Chapter 34: Do You Really Want Me Dead?

The tone was as tender and lingering as in her dream.

Yin Jiaojiao turned her head in surprise and immediately fell into a pair of deep, profound eyes. In the darkness, his gaze was like a cavern, like an ancient well—full of countless emotions, yet seemingly empty—mysterious and dangerous, drawing one in recklessly.

“Xiao Yuanchi…” she murmured, “Am I dreaming?”

Xiao Yuanchi looked back at her and said, “You tell me.”

“I guess…” Yin Jiaojiao said dazedly, “I must be dreaming!”

She quickly closed her eyes, and after a moment, opened them again. The face before her—so grim it would make the king of hell flee in terror—was still there, with a hint of mockery, staring at her like she was a fool.

Oh no, it seemed this was not a dream.

Yin Jiaojiao cupped Xiao Yuanchi’s face and looked closely. “Xiao Yuanchi, were you struck by lightning?”

“You’re the one who got struck.”

That impatient tone, the cold voice, the slight frown—this was undoubtedly the real Xiao Yuanchi.

Yin Jiaojiao immediately released her hold and shrank back, creating some distance. The tent outside was faintly lit by candlelight, barely revealing Xiao Yuanchi clad in frost-white sleepwear, lying sprawled beside the bed. For some reason, his garment was loosened and disheveled, the collar gaping wide as if to expose from chest to abdomen, the waistband askew, vaguely revealing a tantalizing cleft—exceedingly sensual.

No way. She had just walked the brink of death, and yet he still had the mood for that?

Yin Jiaojiao hurriedly checked herself.

“Your charm isn’t that overwhelming. Don’t be so confident,” he said coolly.

Yin Jiaojiao coughed. “What time is it now?”

“First quarter of the Hour of the Ox.”

“You don’t mean I slept for an entire day and night… The birthday banquet is over?” Yin Jiaojiao asked in surprise. “Where are the Crown Prince and Crown Princess? Xia Lan? What about those assassins?”

With each question, Xiao Yuanchi’s face darkened further. Finally, he said, “You care about a lot of people.”

“Shouldn’t I? It’s a big deal—you were attacked!”

“You already knew it was me who was attacked.”

“Of course I knew.” Yin Jiaojiao didn’t understand, but instinctively said, “Are you alright?”

“Too soon to ask.”

Xiao Yuanchi withdrew his arm, which had been stretched out awkwardly for some time and was now stiff and sore. His posture was unnatural. Watching him, Yin Jiaojiao suddenly realized something. Could it be that she was the reason he looked so disheveled?

It was quite possible. They had been intimate for a year; her favorite thing was to cling to him while falling asleep, wrapping around him like an octopus. Xiao Yuanchi had complained repeatedly, but she never changed.

Though her mind no longer favored him, her body remained shamelessly greedy by nature.

Xiao Yuanchi must have been compelled to stay the night because she blocked the sword for him, even offering his arm as a pillow.

She softened her tone. “I just fainted, didn’t know anything. You’re so powerful, Your Highness, surely you’re fine, and the bandits have been dealt with?”

“Hm.”

“Where did they come from?”

“Not a good background.”

That was as good as no answer. Xiao Yuanchi never discussed serious matters with her—after all, he didn’t consider her one of his own. Yin Jiaojiao made a sound of acknowledgment and didn’t press further.

“Why stop asking?”

“When I ask, you won’t say.” Yin Jiaojiao replied irritably. “You only argue fiercely when defending your precious little sister.”

Xiao Yuanchi poked her puffed-up cheek.

“You know, yet you still plot against her.”

Yin Jiaojiao brushed his hand away. “If I don’t fight back, I’ll be wrongfully accused!”

“No, you won’t.”

“How not? Even today, with solid evidence, you favor her. If there were no evidence, and she only had her word, you’d surely suspect I murdered the county lady and throw me in prison!”

Recalling the injustice interrupted by the assassination, her heart churned. She whispered hoarsely, “Xiao Yuanchi, I just like you, so why must I be treated this way…”

Tears welled, blurring her vision. She vaguely saw Xiao Yuanchi raise his hand, seemingly to wipe her tears.

She had cried for him before, but he always brushed her off without comfort. Over time, she stopped crying. This time, she had momentarily forgotten herself.

Her heart involuntarily fluttered—knowing it was impossible, yet unable to stop yearning for hope.

Xiao Yuanchi’s fingers paused the moment they touched her eyelashes, then lightly flicked her forehead—not too hard, not too soft, but filled with disappointment.

