Ye Luan looked at him, now awake, with surprise. Her bright eyes revealed undisguised joy, and her features were filled with happiness.
"Hurry and put me down. Your wound isn't healed yet, why are you moving around? What if it tears the wound? How do you feel—"
Xiao Chizhan didn't put her down; he carried her to the bed.
"Why aren't you sleeping in bed?"
Ye Luan paid no attention to his words. She quickly examined his complexion. He was still very pale, his lips devoid of color, and his brows showed a ghastly fatigue.
She tugged at him urgently.
"Hurry up and lie down. I need to check your wound."
As she spoke, she hastily got out of bed barefoot and fetched the medicine box.
Xiao Chizhan leaned weakly against the jade pillow, his dark red eyes fixed on her movements, a slight curve lifting the corners of his lips.
Ye Luan sat on the edge of the bed, unwrapped the gauze from his chest, reapplied medicine, and re-bandaged it.
"Here, take this medicine."
Xiao Chizhan refused to eat. He reached out and held her hand.
"Luan Luan, you've forgiven me, haven't you?"
Seeing his stubborn refusal to take the medicine unless she forgave him, a complex mix of emotions welled up in Ye Luan's heart, and her eyes became a little teary.
"Xiao Chizhan, do you know how terrifying your疯子's love is?"
When he had fainted, he had almost scared her to death!
She was afraid he would truly die.
Xiao Chizhan's chest still ached intensely, and his breathing was somewhat difficult.
Hearing her words, he reached out, pinched her cheek, and grinned.
"You can handle it."
Ye Luan's eyes were slightly red. She couldn't help but reach out and touch his pale face.
"You're really awake. You're not dead."
Xiao Chizhan suddenly leaned forward and picked her up, saying with concern, "Why are you crying?!"
"I thought you were dead—"
Unable to restrain herself, she buried her tearful face in his chest and punched him a few times.
"You were covered in blood, lying on the ground, and unconscious for days. I was afraid you wouldn't wake up. Why are you so疯子? You scared me to death. I was afraid, truly afraid you would die—"
She spoke incoherently.
Xiao Chizhan had never seen her so out of control before. Shock and joy filled him instantly, making his back tremble.
He endured the pain and lowered his head, kissing her long hair.
"Don't be afraid. I won't die."
"Don't scare me like this again. I was truly terrified. If you died, what would I do—"
Her voice was slightly choked.
Xiao Chizhan gently lifted her chin, looked at her moist eyes, and softly kissed away her tears.
"Luan Luan, as long as you're willing to come back, I don't mind being stabbed a few times."
If he had known that a single stab could bring her back, he would have done it long ago.
"What nonsense are you talking about—"
Ye Luan rubbed her eyes carelessly and pushed him.
"Ow, that hurts~"
"Ah, I've touched your wound—"
She quickly tried to pull away, but suddenly, his hand swiftly went around her back, held her shoulder, and, disregarding his injuries, pressed his lips heavily against hers.
Ye Luan's eyes widened, and the medicine bottle in her hand dropped instantly.
She wanted to push him away, but she was afraid of touching the wound on his chest, so she was forced to lean on him, allowing him to kiss her.
"The medicine—you haven't taken the medicine yet—"
Seeing that she wasn't resisting, Xiao Chizhan's kiss became unrestrained and out of control. He had forgotten all about the medicine.
His hand unfastened her sash and reached inside to caress her.
A tingling sensation, a shiver.
Ye Luan's hands rested on his lean arms, gently pushing him.
This damned疯子, so badly injured, and still trying to take advantage of her.
"Luan Luan, the moment I opened my eyes, I saw you. I'm so happy."
He held her tightly, burying his head in the crook of her neck, softly calling her name, over and over again.
"Luan Luan~"
His voice was lingering and affectionate, falling into her ears, making her heart feel a little numb.
Ye Luan took a deep breath, leaning on him, closing her eyes to calm her emotions.
After a while.
