Chapter 19 "I didn't do it on purpose."...

Ji Chengnin deeply felt that he was a great man with a strong and upright character.

He accepted the imperial edict with tears of gratitude, enduring the intense heat that was almost scorching him, and kowtowed to thank the emperor for his grace. He also gave his fourth cousin several amused glances, which made the other man turn pale with anger, but he dared not utter a word of complaint.

Then the young marquis led his men back to his own courtyard.

As soon as he stepped across the threshold, Ji Chengnin felt a sudden burst of inspiration. His parents, whom he had never met, were standing on clouds, waving at him. He was so startled that he fainted.

The curtains were lowered, each corner held up by a palm-sized, gold-carved Mengji beast, making it completely airtight. From the outside, one could vaguely glimpse the interior, but the view was indistinct and unclear.

Alo, sword in hand, stood dutifully outside the bed curtains, staring at them expressionlessly.

There seemed to be something inside that required utmost vigilance, a monster that could swallow its young master whole if one was not careful—Cui Yao was sitting by the bed, wiping Ji Chengning's face with a towel.

Miss Cui rushed over as soon as she learned that Ji Chengning's fever had not subsided. He was so anxious that he forgot his manners and said that he had to stay and serve the young marquis until he recovered.

Alo stared at him for a moment.

If A Luo had regarded Cui Yao as a woman, he would have firmly said that men and women should not touch each other, and that Miss Cui should go back. However, in his eyes, Cui Yao could not be considered a woman, or even a person. She was like a dark and persistent gloom, tightly and stickily wrapped around Ji Chengning.

He coldly refused: "I cannot make decisions for the young marquis."

Cui Yao smiled and asked in return, "Did the Crown Prince say that I wasn't allowed to take care of him?"

Alo paused.

"Besides," the eerie creature's eyes and brows held a faint, subtle smile, "everyone can see the young master and I going in and out together. If the young master had no affection for me, why would he force himself?" His clear, gentle voice rose at the end, "and how do you know that the young master will not want to see me when he wakes up?"

Alo: "..."

He opened his mouth, wanting to refute Cui Yao, but before he could speak, he heard a hoarse voice from inside, "Cousin."

Before she finished speaking, Cui Yao smiled, nodded slightly to A Luo, and gracefully entered.

He frowned.

Miss Cui was dressed in light gray today. At this moment, he was kneeling on one knee by the bed, reaching out to touch Ji Chengning's forehead.

The gray skirt, piled up in a long, flowing manner, swayed gently at the edge of the bed.

Like a spider web.

Cui Yao stared intently at Ji Chengning.

So pitiful.

Ji Chengnin was half-asleep and half-awake, and apart from uttering a soft, almost muffled call, he did not respond at all.

He looked like he was having a nightmare, his brows furrowed tightly. Although he had taken medicine, his high fever had not subsided, and his cheekbones were covered with a thin layer of damp red from the heat.

Cui Yao took out a handkerchief she always carried with her, soaked it in warm water, then took it out and wrung it out until it was half dry.

Water droplets trickled down his pale fingers.

As he touched Ji Chengnin's skin with the handkerchief, the young marquis's loyal but inflexible dog stared intently at his movements.

Alo's hand pressed tightly against the knife.

Cui Yao's eyes curved into crescents.

The cotton handkerchief wiped across the skin, leaving damp trails wherever it touched.

He was meticulous and considerate in his dealings, and the temperature of the cotton handkerchief was just right so that Ji Chengning could feel comfortable.

The moisture left on the handkerchief was quickly evaporated by the high heat, and Ji Chengning's brows, which had just relaxed, furrowed again. So the handkerchief wiped his cheeks again, all the way down, wiping away the thin layer of sweat in Ji Chengning's neck.

Ji Chengnin relaxed his brows.

With just a flick of her finger, she could control the expression of the most unruly young marquis. As if being scorched by burning coals, Ji Chengning was suffering terribly. When Cui Yao refused to touch him, he would rub against her and fawn over her handkerchief.

Cui Yao was so excited about the feeling that she was almost addicted.

Cui Yao lowered her head, her cool, slightly more rapid breaths brushing lightly against Ji Chengnin's lips.

Alo's gaze sharpened.

But Cui Yao hadn't done anything wrong; he seemed to have just been too concerned and got a little too close.

Alo gripped the hilt of his sword tightly.

"I hope you get well soon, Your Highness." Cui Yao's voice carried a soft sigh.

The icy breath mingled with Ji Chengnin's burning hot breath, making him feel a chill, yet he found the cold much more comfortable than the high fever. "Cousin..."

Cui Yao responded obediently, "Mm."

Her fingers traced Ji Chengnin's thin eyelids.

So pitiful.

As his fingertips traced the pale blue veins, Ji Chengnin's eyes trembled slightly with his movements.

The young marquis is usually arrogant and domineering, making people want to crush his arrogance and force him to beg for mercy while sobbing. He looks weak enough now.

The cracks in the jade did not elicit any pity, but only made people want to play with it more, to fill the cracks and holes with their fingertips, lips, or some other despicable means.

So pitiful.

Cui Yao's Adam's apple bobbed, and his cheeks burned as if they were on fire.

I hate this loss of control, but I'm unwilling to resist it.

He lowered his eyes forcefully, his thick, long eyelashes trembling excitedly.

I love it so much...

"Da, da, da."

The sound of footsteps suddenly grew closer, and Cui Yao abruptly lowered her hand.

"Miss Cui Wu".

Someone called to him through the curtain. The person seemed surprised to see him there.

Displeased and disapproving surprise.

It's Ji Lin.

Cui Yao slowly got up, silently lifted the curtain, and then gently lowered it again. Only after confirming that no wind could get in did he turn around.