“It’s all in your imagination. When I say no, it means no. Yin Jiaojiao, do you really think this game is so cleverly designed?”

Wiping her eyes, she said, “At least it’s smarter than Lady Sun. If you had defended her less, Lady Sun would have had to leave the Prince’s Mansion and return to her family in Liangzhou, instead of sitting comfortably in the Western Garden, waiting for my demise.”

“She’s not as bad as you think.” Xiao Yuanchi sneered. “Those dancers who harassed me earlier—was that your brilliance, too?”

“Of course…” Yin Jiaojiao nearly slipped up but stopped herself. “That’s my duty as princess consort—to broaden your horizons, not just fixate on Lady Sun. There are many fine young women under heaven who could bear you heirs.”

“Of the four fine young women you favor, two were trained assassins sent to kill me. Yin Jiaojiao, do you want me to go to the underworld and bear heirs?”

For someone like Xiao Yuanchi, if he descended to the underworld, his enemies would surely swarm the king of hell’s hall to demand justice. The thought alone was satisfying, and Yin Jiaojiao couldn’t help but smile.

Seeing her laugh but trying to suppress it, Xiao Yuanchi suddenly asked, “Do you really want me dead?”

“I…” Yin Jiaojiao averted her eyes. “I want you to look at others.”

She curled up on the inner side of the bed, her back almost touching the wall. Over the past day and night, her wounds had tormented her, causing constant groaning and cries of pain. Cold sweat soaked her repeatedly; her sleepwear was changed over and over. Her face was pale, lips chilled, and tangled black hair framed her face like a hurt kitten—miserable and pitiful, fur all ruffled.

Moved, Xiao Yuanchi couldn’t help but pull her closer.

Panic-stricken, Yin Jiaojiao tried to escape, but he pinned her down.

“Your Highness, you’re touching my wounds!”

“Don’t move!”

Xiao Yuanchi’s body was scorching hot. As their limbs intertwined, there was a faint brushing of something, and Yin Jiaojiao immediately froze.

“I interrogated Xia Lan. She’s not connected to Xuezhi.”

Xiao Yuanchi’s lips brushed her collarbone. The scent of medicine mingled with her natural fragrance—a broken, intoxicating aroma.

Yin Jiaojiao curled her toes and trembled. “So?”

“So, you don’t need to blame Xuezhi for this.”

Again defending Gu Xuezhi, Yin Jiaojiao pushed against him.

“Stop telling me Lady Sun is innocent over and over.”

“Impatient.” Xiao Yuanchi took her hand and brought it to his lips, gently sucking. “I will investigate who really deserves the blame and give you an explanation.”

“An… explanation?”

Yin Jiaojiao’s eyes widened. Xiao Yuanchi looked down on her, scrutinizing her carefully.

“Don’t want it?”

Of course she wanted it. She guessed that Gu Xuezhi alone wouldn’t have driven Xia Lan to such extremes; there must be another, far more dangerous enemy lurking in the shadows.

Of course, her investigation couldn’t match Xiao Yuanchi’s swift action.

“I want it,” Yin Jiaojiao nodded. “Your Highness, but now that she’s caught, if there really is someone else behind this, won’t they wipe her out completely?”

“You mean kill her entire family?”

“Yes.”

Xiao Yuanchi pondered for a moment, then suddenly kissed the corner of her lips.

“Rare—Jiaojiao, you’re thinking.”

“I’ve always been smart, you just don’t see it!” she retorted.

“Then, clever princess consort, have you considered that if it’s only about bearing heirs, a proper wife like you is perfect—no need to drag others into trouble.”

“Wait!”

Xiao Yuanchi didn’t wait. He grew mischievous again. A lifetime of martial training had roughened his palms, weathered and coarse. Yin Jiaojiao soon melted into a puddle of softness, pleading, “Your Highness, I told you my charm isn’t that great.”

“I said it’s sometimes enough.”

He kissed a small red mole near her navel.

“Your Highness, I even took a sword for you, and you still bully me—no conscience!”

“Whether you blocked the sword for me or just made things worse, you know best.”

Feeling guilty, Yin Jiaojiao weakened further. Xiao Yuanchi pressed his advantage; she was left utterly helpless.

“Your… Your Highness.” Yin Jiaojiao summoned all her tenderness to coax him. “Jiaojiao… the wound hurts.”

Xiao Yuanchi abruptly paused, then sighed softly after a moment.

“Troublesome.”