After Becoming a Succubus, I Was Offered to My Mortal Enemy - Chapter 39

Chapter 39

Just as Ning Yuan was about to open the door to let Sikong Xue in, she heard hurried footsteps outside.

The commotion sounded like Sikong Zhi.

What was Azhi doing here at a time like this?

Not wanting an outsider to see her in this state, Ning Yuan leaned her back against the door, suppressing her breathing. She covered her mouth, terrified that some strange sound might escape her throat.

Sikong Zhi had rushed over at this hour out of fear that her elder sister wouldn’t be able to coax her. Having encountered Yuchi Jin during the day and heard her stream of nonsense, Sikong Zhi was terrified that her elder sister and sister-in-law wouldn’t be able to marry, so she hurried to ask Yin Chiyun what should be done.

After all, over these years, only Yin Chiyun understood her elder sister’s “heart illness” best.

When Yin Chiyun heard that Ning Yuan had returned crying, she was also somewhat worried for a moment. Fearing the two were having another stubborn fit, she hurriedly handed the prepared medicine to Sikong Zhi.

“No matter what, give the medicine to them first.”

Yin Chiyun knew that both of their tempers could be incredibly stubborn; if left to sulk, something was bound to go wrong.

Sikong Zhi’s pace was incredibly fast, and in a flash, she brought the medicine before Sikong Xue.

“Elder Sister, I just went to ask Lord Yin for help. Lord Yin didn’t say anything, only told me to give this medicine to you. Elder Sister, have you still not coaxed sister-in-law?”

Sikong Xue: “…”

Sikong Xue only wanted to say that she was just about to succeed, and that the medicine was almost unnecessary. But her own younger sister had delivered the medicine and spoken so loudly that Ayuan had likely heard it.

Sikong Xue’s expression turned somewhat unnatural as she said, “Azhi, you go back first.”

“Elder Sister, are you two truly alright?”

Seeing Sikong Xue like this, Sikong Zhi couldn’t help but feel worried. But since her elder sister wanted her to leave, staying there was of no use.

Hearing Sikong Zhi’s presence vanish, Ning Yuan crouched down with difficulty and said in a low voice, “Sikong Xue, aren’t you going to give me the medicine yet?”

Ning Yuan’s voice carried a slight pant, and Sikong Xue felt her heart heat up upon hearing it. If Azhi hadn’t come, wouldn’t they have been able to…

Seeing the door open a tiny crack, Sikong Xue very reluctantly handed the medicine inside.

Watching the door close again, Sikong Xue summoned Songyan and said with a grim face, “From now on, the Second Miss is not allowed to come to my manor as she pleases!”

After Ning Yuan took the medicine and lay quietly for a moment, the heat was finally suppressed.

Looking at the porcelain bottle by the bed, Ning Yuan didn’t know whether to feel relieved or dejected that Sikong Zhi had delivered the medicine like a timely rain. She should probably be relieved that she didn’t have to do that with Sikong Xue because of the heat. It was lucky that Azhi didn’t walk in on something she shouldn’t have seen.

Thinking back to how she had nearly begged Sikong Xue to help her just now, Ning Yuan was so embarrassed she didn’t want to see anyone. She hid in her room and only dared to emerge when it was time for dinner.

She had Chunhe and Xiaqun bring the meal to her room, and thinking of the Grand Commandant’s offer to let her stay at her manor, Ning Yuan simply said, “Chunhe, could you tell Sikong Xue that I want to go stay at the Grand Commandant’s manor for a few days?”

Upon hearing this, Xiaqun hurriedly said, “Is it that we haven’t served you well? Why go to the Madame’s place?”

Xiaqun could see that if Ning Yuan were allowed to leave now, Sikong Xue would definitely be unhappy. The two were about to be married; what sense did it make to live in two different places?

Ning Yuan said troubledly, “I just… I just like talking to the Grand Commandant.”

In any case, the Madame had already recognized her. If she went there, her Auntie would surely protect her and not let Sikong Xue bully her.

Only…

Ning Yuan shook the porcelain bottle in her hand. She felt the medicine Yin Chiyun sent was much less than last time. What kind of herbs were they, to be so precious and hard to find? She didn’t know how long these pills would last. She didn’t know if Sikong Xue’s promise to find them for her still held true.

The thought that medicine might not be able to suppress it in the future made Ning Yuan’s head ache. What if one day Sikong Xue was unwilling to help her?

