why was he saying these things? I hadn’t sought out my master to learn martial arts for myself—I did it to better protect Xie Yan in the future.

But what about Xie Yan?

Did his words and actions today show any respect for me? Whatever he disapproved of, he could crush with a lift of his hand. What did my insignificant sincerity mean in his eyes?

I felt deeply disappointed. The man before me, this elegant gentleman who resembled a celestial being, seemed more like a devil in disguise. I opened my mouth to explain, but when my eyes met his icy gaze, I found myself speechless.

In Xie Yan’s eyes, I must be a promiscuous, lowly creature who could be tasted by anyone. If he didn’t think that, why would he say such things?

I was exhausted. Loving Xie Yan was truly exhausting.

No matter how hard I tried, no matter how careful I was, it seemed I could never please him. If I made the slightest mistake, I would be torn apart by his sharp words. My father often said, "Accompanying a ruler is like accompanying a tiger." Maybe that was it. Those of noble birth like him looked down on commoners like me—plain-looking and dull-witted. It was only natural.

I had been foolish to overreach.

With that thought, I let go of his hand dejectedly, allowing Xie Yan to pinch my cheeks until they were red and sore. I watched calmly as he leaned down, drawing closer to me. Xie Yan’s lips were beautifully shaped—soft, cool, and thin—and kissing them felt like tasting summer sherbet.

But now, I had no desire to be close to him. As Xie Yan’s breath drew near, I turned my face away, avoiding his cool, intimate kiss.

I didn’t want to kiss someone like him.

"Feng! Jiu! Yue!" Xie Yan’s gritted voice echoed in my ear. He opened his mouth and bit down on the tear mole under my eye, gnawing at that small spot. I gasped in pain, and hot tears streamed down my cheeks, flowing into his mouth.

Xie Yan tasted the saltiness and looked up angrily, only to see me crying, my lips curved downward in sadness. He stopped biting and moved his hand from my chin to my cheek, holding my face firmly to prevent me from turning away. His crimson tongue licked away all my scattered tears, even moistening my eyelashes, leaving nothing untouched.

Receiving slightly gentler treatment, my sobs finally subsided. I couldn’t help but clutch the peony embroidery on his sleeve, wanting to bury my face in his chest like we used to. But before I could lean against his pounding heartbeat, Xie Yan pushed me away slightly. His breath, warm and moist, landed by my ear, sending shivers down my arms. As his lips moved, all color drained from my face. "Did you sleep with him last night? Was he better than me? Did he use your favorite position?"

I stared at him in disbelief, looking at Xie Yan as if he were a stranger. He had said these heart-wrenching words without a trace of remorse. The bright sunlight fell on his exquisite face, which should have resembled a flawless jade Buddha, but the coldness in his eyes and the mockery at his lips shattered that image, making him seem like a devil.

How could he humiliate me like this!

A wave of anger clogged my chest, making it impossible for me to speak. I raised my hand to slap Xie Yan’s face, driven by rage, but how could I ever overpower him?

My wrist was intercepted mid-air. Xie Yan stared directly at me, watching as I struggled with all my might but failed to free my wrist. The mocking curve of his lips seemed to mock my overestimation of myself. He appeared thoroughly enraged by my attempt to strike him without a word, pulling me firmly into his arms with a long arm.

The sound of wheels rolling echoed as I was forced across Xie Yan’s lap, struggling like a fish out of water. A cold chuckle followed, and a large hand landed sharply on my backside with force. My ears burned with embarrassment. Xie Yan was hitting me again. He was the one bullying me unreasonably, yet he was treating me like a child, striking me once, twice, three times—I lost count. I knew it would swell, and my eyes reddened, shedding tears of humiliation.

"Feng Jiuyue, let’s try something new today." Xie Yan leaned down, affectionately licking my ear, mimicking certain primal acts. His tongue, like a snake’s, explored my burning ear, stirring fear within me. I didn’t know what this "new game" was, but it couldn’t be anything good.

