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Chapter 70: Knee Pillow

Yu Lingxi knelt down, and her fingertips touched his belt, making the bloody smell even more pronounced. Upon closer inspection, there were tiny bloodstains splattered on the ink-black jade belt as well.

Yu Lingxi hesitated for a moment, and Ning Yin pressed down on her hand.

She looked up, hearing Ning Yin casually say, “Accompany me to bathe and change clothes.”

Yu Lingxi was stunned.

Accompany… accompany?

In the clean room, there was an artificial pool made of white jade. Although it was not as luxurious and extravagant as in her previous life, as soon as she pushed the door open,

Yu Lingxi was still dazzled by layers of hanging water mist.

A servant brought in clean clothes, towels, and other items, then quietly closed the door and left.

Ning Yin casually took off his cloak and threw it on the couch, opening his arms towards Yu Lingxi.

“Alright.” Yu Lingxi walked over, resigned, and untied his belt and outer robe for him.

The dark-colored outer robe didn’t show any color, but after removing it, they discovered a patch of fresh blood staining the inner clothes.

Yu Lingxi’s heart tightened.

She steadied herself and, with a flick of her fingers, untied the belt of his inner clothes, revealing his strong and pale upper body. His ink-black, half-bound long hair hung over his broad shoulders, making the white look paler and the black even darker, presenting a cold and oppressive agility.

Fortunately, although there was blood on his body, there were no signs of new gruesome injuries.

Yu Lingxi discreetly observed through the wide clothes and finally confirmed that the bloody smell must have been left when he dealt with others.

Just as she relaxed, Ning Yin asked, “Is it good-looking?”

Yu Lingxi snapped back to reality, realizing her gaze had been too audacious just now.

She smiled lightly and replied, “Your Highness is peerlessly handsome, naturally good-looking.”

He had never heard such words when he was the Yu Mansion guard.

“In that case, come closer and take a closer look.”

Ning Yin chuckled, untied his belt, his narrow waist and long legs moving with a dark shadow passing by. Yu Lingxi’s fingertips trembled, and instinctively, she averted her gaze. After two lifetimes, seeing that darkness again, she couldn’t help but feel frightened. 

Ning Yin seemed to ignore her existence, leisurely moving his long legs towards the pool. The sound of water splashing, the water mist spread like ripples, he sat in it, his powerful arm resting on the edge of the white jade pool, slightly tilting his chin up.

The dried blood stains touched the water, faintly spreading some light red before disappearing in an instant. 

The water mist gently enveloped him from all sides, and occasionally a drop of water dripped from Ning Yin’s white fingertips, creating some small ripples. He looked like a handsome and ethereal being that accidentally entered the mortal world.

Seeing no movement behind him for a long time, he opened his eyes, turned his head, and asked, “Is this water pool big?”

This question was quite unexpected.

Yu Lingxi couldn’t understand his meaning, glanced at the large pool, and blinked, “It’s very big.”

“Since it’s big, are you afraid it won’t fit both of us?”

Ning Yin’s arm rested on the pool’s edge as he tapped it with his fingers. “Or is it that you want me to teach Lingxi how to ‘accompany’?”

“…” It turned out it was for this reason, beating around the bush.

Yu Lingxi nervously cleared her throat and politely refused, “No need, I’m not accustomed to bathing in the morning.”

She said, “Your Highness can use it yourself,” then lowered her head and went to the outer room, knowing that Ning Yin wouldn’t possibly chase after her naked.

Only after rushing to the outer room did she realize that the sachet was still clutched in her hand, forgetting to place it on the tray containing the clothes. Never mind, she would give it to him personally after he finished bathing.

Sitting on the small couch in the outer room, Yu Lingxi placed the sachet on her chest, slowly raising her hand to cover her flushed cheeks warmed by the steam.

Strange, why was her heart fluttering just now?

Objects that could be faced calmly in the previous life now seemed somewhat awkward in this life. Probably because of too many peaceful days, her skin had become thinner.

After some self-reflection, Yu Lingxi got up, washed herself quickly, and tidied up. Today, there was no wind, only snow falling silently like willow catkins. The outer room was connected to the hot spring pool, and due to the hot mist and soft surrounding, it didn’t feel cold even with the door wide open.

A maid brought tea and snacks. Yu Lingxi leaned on the soft couch facing the intricately carved moon gate, sipping tea and waiting while enjoying the snowscape in the courtyard.

Ning Yin, after bathing and changing clothes, saw this scene.

The outer room was warm like spring, with a beautiful girl draped in plain clothes leaning on the soft couch, holding a clear tea cup, and her long hair flowing down her waist, accumulating into a dark puddle on the couch. Without saying a word, she exuded unparalleled beauty.

The scene felt somewhat familiar, as if she belonged here a long time ago. Ning Yin tied his belt and walked over, reaching out to touch her cold hair.

