Xiao Shao gave him a cold look, his gaze so icy that Ye You unconsciously fell silent.
“Jinyi, Jiner,” Xiao Shao ordered.
“Yes, Master.” Before he could finish, the two shadow guards understood Xiao Shao’s intent. They exchanged a glance – the master was truly enraged this time. This Third Prince was audacious indeed to target the master’s person.
Seeing the two guards approach, Ye You’s face drained of color. “What are you doing? Don’t come over…help!”
As Xiao Shao rushed back to the King of Jinying’s manor cradling Jiang Ruan, in his urgency he didn’t think it improper to bring an unmarried woman to his residence. Jiang Ruan was usually aloof and composed, but vibrantly so – even her silent fury radiated vibrance. But now she was pale and feeble, her pale pink robe stained crimson with blood, looking like a pitiful, helpless child.
Xiao Shao’s heart ached. She felt remarkably light in his arms. Recalling the scene he had witnessed, it felt like his heart was being gripped. If he hadn’t happened to pass by the physician’s manor, thinking to check on Jiang Ruan, and discovered something amiss before finding Tiantian struggling with people who had drugged and abducted Jiang Ruan, that moment of anxiety would have seemed odd even to him.
Xiao Shao was aloof, ruthless and uninterested in women. He never worried over or paid such attention to anyone before. But now, looking down at the frail girl in his arms, he had only one thought – to protect her under his wing, shielding her from blades and arrows. He would never let her fall into danger again.
Xiao Shao carried Jiang Ruan back to the King of Jinying’s manor. The steward Lin was poring over the accounts. Yesterday, the royal guards had sent over an imported novelty – two thick slabs of glass that could be worn over the eyes to see printed text with extraordinary clarity. Seeing Xiao Shao return holding an unconscious woman, Lin was struck dumb, at a complete loss for words.
As Xiao Shao took a few steps towards the room, he kicked open the door, then turned back to close it behind him. The steward Lin finally snapped out of his daze and caught a familiar figure dropping from above. He quickly grabbed Jinsan’s arm. “Jinsan, what’s going on with the lord? Who…who is that?”
Among the royal guards, Jinyi and Jiner were close brothers, while Jinsan and Jinsi were twin sisters. These four were Xiao Shao’s personal shadow guards and small leaders within the ranks. Whenever the steward Lin wanted to gather information, he liked to probe these four.
Jinsan shrugged. “The young madam, Old Lin. Don’t blame me for not warning you – you’ll need to take good care of the young madam these next few days. The master has instructed me to attend to other matters, so you’re in charge for now.”
After taking a few steps, Jinsan turned back to add, “Oh right, the young madam was…cough…poisoned. Old Lin, don’t rashly go in to check on her. The master’s temper is running high right now.”
Long after Jinsan had left, the steward Lin still stood dazed, the little mustache on his lip twitching. Young madam…poisoned…temper high…
Lin became overwhelmed with emotion, tears streaming down. “The young master has an heir now!”
…
While the steward Lin grinned from ear to ear outside, within the room Xiao Shao felt rather flustered. He had applied medicine and bandaged Jiang Ruan’s injured arm. But the drug’s potency caused her to toss and turn feverishly on the bed. Xiao Shao had wanted to seal her sleep points, but the powerful aphrodisiac made him hesitant to act rashly for fear of harming her. Thinking of how Ye You dared drug Jiang Ruan so forcefully, his eyes instantly frosted over with dark ink.
Jiang Ruan lay sideways on Xiao Shao’s bed, having kicked off the covers he placed over her, seemingly too hot as she unconsciously tugged at her collar. Xiao Shao had turned to wet a cloth with cool water to wipe her brow when he caught her in such an “unrestrained” state. He paused, quickly finding a light blanket to cover her again.
But no sooner had he covered her with the blanket than Jiang Ruan grabbed his hand. After being drugged with the aphrodisiac, her strength was unexpectedly great. Xiao Shao was caught off guard as she tugged him forward, almost causing him to fall onto her. He instinctively extended an arm to brace himself beside her head.
Jiang Ruan suddenly opened her eyes, staring unblinkingly at Xiao Shao. Though her eyes were naturally beautiful, Xiao Shao had seen countless beauties before. Yet today, under Jiang Ruan’s gaze, he felt flustered, a flush appearing on his handsome face. Thinking she had regained clarity, he spoke softly, “Jiang Ruan.”
Jiang Ruan only looked at him steadily. After a moment, just as Xiao Shao was about to speak again, Jiang Ruan abruptly pulled him down by the neck towards her.
Xiao Shao was truly embarrassed now.
Unlike her cold exterior, her light touch carried a floral fragrance. Xiao Shao lowered his dark, narrow eyes to gaze at the delirious girl beneath him.
“So sweet…” Jiang Ruan mumbled, loosening her grip slightly.
Xiao Shao was caught off guard – was she referring to him or herself?
It was clear Jiang Ruan no longer knew who she was dealing with, persistently trying to burrow into Xiao Shao’s embrace. He grew exasperated as not only did she cling to him, but also started tugging at his waist sash.
The usually impassive man found himself quite flustered, using one hand to keep his sash secured while the other fended off Jiang Ruan’s attempts to plaster herself against him. How could one become so different under the influence of drugs? Where was Jinsan?
Outside, the steward Lin peeked through the window at his own peril, his face flushed red. He was in awe of the future young madam’s bold spirit, yet saddened by his proper young master’s conduct. Since the young madam was being so forward, as a man the master should naturally take the bold step! Lin shook his head and sighed. His young master was flawless in every way, except perhaps too virtuous. If it were another man, he would have become the antidote himself long ago.
…
In the pleasure quarters of the Twelve Gentle Lands, the Hundred Flowers Pavilion was the most exquisite. Not only were the ladies of all types beautiful and intelligent, but also highly experienced in entertaining refined officials and nobles who frequented them. Today, however, they had a rather special guest.
This guest wore long robes and blue cloth boots, with hair bound high in a masculine style. Yet one glance revealed a woman’s figure. The madame had a discerning eye and immediately noticed this woman’s graceful gait and exquisite features. Though simply dressed, the fabric was expensive rainsilk. Although it was unusual for a woman to visit a brothel, the madame still welcomed her, asking, “Miss, what can we at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion do for you today?”
Jinsan glanced at the madame. “I’ve heard the Hundred Flowers is very knowledgeable. Do you know of the ‘Spring Breeze Crossing’?”
(End of chapter)
