Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 872 - 870_1

Chapter 872: Chapter 870_1

Under the scorching sun of July, the morning sun was already searing on the skin.

In an inn,

Xiao’er sat in front of the mirror, carefully applying her makeup.

Shangguan Xuanyi was reading a book on the couch, occasionally glancing at her. He saw her continually applying things to her face, feeling a bit uncomfortable. He had never seen this girl put so much effort into her appearance for him. Now she was going to meet that bastard Gong Qinghua, and she’d spent two hours on her makeup!

Although she was going to take revenge, Shangguan Xuanyi couldn’t help but feel a tinge of jealousy.

Fifteen minutes later, Xiao’er looked up at Yang Mei, "Yang Mei, how is my makeup?

"Perfect! It’s so realistic, you look like you’ve contracted a serious illness." Yang Mei nodded.

Xiao’er chuckled and turned to Shangguan Xuanyi, "Brother Shangguan, what do you think? Do I look deathly ill?"

"No, you look too beautiful!" Shangguan Xuanyi flatly denied.

What a bunch of nonsense about looking deathly ill!

Upon hearing his response, Yang Mei took another look at Xiao’er: where was the beauty in her waxy pale complexion, dark circles under her eyes as thick as stubborn ink, dry and colorless lips, and the red rash on the back of her hand? What bizarre standard of beauty would find this appealing?

"Beautiful?" Xiao’er turned her face back to the mirror and scrutinized her reflection, "This is the weakest I can make myself look, but even then it isn’t ugly? Sigh! I can’t help it, I’ve been blessed with natural beauty, a face that looks good from any angle, even when I’m ill, I’m still a sick beauty." Xiao’er playfully tilted her head, jokingly assessing her reflection in the mirror.

Seeing Xiao’er’s conceited appearance, Yang Mei couldn’t help but laugh, "Madame, you are the most beautiful woman in the world!"

Woman? Was that a compliment? Feeling deflated, Xiao’er glared at Yang Mei, "Miss Yang! Please refrain from the last two words in the future!"

The word ’Miss’ came out through Xiao’er’s gritted teeth! Damn, she was clearly only sixteen! A young girl, the epitome of adolescence, and given her flawlessly youthful face, ’woman’ wasn’t appropriate at all!

Yang Mei was surprised: omit the last two words? Woman?

Suddenly understanding the reason behind the omission, Yang Mei couldn’t help but start laughing.

Xiao’er glared at Shangguan Xuanyi, blaming him for turning her into a woman! Standing up abruptly, she announced, "Let’s go, my mood isn’t great, I need to let off some steam!"

Shangguan Xuanyi found Xiao’er’s childish tantrum endearing, a smile forming on his lips. He reached out, taking Xiao’er’s hand, "My Princess, of course, is the most beautiful - woman"

"Enough with your ’woman’!" Xiao’er retaliated pinching his hand hard.

Shangguan Xuanyi’s grin only widened.

...

Shangguan Xuanyi led Xiao’er towards the residence of the second prince of Nangong Country.

Yang Mei and Yang Liu followed behind, holding umbrellas for the pair.

Emperor’s bedroom in Nangong Country

Gong Qinghua was accompanying the Nangong Emperor, "Father, the Crown Prince said he has sent people to the Crown Princess’s home to ask for the cure. So many days have passed, why haven’t they brought back the medicine?"

The Nangong Emperor spoke weakly, "The journey is long, delays are expected."

"Your Majesty, I’ve been watching you suffer from this pain and it’s unbearable. How I wish the medicine would arrive right away."

"I know you have filial piety." After uttering a few words, the Nangong Emperor felt tired and wanted to rest.

"Your Majesty, Second Prince Minze, Prince Rui, and Princess Rui have come to pay respects after hearing of your injuries. They have also brought a life-saving pill." A eunuch walked in to report.

Listed among the visitors, Gong Qinghua was startled.

Hadn’t these two gone to Zhan’er Island? They’d been gone for so many days, and still nothing had happened?

No, they had a cure-all pill, how could anything happen?

Count them lucky then!

The Nangong Emperor woke up and due to his old age and severe injuries, his wound was difficult to heal and was exceedingly painful. He was very aware that he was not doing well.

Now upon hearing that Shangguan Xuanyi had brought a life-saving medicine, his eyes widened, as if he was in a desert and had suddenly spotted an oasis, "Summon them in!"

Gong Qinghua frowned when he heard this. Was Shangguan Xuanyi capable of such kindness? He reasoned something was amiss.

It wasn’t until Shangguan Xuanyi and Xiao’er walked in, with Xiao’er constantly lowering her head and appearing weak, that he understood the situation. His face turned incredibly pale, wishing he could run out of the room at that very moment.

After the formalities, Shangguan Xuanyi finally spoke calmly, "I heard that His Majesty was injured by an assassin, so I brought a healing pill for His Majesty and also wanted to ask for a favor."

As expected, there really was no such thing as a free lunch. Upon hearing there were conditions, the Nangong Emperor felt somewhat relieved.

If Shangguan Xuanyi were to offer the medicine unconditionally, he would’ve been apprehensive about the intentions behind it.

"Much appreciated, Prince Rui. What favor do you wish to ask for?" said the Nangong Emperor. His expression remained calm, unbetrayed by his true feelings.

Xiao’er was feeling somewhat weak, leaning slightly onto Shangguan Xuanyi. She seemed like she could collapse at any moment.

Shangguan Xuanyi quickly reached out to support her, preventing her from falling. Then he said, "To be honest, my princess seems to have contracted an acute illness; many doctors have attempted to cure her to no avail. Since we are far from the Minze Country, the only option is to seek the Emperor’s assistance."

The Nangong Emperor sneered inwardly, "Finally, you need something from me!"

The Nangong Emperor wanted to act high and mighty, but he was lacking in energy. He was barely managing to keep up his appearances.

Shangguan Xuanyi continued, "If the Emperor can agree to help to cure my princess, I will provide a pill."

"I can oblige Princess Rui by bringing in the imperial doctor, but whether the doctor can cure her illness is not for me to decide. After all, I am not a doctor and lack the medical knowledge necessary to help you."

"To have the imperial doctor diagnose and prescribe treatment would be great if it worked but if not, I would appreciate it if the Emperor could fulfil my request. I know there is something with the Emperor that could potentially cure my princess’s illness. I assure you, I won’t put the Emperor in an awkward situation! Emperor, in return, you will receive a healing pill and an antidote pill, and you won’t have to suffer from physical pain anymore."

The Nangong Emperor remained silent, evaluating the truth behind the claim.

Gong Qinghua intervened, "What does Prince Rui desire from my father?"

Shangguan Xuanyi shot him a cold glance but didn’t answer his question. Instead, he set his sights back onto the Nangong Emperor, "The Emperor can think it through before making a decision. If you don’t agree, it won’t make a difference if I tell you. You can think it over thrice before you act!"

Shangguan Xuanyi’s real intention was just to bring Xiao’er for a walk around the imperial palace, whether or not they received the medicine really didn’t matter to him.

But, he believed the Nangong Emperor would agree.

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