Chapter 26 "I'll help the young master, okay?"...

Ji Chengnin's pupils suddenly contracted.

The assassin's actions in the nightmare flooded back into his mind with crystal clarity.

The lingering, damp whispers, the intertwined strands of hair, and the fingers gripping his throat as if they could snap his neck at any moment.

The two were so close that every cold, damp breath from the ghostly assassin could land on his lips.

He should have been terrified and felt cold all over, but the effects of the dark sweet medicine were too strong. He breathed rapidly, but could only desperately feel his breath getting hotter and hotter.

More and more...

The heat made Ji Chengning feel like his brain was bubbling. He was almost in despair, but what made him even more desperate was that at a time like this, he could still find a moment to think that his cousin's outfit was undeniably beautiful.

If Cui Yao is unparalleled in beauty when dressed as a woman, she is even more awe-inspiring and unapproachable when dressed as a man, like a sharp blade flashing past one's eyes, so cold and chilling that one dares not even look at her from afar.

The drug was burning his mind, making it hard to think. He instinctively felt that this person was dangerous, but reason told him that Cui Yao was gentle and refined, and that he and Cui Yao had grown closer and closer, with no grudges between them. Cui Yao had done nothing wrong and was even worried about him.

This sense of contradiction drove him almost insane.

Ji Chengnin gritted his teeth and said, "Don't come any closer."

Cui Yao was startled and immediately stopped in her tracks.

Through the beaded curtain, Cui Yao looked somewhat at a loss.

"Oh dear, young master, why are you barging straight in? The young marquis is being served by his beloved servants inside, you..."

The steward caught up, panting, followed by four or five strong guards.

He saw Ji Chengnin standing expressionlessly at the door, with a servant lying sprawled beside him, and his words abruptly stopped.

The steward wiped his face and said awkwardly, "Why hasn't the young marquis rested yet? Is it because he's too clumsy to serve you properly? Men, drag him away quickly, don't spoil the young marquis's mood."

Ji Chengning ignored him and stared intently at Cui Yao.

His normally bright and clear eyes were now shrouded in a ferocious blood red, which, combined with the young marquis's handsome features, made him look even more like a malevolent ghost that wanted to devour people's hearts.

Beneath his collar, his Adam's apple bobbed rapidly.

Cui Yao looked innocent and bewildered. He seemed to want to go forward, but was afraid of startling Ji Chengning, so he could only stand there helplessly.

Ji Chengnin gripped the musket tightly and said coldly, "How did you get here?"

Cui Yao was increasingly at a loss. "The young master has not returned for a long time, and I was worried about him, so I came." He paused, remembering the steward's words that there would be someone suitable to serve him. "Was I... disturbing the young master's peace?"

“What I’m asking is,” Ji Chengnin said, his mind in turmoil from the heat, his voice carrying a hint of the menacing aura he usually kept hidden, as he stared intently at Cui Yao, “how did you get here?”

Like a little dog baring its teeth and claws.

She was just obediently pinned down on the soft couch by him, but now she dares to bare her teeth at him.

The little finger pressing on the ring twitched excitedly, but Cui Yao looked flustered. He seemed startled by Ji Chengnin's harsh tone, "The young master gave me your token. They didn't dare to stop me when they saw the token."

The manager lowered his head, his eyes rolling blankly over the two of them.

Sweat poured down his face. Ji Chengnin squinted, his voice hoarse, "How did you know I was here?"

It was scorching hot, yet there was an undeniable chill in the air.

The steward and several guards didn't dare to even breathe loudly.

The steward silently wiped the oil and sweat from his face with his sleeve, his heart filled with bitterness as if he had just swallowed bile.

This person was carrying Ji Chengning's token, and they dared not stop him, for fear of offending the nobleman of the Ji family. They wanted to report to their master for a decision, but those who could make decisions had all taken the beauties into their rooms. Only Jiang Linzhou, who was chaste and self-disciplined, could not be found anywhere!

His doubt was undisguised.

Cui Yao could certainly hear it, and he suddenly looked up.

He was facing Ji Chengnin's face, which was white and damp with sweat.

The young marquis had just fought with thieves on the bed, and his bright and neat robes were now disheveled, with the collar torn open, revealing a section of his neck that rarely saw the light of day, as white as a handful of fine snow.

Amidst this clump of fine snow, there were two or three bruises, likely caused by something kneading them too roughly, as if a few drops of blood were about to seep out.

