As Xie Jinglan drew closer, Ji Zizhao instinctively reached out for something to support herself. However, Xie Jinglan was holding her right hand, leaving her left hand capable of reaching only so far, landing near Xie Jinglan's chest. Considering the injury to Xie Jinglan's chest...
Ji Zizhao retracted her outstretched hand and let herself fall towards Xie Jinglan.
Because she had been controlling her body's weight, Ji Zizhao didn't crash into Xie Jinglan with full force. Yet, the pain at the corner of her lips indicated she had hit something.
Ji Zizhao slowly opened her eyes and saw Xie Jinglan's handsome face clearly before her.
And her lips...
Right where they were supposed to be, they had just touched the corner of his lips.
When she felt the soft, cool sensation of his lip corner beneath her lips once more...
Ji Zizhao's face instantly turned crimson.
"Ji Zizhao..."
From the bed, Xie Jinglan suddenly murmured her name.
Ji Zizhao, "..."
She desperately wanted to knock him out.
Fortunately, as Ji Zizhao clenched her fists, she realized Xie Jinglan had not woken up.
Perhaps recognizing her by her scent, he had merely called out her name instinctively.
In the quiet room, Ji Zizhao's breathing gradually steadied.
With her hand still held by Xie Jinglan, she couldn't even pull a stool over. Glancing at the footstool beneath her, Ji Zizhao simply sat down on the floor, placing her other hand on Xie Jinglan's wrist.
Xie Jinglan's injuries were too severe, and Ji Zizhao truly dared not be careless in the slightest.
Taohua had said it was people from Xirong who had brutally attacked Xie Jinglan.
But if the people from Xirong had intended to kill Xie Jinglan from the start, there would have been no need for such elaborate planning to lure him out alone.
Infiltrating the manor and acting would have been more straightforward.
Or perhaps, Xie Jinglan had fallen out with Xirong.
After all, Zhong the old general and the Seventh Prince were still well in Tonglin.
If the Yulin Army were to remain stationed in Tonglin any longer, it was truly unknown who would emerge victorious.
Furthermore, Ji Zizhao did not believe that Xie Jinglan's status in Xirong would lead him to betray them.
As the night deepened, Ji Zizhao's highly focused mind began to grow hazy.
At some point, she had fallen asleep, her head resting by the side of the bed.
When Xie Jinglan opened his eyes, the sky outside was already dimly lit.
His consciousness and senses awoke simultaneously.
Upon sensing the warmth in his palm, Xie Jinglan suddenly lowered his gaze, his dark eyes filled with a chilling murderous intent.
Nestled in his long fingers lay a pair of fair, slender hands, with fingers like scallions and palms a light pink, all indicative of their softness.
Following the hand, he looked to the side and saw Ji Zizhao still asleep.
Ji Zizhao was truly in a deep sleep, her face as beautiful as congealed fat, serene and peaceful, her breathing even and light, her lowered eyelashes like fans, trembling almost imperceptibly.
Looking at this face, all that had happened yesterday gradually became clear in Xie Jinglan's mind.
The sharp killing intent in his dark eyes had long since vanished.
He had been careless last night, not expecting Xirong to be so suspicious.
Although he had killed the person who came to test him, leaving Xirong with no evidence, this would undoubtedly heighten Xirong's suspicion.
It seemed it was time to accelerate his plans.
Xie Jinglan slowly supported himself, and a heart-wrenching pain shot through his chest.
Yet, despite the agony, he methodically turned and got off the bed, then squatted beside Ji Zizhao.
Ji Zizhao, still in her sleep, felt her body suddenly become much lighter. Blinking her eyes drowsily, she found herself in Xie Jinglan's arms.
Instinctively, Ji Zizhao struggled.
Xie Jinglan sensed the movement of the person in his arms and gently curved his lips, "You've been held by me before, haven't you?"
Ji Zizhao froze for a moment, thinking that what he said made sense.
Besides, thinking of the injury to Xie Jinglan's chest, she didn't intend to struggle further.
However, she did not expect Xie Jinglan's voice to reach her ears again, "Consider it interest on last night's attempted molestation."
Ji Zizhao was surprised that he had known yesterday. Her face flushed slightly, and she gritted her teeth, "If we're being precise, the Fourth Prince threw himself into my arms first."
Xie Jinglan raised an eyebrow, smiling wantonly and beautifully, "It's not very convenient right now. If my future wife doesn't mind, when we are married, I will wash myself clean and personally deliver myself to my wife's side, how about that?" Su Dan Novels.
Ji Zizhao, "..."
Why did she save him?
She should have beaten him to death!
As if sensing Ji Zizhao's limit of tolerance, Xie Jinglan stopped talking, seeing he had pushed his luck.
However, the smile that lingered on his lips was still as blinding and infuriating as ever.
"You should go out less these days. With the Seventh Prince stable in Tonglin, the other princes will inevitably target you out of anger."
If exposed, it would necessitate taking a stance.
Ji Zizhao would certainly not be foolish enough to corner herself.
It would be better to actively find excuses for him, so she could better control the direction of events from the shadows.
Xie Jinglan was surprised that Ji Zizhao would proactively find excuses for him. Looking at her clear, bright eyes, his heart inexplicably warmed.
It wasn't that he didn't want to tell her the truth, but that he didn't want to involve her in this storm.
The ruthlessness of Xirong was sometimes beyond even his predictions.
"Get some good rest." He gently placed her on the bed. As his long fingers brushed past her face, they lightly caressed her smooth skin before gently pulling the quilt over Ji Zizhao.
Ji Zizhao was truly exhausted. After watching Xie Jinglan leave, she fell into a deep sleep again.
When she opened her eyes again, the sky was already bright.
Assisted by Nanny He, Ji Zizhao got up, washed, and then went to the inner hall.
In the courtyard, Mohen and Taya had returned to normal.
Ji Zizhao wasn't surprised. With Xie Jinglan's capabilities, he would only make Taya and Mohen believe that she had been sleeping.
A steaming hot breakfast was already laid out on the round table.
A table full, almost overflowing.
The curtain was lifted again, and Shuiling entered carrying two baskets of crystal dumplings.
"We're in luck today. The main kitchen said that the remarried Madam went out early this morning with people to personally order dishes. Since everyone will be eating out today, the remaining ingredients were distributed to other courtyards."
Hearing this, Ji Zizhao frowned.
Now that Gu Peilan was trying every means to hoard the household management to support Ji Zongyou outside, why would she be so generous?
And so extravagant as to order dishes from outside to eat...
"Miss, are you afraid that the dishes brought back by the remarried Madam have a hidden agenda?" Jianqiu asked softly.
"The dishes are fine. The hidden agenda lies only in people's hearts."
Ji Zizhao glanced at the dishes on the table again, then stood up and said, "Jianqiu, come with me."