Chapter 73 Let Me Slowly

Xie Qi stood there, stunned.

He never expected to run into Jiang Zhi here.

"Miss Jiang, you really fell into the water?" Xie Qi's gaze fell on her undergarment, which was still damp and hanging on the screen.

He initially thought it was a lie Jiang Yunqian made up to trick him into going to the past, but it turned out to be true.

Jiang Zhi nodded, and said somewhat shyly in a low voice, "Could you please help me take off my outer robe first, Young Master Xie?"

In her current state, it's really inconvenient for her to get up and get it.

Xie Qi realized what was happening and immediately reached out to grab her outer robe, handing it to her from the side before retreating behind the screen.

Jiang Zhi put on the protective suit, making sure no skin was exposed, before emerging from behind the screen and asking him, "Why is Young Master Xie here?"

Xie Qi touched his nose somewhat awkwardly.

He really didn't want Jiang Zhi to know that he had been tricked by Jiang Yunqian into taking drugs, and that he had come out of the dressing room in a daze and found a secluded palace, intending to wait until the effects of the drugs wore off before going out.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Zhi was also in this long-abandoned palace.

"I... I just happened to be passing by and came in to take a look." He guiltily turned his eyes away, avoiding her gaze.

Jiang Zhi could tell from his expression that he was hiding something, but she and Xie Qi were not related; they were merely partners with the same goal.

So, being sensible, he didn't press the matter further.

“The banquet organizers are probably looking for me too. I should head back once I’m done tidying up,” Jiang Zhi said calmly, looking at him. “Does Prince Xie intend to stay here?”

"Okay, I'll wander around here for a bit before I leave."

The effects of the drug in his body were too potent; he was breathing rapidly and felt as if a fire was burning away his mind.

If he goes out in this situation and runs into someone, he doesn't know what he might do.

“I think Prince Xie doesn’t seem to be feeling well,” Jiang Zhi noticed something was wrong and frowned, staring intently at him. “Is he sick?”

Xie Qi had practiced martial arts for many years and was always in good health.

But at this moment, Jiang Zhi saw that his face was flushed, his breathing was disordered, and his pupils were covered with a layer of hazy moisture, as if he had a high fever.

She stepped forward and raised her hand to touch his forehead.

Xie Qi was startled, the veins on his forehead throbbing. He raised his hand and grabbed her wrist. "Don't come any closer!"

"I'm sorry, it was my rudeness." The worry in Jiang Zhi's eyes vanished instantly, and she coldly tried to pull her hand away.

But they found that Xie Qi did not loosen his grip, and his strength was still considerable. His fingertips were dry and burning hot, much higher than his normal body temperature.

"What does Young Master Xie mean by this?"

Xie Qi immediately regretted his overreaction, fearing he had angered her.

But at this moment, holding his soft, boneless wrist, the delicate and smooth touch of his palm was challenging his nerves.

His Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily. He released his grip, his voice hoarse as sandpaper, "I'm fine, just a little thirsty."

Since Xie Qi did not wish to say more, Jiang Zhi did not press him.

"Alright, I just drew some well water. If Young Master Xie doesn't mind, please make do with some."

She found a clean teacup, rinsed it several times with well water, poured water into it, and handed it to him.

But he didn't take it for a long time.

Jiang Zhi looked up and her heart skipped a beat.

Xie Qi's condition was very strange at the moment.

A dark undercurrent surged in his eyes, and his fingertips, gripping the screen, almost dug into the wooden pillar. Even without touching him, Jiang Zhi could feel his heavy breathing and his chest heaving violently, as if he was restraining and suppressing something.

"What are you doing...?"

Just as Jiang Zhi opened her mouth, a strong force came from her wrist.

With a "bang," the teacup shattered into pieces, spilling water all over the floor.

By the time she realized what was happening, Xie Qi had already pinned her against the wall.

His breath was like a scorching wind, making Jiang Zhi's neck numb.

One hand braced against the wall beside her ear, the knuckles white from the force, the corners of his eyes flushed an unnatural red, and his dark pupils clung to her face like a predator that had seized its prey and was about to devour her whole.

"Yes, I'm sorry..." Although he apologized, the struggle in his eyes was almost overflowing, as if two forces were constantly tearing him apart.

Jiang Zhi realized what was happening.

Xie Qi must have been drugged with some kind of evil medicine.

That's why he came here alone and behaved so strangely.

"Your Highness, I am Jiang Zhi," she said, trying to calm herself down and soothe him. "You've been drugged. Let go of me, and I'll go find the imperial physician to get the antidote for you."

Xie Qi's mind was in a whirl.

The self-control she displayed when facing Jiang Yunqian crumbled completely in front of Jiang Zhi.

Her unique, light fragrance filled the air, and her parted, crimson lips were the first thing that caught my eye.

He let out a low gasp, unable to restrain himself any longer, and following his own desires, he leaned down and captured her lips tightly.

Xie Qi's kisses were haphazard, urgent, and frantic, sweeping over her with a scorching heat. There was no gradual, tentative caressing; only a primal and instinctive plunder, as if trying to drag her down into the abyss of desire.

However, compared to Xie Qi's loss of control, Jiang Zhi's eyes were clear.

She could feel his hand trembling on the back of her neck, as if he was afraid she would break free, or as if he was afraid he would really hurt her.

She sighed inwardly, and the moment Xie Qi loosened his grip on her lips, she slapped him across the face without hesitation.

The sharp crack was particularly jarring in the quiet room.

Xie Qi looked at her with suppressed emotion, their breaths mingling into a warm, humid mist.

“You…” Jiang Zhi wanted to take advantage of the gap to bring him back to his senses, but she found that Xie Qi’s gaze was downward, and his eyes suddenly became even more profound.

She instinctively looked down, realizing something was wrong.

Her inner garment was still drying on the screen; at this moment, she was only wearing a loose-fitting outer garment.

After the actions just now, her clothes had been torn open, revealing a large expanse of white, smooth skin on her chest.

She had barely opened her mouth when Xie Qi, as if bewitched, lowered his head and placed his burning lips on her neck.

It felt like sparks were igniting in the air, crackling and burning, and every breath felt like it was teetering on the edge of losing control.

Jiang Zhi felt icy cold inside.

Xie Qi, being a military general and under the influence of drugs, was not careful with his strength. Her struggles were not only useless, but would also cause her to get hurt.

She moved one of her free hands, raising it to touch the jade hairpin in her hair.

Perhaps we can take advantage of Xie Qi's confused and bewildered state...

The moment the thought crossed her mind, Xie Qi grabbed her wrist.

A low, hoarse voice vibrated in my ear.

"Wait a little longer, let me take a moment to calm down..."

His breath brushed against her neck, and his hot lips, with a hint of ingratiation, brushed against her skin, sending shivers down her spine.

Jiang Zhi was extremely surprised.

How can someone who has been treated with traditional Chinese medicine still maintain their rationality in this state?

"Let me lean on it for a while."

He enunciated each word with extreme emphasis, and his hand gripping her wrist trembled—a restraint that seemed to drain all his strength.

"Okay." Jiang Zhi exhaled, her voice so soft it sounded like a sigh.