Yu Lingxi turned her head and teased, “Finished bathing?”

Ning Yin sat down in the empty space next to her, his half-wet hair scattered, making his face look more handsome and slender, with a hint of the extravagant arrogance from the previous life.

“Have you ever seen a ‘gift’ that leaves the master in the bath and runs out to amuse herself?” His voice was low and cold, with a hint of genuine displeasure.

Yu Lingxi had no doubt that the next sentence would be some bizarre and show even more threatening method, followed by him enjoying her startled reaction from a superior position.

So, she smiled, made a cup of tea, and pushed it over, coaxing, “It’s so cold today, and having wet hair in the wind can easily catch a cold. Let me help dry it for Your Highness.”

Ning Yin glanced at her attentive gesture and released the hair he had been twirling between his fingers. Yu Lingxi took a soft towel, knelt on the couch, and began to dry his damp hair, combing it neatly. Ning Yin’s hair felt exceptionally good, even the roots were pitch-black. Yu Lingxi couldn’t help but comb for a bit longer, until it was completely dry, reluctantly letting go.

Ning Yin watched her fussing around, then picked up a short blade about three inches long and threw it near her.

The short blade looked very sharp, thin and gleaming with a cold light.

Yu Lingxi instinctively tensed up and asked, “What’s this for?”

Ning Yin lifted his eyelids and pointed to his jaw.

Only then did Yu Lingxi notice that after a day and night of busy work, a faint stubble had appeared on his jaw. This person is becoming more and more troublesome, not only requiring her to warm the bed but also handle trivial matters like combing hair and shaving. Aren’t there other attendants in the mansion?

Despite her inner complaints, Yu Lingxi, being good-natured, picked up the short blade and moved closer.

Too close, and she didn’t know where to start.

“How should I do it?” she sincerely asked.

In the previous life, she had never done such intimate and trivial things for him.

Ning Yin clicked his tongue and pointed to the white jade box prepared on the tray, “Apply some lubricating ointment first, then start. It will reduce the risk of injury.”

This step seemed familiar…

Blaming the mansion for being too similar to her past life, it stirred up emotions that she shouldn’t be recalling. Yu Lingxi pursed her lips, followed his advice, applied the ointment, and then carefully began shaving his slightly coarse jaw with the small knife.

She did it very meticulously, but halfway through, she was already sweating. Unexpectedly, she met Ning Yin’s deep and profound gaze, and Yu Lingxi was momentarily startled.

Being watched by Ning Yin made her hands tremble a bit, and she reluctantly put down the knife, saying, “Your Highness is staring at me; I dare not continue.”

“If Lingxi wants to escape, now is the best opportunity.”

Ning Yin suddenly spoke.

Yu Lingxi didn’t catch on, “What?”

“Now there’s no one around. If you unexpectedly use the knife to cut my throat, the chance of winning is quite high.”

Ning Yin held her hand, guiding her to place the blade against his throat, saying slowly, “Just like this, blood will spurt out like fountain, and I won’t even be able to scream.”

Understanding his meaning, Yu Lingxi’s expression changed from confusion to astonishment.

After a moment, a hint of anger gradually appeared in the corners of her eyes.

“What are you talking about?”

She tried to pull her hand back, “What are you saying, Ning Yin?”

But Ning Yin just smiled, a low and muffled laughter, revealing an elegant madness.

“On the matter at hand, teaching you how to escape.” He said.

This joke was not funny at all. Yu Lingxi frowned but couldn’t retract the blade. Afraid of hurting Ning Yin, she decided to raise her other hand to grasp the blade, attempting to cover the sharp edge.

Ning Yin instinctively loosened his grip. So, he also had moments of fear.

Yu Lingxi snorted and took the opportunity to cup Ning Yin’s cheek, firmly holding his extravagant and unrestrained face.

“No mischief allowed, do you hear me?”

She stared with almond-shaped eyes, warning without much intimidation, “Be careful not to really hurt yourself.”

Her warm palm against his cheek was enough to light all the darkness. Ning Yin’s eyes were deep and bright, especially when he went crazy; his eyes were always bright.

“Are you afraid?” 

He looked at Yu Lingxi for a long time and spoke almost gently, “If it’s Lingxi, I won’t fight back.”

Yu Lingxi had lost even the strength to be angry. 

“If it’s Your Highness, I won’t be willing to do it either.”

Yu Lingxi casually picked up a snack from the table and stuffed it into his mouth, humming, “Behave yourself, little madman.”

So, Ning Yin leaned against the couch, finally quieting down. Although his mouth was quiet, his gaze was not very honest, still fixed on Yu Lingxi, turning slightly with her movements.

Yu Lingxi wiped his jaw clean, placed the small knife back on the table, and felt a weight on her legs.