Xie Yan pressed me firmly onto the bed—the place he rested when tired from work. My breath hit the sheets, and I could faintly smell his cool fragrance. I curled my hands against my chest, burying my head in the soft bedding like an ostrich, too afraid to look back, though my ears were alert to every sound behind me.

"Feng Jiuyue, I need to inspect you." Xie Yan’s cold, resentful voice drifted over, reminding me of the first night he brought me here. He had said the same thing in the same tone. So much time had passed, and I thought at least some trust would have been built between us, but it seemed there was none.

I struggled desperately, my limbs flailing, and accidentally struck Xie Yan’s forehead—the wound he’d gotten protecting me in the carriage. I regretted it instantly and tried to check his injury, but Xie Yan turned away sharply, glaring at me with hostility and disgust, still doubting my innocence.

After staring at me for a long time, he suddenly smiled darkly. His narrow phoenix eyes were calm, but the slight curve of his lips showed he was indeed smiling. His words, clear and cruel, fell on my ears: "Feng Jiuyue, I need to inspect you. I want to do it. Didn’t you tell me before that whenever I wanted, we could do it? Now show me your sincerity. Let me see if another man has touched you."

"What? You don’t want to?"

"So you’ve tasted someone else and find it boring to be with a cripple?" When I didn’t respond, he grew furious, spouting humiliating and vicious words. His gloomy expression was like a city on the verge of collapse, destroying my humble sincerity and fragile self-respect.

Forget it. Maybe I just didn’t deserve Xie Yan’s sincerity. With that thought, I smiled self-deprecatingly, my fingers trembling as I untied the ribbon at my waist. I learned from last time, shamelessly presenting myself to Xie Yan.

Xie Yan’s gaze swept over me like a blazing fire, his slender fingers exploring carefully before he finally curved his lips in satisfaction, like a venomous snake flicking its crimson tongue, a gesture demanding submission. "Lie down."

My tears fell uncontrollably, quickly dampening the bedsheets. The dark cloud-patterned silk stained with circles of moisture. I felt wronged, and because this resentment came from someone I loved, it hurt even more. I bit down on the bedding, not wanting Xie Yan to hear my fragile whimpers.

But Xie Yan wouldn’t let me off so easily. Through my tear-blurred vision, I saw his slender fingers waving before me. His cold voice, colder than the night wind, sent my heart plunging with a few words: "Lick." His elbow pressed against my side to steady himself, and he pinched my face warningly. "If you dare bite again, you’ll regret it."

The threat made me tremble. I hurriedly opened my mouth and held his fingers slender as bamboo joints, licking until the cool jade-like skin glistened with moisture. Xie Yan patted my cheek with that wet hand, maliciously smearing the moisture on my face.

I didn’t know what the "new game" was, but it couldn’t be good. The morning breeze was still cool, rustling the thin curtains and drifting into the room, raising goosebumps on my arms. Xie Yan stopped, and the sound of his wheelchair faded as I heard the window close with a creak.

Before I could feel any relief, it was shattered by what followed. Xie Yan’s jade-white hands pressed on either side of me. I knew he had left his wheelchair. With his legs impaired, all his weight was supported by his arms, partly resting on me. I was terrified, my hands scrambling for something to hold onto, but Xie Yan pried my fingers apart, interlacing his fingers tightly with mine.

If he didn’t care about my comfort, he could have pressed down on me completely, adding to the humiliation, but he didn’t. He held my fingers tightly and didn’t let go. I thought it might be bearable.

But soon, I arched my neck like a pitiful swan with its neck in fate's grip. Xie Yan’s sharp teeth pierced the skin of my shoulder and neck. I stared blankly at a point on the wall, my breath caught. The warmth behind my ear was moist. The bed curtains swayed gently in the breeze, and I suddenly remembered—my master had given a demonstration by holding this same shoulder and neck earlier, and now it was gnawed until barely any skin was left intact.

I didn’t want to show weakness or make pleas for mercy, but the weight and fierce intrusion made me sob uncontrollably. Is loving someone always this humiliating? Maybe I just loved the wrong person.

An ordinary and foolish mortal like me truly should not have yearned for the moon. Now that I've been wounded by the moon, I have only myself to blame.