Although the steward said that someone would serve Ji Chengning, the young Marquis Ji looked more like he was being teased than someone going to appreciate flowers.

This pitiful appearance was unfortunately paired with a pair of fierce eyes.

It doesn't instill fear, but rather makes one want to go even further towards him, to see just how far one has to go before he can no longer maintain that fierce gaze and can only let his eyes glaze over and shed tears.

A cowardly little fool.

Cui Yao's pupils shrank excitedly. He took a deep breath and spoke respectfully, "Your Highness, I was in the manor when your servant, Chi Zheng, suddenly came to me. He said that someone outside brought a message from you, saying that you are at the Zhongnan Villa outside the city and asking me to come over for a chat."

Ji Chengning thought to himself, "Who can be fooled by such a baseless message? Cousin, you're really treating me like a fool."

But Cui Yao stood right in front of him, and a thousand feet of white light surged down from the sky. Under such sunlight, Cui Yao's face was as white as Xuan paper, and her thick, long eyelashes trembled.

The young marquis's chivalrous nature has resurfaced.

Moreover, his precarious sanity prevents him from considering much else.

Seeing that he remained silent, Cui Yao stepped forward and coaxed him gently, "Your Highness, you are drunk. I will take you back."

"This..." the steward said anxiously, "If the young master leaves, how am I supposed to explain this to Master Mei when he wakes up?"

Ji Chengning was still hesitant about whether to leave with Cui Yao, but upon hearing this, he coldly glanced at the steward and said, "My cousin has come to take me back to the manor. What is it that you can't explain? Is this not a villa used by Meixuewu to entertain guests, but a den of bandits where you can only enter but not leave?"

These words made the steward break out in a cold sweat, and he hurriedly bowed and said, "Yes, yes, I will escort the two esteemed guests out."

Ji Chengnin walked with faltering steps.

Cui Yao offered to help him up, and Ji Chengning was about to offer his hand when he inhaled the faint fragrance emanating from the other person, which inexplicably made Ji Chengning shudder.

He directly avoided Cui Yao's hand.

The latter paused.

Ji Chengnin exhaled a breath of hot, stale air, steeled his resolve, and strode forward.

His mind wasn't quite clear, so he naturally couldn't feel a gaze fixed on his back.

Like a snake.

The steward, all smiles, saw the two onto the carriage.

Once the carriage disappeared from sight, the steward's obsequious smile vanished instantly, and he shouted, "Go quickly and see if the young master has gotten up yet!"

On the carriage.

Ji Chengning sensed something was wrong as soon as he came up.

"this……"

His voice was hoarse.

As Cui Yao poured him tea, he said softly, "Your Highness, this is the Cui family's carriage."

Ji Chengnin's gaze sharpened suddenly, "The Cui family?"

Cui Yao presented the tea with both hands.

Ji Chengnin remained silent for a few moments before accepting the tea.

“It’s a property I just acquired,” he added considerately, perhaps recalling Ji Chengning’s unfounded suspicion and hostility earlier. “If Your Highness doesn’t believe me, I can show you the contract.”

His words were so comforting that Ji Chengnin was speechless. He waved his hand and said, "It's your own business, you don't need to show it to me."

Cui Yao replied softly, "Yes."

Ji Chengning closed his eyes.

The combination of black sugar and incense is so potent that it is ten times more effective than when used alone.

His brow was furrowed, and before he knew it, a large patch of his neck was soaked with sweat.

Ji Chengning suddenly realized that coming back with Cui Yao might not be a good idea.

He tilted his head back and took a big gulp of tea.

"cousin."

Cui Yao looked at him and said, "Yes."

Ji Chengnin took a breath. "Why are you dressed as a man?"

He knew exactly what Cui Yao would say; Cui Yao would give him the most reasonable, harmless, and flawless explanation in a gentle and soft voice.

Even so, he couldn't help but ask.

Cui Yao stared at him intently.

Ji Chengning instinctively sensed danger.

Cui Yao's gaze towards him was truly strange.

It wasn't a burning gaze, but rather an indescribable mixture of gloom and inquiry. He saw himself as a venomous spider eyeing its never-before-seen prey caught in its web, drooling with desire yet fearing the prey's desperate struggle.

Ji Chengning shivered.

The next moment, Cui Yao raised her hand and placed it on her waist—she was about to untie her belt.

Ji Chengnin was shocked and took a step back abruptly, "What are you doing?!"

Cui Yao stared intently at Ji Chengnin, a slight smile playing on her lips at his flustered expression, before quickly suppressing it again.

