The junior sisters had been in the palace for half a day, which was an unprecedented act of grace from the Emperor.
After Fu Quan saw them off, the gloom in Rong Huai's eyes did not dissipate in the slightest.
This was because the disciples from the medical hall had asked Sui Xing when she could leave, and Sui Xing's answer was that she would leave once she cured His Majesty.
Those disciples naturally didn't dare to ask Rong Huai about his condition, and quickly changed the subject, but Rong Huai had heard it.
So, until his poison was cured, Sui Xing wouldn't feel any attachment to the imperial palace and would always look forward to leaving?
…Indeed, he shouldn't have let her see her junior sisters. Her desire to leave must be very urgent, wishing his poison would be cured immediately so she could reunite with her junior sisters?
The man's thin lips curved into a cold, indifferent smile, but there was no warmth in his eyes; they were terrifyingly cold.
He would never let go, even if she hated him.
It was another full moon night.
Before Sui Xing entered the hall, Fu Quan said worriedly, "His Majesty has been in a bad mood these past few days. Sui Xing, please be careful. This old servant will wait outside. Just let me know if Sui Xing needs anything."
Sui Xing nodded.
System: "Since the day the junior sisters visited, the Male Lead's emotions have been unstable. Tonight might be difficult. Host, do you want to—"
Sui Xing: "No need~"
The system admired its Host's courage. The target was too temperamental; one moment he could break rules for her to allow others into the palace, the next he could smile and take her life. Long-term contact with such a person would drive one mad, if not kill them.
Sui Xing entered the bedchamber, carrying her medicine box.
The full moon night should have been the day her poison acted up, but she had given herself a few needles, forcibly delaying it by two days.
This method was too reckless, even insane. Rong Huai had seen her give herself needles that day and asked about it, and Sui Xing had actually smiled and replied that it was for strengthening her body.
In a little over ten days, the poison in Rong Huai's body would be completely purged.
Only two lamps were lit in the hall, and half of the man's face was hidden in the darkness. His tall figure sat silently on the edge of the bed, his bloodshot eyes, concealed by the night, greedily watched her approach.
Sui Xing was about to light more lamps when the man's hoarse voice sounded, "Xing'er."
"…?"
Sui Xing was momentarily stunned.
Rong Huai had never called her that before.
Before she could answer, Rong Huai spoke again, "There are chains here. You can tie me to this bed, and I won't go out and kill anyone."
The man's words were slow, carrying a cruelty that was almost elegant.
Tonight was the last full moon night of the forty-nine days. The medicinal herbs needed for the bath had already been prepared, so Sui Xing didn't need to supervise them.
She could very well leave the palace early and reunite with her sisters.
Would she leave? A storm was subtly gathering in Rong Huai's eyes. If she really chose to leave…
The man's hand on his knee suddenly clenched into a fist, his bones creaking under the strain.
Just then, a soft, white hand landed on the back of his hand. Its delicate texture glowed with a faint white halo in the dim candlelight, like a beautiful, pristine pearl.
His Adam's apple bobbed, and his gaze uncontrollably shifted to the woman's slender, pale neck.
The woman in the green dress bent down before him. Her pupils were a light, amber color, warm and serene. She showed no fear in meeting his gaze, allowing him to scrutinize her freely.
This indulgence made his heart skip a beat, as if, for a moment, he and she were of one mind.
"I wouldn't do that to Your Majesty," she said calmly.
Rong Huai clasped her hand, his fingers forcefully prying open hers, intertwining their fingers.
He couldn't believe that at this point, she still didn't understand his feelings.
When had he ever probed so carefully?
As an emperor, he got everything he desired, but her heart—
She seemed to have paused, her smile growing even gentler: "Is Your Majesty treating my hand as a chain?"
…
Yes.
Her hand was more useful, more effective than the chains on the bed.
As long as she held him, was close to him… even just being by his side, the number of lives he took would be halved.
Rong Huai's answer was to pull her down, his other hand unhesitatingly wrapping around her, trapping her firmly on his lap, in his embrace.
The faint medicinal scent unique to her filled his embrace, and he felt an unprecedented satisfaction—
Yet, within this satisfaction, a dark, greedy desire screamed from the depths of his heart.
Not enough, nowhere near enough. He wanted more.
…Your Majesty, take your medicine first.
The person on his lap gently advised.
"No." He heard his voice hoarse, something on the verge of breaking free, "You are my medicine."
Saying that, the man's prominent nose brushed against her neck, like a drowning man grasping for a lifeline, he took deep, desperate breaths of the air carrying her scent.
Sui Xing's wrists were both held by the man, forcing her to endure his intimacy.
The man's actions grew increasingly forward. The bed was right behind him; he could easily—
"Your Majesty," she called out again.
The man's lowered body suddenly stiffened.
He was breathing heavily, his eyes filled with deep, hidden pain: "You… don't want to?"
Don't want to stay in the cold imperial palace.
Don't want to stay by his side as his chain.
Don't want to… don't want to try to love him.
"Your Majesty must take his medicine first."
She lay on his couch, her dark hair spread out like silk, her collar disheveled, the corners of her eyes slightly red from the recent stimulation, looking as if she had been bullied.
Yet, there was infinite composure in her eyes, as if everything was still under her control.
He wanted to tear apart that composure, to make her eyes see only him.
The woman's soft, slender fingers slowly caressed the side of his face: "If the medicine is interrupted, over a month of treatment will be wasted. Your Majesty, be obedient."
"…You want to leave once you cure me, don't you?" The man's breath hitched at her touch, his words almost bitten out from between his teeth, "Delusional!"
"I'll tell you plainly, you'll never leave my side, not a single step, for the rest of your life!"
The woman, however, was not at all frightened by his words; there was not a hint of alarm on her face.
She propped up her upper body, her arms, smooth as the finest silk, softly wrapping around his neck: "Your Majesty can keep me however he wishes, but now… you must take your medicine."
…
Rong Huai hadn't expected her not only not to flee in fear but to actively embrace him.
Was this also for his treatment? So that she could leave sooner once he was cured…?
He wanted to force himself to think that way, to force himself to say the most disgusting, darkest words from his heart to make her understand what he truly wanted to do to her.
But her body was so warm, so soft, he couldn't muster any thought of rejection.
Not only her hands were chains, but her scent, her every smile, her every word… all were chains that could lead him to eternal damnation.
Rong Huai took several deep breaths of Sui Xing's scent. His eyes were bloodshot, very frightening, yet his nose nudged her neck like a fawning, obedient puppy.
"Good."
He said.
"I will take my medicine now."
This night was destined to be long.
Fu Quan, waiting outside the hall, waited until dawn but still didn't see the beautiful Sui Xing come out. His heart was filled with both urgency and worry.
His Majesty wouldn't lose control and hurt Sui Xing, would he?
