Chapter 196: It Was the Princess Who Made Me Lose My Composure...

The Emperor was severely injured and poisoned. Cen An and the Imperial Physicians did everything in their power to save his life, but he remained unconscious.

The Nanqi King, Prince Yanping, and Prince Wei, along with all the civil and military officials, kept vigil in the Imperial Palace. Under the guise of showing concern for the Emperor, they were already beginning to form factions and choose sides.

The Chief Eunuch and the guards from the Princess Mansion stood guard over the Emperor. Aside from the Empress and the Imperial Physicians, everyone else was barred from entering.

A grim, murderous aura filled the Imperial Palace. Everyone feared for their own safety. All sounds of laughter vanished, and even the birds dared not fly across the sky.

Lady Shufei and Consort Yun, with the Eldest Prince and Second Prince in tow, also kept vigil. They dared not leave, even though the Second Prince was not yet two years old.

Staying here was an ordeal, but leaving the court’s sight could very well mean the death of the two Princes.

It wasn’t just the Imperial Palace. The streets of the entire Capital City were locked down by the men of the Military Department. All shops were shuttered, and the people huddled in their homes, afraid to venture out.

Cen An left the Imperial Palace to attend to someone at the Princess Mansion, but he only stayed for an hour before returning.

When asked about Princess Xuanyang’s condition, he simply said she was not in any great danger and that the Princess had instructed him that returning to look after His Majesty was more important.

Prince Yanping and others who knew the real situation knew at once this was a cover-up. Cen An must have been unable to save Xuanyang, so his only choice now was to save the Emperor first.

The Nanqi King frowned. "If she is not in great danger, why summon you? Does that not delay His Majesty’s treatment?"

Cen An pretended not to hear and hurried inside to check on the Emperor’s condition.

Prince Yanping looked toward Prince Wei. "Fifth Brother, you’ve always been on excellent terms with Xuanyang. Why don’t you pay her a visit?"

How could Xiao Jingyi not see his intentions? "Since Imperial Sister is fine, we should wait until His Majesty awakens. If Second Brother is truly that worried, why not go see for yourself?"

Prince Yanping snorted. "So much for your relationship."

The Nanqi King’s gaze flickered between the two of them, his expression pensive.

While the Imperial Palace was tense and grim, the gates of the Princess Mansion were also sealed shut. No one was allowed entry, regardless of their inquiries.

"Princess, who do you think will win?"

Song Junzhan sat on the stool by Xiao Li’s bed, his gaze fixed on her eyes.

Xiao Li had been injured and poisoned, but her collapse at the city gates had been an act, as was her supposed unconsciousness.

The last time Lu Ling’s Corpse Puppets had injured Xiao Li’s people, two had been poisoned. Cen An tried everything he could, but was unable to save them.

Xiao Li had known of the corpse poison’s existence since then, so how could she not have taken precautions?

Xiao Li had Cen An research it and even sent people to the Southern Domain. Though they never obtained the true antidote, they did find a medicine that could suppress the poison.

The moment she was scratched, Xiao Li applied the suppressive medicine. Although the wound on her hand would not heal for some time, it was not enough to make her fall into a poisoned stupor.

She had fainted simply to make everyone believe she was poisoned.

For a few days, she would be a mere spectator.

Hearing Song Junzhan’s question, she answered without hesitation, "It’s all the same, no matter who wins."

She wasn’t supporting anyone; she was only interested in the outcome.

Song Junzhan, however, was now at her bedside. This was much closer than their usual interactions allowed.

Song Junzhan gazed at her. "And what about me?"

"Hm?"

A myriad of emotions flashed through Song Junzhan’s eyes. "Princess, you sent Rong Qing to protect His Majesty and Yang Jun to manage things outside the city, but you never told me anything about this from start to finish."

"Did you think I was too scholarly and weak, that I would only be a burden to you? Or do you simply not trust me, Princess?"

Xiao Li truly hadn’t expected to be questioned.

An image of Song Junzhan holding a sword flashed through her mind—his robes blood-stained, his sharp aura fully revealed, like an ethereal Immortal from beyond the mortal world who had suddenly sprouted demonic bones.

It was only her perception that he was weak, not that he was actually weak.

But that couldn’t have influenced her decision then, nor could it now.

She tried to get up, but Song Junzhan suddenly stepped forward and gently pressed down on the corner of the blanket. "You’re injured, Princess. Don’t move."

He leaned in so close that Xiao Li could smell his unique, clean scent.

Slightly taken aback, Xiao Li lowered her gaze to answer his question. "They are fighters; you are a scholar. You were not needed for today’s gambit."

Song Junzhan leaned closer, forcing Xiao Li to open her eyes and look at him. A ghostly blue flame burned within his usually cool, distant eyes.

"Even if you had no use for me, why did you keep me completely in the dark?"

"Princess, you put yourself in harm’s way. Did you ever even intend to come back alive?"

This was the first time Xiao Li had ever seen such an aggressive Song Junzhan.

Xiao Li didn’t answer, so Song Junzhan continued, "Yesterday, you said half-jokingly that if you were to die one day, I should commit regicide. You were talking about today, weren’t you?"

"You no longer intend to help me, and for me to fulfill my lifelong wish, my only path is regicide."

His hands were trembling, the corners of his eyes crimson. It was anger, but even more so, it was disappointment and heartbreak.

He was willing to give his life for her, to pledge his loyalty to her, yet she neither trusted nor relied on him. She was even planning to abandon him by dying.

How could she be worthy of his complete and utter loyalty?

Xiao Li was rendered speechless because he had hit the mark with every word. Seeing his heartbroken expression, she couldn’t bear to argue or deceive him.

"Song Junzhan..."

Xiao Li’s eyes flew wide as Song Junzhan leaned down and kissed her.

He only pressed his lips firmly against hers, making no other move.

Their breaths mingled, searing hot, and she could almost hear the frantic pounding of his heart.

A moment later, Song Junzhan straightened up. His eyes shimmered with intense emotion, and a faint blush colored his cheeks. The first kiss made it difficult for him to regain his composure, but his attitude was firm.

"Your subordinate respects you, Princess. Even though I harbor feelings of admiration, I... have never had a profane thought. It is you, Princess, who has made me lose my composure..."

After speaking, he knelt directly before her bed. "I have overstepped my bounds. I ask for the Princess’s punishment."

Xiao Li was speechless. ’So he says his piece, takes the upper hand, and gets to steal a kiss, too.’

She scoffed. "So you have the gall to act righteous after taking advantage of my predicament? You’re lucky I don’t have the strength to strike you right now."

Song Junzhan’s head snapped up to look at Xiao Li. ’She’s not angry?’

Xiao Li threw off the covers and sat up. She stared at him for a moment, then reached out and traced a line along his fair, jade-like cheek. She playfully pinched his chin, and seeing his earlobes instantly turn a deep red, she let him go with a teasing smile.

"Song Junzhan, I admire you. It’s not because of your looks or your talent, but because of your unwavering determination to revive the imperial examinations."

"Before they were saints, the sages of old were just ordinary people. They simply walked paths others dared not tread, held firm to beliefs others dared not recognize, and fought against the conventions of their era. They changed the world’s perceptions, then used time and facts to prove they were right. Only then were they revered and enshrined as saints."

"And you, in my eyes, are just such a person. The conviction you hold so firmly will undoubtedly change this world."

A light flickered in Song Junzhan’s eyes; he never imagined this was how she saw him.

Xiao Li stared into his eyes, a grim chill and darkness slowly surfacing in their depths. "You see me as your lifeline, but unfortunately, I have never been the enlightened leader you seek."