Chapter 165: Stars Seemed to Twinkle in Her Eyes

After rescuing Cen An, Xiao Li gave him two options.

One: He could stay with Song Junzhan, just as before.

Two: He could move into the Princess Mansion, where she would assign guards for his personal protection.

He had definitely been targeted, and the perpetrators wouldn’t give up until they achieved their goal. But Xiao Li couldn’t go out of her way to save him every single time.

He had to make a choice, one that would also determine Xiao Li’s future attitude toward him.

’When it comes to saving people, I hope there won’t be a next time.’

It wasn’t that Xiao Li was cold-blooded. She simply had the ability to guarantee his safety, so why wait until he was kidnapped to rescue him? She hated being on the defensive.

’Of course I want to choose my brother. Don’t I know what the Princess Mansion is like?’

’She says she’ll protect me, but once I’m in the Princess Mansion, won’t she just work me to the bone?’

’It’s easy to get in but hard to get out. I barely managed to escape the Princess’s clutches. It hasn’t even been that long. How could I possibly jump right back in?’

But he didn’t choose immediately. Instead, he glanced nervously at Xiao Li, feeling that if he chose the first option, he would get a beating.

After all, the Princess had gone to so much trouble, even leading the rescue herself, and she had also offered to protect him. If he firmly refused, his conscience would prick him a little.

Xiao Li gave him a strange look. "Is your eye twitching?"

Cen An said awkwardly, "I know the Princess wants to protect me, but I’ll be leaving after I finish treating Jun Zhan. I wouldn’t want to trouble the Princess."

’That was a tactful enough refusal, right?’

Xiao Li nodded. "Fine."

’It’s better if Cen An leaves anyway. That little weakling only knows medicine, not poison. He won’t even know what killed him someday.’

Xiao Li’s reply was crisp. Hearing her cold tone, Cen An thought she was angry. His whole body tensed up, and he didn’t dare make a sound.

The group had just reached the city gates when Lou Yan departed. Before leaving, he glanced at Mo Jiang in Xiao Li’s arms.

The little wolf pup, having won her favor, was held personally by Xiao Li the entire way. He was in absolute bliss from being petted.

Suddenly, the pup sensed a murderous aura. It snapped its eyes open, only to see Lou Yan’s departing back.

"Awoo?"

Cen An and Song Junzhan, meanwhile, followed Xiao Li back to the Princess Mansion.

The procession moved through the main street. The imposing guards, the brawny, well-fed steeds, the cold, silver glint of iron armor—no one could see them without their hearts trembling in fear.

In particular, much of the iron armor seemed to be stained with the sheen of blood, exuding a fearsome aura. The faint of heart didn’t dare to look directly at them.

The Imperial City had no shortage of soldiers, especially the Imperial Army, who were the military elite. But even the Imperial Army didn’t seem as fierce and terrifying as Princess Xuanyang’s guards.

Only after the procession had passed did everyone dare to breathe freely again, and Princess Xuanyang’s reputation for ferocity grew a little thicker.

Xiao Li: ?

’What did I do?’

A sedan chair was parked at the entrance of the Princess Mansion. As the procession approached, the curtain was lifted, and Wang Wanqing, dressed in pink and blue, stepped out. A smile filled her face as she looked at Xiao Li in the procession. "Princess!"

Unlike others, the first thing she saw wasn’t the murderous guards, nor did she notice the tall and intimidating Rong Qing.

Wang Wanqing’s gaze swept over the scene, her eyes seeing only Xiao Li. As for any fearsome aura or intimidating figures, they simply didn’t exist for her.

Xiao Li dismounted, casually grabbing the little wolf pup and dropping him on the ground.

Wang Wanqing hurried over, visibly excited, but she restrained herself and stopped three paces away to curtsy. "Wanqing greets the Princess."

Xiao Li’s expression was indifferent. "Why are you here?"

Wang Wanqing raised a radiant, smiling face. "These past few days, I’ve been learning about stewardship from the Empress. She said I’m doing well and specially rewarded me with one trip out of the palace to see the Princess."

