After resting for more than half a day, Xue Zi Ning got out of bed. She had been here for three days. She only knew that this was a village. Han Xi Chen was staying here under the guise of visiting relatives, lodging with an old man and his grandson.
"Sister, you're awake?" The young boy ran in from outside and called out to her affectionately upon seeing her.
Xue Zi Ning beckoned. The young boy stepped forward and asked, "Sister, is something wrong?"
"Where is he?"
The young boy paused, seemingly not understanding the meaning of "he" she referred to.
Xue Zi Ning rephrased, "The person who came with me."
The young boy quickly understood and said, "You mean Brother Chen? He's in the fields helping grandfather pick vegetables."
Xue Zi Ning was slightly taken aback. Han Xi Chen working in the fields? This was something she never would have expected.
"Can you take me to the fields?" she asked the young boy.
The young boy nodded, "Of course."
Xue Zi Ning followed the young boy out. During their conversation, she learned that the boy's name was Qi Xiu. His parents had been killed by wild beasts while hunting in the mountains, leaving him and his grandfather to depend on each other.
As they talked, Xue Zi Ning and Qi Xiu arrived at the fields. She immediately spotted Han Xi Chen working there.
To be honest, she was a little surprised. How could a pampered prince put aside his status to work in the fields?
"Brother Chen..." Qi Xiu shouted towards his grandfather and Han Xi Chen, waving his arms.
Han Xi Chen, dressed in coarse linen and holding a hoe, looked towards her.
Xue Zi Ning had no choice but to walk forward. Han Xi Chen smiled and said, "You look much better today."
"What are you doing?" she changed the subject, not wanting Han Xi Chen to bring up her child.
"Brother Chen, are you digging for sweet potatoes?" Qi Xiu asked in surprise.
Han Xi Chen nodded, "Grandfather said he'd make sweet potato porridge tonight."
"I want to help dig too." Qi Xiu ran to his grandfather to help dig for sweet potatoes. At this moment, only she and Han Xi Chen were left.
"I never expected Your Highness would also work in the fields?"
Han Xi Chen chuckled at her words, "Actually, you don't know that I have much more to offer. Are you interested in uncovering more?"
Xue Zi Ning looked at him, then averted her gaze. "I've been a bit tired lately. I've only written down some of the Miao Jiang secret techniques, but don't worry, I'll finish them soon."
"No rush, we have plenty of time," Han Xi Chen said slowly as he looked at her.
Xue Zi Ning's heart fluttered. "I'll finish them as soon as possible, it won't take long."
Han Xi Chen smiled faintly. "It's fine. Your baby will take ten months to be born, which is enough time for you to think and write."
Xue Zi Ning said nothing more, fearing that saying the wrong thing might displease him.
"The leisurely life in the fields is truly wonderful, and that child Qi Xiu is also quite good."
Xue Zi Ning blinked and looked up to see Qi Xiu wielding a hoe, digging for sweet potatoes, seemingly showing off his findings to his grandfather.
"If you have something against me, Han Xi Chen, then come at me. Don't harm innocent people."
Han Xi Chen smiled. "What are you thinking? How could I possibly attack unarmed people like them?"
As he spoke, he leaned closer. Xue Zi Ning suppressed the urge to feel nauseous and vomit, and said slowly, "I don't know exactly what you're thinking, but I know you want the Miao Jiang secret techniques to resurrect someone."
Han Xi Chen's low voice turned chilling. "Your Majesty, surely you know that sometimes knowing too much can be a bad thing."
"Han Xi Chen..." Xue Zi Ning gritted her teeth and said each word with venom.
"Your Majesty, please don't be angry. We have a lot of time, let's take it slow..."
As he spoke, Han Xi Chen reached out to take her hand.
Xue Zi Ning flung his hand away and sneered, "Don't touch me, you're filthy."
With that, she turned and left.
Han Xi Chen watched Xue Zi Ning's retreating figure, his gaze turning cold and sinister.
