After Becoming a Succubus, I Was Offered to My Mortal Enemy - Chapter 27

Chapter 27

After the morning court session adjourned, Sikong Xue did not return to the manor but first paid a visit to the Imperial Academy of Medicine.

Even though she knew Yuchi Jin’s people were still watching, she no longer avoided them. She had to have Yin Chiyun prepare the medicine to suppress the heat as quickly as possible; she couldn’t let Ayuan be tortured by the heat anymore, nor could she do those kinds of things again to provoke Ayuan’s anger.

In order to prepare the medicine Sikong Xue wanted as soon as possible, Yin Chiyun had sent people to purchase medicinal herbs early in the morning. When Sikong Xue entered the Imperial Academy and saw Yin Chiyun sitting there listlessly, her brows furrowed instantly.

“Didn’t I tell you to prepare the medicine as quickly as possible? Why are you sitting here throwing stones?”

The smell of medicine in the Imperial Academy made Sikong Xue feel somewhat uncomfortable. When the Ning manor met its downfall, Sikong Xue was plagued by a heart illness and had to sustain her life with all kinds of medicinal herbs. Now, smelling the scent of medicine again, Sikong Xue couldn’t help but recall the suffering of that time. Fortunately, Ayuan had returned to her side, allowing her to stop dwelling on those matters.

Yin Chiyun poured a cup of ginseng tea for Sikong Xue and said, “My Lord Prime Minister, if not for the last time I privately diverted medicinal herbs from the Imperial Academy, why would I have been detained in the Eldest Princess’s manor for two months? Now, the herbs needed have been snatched away by Yuchi Jin; I can only send people to buy them from elsewhere.”

Sikong Xue said, “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

If she had known earlier that Yuchi Jin had snatched the medicine Ayuan needed, Sikong Xue would have fought to take it back no matter what. Hearing her complain like this, Yin Chiyun felt very innocent.

“Previously, neither you nor I knew that was Ning Yuan, and you didn’t pay much attention to her, so how could I have thought so much? Anyway, since the raw rice is already cooked into a meal (it’s a done deal), why not just…”

“No!” Sikong Xue refused without even thinking. “Such conduct is taking advantage of someone’s plight; I cannot disregard Ayuan’s feelings.”

Yin Chiyun smiled and said, “If she is willing to be with you, perhaps it wouldn’t be taking advantage.”

Yin Chiyun could see that Ning Yuan’s feelings for Sikong Xue were different from her feelings for anyone else. Years ago, if Yuchi Jin hadn’t frequently used tricks, perhaps Ning Yuan and Sikong Xue would have married long ago. If the Ning family and the Sikong family had become joined by marriage, the Eldest Princess wouldn’t have been able to easily touch the Ning family. It was only a pity that before the incident, Sikong Xue always managed to make the eldest Miss angry.

Yin Chiyun said, “A-Xue, now that Ning Yuan is by your side, who’s to say this isn’t a chance given to you by Heaven to start over?”

Sikong Xue lowered her gaze. Would Ayuan be willing to be with her? Sikong Xue thought about how Ayuan, for the sake of the Ning family, did not hesitate to use her body as a transaction with her. Even if Ayuan were to nod, she would surely feel aggrieved in her heart.

Thinking of Ayuan’s helplessness when she undressed before her last night, Sikong Xue said dejectedly, “How could she be willing? Perhaps she would submit to me for the sake of the Ning family, but that is not what I want.”

She had already corrected the bad habit from her childhood of easily making Ayuan angry; perhaps one day Ayuan would slowly grow to like her. Perhaps she could never replace the bright moon in Ayuan’s heart, but it would be good as long as she could accompany Ayuan.

Whenever Sikong Xue mentioned Ning Yuan, she became somewhat lost in spirit. Yin Chiyun couldn’t bear to see her like this. Thinking of their past, Yin Chiyun said, “You are always worried that Ning Yuan hates you, but I feel she cares about you very much.”