He calmly said, "I don't know what the Crown Prince suspects, but since the Crown Prince wants to know, I should prove it to him."

Ji Chengning was almost amused by Cui Yao's self-righteous and shameless words.

He felt something was wrong, but couldn't quite put his finger on it.

“I… fine!” He flicked his sleeve and gritted his teeth, saying, “Stay away from me.”

Cui Yao didn't understand, but she still obediently did as she was told.

Ji Chengnin took a deep breath and gripped his hand tightly. The excruciating pain surged through him, but his reason returned to him was becoming increasingly weak.

He could feel his body getting hotter and hotter, and he was getting weaker and weaker.

This can't go on...

"Your Highness."

Ji Chengnin struggled to open his eyelids.

Cui Yao's cold, beautiful face was so close to his eyes that he was startled. He pressed his hand on the musket, but the muzzle was pointed in his direction. "What are you doing?"

Cui Yao's voice grew even gentler, "We've arrived."

Ji Chengning felt as if he had been granted a pardon.

However, when he jumped off the carriage, what came into view was not the magnificent Marquis's mansion, but a quiet and secluded courtyard.

The mansion was deep and secluded, with high walls standing tall, shutting out all the noise of the world.

Ji Chengnin opened his eyes wide in vain.

For a moment, he even wondered if he had been driven mad by the drug Mei Xuewu had given him, otherwise why would he be hallucinating?

He instinctively stepped back, only to bump into something extremely cold.

Yes, Ji Chengning's body stiffened, Cui Yao.

He walked without making a sound. Ji Chengnin suddenly realized.

"Where is this place?"

Cui Yao said softly from behind him, "Your Highness, this is also a newly acquired property of mine."

A cold breath gently brushed against his ear.

Ji Chengnin suddenly turned his head to the side.

Cui Yao was startled by his actions and looked at him blankly.

Nothing seemed amiss.

Ji Chengning slowly exhaled.

Cui Yao reached out and gently grasped Ji Chengnin's wrist through his clothes. "I was thinking that since the young master is drunk and there are too many people in the Marquis's mansion, he will certainly not be able to rest peacefully if he goes back now."

Ji Chengning was about to speak when he saw Cui Yao's pale lips part, "Your Highness, you don't want the Minister to worry, do you?"

Ji Chengning remained silent.

Cui Yao's words actually made some sense.

So the young marquis, with his eyes half-open and somewhat dazed, nodded slowly, "Very well."

Perhaps it was his imagination, but Cui Yao's smile seemed to have deepened.

The servants respectfully opened the gate, and Cui Yao deliberately slowed her pace to lead Ji Chengning inside.

The heavy, towering gate, painted in black lacquer, slowly opened and then quickly closed.

Not leaving even the slightest gap for anyone to spy on.

Ji Chengning, unusually compliant, was led by Cui Yao.

In fact, rather than being obedient, the young marquis focused all his self-control on how to suppress the effects of the medicine so as not to do anything impolite.

It was so difficult that I almost gritted my teeth so hard they crunched.

He was dizzy and didn't realize that Cui Yao had led him into a secluded courtyard.

After navigating the winding corridor, Cui Yao finally pushed open the carved door to the bedroom.

Ji Chengnin's fingers trembled from the heat, and seeing this, he felt as if he had been granted a pardon. "Thank you, cousin."

He reached out to close the door, but couldn't get it shut at all.

Cui Yao's hand was gripping the door, the veins on the back of his pale hand bulging, his bones long and slender, giving him a surprisingly strong presence.

"Cousin," Ji Chengnin's voice was hoarse, as if it had been pierced by sand and gravel, "what do you want to do?"

Cui Yao lowered his head and whispered affectionately, "Your Highness is wise. Why don't you guess what I want to do?"

He inhaled all of Cui Yao's cold breath, which made him shiver. The combination of cold and heat sent shivers down his spine.

The person who is usually the most skillful and considerate actually had bad intentions at this time. Ji Chengning closed his eyes and said, "Cousin, A-Yao, this is not the time to joke. Let go of her."

Cui Yao retorted, "The young master told me to leave, leaving you alone." He didn't try to conceal it, and his gaze was too strong. Ji Chengnin could even feel that tangible gaze sliding down, outlining the lines of something. Even the young marquis's thick skin couldn't withstand it. "Or should you learn from the hospitable host and find one, or a few, beauties who suit the young marquis's taste to serve him?"

"nonsense!"

