Chapter 9

After visiting the palace, Xu Ling Ai remained silent throughout the entire ride back. Li Zhao couldn't help but feel unsettled by her sudden quietness, as it was so unlike her usual, lively self.

"Did Your Highness see him?" Xu Ling Ai finally broke the silence after what felt like an eternity. Her voice was softer than usual, almost as if she was trying to sort through the swirl of emotions and thoughts in her mind.

She had been trying to convince herself that it had been a dream—the handsome man, the warmth of his smile, the way his eyes had twinkled when they met hers. But she knew better now. He had been there, looking and smiling at her from across the room. If Li Zhao hadn't dragged her away so suddenly, she would have fainted right then and there, overcome by the unexpected presence of the man she had admired from afar.

"Who?" Li Zhao replied, his voice cool and dismissive. He had grown concerned, thinking that perhaps something was wrong with her. But in reality, she was simply preoccupied with thoughts of a man.

"Xiao Zhan! Did you see him?" Xu Ling Ai was nearly desperate for confirmation. She shifted closer to him, her gaze searching his face for any sign of recognition, as though she were speaking of something of great importance.

Li Zhao looked at her, his expression one of confusion and mild irritation. Why was she acting like this over some man? But he didn't understand—there was no one present but the royal family and he couldn't make sense of her sudden fascination.

"There's no one named Xiao Zhan in the royal family," he replied sternly, his voice edged with a trace of annoyance.

Although their marriage was one of convenience and forced circumstances, he couldn't help but feel something unsettling twist inside him. Was she telling him that she had fallen for another man already? After all, they had only been wed yesterday.

She didn't seem to notice his growing irritation as she leaned in further, her face lighting up as she described the man she had seen.

"The guy with long hair, a soft smile, bright, blinking eyes, and such a handsome face. He was sitting on the left side, wearing a blue robe. Did you see him?" Her excitement and vivid description made her almost giddy, as though she were recounting a cherished memory from a dream.

Li Zhao felt a surge of heat rise in his chest, the anger bubbling inside him. Was she seriously praising another man right in front of him, the one who had married her and saved her life?

His hands clenched into fists. If she were any other woman, he would have thrown her out of the carriage without a second thought. But this was Xu Ling Ai, and he owed her far too much to do that.

"Duke Huai, Third Prince Li Zhi Ming," he practically growled, barely able to keep the venom out of his voice.

"He is your brother? Then he's not Xiao Zhan, right?" Xu Ling Ai sighed heavily, suddenly deflated.

'You stupid! How could Xiao Zhan be here?' she mentally chided herself, feeling foolish for even thinking he might be among the royal family.

When Li Zhao noticed the way her face fell, he merely hummed in response, his thoughts elsewhere. But then, much to his displeasure, her mood shifted once more.

"But it's okay! As long as he has Xiao Zhan's face, then he's the most handsome man. Your Highness, can you arrange a meet-and-greet with him? I want to take a picture with him, get his autograph, and maybe even shake his hand," Xu Ling Ai blurted out, her voice full of excitement, completely oblivious to the storm brewing within Li Zhao.

Before she could say anything more, Li Zhao cut her off with a single, cold word.

"No."

Though he didn't fully understand half of what she said, he did understand that she wanted to meet him. He wasn't jealous—he wasn't—that's what he told himself. But a small part of him couldn't shake the feeling that he didn't want to share her attention with another man, especially someone who resembled the person she so clearly adored.

"You're being petty. I'll find my own way to meet him. Just wait and see!" Xu Ling Ai stuck her tongue out at Li Zhao playfully, a defiant spark in her eyes.

Once they reached the manor, Li Zhao swiftly left her alone in the carriage without so much as a glance.

"What's wrong with his moody self?" Xu Ling Ai muttered under her breath as she hopped out of the carriage. Her irritation and confusion had built up throughout their conversation, but she shrugged it off with a dismissive sigh. This wasn't the time to dwell on his behavior.

She walked around the yard with light steps, a sudden sense of joy flooding through her. Her heart felt lighter than it had in days, and she couldn't help but twirl around, her mood practically sparkling.

