Xue Liulan stood outside the closed door, blinking.
He wasn't sure what he had said wrong, but she had pushed him out. She was pregnant, so even if he could have resisted, he wouldn't have dared. He could only watch as the door slammed shut in his face. Snap.
"My lord? What are you doing here?" Ning Bi rounded the corner, carrying a bowl of medicine. She stopped, surprised.
He gave her an innocent look. "I came to see Murong Jin. I seem to have been… locked out."
"To see the Princess Consort? You didn't come specifically to visit her?" Ning Bi asked, frowning.
"Isn't it the same thing? Either way, I'm seeing her." He glanced at the bowl. "What's that?"
"Medicine for the baby. The physician said to drink it while it's hot." She held it up, then remembered his words. "If you said that to her, then you deserved to be locked out."
"What do you mean?" He rubbed his temples, squinting at her.
"You haven't come to see her in two months. If you say you're here 'to see her', it sounds like you just have business with her." She tilted her head.
He nodded, matter-of-factly. "If it wasn't urgent, I wouldn't have bothered her."
Ning Bi stared at him, incredulous. After a moment, she laughed. "If I were her, I would have stabbed you before pushing you out."
"Hm?" He shot her a warning look. This girl had grown up by his side. She used to see everything from his perspective. When had she switched sides?
"For a man known as the most romantic prince in Jindu, you really don't understand women, do you?" Ning Bi thought it was funny, but also a little sad. He put all his effort into protecting her, but when faced with her, he became clumsy.
Her words piqued his interest. Seeing that the door wasn't opening anytime soon, he gathered his robes and sat on the walkway, patting the space beside him.
"Sit."
She sat. "Think about it, my lord. You haven't visited in two months. And now you show up, and the first thing you say is you have business? How could she be happy?"
"You're wrong. Murong Jin isn't that petty," he said with a laugh. "If she were an ordinary woman, how could she command an army?"
"Oh, my lord. No matter how extraordinary, she is still a woman. She may not be petty, but she's pregnant. She's sensitive. To be ignored for two months… who could accept that calmly?"
He fell silent, tapping his knee thoughtfully.
"Only a woman like the Princess Consort could handle it. Anyone else, and this residence would be in chaos." Ning Bi stood up with the medicine. "It's just the right temperature. I'll take it to her."
"I didn't expect you to be so loyal to her," he said, standing as well.
She paused. "Because she is worth it."
He froze, then a small smile touched his lips. "I see." He held out his hand. "Give it to me."
She handed him the bowl. "It's very bitter. She always frowns when she drinks it. Do you have a way to make it better?"
"Naturally." He walked to the door. Before he spoke, he turned back. "You can go."
She covered a giggle and left.
"Murong Jin." He knocked. "Time for your medicine."
No answer. The candle flickered inside, but there was no sound of movement.
He thought for a moment, then pulled a dagger from his boot. He slid it into the crack of the door, catching the latch.
"A prince of the blood, reduced to a common thief," her cold voice came from inside.
"A thief who steals hearts is a romantic thief," he retorted, working the blade.
Suddenly, the dagger stopped. Something was pressing against the back of the blade. He froze, afraid of hurting her hand.
"State your business, or leave," she said. Her finger was on the spine of the blade. She knew his hand was on the hilt.
"Let me in, and I'll tell you."
"Then forget it." She released the blade. "You're the one in a hurry, not me."
He heard her walk back to the bed and sit down.
He laughed, slid the latch open, and pushed the door wide. He walked in, bowl in hand.
"It's still warm. Drink it."
She shot him a glare and looked away. "Put it down. If you're not going to tell me why you're here, get out."
"Are you really angry?" He set the bowl down and crouched before her, taking her hand. "It's bad for your health. And the baby's. Why are your hands so cold?"
"None of your business." She tried to pull away, but he held tight.
"Little one, your father made your mother angry. What should I do?" he asked her stomach. "Am I a terrible person?"
She fought back a smile, keeping her face blank.
"He's not even born yet. What does he know? You told Ning Bi it was urgent. Speak. If you delay my business, I won't be responsible."
He hesitated, then stood. "How can I apologize?"
"You did nothing wrong. No need to apologize." Her tone softened slightly.
Before she could finish, he scooped her up into his arms. She gasped, but he ignored her and started walking toward the door.
"Xue Liulan, what are you doing?" Panic crept into her voice. She was in her house robes, her hair loose. She couldn't be seen like this.
"Since my wife won't forgive me, I'll carry a thorn bush on my back and beg for forgiveness in front of the whole city." He looked resigned, but he stopped at the threshold.
"You… Xue Liulan, you are the biggest scoundrel in the world." She punched his chest lightly. "Put me back. I won't hold it against you."
He laughed and kicked the door shut, carrying her back to the bed. He hadn't really intended to take her out. It was cold.
"Drink your medicine." He handed her the bowl.
She shook her head. "Tell me first. What is it?"
"I came to see you." He had learned his lesson. He could send someone else for the mission, but angering her was not something he wanted to repeat.
"Xue Liulan, we've been together long enough. I know how you think. You stayed away for two months to protect us. For you to break your own rule and come here now… it must be something you can't solve yourself." She brushed her hair back, her eyes curving into a smile.
"You really do know me." He gave up.
He told her everything—his conversation with Suyi, the news from Xue Feiyan. She listened quietly, a frown forming on her brow.
"You want to use Yi's skills to infiltrate Qishi Town?"
"Yes. If he can steal a command token, we can lure the snakes from their holes." He nodded. "Neither Thousand Day Drunk nor the Fifteen have anyone skilled in deep cover."
"For Yi, hiding in Qishi Town is easy. But, Xue Liulan, the information came from Xue Feiyan. Aren't you afraid it's a trap? If this is true, it's a huge achievement."
"It concerns the safety of the dynasty. I trust our seventh brother wouldn't lie about this." He squeezed her hand. "We are brothers. We know each other. He knows I wouldn't ignore this, and he knows I would understand his intent. That's why he sent the message to me."
She wavered. She still had her doubts, but she had never seen him so certain.
"Even if you don't trust him, Murong Jin, do you trust me?"
His gaze was burning. Her shock faded into a smile of relief.
"Alright. I trust you." Her smile dimmed slightly. "But, Xue Liulan… everyone in the Vermilion Bird Camp is my family. We've learned our lesson from the past."
He knew she meant Liu and Xing. That wound would never fully heal.
He pulled her close and kissed her forehead. "Don't worry. Even if we have to abandon the mission, I promise you, Yi will return safely."