’Using a visit to me as a reward? My Imperial Sister-in-law sure has a way with rewards.’

Xiao Li walked into the mansion. Wang Wanqing followed two paces behind, even lifting her skirt to make way for the little wolf pup that was rushing to catch up.

"Princess, is this your dog? It’s so cute."

Xiao Li: "It’s a wolf."

Wang Wanqing: "What a cute wolf."

Song Junzhan and Ziyue started to walk inside, but after a few steps, they realized something was off. They turned back to see Cen An still sitting on his horse, completely dazed.

Ziyue went forward and pulled at him. "What are you spacing out for? Get down already."

Cen An snapped out of it as if waking from a dream. "Huh? Oh!"

In the front hall, Hong Yue first prepared hot water for Xiao Li to wash her face, while Lan Yue led others to serve tea to everyone.

Everyone was seated. Xiao Li glanced around. ’Hm?’

She turned her head to the side. Wang Wanqing was standing primly beside her in the spot where Hong Yue would normally stand. Seeing her posture, anyone who didn’t know better would have thought she was Xiao Li’s attendant.

"What are you standing for? Sit."

Wang Wanqing was surprised. "Thank you for granting me a seat, Princess, but I’m fine standing here."

’I’m not Miss Wang of the Wang family anymore; I’m Palace Attendant Wang Wanqing. Besides, I really want to be a little closer to the Princess.’

"Ahem, ahem..." Cen An choked on his tea. He quickly suppressed his coughs. Sensing Xiao Li looking over, he feigned a casual tone and asked, "Princess, who is this young lady?"

Wang Wanqing glanced at him and introduced herself gracefully. "You must be Doctor Cen. I’ve heard so much about you. My name is Wang Wanqing."

Wang Wanqing gave a slight curtsy. Cen An quickly stood and cupped his hands. "You’re too kind, Miss Wang. Cen An is just a doctor."

’I do know about the Wang family’s affairs. Not long ago, the Princess made a show of power in the palace precisely because of this young lady from the Wang family.’

’She’s the very same Miss Wang whom the Princess rescued from the hands of a beast...’

Wang Wanqing nodded, then turned to Xiao Li, her eyes filled with a smile. "The Princess is truly amazing, to have personally gone and rescued Doctor Cen."

It was as if stars were twinkling in her bright, dazzling eyes.

Song Junzhan had something to say to Xiao Li, but after a glance at Miss Wang, he decided to get up and take his leave. They had only intended to escort the Princess back, after all.

They rose to leave. Ziyue also went back with him today, and on his way out, he grabbed the absent-minded Cen An.

Cen An walked very slowly. He dawdled out the door and hadn’t gone far even after a while.

He could faintly hear Wang Wanqing speaking with Xiao Li. But after only a few sentences, the sound of pained sobs suddenly drifted out.

Cen An spun around abruptly and saw Wang Wanqing sobbing and trembling in Xiao Li’s arms.

Xiao Li’s hand, holding the teacup, paused. She ignored the person in her arms and took a sip first. She was just really thirsty.

Cen An took this all in, his eyes nearly popping out of his head.

’Miss Wang is crying so miserably, and she’s acting this cold?’

Sensing his gaze, Xiao Li raised her eyes to look at him.

Cen An glared at her, puffing his cheeks. Then he clenched his fists, realized he had no right to say anything, and finally turned and left, feeling aggrieved.

Xiao Li: ?

’What’s his problem?’

Wang Wanqing hadn’t actually intended to cry. As a Palace Attendant, she couldn’t leave the palace casually. She had been able to come out today only because she had specifically requested it from the Empress.

She hadn’t seen the Princess since being rescued and hadn’t even had a proper chance to thank her.

She had come to express her gratitude, but the moment the words came out, she inexplicably felt the urge to cry.

It was as if a dam holding back all her grievances had burst, and she couldn’t stop the flow.