"I'm talking nonsense?" Cui Yao retorted.

Ji Chengning knew he was handsome, but now, without any makeup or embellishment, he was a beautiful man with cold, icy features, yet his eyes were shrouded in a layer of red veins, making him look somewhat mysterious and eerie.

"Your Highness, you know better than I what you're trying to do by urging me to leave in such a hurry."

Does Cui Yao even know what nonsense he's spouting?!

Ji Chengning truly felt the situation was getting difficult, but Cui Yao wasn't under his command, so his methods of training soldiers were useless against his cousin. He could only scold her, "Shut up!"

Cui Yao, as always, obediently kept quiet.

Before Ji Chengnin could even relax, his heart pounded violently again at the icy touch on the back of his hand.

The cold fingers wound their way upwards along the lines of the wrist bones.

Ji Chengning tried to shake off his hand, but it was held in place and he couldn't move.

Each finger was forcibly inserted between his fingers, cold and hard, locking him in like an iron lock.

Cui Yao looked at him and said, "If others can do it, why can't I?"

Ji Chengning was so angry that his head was throbbing.

He didn't know how his usually kind and understanding cousin Cui could possess such an awe-inspiring aura, nor did he understand why Cui Yao was being so unreasonable today.

If he hadn't been drugged, he would definitely be giving Cui Yao a good talk about the difference between yin and yang, and the importance of maintaining proper boundaries between men and women.

Cui Yao lowered her head.

Ji Chengning couldn't break free and could only watch helplessly as the wrist gripping him slid down to his lips.

He slowly opened his mouth, his lips were scarlet, and his canine teeth were pale white.

This is not a living person, this is—just as Cui Yao said that day, do not travel at night, otherwise you will easily attract evil spirits!

Ji Chengnin's ears were ringing, a mixture of anger and the effects of the drug, "You have no idea..."

He stopped abruptly before he could finish speaking.

Cui Yao calmly retorted, "Know what?"

He feigned innocence, but the violently bobbing Adam's apple beneath his collar betrayed him.

It revealed his dark and despicable thoughts.

If Cui Yao were a virtuous person, he would surely despise himself for taking advantage of someone in distress and then pretending to be innocent, but he is not.

He watched helplessly as the young marquis's fingers trembled spasmodically, gripping his sleeve tightly without touching him, his fingertips turning white from the excessive force.

Ji Chengnin's chest heaved violently as he stared at Cui Yao for a long time before finally closing his eyes in despair. "Cousin, auntie, I'm begging you, please leave."

However, in Cui Yao's eyes, this thoughtfulness and courtesy took on a different meaning.

"Click".

The canines snapped shut.

Cui Yao smiled slightly, "Does the Crown Prince despise this humble woman so much?"

He knew he was plain-looking and not exactly gentle or lovely, but he never imagined he was even worse than the servant who had been knocked unconscious by Ji Chengning before he even had a chance to serve him.

Ji Chengning would rather have a pretentious male concubine serve her than give him a second glance!

Even sharing a room with him was something he tricked into doing by bringing up Ji Lin.

When Ji Chengning was serving the emperor, he never felt that the emperor was as capricious and irritable as Cui Yao, who was both hot and angry. Moreover, the emperor was not a good-tempered person to begin with, and asked angrily, "When did I ever dislike you?"

Cui Yao was stunned.

Ji Chengnin had been trying his best to tolerate Cui Yao out of concern, but the other party was taking advantage of his advances. He couldn't hold back any longer, "I dislike you? If I disliked you, why would I be with you every day? If I disliked you, would I ask you to help me fix my musket? Am I living too comfortably or am I out of my mind? If I disliked you, why would I keep you under my nose?" Ji Chengnin grew angrier and angrier. "Don't mess with me, get out!"

Then he saw Cui Yao's expression change slightly.

Instead of turning white, it turned red.

His cousin's pale cheeks were inexplicably tinged with a thin layer of red, which, combined with his pale, sparkling eyes, gave off a somewhat delusional and sickly appearance.

It was clearly Ji Chengning who turned the tables on him.

Cui Yao thought calmly.

Ji Chengning didn't trust him at all just now and even tested him in every way, but now he has the nerve to say that he doesn't mind him. Not only does he not mind, but judging from the meaning of his words, it seems that he is even more lenient.

Ji Chengnin was just saying nice things to trick him into leaving early.

Strangely enough, although he knew that Ji Chengnin was the most sweet-talking but hard-hearted and insincere, he was surprised to find that he was actually very happy.