Chunhe advised, “The wedding robes will be finished in a few days and will need to be tried on. Moving back and forth would be quite a hassle.”

Xiaqun echoed, “Exactly, exactly. There’s quite a lot to prepare these days. Although most things are ready, some still need the bride’s inspection.”

Under their combined persuasion, Ning Yuan finally settled down and stopped mentioning moving to the Grand Commandant’s.

Chunhe quietly told Sikong Xue about Ning Yuan’s words, and after hearing it, Sikong Xue tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Thinking about how much she had said to Ayuan today, Sikong Xue felt a bit afraid. Would her love for Ayuan and her years of longing be a burden in Ayuan’s eyes?

Sikong Xue remembered that Ayuan hated troublesome things most of all.

The next day, both Ning Yuan and Sikong Xue had dark circles under their eyes. Ning Yuan’s skin was fair and delicate, making the dark circles especially prominent. Sikong Xue was used to going entire nights without closing her eyes, but in the imperial court, her weary spirit did not escape the notice of the crowd.

Yuchi Jin saw this and thought her provocation had worked. She stepped forward to block Sikong Xue and said, “Sikong Xue, since you enjoy wasting away over a dead person, why not hand over that tribute.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Sikong Xue landed a punch squarely on Yuchi Jin’s face. One punch was not enough for Sikong Xue. She stepped forward slowly, stepped on Yuchi Jin’s shoulder, and said, “Yuchi Jin, I will pull out your tongue sooner or later.”

She wasn’t joking, nor was she making an idle threat. Over these years, Yuchi Jin had spoken so many offensive things about Ayuan. It was time to settle those scores properly.

She didn’t let up the pressure on her foot; Yuchi Jin felt as if her shoulder blade were about to shatter. Officials entering the palace were not allowed to bring guards or weapons. Facing Sikong Xue like this, Yuchi Jin could only suffer.

The palace guards saw this and hurriedly pretended not to notice. These two ancestors were at each other’s throats every time they met. This was the first time they had come to blows so directly. One was the Eldest Princess’s daughter, the other was the popular Prime Minister; the guards didn’t dare offend either.

Yuchi Jin was in a wretched state, yet as she lay on the ground and wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, she laughed instead of getting angry, saying, “Sikong Xue, Ning Yuan didn’t like you, and that tribute won’t like you either.”

In the past, whenever she said this, Sikong Xue would go mad. What Yuchi Jin didn’t know was that such clumsy tactics were no longer effective against Sikong Xue. Perhaps Ayuan didn’t love her, but Ayuan was willing to marry her and give her a chance to care for her; Sikong Xue was already satisfied.

Thinking that the wedding date was set and Ayuan was by her side, Sikong Xue was no longer provoked by Yuchi Jin.

“Yuchi Jin, it doesn’t matter whether she likes me or not. We are getting married. If she is willing, I can hold a wedding every single day with drums and gongs. If not for her wish to never see you, I would certainly send an invitation to your manor.”

She would never let Yuchi Jin ruin her wedding with Ayuan. Even if it had to be held twice, neither time could have any mishaps.

Returning to the manor, Sikong Xue impatiently sought out Ayuan.

“Ayuan, would you like to go pick out some rouge and jewelry today?”

Sikong Xue claimed she wanted to accompany Ayuan for a stroll, but she had another plan in mind. She wanted everyone in the capital to see that the one standing by her side was the person she loved, her fiancée. And that they would be married very soon.

In the past, when Ayuan was unwilling to marry her, Sikong Xue only thought of keeping her within the manor so no one could see her. Now that Ayuan was willing, Sikong Xue wished the whole world knew.

Seeing Sikong Xue so attentive, Ning Yuan asked suspiciously, “Sikong Xue, did you do something to wrong me? Why are you… so abnormal today?”

Even though she had heard Sikong Xue confess her heart yesterday, in all their years of knowing each other, Ning Yuan had never seen Sikong Xue act like this.

Sikong Xue said, “I will always treat you well and protect you from now on.”

Because of what happened yesterday, Sikong Xue felt she couldn’t trust anyone else to accompany Ning Yuan. Only by her side would Yuchi Jin’s people not dare to approach.

Looking at Ayuan’s dark circles, Sikong Xue said with heartache, “Ayuan, you didn’t sleep well last night? Was the bed not soft enough?”