She felt as though she were in a dream, unaware that she was embracing a role she never thought she would—being a fangirl, even in this ancient world. She wanted to shout to the heavens, to tell the world about Xiao Zhan, but no one would understand her enthusiasm.

"I'm the most successful fangirl ever!!" she shouted with all her might, her voice high-pitched and full of joy. Her heart raced with excitement, her mind buzzing with thoughts of meeting her idol.

Little did she know, her loud cry didn't go unnoticed. The servants, startled by the sudden outburst, turned their heads. Wu Xi had to cover his ears, the shrill sound piercing through the quiet of the manor.

At first, the servants thought something might have happened to her, but when they saw her laughing like there was no tomorrow, they exchanged confused glances. They quickly pretended they hadn't seen anything, going back to their duties as though nothing unusual had occurred.

Li Zhao's Study Room

"Your Highness, there has been no progress in finding the antidote," Wu Xi said gloomily, his head bowed in deference.

For years, they had been searching for the blood of a ten-thousand-year-old fox—a mythical creature that had become little more than a legend. Yet, Li Zhao never gave up. He had no choice but to believe that it was real, that it existed somewhere, hidden from the world.

He had scoured every corner of the Han country, desperately following every lead, but to no avail. The legends told of a fox that lived in a cave, but despite his efforts, Li Zhao had yet to find it. On a scroll, there was a list of caves believed to exist in the country, but they had all proved fruitless.

"Our private physician has created a new poison to keep the symptoms at bay," Wu Xi continued, taking out a small, ornate box from his robes.

Inside, it contained various types of potent toxins—substances capable of killing a human instantly. The only way to counter the disease was by mixing several of these deadly poisons, a risky concoction that could only slow the disease's progress. Taking regular medicine would only worsen the effects, triggering a violent opposite reaction.

"Your Highness, you must consume this every day to lessen the poison's control over your body. However, when the full moon rises, even this will be ineffective. You will need to endure the pain as usual in the underground room." Wu Xi's voice trembled slightly with guilt. He felt responsible for his master's suffering, unable to offer a cure.

Only Wu Xi, the Emperor, and Li Zhao himself knew the truth behind his affliction—how he had contracted the incurable disease. The Emperor believed Li Zhao had recovered long ago, but that was far from the truth. Despite seeking out numerous physicians in secret, no one had been able to cure him.

"Halt the search for now," Li Zhao ordered curtly. "Imperial Father may have noticed."

He hated the weakness this illness had brought upon him. Day by day, his body grew weaker, and the poison slowly took more control over him. This wasn't a poison that killed quickly; it tormented the body, seeping into his veins over time.

The disease was known as the Human Vampire Poison—one of the rarest, most mythical diseases in existence, thought to be a mere legend. Yet here he was, suffering from it, just like the stories said. It was a self-made poison, one that no one thought could be real.

"Do not mention this matter again within the manor," Li Zhao ordered coldly. He knew a new presence had arrived at the manor, and he wanted to avoid drawing any further attention to his condition.

"Yes, Your Highness," Wu Xi responded, understanding the need for utmost caution.

Since Xu Ling Ai had been chosen as the Princess's consort, every move they made had to be calculated. Li Zhao's discomfort with her presence in the manor was growing, and his concerns extended to more than just his health.

"Also, Your Highness, what is wrong with the Princess Consort?" Wu Xi asked hesitantly, not wanting to overstep but genuinely curious.

"Ban Li Zhi Ming from entering the manor," Li Zhao responded, his voice filled with suppressed anger.

Wu Xi froze for a moment. "Huh? What is the connection between the Princess Consort and His Highness Duke Huai?"

Li Zhao didn't answer directly. Instead, he added a new, seemingly nonsensical order. "Empty all the lakes in the manor. No water must remain inside."

Wu Xi's confusion deepened. "What...?"

He was about to ask for clarification, but as soon as he saw the dangerous glint in Li Zhao's eyes, he quickly held his tongue.

"Right away, Your Highness," Wu Xi muttered, bowing deeply before swiftly leaving to fulfill his master's commands.

P.S.

Li Zhao gets infected by human vampire poison!

Another fun fact is the vampire character I made does not suck blood so please take note!

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Thanks! 💖 - R