My gaze completely lost focus. This position hadn't been taken since Xie Yan's leg was broken. He truly believed I despised his immobility, kept questioning me, determined to extract an answer that would satisfy him before he would ease up.

By the time it was over, morning had turned to noon. Xie Yan called for lunch and dressed me in exceptionally elegant and beautiful clothing. His mood was always rather good at times like this. He idly held my waist, acting as if he adored me as he kissed my neck and cheeks, as if he could never get enough.

I didn’t want to respond in the slightest. I was so tired, with no strength left, even lifting a finger felt exhausting. So I let Xie Yan have his way, acting like a lifeless piece of wood.

But soon I could no longer stay calm. My shifu walked in. Seeing us in such an intimate state, he didn’t seem surprised, bowing respectfully and asking with confusion, "Your Highness, what matter requires my presence?"

Xie Yan was doing it on purpose. He kissed my neck with intimate familiarity, not even looking up as he said, "Sit down and eat."

I could sense my shifu's unease. Because Xie Yan was acting completely out of character. His arm firmly encircled my waist, giving me no chance to resist. He fed me soup and dishes with exaggerated tenderness, occasionally nuzzling my neck and saying hoarsely, "You smell so good."

"Your throat is hoarse from crying earlier in bed. Have some soup." He spoke like this, completely ignoring shifu's awkward expression—or rather, he was doing it intentionally. He wanted the other man to see us being so intimate. I didn't understand these machinations, but I was terrified of angering him. He had hurt me badly earlier, and he’d finished inside me. My stomach now felt bloated and painful. I couldn't eat anything, so I gently took the spoon and offered the rich chicken soup to Xie Yan's lips, trying to appease him, saying, "You have some too."

Xie Yan was clearly pleased by this gesture. His fiery eyes looked towards my shifu as if in triumph, his words sharp as ever. "Such mischief, always knowing how to act spoiled."

My shifu had an anxious meal, guided by Xie Yan into declaring many vows about how deeply he and his wife loved each other and would surely grow old together. I didn't know what Xie Yan was trying to achieve, I just thought it was ridiculous. Finally, when Xie Yan stopped eating, shifu immediately scrambled to take his leave. Xie Yan gave a faint "Hmm" of acknowledgment. The moment shifu left, he immediately turned to kiss me fiercely, as if he wanted to chew my lips to pieces.

"Did you hear that? He has a wife. Their marriage is very strong."

"With such an ordinary appearance, where did you learn these alluring tricks?"

"Feng Jiuyue, are you listening to me?"

I stared blankly into the distance at the mountains. Xie Yan's words entered my ears but my mind blocked them out. My heart was so sorrowful that a buzzing noise drowned out his noisy threats.

Xie Yan wouldn't let me off easily. Seeing me ignore him made him even angrier. He uttered filthy words and started pulling at my trousers again. I turned a deaf ear, letting my limbs go limp, adopting a numb and docile posture.

I knew Xie Yan hated my unresponsiveness. He soon released me, throwing me onto the bed, and began studying military maps angrily.

He was busy every day, conquering cities and lands, pacifying people, studying taxes. Having spent half the morning with me in bed, he was inexplicably irritable during the afternoon meeting.

Distractedly, I curled up under the blankets, listening to him reprimand everyone calmly, and actually drifted into a hazy sleep.

In the days that followed, it wasn't that I deliberately wanted to resist Xie Yan, but I simply couldn't feel happy. All joy and pleasure had been shattered by sharp words and casual accusations. I couldn't understand why Xie Yan treated me this way. It seemed he had always held me in low regard. Whenever he was displeased, he had a thousand ways to make me yield. Those words that pierced my heart, I would never forget them in this lifetime.

Sometimes, even the most intense love can be extinguished by repeated hurt and bullying, turning into gradual indifference and listless despair. I finally understand now: when you eagerly offer your sincere heart to someone, and they shatter it once, you pick it up and mend it. Until that heart is finally full of holes and can no longer beat—that's the time to leave.

