Xiao Wangye sat in his wheelchair. Ye Qingcheng, pushed by someone, fell into his embrace. However, her knees directly hit the footrest, causing her pain and making her grimace.
Now, the entire hot spring bathroom was left with only Ye Qingcheng and Xiao Wangye.
Ye Qingcheng's movements were so ambiguous. Even though she was uninhibited and carefree, she still felt a bit embarrassed. What's more, Xiao Wangye was glaring at her with a dark expression, his gaze seeming as if he wanted to bore a hole through her, terrifyingly so.
Ye Qingcheng gave him a silly grin, her face conveying pure innocence.
As if unwilling to see her, Xiao Wangye closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and almost gritted his teeth, "How long do you intend to hold me?"
Startled, Ye Qingcheng quickly released one hand and bared her teeth at him with a smile.
Xiao Wangye ignored her and turned his wheelchair towards the inner room.
Ye Qingcheng sheepishly scratched the back of her head. Glancing over, she saw Xiao Wangye getting dressed and understood his intention. However, she looked around and saw no servants. How could he manage by himself, a man with paralyzed legs?
Thinking this, Ye Qingcheng quickly got up. As soon as she stood, the pain in her knees surged. Unwarily, she tripped on flat ground and fell directly to the floor.
"Ouch~"
Ye Qingcheng genuinely marveled, thankfully the houses in ancient aristocratic families were all built of wood. If it were concrete, she'd have lost a layer of skin!
Hearing the commotion, Xiao Wangye turned his head and saw Ye Qingcheng's embarrassing predicament. He burst out laughing, "Princess Consort, there's no need for such a grand bow! We are of the same generation."
Ye Qingcheng's veins throbbed. "Your Highness, you should focus on getting dressed. Don't lose your dignity in front of us, your husband and wife." As she spoke, she got up from the ground and sat directly on the couch, eating fruit.
Xiao Wangye finished dressing and pushed his wheelchair out. He looked at Ye Qingcheng, who was sitting casually and boldly. His eyes glinted, and his tone carried a warning, "Heh! Princess Consort, you are truly something. Today, no one besides you has dared to play tricks on this Prince before me."
Ye Qingcheng merely listened, disdaining his warning because she knew Xiao Wangye still needed her to treat his legs!
She peeled a grape, her small cherry-like mouth holding the grape pulp and eating it directly, "Hmph! Your Highness flatters me. If you say so, then I am unique, aren't I!"
Then, she peeled another grape, "Don't worry, there will be many more such incidents in the future. You'll have to get used to it."
Xiao Wangye frowned, furious. He raised his hand, channeling his internal energy, and attacked Ye Qingcheng.
Ye Qingcheng suddenly felt a surge of energy attacking her. Realizing she had angered Xiao Wangye, she was terrified. But she valued her pride and maintained a calm, collected facade.
Indeed, seeing her expression, Xiao Wangye couldn't quite grasp her intention. He flicked his sleeve, shattering the small table Ye Qingcheng was resting her elbows on.
With the table broken, Ye Qingcheng lost her support and fell. However, she still feigned composure, propping herself up. That moment instantly revealed her racing heart, hurried breathing, and the cold sweat trickling down her forehead and cheeks.
Those who cultivated internal energy could hear in all directions and see everywhere. Therefore, Xiao Wangye naturally noticed these subtle movements.
He couldn't help but feel a touch of mockery; she was just a pretentious little rabbit.
Just as he was about to speak, Lin Xiao returned.
He stepped forward and pleaded, "Your Highness."
Xiao Wangye's eyes remained fixed on Ye Qingcheng, making her feel flustered, "Where are they?"
Lin Xiao quickly knelt and apologized, "Your subordinate lost them."
Only then did Xiao Wangye shift his gaze to Lin Xiao. His deep gaze made Ye Qingcheng involuntarily swallow.
He remained silent, but the serious pressure continued to build.
Lin Xiao kowtowed, "It was your subordinate's underestimation. They were carrying illusion powder."
Xiao Wangye understood what illusion powder was. He simply couldn't fathom how a mountain bandit leader possessed such a thing. However, it was clear who had given it to them. Fine, since Ye Qingcheng wanted to save them, he would give her face: "Very well, they won't cause much trouble. Let them go for now."
Lin Xiao kowtowed and then rose to push the wheelchair.
However, Xiao Wangye waved his hand at the doorway, signaling Lin Xiao to stop, "Ye Qingcheng, you should be grateful that you still have utility. If you dare to challenge my patience again, you know the consequences." He didn't turn to look at Ye Qingcheng, but his aura was still overwhelmingly oppressive.
After Xiao Wangye left, Bi Xi ran in, holding up her skirt, "Princess Consort?"
Ye Qingcheng was still in her previous sitting posture. Seeing Bi Xi, she felt like she had seen salvation. "Bi Xi, quickly help me. My legs have gone numb." She was almost in tears.
Bi Xi was taken aback, "Ah?" Then, she reacted and quickly went to help the Princess Consort.
Ye Qingcheng wandered with Bi Xi for a while before finding Lin Xiao outside Xiao Wangye's study. Ye Qingcheng couldn't help but sigh at this dutiful and responsible guard. Such loyalty.
Ye Qingcheng looked around and picked up a pebble from the ground. Just as she was about to throw it at Lin Xiao, Bi Xi stopped her, "Princess Consort, what are you doing?"
Ye Qingcheng weighed the pebble in her hand and explained to Bi Xi, "Lin Xiao has followed Xiao Wangye for many years and is his confidant. He naturally knows Xiao Wangye's affairs. As the saying goes, know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated." Saying this, she prepared to throw the pebble.
Bi Xi stopped her again, "No! Princess Consort, His Highness will be displeased. Moreover, your relationship with His Highness has finally begun to ease; doing this will only create another rift."
Ye Qingcheng wriggled free from her grasp, "From what events do you see our relationship as having improved? But don't worry, he won't do anything to me. I still have utility to him now; he still relies on me to treat his legs!"
Bi Xi was speechless but still held on, "Princess Consort, you yourself said Commander Lin is His Highness's confidant. How could he possibly tell you any information?"
Ye Qingcheng chuckled, "I have my ways to make him speak." With that, she threw the pebble directly.
Bi Xi was startled, her face filled with terror.
The pebble was thrown perfectly, hitting Lin Xiao directly on the head and stunning him. Everything happened so fast. He knew the Princess Consort was nearby, but he never expected her to throw a pebble to ambush him.
Soon, a lump formed on Lin Xiao's head. Even Xiao Wangye, who was reading in the study, heard the commotion and put down his book.
He looked up and saw Lin Xiao covering the spot where he was hit, wincing in pain. However, his duty as a guard prevented him from making a sound, so he could only let out a muffled groan.
Xiao Wangye twitched the corner of his mouth, closed his eyes, and sighed silently, trying to calm himself.
"Lin Xiao," he called out.
Lin Xiao quickly kowtowed.
Xiao Wangye waved his hand, signaling him to go and check on Ye Qingcheng, wondering what that little vixen was up to now.
Lin Xiao understood, bowed, and turned to find the Princess Consort.