063 A Favor

"Um, thank you, Your Highness," I bowed, feeling a bit embarrassed.

That scoundrel Li Yexuan didn’t even tell me to rise.

Unable to hold back any longer, I added, "Your Highness, may I leave now? There’s a lot waiting for me at the Golden Jade Pavilion."

I cautiously lifted my gaze to Li Yexuan. He met my eyes, nodded.

"Then I’ll be off."

Cheerfully, I stood and walked out, closing the door behind me.

After just a few steps, I realized how enormous the Prince Xuan’s residence truly was—I hadn’t the slightest idea which direction to go. It would be shameful to turn back and ask Li Yexuan, so I decided to wander and see where it led me; if absolutely necessary, I’d sacrifice my pride.

I’d barely rounded a corner when distant voices drifted to me.

"Please, General, do come in. My lord is delayed by some matters; I hope you won’t take offense."

"No trouble at all."

General? The voice sounded so familiar—as if I’d heard it somewhere before.

Stretching my neck, I peered ahead. Yun Heng—it was indeed Yun Heng.

I glanced at myself: my makeup had faded nearly completely, and I was dressed in men’s clothing. I hadn’t even disguised myself well to begin with; like this, he’d surely see right through me—that I was Mu Fan, the one who’d escaped from the General’s mansion.

I didn’t dare linger. Without another thought, I turned and bolted back the way I’d come.

Thankfully, I hadn’t gone far, and I still remembered the path. With quick steps, I soon returned to the original room, slamming the door behind me.

Li Yexuan had just lifted the blanket to drink his tea, only to see me rush in so frantically. A man and a woman alone in a room—what explanation could possibly suffice?

"Um, could you help me out?" I went to his side and freed his hand from the cup.

The sound of knocking rang out, and I cursed inwardly.

I grabbed his hand, and together we stumbled onto the bed.

To my surprise, Li Yexuan thoughtfully lowered the curtain... Now things looked even more incriminating.

"Come in," he called.

Footsteps approached; I knew the servant was bringing Yun Heng.

With the crimson canopy drawn, anyone would guess what was happening inside.

But reality was far from what they imagined.

On the bed, out of sight, Li Yexuan and I sat at opposite ends, eyeing each other warily. I glared at him, terrified he might turn pretense into reality. When we’d fallen, he’d landed on my arm—my poor limb throbbed painfully. If the bed hadn’t been so close, I surely would have collided headlong with the floor.

"So Prince Xuan is busy—I apologize for intruding..." Yun Heng spoke, but Li Yexuan remained silent. I signaled him with gestures to answer, raising a fist to warn him not to say anything reckless.

"No trouble at all. I am quite finished," Li Yexuan replied, even coughing for effect, leaving me speechless. Finished? What did he mean by that...

"It’s inconvenient for me here, so I’ll wait for Your Highness in the garden," Yun Heng said.

"You’re wise to do so. Go on. Clearly, someone’s embarrassed; best to wait outside," Li Yexuan answered.

"Then I’ll take my leave."

Yun Heng departed, pausing at the door to ask the servant when Li Yexuan had acquired company.

The poor servant didn’t know how to answer. Yun Heng added, "If Your Highness has good news, you must inform me."

...

The door closed again, and I finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Thinking of Li Yexuan’s words, I found them utterly ridiculous. Despite him saving me just now, I couldn’t help kicking him in retaliation.

He caught my foot firmly in his hand.

"Just saved your life—such a wild little cat," he teased.

"Mmm, Your Highness, be gentle, my foot hurts..."