NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 82: Medicine
Chapter 82: Medicine
When Qiao Nian woke up again, she was lying on an unfamiliar bed.
A faint scent of agarwood permeated the air, and she instinctively realized this was a man’s room!
Before she could react further, a cold voice reached her ears, “Since you’re awake, get out quickly!”
Startled, she looked sharply towards the source of the voice.
At the foot of the bed sat a man with stern features, bearing a seven or eight-tenths resemblance to Xiao Heng. His brows exuded the air of a great general, yet he was surprisingly gaunt.
His skin had an unhealthy pallor.
Qiao Nian recognized him almost immediately.
“Elder Brother Xiao?”
Terrified, she hurriedly tried to get out of bed, but found her limbs lacking strength. She fell heavily to the floor.
The pain, however, helped clear her mind a bit.
On the bed, Xiao He continued to watch coldly, without a word.
Qiao Nian felt panicked. “I’m sorry, Elder Brother Xiao. I, I don’t know why I’m here…”
Before she finished speaking, images of Lin Ye and Lin Yuan forcing wine into her mouth flashed through her mind.
It was them!
The Lin siblings had brought her to Xiao He’s room!
Her body began to tremble violently, and an indescribable anger surged within her.
Qiao Nian hadn’t imagined Lin Ye could stoop so low.
To prevent her from becoming Prince Ming’s wife, he actually delivered her to Xiao He’s bed with his own hands!
So what was his plan?
To make her marry Xiao He?
The fury in her heart threatened to burst through her body, but she knew this wasn’t the time to focus solely on anger!
Lin Ye would likely bring people to ‘catch them in the act’ soon. She had to leave quickly!
Qiao Nian struggled to stand up, but as soon as she steadied herself, a burning sensation spread through her lower abdomen.
Even though Qiao Nian was inexperienced, she understood her current situation!
Lin Ye hadn’t just drugged her and sent her to Xiao He’s room; he had even given her an aphrodisiac!
She instinctively glanced at the lifeless Xiao He on the bed, not daring to imagine what irreversible actions she might have taken if the drug had truly taken effect!
Without further delay, she turned and headed for the door.
Since Xiao He had been bedridden, his temperament had become extremely odd. Apart from his manservant, only the maids who came daily to clean entered the courtyard.
As such, there was no one in the courtyard now.
Qiao Nian was secretly relieved.
If she left Xiao He’s courtyard and kept going right, she would reach the Xiao family’s garden.
Beyond the garden, a small path led directly to the back gate of the Xiao residence.
Although there would certainly be guards at the back gate, perhaps…
She could use some silver to buy their silence!
With this thought, Qiao Nian didn’t dare pause her steps. Just as the courtyard gate came into view, the drug’s effects suddenly surged within her.
Qiao Nian’s legs gave way, and she collapsed to the ground.
At that moment, the courtyard gate was pushed open, and a surprised voice called out, “Miss Qiao?”
It’s over! Qiao Nian thought.
She slowly raised her eyes to see Jing Yan.
Clearly, Jing Yan had noticed Qiao Nian’s unusual state.
Seeing her flushed face, Jing Yan’s brow furrowed. He immediately took off his outer robe and covered Qiao Nian’s head.
Then, he said softly, “Forgive me.”
With that, he scooped Qiao Nian up in his arms and quickly left.
Qiao Nian’s nostrils were filled with the distinctly masculine scent.
The drug in her system became more agitated because of this, causing Qiao Nian’s entire body to tremble violently…
Meanwhile, at Zuixiang Lou.
Lin Ye sat on a soft couch, his aura extremely low. The cup of wine in his hand had only been sipped once since he entered the private room.
He had personally delivered Qiao Nian to Xiao He’s bed.
In front of Xiao He.
Although Xiao He hadn’t said a word at the time, the contempt in his eyes was clear to see.
It was understandable. After all, what brother in this world would personally deliver his sister to another man’s bed?
Lin Ye thought he must be the only one under heaven.
Beside him, Xiao Heng glanced up and spoke in his typically cool voice, “If you regret it, there’s still time.”
Lin Ye immediately glared at Xiao Heng. “Time for what? Your elder brother’s servant should have discovered her by now!”
As he said this, he suddenly felt something was amiss. Frowning, he added, “Besides, what do I have to regret? I’m saving her life!”
Xiao Heng smiled. “She’ll understand.”
Hearing this, Lin Ye fell silent. His mind was filled with images of Qiao Nian struggling desperately.
And those eyes, filled with endless fury and hatred.
Would she understand?
Lin Ye doubted it.
But even if she didn’t understand his good intentions, it didn’t matter. He just wanted her to live safely!
With this thought, Lin Ye finally shook off his gloom. After draining his cup of wine, he stood up abruptly. “Let’s go, it’s about time.”
If they went to the Xiao residence now, they might witness the Xiao family members seeing Qiao Nian emerge from Xiao He’s room.
He opened the door and walked out, only to bump into Doctor Huang from Miaochun Hall.
Upon seeing Lin Ye, Doctor Huang smiled knowingly. “Oh, why is the young marquis drinking here? I thought after last night’s spring tryst, you’d surely be resting at home today! Haha!”
Hearing this, Lin Ye’s expression changed instantly.
He grabbed Doctor Huang’s collar violently. “What do you mean? What spring tryst?”
How could Doctor Huang have anticipated Lin Ye’s sudden change of attitude? He immediately said, “Didn’t the young marquis ask me for medicine yesterday? Don’t tell me you haven’t used it yet?”
Xiao Heng, who was just coming out of the private room, also sensed something was wrong. His expression changed slightly as he demanded, “What medicine did you give him?”
Faced with the imposing presence of the two men, Doctor Huang was terrified.
Trembling, he spoke, “My, my shop is right next to Wanhua Lou, so naturally most of the medicines in the shop are… are… aphrodisiacs.”
So when Lin Ye had come sneakily to buy a sedative yesterday, he had given Lin Ye a packet of aphrodisiac that could temporarily knock someone out!
“You!” Lin Ye was furious, wanting to tear Doctor Huang apart on the spot.
Xiao Heng had already dashed out.
He never imagined that what Lin Ye had fed Qiao Nian was actually an aphrodisiac!
An unprecedented anger surged to Xiao Heng’s head. The thought of Qiao Nian pressed close to Xiao He, the image of the servant entering the room to find her disheveled and in a state of passion – it felt as if his heart would explode.
He couldn’t let this happen!
Xiao Heng rode at full speed back to the residence, heading straight for Xiao He’s courtyard.
He saw that Xiao He’s door was wide open. His heart sank as he rushed in, only to find Xiao He alone in the room.
“Where is she?”
Xiao Heng usually showed respect before Xiao He, but now he didn’t even call him ‘Elder Brother’.
Xiao He cast a cold glance at Xiao Heng. “Gone.”
As he said this, a smile curled Xiao He’s lips. On his gaunt face, it looked particularly sinister. “Jing Yan carried her away.”