"Mmm..."
A muffled groan of pain escaped the man's throat, adding an air of sensuality to the quiet room.
*This, this, this...*
It was just a touch to the wound; there was no need for such a reaction!
"Does the wound hurt?"
Yun Feiwan instinctively wanted to back away, but her body was firmly pinned in place.
"It is nothing."
Xuan Junheng’s voice was beautiful, especially in this repressed, restrained tone that made one’s heart race and cheeks flush.
*It’s all to neutralize the poison! It’s all to neutralize the poison! Yun Feiwan! Get a grip!*
Yun Feiwan chanted internally, her small hand pressing softly against Xuan Junheng’s arm, right where the wound from yesterday had yet to heal. She leaned down gently, the burning heat of his skin making her lips feel as if they were being seared by flame. Flushing red, she brought her head closer, took a quick "slurp" of blood, and pulled away instantly.
*I’ve taken advantage of him! I’ve taken advantage of him! It’s a crime that this physique isn’t an idol's!*
"What... is an 'idol'?"
Startled by Xuan Junheng’s voice, Yun Feiwan guiltily tugged at her collar. "It’s your turn, Junior Prince!"
Her small hand pulled down the thin, translucent gauze, revealing a fair, rounded shoulder. Having the mindset of a modern person, Yun Feiwan did not feel her actions were particularly daring. She arched her fragrant shoulder forward, her delicate skin flushed slightly from the poison.
"Here! Be gentle, if you leave a scar, I won’t forgive you!"
"Cough, cough. Then... thank you for your sacrifice, Miss Feiwan."
Xuan Junheng’s gaze darkened. He turned his head and leaned in, his cool nose brushing intimately against Yun Feiwan’s cheek before slowly shifting to the side. Terrified of the pain, Yun Feiwan gritted her teeth and squeezed her eyes shut. She tilted her head back, her neck taut as a line, her chest heaving with deep, rapid breaths. The more she anticipated it, the more sensitive her skin became; she was genuinely afraid he would bite a few holes in her!
Then, the sharpness of teeth touched her skin, and suddenly—
"Hiss! Ouch, ouch, ouch! It hurts! It hurts to death!!! It’s just a blood draw, are you a dog?"
A sharp, stabbing pain shot through her neck and shoulder. Yun Feiwan cried out, instinctively struggling and pulling back, her hands flailing in the air. *Damn it! That dog must have bitten a huge hole in me!*
Tears welled in the corners of her eyes. Yun Feiwan bit her lower lip hard, barely restraining herself from hurling abuse. In the panic, her palm was caught by a pair of large, slightly calloused hands. Their burning palms pressed together, her small hand engulfed by his, fingers interlaced. With a powerful tug, he pulled her closer, and she could feel the strong, rhythmic heartbeat beneath his chest! That heartbeat intertwined with her own erratic pulse, smoothing away the agitation in her heart.
The wound didn’t seem... as painful anymore.
She didn’t know how long it lasted—perhaps a few seconds, perhaps half an incense stick of time. Yun Feiwan felt as if an eternity had passed. Not until Xuan Junheng gently wrapped her wound did she snap back to reality.
"Miss Feiwan, thank you for saving me twice. Now, our fates are inevitably intertwined..."
Listening to the man’s teasing, provocative tone, Yun Feiwan pushed him away, covering her chest and pouting. "Why did you have to bite my shoulder? You could have just made a small cut on my arm or finger! Xuan Junheng, you took advantage of me!"
Who would have thought that Xuan Junheng would raise his eyes with an innocent, aggrieved look, his thin lips moving softly? "Miss Feiwan, I am truly wronged! It was you who offered your shoulder; I thought you were doing it because you were afraid of the knife..."
"Ah!"
Yun Feiwan slapped her forehead, thinking, *I was so nervous at the time! I saw this jerk make a cut on his own shoulder, so I subconsciously offered mine too. How did I forget I could have used a finger or wrist? I was supposed to be the one taking advantage, but now it’s the other way around! No, I have to find a chance to get it back!*
She looked vexed and kept sighing, forgetting that, bolstered by the Truth System, her mouth had completely betrayed her inner thoughts!
"If you wish to take it back, I don’t mind letting you bite me."
Xuan Junheng’s clear, gentle response came from across the way, sounding tender and amused.
*Oh no, I said my inner thoughts out loud again!*
Embarrassed, Yun Feiwan decided to just give up on pretense. "Junior Prince, our fates are one now, and since I’ve saved your life twice, shouldn’t you grant me two conditions?"
"I shall address you as Wanwan from now on. Please speak, Miss Wanwan. As long as it is within my power."
Receiving his affirmative answer, Yun Feiwan leaned in closer and blinked craftily. "I! Want! A! Divorce!"
"What?"
Even a prince who had experienced countless power struggles was caught off guard by this request. He frowned, his low voice laced with confusion. "It is only the second day of our marriage, Miss Wanwan, and you wish for a divorce? Why?"
"Oh, why do you care so much? Just tell me if you’ll help or not! Isn’t the Emperor your uncle? With your help, it should be easy to resolve."
Seeing Yun Feiwan’s irritation, Xuan Junheng had to explain seriously, "I will help; naturally, I will help with your request. However, this marriage was personally decreed by His Majesty, and divorce is no simple matter. At the very least, you must tell me the reason."
Thinking of the tragic fate of physical and emotional abuse that awaited her, Yun Feiwan couldn’t help but complain with resentment. "It’s a long story... I married into his house in place of my older sister, and the Third Prince doesn’t like me. On our wedding night, he took his anger out on me, sent me to a brothel, and on the day of my return visit to my parents, he was all over my sister right in front of me!"
"In short, to put it simply, he doesn’t like me and only wants to torture me. If I keep living like this, my life will be nothing but misery. It would be better to divorce and let him be with my sister."
Hearing this, Xuan Junheng rubbed his chin, his thoughtful voice contemplative. "The Emperor’s promise is not easily changed. If you insist on a divorce, you are questioning the Emperor’s decision. Wouldn't that be a slap in the Emperor’s face?"
"Forget it then, don't help. You really are a secondary villain. Never mind!" Yun Feiwan muttered to herself as she stood up and brushed off her clothes, looking as wilted as a frost-bitten eggplant. "I was only asking on a whim anyway. Just remember to come to me on time for the blood exchange. Also, can you stop being hunted every time we meet? I don’t want to be dragged down with you. Bye!"
She tossed those words over her shoulder and began walking toward the door with a confident stride. Seconds later, she ran back with a sheepish smile.
"Um... heh heh, I don’t know the way!"
...
Minister’s Estate—
"That bitch! Yun Feiwan, that bitch!"
Gu Ruoxi swept the teapot off the table, looking almost deranged.
"Miss, please, don’t get angry. You’ll hurt yourself! That wretched girl is likely trying to ruin your reputation on purpose, just because she’s jealous that you have the Third Prince’s favor."
The little maid with double-bun hair, who was squatting to pick up the broken tea set, spoke in a soothing tone. "Miss, your talent is peerless; you are the role model among the noble ladies. How can she, a wild girl, compare to you? In two days, it’s the annual Spring Flower Viewing Banquet, where all the nobles and ladies will be invited. With your talent, you will surely shine brilliantly. As for this little bit of gossip... it doesn't matter."
Gu Ruoxi’s eyes lit up, and she narrowed them with triumph. "That’s right! That Yun Feiwan is nothing but a stuffy ancient; how could she possibly compare to me? I can recite any poem and crush that group of people."
At the banquet, she would definitely make that bitch Yun Feiwan look like a fool!