He carefully wrapped her in his cloak, his movements so gentle, as if he were wrapping the most precious treasure.

The cold wind was like a knife, and the snowflakes were like feathers in this silent winter night.

With utmost caution, Jun Jiuxiao held Chu Xingyao tightly in his arms.

His embrace was her only warmth. She looked up and her gaze settled on his profile, which was illuminated by the snow.

Those resolute lines and those deep eyes made her heart tremble.

Before she could get her fill of looking, he leaped lightly, like a night traveler traversing through wind and snow, and silently arrived at her boudoir.

He gently placed her on the bed, his actions revealing boundless tenderness.

He turned to leave, but was pulled back by Chu Xingyao's weak yet firm strength.

He turned around, his eyes full of confusion:

"What's the matter?"

Her voice was as soft as a whisper, yet it carried an urgent longing:

"There's a hidden compartment at the bottom of the jewelry box containing a bottle of pills. Could you please fetch it for me, Your Highness?"

Jun Jiuxiao came to her dressing table and immediately saw the "Jade Rabbit Embracing the Moon Hairpin" lying quietly.

His gaze lingered on the hairpin for a moment, a strange, indescribable flutter rising in his heart.

He carefully took out the small porcelain bottle, as if cradling a fragile heart, and placed it in front of Chu Xingyao.

"Is it this one?"

The candlelight reflected in Chu Xingyao's eyes. She nodded weakly, her voice so soft it was almost drowned out by the wind and snow outside the window:

"If you eat one, it can heal your internal injuries."

A hint of doubt flashed in Jun Jiuxiao's eyes. There were no obvious wounds on his body, only a mouthful of blood just now. Could it be that she had already noticed?

Chu Xingyao seemed to know what he was thinking, so she said weakly, "I could smell the blood on your chest as soon as I saw you, not to mention that you've been holding me for so long."

(She couldn't very well tell him that she was also awakened by the pain when he vomited blood.)

His heart tightened, but he simply replied, "Okay," and obediently ate it.

Her heart was filled with heartache, and memories of her past life flooded back. She had poisoned him countless times, but he always ate it with an indifferent attitude.

She said weakly, "There are about a dozen left here, you can take them."

Don't let yourself get hurt again.

Jun Jiuxiao had a million thoughts in his mind, but all he could say was, "Okay."

He wanted to ask her if all of this was for Jun Xuanche, but his thin lips parted several times without him being able to ask.

Jun Jiuxiao stood up, his figure casting a long shadow in the candlelight.

He walked to the window, where the night wind blew in, carrying the chill of snowflakes.

His voice was calm, but it couldn't hide the turmoil in his heart: "Don't be heartbroken anymore, get some rest."

This simple yet profound sentence encapsulates all his care and reluctance to part.

His figure paused briefly by the window, then leaped out with an almost graceful and agile movement.

The Prince of War's Mansion - Study

Jun Jiuxiao sat upright on the pear wood chair, his posture tall and his aura of majesty natural.

He frowned slightly, rubbed his temples, and looked steadily at Night Hawk, asking in a slow voice, "Is the matter settled?"

Night Hawk replied with a solemn expression, "Your Highness, the royal physician said that Miss Chu should not be agitated. Therefore, although Prince Yan deserved to die, we are afraid that it might aggravate Miss Chu's condition..."

Jun Jiuxiao stared at the pill given to him by Chu Xingyao in his hand. After a moment of silence, he said in a deep voice, "That's enough. You may leave now."

-------

Meanwhile, Chu Xingyao watched Jun Jiuxiao leave.

She managed to concentrate and sent a message to the cola in her mind space:

"Cola, keep working on Youming's temper and character. Youming is still useful; you mustn't let him die."

Although her voice was weak, every word conveyed a firm and unquestionable command.

"Cola understands."

The sound of cola came from the thought space, clear and strong, bringing Chu Xingyao a sense of comfort.

Chu Xingyao wanted to say something more, but her consciousness had begun to blur, and her body and mind had reached their limits.

She fell into a deep sleep, unaware that once midnight had passed, her internal energy had quietly recovered.

The next morning, Pearl gently knocked on the door and then came in carrying toiletries.

She asked softly, "Is Miss awake? Today is your coming-of-age ceremony, you can't be late."

Chu Xingyao lay in bed, not wanting to get up. She had gone to bed very late last night, and now all she wanted to do was catch up on her sleep.

But Pearl had no intention of letting her go. She gently shook Chu Xingyao and said softly but firmly:

"Miss, today is an important day, we can't be late."

Chu Xingyao opened her eyes helplessly, knowing she couldn't escape.

Pearl helped her get up, and then began the tedious process of washing up and putting on makeup.

