Lou Xiyan turned around, his face still shadowed in darkness, but his tone was soft and gentle. He helped her lie down, carefully tucked the quilt around her, and said, "Get some rest. I'll be back soon."
Zhuo Qing nodded helplessly.
"Wait."
Just as Lou Xiyan stood up, Zhuo Qing suddenly sat up and seized his hand, pulling him back down. Though confused, Lou Xiyan sat beside her.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, leaned in, and threw herself into his embrace. Her lips pressed softly against his neck.
He let out a low groan, his arms instinctively encircling the delicate warmth of her body.
Moments later, Zhuo Qing sat upright with satisfaction in her eyes as she gazed at the conspicuous kiss marks she'd left on his neck. Loosening her grip, she waved him off cheerfully. "Alright, you may go now."
He was momentarily puzzled, but seeing her sly expression, he quickly understood what she had done. Shaking his head dotingly, Lou Xiyan walked out of the Lanyue Pavilion.
This girl… I still have to attend court tomorrow!
Zhuo Qing collapsed onto the bed, frustrated, staring at the billowing curtains. Her first attempt at seduction had ended in failure! Although it wasn't entirely her fault, she still blamed herself for being "inexperienced."
Next time—once she was fully prepared—she would make sure he'd have a nosebleed, even if the sky were falling! Otherwise, how could she face her glorious 34D figure?
Lou Xiyan did not go to the Star-Plucking Pavilion alone, but instead brought the imperial physician along.
Standing outside the chamber, he called respectfully, "Your subject greets the Princess."
At the sound of his voice, Yan Ruxuan, who had been weeping silently in bed, instantly sat up, her voice urgent: "Brother Yan, come in!"
He really came—so he still cared for her!
Several candles flickered in the room, casting a dim glow. Lou Xiyan and the physician entered, but Lou Xiyan stopped outside the screen and said, "Take the Princess's pulse."
The imperial physician bowed to Lou Xiyan and entered the inner chamber.
Behind the gauzy curtains, a disappointed face appeared—Brother Yan hadn't come in.
"Forgive the offense, Princess," the physician said.
Expressionless, Yan Ruxuan extended her hand. After a long while, the physician finally stood up.
Outside the screen, Lou Xiyan asked, "How is she?"
The physician retreated to the outer chamber and replied, "The Princess is suffering from blood deficiency and excessive worry. Her melancholy has taken root in her heart, hence the persistent nightmares. There is no need to worry, Chancellor Lou. I shall prescribe some calming medicine—her health will gradually improve."
"Go and prepare the medicine," Lou Xiyan said, finally relieved. He had been concerned ever since seeing her frail figure earlier that day.
"Yes," the physician replied and departed.
In the room, only the palace maid Xiaolian remained with Lou Xiyan and Yan Ruxuan. Standing outside the screen, Lou Xiyan bowed slightly and said, "It is late. Please rest, Princess. I shall take my leave."
But just as he finished speaking, a soft cry rang out: "Brother Yan, don't go!"
A pale figure rushed out from behind the curtains, barefoot, stumbling toward him.
Weakened by illness and urgency, Yan Ruxuan nearly fell before she reached him. Lou Xiyan had no choice but to steady her by the arm. "Be careful, Princess!"
Once she was stable, he tried to withdraw his hand, but she clutched it tightly.
Her once delicate face had grown gaunt, smaller than a palm, her eyes red and swollen from tears. She gazed at him with deep affection, only to catch sight of the kiss marks on his neck.
Her heart twisted in agony. She knew those marks well—she had seen them on her royal sister-in-law and the concubines. At the time, she had shyly asked her sister-in-law about them, who explained with a teasing smile that they were traces left by men on the women they adored.
So why did Brother Yan have them?
Thinking of the woman who now lived with him, Yan Ruxuan bit her lip.
Drawing a deep breath, she summoned her courage and said, "I'm so scared… Please, Brother Yan, stay with me tonight."
Tears slipped from her misted eyes, falling silently onto his wrist. Her frail body trembled, and Lou Xiyan sighed softly. "Alright."
She was overjoyed at his reply—until his next words turned her joy to frost.
"I'll stay outside the door. Once you're asleep, I'll leave."
His voice was gentle, but the meaning was merciless.
Such a sharp swing in emotion shattered her composure. She gripped his hand tightly, her nails digging into his flesh, and cried out, "Why won't you stay with me? Is it really so difficult to keep you? Do you long to return to her that much?!"
Lou Xiyan winced from the pain, but he didn't push her away. "Princess…"
The title alone ignited her fury.
"Don't call me that! You used to call me Xuan'er when we were young—why do you keep your distance now?!"
He didn't know how much it hurt her every time he called her 'Princess.' It made her feel even further away from him.
Gently but firmly, he removed her hands and took a step back. "A sovereign is a sovereign; a subject is a subject. It is the proper decorum I must observe."
He had kept his distance to prevent misunderstandings. Sadly, she had failed to see his intentions.
"Lies! I've heard you call the Emperor by name—why is it only with me that you insist on such formality?!"
His cold indifference was the final blow to Yan Ruxuan's fragile spirit.
"I love you. Can't you feel it? Or do you feel it… and still choose to break my heart?"
Tears welled in her deranged eyes. Lou Xiyan understood that no reasoning would reach her now. She was simply unleashing the storm long held inside.
"Say something!"
He remained silent, hoping she would calm down. But the once-graceful Princess was lost in her despair. His silence felt like disdain to her.
And then she saw them again—those damning red marks on his neck—like needles pricking at her soul.
"Am I truly not as good as her? What does she have that I don't? Whatever she can give you, I can too!"
Biting her lips hard, before Lou Xiyan or Xiaolian could react, she tore open her outer robe. The delicate pink undergarment barely concealed her trembling, exposed skin.
Lou Xiyan was stunned and immediately turned away, stepping behind the screen.
"Why are you still standing there? Help the Princess back to bed!" he barked at the stunned maid.
Xiaolian snapped out of her stupor and rushed to cover the weeping Princess with her discarded clothes.
How could Her Highness be so reckless? If word of this got out and Chancellor Lou refused to marry her, her honor would be utterly ruined!
Lou Xiyan never imagined things would spiral out of control like this. In his memory, Yan Ruxuan was always refined, reserved, and gentle. How could she have done something so outrageous?
"Your subject takes his leave."
He strode away. This was no place for him now.
"Stop! If you walk out that door, you will regret it forever!"
Yan Ruxuan's desperate cry rang out behind him.
His reaction had cut her to the core. Humiliation twisted her words. She didn't know what to say—she only knew she couldn't let him leave.
Lou Xiyan paused.
Though his tall silhouette remained still, there was a coldness about him that could not be ignored.
He was angry.
Yan Ruxuan's heart tightened. She was frightened. Wiping her tears, she tried to appease him.
"Brother Yan, don't be angry with me… please? If you stay, I'll do whatever you say."
"…And if I stay, then what?"