Chapter 20: I Have Him Wrapped Around Me

At the very moment he pressed down on Li Qingning's body, a loud crash echoed through the room. A horizontal beam on the ceiling suddenly snapped without warning, crashing down with immense force. It struck exactly where Xie Ning had been standing moments before. Had he been there even a second earlier, he would have been crushed to a pulp.

The beam hit the ground with a thunderous roar, causing the entire room to shake violently and dust to fill the air. Outside the door, the horrified screams of Madame Rong and Taohua pierced the air.

“Your Highness!”

“Heiress!”

“We’re all safe.”

Xie Ning’s deep voice finally calmed the crowd outside. On the bed, he lay fully atop Li Qingning, shielding her delicate frame beneath his own. He could distinctly feel the cold softness of her body pressed against him. A faint fragrance, like that of orchids, lingered subtly at his nostrils.

But there was no time for such sensations now.

The near-death peril from moments ago still sent chills down his spine, sweat dampening his back. “That was too close...” he murmured, stunned at how overwhelmingly sinister the Four Yin Deadly Formation truly was. Not only had it sapped his yang energy, but it had also triggered a physical assault. This was no ordinary geomantic malice—it was outright sorcery, raw and unrestrained.

Clearly, the one manipulating events from behind the scenes harbored grand designs and employed ruthless means.

A faint cough came from within his arms. Xie Ning glanced down and saw that Li Qingning’s eyes were open. Her beautiful phoenix-like eyes were filled with confusion and weakness.

Their gazes met, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze.

Li Qingning looked at the handsome face so close to hers, feeling the uniquely youthful warmth pressing down on her. Her mind went blank.

Who am I? Where am I?

“You...” she started to speak, but her face flushed crimson in an instant. The rosy blush breathed new life into her pale complexion, lending her the vibrant air of someone truly alive.

“Don’t move,” Xie Ning’s voice was low and hoarse.

He could feel her struggling beneath him.

“Don’t speak either. The yin energy inside you is raging out of control. If you move again, not even immortals can save you.”

His tone brooked no argument.

Li Qingning’s body stiffened in place. She felt bone-chilling cold energy surging wildly through her limbs, a pain so intense it made even breathing difficult.

“Endure it,” Xie Ning whispered.

Without hesitation, he pressed his slightly cool hand firmly against the soft skin of her chest.

“Mmm...” Li Qingning let out a stifled groan, her body tensing uncontrollably.

An unprecedented, tingling yet strange sensation radiated instantly from their point of contact, spreading through her entire body. Shame, nervousness, and surprisingly, a hint of... anticipation?

Her heart pounded wildly, as if it would leap from her throat.

Then, a warm and pure force began to flow steadily from Xie Ning’s palm into her body. Like the sun’s warmth on a winter’s day, it drove back the bone-piercing cold dark energy.

That long-lost, deeply satisfying feeling of owning her own body returned once more.

Much stronger than the last time in the carriage—a hundredfold stronger.

Li Qingning closed her eyes in bliss, her long lashes trembling slightly. Her cheeks, still flushed from embarrassment, now wore an expression of pleasure and intoxication.

Meanwhile, Xie Ning’s complexion grew paler by the moment.

The innate Bagua diagram within him spun furiously, a process that drained him immensely. He felt like a balloon with a hole—his life force rapidly leaking away. Sweat drenched his clothes.

His vision darkened in waves, and his consciousness blurred.

Yet he gritted his teeth and persevered.

He knew this was the crucial moment.

If he let go now, the evil energy inside Li Qingning would immediately lash back—and both of them would be doomed.

With a silent roar in his heart, Xie Ning poured every last ounce of strength into the effort.

Time passed—perhaps the duration of a stick of incense, perhaps an entire hour.

When the final trace of black energy was absorbed from Li Qingning’s heart into Xie Ning’s palm, he finally collapsed.

His vision blackened, his body went limp, and he fell heavily atop Li Qingning, utterly unconscious.

But Li Qingning felt as though her body had reached a state of unprecedented clarity and lightness, as if reborn anew.

She slowly opened her eyes, which now shone brightly like twin phoenix flames.

She felt strong enough to take down a bull with a single punch.

Looking down at Xie Ning, sprawled unconscious on top of her, his face pale as paper from exhaustion, she felt her heart deeply stirred.

This man had risked his life for her.

She reached out gently, caressing his cheek, still damp with sweat.

“You scoundrel...” she whispered, but there was no hint of anger in her voice. Instead, a softness and tenderness she didn’t even realize she felt crept in.

Carefully, she shifted Xie Ning off her and laid him flat on her bed. Then she sat up, smoothing her disheveled clothes.

Her eyes swept over the chaotic, eerie room, and instantly grew icy and sharp.

Someone had wanted her dead.

And had nearly succeeded.

She would remember this debt.

Li Qingning rose and approached the door. Madame Rong, Taohua, and others flooded in at once.

When they saw Li Qingning unharmed—indeed, looking radiant and vigorous—they were all stunned.

“Your... Your Highness? What is this?” Madame Rong stammered, overcome with emotion.

“I’m fine now,” Li Qingning said calmly, her voice low but filled with unprecedented authority.

Her gaze then settled on the unconscious Xie Ning on the bed.

“By my command, from this moment forward, Xie Ning shall be the most honored guest of the Princess’s residence.”

“His safety is more important than my own life.”

“Also, prepare a list for me.”

“I will personally select the finest tonics and medicines from the treasury for him.”

“From today onward, I take full responsibility for his health!”

Her words struck the room like thunder.

“I take full responsibility for his health!”

Those seven words echoed through the chamber, making every listener’s heart tremble.