Because I refused to eat no matter what, Xie Yan initially wanted to force-feed me. But the military physician told him it would aggravate my asthma, so he relented. However, he couldn't bear to see me wasting away. Finally, he grabbed my face, speaking with fierce malice tinged with helplessness, "You're not eating just to defy me? Because I humiliated you in front of the imperial guard you like?"

He grew angrier as he spoke, his chest heaving rapidly. He said with jealousy in my ear, "If you really like him, eat this food now, or I'll have him killed."

I had no reaction, no strength left in my body. I was dying myself, where would I find the strength to care about anyone else's life or death?

But this numb, unfeeling attitude of mine seemed to greatly please Xie Yan. He suddenly cupped my face and kissed me deeply and heavily, as if he treasured me.

I didn't resist, like a puppet out of place in the world, my eyes emptily staring at the far wall.

By the second day, Xie Yan finally couldn't take it anymore. I had originally thought he didn't care whether I lived or died, but apparently, that wasn't the case.

After just one day and night without food, he used every method to force my mouth open, but I always vomited everything up, unable to keep anything down.

He consulted the physician, who had no solution, saying it was a matter of the heart—if the underlying issue wasn't resolved, there was no cure. So he kept watching me. His deep-set eyes, after a day of anxiety, were even more sunken, but their gaze remained gloomy, like a cloudy sky before the rain.

"Speak. What will it take for you to eat?"

He watched me for a long time before carefully uttering these words. His thumb rubbed my parched lips, as if making a sudden decision, saying bitterly, "Whoever it is, if you like them, you can go to them. On the condition that you eat this meal."

We were both on the bed. His arms encircled me like an impenetrable cage. The food on the distant table had been replaced several times already, all dishes I loved. But now, smelling those rising aromas, I had no appetite whatsoever. My heart was filled to the brim with bitter grievance and the shame of being completely dominated.

"Xie Yan."

"Hmm, speak." Hearing me call him, a flash of surprise appeared in Xie Yan's eyes. His calloused palm stroked my right cheek, as if afraid of scaring me, his voice even softening. "I'm listening."

I must have been bewitched, actually hearing indulgence and appeasement in those few words. My heart felt like it was soaking in a vat of sour liquid, aching and swelling. Slowly, my eyes filled with tears.

"Xie Yan."

I forgot about dignity, just looked at him with wet eyes, then took his hand and placed it on my chest, with a touch of naive childishness, slowly speaking, not even caring that the falling tears slid into my mouth.

"That day, it hurt so much. I kept crying, but you ignored me, you just kept bullying me. I thought, you probably don't like me anymore, otherwise how could you not care even when I cried?"

"You scolded me, said many hurtful things to me. I've said things like that to you too when I was angry, so let's call it even. But you mustn't say them again in the future, otherwise I really won't be able to find an excuse to forgive you."

"I never slept with Shifu. I've only been intimate with you. That morning, he was teaching me fighting techniques, and you just happened to see. I told you before, I would work hard to protect you, take care of you. It wasn't a lie. I've been striving for that all along."

"When I wasn't bothering you normally, I was at the military physician's place learning massage and nursing. After Shifu arrived, I asked him how I could become stronger, how to protect someone."

"On the first day, I ran ten laps around the training field, panting and exhausted, and then I forgot to come find you for dinner. That was my fault; I was so tired I fell asleep. The second day, I didn't bring you milk tea myself because I felt you didn't really want to see me. Also, Shifu had waited for me quite a while the first day precisely because I stubbornly insisted on delivering milk tea to you."

"Since we're learning from someone, shouldn't we show some sincerity? And that gardener you mentioned—if you hadn't brought it up, I might not even remember him. I wanted to learn gardening from him because you were very busy during that period and had little time for me. But I truly never thought you would mind."

After saying all this, I finally paused to catch my breath, only then noticing that Xie Yan was looking at me with gentle eyes. The violent aura had faded from his brow, replaced by a radiant brilliance. The glow of the candlelight fell on him, creating a hazy beauty. He seemed very satisfied with my words. He lifted my chin, and a cool kiss landed on my lips. Unlike his usual roughness, this was a very light, feather-like kiss.