"Brother Chen, what's wrong?" Qi Xiu walked over carrying sweet potatoes.
Han Xi Chen smiled. "Brother Chen seems to have angered Sister Ning."
Qi Xiu said, "Brother Chen, then go and appease Sister Ning quickly."
"I don't know how to appease her."
Qi Xiu pondered for a moment. "Or, I can help you persuade Sister Ning?"
Han Xi Chen looked at Qi Xiu thoughtfully, then asked, "If there was a way to make your Sister Ning happy, would you do it?"
"Of course, I would," Qi Xiu nodded.
Han Xi Chen stepped forward. For some reason, Qi Xiu felt a chilling aura from Brother Chen, making him tremble from the bottom of his heart.
At this moment, Qi Xiu felt that Brother Chen was different from before, and now Brother Chen only made him feel fear.
He couldn't help but take a step back.
"What? Are you scared?" Han Xi Chen asked with a smile.
Qi Xiu, his hair standing on end, stammered, "I... I'm not scared!"
"Is that so?"
"Qi Xiu..."
Qi Xiu quickly turned his head towards his grandfather. "I'm here!"
"Go on, your grandfather is calling you..."
"Okay." Qi Xiu ran towards his grandfather without any hesitation.
Seeing him, his grandfather couldn't help but chide him, "Why are you running and sweating so much?"
"Grandfather, who exactly is Brother Chen?" Qi Xiu suddenly asked.
"Why are you asking this all of a sudden, Qi Xiu?"
"I feel like Brother Chen is acting strangely, but I can't quite pinpoint what's wrong." Qi Xiu scratched his head.
"Qi Xiu, if you feel someone is dangerous, stay away from them. Remember, at a critical moment, that Miss Ning might be able to save your life."
Qi Xiu looked up at his grandfather, a look of confusion on his face. "Grandfather, why do you say Sister Ning can save my life?"
"Qi Xiu, do you believe your grandfather?"
Qi Xiu nodded. "Of course, Qi Xiu believes Grandfather."
"Then listen to your grandfather, and from now on, stay by Miss Ning's side at all times."
Qi Xiu was taken aback. "Grandfather, why do you say that?"
"Listen to your grandfather, now go!"
Qi Xiu was confused but still obeyed his grandfather and returned home. Ning Jie Jie was already sitting there.
Seeing him, she was startled. "Qi Xiu, you're back."
"Sister Ning." Qi Xiu also sat down.
After half an hour, Xue Zi Ning noticed that Qi Xiu was acting strangely. It seemed that wherever she went, Qi Xiu would follow. Normally, it wouldn't matter, but when she went to the latrine, it became a bit awkward.
So, she pulled Qi Xiu into the room and asked him seriously, "Qi Xiu, why are you following me?"
"I... I wasn't following you, Sister Ning."
"Wherever I go, you go too?" Xue Zi Ning asked.
Qi Xiu bit his lower lip and said, "I... I happened to want to go there too."
"Even to the latrine?" Xue Zi Ning couldn't help but twitch her lips.
Qi Xiu's face turned red. "I..."
"Qi Xiu, you're too young to lie. Tell sister what's really going on?" Xue Zi Ning asked softly.
Qi Xiu fell silent, lowering his head without speaking. She waited patiently.
After a long moment, Qi Xiu suddenly spoke, "Sister Ning, I feel like Brother Chen is acting strangely."
Xue Zi Ning was startled, her gaze deepening. "Qi Xiu, have you discovered something?"
Qi Xiu boldly said, "Actually, I don't know why, but Brother Chen sometimes gives me a feeling of fear. I want to stay far away from him."
Xue Zi Ning knew that Han Xi Chen must have done something to make Qi Xiu so concerned and frightened.
"Qi Xiu, don't be afraid, sister will protect you." Xue Zi Ning took Qi Xiu's hand and gently comforted him.