Chapter 59: Repaying Kindness

Fallen leaves drifted through the courtyard, fluttering like weightless butterflies. A woman lay lazily on her side upon the bed, her ink-black hair cascading in disarray, draped in a thick brocade quilt, her eyes closed in quiet repose.

An aura of chilling detachment enveloped her entirely, an air so compelling that it caused one to overlook her unsightly features, drawing them instead to her mysterious, icy elegance.

Following Xiangcao into the courtyard, the three of them were greeted by this very sight.

"Your Highness, they have arrived," Xiangcao stepped forward and bowed, saying.

"Mmm." The woman’s long, thick eyelashes fluttered before she slowly opened her cold, beautiful eyes. With Xiangcao’s assistance, she rose and stepped out of bed, slipping her feet into a pair of custom-made, uniquely fluffy rabbit slippers found nowhere else in this world.

She wore a gown of pure white, adorned on the right shoulder with a blooming hibiscus flower. The oval neckline was trimmed with delicate lace, and the exquisite white hem was embroidered with intricate patterns. The dress fit her as though tailored exclusively for her, noble yet understated, accentuating her light, slender, and graceful posture. Her waist was willow-slim, and every movement seemed to stir an ocean of elegance. Supported by a maid, she walked up to a frail young man and asked, "Are you here to repay a favor?"

She remembered him. He was the man who had clutched the hem of her skirt that day and refused to let go—a fragile, delicate creature who looked exceptionally easy to bully.

"Repay a favor?" Hearing these words, Dongfang Mingxuan immediately recalled the scene in the brothel when he had pleaded beneath her. His face turned somewhat pale, and he bit his lower lip. "Your Highness, I... I simply wanted to come and see if your health has improved."

Upon hearing the phrase "repay a favor," Situ Lexuan could hardly contain herself. Could it be that the princess expected Mingxuan to offer himself in marriage? She immediately pulled Dongfang Mingxuan behind her, convinced that this tyrannical princess was nothing but an ungrateful wretch twisting the truth. She indignantly exclaimed, "Mingxuan came purely out of kindness to check on Your Highness's health. We hope Your Highness will show mercy and not make things difficult for him."

Yun Qiange’s willow brows knitted slightly, her expression tinged with aloof arrogance. "Make things difficult? I went through fire and water to save him. If nothing else, my hard work deserves some recognition. For you to show no token of appreciation whatsoever is entirely unreasonable. Since you have brought no token of gratitude, why on earth did you come to see me?"

"If... if Your Highness truly desires this humble one's body, then this humble one... this humble one will give it to Your Highness." Dongfang Mingxuan trembled slightly. He smiled faintly, shaking his head at Situ Lexuan, his gaze pale and glistening with unshed tears. He truly, truly should not have come. Knowing full well the princess’s lustful and licentious nature, yet haunted by the memory of those cold eyes, he still could not help his worry. This was all his own fault; refusing to heed Lexuan’s warnings and insisting on coming, he alone must bear the consequences.

"Dongfang Mingxuan, have you lost your mind?" Situ Lexuan shrieked. With that, she rolled up her sleeves in righteous fury, her pretty face flushed with anger, looking entirely ready for a brawl. Glaring viciously at Yun Qiange, she spat, "Don't think I'll be afraid of you just because you're a princess! If you dare lay a single finger on Mingxuan today, I'll fight you to the death!"

"Who wants your body?" Yun Qiange cast a disdainful look at them. What kind of person did they take her for? She let out a scornful, icy hum. "When I spoke of a token of appreciation, I meant—shouldn't you pay some compensation for my trouble?"

She drew a meticulously crafted, gleaming gold abacus from her robes and began calculating with the utmost solemnity. "Well, originally I intended to play the selfless benefactor, but since he sought me out himself, I won't stand on ceremony. Xiangcao, what is the total cost for the physicians and medicines over the past few days?"