Ning Yuan said angrily, “After hearing so much from you yesterday, my mind was a mess; how could I sleep well?”

It was all Sikong Xue’s fault; it was all Sikong Xue’s mistake. She made her think about Sikong Xue all night.

Hearing Ayuan speak this way, Sikong Xue felt a surge of joy in her heart. She caught Ayuan’s hand and said, “You were thinking about me all night?”

“Who was thinking about you?” Ning Yuan pulled her hand back and said, “Didn’t you say we’re going to buy rouge? Hurry and prepare the carriage.”

Though her mouth said she wasn’t thinking of Sikong Xue, Ning Yuan still wanted to go with her to buy the items they would need in a few days.

On the carriage, Ning Yuan sat beside Sikong Xue. Feeling the burning gaze of the person next to her, she felt her heart beating so fast. For some reason, she wanted to be a bit closer to Sikong Xue, just like it was written in the novels.

They were about to be married; why was Sikong Xue suddenly putting on such a serious and formal act? Ning Yuan’s heart was pounding so hard she didn’t even dare to steal a glance at Sikong Xue. If she looked now and met Sikong Xue’s gaze, it would be extremely embarrassing.

Sikong Xue sat beside Ayuan, her gaze tender and pining. Ayuan’s head was bowed and her cheeks were slightly flushed, making her want to take a bite. Or, if she could just pinch Ayuan’s cheek, that would be good. But Sikong Xue feared being too forward and frightening Ayuan; she didn’t even dare to sit too close. She could only wait until Ayuan got off the carriage to pretend to casually support her.

Ning Yuan twisted her handkerchief, thinking: Is this Sikong Xue a block of wood? She confessed her heart yesterday, and she’s done intimate things before. Why is she acting so formally now? What on earth is she thinking?

The carriage stopped at the busy market. Sikong Xue finally got her chance and carefully helped Ning Yuan down. Ning Yuan placed her hand in Sikong Xue’s; feeling the warmth of her palm, she suddenly had a thought.

The moment her embroidered shoe touched the ground, Ning Yuan intentionally let her leg go weak and fell into Sikong Xue’s arms.

Sikong Xue nervously supported Ning Yuan, saying, “Careful.”

Ning Yuan frowned and said, “Sikong Xue, I think I sprained my ankle.”

Ning Yuan thought that according to the novels, Sikong Xue should pick her up, right?

Hearing Ayuan say she sprained her ankle, Sikong Xue indeed picked her up and walked toward a nearby tea house. Ning Yuan contentedly circled Sikong Xue’s neck. Before the corners of her mouth could turn up, Sikong Xue set her down.

The private room was clearly on the second floor, yet Sikong Xue reached it in just a few strides. She placed Ning Yuan on a soft chair and looked at her with a face full of concern, saying, “Ayuan, does it hurt?”

Ning Yuan pretended to be aggrieved and said, “Of course it hurts very much; I can’t even walk. But I still really want to buy rouge… Sikong Xue, what should I do?”

Ning Yuan’s voice rose slightly at the end; anyone listening closely could tell she wasn’t truly in pain. Thinking of the novels she had read recently, Ning Yuan felt that Sikong Xue should know what to do, right?

Seeing Ayuan looking so piteous, Sikong Xue worried she had injured the bone and hurriedly said to Songyan, “Songyan, go quickly and bring Yin Chiyun here.”

Ning Yuan was stunned. “Why call Yin Chiyun? Wouldn’t that be too much trouble?”

She hadn’t sprained her ankle at all; if Yin Chiyun came, she would surely see through it in one glance.

Sikong Xue sat beside Ning Yuan and had her rest her leg on her own lap. She didn’t dare move Ning Yuan’s leg carelessly, saying only, “A bone injury cannot be taken lightly; I must have her check it to be at ease. Chiyun has a physician’s heart; she won’t find it a trouble.”

Ning Yuan tried to call Songyan back, but Sikong Xue had already urged Songyan to hurry and invite Yin Chiyun.

Seeing Ning Yuan’s brow tightly furrowed, Sikong Xue thought she was in great pain and hurriedly comforted her, “Ayuan, don’t worry. Chiyun’s medical skills are excellent; even if the bone is injured, she can set it for you.”

“Oh.”

Ning Yuan only wanted to ask: If Yin Chiyun’s medical skills are truly that good, why doesn’t she take a good look at Sikong Xue’s head?

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