Ning Yin was probably exhausted. His body, previously leaning against her, gradually relaxed. He changed to a reclining position, using her legs as a pillow.

Yu Lingxi was in a daze, feeling a strange warmth in her heart.

Perhaps his current behavior was docile and peaceful, like exposing the belly of a wild beast, showing trust and closeness that had never existed before. The bit of annoyance she had accumulated had also dissipated. Leaning on the edge of the couch, she reached for his belt, lightly and carefully, and after a while, she successfully hung the sachet on his white jade belt.

“Don’t move.”

Ning Yin caught Yu Lingxi’s hand, pressed it against his face, and closed his eyes, saying, “Let me sleep for a while.”

A day and a night of constant activity, with visible and invisible dangers, created chaos like flowing water.

He was probably really tired. Under his closed eyelashes, a shadow was cast, making his straight nose and deep eyes appear even more prominent, and his thin lips seemed like two folded swords. Yu Lingxi’s gaze softened. Using her knee as a pillow, she absentmindedly caressed his ink-black hair.

The snow fell gently, and time seemed to slow down.

…

Ning Yin only slept for half an hour before waking up. The footsteps of subordinates were still ten yards away, and he suddenly opened his eyes, eyes as black as ink, showing no signs of fatigue.

When his subordinates reported matters from outside the moon gate, he had already tidied up his hair and said, “Proceed according to the plan.”

He disappeared for most of the day, like an indefatigable monster.

Yu Lingxi, on the other hand, felt her legs sore and numb, as if being gnawed by countless ants. It took her a while to recover. Would Ning Yin wear the sachet to the court?

Yu Lingxi wasn’t quite sure.

The answer came early the next morning.

Yu Lingxi was still awakened by the stuffiness in the room.

Turning her head, she saw Ning Yin lying on the couch, holding her waist in his arms, his warm breath spraying gently into the nape of her neck.

He must have returned directly from the palace after a night of busy affairs, still wearing the royal robe. Yu Lingxi knew that yesterday was his enthronement ceremony, and now Ning Yin was indeed the legitimate Prince Ning.

Just one step away from the pinnacle of her past life.

As Yu Lingxi moved slightly, Ning Yin woke up. He forcibly turned her body around to face him, examining Yu Lingxi’s sleepy and charming sleeping face.

The movement of turning her around was too abrupt, and Yu Lingxi’s clothes became loose, revealing a piece of snow-white undulating skin, delicate collarbones gently rising and falling with her breath.

“When did you come back?”

Unaware, she asked with drowsiness, “Do you want to sleep for a while?”

Ning Yin’s gaze went down, lingering for a long time, softly asking, “What kind of sleep?”

Following his gaze downward, Yu Lingxi suddenly felt embarrassed, quickly retracting into the covers, but was stopped by Ning Yin’s single hand. He scrutinized the slightly trembling eyelashes of Yu Lingxi. Normally not proactive, he was adept at making prey fall into the trap on their own.

Even just a glance was full of oppression. Yu Lingxi kept her eyes open, unable to resist a shiver. In the dim palace, a fragrance of silver and charcoal lingered.

Just at this moment, a voice from the guards came from outside the door, “Your Highness, Young General from the Yu Mansion requests an audience.”

Elder brother?

Yu Lingxi instinctively straightened up, her wrist held in a firm grip. However, she was effortlessly pressed by Ning Yin by the bedside.

Ning Yin turned over and covered her, his fingertips trailing down from her earlobe to the side of her neck. With a deep gaze, he said, “Now you see.”

“Your Highness?” Yu Lingxi whispered, pleading.

Ning Yin’s fingertips lingered, unmoved.

In a short while, the guard returned, his footsteps noticeably hurried, “Your Highness, Young General has broken in.”

Ning Yin frowned.

The current situation was clearly not suitable to continue. Yu Lingxi hurriedly said, “Let me go and see him, okay?”

Ning Yin looked at her for a while and released his hand.

“Go then,” he said indifferently.

He was so agreeable, but Yu Lingxi hesitated.

Seeing her not moving, Ning Yin chuckled lightly, “You went to great lengths to make a sachet for me to carry with me. Wasn’t it for this moment?”

Yu Lingxi opened her mouth, frowned, and said, “Not entirely for this.”

“I’ll give you two quarters of an hour.”

Ning Yin reached out and tucked her hair behind her ear, “Take advantage before I change my mind.”

“Actually, that sachet is…”

“One quarter of an hour.”

Why did the time seem to get shorter as they talked?

Yu Lingxi had to reluctantly shut her mouth and quickly dressed and headed to the front courtyard, forgetting even to tie her cloak, running towards the front courtyard.

As she left, the smile in Ning Yin’s eyes faded.

“Summon Li Jiu,” he ordered.

Standing barefoot on the cold floor tiles, he called a guard, “Ask him to bring his bow.”

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