50: Love Tribulations in the East Courtyard

The cool night breeze, carrying the fragrance of magnolias, quietly slipped into the room through the half-open window, gently brushing against the gauze curtains, which swayed like a hazy scroll.

Li Danying struggled violently in Situ Jun's arms. The jade hairpin in her hair suddenly slipped out like a falling star, and her black hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall, making her look even more elegant and moving.

The moonlight spilled down gently, plating her face with a layer of holy radiance, yet it could not hide her current shock and fury.

"Audacious rogue! Do you know the consequences of offending This Madam?"

Li Danying shouted in anger, her neck flushing red. Her Foundation Establishment level five Qi erupted like a surging tide, with a faint emerald glow swirling around her as she tried to shake off Situ Jun, who was restraining her.

Her eyes were wide with rage, burning with the flames of anger and indignation, as if she wanted to cut the man before her into a thousand pieces.

Situ Jun suppressed the surging blood in his throat, pinning the back of her neck with one hand while tightly gripping her waist with the other, locking her firmly in his embrace.

Li Danying felt that under his interference, the Qi within her body could not be concentrated or circulated, and she instantly panicked. Time and again, her circulation collapsed and even became chaotic; her face grew paler, and the fear in her heart intensified as if she were falling into an endless dark abyss.

Seizing the moment when her Qi was in disarray, Situ Jun's fingers struck several major acupuncture points on her waist with lightning speed. Li Danying's body suddenly went limp, and she collapsed into his arms. Her chest heaved violently, betraying her lingering rage, and her eyes were filled with humiliation and anger. That gaze was like a sharp blade piercing Situ Jun's heart, yet he could not stop, driven by some force toward an abyss from which there was no return.

Situ Jun took the opportunity to quickly wave the "Heart-Clearing Powder" from his robe in front of her nose, infusing it with Qi. The moment the powder dispersed, Li Danying's wide eyes glazed over, and her struggling movements gradually slowed. Finally, she slumped in Situ Jun's arms like a delicate flower battered by wind and rain, fragile and helpless, having lost the power to resist.

"Husband? When did you return? Why do I feel so exhausted? What is happening?"

Li Danying's beautiful eyes were filled with confusion; her innocent appearance stood in stark contrast to her previous anger, as if she had become a different person.

"Madam, didn't your husband miss you? That's why I secretly came back to see you. It seems you are truly tired; I will carry you to rest now."

Situ Jun said as he picked her up. Li Danying's clothes had become a mess during the struggle, and the jade hairpins had all fallen out, making her look exceptionally disheveled under the moonlight.

Situ Jun gently placed her on the bed. Looking at her cheeks, flushed from the medicine's effects, his breath hitched. He suppressed the throbbing in his heart, took out a Foundation Cultivation Pill, and fed it to her again: "Madam, take this Medicinal Pill. Come, open your mouth..."

Li Danying, not understanding what was happening, glanced at Situ Jun but still obediently opened her small mouth. "Mmm... Husband, what are you feeding me..." Li Danying's voice was weak and melodious, her eyes full of doubt.

Situ Jun gave a gentle smile and supported her again, saying, "This is a Medicinal Pill to regulate your Qi. Your Meridians were damaged during our sparring. Once the medicinal effect stabilizes, I will teach you how to circulate the Mind-Cultivation Technique."

Inside the room, due to the fight between the two, Qi surged and waves of air rolled, sounding like the rustling of gauze curtains blown by the night wind.

After an unknown amount of time, the regulation ended, and everything finally returned to peace. Situ Jun stood up and looked at the sleeping Li Danying on the bed, his heart filled with both pity and a hint of apprehension.

Just then, the System's notification sounded:

[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for successfully damaging the Bei Batian's Luck. Rewarding the Host with 3,300 heavenly luck value.]

[Ding! Congratulations to the Host. The hundred flowers diagram has recorded a Dual Cultivation Dao Companion. Rewarding the Host with 10 years of Cultivation. The Host has been promoted to the Half-step Golden Core Stage.]

[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for activating the Dao Companion's Yimu Spiritual Root. The Host's Medium Grade Wood Spiritual Root has been promoted to a Top Grade Yimu Spiritual Root.]

[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for a precision strike against the Bei Batian, causing a great loss to his Luck and damaging his Foundation. Rewarding the Host with First-grade Talisman Master experience. Note: The Host can become a First-grade Talisman Master upon claiming.]

[Ding! Congratulations to the Host. The Dao Companion's Qi has been successfully restored. Rewarding the Earth-rank Mind-Cultivation Technique 'Yimu Rejuvenation Art'.]

Looking at these tempting rewards, Situ Jun was so excited he wished he could find Zhu Changpo for a fight. It took him a while to calm the turmoil in his heart.

Just as he was about to leave, Li Danying slowly opened her eyes. The effects of the medicine had worn off, and she regained consciousness. Seeing the messy scene after the fight, she instantly understood what had happened.

"You!" Li Danying grabbed the jade hairpin by the pillow and pressed it against Situ Jun's throat, releasing all her Foundation Establishment level five Qi: "How dare you be so bold! I will kill you!" Her eyes were full of hatred, a hatred like a raging fire that wanted to burn Situ Jun to ashes.

Just then, hurried footsteps and questioning voices came from outside the courtyard: "Madam! Was there any abnormality just now?"

Situ Jun's whole body tensed up. He quickly pressed down on her wrist and looked at Li Danying: "Madam, you are the Northern Dynasty Princess, with a noble status. If this matter were to spread... how do you think the world would view you? And how would the Bei Batian treat you?"

Li Danying's face instantly turned deathly pale, and her hand holding the jade hairpin trembled uncontrollably. She knew all too well that once this matter was exposed, not only would her reputation be ruined, but it would also cause a shock throughout the Northern Dynasty and the Northern City Manor. The consequences were more than she could bear, like an impending catastrophe.

"What exactly do you want?" Li Danying asked through gritted teeth, her voice filled with despair and anger.

"First, send away the guards outside," Situ Jun said, staring at Li Danying with a trace of imperceptible tension in his eyes.

Li Danying calmed her agitated emotions and said toward the door, "It is nothing... I just had a nightmare. You may leave." The guards outside were stunned for a moment before respectfully withdrawing.

After the guards retreated, Li Danying actually became quiet. She knew that what had happened had happened; even killing this man who offended her would not help, not to mention she was currently powerless and couldn't kill him anyway.

Li Danying lay on the bed with her eyes tightly closed, tear stains on her face, and her hair scattered messily on the pillow. She looked indescribably desolate, like a lonely boat abandoned by fate, drifting in the stormy waves.

Situ Jun sat by the bed, looking at her exquisite face, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He knew deeply that from this moment on, he could no longer let go of this woman. Regardless of her beauty, her Qi was now damaged because of him, and the threads of fate had wound them tightly together, making it impossible to separate easily.

Situ Jun gently held Li Danying's hand and said softly, "Madam, from the moment I saw you, I fell deeply in love with you. I couldn't help but like you. I know this is very selfish and rude of me, but I simply couldn't suppress my feelings for you. I will spend the rest of my life protecting your Qi."

His voice carried a hint of guilt and a touch of determination. Li Danying wanted to pull her hand away but lacked the strength, so she could only let him hold it. Tears silently fell again, dripping onto their joined hands and spreading into a damp patch.

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