Chapter 284: Drawing Blood (1/2)

Nan Jihan turned to his personal eunuch, who knelt down and told him how the maids and servants had been treating Jun Huang. Nan Jihan scowled and kicked the eunuch in the chest. “Useless thing! Stay on your knees and think about your mistakes.”

He rushed to the side building with Oleg Cragfiend. When they arrived, the maid happened to be leaving the room. She greeted them respectfully and said, “She's asleep.”

“Why didn't you tell me?!” Nan Jihan growled. He was so angry he'd snap at anything that moved.

Before the maid could say anything, Oleg Cragfiend retorted in a steely voice, “Who do you think she is, Your Majesty? She's only a maid. How could she possibly reach you when you were avoiding them? If you have time to waste on casting blame, it's better served dealing with the matter at hand.”

Nan Jihan quieted down. The poison master was right. He cupped his hands and bowed slightly to express his grat.i.tude and went off to make the necessary arrangements.

He furiously punished everyone involved and ordered all servants to take good care of Jun Huang. Anyone who dared defy his will would be put to death. The maids and eunuchs realized that Nan Jihan still cared greatly about Jun Huang. They dared not make another move against her and instead gave her everything she needed and more.

The maid pursed her lips and scoffed at the table full of quality food. “They only have eyes for status. When they realize His Majesty cares about you, they shower you with gifts. However, this servant still remembers how they treated you.”

Jun Huang chuckled as she stared at the dishes, but she didn't feel like eating. She had a few bites before sitting down on the bed reading books. Her attention kept straying to Nan Xun.

He wouldn't have let anyone treat her like that. Everyone showed her respect when she was in his manor. The disparity made her miss Nan Xun even more. She decided to cut ties with Southern Mu as soon as she recovered and returned to his side.

No one even looked at her wrong from then on, and Jun Huang was making good progress recovering. She heard about how Nan Jihan had punished those who mistreated her, but it didn't leave an imprint in her heart. Although the maid had told her how much Nan Jihan worried for her, she didn't feel at all moved. She just wished for a speedy recovery. Then she could leave this place.

After some time, she believed she'd recovered enough to start drawing blood. She notified Nan Jihan, who sent for Oleg Cragfiend and the royal doctor out of concern. The decision would only be made after they'd checked on her.

Oleg Cragfiend took her pulse. She'd recovered well. The process of drawing blood could begin. Nan Jihan was still worried, but Jun Huang wasn't willing to wait any longer. He had no choice but to let her, telling her he'd make the preparations.

After a few days, Nan Jihan took Jun Huang and Oleg Cragfiend to the snowy mountain where blood lotuses grew. Jun Huang had experienced the cold once, but it didn't make it any easier to bear. Even dressed in a thick layer of winter coat wasn't enough to keep her warm.

They slowly made their way to their destination. Jun Huang frowned when she saw the lotuses. “The last time we came they were blooming. Why are there only buds now?”

The once stunningly blooming lotuses had reverted back to buds. The flowers were there, but they were tucked within the sepals.

“Blood lotus doesn't bloom for long, but it can bloom several times in its lifetime,” explained Nan Jihan. “It'll always be there.”

Jun Huang nodded without a word.

Oleg Cragfiend pulled out a dagger. Jun Huang rolled up her broad sleeve, revealing her delicate wrist. The cold made her fingers look even paler, and the veins more prominent, as if her skin would break under the slightest pressure.

Oleg Cragfiend considered her for a moment before raising the dagger. Nan Jihan stepped in suddenly with a frown. “Are we really doing this? Is there no other way?”

Both Jun Huang and Oleg Cragfiend shot him a pointed look. He realized his mistake and stepped back with a tight expression, forcing himself to not look at Jun Huang.

Jun Huang took a deep breath and smiled faintly. “Let's get started.”

Oleg Cragfiend nodded and decisively slid the dagger across her arm. The blade radiated coldness and left a cut on her skin. Crimson blood streamed down her arm into the bowl he'd prepared.