When everything was ready, Pearl took a step back, looking at Chu Xingyao with admiration in her eyes:

"Miss is so beautiful, like she stepped out of a painting."

Chu Xingyao smiled slightly at her reflection in the mirror, her eyes sparkling with confidence.

"Your Miss is originally a celestial maiden descended to earth, so naturally I am beautiful."

There was a hint of amusement in her voice.

Just as she was about to walk forward, she suddenly shouted into the void, "Big White!"

Immediately afterwards, a woman with a heroic and neat appearance knelt on the ground.

"Your subordinate greets Miss."

Chu Xingyao looked at the girl who was the same age as her, only a few months older. In her previous life, she was shot and killed by Jun Xuanche to protect her. It was then that she learned that Jun Jiuxiao had always asked her to protect her.

In this life, she will definitely find a good family for Da Bai so that they can live a happy and peaceful life.

Chu Xingyao said, "Get up. From now on, you will be my personal maid along with Pearl in the open."

"Yes," Da Bai said, and then got up.

"Who is she, Miss?" Pearl asked curiously.

"She will be your best friend from now on, and you two will both be my best friends from now on."

"This servant wouldn't dare, this subordinate wouldn't dare."

"Sigh! Is it alright if we're like sisters?" Chu Xingyao shook her head with a smile.

"But Big White, who gave you that name?"

"I don't know either; I've been called this name since I can remember."

"Okay, Pearl, take her to change her clothes."

"Yes, Miss," Pearl said, pulling her away.

A moment later, a woman with exceptional temperament and delicate features was brought before Chu Xingyao.

Chu Xingyao exclaimed repeatedly, "What a beauty! I'll definitely find you a good husband in the future. If you have anyone you like, you can tell me, and I'll help you choose."

Chu Xingyao looked at Pearl and said, "By the way, Pearl, do you have someone you like? I'll help you decide."

Pearl paused, then blushed deeply. "Miss, please stop talking. I will never marry."

"Hmph, you won't say that once you see your sweethearts."

"By the way, don't refer to yourself as a servant girl anymore, just call me 'I'."

“Yes, Miss,” the two replied immediately.

"Let's go have breakfast." Chu Xingyao led the two beauties toward the breakfast table with a mischievous smile.

After finishing her breakfast, she drank a small bottle of spiritual spring water.

She immediately felt refreshed and sensed that her internal energy had returned, which made her overjoyed.

In the Eastern Jing Kingdom, Chu Xingyao's name had long been a legend.

There are three reasons

First: Because she was a good-for-nothing, possessing only beauty, and infatuated with the Prince of Yan.

Second: because her uncle was the richest man in Kyoto. And also because her father was Kyoto's number one doting father.

Third: because of her husband's three...

Today, her name is mentioned by countless people again, because today is her coming-of-age ceremony, an important moment marking a girl's coming of age.

As the legitimate daughter of the Zhennan General's Mansion, Chu Xingyao's coming-of-age ceremony was naturally extraordinary, becoming the focus of the entire capital.

As the first rays of dawn appeared, the gates of the General's Mansion slowly opened, revealing the entire mansion decorated like a dreamlike palace.

Inside and outside the mansion, colorful lanterns and silks were hung, and every step was taken on a soft carpet. The air was filled with the fragrance of flowers and precious spices.

Guests flocked in from all directions, their carriages and sedan chairs nearly blocking the streets, all eager to witness this legendary feast.

When the guests entered the banquet hall, they were amazed by the sight before them.

Ruifuzhai's pastries, which are usually exorbitantly expensive, were piled up on the table like ordinary snacks today. All kinds of pastries exuded an enticing aroma, making people's mouths water.

These pastries not only taste amazing, but they are also beautifully presented; each one is like a meticulously crafted work of art.

And those desktop backgrounds all came from Kyoto's largest restaurant—Kin Ding Lou.

Jin Ding Lou is renowned for its exquisite cuisine and luxurious ambiance, but today it has moved its most prestigious dining table to the General's Mansion, allowing every guest to enjoy royal treatment.

The most amazing thing was the wine, the fifty-year-old Zhuyeqing, which is famous for its rarity and high price, and is known as "a cup of wine worth an ounce of gold".

This wine was usually reserved for royalty and nobility, and ordinary people rarely even had the chance to catch a glimpse of it.

Today, however, the General's Mansion serves it as a beverage at banquets, allowing every guest to taste this legendary wine.

Every detail of this coming-of-age ceremony revealed the wealth of the General's Mansion and his doting affection for Chu Xingyao.

Tap the screen to use advanced tools Tip: You can use left and right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.

You'll Also Like