Chapter 27: Chapter 27: I Care

Small rays of light filtered into sight as a pair of long eyelashes fluttered. It was night and only the shining moon illuminated Cherry Blossom Hall. The resting figure on the bed turned her head. Much to her shock, and dismay, the first person she laid eyes on wasn't her trusty maid but her tsundere and aloof husband.

"You're awake," Xu Haoran breathed in relief. "Finally. The worst is over."

Li Yingshan's eyebrows furrowed. "You should've let me die."

"Why? Why do you say that?"

She turned her head away from him first before putting her entire back to him. "You wouldn't understand, Hero Xu."

"Then help me to understand."

He sat down on the edge of the bed and rested a hand on her shoulder, causing her to jump in fright. Quickly retracting his hand, he cleared his throat apologetically. She slowly relaxed and buried her head in the covers, not wanting to speak to him. He sighed.

"I know the truth. I know why you were forced to sleep with the Crown Prince. I know you didn't kill your sisters."

Her eyes narrowed. Qiu Ling must've told him. Is she even betraying me now? Can I not trust anyone anymore?

A single tear slid down her cheek. She swallowed but remained silent. Xu Haoran groaned.

"What else can I say? Li Yingshan, how can I prove myself to you?"

She bit her lip. "Why did you save me?"

He stared at her incredulously. With a pained voice, he answered, "I was frantic. You were unconscious on the ground, and your pulse was erratic. Tell me, was I really supposed to have just let you lay there and die in front me?"

"Yes."

"Why do you wish to die? Is there really nothing left to live for?"

She shook her head.

"Not Qiu Ling? Not Moonlight Pagoda?"

Finally, Li Yingshan sat up and whipped her head to glare at him. "The Crown Prince wants me dead! He'll dredge up evidence from the past five years. He'll put all the blame onto me and order my public execution. Hero Xu, I'M DOING YOU A FAVOR!"

"Doing me a favor? By killing yourself?! Do you even hear what you're saying?!" his eyes blazed as he snapped back. "Why must you decide for me?"

"Because if I don't die now, the Crown Prince will execute you too, just for being my husband. Qiu Ling will die for being my accomplice. But if I died, she could flee to Moonlight Pagoda. The Black Phoenixes guard its headquarters; even the Crown Prince doesn't dare act against them. And you... you would be free of my stigma."

"What if I don't want to be free of your stigma?" Xu Haoran countered angrily. "You've never taken my feelings into account!"

"Feelings?" she scoffed. "You married me out of duty. What feelings could there possibly be?"

"Dummy," he muttered. Louder, he blurted, "I care about you. I care whether you're praised or scorned. I care whether you're poisoned or not. I care whether you're alive or not."

Her eyes widened. "We barely know each other still. How can you-"

"Because... over the course of the short while that we've been married, I've come to learn three things about you. One, you'd do anything for those you care about. Two, you are a capable, cunning, and intelligent woman who is not to be underestimated. And three, you are a survivor. You cured yourself from Cloudless Night Sect's Fury Black Poison. You've survived two assassination attempts. Despite the rumors and stigma surrounding you, you made a new life for yourself and Qiu Ling rising above the pains of your past. You, Li Yingshan, are stubborn yet perseverant."

Her jaw dropped open. She couldn't speak. Surprised glistened in her eyes.

"And because of all of that, I've come to care about you."

She looked down at the covers on the bed, wrapping them up closer to her, covering her chest. Emotional pain flickered across her face.

"You really shouldn't stay tied to me. It will only end in your death," she murmured in reply.

"To die with you, an Elite of the Jianghu, would be an honor."

Her head shot up. "Are you insane?! You have your entire life ahead of you! Why would you condemn yourself to an early death?!"

"Because if I cannot live without you, then there is no reason for me to live."

His words sunk into her as she slowly processed them. When she had, she shook her head vehemently.