“How could that be?” Sikong Xue smiled self-mockingly. In the past, Ayuan always said she hated her; now that such things had happened, Ayuan would only hate her more.

Yin Chiyun said, “Do you remember the year we were ten and went to the mountains to pick fruit? At that time, Ning Yuan insisted on following us; she was nearly bitten by a snake, and it was you who blocked it for her.”

At the mention of old matters, Sikong Xue grew even more despondent. She naturally remembered; she had blocked that strike for Ayuan, but afterward, Ayuan didn’t even come to the manor to see her. She hoped Ayuan would be safe, but while she was recovering from the injury, she wanted to see Ayuan every day.

Even if Ayuan just came to her room to mock her a few times, it would have been good. Sometimes when she was punished by the teacher or her mother, Ayuan would make faces at her once she found out. She would say with her mouth that if she caught Ayuan, she would definitely spank her hard. But as soon as she saw Ayuan, her mood would improve greatly. How could she ever bear to hit Ayuan?

It was just that time she was bitten by a snake to protect Ayuan, yet Ayuan seemed not to care at all. At the thought that Ayuan might have been laughing and playing with others while she was recovering, Sikong Xue felt the bitterness in her heart grow.

Seeing Sikong Xue showing that half-dead appearance again, Yin Chiyun said, “You think Ning Yuan didn’t care about you, but do you know what she did for you?”

“What?” Sikong Xue had no memory of it at all.

Yin Chiyun said, “That snake wasn’t too venomous; it just needed herbs applied. At that time, I told Ning Yuan to watch over you while I went to find herbs. As it turned out, not long after I left, Ning Yuan was worried something would happen to you, so she followed the stories in the books and used her mouth to suck out the toxic blood for you. By the time I returned with the medicine, both of you had fainted.”

If Ning Yuan didn’t care about Sikong Xue, how could she have done such a thing?

“What did you say?!” Even though the matter had passed and Ayuan was fine, Sikong Xue couldn’t help but become nervous. How could Ayuan do such a dangerous thing? “And then? Was Ayuan all right?” Ayuan had done all this for her, yet she knew nothing about it.

At the thought of this, Yin Chiyun grew a bit angry. “Afterward, I carried you on my back and held Ning Yuan, using a great deal of effort to get you down the mountain. After all that hard work, my mother chased me and beat me when she found out.”

Yin Chiyun felt she was truly wronged. Clearly it was Sikong Xue who insisted on going to the mountains, and clearly it was Ning Yuan who accidentally disturbed the snake’s nest. And she, she had diligently saved people. Yet those elders didn’t go to blame those two troublemakers but instead came to blame her; it truly made her heart cold.

But thinking about it, it made sense; one fell into a persistent high fever after the poison was cleared, while the other because of the poisoning had her cherry lips swell up like sausages and cried every day, refusing to see anyone. Although the elders of both families were angry at them for being playful, they mostly just felt heartache.

Sikong Xue didn’t care at all about what Yin Chiyun experienced that day; she asked, “I’m not asking if the Court Physician beat you; I’m asking if Ayuan was all right. Since Ayuan was like that because of me, why didn’t you tell me then?”

If she had known earlier that Ayuan was injured for her, even if she couldn’t walk at the time, she would have had people carry her to see Ayuan. Ayuan feared pain most and didn’t like drinking bitter medicine. After being poisoned, she must have needed acupuncture and medicine. Being like that, Ayuan must have cried her eyes out.

Yin Chiyun put on a look of extreme distress and said, “I was beaten because of you two, yet you don’t care at all. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to tell you; the snake venom caused the eldest Miss Ning’s mouth to swell, and she was terrified she could never see people again, crying and making me promise not to say anything. You know her temper; how would I dare to speak out?”

Yin Chiyun could imagine that given Sikong Xue’s temperament at the time, if she had known Ning Yuan was like that for her, even if she cared in her heart, she might have made a few excessive jokes with her mouth. At that point, the two would inevitably bicker. Every time these two fought, they made the academy lose its peace.