She opened her eyes, leaned forward to kiss his lips, and coaxed him, "Drink your medicine first, alright?"
Xiao Chizhan refused to let go, holding her tightly, pressed close, and rumbled, "Kiss me again, and I'll eat it."
"—"
She was still sitting on his waist, held captive by him.
What if someone walked in and saw them? It would be so embarrassing.
Ye Luan quickly lowered her head and kissed him. Just as she was about to pull away, he suddenly pressed the back of her head and kissed her lips fiercely, devouring that soft area.
They were so close that Ye Luan could see the desire burning in his eyes as she lowered her gaze.
She felt a little scared and wanted to push him away.
His injuries couldn't withstand vigorous activity.
But sensing her resistance, he kissed her even more ferociously.
Ye Luan, afraid his wound would reopen, could only let him kiss her.
By the time he finished the kiss, her lips felt slightly swollen.
"Are you trying to die? Your wound has split open again."
He paid no attention to her scolding, holding her tightly. The muscles in his back were taut, and his breathing was slightly heavy.
"Luan Luan, I heard it. You agreed to marry me! No backing out."
He knew it. She loved him and would surely soften.
She couldn't bear to see him die.
Ye Luan's expression paused slightly. She reached out and hugged his back, softly saying, "Mm."
In this world, no one loved her more than he did.
She would let go of everything in the past, accept his疯, and change him.
Xiao Chizhan felt her change, his eyes full of excitement, and his arms tightened around her.
He suppressed the overwhelming joy and bit her ear.
"From now on, you belong to me alone."
She was his.
Only his!
Ye Luan said, "Can you get up and drink your medicine now?"
Hearing this, Xiao Chizhan reluctantly shook his head. "Hold me a little longer."
"Your wound has split open, doesn't it hurt?"
"It hurts~"
"Then hurry up and let go so I can change your dressing and bandage it."
Always like this, so reckless. When would this wound ever heal?
Seeing the sharpness in her tone, Xiao Chizhan slowly loosened his grip on her with reluctance.
Ye Luan breathed a sigh of relief, quickly put on her shoes, got off the bed, re-bandaged his wound, and then instructed the imperial physicians outside to prepare another bowl of medicine.
"The Prince is awake?!"
"Yes."
Imperial Physician Fang was both surprised and overjoyed. His head was saved!
"Then may this subordinate go in and see the Prince?!"
"Mm."
Not long after, the news of Xiao Chizhan's awakening spread instantly throughout the Northern Palace. Tantai Ye, who had just finished court, also rushed over upon hearing the news.
The palace halls were filled with people.
Xiao Chizhan looked with dissatisfaction at the crowd filling the room. Before they could say much, he wanted to dismiss them. The imperial physicians respectfully withdrew, leaving only Li Qiong Yu and a few others.
"What's the rush? She's gone to get the medicine and won't be back for a while."
"Xiao Chizhan, you idiot. How could you stab yourself in the heart?" Tantai Ye scolded him angrily. "For a woman, you're willing to throw your life away!"
The wound on Xiao Chizhan's chest ached, making him somewhat numb, but his face remained expressionless. He leaned lazily against the bedside and chuckled.
"Why would I hand over the one I love? Don't worry, I knew where to cut. I won't die."
"Fool!"
Liu Rongruo stood by, smiling. "Can you marry her this time?"
"Of course. She's already agreed," Xiao Chizhan said with a smile. "Has the wedding dress I wanted been prepared?"
"Ninety-nine skilled embroiderers have sewn it stitch by stitch according to your diagrams. We've reserved the phoenix coronet robe for you. Are you sure you want to embroider it yourself?"
Tantai Ye had also heard Liu Rongruo complain privately. Hearing them mention it, he directly scoffed, "What kind of man are you, embroidering a wedding dress for a woman?"
"I'm willing," Xiao Chizhan replied, then raised an eyebrow. "Have them deliver it. Leave it at the textile workshop, and I'll go learn when I have time."
"Alright."