"What's your name?" His palms were slightly sweaty. He had never been this nervous when he first beheaded an enemy on the battlefield, when blood splattered everywhere.
"Chu Xiyin," she answered him, enunciating each word clearly, as if afraid he hadn't heard her clearly enough and wouldn't remember her name.
“Xi Yin…” He savored her name. Xi Yin, Xi Yin, what a beautiful name!
"You stay!" It wasn't a request, it was an order. Yes! He was the Fourth Prince, second only to the Emperor! He could make whoever he wanted stay, or whoever he wanted leave. This was a privilege inherent to members of the royal family.
"No!" Chu Xiyin herself was surprised by this "no." She actually rejected Yichuan! No, she didn't reject Yichuan, but the high and mighty Fourth Prince.
The Fourth Prince stared at Chu Xiyin in astonishment, his palms growing cold from the sweat. She dared to reject him in front of everyone. There were countless women in the world; did she know how many admired him, longing for even a glance from him? And she had rejected him so decisively!
He was filled with anger and confusion. Why did she reject him? He could clearly feel that the way she looked at him was different from how she looked at other men.
Although he had never been in contact with a woman before, his intuition told him that she must have feelings for him!
"Chu Xiyin, how dare you be so rude!" This was the first time Qi Yu had ever lost his temper with Chu Xiyin! Qi Yu was always gentle in front of Chu Xiyin, but this time, he actually snapped at her! Was he protecting her? Was he afraid the Prince would blame her?
"I'm sorry, I don't belong here. I have to go back to my world eventually, so I can't stay." Chu Xiyin's eyes were full of apology; she didn't want to hurt him.
He couldn't understand what she was saying. She said she wanted to go back to her world, that she didn't belong here. Why was she saying such nonsensical things?
"If you wish to leave, I will not force you." His fists clenched tightly; the usually straightforward man had uttered words against his will. Deep down, he desperately wanted her to stay.
"Xi Yin thanks Your Highness!" Chu Xi Yin bowed to him in the manner of the ancients.
"You may all leave!" The Fourth Prince turned around and waved to the group of people behind him.
Chu Xiyin had just reached the door when Qi Yu and Hua Shao exchanged a glance.
With a snap, Chu Xiyin felt everything go black before her eyes and fainted.
"You!" The Fourth Prince quickly turned around, looking at Qi Yu and Hua Shao with surprise.
Qi Yu gave Hua Shao a wink, and Hua Shao understood and nodded to Qi Yu.
"Girls, you can come out with me first." Hua Shao waved to the nineteen women, who followed him out the door.
Qi Yu closed the door, looking at Chu Xiyin in the prince's arms with pity, and said to the Fourth Prince, "This is her mission, and she cannot resist. Moreover, Lord Mo repeatedly instructed that Miss Xiyin must be kept in the prince's residence. Therefore, I had no choice but to knock Miss Xiyin unconscious."
"I understand." Yi Chuan wasn't a fool. Born into royalty, how could he not understand the coldness of kinship hidden behind the royal facade? How could he not know that Yi Yang was testing him? However, recently, neighboring small countries had repeatedly invaded, causing people to be displaced and their lives unprotected. This had led to widespread resentment towards the rulers. Under these internal and external troubles, if he accepted these women, how could he establish prestige among the people? How could he stabilize public sentiment?
"Then I shall take my leave!" Qi Yu bowed to the Fourth Prince and took his leave. As he closed the door, he glanced at Chu Xiyin silently, his eyes filled with guilt.
The Fourth Prince sighed. Being in the royal family, he had his own constraints. Looking at Chu Xiyin in his arms, he felt somewhat relieved. At least, she had finally stayed. Of all the women in the world, she was enough for him.
This was the first time he had ever held a girl in his arms, and he couldn't help feeling flustered. Something about his arms felt off; his palms were gradually burning, and cold sweat was breaking out all over his body. He should carry her to the bed first and let her rest.