Actually, the reason Ning Yuan’s mouth swelled was also Yin Chiyun’s fault. The medicine she found could only be applied externally, not taken internally. But seeing Ning Yuan using her mouth to suck out the snake venom for Sikong Xue, she stuffed the herbs into Ning Yuan’s mouth and had her chew them. Ning Yuan had a weak constitution; with such a disruption, how could her mouth not swell? She had dared to use medicine recklessly despite her lack of skill; presumably, there was also this reason why her mother chased and beat her that day.

Hearing Yin Chiyun say this, Sikong Xue’s heart was both joyful and self-reproachful. She was joyful because Ayuan cared for her, and self-reproachful because she caused Ayuan to suffer. Even more than that, she had actually secretly blamed Ayuan in her heart for not going to see her.

Sikong Xue still felt it was somewhat hard to believe: “So… you are saying, Ayuan cared about me a little bit?”

Yin Chiyun said, “Of course she cared. Do you know, when I returned with the herbs, you were still holding Ning Yuan in your arms. Presumably you still had some consciousness then, but later you developed a fever and actually forgot what she did for you.”

Hearing Yin Chiyun say this, a lingering memory suddenly flashed through Sikong Xue’s mind. It seemed there was such a time little Ayuan held her, crying while saying: Sikong Xue, you are not allowed to die; if you die, I will definitely not forgive you. If anything happens to you, I will definitely go tell the Grand Commandant and have him beat you severely.

Clearly they were words of concern, yet Ayuan spoke them so angrily. So that wasn’t a dream?

Sikong Xue thought of the days she spent with Ayuan in the past and stood up to leave. She wanted to go back to see Ayuan, to take Ayuan out, and buy her many things she liked.

“Hey!” Yin Chiyun wanted to ask Sikong Xue to borrow a few people, but she didn’t expect her to leave so quickly. Well, she would have to find ways to search for the herbs herself.

Sikong Xue returned to the manor. Songyan’s movements were indeed fast; the swing was almost finished. Fearing Ayuan might fall, Sikong Xue personally went up to test it.

“Sturdy enough. Remember to lay down a soft cushion; don’t let it be hard against her.”

Thus, when Ayuan wanted to go to the back garden for some air, she saw Sikong Xue sitting on the swing while still wearing her court robes. Seeing this, Ning Yuan whispered, “Childish.”

How old was she? She hadn’t even changed out of her court robes before wanting to play on the swing; if the ministers in court saw her, wouldn’t they laugh at her? Ning Yuan still remembered that when they were young, Sikong Xue always snatched the swing from her. Every time, she had to wait until her tears were welling up before Sikong Xue was willing to give it to her.

Or, Sikong Xue would hold her while swinging, and she would take the opportunity to press down hard on Sikong Xue, hoping Sikong Xue would beg for mercy. Sikong Xue would also pretend to plead for mercy, but her arms always remained circled around Ayuan’s waist, refusing to let go.

Sikong Xue heard footsteps and turned her head. Seeing Ayuan, the corners of her mouth couldn’t help but curl upward again. Ayuan today was also so beautiful; her angry appearance made one want to reach out and rub her face.

Meeting Sikong Xue’s gaze, Ning Yuan pouted, clearly not having let go of her anger. Sikong Xue stood up and walked before Ning Yuan, her eyes filled with a smile: “I had someone set up a swing for you; do you like it?”

Ning Yuan was stunned and said, “For me?” She had thought Sikong Xue made it for her own play. Why would Sikong Xue do this for her? Given Sikong Xue’s previous attitude, shouldn’t she have had her hide in her room to avoid being seen by outsiders and causing misunderstandings? After all, Sikong Xue had personally said she had a beloved whom she couldn’t have. It wasn’t certain that the person wouldn’t be mutually in love with her in the future; having her stuck in the middle was truly a bit awkward.

At this thought, Ning Yuan became even more firm in her ideas. She had to pack some gold and silver valuables, find a way to go to Lingnan to find her family, and not stay here to be bullied by Sikong Xue. “The Master is so busy; there is no need to trouble your heart for me.”