"What else? Keep going."

That sweet kiss made me want to sink into it, but I couldn't forget those trampled moments. So it's true, someone can be gentle one moment and violent the next. I'm not a clever person, and I don't understand Xie Yan's complicated thoughts. But I really don't want to live in constant fear anymore. Xie Yan's unpredictability frightens me and also fills me with despair.

I don't want to continue like this.

I pressed Xie Yan's hand tighter against me, feeling the faint heartbeat beneath, silently shedding a few more tears. "Xie Yan, my heart hurts. Every time you get angry with me, say hurtful things, bully me in bed... I feel so scared, so pained."

"Originally, my heart was completely full of you. But every time you treat me so badly, my affection diminishes a little. Maybe you don't care, and you have many choices, but I really can't take much more."

"I don't like it when you say those ugly things, as if you see me as more casual than a courtesan from the Southern Wind Pavilion. I also don't like it when you get angry with me without explanation, doing things deliberately to provoke me."

"I'm human too. I feel sad, heartbroken, desperate. My heart isn't made of iron. It's not that strong. You wound it for no reason, again and again; it will always hurt. Maybe in the end, it will break."

I pursed my lips, pretending to be composed as I wiped the tears from my face, then moved Xie Yan's hand away from me, saying lightly, "Maybe you don't care either. It's fine, I was just saying it."

By now, I only felt ridiculous, fond of futile efforts. Xie Yan wasn't even making a sound now. Probably, in the end, this was just a farcical drama that no one but me cared about.

I struggled to leave Xie Yan's embrace, but he held me tighter. Xie Yan pressed his face against my chest, his arms encircling my waist in a posture of extreme attachment and immersion.

His eyes were slightly red, his fingertips trembling slightly. I could only helplessly reach up to touch his eyes, finding them wet.

"Feng Jiuyue." He buried his face in my embrace, his voice carrying a rare vulnerability and panic. "You have to say everything out loud. Don't silently deduct points without a word."

"At least, before you become completely disappointed, give me one chance to win you back."

Everything I had just said was based on the assumption that Xie Yan wouldn't respond. I never expected Xie Yan to care, nor did I hope that after everything that had happened, Xie Yan would still consider my feelings.

But he did care.

I looked down at his red-rimmed eyes, damp eyelashes, and slightly flushed ear tips. My cold, hardened heart instantly softened into a complete mess. I just leaned down and kissed his burning ear.

Xie Yan must like me at least a little bit, right?

After that day, Xie Yan and I made up out of the blue. His attitude toward me improved significantly; although he usually maintained a stone-faced and quiet demeanor, whenever I showed the slightest hint of unhappiness, he would try to speak more with me, his words in a careful, almost cautious tone.

Yet Xie Yan remained extremely busy, only free during meals to accompany me. The rest of the time, I hung around in the military doctor’s clinic. My master hadn’t dared to show his face around me for a long time—perhaps that cringey display from that day had instilled an instinctive fear of me.

I heaved a long sigh. Just after finishing breakfast with Xie Yan, I headed to the clinic under the morning light, planning to help the military doctor with tasks like sun-drying herbs. But as soon as I approached, the military doctor came out to meet me.

“Doctor, is something the matter?”

“Young master, get this,” the military doctor said excitedly, grabbing my hand and speaking with enthusiasm. “There’s hope for the Crown Prince’s leg! Yesterday, I treated a patient from Fengcheng who told me that on Qiong Mountain in Fengcheng, there’s a miracle doctor. They say he can raise the dead and heal shattered bones. As long as the person sent to him has even a breath left, he can save them.”

“Really?” My heart leapt with excitement, and I gripped the military doctor’s hand in return. “Then I’ll go to Qiong Mountain right away.”

“Wait,” the doctor cautioned. “That person said this miracle doctor has a weird, moody temper. He’s no Buddha-like compassion—he requires something important in exchange before he’s willing to heal anyone.”

