Chapter 57 (1/2)

Chapter 57: No Other Way

”What do you mean by this, Feng Baiyu?”

”This gentleman does not understand what Your Highness is referring to.” Jun Huang was calm, as if it wasn't her wrist that Nan Jihan was holding onto, but someone else's. Not even someone she knew at that.

Nan Jihan realized that he had crossed the line again. He let go of Jun Huang and inhaled deeply. ”We have a deal. It's natural for us to see each other from time to time. Why did you try to avoid me?”

Jun Huang laughed incredulously. Her eyes were bright under the sunlight. ”Your Highness has misunderstood me. If this gentleman really was trying to avoid Your Highness, I wouldn't have come at all.”

They both fell silent. In the lake next to them, colorful koi fish swam around, swis.h.i.+ng their tails. By the lake stood a willow tree, its branches hung down into the water, making ripples as they moved. Catkins fell and danced in the air. Some landed on top of Jun Huang's head.

Nan Jihan felt his heart skip for this handsome gentleman. It was a horrifying realization. He wanted to ignore his feelings, but he couldn't. Why had he fallen for a man? Why did he feel the attraction even when he was sober?

Jun Huang had always been observant. She noticed the strange look in Nan Jihan's eyes. Thinking back to what happened that night, she took a step back with her brows furrowed, keeping a safe distance between the two of them.

Nan Jihan took a step forward to close their distance again. ”Why doesn't the gentleman consider serving this prince? What they can give you, I can give you as well. I am willing to gift the gentleman with all the beautiful women in Southern Mu.”

”Your Highness has asked this question already, and I have given you an answer. Why must Your Highness ask again and again? My answer will always be the same, and Your Highness will again give into rage. There is no point in repeating this cycle.” Jun Huang kept her tone polite. She looked at the royal garden with half-lidded eyes.

On the other side of the garden, palace maids roamed the banquet tables with fine wine in their hands. The light yellow dresses waved as they moved. The whole scene looked not unlike a meeting of celestial beings by the mythical Jade Lake.

She was distracted and didn't see Nan Jihan was trying to grab her again. Before his hand could come in contact with Jun Huang, however, it was seized by Nan Xun.

Nan Xun's eyes were as sharp as a keen blade. Nan Jihan was a scholar, not a fighter. He had never been under a murderous gaze like this. He flinched and clank! His fan hit the ground and tumbled into the koi lake.

Nan Xun didn't say a word, but his action spoke volumes. Nan Jihan broke out of his vice-like grip and threw a fearful glance at Nan Xun. He couldn't help being afraid under that icy gaze. He gave Jun Huang a final look before leaving reluctantly.

Nan Xun turned to Jun Huang with a frown. ”What happened?”

Jun Huang looked up at him as if she had just woken up from a dream and blinked. She was, as always, stunning. Nan Xun covered her eyes with a hand and took a deep breath. ”Tell me.”

Amused by his reaction, Jun Huang gave him a mischievous grin. Under the bright sunlight, her brilliant smile looked almost ethereal. Nan Xun felt his breath hitch.

Jun Huang was quiet for a moment. ”Nan Jihan wanted me to serve him in Southern Mu.”

”Serve him?” Nan Xun said immediately. ”How do you know him?”

Jun Huang pouted. She still couldn't forgive Nan Jihan for kidnapping her. It baffled her that he would resort to such lowly trick. ”I didn't know him, but he noticed me for some reason at Qi Chen's wedding. When I was drunk and out for a walk at night, he had his people take me away.”

Nan Xun's eyes went cold. He had tried to search for Jun Huang without rousing suspicions, but he never found her. He also heard that someone saw blood stains on the street. He could do the math. Suddenly seized by uncontrollable fear, he grabbed Jun Huang by the shoulders and pulled her closer, startling her.

”Were you hurt?” The obvious concerns in his eyes made Jun Huang smile. He may not have noticed himself, but Jun Huang could see it clear as day. She felt warmth blooming within her chest.

”I'm fine. The prince was trying to convince me to join him. He didn't want to hurt me.” Jun Huang's tone was light, but she could feel the after effects of the abduction. She only drank a little wine earlier, and now her temples were throbbing, and her chest felt like it had been trampled by ten thousand horses.

Tension drained out of his body. Nan Xun suddenly realized that he was standing awfully close to Jun Huang. He could almost feel her breaths. .h.i.tting his ears. He nervously let go of her and blushed. Jun Huang also felt a little bashful. She averted her eyes.

They stayed silent for a long while. The awkwardness in the air was almost smothering. Finally, a beautiful woman came up to them. She was dressed like a performer. Her white silk robe made her look like a fairy. Her fair face was easy on the eyes, but wasn't so attractive that it could fell a country. Pretty, but unremarkable.

”His Majesty has been looking for you, Your Highness,” the woman slowly said, the tenderness in her eyes made Jun Huang feel a pang of jealousy. She pouted at Nan Xun, waiting to see how he'd respond.

Nan Xun only nodded and said, ”I will go to the emperor shortly. Please notify him for me first.”

The woman nodded before leaving. When Nan Xun looked back at Jun Huang, her eyes were narrowed and her face decorated with a teasing smile. ”Your Highness is truly a womanizer.”