Mo Lian Reborn : The Jade Princess's Revenge

"I beg your leave, Master, to prepare medicine for Lady Lian," the loyal maid who had been attending Mo Lian bowed deeply. She wiped the corner of her still-damp eyes as she excused herself.

Zhao Tiangsheng merely nodded in reply. The man then sat back beside the bed and gently touched Mo Lian's forehead with the back of his hand—slowly, tenderly.

"Her temperature is so cold," he murmured in worry. "This poison is potent. No medicine from the royal physician will be able to counter it." He sighed deeply and shifted his position to face Mo Lian more fully.

King Zhao closed his eyes, feeling the natural energy surrounding them. His hand extended toward the wound on Mo Lian's chest. His brows furrowed as he focused, channeling his inner energy—an ancient healing technique he had learned years ago in the Tianru Valley.

A thin white light slowly began to glow from the palm of his hand. It twirled and danced gracefully, flowing through his fingers, then entered the wound on Mo Lian's chest, merging into her bloodstream.

"Ahh!" Mo Lian gasped in pain. Her body arched upwards slightly, her chest rising with tension. Then she coughed faintly.

"Haah…" Zhao withdrew his hand and patted his own chest repeatedly, trying to ease the heat and tightness spreading within him. Sweat the size of corn kernels dripped down his temples and drenched his face.

Moments later, her eyelids fluttered. Mo Lian slowly opened her eyes and took a deep breath. Her gaze drifted to the ceiling above.

"I... I'm not dead?" she whispered weakly.

Zhao gave a faint smile. "I know it broke your heart seeing the Crown Prince with Roulan. But I didn't expect you to be this pitiful—trying to die in such a disgraceful way."

"So you saved me just to mock me now?" Mo Lian replied with a weak yet sharp gaze.

Zhao straightened his back and smirked, "Yes. In fact, I regret saving you. It would've been better if you had died while your face was still this beautiful. The Crown Prince might have remembered you forever."

Mo Lian rolled her eyes. "Then I might as well die now." She pretended to reach for the dagger still embedded in her chest. "Would that please Lord Zhao?"

But before her hand could touch the blade, Zhao had already seized her wrist.

"You really are a foolish woman!"

"And you're a foolish man, Zhao Tiangsheng!" Mo Lian shot back without hesitation.

Zhao exhaled long and hard. He shook his head and gently supported Mo Lian's shoulder, helping her sit up slowly.

"I'm going to pull out the dagger now. Bear with it a little. Once you've recovered, we can resume this argument."

Mo Lian gave a small nod. "Do it gently, my Lord…"

Zhao nodded in return. He leaned in closer. Their faces were now mere inches apart. With gentle hands, he brushed aside the fabric on Mo Lian's shoulder.

Her flawless, pearl-white skin was now fully exposed.

Zhao froze momentarily. His eyes scanned her bare shoulder and slender neck. Without realizing, he swallowed hard and took a deep breath, trying to suppress the strange sensation crawling up his spine.

Slowly, his right hand guided Mo Lian's head to rest against his chest, while his left hand gripped the dagger's hilt firmly yet cautiously.

"Ready?" he whispered.

Mo Lian didn't answer, but her body tensed slightly.

Zhao pulled the dagger.

"Shhk!"

"Ahh!" Mo Lian cried out in a restrained scream. Her body went limp, and she instantly passed out in King Zhao's arms.

The man threw the dagger to the floor with force. He quickly wrapped his arms around her, supporting her head so it wouldn't fall back.

"You're such a weak woman… so why do you keep challenging death and provoking my anger, huh?" he muttered, staring at her unconscious face.

He gently stroked her cheek and sighed again. "Why is it that you always make me so afraid of losing you…"

Then, with care, he laid Mo Lian back down on the bed as before. Zhao continued to gaze at her serene and peaceful face. Her tiny nose, her long lashes—each detail made him smile without realizing it.

The air in the room was still and quiet. A soft breeze entered through the cracks in the window, bringing a calm that soothed the soul. Zhao's fingers traced along Mo Lian's smooth jawline, stopping at her soft lips.

Feeling her delicate skin sent Zhao's breath into disarray. His gaze grew more intense, fixed entirely on her face. Slowly, unconsciously, he leaned closer.

Until their faces were just a breath apart—so close he could feel her warm exhale against his skin.

But just as there was only a hair's breadth between them, Mo Lian's eyes suddenly opened.

"My Lord… what are you trying to do?" she asked flatly, with an expressionless tone.

Zhao's heart pounded in his chest. He immediately sat upright, pulling away awkwardly. "I was just… making sure you were still breathing."

Mo Lian looked at him intently. "If you really wished I were dead, then why are you still here?"

Zhao huffed softly, his face flushing. "Still so talkative even after being on death's door!"

---

Outside the room, in the quiet corridor, the Crown Prince paced restlessly. He turned around and began walking back toward Mo Lian's chamber.

"I can't just sit here doing nothing," he muttered, striding away from Roulan.

Behind him, Roulan ran to catch up. Her breath was shallow and quick. When she finally reached his side, she clutched his arm.

"Brother Fengyan, please stay calm. The royal physician and the maids are with Sister Lian. She'll be fine," she said in panic, trying to stop his steps.

"But I still can't relax until I see her with my own eyes," the Crown Prince replied, his expression serious.

"Brother, don't worry too much," Roulan insisted. "Lord Zhao might still be with her. He's guarding Sister Lian."

The Crown Prince paused and turned to Roulan. "Lady Lian has always been fragile and spoiled. How can I rest easy while her condition remains unstable? Especially when she was hurt trying to save me…" His voice trailed off with guilt.

Roulan clenched her teeth. Her small hands balled into fists at her sides. Her gaze turned sharp toward the Crown Prince.

Why is he so concerned about Mo Lian? He usually listens to me!

No. I won't let Mo Lian steal the Crown Prince's attention from me!

---