“You’re too polite, Qingxue. You’re my betrothed, after all. Isn’t it only natural for me to care for you?” Cang Yan chuckled, his deep blue eyes fixed intently on Yun Qingxue.
His eyes were as blue as the purest sapphires in the world. But under the prolonged gaze of those eyes, Yun Qingxue felt only one thing—unease. That stare made her feel exposed, suffocated even!
Uncomfortable under his scrutiny, she turned her gaze away and stood up, walking to the window. A faint smile curled at her lips. “I’m not that fragile. The scenery outside is lovely—it’d be a shame to miss it.”
With that, she reopened the window Cang Yan had closed earlier.
The difference was stark—he could shut it with a mere flick of his sleeve from across the room, while she had to walk over and do it manually.
Opening the window, Yun Qingxue took a moment to steady her unsettled emotions before turning back to Cang Yan. “What brings the Beast King to visit me?”
“Qingxue,” Cang Yan smirked, his expression roguish. “I don’t like it when you call me ‘Beast King’ so formally.”
Yun Qingxue smiled faintly but said nothing. *Formal?* Did he think using a more intimate term would make them closer? She had no desire to grow close to an ambitious schemer who sought to use her—that would be like a lamb willingly walking into a wolf’s den!
Still, she sighed inwardly. *When under someone else’s roof, one must bow their head.*
“I understand. It’s just a habit from before. It’ll take some time to adjust.”
“No rush. We have all the time in the world,” Cang Yan replied magnanimously, his tone indulgent. “I came here today to sincerely apologize to you, Qingxue.”
She frowned, puzzled. *An apology? What game is he playing now?*
“Earlier in the Beast Palace, you were nearly harmed by malicious individuals due to my oversight. Are you angry with me?” Cang Yan watched her closely.
“That matter?” Yun Qingxue smiled faintly, entirely unmoved by his apology, which she knew lacked sincerity, regardless of his motives. “Qing Mei’er has already been severely punished. What’s done is done.”
“Qingxue, you’re truly magnanimous. I’m certain you’ll make an excellent partner for me in the future.” Cang Yan gazed at her with an increasingly satisfied expression.
*Partner?!*
The words made Yun Qingxue want to vomit blood. *Who wants to be your partner?!* Strictly speaking, their current relationship was nothing more than Cang Yan forcibly abducting her—a commoner—with the intent to exploit her for his own gain. *And he dares call it a partnership? Ugh, can this shameless man get any worse?*
She no longer wanted to speak to him. She just wished he’d vanish—quickly and efficiently.
But how to dismiss him? This was his territory, after all. Openly kicking him out might provoke him, and she’d be the one to suffer.
Yun Qingxue rubbed her temples, then did so again when no solution came to mind.
Cang Yan raised an eyebrow. “Are you unwell, Qingxue?”
“Hmm?” She snapped back to attention and lied without hesitation. “I… have a bit of a headache.”
*Headaches require rest. Surely he’ll take the hint and leave now.*
“A headache, you say…” Cang Yan stood from his chair.
Yun Qingxue’s heart leapt—*finally, he’s leaving!*—and she rubbed her temples more vigorously.
“Come here. Let me massage them for you. It’ll help.” His next move defied her expectations entirely.
*Massage?! Just leave, and the pain will vanish on its own!* She covered her head with one hand. “No need. I’ll be fine after some rest.”
“You shouldn’t ignore discomfort. Come, let me help. I promise you’ll feel better soon.” He insisted.
Yun Qingxue nearly cried. *Why is it so hard to get rid of him?!*
“No, really—!”
Before she could finish, the room blurred around her. When her vision cleared, she found herself half-reclined on the soft couch.
*Bang!* The window shut again.
Cang Yan’s voice came from behind her. “Sudden headaches are often caused by drafts. Best to keep the window closed for now. No matter how beautiful the scenery, your health comes first.”
“Uh… I’ll be fine after resting. No need to trouble yourself.” She kept her back to him, narrowing her eyes. *This feels like digging my own grave.*
“Troubling myself for you is no trouble at all.” His voice was low and hypnotic. As he spoke, his fingers pressed against her temples, massaging in slow, deliberate motions.
The room was filled with the faint, elegant scent of incense, but Cang Yan caught another fragrance—subtle, serene, and lingering. It made his deep blue eyes darken, his heartbeat unsteady.
He knew it came from the woman on the couch. Such a unique scent must be the Flower King’s birthright—effortless and innate.
Once, rumors claimed the new Flower King was dull-witted.
Cang Yan chuckled inwardly. *The most unreliable things in this world are rumors—baseless whispers with no substance.*
Before meeting Yun Qingxue, he had wanted the Flower King only as a means to control the Flora Clan through marriage, extracting what he needed while keeping her as a mere pawn.
But now…
He wanted both the kingdom *and* the beauty.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage