Quiet Tensions and Unspoken Intentions

Jinjiang Exclusive First Release 16.

“Your Excellency… I couldn’t help myself.”

Standing between them, Bu Shu coughed lightly and interjected, “If Your Excellency has no further instructions, this old man will take his leave.”

After seeing the physician out, Yan Yi turned back toward the bed.

Wen Xiaoran had already sat up, his gaze fixed on her. “How did you know I had returned?”

“I ran into Qiong Jiu fetching medicine. When I heard you were injured, I got worried.”

He nodded slightly, noticing her distracted expression. “What’s on your mind?”

Yan Yi hesitated, then said softly, “Lately… I’ve felt uneasy. It’s like someone is watching me from the shadows.”

“Have you noticed anything?”

She stepped closer, leaning in to whisper a few words into his ear.

His expression darkened instantly. “From now on, be cautious. I’ll arrange guards to protect you in secret. And—”

He paused.

She looked at him curiously. “And what?”

“Try not to stay by my side too often.”

She frowned. “Why?”

“For your safety.”

Yan Yi nodded slowly, though confusion lingered.

Seeing her unhappy, Wen Xiaoran added, “I originally planned to take you somewhere after returning… but this incident delayed it.”

Her curiosity was immediately piqued. “Where? The market again?”

He fell silent.

Was he really that predictable?

“No.”

She leaned closer, almost pressing against him. “Since when did you learn to keep people in suspense?”

Her breath brushed his neck, sending ripples through him. He leaned back slightly. “When I recover, I’ll take you there myself.”

She clicked her tongue. “Didn’t you just say I shouldn’t stay near you?”

“That’s different,” he said patiently. “When I’m unwell, the farther you are, the safer you’ll be.”

“But I want to take care of you,” she said, blinking earnestly.

He froze.

After a long pause, he sighed softly.

“Sometimes… I can’t tell whether what you say is sincere, or just meant to please me.”

Yan Yi met his gaze steadily. “If you trust me, then it’s real. If you doubt me, even the truth will sound false.”

“You’re quite eloquent.”

She pulled a chair closer and sat beside the bed. “I understand the old Demon Lord’s intentions. But I’m willing. Even if he didn’t interfere… I’d still choose to stay with you.”

His throat tightened.

He reached out, gently touching her cheek. “Why would you stay in the demon realm?”

“Because you’re here,” she answered without hesitation.

He studied her. “You’ve always said that. If I still doubt you… it would make me seem overly suspicious.”

“If you believe me, I’m happy. If you don’t, there must be a reason. But one day… you’ll understand.”

After a moment, she stood up. “Your Excellency, Ying Yue sent word—my master’s wife has come out of seclusion. I’d like to visit her.”

He nodded. He needed time alone anyway.

Meng Sui’an looked radiant, her condition fully restored.

“You came with questions?” she asked directly.

Yan Yi nodded. “If a mortal and a demon… come together, what happens to the body?”

Meng Sui’an laughed. “You came all this way for that?”

Yan Yi looked embarrassed. “Mainly to visit you… and ask this.”

“When a mortal and demon unite, their vital essences merge, then separate again into both bodies.”

She gave Yan Yi a meaningful look. “At that point, the mortal is no longer truly mortal.”

Yan Yi froze.

So that was why Wen Xiaoran hesitated…

“Just by merging essence?”

Meng Sui’an nodded. “Without essence, it won’t work.”

Yan Yi fell into thought.

Her situation was far more complicated.

Seeing her troubled, Meng Sui’an asked gently, “What worries you?”

Yan Yi hesitated.

There were too many concerns.

Before she could answer, Meng Sui’an stood. “Come, let’s check on your fox.”

Bu Shu examined it and smiled. “It’s improving well.”

Yan Yi beamed. “It even hid its tail!”

“That’s progress.”

Just then, Ying Yue appeared, joking and lively as ever.

After some lighthearted conversation, Yan Yi received a few healing items and left.

By evening, after the rain, the air was fresh.

She returned, heading straight for Wen Xiaoran’s chamber.

“He’s not inside,” Ling You said.

“Where did he go?”

“I don’t know.”

Yan Yi decided to wait.

After a pause, curiosity got the better of her.

“Ling You… are you married?”

He shook his head.

“Does your family urge you to marry?”

He looked puzzled. “Why ask?”

“Just chatting.”

“Chatting about what?” a voice suddenly cut in.

Yan Yi replied absentmindedly, “Just chatting—”

Then froze.

“Your Excellency! You’re back!”

He frowned slightly and walked inside.

She quickly followed.

Leaning close, she whispered, “I saw my master’s wife today.”

He responded absentmindedly.

She noticed his mood. “What’s wrong?”

He exhaled slowly, trying to sound calm—yet failing.

“What were you talking about with Ling You? You seemed quite interested.”

Yan Yi smiled. “He’s not actually bad with women.”

He went silent.

So she remembered that…

“How do you know?” he asked.

“I asked around,” she said casually.

His brows furrowed. “You care about him that much?”

“I’m just curious!” she replied, still oblivious.

Only after a moment did she realize his silence.

“You were the one who told me that—of course I got curious!”

He rubbed his temples, then changed the subject stiffly. “What did you ask Meng Sui’an?”

She sighed inwardly.

He knew everything.

Walking closer, she stood beside him.

“Your Excellency,” she said softly, “I just want to be prepared. Something this important… we can’t afford mistakes.”