He picked her up and carefully placed her on the bed.
His bed was his private domain, and until now, no woman had ever lain on it. Chu Xiyin was the first!
Chapter 13 His Favor
“Xi Yin…”
Who is calling her?
“Xi Yin…”
The voice, so ancient, yet so familiar. Could it be that damned, masked man?!
Chu Xiyin opened her eyes slightly and struggled to get up, only to find that her hand was being held tightly.
Is the man holding her hand her Yichuan? He looks so much like a child when he's asleep!
Chu Xiyin looked at the Fourth Prince lying beside the bed, and suddenly, a warm feeling welled up in her heart. She couldn't bear to pull her hand away from his large palm; she craved the warmth of his hand. Even though she knew perfectly well that he wasn't him.
"Xi Yin," he murmured her name. Could those calls just now have come from the Fourth Prince?
Chu Xiyin gently brushed away the stray hairs that had fallen on his cheek.
The Fourth Prince was awakened by her gentle gesture.
"You're awake?" He looked at her tenderly.
She nodded, still somewhat dazed. He had looked at her with that same tenderness before.
The two gazed at each other silently. The world was so quiet, so quiet that they could hear each other's pounding heartbeats and tense breathing.
As he drew closer to her, her heart pounded faster and faster, almost as if she were suffocating.
His handsome face was reflected in her bright, dark eyes; his clear yet melancholic eyes, his high, straight nose, his sensual lips…
He was just as nervous, and his hand, which was holding hers, was slightly sweaty.
His face was inches away. His warm breath brushed against her face.
A tingling sensation ran through her body, and she turned her small hand, which he held in his palm, and gripped his hand tightly in return.
His lips drew near, and she closed her eyes and pressed her lips tightly together.
A strong gurgling sound came from her stomach. She hadn't eaten all day.
"Are you hungry?" His alluring scent wafted into her body. He looked at her tenderly, his eyes filled with affection.
She nodded, gazing at him intently, her eyes filled with shyness.
"What would you like to eat? I'll have the servants prepare it." His voice was so gentle that it captivated her.
His gaze never left her eyes; they captivated him.
She exuded a faint sandalwood scent. He took a deep breath of her fragrance before slowly straightening up.
"Chuan, no need." She held him tightly. She wasn't used to being waited on.
"What did you just call me?" Her address to him was so intimate, like a gentle breeze brushing past his ear, stirring ripples in his heart.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness. Xiyin was rude just now." Only now did she realize that he was a high and mighty prince, not her Yichuan.
The ripples that had just stirred in his heart were quickly smoothed over by her coldness. Just moments ago they had been so close, but now, because of a single form of address, they had become so distant. His melancholy eyes instantly dimmed.
He pulled his hand away from hers and turned to leave.
Was he angry? Why does his back always look so cold, so aloof, so heartless?
As she watched the prince's retreating figure, she recalled Yi Chuan's heartless departure, and a sharp pain shot through her heart.
This time, she wanted to hold onto him; no matter what, she couldn't let him leave!
Chu Xiyin sat up in bed and ran towards his retreating figure.
"Don't go!" She held his hand tightly.
He was slightly taken aback.
"I won't say anything carelessly from now on. Please don't be angry, please don't leave!" This was the first time she had ever pleaded with a man so humbly.
He turned around and put his arm around her shoulder. Her body trembled slightly; she was so afraid of losing him.
He held her shoulders, applying slight pressure to try and stop her body from trembling.
She looked up at that familiar face, his deep melancholy affecting her.
He looked at her with pity, and for some reason, there was a deep sadness in her eyes that touched him deeply. "I'm not angry. Promise me, from now on, when we're alone together, you'll call me that, okay?"
"I promise you, Chuan, as long as you don't leave." Chu Xiyin looked at the Fourth Prince, her expression dazed. She thought of him again. He was the first man she had ever loved. He occupied her entire mind and soul. She couldn't erase those memories; she couldn't forget that man.
