Heaven knows, her heart almost stopped beating at that moment.
Guilt and self-blame overwhelmed her like a tidal wave. She had even thought about what she would do if Xiao Yi really died.
Xiao Yi grabbed Cui Yunfeng's hand.
Shen Xiabai, cursing him to die?
As expected of the Emperor's favorite, quite bold.
"The corners of your eyes are red."
Cui Yunfeng immediately turned her head away. "Mind your own business."
"It's because of me." Xiao Yi tried to wrap his arm around her waist, but unfortunately, he was injured and no match for Cui Yunfeng.
"Behave yourself, or see how I deal with you," Cui Yunfeng said fiercely.
Xiao Yi could only lie back down. "You're just bullying me because I'm useless right now. Just wait. When I recover, you'd better stay this tough."
"..." When he recovered?
Although Xiao Yi treated her very, very well, he was absolutely not completely obedient to her every whim. His nature was wild and reckless, even exhibiting an unbridled madness.
Cui Yunfeng wasn't afraid of him, but she was afraid of his madness, afraid that he would do absolutely anything.
"Has an imperial physician looked at your injuries? What did they say?"
Xiao Yi's expression was indifferent. "I'll have to stay in bed for at least ten days to half a month."
"Yunfeng," he reached out again, but Cui Yunfeng immediately dodged. Xiao Yi's eyes darkened slightly.
His voice was low and hoarse. "That day on the painted boat, when you begged me to take the blame for your eldest sister, you didn't have this attitude. A person shouldn't just be sweet when they need something and cold when they don't."
That day, she had called him Yi-gege. Now, she was calling him by his full name and acting so impatient.
"..." Cui Yunfeng felt a bit awkward.
"I'll pour you a cup of water."
Xiao Yi propped himself up, leaning against a soft pillow as he watched Cui Yunfeng's figure.
He said lazily, "Today, the Crown Prince, in order to set me up, didn't even care about your cousin, and even earned the title of County Princess for his side consort. It can be said to be killing two birds with one stone, making him the biggest winner."
Cui Yunfeng brought the tea to his lips, her expression calm.
Xiao Yi drank from her hand and took the opportunity to grab her wrist. "Can't you persuade those two old stubborn fools in your family? Why continue to support that coward? Marry me..."
Cui Yunfeng suddenly broke free from Xiao Yi's grasp. "My father will make his own decisions. Xiao Yi, I've said it long ago: between you and me, we only talk about personal feelings, not family politics."
Xiao Yi looked at Cui Yunfeng's displeased little face and smiled as if helpless. "Fine, we won't mention it. As long as they don't marry you off for now, I will definitely behave myself."
"Otherwise... Yunfeng, don't blame me for going crazy and resorting to any means necessary."
He brushed aside the dark hair falling in front of Cui Yunfeng, a dark glint flashing in the depths of his eyes, as deep as an abyss.
In that instant, Cui Yunfeng only felt a chill run down her spine. She subconsciously turned her head, avoiding Xiao Yi's hand.
Xiao Yi's hand stopped abruptly, his eyes turning cold. "Didn't you say we only talk about personal feelings? Why are you hiding?"
"Cui Yunfeng, your lip service is getting better and better these days. You only know how to use empty words to deceive me. What, did your eldest sister teach you this?"
Cui Yunfeng couldn't help but feel that Xiao Yi was a bit abnormal today, as if he had returned to those past years...
Thinking of those bad memories, a chill crept up from the soles of Cui Yunfeng's feet. "I am not. Haven't we always been like this all these years?"
Xiao Yi nodded. "That's true. Yunfeng is most afraid of blood. After that time, I have never wielded a knife in front of you. Haven't I been very good to you?"
"Stop talking." Cui Yunfeng pushed him away, her heartbeat accelerating uncontrollably.
When they were children, she and Xiao Yi were not close.
She always felt that Xiao Yi looked a bit scary when he smiled, and she didn't like playing with him, but Xiao Yi always followed her.
Later...
Once when she entered the palace, he came to her holding a skinned rabbit, saying that the rabbit had been disobedient and that he would have the imperial kitchen make rabbit soup for her.
It was a naked threat, and the young Cui Yunfeng inexplicably understood it. From that day on, she became good friends with Xiao Yi.
Later, step by step, it evolved into what it was today.
It was true that she liked him, but deep down, she also feared him a little.
But perhaps it was his deep affection and indulgence that made her forget those things, allowing her to become increasingly arrogant and spoiled in front of him.
Over the course of more than ten years, Xiao Yi used terrifying methods to drive away many of her friends and admirers.
Now, why would he suddenly bring up the past?
That feeling of being threatened sharply crept back into Cui Yunfeng's heart.
Looking at Xiao Yi's smile, she felt a chill all over her body.
"Yunfeng, be good."
Cui Yunfeng fell silent. After a moment, she softened her tone. "It's getting late, and my eldest sister is still waiting for me. I'll have someone send you some ointment later. Rest well and recover. When you're fully healed, we can go out and play together again."
"I still want to go boating on the North Lake."
"Alright." He seemed to have turned back into that easygoing Yi-gege, letting Cui Yunfeng ask for whatever she wanted.
"Then I'm leaving," Cui Yunfeng stood up, pulling the brocade quilt up a bit to cover Xiao Yi. "It's cold, don't catch a chill."
"Okay."
His face was full of smiles; there was not a trace of the gloominess from just a moment ago.
After Cui Yunfeng left, a young eunuch quickly walked into the palace hall.
"Has she left?"
"Yes." After the young eunuch replied, his expression turned ugly. "Reliable news has been sent from over there: Prime Minister Cui had a very pleasant conversation with this year's new top scholar and has already sent people to investigate his birthplace and family background."
Hearing this, Xiao Yi let out a cold laugh. His wicked and charming face looked even more terrifying under the swaying gauze curtains. "He acts fast, but does that top scholar have the life to live?"
