His tightly closed eyes suddenly opened, clear and with a hint of confusion, “Jiao Long?”
became even more tense and pale. I immediately realized I had said the wrong thing. I quickly apologized: “I seem to always say the wrong things in front of you. Come, I… I’ll treat you to some dessert!”
I didn’t look at him, just forcefully dragged him to the dining hall, having the servants bring out plate after plate of cakes – my new invention.
Shui Ruohan ate the dessert with a solemn expression, turning what should have been a pleasant experience into something like a party member meeting.
“Doctor Shui, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you laugh,” I said casually while eating cake.
“There’s nothing to laugh about,” he replied flatly, glancing at me with a sinking gaze.
“But in life, one should be happy. Even finding joy in suffering is better than looking miserable your whole life,” I said carelessly. Suddenly, his eyes brightened, and he looked at me in a daze, asking, “Do you really think so?”
I was somewhat confused, shaking my head, then nodding: “That’s what I think, and how I act. No matter how hard life gets, people should stay positive.”
“Is that so? Then how did you become so…” Shui Ruohan muttered, with a hint of bleak mockery.
“What?”
“Nothing. I’ve recently prepared a new medicine for you, named ‘Fan Yan’ by the Prince. Remember, take it four times a day.”
Shui Ruohan had just mechanically finished speaking when a servant entered with a medicine bowl the size of a teapot, its heavy and unpleasant smell immediately spreading through the hall.
I immediately pinched my nose with one hand and desperately
waved away the medicinal smell, shouting: “Shui Ruohan! I have no grudge against you recently or in the past. You don’t need to go to such lengths to murder me!”
Shui Ruohan looked surprised at my ungraceful actions, suddenly the corner of his mouth lifted, and he let out a “puff” of laughter. His smile was like a light breeze, peaceful and elegant.
“What are you laughing at? Go drink this horrible-smelling medicine yourself!” I angrily shouted at him.
Seeing my reaction, his eyes became even brighter: “Why don’t you ask what this medicine is for?”
“I don’t care. What nonsense ‘Fan Yan’, you’re trying to kill me!” I mumbled, covering my nose.
He laughed even more heartily: “Why would I want to kill you? This medicine is to turn your blue hair black. It’s a bit bitter, I’ve already tried it, and it can be swallowed.”
“Why would I want to change my hair color!” I said, puzzled, but then catching his words, I quickly asked, “You tried this medicine?”
“Mm,” he nodded.
“Wow, you’re amazing! I admire you!” I applauded dramatically, but immediately covered my nose again at the smell.
“Blue hair is too conspicuous. I’ve already tried it – except for the bitterness, there’s no other pain.”
Seeing his sincere expression, I felt a bit sorry, but thinking of the medicine, my entire face drooped, “The bitterness is enough to kill me, ugh…”
He raised his light breeze-like smile again, looking at me with calm eyes, lifted the medicine cup, and “gurgled” it down. I stared wide-eyed as his pale face showed no sign of pain. I curiously asked, “It’s just a little bitter, right?”
“Mm,” he slightly nodded. Seeing I was about to surrender, he picked up a spoon and gently scooped a spoonful, bringing it to my mouth.
ould I let down his good intentions? Drink it I would – I’d never heard of anyone dying from bitterness! Thinking this, I steeled my heart, held my breath, and frowned as I bit down on the spoon…
“Slow down, silly girl. You’ve bitten the spoon,” Shui Ruohan laughed softly and chided.
The servant girl nearby burst into giggles, which brought me back to my senses. The pungent smell hit me again, and “puh-” I spat it all out…
“It’s really bitter…” I was too busy grabbing sweet pastries to apologize for wasting his hard work, dolefully looking at Shui Ruohan with his light breeze smile. I wondered if Liu Yu and Shui Ruohan both lacked taste buds to dare try such medicine.
“Take it easy, don’t choke,” he sat beside me, gently patting my back. Seeing me still frantically eating pastries, he told the servant, “Bring some candied fruits.”
The servant’s gradually slowing footsteps suddenly stopped, and a pleasant voice rang out, “Your Highness is blessed.”
Shui Ruohan and I looked up in shock to see Liu Yu standing at the door with a plate of candied fruits. Ruohan’s hand patting my back stiffened, and he stood up to kneel down, “Your Highness, I pay my respects.”
Liu Yu’s clear eyes coldly glanced at him, a mysterious emotion growing on his handsome face. Before he spoke, Shui Ruohan could only continue kneeling.
“When did you arrive?” I tried to adjust the atmosphere, walking over to take the candied fruit from Liu Yu’s hand.
“When you were administering medicine,” Liu Yu said coldly, his gaze still fixed on Shui Ruo Han. “This subordinate has overstepped.”
“How did you overstep?” I sat on the table eating the candied fruit, mumbling to cut in before Liu Yu could reprimand Ruo Han, “Didn’t you have Ruo Han prepare and deliver this Fan Yan?”
“Indeed,” Liu Yu laughed coldly, sitting beside me, as if proving something, “Stand up.”
Highness,” Shui Ruo Han stood up quietly, gazing at us for a moment, his eyes dim and lifeless. Pragmatically, he retreated, “There are still a few medicinal catalysts missing for the medicine to suppress the scattered blood qi for Your Highness. This subordinate will go search for them immediately.”
“Mm, you may go,” Liu Yu responded casually, his clear-as-water eyes continuously watching me eat. Only after seeing Shui Ruo Han’s pale purple back gradually disappear did I ask, “What scattered blood qi?”
“Nothing, just an old trick from the palace. Someone poisoned me before, causing the blood in my body to become a strange poison, harming health and shortening life,” Liu Yu dismissed it with a few light words, turning to look deeply at the slight smile at the corner of my mouth. His finger brushed away cake crumbs from my face, leaning close, so close I could almost smell the musk on his body…
This proximity made my head buzz again, and I blurted out, “Don’t stay so close to me.”
“Why?” He lowered his eyes, anger quickly spreading in his clear gaze, “You can stay so close to Shui Ruo Han?”
“That’s different…” I said softly, realizing he had been jealous of his subordinate.
“How so?”
“Being too close to you, there’s always a voice telling me to escape quickly…” I said honestly. A frightening cold light flashed in his eyes, freezing me, then was submerged in his eyes, clearer than a water pond.
Startled, I stuffed candied fruit into my mouth. He gently stroked my back and pushed my hair behind my ear, saying amusedly, “Eat slowly, no one’s going to take it from you.”
Is it beautiful?
I nodded stiffly, this was the first time I feared Liu Yu, the first time I felt he was as dangerous as a curse doll.
Shui Ruo Han never came to find me again. Only maids brought “Fan Yan”. Since that day I sensed Liu Yu’s danger, he seemed to tacitly avoid appearing before me.
id I want to escape him? Was it his innate noble aura giving me an unpredictable sense of danger? Had my recent words hurt him? I should find an opportunity to reconcile.
The night was deep, lamp-lighting time. Various exquisite flower lanterns hung along the street, reddish candlelight spilling everywhere, like a dream. Occasionally, young couples laughed while carrying lanterns, leaving trails of happiness.
“Jiao Long, where are we?” The person in my hand gripped me tightly.
I released my hand. His hand trembled, seemingly anxious to hold onto me. I smiled slightly, standing behind him on tiptoes, removing the blue ribbon covering his eyes, softly asking, “Is it beautiful?”