Having said that, Ning Yuan intended to go back to hide in the Yilan Pavilion. Sikong Xue caught up to Ning Yuan in a few strides, blocking her path, and said, “I’m not busy today. Shall I take you out for a stroll? Is there anywhere you want to go? I originally thought of teaching you to ride a horse one day, but it’s a bit hot today, so I cannot take you out under the sun.”

Teaching Ayuan to ride a horse would have to wait until the weather turned cooler.

Ning Yuan looked at Sikong Xue with some suspicion. Hadn’t she just refused her last night? Why was she treating her so well again today? “I want to go to Wangjiang Tower; would you be willing to accompany me there too?”

Ning Yuan remembered that the day Sikong Zhi took her to Wangjiang Tower, Sikong Xue gave her a cold face for quite a while after she returned. Presumably a person like Sikong Xue wouldn’t like Wangjiang Tower.

Unexpectedly, Sikong Xue said, “Alright. Once I change out of my court robes, I will go with you.” Her tone was gentle, without the slightest impatience.

Ning Yuan stared blankly at Sikong Xue’s back, always feeling that something was a bit strange.

Songyan, following Sikong Xue’s instructions, laid a soft cushion on the swing. Seeing Ning Yuan still standing there, she hurriedly said, “Lady, come over and try if this height is appropriate.”

Ning Yuan walked forward and asked curiously, “Is there some happy event in the court? Why is her mood so good today?” If she hadn’t encountered a happy event, Sikong Xue would inevitably have a gloomy face. In any case, since she came to Sikong Xue’s manor, every time she saw Sikong Xue, she felt her mood was unpredictable, and she would scold her from time to time. Today, Sikong Xue’s mood looked truly not bad.

Ning Yuan remembered that every summer, there would be floods or waterlogging in the south to some degree; in the past, her mother always worried about these matters. At such a time, what happy event could Sikong Xue have?

Thinking that when Sikong Xue approached, her body seemed to carry the scent of medicine. Ning Yuan remembered that Yin Chiyun was now an Imperial Physician. Could it be because Sikong Xue saw Yin Chiyun that her mood was so good? These two had been huddled together causing trouble every day since they were children. After all these years, hadn’t they grown tired of each other?

Songyan said, “Replying to the lady, this subordinate also does not know about the matters in court. It’s just that the Master ordered this subordinate to handle the swing early this morning; presumably it has nothing to do with court matters.”

“Oh,” Ning Yuan responded, sat on the swing, and swayed twice. Now that Sikong Xue didn’t snatch the swing from her, sitting on it alone didn’t seem as interesting as when she was a child. Thinking about it, when they were young, although Sikong Xue seemingly wanted to snatch everything from her, she never truly took them away. Every time they quarreled for a bit, Sikong Xue would give in to her. It seemed Sikong Xue didn’t want those things at all; Sikong Xue just liked to bully her.

Ning Yuan swung on the swing for a while and saw Sikong Xue walking toward her gracefully in a set of lake-blue clothes. Previously, she saw Sikong Xue in either all black or all white, with her hair simply tied up. Dressing like that was convenient for climbing walls and trees, but it had nothing to do with being a refined lady. Ning Yuan had thought Sikong Xue didn’t like feminine things, but she didn’t expect to see Sikong Xue dressed up today.

Moreover, Sikong Xue dressed like this was actually quite beautiful. It was like a tree that was evergreen all year round suddenly blooming flowers, making it impossible to look away.

Ning Yuan was startled by her own thought. By the time she reacted, Sikong Xue had already walked before her. Sikong Xue didn’t like too many pearls or jades in her hair; the simple hairpins were also extremely beautiful. One hairpin looked familiar, as if it were the one she gave to Sikong Xue for her birthday some year. After so many years, how could Sikong Xue still have it? She must have seen it wrong; these simple hairpins all looked similar at a glance.

