Chapter 289: Divergence (2/2)

Silence filled the air. Nan Jihan opened his mouth to say something, but stopped himself halfway. The court had started to pressure him more. He should return. But he worried something might happen to Jun Huang.

Oleg Cragfiend broke the silence. “She's getting better. Your Majesty should stop worrying too much. Court affairs are much more important for you. There's no need for Your Majesty to stay here for us peasants. I'll keep her safe. Your Majesty may come back after you've dealt with the court affairs. She'll feel guilty if you put aside your duty for her.”

“My master is right,” Jun Huang said bluntly, her tone was nonchalant, but insistent. “You should return to the palace. I know my myself. Besides, you aren't going to be of much help here. Why not return to your duty?”

Nan Jihan silently nodded and walked away. Oleg Cragfiend said he was going to go prepare her medicine and left as well.

Jun Huang exhaled slowly, her face pale. She'd been trying to act tough, but the illusion broke as soon as she was alone. She was ill and tired.

Her fingers trembled because of the blood loss. The mountain was freezing cold. Since the lotus had to be fed warm blood, she must go up the mountain and have her blood drawn in harsh weather every time. Although everyone had done all they could to help her recover, she couldn't stop herself from weakening. She'd been suppressing her discomfort to avoid worrying them.

Still, she was exhausted.

Her eyes stung when she saw the letter from Nan Xun, but she blinked her tears away. She had to be strong.

The familiar handwriting made her feel as if a lifetime had pa.s.sed. She took a deep breath and pushed away her melancholy before unfolding the letter.

She smiled when she read that Qi Yun was on his way to becoming the emperor. She'd see Nan Xun soon. She could wait for him to take care of his duty.

She read through the letter again and again with a soft smile. Then she got out of bed and sat at the desk by the window. She smoothed a piece of paper over the desk and started writing a response, translating her yearning into words. She told Nan Xun she was doing well and not to worry. They'd see each other soon enough.

Oleg Cragfiend returned to the room with a bowl of dark, thick medicine. He frowned when he saw Jun Huang sitting on the mat with only a thin layer of clothes. He put the bowl aside and grabbed a robe for her.

“It's cold. You have to take better care of yourself. Do you have a death wish?” Oleg Cragfiend noticed the letter. She didn't try to hide it from him. He felt a pang of hurt seeing that she'd written only about the good news and not the pain she'd been through.

Jun Huang chuckled and pulled the robe around her shoulders. “Is there something you want to talk to me about?”

“You're getting weak. You may be able to fool the others, but not me. How about we stop drawing blood for some time and wait until you recover? Or maybe we'll come up with another solution. What do you say?”

Jun Huang frowned and shook her head. “I don't want to stop halfway, master. Death is my only end if I do nothing. I might as well take a leap of faith. You said there may be another way, but we both know it's unlikely.”

Oleg Cragfiend struggled to find the words. In the end, he sighed.

Jun Huang smiled a little. “It's time for us to go up the mountain again.”

Oleg Cragfiend couldn't change her mind. He reluctantly helped Jun Huang out of the door.

Nan Xun had just returned from the training ground when he heard that Jun Huang had written back. His mood visibly brightened, warming up his usually icy expression. The housekeeper shook his head. He'd been taking care of Nan Xun for a long time. Even he rarely saw Nan Xun like this.

He wasn't some judgmental old man. He was happy with anyone Nan Xun loved. As long as Jun Huang treated Nan Xun well, he wasn't going to object.

Once he entered the study, Nan Xun quickly gulped down some water to quell his thirst and exhaled deeply. He steadied himself before approaching the desk and picking up the letter. On the outside it said, “Addressed to Nan Xun.” He stared at the elegant handwriting, transfixed, picturing a graceful Jun Huang writing down his name with decisive strokes.