099 Devour You

“Do you know wounds can get infected? This will leave scars later. How can you not take care of yourself and still drink so much…” My incessant nagging was abruptly silenced as Li Yexuan covered my mouth with one hand. With a sudden effort, he carried me to the inner side of the bed and laid me down.

“What are you doing? The medicine fell on the floor, and the wound isn’t even properly bandaged yet.”

Li Yexuan tugged at a strap and handed it to me, signaling for me to dress his wound.

Considering he was a patient, I didn’t want to argue. I sat up and carefully wrapped his hand. Luckily, the medicine had already been applied; otherwise, it would have been all for nothing.

“All done.”

I tied a neat bow over Li Yexuan’s hand.

His large hand suddenly grabbed me, pulling me close. I lay by his side.

“Li Yexuan, what are you crazy about?” I pounded his chest with my fists. I came all this way, and he still wouldn’t say a word.

“Mu Fan, I’m so happy.”

Li Yexuan held me tightly.

“Are you feeling any pain?”

I could feel his body burning hot—not feverish, but allergic to alcohol. What a tragic irony.

“You came and yet have nothing to say to me?”

Seeing I remained silent, Li Yexuan slowly leaned in.

“I do have something to say.”

“All right, say it. I’m listening.”

I leaned closer to Li Yexuan, our bodies pressed together. I buried my head in his embrace.

“I used to like Yun Heng. He rescued me from Lingyun Kingdom—saving my life, a debt I could never forget. Gradually, I developed feelings for him. Later, I became a maid by Yun Heng’s side, just wanting to watch him quietly. Until one day, Qiao Ruoqing appeared beside him. I know every man has many wives and concubines, but I don’t believe that’s true love. I put away my feelings for Yun Heng. Now he has a princess, and even as a general or prince consort, he’s surrounded by countless women. I don’t want to share a man with others. I, Mu Fan, may like Yun Heng, but I don’t love him. I can love someone, or I can let go… but now I belong to you. If you treat me well, that’s the best. If you don’t like me, that’s fine too. I know my temper isn’t good…”

Li Yexuan lowered his head, lifted mine, and kissed my tear-streaked face, wiping away every trace of sorrow.

“From now on, you have me.”

He kissed away my tears and pressed his lips against mine.

His kisses traveled across my body, and I pushed him away, pleading “No.”

Li Yexuan was still injured—what nonsense was this? Not one decent move.

“Stop it, you’re hurt. Stop it… hey… Li… Yexuan… mm…”

His kiss made my cheeks burn.

“Go to sleep.”

This awkward man pulled me firmly into his arms.

The feeling was wonderful, and I slowly drifted into dreams.

That night, I slept soundly and warmly.

When I woke, Li Yexuan was still there. His head propped up by his hand, but his burning gaze was fixed on me, not leaving an empty space like before.

“You’re awake.”

“Mm. Why are you looking at me like that?”

I felt shy. Li Yexuan said, “I want to devour you.”

What!!!

Before I could react, he pinned me beneath him…

Morning was indeed warm…

When I woke again, Zi’er came in to attend to me.

“Miss, I went back to Qingran Residence to fetch you some clothes.”

Looking down, I was dismayed.

My clothes had been torn by Li Yexuan.

Wahhh, you owe me for this…

“Wait.” Li Yexuan called after Zi’er.

“Your Grace, any orders?”

“Tell the steward to have everyone in the mansion start calling her ‘Madam.’”

“Yes, Zi’er will go at once…”

Zi’er ran out excitedly, leaving me helpless in the room. Maid, can you bring me some clothes first? Your mistress is in such a sorry state…

“My status is low; I don’t care about these things.”

“Since you belong to me now, there’s no need to hide it.”

Li Yexuan kissed me again. “Zi’er will be here soon. Let’s go again.”

And so, I sacrificed myself once more.

Zi’er, oh Zi’er, do you realize how much trouble you’ve caused your mistress?

After that day, Steward Wu’s gaze made me feel cold, as if I were some rare artifact.

Once, unable to bear it, I told him to stop staring like that.

He blurted out, “I was just wondering when Madam would give Your Grace a son or daughter.”

I was so startled I avoided his gaze and took a detour.

His words made me realize something. I sent everyone away and stood alone by the lake.

Time flies. It’s nearly been a year since the palace coup in Lingyun Kingdom. In a few months, I’ll be sixteen. Whether Li Yexuan was involved, I no longer have the heart to investigate. Avoidance won’t solve anything. If he wasn’t involved, when it’s all over, I will follow him as Huangfu Ziyun, even though I don’t know where my younger brother is, and though the path is long.

