How dare you!? 成何体统

T/N: Thank you for waiting so long for this chapter, to apologize there will be 3 more chapters posted later today

Yu Wanyin shook her head. "No way! Being lovestruck is a big no-no! In these kinds of stories, all lovestruck people die early!"

Slightly tipsy, Xiahou Dan seemed to sense her thoughts. His dark eyes glanced over at her. Yu Wanyin hurriedly looked away.

Xiahou Dan blinked, his playful side emerging. He propped his chin on his hand and asked, "My dear consort, were you sneaking a look at me?"

Yu Wanyin jumped up and said, "I'm going to wash up and sleep."

Xiahou Dan, still resting his chin on his hand, said, "Together? You might see even more."

Yu Wanyin froze, trembling as she turned her head.

Xiahou Dan burst into laughter and waved his hand. "Go on, go on."

After Yu Wanyin disappeared from sight, Xiahou Dan sat alone. He continued to sip his drink, but the smile lingering on his lips gradually faded. Without a companion to drink with, the large hall suddenly felt empty, a cold chill seeping through the cracks in the floor.

A figure silently approached and knelt behind him. Without turning, Xiahou Dan gently set down his wine cup. "Is there a letter from Mr. Bai?"

The figure presented a letter with both hands. "Please, Your Majesty, have a look." If Yu Wanyin were present, she would have noticed that this travel-worn secret guard was not among those they had agreed upon and was a stranger she had never seen before.

Xiahou Dan opened the letter, and a few wax-sealed pills fell out. He paused, then took out the letter and read it, his expression showing some impatience. "He still hasn't given up?"

The secret guard remained silent.

Xiahou Dan set the letter on the candle flame and burned it, then casually poured a cup of tea and swallowed one of the pills. Only then did he give instructions. "Tell him everything is normal in the palace, and to continue as planned."

Yu Wanyin finished her bath, dried her hair, and went to bed. The bedding had been modernized, the pillows were no longer hard, and the bed was no longer cold, significantly improving her quality of life.

While Xiahou Dan was bathing, she lay in bed, feeling a bit nervous. Unexpectedly, Xiahou Dan only teased her verbally and ended up lying properly on his side of the bed.

Since the security upgrade, Yu Wanyin felt a sense of safety and had been sleeping well. Only tonight, worried about Bei Zhou, did she toss and turn, unable to fall asleep.

As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she suddenly noticed that Xiahou Dan wasn't asleep either, staring at the bed curtains.

Yu Wanyin hesitated and quietly asked, "Can't sleep either?"

Xiahou Dan closed his eyes, his breathing heavy, and mumbled something unclear, seemingly saying, "I knew it wouldn't work."

"What wouldn't work?" Yu Wanyin thought she hadn't heard clearly. "What's wrong?"

Xiahou Dan exhaled a heavy breath. "Headache."

That serious? Yu Wanyin hesitated again and moved closer. "Want me to massage it?"

Caring for a companion was normal, she told herself.

Xiahou Dan didn't refuse. But when her fingers touched his temple, he instantly tensed up. Even in the dark, Yu Wanyin could feel him clenching his jaw.

"What's wrong? Should I be gentler?"

"...Yes."

She hadn't learned massage techniques and could only draw gentle circles. "This might be a small comfort—your migraine is just a plot point. It won't kill you—at least not before you get assassinated."