“Moreover, despite his reputation, after asking around, I found that no one in Fengcheng knows exactly what he looks like. Some say he’s an elderly white-haired physician, others say he’s a dashing young gentleman. Young master, if you really plan to go, you must be very careful.”

“I will.”

As long as there was a glimmer of hope, I wouldn’t give up.

I didn’t tell Xie Yan about this and went alone to the foot of Qiong Mountain. I climbed the stone steps, breathless after about half an hour, until I finally reached the mountaintop.

I had to admit, Fengcheng was a wonderful place. Having learned a bit about medicinal herbs from the military doctor, I could recognize some rare and precious varieties. Qiong Mountain was lush with green trees and grass, its shadows swaying, and the ground was covered with hard-to-find medicinal plants, a dazzling sight.

The mountaintop was cloaked in mist, through which I could barely make out a simple, crude thatched hut. A bitter smell of medicine drifted through the rising vapor. A fence circled the front of the hut, and a path of polished bluestone slabs led to the door.

“Is anyone there? Is the miracle doctor in?”

I called out three times, but only the birds chirping in the trees answered me. There was no sign of anyone. Thinking the healer might be resting inside, I stepped forward to push open the tightly shut gate.

But with a creak, the door of the thatched hut swung open.

The person who emerged was around my age, wearing only a thin robe. He had a slender build, a pale complexion, but strikingly bright eyes—beautiful phoenix eyes with a charming curve at the corners. His expression was initially impatient, and he muttered, “Who is it, disturbing my midday nap?”

But upon seeing me, he blinked a few times, his handsome face flushing slightly, and he hurried back inside. Puzzled, I waited outside. After a short while, the door opened again.

The young man had changed into an ivory brocade robe and now held an elegant folding fan. All traces of his earlier irritation and anger were gone as he walked toward me with smooth grace, smiling kindly.

I nodded at him and asked anxiously, “I’m here to see the miracle doctor. Are you his disciple? Could you please announce me? I have an illness I’d like him to treat.”

As soon as I finished speaking, the young man’s face fell. “I am the miracle doctor,” he said sharply.

“But you’re so young.”

I voiced my doubt quietly. In my understanding, a miracle doctor ought to have years of medical experience, but this young man seemed about my age and didn’t strike me as composed enough to be a physician.

“What? You don’t believe me!” Seeing my disbelief, he grew agitated and paced around me. Suddenly inspired, he snapped his fan shut and began sizing me up critically. “You have a face like a girl's, inherited from your mother. You were born prematurely, with a weak constitution, and you’ve had asthma from the womb.”

My jaw dropped in astonishment. Even an experienced physician like the military doctor would need to take my pulse to discern these conditions, yet this young man had listed them all just by looking at me.

“Still don’t believe me?” Seeing me speechless, he added another shocking detail. “You’re a special case—neither fully male nor fully female. Or rather, you are both.”

A wave of exhilaration burst in my mind. Never before had I been so delighted to have my freakishness exposed. It meant Xie Yan’s leg could be saved, and it confirmed the rumors—this miracle doctor was truly extraordinary.

I hurried forward and explained Xie Yan’s condition. “Miracle Doctor, I was wrong to doubt you earlier. I’m sorry, truly. I’m not here for myself but for the Crown Prince in Fengcheng. His kneecaps were shattered, and he can’t stand. Is there any way you can help him walk again?”

After he pondered a moment, the healer explained carefully, “That’s not a big issue. He needs to steep in herbal baths for seven days to allow the bones to regenerate. Then, with hard work at rehab, he should be able to stand again.”

“There’s a ninety percent chance of success.”

“But let me warn you—during the herbal baths, the patient will endure extreme pain, akin to having his bones broken and rebroken repeatedly over seven days. If the Crown Prince lacks willpower and is a coward, he might not make it.”

“Making it through the baths is crucial, but even then, there’s still a ten percent chance he won’t regain the ability to walk.”

“Can you accept these terms?”

I bit my lip, thinking of the agony involved. I knew Xie Yan would endure it, but that didn’t stop my heart from aching for him. However, treating his leg would ultimately depend on the patient’s consent. Hesitantly, I said, “I’m afraid I’ll have to trouble you to come to Fengcheng with me. I, Feng Jiuyue, would be forever in your debt.”

