The force around her waist instantly tightened.
Darkness churned in those ink-black eyes, yet his face displayed an extreme, restrained composure.
Feng Yinwan raised her eyes, her tone even more resolute.
"I can go back, but these matters cannot be left unresolved."
Almost the instant the words fell, Ye Tinglan responded.
"Good."
His palm, with a touch of scorching heat, covered her hand, his grip controlled yet holding her firmly.
He said, "This King will protect you and the child."
Qi Xuan felt that his Royal Highness's mood seemed exceptionally good today.
This "good" manifested in the fact that, distracted, he had lost track of the Princess, but upon his return, his Royal Highness not only didn't scold him but even told him to go rest.
Rest...
He, the hardworking head of the dark guards, had never heard these two words before!
Qi Xuan was utterly horrified.
But he was only horrified for a second before the sharp pain in his arm interrupted him.
"Hiss—"
Yuping, clutching his sleeve, gasped, her pale little face contorted.
Earlier, in the back mountains, she had wanted to draw fire away from her lady, but she had overexerted herself and twisted her ankle.
The pain was real, but for her lady, it was worth it!
Qi Xuan finally remembered he was supporting an injured person and quickly lowered his head to look.
"How are you?"
Her ankle was injured, and she shouldn't be moving casually, yet she had insisted on walking back just now.
To call it walking was a stretch; she was hobbling, almost hopping. He had no choice but to accompany her, which was why he had lost sight of Feng Yinwan.
Yuping waved her hand, intending to say she was fine, but as soon as she moved, cold breaths hissed from her mouth incessantly.
The ankle exposed beneath her skirt, even through the silk stocking, was visibly swollen.
Qi Xuan's brow furrowed at the sight, and he immediately knelt before her.
"Get on, I'll carry you back."
His movement to bend down was too swift, and Yuping was stunned, instinctively blurting out, "Who... who wants you to carry me!"
Qi Xuan looked at her and explained earnestly, "If you walk back like this, your bone might dislocate."
It was still some distance from here to Feng Yun's residence. Her foot was so swollen; she absolutely couldn't walk any further.
"I don't need you to worry about it!"
She said, then attempted to hobble forward. However, before her foot could land, Qi Xuan had already grabbed her arm and slung it over his neck.
This fellow said nothing more, simply hoisted her onto his back and walked out of the courtyard.
Yuping was stunned for a moment before coming to her senses. The momentary surprise caused her cheeks to flush scarlet.
"You... what are you doing! Put me down quickly!"
How could he be like this, like a brute!
Qi Xuan remained silent, ignoring her struggling and threats, his steps unwavering.
He had never carried a girl before, and his movements were somewhat awkward. With her on his back, only one thought occupied his mind.
She was too thin.
She usually looked plump-cheeked, but when carried, she weighed almost nothing. She weighed less than a pile of firewood.
People said women should be slender to be beautiful, but he felt that girls should have a bit of flesh to be cute and appear healthier.
In reality, his posture for carrying her was no different from carrying firewood.
The "not very healthy-looking" Yuping was carried back in this manner. As they entered the courtyard, they bumped into Feng Yun, who was drinking tea. Yuping stiffened, feeling utterly disgraced.
As expected, Feng Yun spurted out her tea with a "pfft" and burst into laughter behind them.
Yuping was furious.
"Put me down quickly!"
She struggled more fiercely. Qi Xuan paused and carefully squatted down in front of a stool.
With her bottom finally finding a seat, Yuping let out a long sigh. But before she could fully relax, her injured foot was lifted again.
Qi Xuan, without asking, pulled her silk stocking down a bit, his fingertips precisely locating the swollen area. Then, with a "crack," he applied force.
The pain was sudden and unexpected!
Yuping's face turned pale, tears forced from her eyes. At that moment, all her rebukes were forgotten.
Qi Xuan, the instigator, seemed to feel nothing amiss. He even thoughtfully pulled her stocking back up for her.
Then, he took out a bottle of medicinal oil from his pocket and placed it on the table, earnestly instructing her.
"I've reset your bone. Remember to rub this oil on it every day; it's very effective for reducing swelling."
Having delivered her and corrected her injury, he nodded. His gaze then fell upon her small foot, and his earlobes turned pink belatedly.
"Ahem... rest well. I'll be going now."
He turned away with a hint of avoidance.
Yuping, too pained to speak, could only watch him leave, cursing silently in her heart, "This fellow is so rough!"