Chapter 61 (1/2)

Chapter 61: Possessed by Desires

”Is the gentleman alright?” Qi Chen asked Jun Huang with his brows furrowed. He looked tired.

Jun Huang shook her head and cleared her throat before turning to Nan Guyue. She smiled. ”This gentleman is here for the princess's brother.”

Nan Guyue frowned. ”My brother? Has something happened to him?”

”Fret not, princess. Prince Nan Jihan is safe and sound. He's leaving for Southern Mu, however. He has matters to attend to and therefore cannot tell you himself, so he asked me to do it in his stead. He asks the princess to not worry about him.”

Tears welled up in Nan Guyue's eyes. She was beside herself with sorrow. She wavered and almost fainted. Qi Chen quickly went up to steady her.

Jun Huang frowned. ”Your Highness should help the princess sit down. This gentleman would like to take her pulse.”

Qi Chen nodded. ”Much appreciated.” He helped Nan Guyue back to the pavilion. Jun Huang followed closely behind them.

Once Qi Chen helped Nan Guyue get settled, Jun Huang sat across from her and covered her wrist with a handkerchief before taking Nan Guyue's pulse.

She raised an eyebrow and let out a laugh. She was genuinely happy for them. ”Congratulation, Your Royal Highness. This is worth celebrating!”

Qi Chen gave her a questioning look.

”The princess is pregnant. She's just a little weak. This gentleman will prescribe her some medicine for miscarriage prevention. She will be fine.”

Qi Chen's eyes crinkled as he beamed. Nan Guyue, who was lying in his arms, slowly blinked her eyes open and smoothed a hand over her flat abdomen. She was both surprised and delighted.

Qi Chen leaned into her and whispered into her ear. They looked intimate. Jun Huang quietly walked away and gave them their privacy.

The next morning, Qi Chen came to the side building himself right after Jun Huang had woken up. Jun Huang c.o.c.ked her head. She wondered what he wanted.

The moment she walked out of the door, she saw silks and jewelry being placed in the front yard. She frowned. ”What does Your Highness mean by this?”

Qi Chen was still overcome with joy. He impulsively took Jun Huang's hands in his. ”This prince wouldn't have known Guyue was pregnant if not for the gentleman. You are also the one who brought us together. These gifts are not enough to express my grat.i.tude. If there is anything the gentleman wants, don't hesitate to tell me.”

Qi Chen was now a father. His whole being radiated happiness and his smile hadn't fade ever since last night. He held onto Jun Huang's hands a little too tightly. Jun Huang couldn't break out of his grip, so she just let him be.

It took a moment for Qi Chen to come to his senses. He seemed to have remembered something and let go of Jun Huang's hands. ”The princess was planning to send her brother off herself,” he said after clearing his throat. ”She's now pregnant, however. It's better that she doesn't travel the long distance. This prince knows that the gentleman is quite close to brother Nan Jihan. If you are willing, I'd like to ask you to see him off for us.”

Jun Huang nodded. Her attention was caught by the serene garden. It was so full of life, it filled her heart with feelings she couldn't identify. She couldn't help being drawn.

Qi Chen took that as his cue to leave. He knew how Jun Huang was. She always liked the quiet, and she had few material desires. Besides, his whole heart was now devoted to taking care of Nan Guyue.

It took a moment for Jun Huang to realize that Qi Chen had left. Now the only other person here was Wei Qian. Wei Qian leaned against a pillar holding her sword in her arms. The light of the early sun shone on her face and obscured her features.

Jun Huang stayed in the hallway enjoying the peaceful view until Qi Chen sent a message to her, saying that Nan Jihan had decided on a departure time. Only then did Jun Huang walk to the garden. She picked up the cup of Kuding tea the maid had brewed earlier and took a sip. Bitterness a.s.saulted her taste buds, but she didn't so much as frown.

Soon, the day of Nan Jihan's departure had come. He was a royal prince after all. The emperor had bid him farewell himself, and he had ordered many guards to see him off. Nan Jihan turned the emperor down, however, stating that he didn't want to be a burden. Besides, he did bring a good number of guards to Northern Qi himself.

Jun Huang's appearance was a surprise. On his way to Southern Mu, Nan Jihan kept stopping in his tracks because he was waiting for Nan Guyue. He didn't expect Jun Huang to be the one who came. He was so thrilled he momentarily forgot about his sister.

”What is the gentleman here for?” Nan Jihan couldn't hide the happiness in his expression. He dismounted and went up to her.

Jun Huang got off her horse as well and walked the rest of the way with Nan Jihan. ”I'm here to see Your Highness off on behalf of the princess.”

They were close to the border of Northern Qi. On one side was the desert. On the other side was an oasis. Herds of cattles and sheep could be seen roaming the oasis, while the desert was barren and lifeless.

Above them was the boundless blue sky. Every once in a while a couple of wild geese would fly over their heads. The croaks weren't easy on the ears.

After a few moments of walking, Nan Jihan turned to Jun Huang. ”Has something bad happened to my little sister? Why didn't she come?”

Jun Huang shook her head. ”It's something good. The princess is now pregnant. Your Highness should be happy for her.”