Sikong Xue looked at Ning Yuan and said, “I have already had the carriage prepared. You have a weak constitution; it’s better not to walk there as you did last time.” Although Sikong Xue had already had someone make more fitting shoes for Ning Yuan, she still couldn’t bear to let Ning Yuan suffer the fatigue. Last time she asked Sikong Zhi to take Ayuan out, it actually caused Ayuan to sprain her foot. At that time, she hadn’t been able to recognize Ayuan and had even disregarded her. Thinking about it now, she felt both regret and self-reproach.

The servants prepared the carriage and brought a footstool. Sikong Xue extended her hand, intending to help Ning Yuan up.

Ning Yuan suddenly thought of how distant relatives occasionally came to the Ning manor for shelter in the past. Her mother initially just had the butler entertain them. When those distant relatives were finally about to leave, or when her mother thought of a way to send them off, she would personally receive them. It counted as seeing them off, and also to show that the host had not lost their manners.

Was Sikong Xue acting like this also to send her away?

On the carriage, Sikong Xue wanted to sit beside Ning Yuan, but seeing that Ayuan seemed to intentionally distance herself, she could only sit across from her dejectedly. “I was in a hurry to go to the palace today and couldn’t have breakfast with you; was what the kitchen prepared to your liking?”

Although she had already given instructions that the three meals every day must be prepared with care, Sikong Xue was still not entirely at ease without personally seeing Ayuan eat.

Thinking of the table filled with food in the morning—Ning Yuan had suffered after her rebirth and couldn’t bear to waste it. She called Chunhe and Xiaqun to eat with her, yet they still couldn’t finish it all. It was just breakfast; why did she want her to eat so much? Did Sikong Xue want to choke her to death? Or did she know she couldn’t finish it all, so she could punish her afterward for being extravagant and wasteful?

Seeing Ning Yuan’s eyes darting around while remaining silent, Sikong Xue felt perhaps she was a bit impatient. Ayuan had experienced such things; she must be afraid and helpless. she had to slowly let Ayuan rely on her.

Today Ayuan was still wearing the clothes made a few days ago. At that time, Sikong Xue didn’t know that she was the one she longed for, so she hadn’t paid too much attention to these matters. Now that she knew, she was impatient to let Ayuan personally pick the fabrics she liked and make some beautiful clothes. Sikong Xue remembered that Ayuan used to love dressing up most.

The carriage stopped before Wangjiang Tower. After Sikong Xue got off, she turned back to help Ning Yuan. Ning Yuan was still secretly sulking and intentionally didn’t extend her hand, but instead held her skirt and stepped down carefully using the footstool. Sikong Xue withdrew her hand without feeling embarrassed, still looking at Ning Yuan with a smile in her eyes.

Upon entering Wangjiang Tower, Sikong Xue immediately had someone arrange the private room with the best position for appreciating the song and dance. “Last time I heard Azhi say you like white sugar cakes very much?”

Ning Yuan propped up her head and said, “They’re so-so.” It didn’t seem like she liked them that much; it was just that she was used to eating them in the past.

“Then what do you want to eat?” Sikong Xue suddenly recalled that Ayuan’s appetite seemed to have changed quite a bit now. When Ayuan first came to the manor, she had specifically sent many things Ayuan would never have eaten in the past, yet Ayuan still ate them all. She didn’t know if Ayuan blamed her for not being concerned enough at that time.

Seeing Ayuan staring blankly at the person playing the qin, Sikong Xue said again, “Do you like the ancient qin I sent to you?”

At the thought of the qin, Ning Yuan grew angry. “Didn’t you say I play the qin terribly?” That night, Sikong Xue barged into her room and said she played the qin terribly—never mind that, she even snatched her qin away.

Sikong Xue hurriedly said, “It was I who was vulgar and ignorant of music. You play extremely well; it was my fault that day.” If she had known earlier that it was Ayuan, how could she have said such things?