If Li Yexuan was involved, perhaps out of our marital bond, I wouldn’t meet him with weapons drawn. But we definitely can’t be a proper couple.

Li Yexuan’s gentleness, his kindness—I’m enjoying all this on the edge of a blade.

“Madam.”

Zi’er’s voice came from behind.

I quickly masked the sadness on my face and turned to ask if something was wrong.

“Madam, the Nineteenth Princess has arrived.”

The Nineteenth Princess—the legitimate wife of Yun Heng.

“Then take her to Your Grace.”

I’ve always kept to myself and avoided external affairs. This was something I’d already discussed with Li Yexuan.

“She insists on seeing Madam. She’s waiting for you in the carriage outside.”

“Where is Your Grace?”

The Nineteenth Princess was really not clever. If she wanted to see me alone, she shouldn’t have come while Li Yexuan was around. Since he’s here, how could I not tell him? I’ve been through so much hardship with them; do I lack that much sense?

“In the study.”

“Let’s go to the study.”

Zi’er and I went to Li Yexuan’s study.

At the door, Zi’er stayed outside.

The study was Li Yexuan’s sanctuary. No one could enter or leave at will except me. Thinking carefully, Li Yexuan had indeed been very good to me, arranging everything flawlessly.

The door opened; he was sitting, writing something.

“What brings you here? Could it be you missed me?”

My face flushed with shyness.

“I just wanted to ask your opinion about something.”

“Speak.”

“The Nineteenth Princess came, demanding to see me. She’s waiting outside in the carriage, wanting me to come out.”

Li Yexuan frowned.

I thought he was displeased and quickly held his hand. “You have to trust me. I’m with you now; I have nothing to do with them anymore. Don’t overthink…”

Right now, only Li Yexuan is by my side. I don’t want to lose him too. Being alone terrifies me.

But fate cannot be forced; forcing it is useless.

“You’re overthinking. You don’t leave the house, so what is there to doubt? You should avoid the Nineteenth Princess as much as possible. She and I are on different sides.”

Li Yexuan didn’t say explicitly, but I understood. Among the royal family, princes and princesses distinguish between close and distant relations. With only one throne, even sons of the same mother cannot unite, let alone those who are not. It seemed the Nineteenth Princess and Li Yexuan were on opposing fronts.

“I understand.”

Li Yexuan immediately sent someone to invite the Nineteenth Princess in.

“Come with me.”

“Okay.”

I regretted the word as soon as I said it. Today I wore a pale yellow silk dress, with only two jade hairpins, no makeup—would I embarrass him?

“It’s fine. You look beautiful like this. Let’s go.”

Letting Li Yexuan hold my hand, my heart swelled with happiness.

In the back garden of the prince's residence, I finally met Yun Heng’s wife, the Nineteenth Princess.

She bore a slight resemblance to Li Yexuan, barely noticeable unless looked at carefully.

Her hair was styled like a mature woman’s, adorned with three bright golden hairpins that glittered in the sunlight. Her delicate face framed by a bright red robe resembled a newlywed’s beauty.

Beside her followed Qiao Ruoqing, dressed in pink, whose aura was nearly overshadowed by the Nineteenth Princess. With the legitimate wife’s arrival, being a concubine must be difficult for her now. Qiao Ruoqing—I wonder if I should mock you for inviting your own misfortune.

“Lan Xin, greet your imperial brother.”

“Ruoqing, greet Your Grace.”

“Stand up,” Li Yexuan’s voice was calm but he didn’t release my hand. As expected, Qiao Ruoqing glared at me fiercely. Good for me—was she really that upset?

“Greetings, Princess.” I was about to bow when Li Yexuan pulled me back.

“You don’t have to.”

The three women, including me, looked at Li Yexuan in confusion.

“Lan Xin, greet your imperial sister-in-law.”

“Your Grace, you must be mistaken. When did you marry? This woman, who can’t even compare to a servant, how can she be called sister-in-law by the princess? It makes no sense.”

Qiao Ruoqing interrupted, but Li Yexuan didn’t even glance her way. Of course, she thought being a concubine was something to be proud of—how foolish.

“If Mu Fan were not the princess consort, then I would have no consort at all. The emperor knows this too.”

“Lan Xin greets sister-in-law.”

“Princess, your courtesy is noted. Mu Fan is inexperienced and hopes you won’t mind. Just now, someone from your palace sent word. I happened to be with Your Grace.”

“It’s nothing serious. I heard from Ruoqing that since you are acquainted, you came to visit.”

“Yes, acquainted.” I nodded bitterly.

We are indeed acquainted—she and Yunrong pushed me into the water, harmed me repeatedly, made my injured hand copy Buddhist scriptures. How could I ever forget?