Chapter Sixty-Six: All Debts Owed to Me Must Be Repaid

Qin Wanru awoke very early. When her eyes fluttered open, she felt as though a thousand pounds were pressing down upon her, suffocating her. She must have been woken by that oppressive weight. Instinctively, she tried to push whatever was on top of her away, but even her hands were pinned and could not be lifted.

Growing anxious, Qin Wanru was unsure if she was awake or still dreaming. She bit her lip, summoned all her strength, and pushed fiercely with her hands and kicked out with her feet. Whatever was restraining her seemed to be shoved off, landing heavily on the floor beside the bed. The pressure eased, and she exhaled a deep breath, her long lashes fluttering as she prepared to close her eyes again. Suddenly, she sensed something and turned toward the floor, meeting a pair of icy, bloodthirsty eyes.

Her scream caught in her throat as she stared in astonishment at the disheveled, beautiful young man before her. He had likely never been so embarrassed in his life, his fierce, incredulous eyes glaring back at her.

He had fallen before her bed, and the force of the fall had knocked his hair ornament askew, rendering the esteemed Prince Chen utterly bedraggled.

“Are you not going to help me up?” After a moment’s stunned silence, Chu Liuchen spoke coldly.

Qin Wanru hurriedly propped herself up and extended a hand.

Chu Liuchen seized her small hand and pulled sharply. Qin Wanru, still confused and acting on instinct, had not expected such force. Instead of pulling Chu Liuchen up, she was yanked off the bed, blanket and all, landing atop him.

Chu Liuchen had just managed to rise, only to be pressed down again, his face darkening further with fury. Fortunately, Qin Wanru was small and slender, and the blanket was light; otherwise, the dignified Prince Chen might have been crushed to the point of spitting blood. The thought that he, a prince, had almost been overwhelmed by a woman only intensified the chill and anger in his gaze.

He ground out, “Qin Wanru…”

“My lord, why are you here? Is this not my room?” Qin Wanru, now fully awake from her tumble, scrambled to her feet and reached out to help Chu Liuchen, her watery eyes darting nervously.

This time, with one hand braced on the bed and Chu Liuchen aiding himself, he rose easily. Qin Wanru scrutinized him carefully, relieved to see that though he looked a mess, he was still dressed. Suddenly, realizing she herself was in her nightclothes, she hastily gathered the blanket and retreated to the bed, hiding beneath it with only her head exposed, her wide, clear eyes watching Chu Liuchen warily.

“What are you hiding for? If there was anything to see, I’ve already seen it. You’re just a child; nothing worth looking at!” Chu Liuchen sat on the bed, his handsome face still clouded, and tugged at Qin Wanru’s blanket, saying matter-of-factly, “I’m cold. Give me some blanket!”

Qin Wanru exclaimed in horror, “My lord, men and women should not share a bed after the age of seven!”

Though she was only eleven and still a child, etiquette dictated her response. Chu Liuchen appearing in her bed so suddenly was a test of her composure.

Her mind still muddled, Qin Wanru dared to argue with Chu Liuchen.

“Heh, I have no interest in a bean sprout like you!” Chu Liuchen sneered, pulling the blanket over himself. “If I fall ill from the cold, will you take responsibility?”

By the moonlight streaming in from the window, Qin Wanru saw the prince’s pale face and bloodless lips. She quietly loosened her grip; she could not bear that responsibility.

With most of the blanket now covering Chu Liuchen, Qin Wanru sat pitifully at the edge of the bed, far from him, wrapped in what little remained, her body curled into a ball. Pulled from the warmth, she indeed felt very cold.

“My lord, do you… need something from me?” Qin Wanru shivered from the chill, but dared not reclaim the blanket.

“I do.” Chu Liuchen reached out and pulled her small figure toward him, snorting, “Such a tiny girl, spouting nonsense about men and women not sharing a bed, so old-fashioned and useless.”

Held in his arms, Qin Wanru’s body warmed up, though the prince himself seemed scarcely warmer, his skin almost colder than hers.

“My lord, what is it you need from me?” Qin Wanru decided it was best not to quibble. Wasn’t the prince supposed to be at her family’s manor? How had he come to Jingxin Temple?

“I heard there was trouble here last night. I wanted to witness the excitement.” Chu Liuchen’s eyes narrowed, his tone sinister.