An inexplicable joy swelled in my chest, a mixture of numbness and tingling, like someone sprinkling honey on a wound.

Cui Yao resisted the urge to take Ji Chengning's hand and touch her cheek. "Then why does the young master insist on making me leave?"

Upon hearing this, Ji Chengning took a few heavy breaths.

What does it mean to be unpredictable by the emperor's will? What does it mean to serve a ruler like a tiger? Ji Chengning was extremely grateful that Cui Yao was just his cousin and not the emperor, otherwise all the ministers below would have attacked her.

What kind of unpredictable, inquisitive, and dog-like temper does this person have?!

Ji Chengnin gritted his teeth, his cheeks so hot they could be used to warm his hands. "I've been poisoned."

Before he could finish speaking, a hand swiftly landed on his jawline.

It was so cold, and so sudden, that Ji Chengnin choked up a little.

Cui Yao paused for a moment, then immediately said, "Your pulse is a little fast, but it's strong and steady, not wavering. You're not poisoned."

His cold, piercing eyes stared at Ji Chengnin. "Your Highness, you're lying to me."

Ji Chengnin really wanted to strangle him.

But Cui Yao's strength was strangely great, and Ji Chengning was firmly held in his grip and unable to move.

He felt his heart beating faster and faster, his breathing becoming more and more rapid. With a determined heart, he turned his head and bit his own hand hard.

A whiff of blood quickly trickled into his throat.

"Your Highness?" Cui Yao was taken aback. He grabbed Ji Chengning's face and used two fingers to force him to let go, like forcing a puppy to release its mouth.

Ji Chengnin turned his head away in shame, anger, and resentment.

Cui Yao met a pair of shimmering, watery eyes.

Cui Yao's heart suddenly stopped beating.

Could there really be some strange poison in the world that he has never heard of, which does not weaken the heart meridian, but rather causes it to accelerate?

Cui Yao placed one hand on Ji Chengning's shoulder and the other hand traced down his smooth, sculpted neck inch by inch.

Wherever he went, the chill made Ji Chengning shiver, yet he also cherished this hard-won warmth.

He gritted his teeth, "Are you leaving or not?"

"The young master is poisoned; how can I leave in peace?" Cui Yao's voice was cold. The situation was critical, yet Ji Chengnin still wanted him to leave.

To what extent does Ji Chengnin distrust him!

"I will send someone to find a doctor immediately."

"you……"

Is something wrong with you?!

Even after all that was said, Cui Yao still didn't understand.

Upon further reflection, as far as he knew, Cui Yao devoted all her energy to the Cui family business and had no interest in sensual pleasures, so it was only natural that she didn't understand them.

Ji Chengnin was half scalded and half embarrassed. "I was given a secret medicine!"

Cui Yao squinted. "What secret medicine?"

Ji Chengnin gritted his teeth and said, "Ancestor, were you sent by someone to deal with me?"

Looking at Ji Chengnin's burning face, Cui Yao finally realized what the so-called drug was.

They actually dared to give Ji Chengning such a despicable drug!

Cui Yao's eyes suddenly turned cold.

Ji Chengning hissed softly, his instinctive sense of danger making him want to stay away from Cui Yao.

“So, cousin,” Ji Chengnin said, his voice trembling, “you should go out now.”

Cui Yao looked down at him and asked softly, "Is Your Highness in great pain?"

Cui Yao knew, of course, that he should go out; he had already received Ji Chengnin's answer.

He should leave satisfied and wait for the young marquis to solve the problem himself.

Cui Yao's tone softened, like a seductive temptation with ill intentions.

"Your Highness, can the effects of this medicine dissipate on their own?"

Ji Chengnin was filled with shame and indignation, "Shut up and stop talking!"

If Cui Yao were a man, he wouldn't be in such a sorry state.

Cui Yao stared at him without blinking, her pale eyes bulging with red veins, twitching repeatedly.

He asked softly, "If the medicine is too strong, will it harm your health?"

Ji Chengnin hardened his heart and cursed, "Get out."

Cui Yao, however, did not leave.

Instead of rolling away, they moved even closer.

Miss Cui gently traced Ji Chengning's wrist with her fingers, which were as white as fish belly and as cold as a deep-sea fish, and coaxed, "I'll help you, young master, okay?"

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Author's note: Thank you to my wife for her support.

Red envelopes continue to drop in this chapter.

I'm so happy to see the comments! [Sprinkling flowers]