Chapter 57: Xiao Mo 3

Yu Qingyan used the ointment provided by Huamei and finally stopped the bleeding. Carefully counting them, there were a total of seventeen wounds. She clicked her tongue in slight amusement—she wondered what kind of sword technique Xiao Mo practiced, though fortunately her reflexes were fast enough that she had dodged each strike the moment the blade fell.

Still, he probably wasn't faring much better. Yu Qingyan gave a soft laugh, clearly in a good mood.

Suddenly, the door was pushed open. Yu Qingyan quickly pulled on her outer robe as a familiar figure strode into the room.

"What is the meaning of this!" Most of Chu Yuchuan's anger had already faded, but the basin of blood-stained water and the crimson stains on her clothes sent a sharp pang through his heart.

"It's nothing, just minor injuries."

"Let me see."

Yu Qingyan frowned and slapped his hand away. She casually shrugged off her outer robe and reached for a fresh long gown prepared by Huamei to drape over her shoulders.

"Who did this to you?"

Yu Qingyan answered nonchalantly, "A friend."

"A friend??"

Having finished dressing, Yu Qingyan tossed a silver ingot onto the table.

"It seems this Prince cannot leave you alone for even a single moment!" Chu Yuchuan glared resentfully at the woman before him.

"Please don't. Otherwise, Lady Jiang, Lady Chen, and Lady Rou will be pining away with longing, and before long they'll be coming to me to demand their man back. You had better spare me the trouble."

Chu Yuchuan chuckled and hurriedly followed after her. "Is that truly what you think?"

Yu Qingyan walked over to the window and pushed it open. Beyond it lay a narrow alley—the very path she had used to slip inside just moments ago.

"What are you doing?"

"Nonsense, or did you expect me to waltzed in through the front door?"

***

Chu Yuchuan curled his lip. "I suppose not."

Upon returning to the Manor of the Leisurely Prince, Xique and Cuier hurried out to greet them.

"It's nothing, you both can go and rest."

"Your Highness, please let us know whenever you go out in the future. Cuier was nearly worried to death."

Yu Qingyan frowned slightly as Cuier retreated with Xique, while Chu Yuchuan followed closely behind her into the room.

"What is it now?"

Chu Yuchuan untied her garments. "To apply the medicine."

"There's no need, they're only small cuts."

"Out of the question!"

Frowning, Yu Qingyan retrieved the medicine given by Gu Jinshi, unfastened her outer clothes herself, and left only her embroidered bodice.

Though a stunning view lay before him, Chu Yuchuan had no heart to appreciate it; his brows locked tightly as he gazed upon the myriad of wounds crisscrossing her skin.

"Let me help you."

Chu Yuchuan gingerly smoothed the ointment over her wounds, terrified of causing her the slightest pain.

Yu Qingyan endured it in silence, casting her gaze upward in quiet exasperation. Finally reaching the limit of her patience, she snatched the medicine jar straight from his hand and slapped the rest of the ointment on with a few swift strokes.

"..."

"There. I'm going to sleep now, you may leave."

"Qingyan..."

***

"What is it this time?"

Chu Yuchuan ground his teeth. "Fine, go to sleep. I'll take the couch."

Yu Qingyan rose and walked over to the bed. "Truthfully, your backyard is brimming with women. Why on earth do you insist on staying here?"

"That is none of your concern." Chu Yuchuan kicked off his shoes, climbed onto the couch, and pulled the quilt over himself.

Yu Qingyan closed her eyes, listening as the breathing of the man on the couch gradually grew steady and even.

Early the next morning, Yu Qingyan snapped her eyes open, the blade in her hand instantly flashing toward the carotid artery of the person beside her.

Just a hair's breadth—had she exerted the slightest bit of pressure, his life would have ended right there in her hands.

Annoyed, Yu Qingyan withdrew her hand. This man was becoming increasingly brazen, actually daring to sneak soundlessly onto her bed!

Since it was still early, she put away the blade and lay back down. Chu Yuchuan let out a silent breath of relief, breaking into a light sweat, while the corners of his lips curved upward on their own accord.

Yu Qingyan rolled over and kicked him straight off the bed.

Chu Yuchuan's face darkened as he glared at the woman resting on the mattress.

"If you have a death wish, feel free to try it again."

Giving her one last resentful look, Chu Yuchuan picked up his quilt and retreated to the couch.

There was still a long way to go; he refused to believe he couldn't win her over!