Chapter 9: A Brief Indulgence

Gently pressing, softly licking.

Shen Lan’s Adam’s apple was hot and damp.

He tilted his head slightly and caught a faint scent of wine.

Momentarily caught off guard, he was suddenly pulled down by Xiao Yi’s arms, his knees buckling, and they both fell to the ground.

In the icy snow, the two of them tumbled together as one.

The ground was strewn with jagged stones. Shen Lan quickly reached out to protect the back of Xiao Yi’s head, only then realizing that her eyes were unfocused, her cheeks flushed, and her body burning with fever.

“Xiao Yi! Do you still remember who I am?” Shen Lan held her arms firmly and waved a hand before her face.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Yi smiled dreamily at him without answering, pressing closer and murmuring, “Hot... so hot.”

A flush slowly crept onto Shen Lan’s pale face. Lost in a haze, he suddenly heard hurried footsteps approaching from afar, accompanied by voices.

“Father, mother, I just saw sister go out this way.”

Frowning, Shen Lan scooped Xiao Yi into his arms and, with a swift leap, left the precinct of the Listening Wind Pavilion.

Xiao Yi’s condition was clearly due to a heat toxin.

But the source of the poison was suspicious, and its onset sudden. Perhaps the poisoner had yet to reveal all their tricks.

With the situation unclear, he could not let her remain exposed outdoors.

Yet, unfamiliar with the area, it was unwise to recklessly seek help.

Just as he pondered where to go, Xiao Yi grew restless again.

She struggled in his arms, pulling at his robe and reaching out blindly.

Her movements agitated Shen Lan, making him warm all over.

He couldn’t wait any longer.

After a moment’s thought, Shen Lan removed his dark black cloak, wrapped it around Xiao Yi, and returned to his quarters in the Eastern Garden.

Fortunately, the banquet had just ended; most servants were still tidying up at the pavilion, and the Eastern Garden was almost deserted.

Shen Lan entered swiftly, closed the door with a kick, and placed Xiao Yi on the soft couch, finally exhaling in relief.

Turning his back, he found a teapot, took a sip to soothe his throat.

When he faced her again, Xiao Yi had already discarded the cloak entirely.

Her garments lay scattered on the floor; she reclined there, pale and radiant.

Shen Lan glanced once, his face flushing crimson.

He quickly turned away, refusing to look.

Unexpectedly, footsteps echoed behind him.

---

Then, a pair of slender white arms wrapped around his chest.

“You’re so cool,” Xiao Yi, delirious from fever, instinctively clung to Shen Lan.

He took a deep breath, clasped her firmly, his mind torn by conflicting thoughts.

In the end, he sighed and yielded to her.

He carried her to the couch and was about to move closer when he noticed her ankle.

She was no longer shackled by the iron ball, but the heavy chain still coiled tightly around it.

Though hidden beneath her robe, the thick chain’s cruelty was now evident.

Her ankle was raw, scabbed, swollen, and red — pitiful beyond words.

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