The Devious First-Daughter

Ning Xueyan was walking so quickly that she was nearly running. Lanning followed closely behind her. She had sent Xinmei out earlier to see what was happening. Ao Chenyi was injured! How could he be injured? Wasn’t he fine before she left the palace? What on earth happened? Were his injuries severe? Would he be all right?

All she could think about was a bloody Ao Chenyi but her mind wouldn’t allow her to think any further. She rushed toward Chuihua Gate but before she could get there, she ran into Xinmei on her way back. Xinmei told her that Ao Chenyi was at the Moon-embracing Tower. Hearing that, she headed in the tower’s direction at once.

On their way there, Xinmei didn’t explain anything except that the Prince’s men were heading toward the Moon-embracing Tower by the time she arrived. She didn’t manage to see the Prince. This made Ning Xueyan more anxious.

When they finally arrived at the Moon-embracing Tower, they saw the imperial physicians of the manor walking in and out of the building and a few eunuchs decocting medicine in the corridor. It didn’t look right. The rest of the maids stayed outside the tower while Xinmei helped Ning Xueyan walk up the stairs, partially pulling her up throughout.

In contrast to the bustling crowd below, the third floor was quiet. Yu Jian, who was guarding the door, smiled at Ning Xueyan when he saw her. He lowered his voice to say, “Princess, His Highness is resting inside.”

“Is His Highness… doing all right?” Ning Xueyan had always been clever. Her expression eased after seeing the smile on Yu Jian’s face. Yu Jian was wearing a relaxed expression and smiling at her. More importantly, this was the third floor of the Moon-embracing Tower, a place that no one else could come.

The physicians must have left after examining Ao Chenyi.

“Princess, you can go in and take a look.” Yu Jian stepped aside.

Ning Xueyan entered the room, leaving Xinmei outside with Yu Jian.

The moment she stepped inside, she smelled a bloody stench so pungent that she stood still and looked suspiciously at the man lying in bed. Ao Chenyi looked like he was in a bad condition.

His outerwear, a lavish black brocade, was set aside. All he was wearing was his plain white innerwear, the ones that Ning Xueyan made for him.

His face was pale and a few strands of hair fell on his beautifully-sculpted face. Under his long lashes, his almond-shaped eyes were tightly shut. His lips were a little dry and pale. He was sleeping in a neat position, with two clasped hands placed on his chest. This was a habit of his. Those who had never seen him sleep wouldn’t have believed that a man like him would have such an orderly sleeping position.

Of course, if they were sleeping together, he would hold her to sleep in a protective position.

He was lying there asleep at that moment, looking serene and gentle without his flamboyant outer brocade. His beautiful, exquisite face was also without its typical domineering expression. He looked like an elegant young nobleman reminiscent of a beautiful jade.

Yet, Ning Xueyan would rather that he looked like usual, with his sharp air and all. Seeing him lying there so quietly made her heart tremble.

She stepped forward and sat down by the bed. Reaching out to grab one of his large hands that he placed on his chest, she buried her face in it.

Ever since she was reborn, she thought that she was strong and brave enough. She thought she could hold everything up. She was unafraid of other people’s schemes and would protect those that she held dear. She could tread toward the future that she wanted, every step dangerous but stable.

Thus, she thought that she could bear the burden of it all, and yet, she realized now that she was still afraid. It felt as if she had suddenly stepped on air and lost all of her support. Her mind was a mess and even her sense of judgment that she took pride in had slowed down. Before she knew it, tears were falling from her eyes.

She felt… No, she felt nothing. She leaned into herself by the bed, allowing tears to wet his hand.

His hand, still tucked in hers, suddenly moved. Then an arrogant voice reached her ears. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying so much? I’m fine.”

Ning Xueyan immediately raised her head. She looked at the handsome face with opened eyes with surprise, her tears all but forgotten.

His long and narrow eyes were unreadable, even a little cold. Even so, she could still detect the softness of his expression through his eyebrows. She heard herself speaking with difficulty, “You’re… You’re fine?”

“My shoulder was cut, but the wound has been treated. It’s no big deal.” Using his other hand, Ao Chenyi pulled her up with the slightest bit of effort so that she was sitting on the edge of the bed.

“How did you get cut?” Ning Xueyan asked worriedly, grasping his hand. After they parted, he was supposed to head to the imperial study. Why would he be cut? Would that happen in the palace? This reminded her of the banquet before; it was also held at the palace. There were so many people after his life.

Was this also an assassination attempt? Was the Emperor trying to assassinate him in the palace again?

