Chapter 272: Blood Lotus (2/2)

“I didn't mean to do that. If you're unwilling, I'm not going to force you. I simply wonder what Northern Qi has offered you. If you aren't going to tell, I'm not going to ask.”

He turned away, breathing deep to suppress the bitter feelings in his chest.

Was this the end of it? Was she just going to wait for her death? Just when Jun Huang was wondering about her fate, a eunuch announced that a letter had been delivered requiring Nan Jihan's attention.

Nan Jihan frowned and walked out without a word, treating Jun Huang like she didn't exist. She touched her nose and debated over if she should leave.

Nan Jihan snuck a few glances at her as he read the letter. She had no clue what that was about.

After about the time for a pot of tea to brew, Nan Jihan approached her with a chuckle and handed her the letter.

“I thought it was a coincidence for Oleg Cragfiend to be here, but it turns out he is your master,” he said faintly, his tone tinted with a hint of smile.

Jun Huang read the letter through and belatedly remembered she'd never asked her master how he contacted Nan Jihan. He mentioned saving the life of a prince. It must be Nan Jihan.

“You are the disciple of the man who once saved my life. I can't not help you. How about you take a rest, and I'll take you to the blood lotus?”

Jun Huang widened her eyes slightly. She didn't expect him to agree so easily. He seemed genuinely willing to help despite the heavy workload on him as the emperor. She nodded with a smile.

Nan Jihan swallowed his words when he saw the faint smile on her face. He ordered a maid to take her to a guest room.

Once she had left, a eunuch went up to Nan Jihan and sighed with a glance at the flowers. “Has Your Majesty given up?”

Nan Jihan shook his head without a word, his eyes growing dark.

Jun Huang rested in the palace for the night. The next day, Nan Jihan was ready for their short trip. She was surprised by the elaborate arrangement when she sought him out.

“We're just going to find the lotus,” Jun Huang said, staring at the wool-covered coach. “There's no need for such trouble.”

“While Southern Mu is warm like the spring all year long, the blood lotus grows in freezing environment. Without the proper protection, you'd freeze to death before we even get there.”

He handed a winter coat to Jun Huang.

She didn't argue. Nan Jihan was the one who'd been there. He knew best what to expect. She would follow his lead.

Once everything was prepared, Jun Huang got into the coach, followed by Nan Jihan. Neither of them talked during the trip. Due to their argument yesterday, Nan Jihan worried that Jun Huang would misunderstand him, so he brought a maid to stay inside with them.

It wasn't a short trip. Night had fallen when they reached the foot of a tall mountain. Being hasty could do more harm than good. They found an inn to stay in. Tomorrow, they'd climb the mountain.

Jun Huang was having troubles sleeping. She walked out of her room to the hallway and looked over at the snowy mountain. Moonlight cast a silver glow over the white. It was a captivating sight.

At the foot of the mountain, trees and vegetation prospered, and birds fluttered around chirping. On top of the mountain was barren land covered in snow and ice. This close, she could occasionally hear ice melting and falling. She could almost feel how cold it was up on the mountain.

She had the coat on during the day and had taken it off once she entered the inn. It started getting windy at night.

She hunched her shoulders up reflexively. Then a robe was draped over her shoulders.