"You really shouldn't-"

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Deciding only actions could prove his sincerity, he leaned in and captured her lips with his. Alarm flashed in her eyes. His hands encircled her wrists, subtly taking her pulse. When he found it still a little uneven, he knew he shouldn't upset her too much. Pulling his lips away, he gazed into her eyes which were only a few cun1 cun = 3.33cm away.

"You're still not fully recovered. I'll have Qiu Ling bring you some medicine and some congee. You've barely had anything in a two weeks."

He stood up from the bed and turned to go.

"Wait!"

Xu Haoran twisted back around. "Hmm?"

"I've been unconscious for two weeks?" Li Yingshan asked.

He nodded. "When I saw you, you were almost dead. To pull you back from the brink of death, Qiu Ling and I have been feeding you medicine for the past two weeks."

She bowed her head and murmured, "Sorry to have troubled you."

He sighed. "You are not a trouble nor a burden to me. Li Yingshan, you are my wife. It's my duty to protect you, and I failed. But rest assured, I won't fail again."

Xu Haoran headed for the doors and slid them open. Just before he stepped out, he turned his head to look at her once more.

"Else how can I stand beside the Goddess of Moonlight Pagoda?"

Without waiting for her response, he exited Cherry Blossom Hall and closed the doors after him. He headed off to find Qiu Ling.

Inside, his finally words rang in Li Yingshan's ears. Goddess of Moonlight Pagoda.

∇

A little while later, Qiu Ling entered with a tray, on which sat a bowl of medicine and a spoon and another bowl filled with congee and a spoon. She set the tray down on the table and brought the medicine bowl over to Li Yingshan first, who was sitting up in bed, slightly dazed.

"My Lady, here's your medicine."

But before Li Yingshan drank it, she turned her head towards Qiu Ling and asked, "Who's the Goddess of Moonlight Pagoda?"

Qiu Ling smiled and replied, "Of course my Lady is!"

"Hero Xu's letting me keep it?"

She sat down on the edge of the bed and nodded. "He prayed for you to wake up. Over the past two weeks, he promised you Moonlight Pagoda and his protection and the world if you so desired it. His only stipulation was that you woke up."

"And if I hadn't?"

"Well... if you didn't wake, it would mean that you died, right? Then you wouldn't be here to take care of Moonlight Pagoda anyways. His protection would be rendered unnecessary, and the world could never be yours."

Li Yingshan sighed. "Qiu Ling, have I been wrong about him all along?"

Her maid bit her lip. "I believe Young Master has a kind heart. He seems to care about you very much. He's defended you against your father, and he's given you the title and status of Madam of the Household. He felt remorse after realizing the truth about your time with the Crown Prince and was going to apologize to you when he found you unconscious on the floor."

"Why did you tell him, Qiu Ling?"

She bowed her head. "I'm sorry, my Lady. I thought it was time Young Master knew. Otherwise, he might misunderstand you. I've seen you suffer enough. I hoped you could finally be happy and smile again."

Li Yingshan sighed and drank her medicine. I don't know if I'll ever smile again. Not when I know my execution looms near.

Qiu Ling returned the empty bowl to the tray and picked up the full one. She presented it before Li Yingshan. "My Lady, Young Master wants you to eat something. Here, I've cooked you some congee. It's how you like it."

Li Yingshan gave her an unhappy look but then her stomach rumbled. She took the bowl and ate slow bites. When she had finished the whole bowl, Qiu Ling took it from her and set it back on the tray.

"Rest now, my Lady. That way, you can recover faster."

Qiu Ling stood from the edge of the bed and picked up the tray. She made her way to the doors and exited. Once the doors shut after her, Li Yingshan sighed and slowly lowered herself back down on the bed. Turning onto her side, she closed her eyes.

Qiu Ling listens to Hero Xu more than me now. It appears that even though I'm the famed Goddess of Moonlight Pagoda, I'm truly alone in this cruel world.

---

Hey everyone, sorry for the delay! It's the end of my semester and I've been swamped with papers and projects. This is also my Finals Week, so I've been studying for exams as well. But as always, thanks for reading and all the love and support!

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