“It happened after I left the palace, but it’s all right. I wasn’t the only one wounded. Ao Mingyu was worse off. I bet he’s lying in bed unconscious right now.” Ao Chenyi raised an eyebrow at her. His ink-like pupils were lined with his usual arrogance as he cast her an enchanting look.

He gave her the impression of a house cat that had done something to please its owner.

A thought struck Ning Xueyan, causing her to widen her eyes. She stared at him, incredulous. “You… You actually…”

She couldn’t finish her sentence. Looking at his contented expression, tears began to stream her face again.

Having not expected her reaction, he immediately sat up and leaned against the bed frame. He grabbed Ning Xueyan’s hands with his own and said softly, “What’s wrong, Yan’er? Why are you crying out of nowhere? I’m fine, am I not?”

“You… You’re a madman… How can you do this? How can you?” Ning Xueyan suddenly lost her temper. In a fit of anger, she grabbed one of his hands and bit hard on it. Her worries, grievances, panic, and fear had turned into fury.

“Argh!” The pained cry beside her ear made her stop biting but she didn’t let go of the hand in her mouth. She looked at him furiously, looking determined not to let him off until he gave her an explanation.

“Relax, I know what I’m doing. Nothing will happen. He has tried to assassinate me more than once; I’m just returning the favor today. We left the palace together and didn’t go very far before we ran into the ‘assassins’. Both of us were injured and returned home. The physicians from the palace would likely pay a visit. They wouldn’t relax until they know for sure.”

Seeing that his hand was tucked between Ning Xueyan’s cherry-red lips, Ao Chenyi smiled deviously. “If the physician from the palace comes and sees the two of us like this, I’m sure he’ll find us very odd and explain it at length to the Emperor.”

Immediately, his hand was released. Ning Xueyan quickly wiped his hand clean with her handkerchief. There was nothing unusual about his hand aside from the two rows of teeth marks that indicated that he had been bitten by someone. There was no mistaking it.

“Um… Would the physician comment about it?” Ao Chenyi seemed mostly fine, so what concerned her was the physician from the palace. Naturally, the physician wouldn’t be coming here for Ao Chenyi’s injuries. If anything, the Emperor would rather Ao Chenyi’s injuries were so serious that he directly died.

He took in her tear-welled eyes, with two droplets still hanging onto her fair and tender face, and the sophisticated and calm demeanor that she was putting on. The corner of his mouth curved into a smile. Such a Ning Xueyan was too adorable for words. It was so cute watching her trying her best to compensate him after scratching him with her claws.

He reached out and wiped the tears off her face with one hand. Still, her eyes were red. It was obvious that she had cried.

“You can say that you were so worried about my injury that you accidentally bit me,” he suggested.

Under what circumstances would she bite his hand! Ning Xueyan frowned, finding this suggestion to be unspeakably odd. Instead of being worried about his injury, she bit him instead? It was unreasonable.

“Don’t worry. No matter how unreasonable you are, you won’t be worse than I am. Well, at most, they’ll think we’re not exactly loyal to each other.” Ao Chenyi raised his delicate brow and smiled happily.

Naturally, he wouldn’t let Ao Mingyu bully his woman. Since Ao Mingyu had the nerve to covet his woman, the former must be ready to bear the brunt of his anger. He made the arrangements before leaving the palace with Ao Mingyu. Both of them were injured together, so the Emperor wouldn’t be able to find any evidence even if he suspected anything.

Besides, he might be the Emperor and a father, he couldn’t understand all of his son’s thoughts. There was more than one who wanted the throne. It might even be Ao Mingyu’s plan to buy sympathy. Everyone knew that he was implicated in the cases involving Manor Xia. There might not be evidence against him but the cases were a stain on his reputation.

The timing of the assassination was too coincidental.

He wouldn’t allow anyone to bully his woman!

“Is your injury really fine?” He seemed fine from his expression but Ning Xueyan was still worried. She might have been blushing at his words earlier but she swiftly pretended that she didn’t hear anything. He was right. He didn’t need any reason for his action and he was never predictable. It didn’t matter that she did something out of line because the Emperor likely wouldn’t care about it.

Besides, she even bit Ao Chenyi’s hand while he was injured. The Emperor might even think that she did a good job.

“I’m fine, but I won’t be when the physician gets there.” Ao Chenyi looked at her with a languid expression. He took care to reassure her, lest she should be flustered by the physician’s words.

“I get it. Don’t worry.” Ning Xueyan held his hand firmly and nodded.

While she was talking, she saw Xinmei rushing in. “Your Highness, Master, the palace sent a physician over to examine His Highness.”

“Let him come in.” Watching Ao Chenyi lay flat and fold his hands on his chest again, she nodded and wiped the corner of her eyes with her handkerchief. There were still tears in her eyes…