The Crown Princess, Qin Yelan, was no longer herself. The drug's effects had fully taken hold, clouding her mind, dulling her senses. The once-proud figure of the Crown Princess now seemed vulnerable, staggering through the palace corridors as if she were lost in a fog. Xu Wenyan, who had arrived just in time, saw her as she was pushed into the room by the Minister of Right's son, her body weak and her movements sluggish.
It was a dangerous situation, one he had feared would happen after receiving a letter earlier that evening. His spy, one he had planted near Princess Zhao Ying, had given him a warning. The Crown Princess was in danger—targeted by those who sought to use her for their own schemes.
His heart had raced when he read the letter, knowing that he could not waste another moment. He had left his residence immediately, heading straight to the palace to find her, to protect her. But by the time he arrived, the scene had already unfolded, and the Crown Princess had already been pushed into that trap.
Without hesitation, Xu Wenyan acted swiftly. He entered the room and, with a strength born of instinct, he scooped her up in his arms, lifting her as though she were the most delicate thing in the world. She barely registered his presence, her glazed eyes blinking in confusion as she was carried through the halls of the palace.
"Don't worry, Your Highness," Xu Wenyan whispered softly to her. "I will keep you safe."
---
He made his way to his residence, his steps quick but purposeful. The night air was cool, but Xu Wenyan's focus was unwavering. He knew there was no time to waste. The Crown Princess had already been drugged, and though she was still alive, she wasn't in her right mind.
Upon arriving at his estate, Xu Wenyan instructed his personal maid to prepare a warm bed for the Crown Princess. She moved quickly, as she always did, knowing that tonight was no ordinary night. As the maid prepared the bed, Xu Wenyan gently placed the Crown Princess down on it. Her body was limp, her mind far from clarity, and yet there was a certain peace to her features, as if she trusted the safety he had promised.
Xu Wenyan stayed beside her as she slept, her breath even, her face serene. There was something undeniably fragile about her at this moment, something that stirred an unfamiliar protectiveness in his chest. He couldn't help but watch over her as the night wore on, his eyes never straying from her form.
It wasn't a conscious decision—it was just instinct. From the moment he had first set eyes on her, he had known that his heart had chosen to protect her. There was no logical explanation for it, no promise he had made aloud. But something within him had responded to her vulnerability, to the bond they shared, and it became clear that nothing could sway him from his decision. He would guard her, even if she never knew it.
The night passed quietly, and Xu Wenyan stood at the door, his posture rigid, ever watchful. He would not leave her side, not even for a moment. He trusted no one else to protect her as he would. His eyes flickered toward the maid, who had finished her task and now stood silently in the corner, as if to reassure him that everything was in order.
His mind wandered back to the previous evening's events—the assassination attempt, the way the Crown Princess had acted so decisively in saving him. That night had been the beginning of something he could not yet understand. There was more to their connection, and he couldn't shake the feeling that it was leading them both to something greater.
But for now, he had only one role to play: her protector.
---
As the night wore on, Xu Wenyan remained vigilant. His thoughts raced, his eyes never leaving the Crown Princess as she slept peacefully, unaware of the danger that had surrounded her just hours before. The warmth from the fire crackled softly in the background, a subtle reminder that, for now, the immediate threat had passed. Yet, Xu Wenyan knew this was only temporary. There would be more dangers, more threats to come. And no matter how perilous the situation, he would be there.
He couldn't explain why, but the need to protect her—whether it was from the conspiracies of the court, from the manipulations of her rivals, or even from herself—had become a part of him. A part that he could not ignore.
---
When morning came, the first rays of sunlight filtered through the window, casting a soft glow over the room. The Crown Princess stirred in her sleep, a faint groan escaping her lips as she slowly began to wake. Her head felt heavy, and her mind foggy, as if she had been trapped in a strange dream.
Xu Wenyan, ever watchful, stepped closer. He hadn't slept a wink, not even for a moment. The protective instinct that had taken hold of him kept him alert, kept him grounded in this moment. When the Crown Princess's eyes fluttered open, she met his gaze, her confusion apparent.
"Where am I?" she murmured, her voice hoarse.
"You're safe," Xu Wenyan replied softly, kneeling beside the bed. "I brought you here to rest. The danger has passed, Your Highness."
Qin Yelan's eyes searched his face, still clouded with confusion, but there was a flicker of recognition. Something in her gaze softened, though she didn't yet fully understand why she felt so at ease in his presence.
"Thank you," she whispered, though the words felt foreign on her tongue. She had no memory of how she had arrived at his residence, nor of the events that had led to her current situation. But something about the way Xu Wenyan stood there, unwavering, made her feel as if she were not alone.
Xu Wenyan gave a small nod, his face a mask of calm. "Rest for now," he said quietly. "I will ensure you are safe."
With that, he rose and stepped back, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer before he turned to leave the room. He knew she needed time to recover, to process everything that had happened.
But whatever came next, he would be there. He had no doubts about that.