Li Man'er couldn't help but smile lightly. "Your Highness, are you worried about me?"
"Of course," Qi Yihan replied. "Alchemy is the most strenuous task. I'm afraid you won't eat properly."
"I'm not a child," Li Man'er sighed inwardly. She had already keenly sensed Qi Yihan's probing and suspicion. The mention of alchemy was quite telling.
His not asking further was already a rare display of respect.
It was a bit vexing. She had never considered getting married in this world before. But after meeting Qi Yihan, it seemed everything had deviated from its original course. Two equally matched individuals, it wasn't like a romance, but rather a... partnership?
"Alright then, I'll reluctantly have a bit with you." Li Man'er, fearing her secret might be exposed, quietly withdrew her heart that had begun to lean towards Qi Yihan.
She felt she had agreed too hastily. If she could do it over, she might have cut her losses and distanced herself from this dangerous man.
But now, it seemed too late.
In Qi Yihan's eyes, she saw her own reflection, a lingering gaze, and a hint of madness hidden beneath.
Even if she wanted to let go now, Qi Yihan wouldn't.
"What are you thinking about?" Qi Yihan seemed to sense Li Man'er's absentmindedness, his face displaying obvious displeasure.
She had never seen Qi Yihan wear such an expression. Usually, he was either stoic or wore a mask, with very few subtle expressions.
"Nothing..." Li Man'er instinctively wanted to deny it, but then Qi Yihan leaned in, wrapping his arms around her waist.
Damn it!
Li Man'er was genuinely startled by his sudden intimate gesture. Just as she was about to say something, she felt herself lighten as the man actually lifted her by the waist and placed her on his lap.
Li Man'er froze for a moment, her hair standing on end.
Who am I, where am I?
"Don't be so handsy."
Qi Yihan, however, circled her waist from behind and whispered into her ear, "What were you just thinking about?"
At that moment, the distance and annoyance in Li Man'er's eyes displeased Qi Yihan immensely, as if the girl might push him away and run off at any second.
It was a look that filled him with panic. Qi Yihan admitted he not only disliked it but was also a little afraid.
"I was just thinking, it's quite a pity I didn't find Manmu Hahe. If I had known he was at large, I should have killed him with one blow to prevent future trouble."
Whether Manmu Hahe was truly Qi Li no longer mattered. With Xiao Ruo Di dead, no one would use his identity as the Second Prince to stir up trouble. Without support, how could Qi Li possibly return to Zun Country and reclaim his position as the Second Prince?
The imperial family was ruthless. No emperor could tolerate an ambitious son, let alone one who had been missing for over a decade with an unknown lineage.
For the stability of the empire, what did losing one son matter?
Qi Yihan seemed unconvinced and asked, "Really?"
Li Man'er could even hear him grinding his teeth, and she immediately nodded. "Really, truer than gold!" She had never noticed this obsessive side to him before. Was it because they hadn't interacted much?
Or were the rumors outside not entirely false?
Li Man'er shivered slightly at this thought, a tremor of realization after a sudden clarity.
But Qi Yihan mistook it for cold and touched her hand. "Are you cold?"
"Not cold." The room was heated with charcoal, so it wasn't cold.
Qi Yihan held her tighter and said, "Eat more later, and after dinner, soak your feet and get some good rest. Try to rest more in the next few days. Once we enter the Moluo Mountains, life won't be as easy as it is now."
He wasn't sure if he was speaking to Li Man'er or himself.
"You don't need to worry, I'll take care of myself." Li Man'er guessed that his mood must be quite complex. His birth mother was an unhealed scar in his heart. The closer they got to the place where she had lived, the more complicated Qi Yihan's feelings would likely become, hence his unusual behavior.
Li Man'er had considered trying to hypnotize him, but Qi Yihan was no ordinary person. His mental fortitude was exceptionally strong, making it impossible to subtly lead him into an illusion.
Fortunately, someone arrived with a food box, and Qi Yihan released her, the awkwardness between them seemingly vanishing.
After the meal, Li Man'er finally understood what it meant to eat without tasting. Her mind was preoccupied, and the food held no appeal.
At least her stomach was full.
However, in front of Qi Yihan, she truly didn't bother with her image. She ate heartily, with no trace of elegance or refinement.
Qi Yihan had the leftovers cleared away and instructed Ah Si to bring hot water for Li Man'er to soak her feet. He then put on his cloak and left.
As soon as Qi Yihan departed, Li Man'er finally exhaled the breath she had been holding.
"Miss, why are you unhappy?"
"Is it that obvious?"
Ah Si remained silent, simply nodding.
Li Man'er agitatedly rubbed her feet in the basin. "I always feel..."
Before she could finish, Ah Si said, "Are you worried about your marriage to the Prince?"
Li Man'er glanced down at her, seeing Ah Si's eyes wide with expectation. "The Prince won't go back on his word. Since he promised you, he will definitely fulfill it."
"You have quite a lot of confidence in your Prince," Li Man'er said, drying her feet and climbing into bed. She now felt as though she were on a pirate ship, with no one to share her troubles with.
If she spoke out, people would likely call her ungrateful.
Ah Si took the foot basin out and returned shortly, drawing the bed curtains for Li Man'er.
"Everyone outside says the Prince is bloodthirsty and has a volatile temper, but that's not the Prince at all!" Ah Si exclaimed. "The Prince is a wonderful person. Miss will understand in time."
Li Man'er hugged her quilt, remaining silent. Ah Si blew out the lamp and went to lie down in the outer room.
Li Man'er thought about her acquaintance with Qi Yihan and couldn't help but sigh softly. Qi Yihan was indeed an outstanding individual, superior in status, appearance, and ability. But the more outstanding he was, the more she had to be careful, guarding against her true identity being exposed.
Living with a secret couldn't be easy.
But what else could she do?
She had already vaguely agreed to marry him. Could she go back on her word?
Recalling Qi Yihan's gaze before dinner, Li Man'er shivered inexplicably. If she dared to back out, that man named Qi would likely deal with her on the spot.