Qin Wanru sighed in relief. “My lord, you’re too late. What happened last night is already over. You came because my eldest sister was sent back to the manor, didn’t you? It’s all finished now!”

“I do not think it is finished.” Chu Liuchen let out a cold, mocking laugh.

“Do you mean…?” Qin Wanru was startled, asking cautiously. Her hair, pitch-black and long, cascaded around her as she sat, enveloping her small frame and highlighting her rosy lips and white teeth, lending her a beauty beyond her years.

Especially her crimson lips, their graceful shape seeming to radiate allure even in the dim room.

Chu Liuchen’s gaze lingered on her lips, and he suddenly chuckled. “Qin Wanru, I’ve helped you many times. I am your savior, am I not?”

“Thank you, my lord!” Qin Wanru’s heart tightened.

“Whether you thank me or not, you must remember: what you owe me must be repaid.” Chu Liuchen smiled lightly, leaning back, his head tilted, his gaze mischievous. “I do not offer help for nothing.”

“So, what do you mean, my lord?” Qin Wanru asked more cautiously.

“Bring him in!” Chu Liuchen’s voice suddenly rose.

“Yes, sir!” Someone outside the window replied softly. A guard dressed in black pushed open the half-closed window and leapt inside, dragging another man clad in black.

The man seemed unconscious, his limbs limp.

“Who is this?” Qin Wanru gasped, her body tensing.

“If not for me, you would have been assassinated tonight!” Chu Liuchen’s voice was chilling.

Qin Wanru’s gaze fell on the man’s hands, noticing the guard placing various items on her table: rope, a knife, and a stick of incense.

A sudden realization struck her, her face paling. She had been careless! This lapse had nearly cost her life. Lady Di had planned to abduct her.

Jingxin Temple was not like her family’s manor, with many comings and goings. If something happened to her, investigation would be difficult. Besides, Qin Yuru was also in trouble, and her father would be busy handling that, leaving her own situation unattended. By the time her sister’s issue was resolved, it would be too late for her.

Lady Di was truly vicious!

Sensing the tension in the small body in his arms, Chu Liuchen reached out and stroked her head to soothe her. “So, once again, I have saved you.”

“Thank you, my lord!” Qin Wanru’s gratitude was sincere, her face as white as snow, utterly devoid of color.

“A debt of life is as weighty as the heavens. You won’t forget, will you?” Chu Liuchen’s expression softened, the previous coldness gone, and he became again the gentle, elegant youth as if stepped from an ink painting.

“I will never forget,” Qin Wanru replied respectfully.

“Since you remember, I’ll take my leave. I’m tired.” Chu Liuchen pointed to the black-clad man on the floor.

Qin Wanru thought for a moment. “Will he wake soon?”

“He should remain unconscious for a while longer.” Chu Liuchen glanced at the man.

“My lord, may I trouble you once more? Could you place him beneath the window of the courtyard opposite mine, as if he accidentally fell and fainted?” Qin Wanru asked. The opposite courtyard was occupied, with many servants. She had seen them when she went out earlier; it must be a wealthy household.

With more people on hand than herself, and judging by the faint light outside, dawn was near and some servants would soon arise.

“Alright, I’ll help you once more!” Chu Liuchen agreed cheerfully, got off the bed, pulled the blanket over Qin Wanru’s head, straightened his own attire, ordered his guard to tidy up the table, and then, dragging the man, leapt out the window.

Qin Wanru sat dazed beneath her blanket, clutching her collar. Even now, her face was still pale as snow.

She gripped the corner of the blanket, feeling as if everything around her had vanished.

She trembled as though submerged in icy water. Her carelessness had nearly cost her life—and if something had happened, not only she, but her grandmother, Lady Shui, and Qingyue would have suffered as well. Her hand tightened, crushing the blanket into a ball.

This would never happen again. She drew a deep breath, suppressed her terror, and slowly exhaled.

Pulling the blanket from her head, Qin Wanru got out of bed and carefully dressed herself, smoothing every crease. Without a maid’s assistance, she donned her clothes neatly, as if she had risen early.

A scream echoed from the opposite courtyard, followed by loud shouts and the sound of something breaking, crisp and startling in the early dawn, rousing many from sleep.

“Miss, Miss!” Qingyue rushed in, flustered.