Chapter 3

I often snuck over to Qin Yiheng’s residence, fantasizing about meeting him.

But I didn’t wait for him to come; instead, news arrived that Lan Nianhua was about to be betrothed.

The First Mistress demanded the whole family go to Lotus Temple to pray for blessings. I was merely there to make up the numbers. After the prayers, the First Mistress took Lan Nianhua to see Master Liaoran, while I planned to get some fresh air in the nearby woods.

But as I approached the trees, I heard a pained groan.

I gathered my courage and stepped into the bushes, only to find Qin Yiheng with an arrow embedded in his shoulder!

His complexion was ashen, his condition dire. I rushed to help him up, but he grabbed me by the throat with one hand. I couldn’t speak, struggling desperately, until he finally recognized me: “It’s you…”

I nodded repeatedly, half-carrying and half-hugging him back to my room.

Luckily, the entire Lan family was at the main hall; no one noticed my room, tucked away in a remote corner.

The arrow wound wasn’t the main issue—it was the poison on the tip. I was about to go find help when Qin Yiheng stopped me: “You cannot… let anyone know I am here.”

Qin Yiheng pulled the arrow out himself, but I only had basic wound powder and styptics on hand. Seeing his face turn increasingly gray, I steeled my heart and tore open the fabric over his shoulder.

Qin Yiheng looked surprised, but I couldn’t care less. Trembling, I leaned in, attempting to suck the poison out.

The room was silent. My mouth was numb and aching, but as I watched the blood change from blackish-red to bright red, I finally let out a breath. Wiping away my sweat, I applied the medicine and bandaged the wound.

Realizing Qin Yiheng hadn’t said a word, I looked up and met his deep, intense gaze. It was the first time he had truly looked at me.

His eyes were so profound, seemingly hiding every emotion. He spoke slowly: “Lan Niantang, you didn’t even know what kind of poison it was, yet you dared to suck it out. Are you not afraid of death?”

I froze, only then feeling a wave of lingering fear.

I wasn’t afraid of dying, but if I died, wouldn’t my younger brother and mother lose their only chance at survival?

Yet, looking at Qin Yiheng, I knew I couldn’t just watch him suffer. I shook my head slowly: “It was an emergency; I didn’t have time to think.”

Qin Yiheng stared at me for a long moment before pulling a bottle from his robes and tossing it to me: “Take this.”

I didn’t hesitate and swallowed it. A cooling sensation washed over me, and the numbness and pain in my lips quickly vanished.

Thinking about how I had not only torn the young prince’s clothes but also… directly…

My cheeks burned, and I said sheepishly: “So, Your Highness, you had an antidote all along…”

Qin Yiheng let out a soft scoff, a hint of amusement in his eyes: “That wasn’t an antidote, just a common herbal pill for cooling and detoxifying. Fortunately, you hadn’t been exposed for long. You…”

He looked me up and down: “You saved my life. I can grant you any request.”

A surge of joy bubbled up in my heart. I had deepened my connection with Qin Yiheng.

I bowed to him: “You are too kind, Your Highness.”

My heart was filled with an uncontrollable sweetness.

Not only because my family’s safety was now guaranteed, but because the love in my heart had finally caught a glimmer of hope that it might one day see the light of day.