Shen Qingli entered the room and was delighted by the beauty before her.
Xue Yinzhou woke up and sat by the bed, wearing a loose black and silver robe. Tall and straight, his silver-white long hair cascaded like a waterfall behind him, and his cold, handsome face was perfectly sculpted, with silver-purple phoenix eyes that were cold and captivating.
He didnât need to do anything to resemble an ink painting, the most stunning scenery that made people reluctant to look away.
Shen Qingli restrained her fluttering emotions and personally brought the soup medicine over, her voice tender enough to drip water, "Youâre awake."
"I was worried about you all day, but seeing your recovery put my mind at ease."
Upon hearing her, Xue Yinzhou looked up, his cold gaze falling on Shen Qingli, his voice even, "Did you save me?"
"Yes, we happened to be going to the Acid Fog Swamp to look for Moonlight Flower and didnât expect to encounter you badly injured and unconscious. I couldnât just watch you die, so I brought you back." Shen Qingli looked at him tenderly, her charming and innocent peach blossom eyes expressing deep affectionâa tenderness few males could resist.
Shen Qingli was inwardly pleased; this Snake Beast had been abused by that ugly monster for years, never felt love or kindness, surely this was his first experience of receiving medicine while injured.
When people are at their weakest, their defenses are most fragile, making it the best time to attack the heart.
She didnât believe this Snake Beast wouldnât be moved by her.
Xue Yinzhou remained silent, aware that Moonlight Grass was a key raw material for making highly effective inhibitors, extremely rare and precious, hard to buy even in auction houses, living only in the Poison Barrier Zone, making it exceedingly difficult to harvest.
In this regard, she hadnât lied.
Shen Qingli might not have seen Xue Yinzhou, but Xue Yinzhou had seen Shen Qingli from the shadows.
He knew the female before him was now the True Princess of the Night Glow Empire.
"Marrying my sister must have been a grievance for you."
Shen Qingli sat by the bed, speaking softly, "I donât know what conflict arose between you, but as the Female Master, she actually let you go to such a dangerous place alone, nearly causing your death! Thatâs truly uncalled for!"
"I know Shen Tang was unruly since childhood, but never imagined sheâd do such a thing; itâs truly distressing."
Shen Qingliâs voice was pitiable, heartache and regret, "If I were your Female Master, Iâd never let you suffer such grievance!"
While speaking softly, she reached out, attempting to touch Xue Yinzhou.
Xue Yinzhouâs gaze darkened, getting up and walking to the window, distancing himself from her.
Shen Qingliâs expression stiffened momentarily, but then resumed a gentle smile. She knew this Snake Beastâs guard was strong, no hurry.
Shen Qingli thought this speech would move Xue Yinzhouâs heart, unaware she got some parts wrong.
It wasnât Shen Tang forcing Xue Yinzhou to the Acid Fog Swamp to torment him; Xue Yinzhou went by himself.
The original master might have indulged in such vile acts, but Shen Tang lacked such vicious tastes.
Upon hearing Shen Qingliâs words, Xue Yinzhou inwardly scoffed; he wasnât a fool who couldnât discern the True Princessâs underlying intentions?
"You clearly knew Iâm her Beast Husband, yet saved me?" He turned away from her, his voice calm.
More than anyone, Xue Yinzhou knew both Shen Qingli and Shen Tang, the Fake and True Princess, never got along, wishing to kill each other.
He was Shen Tangâs most powerful Beast Husband.
Shen Qingli didnât kill him on the spot and instead saved him?
Shen Qingliâs expression froze briefly, then she smiled, "Meeting is destiny, I couldnât watch you die without helping. Besides, you are you, she is she, you shouldnât be implicated by her."
Xue Yinzhouâs lips held amusement; thereâs no unwarranted kindness, all approaches and goodwill typically bear ulterior motives.
Heâd fallen for it once.
He wouldnât fall for it a second time.
He detested such hypocritical pretense.
Xue Yinzhouâs expression remained unchanged, he merely thanked her, pulled out a generous Crystal Core from his space, tossing it on the table before turning to leave.
Shen Qingliâs face showed panic, hurriedly stopping him, forcing a smile, "Your injuries arenât fully healed, why not stay a few more days? Iâve already called the best doctors in the city here, youâll receive the best care in the palace."
"Perhaps... you might witness a dramatic scene!"
Upon hearing this, Xue Yinzhouâs steps paused, his eyebrows raised slightly, "What dramatic scene?"
Shen Qingli noticed his interest, relaxed inwardly, her lips curled into a proud smile, "Iâll keep it secret for now, but youâll surely like it."
She knew Xue Yinzhou loathed Shen Tang, and a month later at the sealing ceremony, she wanted him to witness that ugly monsterâs disgrace, becoming the empireâs laughingstock, an immensely gratifying event.
She avenged him, cleansing past humiliation.
Xue Yinzhou surely would be endlessly grateful to her, fall in love, and willingly become her companion.
Thinking thus, Shen Qingli felt smug and moved two steps forward, wanting to get close to Xue Yinzhou, but unexpectedly, he retreated multiple steps, the surrounding coldness growing stronger, clearly unwilling to have any physical contact with her.
Shen Qingliâs smile felt unsteady, inwardly displeased, but she knew this Snake Beast was inherently cautious, wouldnât be easy to conquer.
Too easy to capture was rather dull.
She enjoyed conquering such indifferent men.
She believed she was his destined companion!
Shen Qingli was convinced she would eventually breach the ice wall of his heart, making him willingly submit at her feet, to serve her!
Thinking this, Shen Qingli grew increasingly gentle and considerate, "There are many vacant rooms in the mansion, pick your favorite to stay in, if you find anything uncomfortable living in the palace, you can tell me."
"Moreover, you can come find me anytime you want."
She looked at him affectionately, with a blush blooming on her cheek just right.
If a male beast saw such a beautiful and noble female showing interest, theyâd be elated; Xue Yinzhouâs eyes flashed, but his expression remained unchanged, unsure of what he was thinking.
He simply hummed softly, agreeing to stay.
After Shen Qingli had some matters to handle and left, Xue Yinzhou looked out the window, squinting his silver-purple eyes.
Having lived in the Princess Mansion for years, he wasnât unfamiliar, instead too familiar.
This mansion used to belong to that female; a year passed, it was remodeled but the overall layout remained the same; he could still recognize his former room.
He recalled Shen Tangâs words.
A year ago, she was injured and lost her memory in the polluted area, couldnât recall where she hid the chip key.
Given her selfish and timid nature, this important item, if not personally carried, would surely be hidden in a safe and concealed place, not too far from her.
Most likely, still hidden in the Princess Mansion.
Staying here allows him to search for clues to the key.