“Your name is Feng Jiuyue?” The healer’s eyes lit up. “What a lovely name, as beautiful as you are. Your skin is white as snow, your lips red like they’re painted—truly stunning.”

I was still uncomfortable with such admiring gazes from strangers. Having Xie Xing was enough; now there was another. I flinched back slightly and said softly, “Yes, I’m Feng Jiuyue, style name Muqiu.”

“Good, then I’ll call you Xiao Qiu from now on.” The healer clapped his hand to his head excitedly. “Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. No need to be so formal—call me Zhong Qin.”

Zhong Qin moved in closer, and I retreated two steps, uneasy. I nodded and said, “Zhong Qin, hello.”

“Since you’ve found your way here, you must know my rules. If you want me to heal the Crown Prince’s leg, you’ll need to offer something in exchange. Understand?”

Zhong Qin lifted my chin with his fan in a flirty move. Disliking it, I frowned and asked along his line of questioning, “What would you like in exchange?”

By now, I’d grown wiser. Zhong Qin was an oddball; ordinary offerings wouldn’t satisfy him. The terms likely weren’t for the seeker to propose but for him to decide.

“Hehe, Xiao Qiu is getting clever.”

Zhong Qin withdrew his fan and reached out to touch my face. I jumped back in alarm and fell to the ground. Looking up, I saw his expression hard to read in the misty haze, but his words fell clearly on my ears: “I want you to marry me.”

“It’s a good deal, isn’t it? I heal the Crown Prince’s leg, and you be my wife. You help the Crown Prince and get a husband in the process. Why not?”

Zhong Qin seemed quite pleased with himself as he spoke.

I lowered my gaze to the grass, unsure how to respond. In the past, I might have hesitated, but now that Xie Yan had shown me kindness, it stirred up all sorts of hopes in me.

Besides, I wondered how Xie Yan would react if he knew I’d agreed to marry someone else for his sake.

His reaction was something I didn’t dare imagine.

“I’m sorry, I can’t agree to that. Could you propose another condition?”

I spoke timidly, stealing glances at Zhong Qin’s face. His expression darkened, the warmth in his eyes replaced by an untamed wildness. “Why not? I need a reason.”

His intense stare left me no escape. With no other option, I made an excuse, “I’m already married.”

“You can still divorce. I don’t mind.”

“I’m foolish, not clever, and I’m a jinx. My husband can’t stand me. Please don’t say such things—I really can’t be with you. I’m sorry.”

This time, I said firmly. The light in Zhong Qin’s eyes went out, his earlier enthusiasm completely gone. Coldly, he said, “If it’s not this condition, I want nothing else. Leave.”

“If you like someone who looks like me,” I tried to fix things, “I can ask the Crown Prince to find someone even more beautiful for you.”

I meant it sincerely—Xie Yan had once said I’m average-looking, so finding someone more attractive would be easy.

But Zhong Qin didn’t see it that way. He looked at me incredulously, as if I were teasing him, and grew angry. “Don’t joke around. Someone like you—there isn’t a second in all of Jiang State. If you’re unwilling, then leave. Don’t make fun of my feelings.”

I decided to return and discuss the day’s events with Xie Yan. He was smart and level-headed, surely full of better ideas. Since Zhong Qin seemed unwilling to see me further, I nodded to him. “Then I’ll go.”

The path down the mountain was uneven, so I was carefully watching my steps when suddenly I heard hurried footsteps approaching from above. Zhong Qin, his face cold and filled with anger, said to me angrily, "I can accompany you to take a look at the Crown Prince’s leg, but whether I treat him or not is my own decision. You can’t force me!"

"Alright," I replied gratefully with a smile.

"And one more thing!" Zhong Qin rubbed his nose and muttered awkwardly, "I want to see what’s so great about that good-for-nothing husband of yours that makes him better than me!"

"Author’s Note:"

Hey everyone, what kind of extra content would you like to see in the side story? Feel free to leave a comment and let me know!!!