"You… you should go back." Murong Jin gritted her teeth, turning away to grip the doorframe.
"What? Your husband is bleeding, and you won't even let him inside to rest?" Xue Liulan clutched his chest, forcing a smile.
She stiffened, turning slowly. Her gaze traveled from his wound to his face. He was pale, his smile lazy but weak.
"Come in," she said finally. She couldn't send him away like this.
He lowered his head, checking the wound. She had pulled her strike at the last second, so it wasn't deep. But his exertion had torn the scab open.
She walked slowly, pausing every step. He followed silently. He reached out to help her, then stopped himself.
Finally, after she nearly stumbled for the third time, he scooped her up into his arms and kicked the bedroom door open.
"Hey! Your wound!" She touched his chest, then pulled back as if burned.
"I won't die." He set her on the couch and closed the door.
The noise of the palace faded. He stood there, staring at her.
She looked at the table leg, avoiding his eyes. The silence was suffocating.
"Murong Jin, what kind of temper is this?" He sighed, walking over. She was stubborn. Did she think he couldn't handle her coldness?
"Nothing," she said stiffly. "If there is nothing else, please leave, Your Majesty. I need to sleep."
He raised an eyebrow, then sat down beside her, leaning back against the pillows and closing his eyes.
She glared at him and tried to stand. But her legs failed her.
"Careful." He caught her before she hit the floor, pulling her back into his arms.
"Let me go!" She struggled, losing control.
"Alright, alright. It's okay." He soothed her, holding her tight. "If you keep struggling, my wound will get worse."
She froze. She let him hold her, breathing in the scent of blood and him.
"That's better." He relaxed. At least his life still meant something to her.
"I'll get the medicine," she mumbled.
"No rush." He smiled. "You've been gone so long. Didn't you miss me?"
"If the Emperor dies in my room, it will be troublesome."
He suppressed a laugh. "Why are you angry? Because of Qi'er? Or me?"
"Neither."
"Murong Jin, this isn't like you." He stood, pulling her to sit on the edge of the bed. "If you're going to act like a petty woman, at least tell me why."
"I'm not!" She stood up too. "Xue Liulan, who do you think you are? Hmph. The Emperor, with three thousand beauties in his harem. Do you think I care if your love fades?"
"Then who do you care about?" His eyes darkened.
"I…" She was speechless. She had never thought she would care about anyone like this. But she did. Only him.
He took her hands and placed them on his chest. "No matter how angry you are, hasn't this sword thrust been enough?"
Her face changed. She threw off his hands. "If Your Majesty is fine, please leave. My medical skills are nothing compared to the imperial physicians."
"So you tried to kill me, and that's it?" He crossed his arms. He had thought she was angry about Qi'er. It seemed it was more than that.
Her hand clenched at her side. "What does Your Majesty want?"
"Anything I want?" A sly look entered his eyes.
"Since I was in the wrong, I am at your disposal." She answered without thinking.
They both froze. Time seemed to fold back on itself.
"I remember you said that once, soon after we were married," he said, smiling. "Do you remember my answer?"
She pursed her lips.
I want you. Here. Now.
Since that day, she had given herself to him completely, like a gambler pushing all her chips to the center of the table. She still didn't know if she had won or lost everything.
"My answer remains the same." He exhaled, his voice soft as water. "Murong Jin, I have only ever wanted you. The real you."
She turned away. "Impossible."
"Because I took Qi'er to Guo Lingyu's palace?" he asked, stepping closer.
"I wasn't in Jindu. Fourth Brother couldn't protect him properly. The best way to keep him safe was to keep him by your side." She answered calmly.
He nodded. That issue was resolved.
"Then is it because I didn't come to meet you? Because I went to her instead?"
Her brow twitched. It felt like a string connected to his heart. Every twitch was a tug of pain.
"I made a deal with Guo Shangzhong." He rubbed his chest. "I would favor Guo Lingyu exclusively, and he would protect Qi'er from all threats."
Her lashes lowered. "I'm sorry. Qi'er became a burden to you. I will take care of him. I won't trouble you anymore."
Every word terrified him. This wasn't the Murong Jin he knew.
"Murong Jin, what do you mean? Are you trying to cut ties with me?" He grabbed her arm, gripping it too hard.
She frowned, ignoring the pain, and looked him in the eye.
"Isn't this better?" She gave a cold laugh. "But I'll have to stay in this palace for a while. Qi'er is a prince; he can't leave. Even if someone else wants to live in Zhaoyang Palace."
He gritted his teeth, a vein pulsing in his forehead. This cold indifference hurt more than her anger.
"If you are angry, why can't you just say it?" He dropped his hand.
"Say it? Xue Liulan, from the moment you chose to stand in front of her, there was nothing left to say."
"You've been angry about that?" He was relieved. He could explain this.
"I'm not angry. Xue Liulan, you aren't worth it." She stepped back, looking at his wound. "I'll call the physician. I don't want Qi'er to be an orphan."
"Won't you listen to my explanation?" He stepped forward.
"There is nothing to explain. Since we met, you've been explaining everything to me, and I've chosen to believe you, true or false. But sorry. Now, I want to trust my own judgment."
"Even if it's wrong."
"I can bear the consequences."
He wanted to strangle her. Sometimes her rationality was terrifying. Sometimes her stubbornness was infuriating.
He decided to avoid her anger for now.
"Let's not talk about this. We are both injured. I'll call the physician."
She nodded and limped to the door. "Tell Little Dingzi to take the Emperor back to his palace and summon the physician there. And tell the Fourth Prince to send the little prince to Zhaoyang Palace."
He heard every word.
"You are determined not to see me today, aren't you?"
"Or ever again."
"Murong Jin!" He was helpless. Before, she would listen. Why did she refuse to hear him now?
She turned her back to him to hide her tears.
"Your legs are inconvenient. I made this whistle for you. If you want to see me, blow it, and I will hear." He placed a small bamboo whistle on the bed. Then he walked out without looking back.
Behind him, she covered her mouth to stifle her sobs.
Xue Liulan. Only like this can you favor Guo Lingyu without distraction.