Xiao Chi Zhan, who was in the room, heard his words and raised an eyebrow as he saw him walk in.
Li Qiong Yu hooked his lips and walked over.
He looked at Tan Tai Ye, who was sitting by the bed, and spoke.
"She's not dead, just unconscious. She might wake up tomorrow."
Tan Tai Ye remained silent, sitting motionlessly, his eyes fixed on the person on the couch, his expression numb.
A chilling silence permeated the room.
Xiao Chi Zhan pursed his lips. "Everyone, leave."
The imperial physicians, kneeling on the ground, instantly let out a sigh of relief and respectfully withdrew.
Li Qiong Yu walked to the table and poured him a cup of tea.
"Here, have some water."
Tan Tai Ye stared at the person on the couch, not speaking.
"---"
Seeing this, Xiao Chi Zhan nudged Li Qiong Yu and pulled him out of the room.
The door was closed, leaving the room in complete silence.
Tan Tai Ye leaned against the bed, quietly gazing at her pale and powerless little face.
After an unknown amount of time, he suddenly laughed.
At first, it was a low chuckle, then it erupted into uncontrollable laughter, shaking his shoulders, chilling and terrifying.
But blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, a sign of his madness.
This extreme contrast was chilling to behold.
"Tan Tai Ye, a life lost, a love gone forever, this is the end I give you."
Hahaha.
A life lost, a love gone forever.
Such a fragile person, willing to die with her child rather than be with him!
Pain.
An extreme, bone-piercing pain.
It felt as if it had penetrated to the marrow, eroding his entire being inch by inch.
He suddenly reached out, scooped up the person on the couch, held her tightly in his embrace, filled with grief.
"You said I don't deserve to live, so wake up and take revenge on me. I'll give you the chance to kill me, wake up and kill me--"
A salty, unbearable taste of blood spread in his mouth, flowing down his chin and onto her.
He held her tightly, his words jumbled.
The scene of her resolute death on the riverboat flashed in his mind, those images swirling and changing before his eyes.
"Lan Mu Rou, don't you hate me? How could you bear to see me alive? Wake up, wake up---"
Each past moment felt like a knife twisting in his heart.
With a plop, he couldn't help himself and vomited a large mouthful of blood.
The vibrant red blood stained the quilt.
His body suddenly went limp, and he fell onto the bed with her in his arms, losing consciousness.
The imperial physicians guarding outside immediately heard the commotion and rushed in. Seeing the scene, they were shocked.
How could he have fainted again right after waking up?!
"Quick, quick, lay him down properly."
Xiao Chi Zhan rushed over after hearing the news.
He waited by the door for a moment, and when the imperial physician came out, he asked, "How is he?"
"His Highness is fine, just fainted from excessive anger."
Hearing this, Xiao Chi Zhan breathed a sigh of relief.
After ordering his men to leave, he entered the room and walked slowly towards the two people lying on the bed.
"Xue Ren."
Hearing the call, Xue Ren respectfully walked in from outside. "Your Highness."
Xiao Chi Zhan said, "Tell Ye Luan to rest early."
"Yes."
"And remember to have her drink ginger tea."
Xue Ren: "---"
"Yes."
Ye Luan nodded upon hearing that he wasn't returning.
Tan Tai Ye had fainted again, and likely to ensure he didn't have any more trouble, someone had gone to watch over him.
She ate her meal, washed up, and went to bed.
----
In the middle of the night, she felt a familiar presence and sleepily turned over, embracing the person.
"Why are you back?"
Xiao Chi Zhan, wearing only an inner robe, got into the covers and held her in his arms, saying.
"Li Qiong Yu is watching over him, so I came back to be with you."
"Did you eat dinner tonight?"
Ye Luan opened her eyes slightly, nestled in his arms, murmuring.
Xiao Chi Zhan stroked her waist, resting his chin on her hair, gently rubbing.
"Luan Luan, I'm hungry."
"Then let them send some food?"
She was wearing only a thin undergarment, her dark hair cascading down, her fair and alluring little face tilted slightly, looking at him with a hint of confusion.
Perhaps still not fully awake, her captivating fox eyes were moist, holding a touch of charming innocence.
Xiao Chi Zhan chuckled lightly and leaned down, his voice husky in her ear, "I want to eat--."
They were already close, and with him leaning in like this, they were almost inches apart.
Ye Luan’s words brought her back to a clearer state, and she looked up at him.
In the dim tent, his crimson eyes were exceedingly enchanting, the mole beneath his brows making him appear demonic and alluring.
The look in his eyes was even more intimate and lingering, drawing her to reach out and touch him.
As they gazed at each other, Xiao Chi Zhan could clearly see the softness in her eyes.
"Luan Luan, I've been abstaining for almost half a year."
He lowered his head, nuzzling her neck.
Ye Luan hugged him and said, "I was drugged in Bei Qi, wasn't it you I was with?"
"---"
"It doesn't count."
That time, he was afraid of her wounds reopening, so after detoxifying her, he hadn't dared to touch her again. And, most importantly, she hadn't truly meant it.
Ye Luan raised an eyebrow, teasingly. "How does it not count?"
Xiao Chi Zhan looked up at her, remaining silent.
Ye Luan chuckled, looped her arms around his neck, and her gaze slowly drifted down to his lips.
Suddenly, he looked directly at her and said, "In your heart, have you never truly let go of the past, which is why you're reluctant to be intimate with me."
Ye Luan sensed something amiss in his tone, and recalling his strange behavior these past few days, a sudden clarity dawned upon her.
He had been provoked by Tan Tai Ye.
She looked at him, observing him carefully, then suddenly reached out and yanked him down with force.
"Xiao Chi Zhan, you're quite insecure, aren't you."
Her movement was abrupt, and Xiao Chi Zhan, not expecting to be pulled down, quickly braced himself with his hands on either side of the pillow, looking down at her.
Ye Luan moved closer to him bit by bit, wrapping her slender white legs around his waist, and using her hands to tightly grip his back, forcing him down.
Before Xiao Chi Zhan could do anything, she suddenly looked up and kissed his lips.
He froze, his body stiffening.
Ye Luan closed her eyes, parting his lips, their tongues entwining.
Her mind was filled with the memory of their first meeting in the dark chamber.
Xiao Chi Zhan looked at the person beneath him, his heart trembling slightly.
She had finally taken the initiative.
The panic that had been suppressed in his heart slowly dissipated. He firmly clasped her waist with one hand, pulling her closer, their lips and tongues mingling.
Perhaps because he had abstained for so long, he kissed her fiercely, greedily drinking in her sweetness.
The longer the desire was suppressed, the deeper it erupted.
Ye Luan allowed his actions, eagerly hooking her head to meet his fervent, passionate kiss.
Their breaths intertwined, as if they could feel nothing else but each other's presence and the soft sounds they made.
'Xiao Chi Zhan, do you know, I fell in love with you at first sight!'