Chapter 132 (1/2)
Chapter 132: Hidden Agenda
Once Nan Xun's injury was treated and the things she used as medical equipment had been put away, Jun Huang asked, ”How many times have they attacked you since that night?”
Nan Xun clenched his teeth and reluctantly said in unsteady voice, ”Twice.”
Jun Huang huffed out a bitter laugh. ”I am indeed fated to be alone. Simply by existing I'm bringing dangers to people around me. If not for me, you won't be hurt so badly.” Her voice started to tremble and she choked out the last few words, which didn't escape Nan Xun's attention.
He held Jun Huang's fingers in his hand and said seriously, ”That's not true. I should be the one to apologize. If not for me, you won't be dragged into this mess again and again. I am their target. You are an innocent bystander.”
Jun Huang looked into Nan Xun's dark eyes. The flutter in her heart felt like a physical force, and the warmth enveloping her fingers a solid weight. She jerked her hand back and averted her gaze.
The pain became so strong that it made speaking difficult. Nan Xun lay against the bed frame and ground his teeth together.
Jun Huang turned back to Nan Xun. Nan Xun's eyes were shut as he lay p.r.o.ne on the bed. Jun Huang felt a pang of guilt.
”If I had not been with you, you wouldn't have – ”
”I told you, It's not your fault at all,” Nan Xun said without opening his eyes. ”They wanted me gone. Don't think too much.”
”You got hurt protecting me,” said Jun Huang. ”I can't pretend that it never happened. Since your injury should be kept a secret, I will take responsibility for dressing your wound.”
Nan Xun opened his eyes in surprise. Seeing how determined Jun Huang was, he decided that this was a good thing. Spending time with Jun Huang every day was a good way to build their relations.h.i.+p.
He nodded. He had no reason to turn her offer down. Jun Huang let out a relieved sigh. She had been worried that Nan Xun would say no.
For the next few days, Jun Huang never stayed the night at Nan Xun's place, but every evening she would visit Nan Xun to redress his wound.
She had tried to be discreet, but no walls could keep out unwanted eyes completely. One of Qi Chen's servant had seen her.
Today, Jun Huang went to the tavern and ordered some food suitable for Nan Xun's condition as usual. She brought the food to Nan Xun's manor. At the front door, she knocked into a man dressed in peasant clothes.
The food spilled all over the ground. The man staggered and almost fell as well. He looked up and was about to make his grievances known, but he grew silent when he saw that it was Jun Huang.
Jun Huang was focused on the spilled food she could never recover. She missed the way the man was looking at him.
When she looked up with a sigh, the man had schooled his expression into indifference.
”This gentleman has been in a hurry. I hope the gentleman can forgive me for the troubles I've undoubtedly caused.” Jun Huang was polite. Even though the man was a peasant, she still called him a gentleman.
The man cupped his hands. ”No, no. I have been careless. I have – ”
”It's quite alright. If there's nothing else, please excuse me for leaving now.” It was about time for her to dress Nan Xun's wound. Seeing that the man didn't intend to respond, she cupped her hands and went into the manor, paying no mind to the spilled food. She told the page boy watching the door what had happened and asked him to clean up the mess. She then made a turn to Nan Xun's building.
The man outside pulled his lips into a feral grin. He patted his clothes clean and made his way to Prince Chen Manor.
He had seen Jun Huang enter Nan Xun's regularly over the past few days. He believed it was about time he told Qi Chen. He walked into Prince Chen Manor and intended to go find Qi Chen, but Qi Chen wasn't someone who would meet with a mere peasant. The man was stopped outside the main hall.
”I'm a recent hire,” the man said hurriedly. ”I have matters to discuss with the crown prince.”
The guard who stopped him clicked his tongue and leveled him with a disdainful stare. ”Do you think the prince would meet with anyone who claims to have business with him? Go back where you've come from. Don't be a nuisance here. The prince will not see a n.o.body like you.”
The guard took a step toward the man. The man staggered and fell to the ground, whining in pain. The commotion alerted the housekeeper. He walked out and snapped, ”What are you doing? Where do you think you are? This is not the place for such behavior!”
”This man came out of nowhere,” said the guard. ”He insisted on meeting the prince. I can't make him go away.”