"Why do you not have much time left?"

Mu Ruoyan remained calm and spoke indifferently: "I told you before that I will live to be thirty at most, usually only twenty-five or twenty-six." In his heart, he seemed to have long since taken life and death lightly, but when facing Lin Xihe, a different kind of ripple still stirred in his heart.

Lin Xihe's face was full of disbelief as she blurted out, "But you look perfectly healthy..."

"That's true before you're twenty-five. But once that time comes, your body will deteriorate rapidly. Don't worry, I'm only twenty this year. In the years to come, no matter where you are, I will protect you."

"As a prince, why did you take that medicine? Were you forced to?" Lin Xihe couldn't help but ask.

Mu Ruoyan lay back on the bed, gently pulled Lin Xihe in front of him, let her rest her head on his chest, and gently stroked her back with his large hand.

Although Lin Xihe was reluctant to have such intimate contact, she did not voice her objection.

"If I hadn't taken that medicine, I probably wouldn't exist in this world anymore. Are you worried about me?" Mu Ruoyan's words carried a hint of expectation.

He was exceptionally handsome, always the center of attention wherever he went, and countless women admired his looks. During this time, he took meticulous care of Lin Xihe, hoping secretly that perhaps Lin Xihe would feel a little bit of interest in him.

"I just think you're still so young..."

Lin Xihe did not give Mu Ruoyan the response she wanted, but replied in a flat tone.

Mu Ruoyan had probably anticipated this outcome, so she didn't say anything more. She simply hugged the person in her arms tighter and whispered, "Go to sleep. I'll take you to see him tomorrow."

The next morning, as dawn broke, the carriage sped along the winding road without stopping.

Mu Ruoyan secretly sent a servant to leave first.

The carriage first entered a bustling city, where the streets were filled with cars and people, but it did not linger for long before leaving the city.

As they drew closer to their destination, a breathtaking panorama of verdant mountains came into view. The carriage wound its way along the narrow paths through the forest for a long time before finally arriving at Diancang Mountain.

After another hour of bumpy travel, the carriage finally came to a slow stop.

The attendant said respectfully, "Your Highness, we have arrived."

Lin Xihe sat in the carriage, so nervous that she didn't know where to put her hands.

She looked out the window and saw a courtyard that looked extremely spacious and empty.

However, as soon as the carriage came to a stop, more than twenty strong young men appeared out of nowhere and came forward in an orderly fashion.

Although Lin Xihe knew that the security here must be tight, she was still quite surprised by the scene before her.

"Lin Xihe, are you that excited?" Mu Ruoyan asked softly, observing her reaction.

"I...I wasn't excited..."

Lin Xihe tried to hide her emotions, but her slightly trembling voice still betrayed her true feelings.

"come over."

Mu Ruoyan pointed to the seat next to her, her tone leaving no room for doubt.

Lin Xihe sat down beside him as instructed, raised her eyes as clear as autumn water, and asked, "Are all these people outside your people?"

"Yes, so don't have any ideas you shouldn't have. You've seen their skills in the dilapidated temple. Even if Gu Qinghuai hadn't been poisoned, he wouldn't have been able to get out." Mu Ruoyan's voice was gentle, but her words carried a cold warning.

"Are you doubting me again?"

Lin Xihe feigned dissatisfaction, pouting slightly. Her expression conveyed both reproach and a hint of coquetry.

Seeing her like this, Mu Ruoyan's expression softened a bit, and she said, "I just don't want to be mean to you in the future, so you won't cry again."

"I understand. Can we go down now?" Lin Xihe said softly.

Mu Ruoyan took a deep breath, knowing that once Lin Xihe went inside, she might not speak to her so gently anymore.

At this thought, a strange impulse welled up inside him, and he said, "Kiss me."

"Now?"

Lin Xihe asked in surprise, she had never expected Mu Ruoyan to make such a request.

Mu Ruoyan looked at Lin Xihe with an undeniable gaze, then gently pulled her to sit on his lap.

He was tall, and by comparison, the petite Lin Xihe sat on his lap, allowing the two to face each other.

Mu Ruoyan gazed into Lin Xihe's eyes, his gaze intense and deep, and repeated, "You kissed me first."

Lin Xihe felt conflicted. Her hands unconsciously clenched. After a moment of hesitation, she quickly and lightly touched Mu Ruoyan's face, the movement as gentle as a dragonfly skimming the water.

Then, she asked anxiously, "Can I go down now?"

However, Mu Ruoyan was clearly not satisfied with this.

His pent-up emotions erupted at this moment, and he gently cupped Lin Xihe's face in his hands, kissing her lips forcefully for the first time.

Lin Xihe, who usually doesn't wear makeup, actually put on lip rouge today in order to see Gu Qinghuai.

This was originally intended to prevent her from appearing too embarrassed when meeting Gu Qinghuai, but unexpectedly, in Mu Ruoyan's eyes, it became evidence that she cared about someone else, making him extremely jealous.

At this moment, Mu Ruoyan's kiss was wildly aggressive, forceful, and brooked no refusal.

Lin Xihe was both ashamed and angry. Her gaze unconsciously drifted to the outside of the carriage. Thinking of the many people outside, and how she and Gu Qinghuai were already so close, yet Mu Ruoyan had done such a thing, her shame and indignation intensified.

This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!