If she had persuaded him to stay in the same way back then, would he have stayed?
Hearing this affectionate address, his heart softened, and he couldn't help but gently pull her into his arms. She leaned on his shoulder; they were even remarkably the same height, and when she looked up, her chin rested perfectly on his shoulder.
She buried her head deeply in his neck. Her soft, gentle breath sent shivers down his spine. This was the first time he had ever embraced a woman's body; he had never imagined a woman's body could be so soft. His body temperature rose, and instinctively he pulled her closer. Her breasts pressed tightly against his chest, and his blood began to boil uncontrollably.
Noticing the unusual state of his body, Chu Xiyin blushed and gently struggled out of his embrace.
"I'm hungry." Her voice was low, and the shyness on her face had not yet faded.
"I'll have the servants prepare some food for you," the Fourth Prince said gently, looking at the lovely girl who had wriggled out of his arms.
Chu Xiyin shook her head and said, "Tell me where the kitchen is, and I'll cook it myself."
The Fourth Prince looked helplessly at the stubborn woman before him and said, "Come with me."
He took her hand and led her to the door. Her gaze was fixed on their clasped hands, her heart overflowing with happiness.
"We're here!" The Fourth Prince pushed open the kitchen door. "Chunhua! What are you doing here?" the Fourth Prince asked in surprise.
Chu Xiyin looked into the doorway and saw a chubby girl holding two large steamed buns by the stove, her mouth full of food.
Chunhua hadn't expected anyone to come to the kitchen at this time, especially not the Fourth Prince! Startled, she quickly hid the steamed bun behind her back, chewing rapidly and mumbling, "Your...Your Highness..."
"Probably just like me, hungry," Chu Xiyin explained for her. She suddenly thought of her gluttonous cousin, who would rummage through drawers and cupboards looking for food every time she visited her house. Sometimes she would even dredge up leftovers from the refrigerator.
The Fourth Prince smiled helplessly. In front of her, he couldn't even care less about his princely dignity.
Chu Xiyin walked towards the stove and asked Chunhua with a smile, "Is there any leftover food in the kitchen?"
Chunhua was stunned. In all her life, she had never seen a woman with such a beautiful smile. After a long while, she came to her senses and nodded her head like a chick pecking at rice.
"Could you please bring me the leftovers?" Chu Xiyin said gently.
Chunhua knew she had a big appetite and got hungry easily, so she secretly hid some food in the kitchen. Anyway, in this weather, it wouldn't spoil even after a few hours.
Chunhua put down the steamed bun in her hand and took out an iron pot from a large vat that was half full of water.
"Here you go!" Chunhua smiled sheepishly and handed the iron pot to Chu Xiyin. At the same time, she grabbed a steamed bun from the side and prepared to put it into her chubby mouth.
Chu Xiyin snatched the steamed bun from Chunhua's hand and said, "This steamed bun is cold. I'll heat it up for you later."
Chunhua stared wide-eyed as Chu Xiyin took the food from her hands.
"By the way, Miss Chunhua, do you have any eggs?" Chu Xiyin's specialty is fried rice with eggs, but as for her other skills, well, they're really nothing special. For herself, anything is fine; she's not picky about food, as long as she doesn't starve.
Chunhua then pulled out two more eggs from some corner. This Chunhua girl is amazing! Chu Xiyin suspected that she could produce anything edible.
Chu Xiyin smiled at the Fourth Prince, "Chuan..."
Upon hearing this, the Fourth Prince and Chunhua both looked at her.
Realizing that Chunhua was still nearby, Chu Xiyin blushed and immediately changed her words, saying, "Your Highness, are you tired? Why don't you go back to your room and rest!"
The Fourth Prince looked at Chu Xiyin with affection and said gently, "I'm not tired." She had just addressed him so intimately! Every move she made was so adorable in his eyes.
Chu Xiyin glanced at the Fourth Prince, then at Chunhua, and rolled up her sleeves. She was about to show off her amazing culinary skills!