Chapter 116 - What To Do if You’re the Villain and the Heroine Likes You

Hearing Xing'er say "His Highness invites you in," He Yunxiao was momentarily unable to react. In his mind, based on Nan Zhu's temperament, she would never forgive him so easily. He Yunxiao had figured that given Nan Zhu's personality, she must be unwilling to let him stand outside in the cold. But she wouldn't forgive him just because of that. The most likely action she would take was to send him away. The next most likely option was to send him a brazier or invite him into the courtyard but not the palace itself. Directly inviting him into the palace like this, no matter how he thought about it, was not something his wife Nan Zhu would do. Although He Yunxiao had his doubts, he still believed Xing'er's words. Therefore, the only possibility was that Xing'er had spoken well on his behalf. Thus, he said, "Thank you, Miss Xing'er, for speaking on my behalf in front of Nan Zhu." Xing'er smiled and said, "Young Master He, there's no need to thank me. I didn't speak any good words for you. I simply relayed your message to His Highness as instructed." He Yunxiao replied, "Miss Xing'er, by being willing to speak truthfully in front of Nan Zhu, you have really helped me a lot. Your actions merit my gratitude." Xing'er had already had a good impression of He Yunxiao. Now that he was so polite, even thanking her regardless of the disparity in their status, she thought even more highly of him. A gentleman like Young Master He is indeed worthy of our princess. Holding a lantern, Xing'er led the way, saying, "Young Master He, please follow me." The two, one after the other, crossed the desolate and weed-ridden courtyard of the Linxuan Palace, passed by Nan Zhu's herb garden, and arrived at the front of the palace. Late at night, although the lights of the Linxuan Palace were not bright, the palace maids and eunuchs attending to their duties were all waiting in front of the palace with considerable solemnity. When He Yunxiao came, they all curtsied and said in unison, "Young Master He." The last time He Yunxiao had swaggered in with Li Jin, he had not received such a reception. "Miss Xing'er, what is this…?" Xing'er smiled and said, "They are a gift to thank you." He Yunxiao then realized and returned their greeting, "In the future, please take good care of Her Highness Nan Zhu." The palace maids exchanged glances and giggled behind their hands. Together they said, "Yes." After waiting for a while and watching Xing'er lead He Yunxiao into the palace, they began to discuss animatedly. "We are already in service to Her Highness. He even tells us to take good care." "I think what he said is proper: 'Please take good care of my Nan Zhu in the future.'" "Is he considering her as his wife already?" "Then who will be in charge of Linxuan Palace in the future?" "Hehe, naturally, whoever is above us has the final say." "Goodness! You're asking for a beating!" "Not to forget, he is the legitimate son of a marquis, not inferior to our princess." "They indeed match well, at least in appearance." "In the future, when the princess marries into the marquis's house, will we be included in her dowry?" "It's possible." ... He Yunxiao was led by Xing'er to the Linxuan Palace's guest room. It wasn't really a guest room, as the room was quite bare, nothing like a place to entertain guests, with nothing but a table and a candlestick. However, its location was cleverly positioned right next to Nan Zhu's bedroom. Although the Linxuan Palace was quite large, there were few occupants, thus leaving many such rooms available. However, what made this particular room special was not only that it was idle but also its proximity to Nan Zhu's bedroom, and it was clean as if it had just been tidied. This was quite rare. Upon reaching this place, Xing'er said, "Young Master, please wait here for a while, I will go and fetch our princess." After she excused herself and hurriedly ran off, He Yunxiao, without any suspicion, took a seat after agreeing. He even started to circulate his internal energy, seizing the opportunity to practice his martial arts. A short while into his practice, he could hear another set of hurried footsteps. These footsteps were familiar, light and quick, certainly those of a woman; surely, it must be Xing'er returning from her errand just now. For a moment, He Yunxiao thought it was his wife Nan Zhu, but he quickly dismissed the idea. How could Nan Zhu, who was still angry at him and quite upset, rush over to see him just because she agreed to come? Since Xing'er had arrived with such hurried steps, He Yunxiao simply gave up practicing martial arts and got up to open the door for Xing'er. "Xing... " Before He Yunxiao could finish speaking, the figure that made him feel guilty yet occupied his thoughts day and night, unexpectedly appeared in his sight. His wife Nan Zhu! Meng Qingrou was carrying a steaming pot of medicinal soup, walking briskly, completely oblivious to the situation inside the nearby room. Upon opening the door and seeing the retreating figure of his wife Nan Zhu, He Yunxiao impulsively called out, "Nan Zhu..." Upon hearing He Yunxiao's voice, Meng Qingrou's quick steps slowed down. She took two small steps forward before pausing in her tracks. Just like that, she remained still, with her back to him. At that moment, despite being initially composed, He Yunxiao's heart was thrown into disarray upon seeing Nan Zhu again. His mind was filled repeatedly with insignificant questions. What expression should I use, how should I talk to her, is she still upset, what should I do if she kicks me out again... "Nan Zhu... it's been a while...Uh, not that long though, I saw you yesterday... I made you angry yesterday... I promise, I swear I'll never lie to you again..." Meng Qingrou, facing away from He Yunxiao, had a blush on her face, which could have been from the brisk walking or the tension. She carried the steaming soup, her chest rising and falling as she took deep breaths of the cold air. Eventually, her breathing slowed down, and she no longer needed to take deep breaths; and by then, the subtle redness on her face had quietly faded. Meng Qingrou turned to face the stuttering He Yunxiao, her expression blank. She spoke coldly, "Why are you here, who let you come?" He Yunxiao knew deep down that even when apologizing, he should be more composed. He shouldn't mumble incomprehensibly like Li Jin. But now, facing Nan Zhu, regardless of how well he knew he should remain calm, he couldn't help but become flustered and at a loss. He Yunxiao hastily explained, "Miss Xing'er allowed me to come. Xing'er said it was you, the princess, who asked me to come." That traitor Xing'er! I told her to make him leave! Meng Qingrou internally blamed Xing'er, but her voice remained cold, "I didn't ask you to come. You're not allowed in the Linxuan Palace. If there's nothing else, you can leave now." Seeing the unfamiliar manner of his wife Nan Zhu, He Yunxiao felt a pang of discomfort in his heart. His sense of guilt intensified by degrees. Settling his mind, He Yunxiao said, "I have something to say, can you please listen to me?" Meng Qingrou, expressionless, responded, "Go ahead, then leave." "Nan Zhu, no matter what, no matter how much effort it takes, no matter the difficulty, I want to marry you! I absolutely must marry you!" 【Meng Qingrou’s favorability rating increased from 20 to 25】 In the state of Qi, in ancient times, it was rare for someone to directly say "I love you." The more euphemistic way to express it, "I want to marry you," was equivalent to saying "I love you." Meng Qingrou had expected He Yunxiao to bumble through another apology, never expecting him to confess his feelings right off the bat! That's just not fair! She had just told him to get lost yesterday! Her cold tone began to waver, revealing a hint of panic, "Is that all? If you're done, leave! Don't come here again!" He Yunxiao spoke earnestly and firmly, "I'll be outside your residence every day from now on. Just watching you from afar." "It's none of my concern where you are!" He Yunxiao took one last look at his precious wife Nan Zhu, then said, "Nan Zhu, I'm leaving." Meng Qingrou watched He Yunxiao walking away, glancing at the hot antidote in her hand. Eventually, she couldn't hold back any longer and called out, "Wait, at least... drink the medicine first." He Yunxiao turned back again to face his wife Nan Zhu and awkwardly said, "Shouldn't I not drink this antidote on an empty stomach? I haven't had dinner..." *Translated by Soothsayer.io