The carriage exterior was already exquisitely inlaid with gold and jade, exceptionally luxurious, and the interior was so wide and spacious that it could even fit a couch.
Everything used was of the finest quality and beauty; Suixing could tell that the set of celadon tea ware alone was worth hundreds of gold, enough for an ordinary family's expenses for five or six generations.
The System told her that this was a tyrannical and brutal emperor, a mass murderer, ruthless and bloodthirsty. Not only was the female lead, Ye Wan'er, afraid of him and avoided him, even his court officials dared not speak loudly in his presence.
Suixing had seen many such people before; in the eyes of outsiders, they were all lunatics and devils, but to her, they were very gentle. They would be heartbroken for a long time if even a single petal of hers was damaged.
So she was not afraid. She sat calmly and gracefully beside Rong Huai, and in front of him, swallowed the poisonous pill.
Rong Huai stared at her slender, beautiful neck as she tilted it up, his dark eyes like an invisible cage, locking her in tightly.
"This is the antidote, to be taken for forty-nine days."
Suixing had just taken out the small bottle when Rong Huai almost snatched it away. Meeting his gaze, she smiled and explained, "Don't rush, the effect will be better after a medicated bath."
The man was silent for a moment, then suddenly reached out to touch her neck.
Suixing let out a questioning 'Hmm?' but actively tilted her neck, allowing that large, clearly jointed hand to touch her.
The man's appearance was noble and refined, like a cold and aloof white plum in the snow, but there were calluses on his fingers, clearly indicating he was a martial artist.
The moment his rough fingertips touched that silken, soft, and delicate skin, he couldn't help but close his fingers, his palm pressed tightly against that fragile section—with just a little force, he could easily snap her neck, take her life, and dim those bright, warm eyes forever.
He suppressed the violent rage surging within his chest, slowly caressing her with the most incredibly gentle touch.
"...Oh."
Suixing's soft gasp brought him back to his senses.
He looked at her eyes, which were veiled with a layer of mist, and his heart trembled. He almost immediately let go, hiding his hand behind him like a child who had done something wrong.
He was born to plunder and destroy; ruthless royal blood flowed in his veins. He was not unaware that the world secretly called him 'tyrant'.
Such a beautiful, pure white flower blooming gently by his side would only be defiled and destroyed.
A storm subtly gathered in his eyes. But to let her go, he was so unwilling; he truly wanted...
Suddenly, his hand was held.
Rong Huai was startled.
This person seemed unaware that she had circled the gates of hell and was one step away from not returning to the human world. Her eyes were clear and bright, her expression serious yet gentle: "Is the poison acting up? Your pulse is not right."
"..."
Rong Huai's taut body gradually relaxed. He softly hummed in affirmation.
Suixing said, "Don't be afraid, after the medicated bath, you'll feel much better. I've already prepared the prescription. If you're worried, you can have a doctor you trust examine it..."
"I trust you."
Rong Huai clasped her wrist in return: "I believe you."
Her smile was gentle.
The Imperial Palace.
Attendants, eunuchs, and palace maids knelt on the ground, waiting for the luxurious carriage to open and the most esteemed man of Great Xuan to step out.
The carriage door did open, but the first to descend was a young woman in a green gown.
She held onto another person's hand for support, carefully stepping down onto the stool with her skirt lifted, avoiding stepping on the human stool beside her.
"This is..."
Looking around, Suixing's eyes widened slightly.
The man who descended stood silently beside her, his gaze lowered to observe her expression. Seeing no repulsion on her face, the fist hidden in his sleeve finally relaxed.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
Seeing that his Majesty remained silent, the eunuch quickly shrieked the greeting again.
Suixing turned to look at the man beside her, meeting his gaze directly—deep, dark, and bottomless, yet clearly reflecting her figure, like a pitch-black net that could suffocate one.
"You..."
"Do you regret it?" Rong Huai asked in a deep voice, "I'll give you one chance. You can leave now. I won't smash your medical clinic, nor will I trouble your junior sister."
"You don't have to suffer with me from this poison, nor do you have to stay in the palace with me."
He was lying to her.
Of course, he was lying to her.
If she dared to leave, he would immediately order his hidden guards to smash the medical clinic to pieces, immediately seize all the junior sisters she cared about, and use them to force her to stay.
He was unscrupulous, he harbored ulterior motives, he deserved to be struck down by heaven and earth.
System: "He's lying to you! He won't let you go, he's been holding your hand the whole time! He wants to keep you so badly!"
Suixing: "I know~ He just lacks a sense of security~"
The young woman in green seemed not to understand why he would ask such a question. She couldn't help but take two steps forward and tug on his sleeve, her tone a little urgent, fearing he was avoiding treatment.
"I said I would cure the poison in your body. I won't leave until your poison is resolved. Why are you suddenly trying to send me away? Just because you're the emperor, does that mean you're not afraid of the pain when the poison acts up?"
No one had ever dared to ask Rong Huai if he was in pain, nor did he need them to. Yet, looking at the face before him, his throat made another swallowing motion.
"Alright, you can stay," he said, "But you cannot leave easily. I..."
He paused, then continued, "I might have a poison flare-up at any time."
How could he allow others to sleep beside his bed? It was the first time anyone had touched his sleeve. Because it was her, this feeling was unusually pleasant; he even hoped her beautiful hand would touch him more.
Suixing nodded. She wanted to turn and retrieve her six medicine chests from the carriage, but her waist was easily encircled by the man's arm.
Her figure was slender and delicate; nestled in the man's embrace, she appeared even more fragile.
When the faint scent of medicine wafted to him, Rong Huai's eyes deepened. His arm silently tightened, and he glanced at the large group of people kneeling motionless nearby, then said to Suixing, "They will bring them over for you."
Suixing: "I need to supervise them to be at ease. There are several herbs for you inside."
So it was for him. A warm current surged through Rong Huai's heart.
He coldly ordered someone to get up and move the chests, but the hand guarding Suixing's waist never loosened.
Suixing was indeed very concerned about these medicine chests, fearing someone might tamper with them. Some herbs were rare and could not be bought in the entire capital, making their destruction very troublesome; it was not that she was deliberately making things difficult for people.
Rong Huai gazed intently at her face. Seeing her thin lips pressed together, as if in worry, he subconsciously commanded, "You are not allowed to be unhappy. If you have any displeasure, you may inform me."
Only after speaking did he realize his tone was condescending, and she might find it very uncomfortable, hearing no concern, only strong compulsion.
A fleeting look of annoyance crossed his eyes.
Suixing looked up at him, just catching that fleeting expression, and she said, "I'm not displeased. I'm just thinking about which medicated bath His Majesty should take first."
"...Any will do."
"Are they moving the medicine chests to His Majesty's sleeping quarters?"
"Yes."
Rong Huai said in a low voice, "From today onwards, you will eat and live with me."
He stared intently at Suixing's face, thinking that if there was even a hint of unwillingness, he would...
Suixing nodded and said, "Alright, Your Majesty. May I also accompany you during your daily meals?"
Rong Huai stared at her fixedly.
Suixing continued to speak, "Actually, I also know a bit about meal planning. If Your Majesty trusts me, you can entrust me with drafting your daily menu."
Not only did Suixing not refuse him, but she also took advantage of the situation, intending to take full control of his life.
Rong Huai felt no offense or displeasure; his heart returned to its place as her lips curved upwards.
The more she was like this, the more he wanted...
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