He met Ji Lin's cold, stern gaze.

Cui Yao nodded in greeting, "Lord Ji has arrived."

Ji Lin hummed in agreement and was about to step forward when a sarcastic voice suddenly came from behind her, "The young marquis has just taken medicine and his fever has not yet subsided. If Lord Ji still wants to reprimand him, perhaps you should wait until the young marquis wakes up."

Ji Lin turned her head, and her eyes finally fell on Cui Yao.

Having served as Minister of Justice for many years, he naturally exuded a cold and ruthless aura, commanding respect without anger. Ordinary people would tremble with fear and kneel down to beg for forgiveness simply from the sight of his cold expression.

Cui Yao remained calm. He stepped forward and closed the curtain that Ji Lin had just opened a crack. "It's windy."

Cui Yao's every move exuded an indescribable familiarity and naturalness.

This feeling made Ji Lin very uncomfortable, but even through the thin veil, he could still see Ji Chengning's tightly furrowed brows, looking extremely restless even in his sleep. So he didn't ask Cui Yao why she was here.

He spoke recklessly earlier, saying such hurtful things. Cheng Ning might not... might not want to see his uncle when he wakes up.

Ji Lin was silent for a few seconds before saying, "Imperial Physician Liu prescribed some medicine to reduce fever, and I have already ordered someone to brew it. Please urge Cheng Ning to drink it in three hours."

"yes."

"Thank you for your trouble, Miss."

Cui Yao smiled, "I have been greatly favored by the Crown Prince, and it is only right that I return the favor." He lowered his head slightly, "Please forgive me for having to stay with the Crown Prince and not being able to see you off further."

"Lord Ji, please take care."

Cui Yao sat back down on the edge of the bed. He naturally exuded a gloomy coolness. Ji Chengning, who was feverish and craving coolness, felt as if there was a large bowl of crispy mountain next to him. He was delirious and clung to Cui Yao like a boneless person.

Cui Yao's body stiffened.

The latter, however, seemed quite at ease, her brow unfurrowed.

"Cousin," he murmured.

Upon hearing Ji Chengning speak, A Luo was about to step forward, but upon hearing the words "cousin," she froze and then disappeared from the spot.

Cui Yao knew he had gone to hide in the shadows to continue monitoring, but she still went to wring out the handkerchief clean and wipe Ji Chengning down, acting almost like a virtuous and gentle woman.

You stupid fool who can't tell friend from foe.

Through the handkerchief, Cui Yao's cool fingers pressed lightly on Ji Chengnin's chin, causing Ji Chengnin to grunt.

Do you not know who truly cares about you?

So naive, easily swayed by a little kindness, he's actually the son of the renowned Marquis of Yongning, Ji Chen.

How did Ji Lin teach him? Was she intentionally trying to turn her nephew into a fool?

Cui Yao chuckled.

Not only is he not smart, but he is also weak. He developed a fever for two days after being drenched in blood. Such a delicate and precious young man is only suitable to be kept in a golden house. How can we expect him to emulate his elders and achieve unparalleled feats?

Therefore, the movement is even gentler, as if stroking a snowflake with a finger.

Ji Chengning was in a daze and pressed his face against Cui Yao's cold palm.

He smelled a faint odor, like the fishy smell of rotting flowers and trees; it wasn't unpleasant, just a little strange.

Ji Chengning wanted to confirm, so he twitched his nose and sniffed at the center of Cui Yao's wrist like a puppy.

Cui Yao paused for a moment, but then let him go.

Ji Chengnin murmured, "Cousin, why do you smell of blood?"

Cui Yao bent down and coaxed softly, "It's because the prince's blood got on my hands and made me dirty."

Ji Chengnin's memory was still stuck on the night before. He felt that he was dirty from head to toe and was so anxious that he almost wagged his tail. He said pitifully, "I didn't get dirty on purpose."

A sudden inspiration struck Ji Chengnin, who finally realized there were still clean spots on his body. He leaned over and rubbed his lips against Cui Yao's hand, saying, "Let me clean you up."

Before their skin even touched, Cui Yao grabbed him and pressed him down.

Just moments ago, Cui Yao was smug about how easily Ji Chengnin was fooled, but now that most of Ji Chengnin's face was trapped in his palm, his breath hitting the bandages, it was still itchy even through the thick gauze and powder. He hated Ji Chengnin for being so gullible.

An itch that's so intense it's hard to scratch, it makes your bones tingle.

He can be easily fooled by a few lies; it was the time the Crown Prince summoned him to the palace, and it's the same this time.

Given Ji Chengnin's unguarded nature, there will surely be a next time, and the time after that.

Little did they know, who they would be with next.

Ji Chengning had no idea what his unpredictable cousin was thinking; he was only focused on wiping Cui Yao's hands.

The rough gauze on the tip of his nose made him want to sneeze.

It can't be wiped clean.

The more you wipe, the more it spreads.

The deep wound was torn open again during their reckless actions, and blood soaked through the gauze, wetting Ji Chengnin's lips.

Ji Chengnin's face had just been wiped spotless, but now, his lips were covered with glaring specks of dirt.

He moved his palm down, landing on Ji Chengnin's chin, and lifted it sharply upwards.

The young marquis was confused. As the fishy smell grew stronger, he thought he had done something wrong. He was very good at using his charm and whining to get away with things. "Cousin, don't be angry."

Cui Yao stared intently at Ji Chengnin's smeared face, the bloodshot veins in her eyes contracting and relaxing violently with her heightened emotions.

This was the first time Cui Yao had ever wanted to strangle him.

A note from the author:

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Goodnight, my wife.