Ning Yuan didn’t believe Sikong Xue’s words at all. “If you think it’s good, then I’ll play it for you every day.” Ning Yuan remembered that when they were young, the Grand Commandant also wanted Sikong Xue to learn the qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but Sikong Xue couldn’t sit still for a moment. The tutors invited were all driven away by Sikong Xue’s anger; in the end, the Grand Commandant could only let it be. If Sikong Xue dared to agree, Ning Yuan would surely play in her room every night, making it so Sikong Xue couldn’t sleep peacefully.

She thought that saying this would surely make Sikong Xue afraid, yet unexpectedly Sikong Xue smiled and said, “Alright. If you are willing, I will stay with you every day. Just don’t play for too long; I’m worried it might tire you out.”

In the past when Ayuan played the qin, Sikong Xue liked to sit aside and listen. Sometimes Ayuan wouldn’t let her enter the courtyard, so she would sit on the wall. Although Sikong Xue wasn’t skilled in music, as long as she could accompany Ayuan, it was good.

Sikong Xue acting like this left Ning Yuan not knowing how to respond. It seemed that after all these years, Sikong Xue had become much craftier than before. Ning Yuan whispered, “Who wants you to stay with them.”

Her angry appearance looked extremely cute in Sikong Xue’s eyes. If not for the concern that Ayuan might be angry, Sikong Xue would have wanted to pull her into her arms. Or just like when they were young, rub Ayuan’s face. Ayuan’s face when she was young was plump; now she had grown much thinner. Although during the days she lived in her manor, Sikong Xue had also provided good food and drink, at the moment Sikong Xue still couldn’t help but feel heartache for Ayuan.

While they were talking, the attendant had presented the exquisite snacks. Several signature dishes would take some time to prepare; fortunately, there were snacks and song and dance. The subordinates intended to pour the freshly brewed tea for Ning Yuan. Although they felt Ning Yuan was a new face, seeing Sikong Xue caring for her so carefully, they also knew to serve this lady with care.

Unexpectedly, her movement was blocked by Sikong Xue. Fearing that an outsider might be clumsy and burn Ayuan, Sikong Xue insisted on pouring the tea for her personally. A look of surprise flashed through the attendant’s eyes. After all, in the eyes of ordinary people, Sikong Xue’s status was extremely noble. Sikong Xue found the others to be in the way and simply dismissed them.

Sikong Xue was suddenly being incredibly considerate, and Ning Yuan only feared that she was thinking of some prank just like when they were children. Ning Yuan said, “What is with you today?”

Sikong Xue said, “I felt deeply guilty for not taking good care of you in the previous days.” Thinking of Ayuan burning her arm to make white sugar cakes faint traces could still be seen on her wrist now. “Does your hand still hurt? I have already had someone prepare medicine for scar removal for you; don’t be troubled by this.”

Ning Yuan said, “When did I ever feel troubled by this?” Did Sikong Xue think she was unsightly and thus spoke this way? “It’s just a minor injury, not a problem. How would I dare trouble the Prime Minister for her concern?”

Saying this with her mouth, she still hoped in her heart that the scar could be removed.

Ayuan gave such a cold face, yet the joy in Sikong Xue’s heart grew more and more. She liked Ayuan like this. she didn’t want to see Ayuan wronging herself to please her as she did last night; she liked seeing Ayuan acting out her petty temper before her.

Ning Yuan ignored Sikong Xue and ate the snacks on her own, while Sikong Xue sat aside and looked at her with a beaming smile.

However, this beauty didn’t last for too long before it was interrupted by a sharp voice.

Yuchi Jin barged into Wangjiang Tower at some point and said, “What, since the Prime Minister is here, the others aren’t to be entertained anymore? The Lord Prime Minister is truly imposing; you actually forgot the friendship of us growing up together.”

Hearing Yuchi Jin’s voice, Ning Yuan’s body couldn’t help but shudder. She was thinking of revenge, but seeing Yuchi Jin again, she still couldn’t help but be afraid.

Sikong Xue saw Ayuan biting her lip with a pale face. she shielded the person in her arms and said, “Don’t be afraid. I am here.”

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