Chapter 63 I hope His Highness won't blame her
Little Bell suddenly stopped moving, her lips trembled, but she couldn't utter a single word.
Seeing her like this, Chen Yanqing's last doubts vanished.
Although she always wore loose men's clothing, covering her body completely, and deliberately lowered her voice to imitate a man's deep tone when she spoke, the soft cry she made in a moment of urgency just now was so delicate that it couldn't be faked.
And the wrist she was gripping, with its slender and soft fingertips, was not rough like a man's; the stiffness and flinching she showed when her hand was grasped just now were not the reactions of an ordinary man.
With all the details put together, the answer is already obvious.
Unexpectedly, the person he had always thought was "neither male nor female" and even secretly thought was "evil and sinister" turned out to be a woman.
Thinking back to how he had been jealous of Li Yuanzhao spending so much time with her, he felt a strange sense of embarrassment.
After a long while, Little Bell said in an almost inaudible voice, "...Don't tell anyone."
Chen Yanqing snapped out of his reverie and, instead of immediately agreeing, pressed further, "Does Your Highness know?"
Could this person have been deceiving Li Yuanzhao all along?
Little Bell nodded. "Of course I know."
Originally, she was the holy maiden of the Nanzhao Kingdom, in charge of the kingdom's secret medicine books.
Three years ago, a rebellion broke out in the country. The king's uncle colluded with foreign enemies to seize the throne. All those who belonged to the late king's lineage were to be exterminated, and she became their target.
She was fleeing when pursuers were closing in, and she was about to die in a mass grave on the border when His Highness saved her.
They then took her back to the capital, changed her name, dressed her in men's clothing, and hid her in the palace.
His Highness once said that once the storm had passed, if she wanted to go back, he would send her to find the old subordinates of the Nanzhao Kingdom; if she didn't want to go back, she could live a peaceful life here, and he would support her for the rest of her life.
But now, the Nanzhao Kingdom has long since changed dynasties, and the king's uncle's power is deeply entrenched. Going back would only be like walking into a trap.
The so-called "former subordinates" have probably already perished under the blade.
She could only spend her entire life hiding under the prince's protection, living as a "pharmacist" who never saw the light of day.
She would never forget His Highness's kindness.
But when I wake up in the middle of the night, I always think of the moonlight of the Nanzhao Kingdom.
That kind of freedom, that kind of being surrounded by loved ones, is something I can never go back to.
A life without freedom, without family or friends, like a cat kept in a cage, even without worrying about safety, cannot hide the loneliness.
Seeing her preoccupied look, Chen Yanqing quickly assured her, "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."
Little Bell breathed a sigh of relief.
However, seeing Chen Yanqing's concerned and worried expression made her feel somewhat at a loss, yet she also felt a strange sense of relief.
It's like suddenly discovering another person carrying a lantern beside you in the pitch-black night.
Although the light was faint, it was enough to dispel most of the chill.
The aroma of herbs in the pharmacy seemed stronger. Little Bell lowered her head and continued sorting herbs, but her fingers were no longer as deft as before.
Chen Yanqing remained leaning against the doorframe, gazing at her lowered eyes and slender profile, when he belatedly realized something.
Now that he knows she is a woman, it is really inappropriate for him to linger at the pharmacy entrance, with a man and a woman alone in a room.
Since we didn't know the details beforehand, it didn't matter what happened.
Now that things are out in the open, such closeness will inevitably attract criticism and is not good for her reputation.
He felt a little awkward and coughed lightly, saying, "Then you go ahead and do your work, I... I'll be going now."
After saying that, he turned and left. Just as he reached the door, a soft voice called out from behind him: "Young Master Chen."
Chen Yanqing paused, turned to look at her, and asked, "What's wrong?"
Little Bell looked up, her gaze falling on his face, and hesitantly asked, "Haven't you felt any discomfort in your face lately?"
The human skin mask that Chen Yanqing wore was laced with a poison called "Corrosive Skin Powder".
It is a slow-acting poison. At first, it only causes itchy skin, but over time it will erode the flesh, first causing redness and swelling, then pustules, and finally it can rot so badly that the person is unrecognizable and dies.
Given that Chen Yanqing has been wearing this mask for several months, he should have shown obvious symptoms long ago.
But right now, he only looks a little pale, without even the slightest redness or swelling, which is really strange.
Chen Yanqing was taken aback upon hearing this and subconsciously touched his cheek.
"How did you know? I really haven't been feeling well. These past few days I've felt itchy all over, like tiny bugs are crawling on me, and I haven't been sleeping well at night."
Then, he casually asked, "Do you have any ointment here to relieve itching?"
Xiao Lingdang hesitated for a moment; this mask was originally instructed by His Highness to be worn by Chen Yanqing.
She should have just listened to His Highness and not interfered in these matters.
But seeing Chen Yanqing's oblivious expression, she suddenly found herself unable to be ruthless.
She took a small white porcelain bottle from the medicine cabinet and handed it over.
"This is a medicated ointment I made myself. I take a little bit before bed each day and apply a thin layer to my face to relieve itching."
Chen Yanqing's eyes lit up, and she quickly accepted the gift, saying, "Thank you so much."
After he walked away with the ointment, Little Bell sighed softly at the empty doorway.
That's not an anti-itch ointment at all; it's clearly a detoxifying ointment to counteract the "flesh-rotting powder."
She ultimately broke the rules and took matters into her own hands.
Little Bell raised her hand and pressed her temples, her heart filled with unease, yet she couldn't help but make excuses for herself.
Perhaps His Highness initially disliked Chen Yanqing, which is why he made him wear this mask laced with poison. But lately, His Highness's thoughts have changed, haven't they?
Otherwise, why would they keep Chen Yanqing by their side as a personal bodyguard, taking him with them every day, and even having him wait by their side occasionally during meetings?
Moreover... these days, she occasionally caught the way His Highness looked at Chen Yanqing, and it seemed different from how he looked at others.
Perhaps, keeping his face intact would be better for His Highness.
I hope Your Highness won't blame her when you find out.
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