When the Female Lead Becomes Obsessive – Chapter 103

Volume Five: Those Years When I Was the Prime Minister

Kill All Who Resist

“She ate?” Sheng Tingwan looked at the book in her hands, but her ears perked up quietly.

Lu Yan pressed her lips together. “The Prime Minister ate very happily and finished everything.”

She had seen that the plate brought out by the cookhouse soldiers was completely empty.

Sheng Tingwan secretly let out a sigh of relief. So she knows what’s good for her. If she hadn’t…

If she hadn’t eaten, there was nothing she could have said or done about it.

Lu Yan added considerately, “Your Majesty’s culinary skills are superb. The Prime Minister ate three large bowls of rice in a row. The cookhouse soldiers all said it was the most the Prime Minister has eaten in days.”

Sheng Tingwan nodded, the corners of her mouth curving up slightly. “Zhen understands. You may leave; Zhen wishes to rest now.”

Lu Yan bowed her head. “Yes.”

“Tell Shen Zhijin to get his ass back here,” Sheng Tingwan said lightly.

He’s been gone a whole day, always hovering around Military Doctor Fang. Don’t think I don’t know what that damn guy is trying to do.

Lu Yan nodded. “Yes.”

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The night gradually deepened. Wen Nuan opened her eyes, listening to the familiar panting sound.

“Sigh…” Wen Nuan heaved a long sigh.

【Sigh…】 the System sighed as well. 【Why don’t you go and teach the male lead a thing or two? I really can’t stand listening to this panting.】

Wen Nuan rolled her eyes helplessly. “Forget it. I’m not sleeping tonight. I’ll go for a stroll.”

After all, I’ll be leaving soon.

【Where are you going?】 the System asked curiously.

“Just strolling around nearby.” Wen Nuan got up, put on her outer robe, and walked out of the military tent.

Xizhou at midnight was somewhat cold and bleak. A strong gust of wind made one shiver.

Wen Nuan walked toward Fang Minghe’s medical tent. Seeing that the lamp inside was still lit, she came to the front of the tent and called out, “Military Doctor Fang, are you asleep?”

The sound of footsteps came from within the tent. The curtain was pulled back, and upon seeing Wen Nuan, Fang Minghe bowed in salute. “Lord Prime Minister Ling.”

Wen Nuan glanced inside the tent. “What are you busy with?”

Fang Minghe gestured for Wen Nuan to enter. “I was originally planning to find you tomorrow, Prime Minister. It’s a good thing you’ve come; this subordinate official can give this to you directly.”

“What?” Wen Nuan saw Fang Minghe take out several medicine vials and something resembling plaster patches. “What are these?”

Fang Minghe explained: “Of these two things, one is the Yang-Solidifying Pill¹, and the other is the Crimson Warmth Patch². They can effectively target and resolve your friend’s condition of a cold body constitution.”

“This is a three-month supply in total. Take one Yang-Solidifying Pill daily, and apply the Crimson Warmth Patch three cun³ below the navel before sleep each night. You can remove it after waking up the next day.”

Wen Nuan’s eyes lit up. She looked at the items, pleasantly surprised. “This is what you’ve been staying up all night these past few days to make?”

Fang Minghe’s medical tent wasn’t far from hers, and every time she looked, she could see his tent was brightly lit.

Fang Minghe said, embarrassed, “I heard the Prime Minister will be leaving Xizhou, so this subordinate official sped up the process to finish it for you before you leave, so you can take it back to treat your friend’s cold body constitution.”

“If these two medicines run out, the Prime Minister can send this subordinate official a letter at that time and inform me of your friend’s address. This subordinate official can have someone deliver more,” he added considerately.

Wen Nuan said gratefully, “Many thanks.”

Fang Minghe waved his hand. “It is what I should do. You are too kind, Prime Minister.”

Holding the medicine Fang Minghe had prepared for her, Wen Nuan walked out of the medical tent, her gaze swiftly sweeping over the corner of a yellow garment hiding behind a tent.

She raised an eyebrow and turned to walk toward the camp’s exit. The person behind her followed quietly.

The place where the army was camped was very close to the Jiuwan River. Wen Nuan stood by the riverbank, tilting her head slightly to look at the person hiding behind a mound of earth by the river.

She sighed helplessly and said deliberately, “Your Majesty, poisonous snakes and scorpions often appear in that mound. Are you sure you still want to hide there?”

The moment her voice fell, a yellow figure shot out from behind the mound, frantically patting down her clothes, terrified that the poisonous snakes and scorpions Wen Nuan mentioned had crawled onto her.

Sheng Tingwan found her clothes were clean and only then let out a relieved breath.

The next second, she suddenly realized she had been exposed!

Sheng Tingwan looked up uncertainly and saw Wen Nuan watching her with an amused expression. She couldn’t read the look on her face, but it was definitely not a good one.

She blinked her eyes rapidly, desperately trying to invent an excuse to salvage the awkward situation.

“You’re out for a stroll too?” Sheng Tingwan forced a smile, trying to sound confident. “What a coincidence, ha.”

The moment she said it, Sheng Tingwan knew the excuse was utter nonsense!

Wen Nuan watched her with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, a growing interest within them.

Seeing her like this, Sheng Tingwan’s heart dropped, and she was overcome with vexation.

It’s over. Ling Wen Nuan definitely doesn’t believe my bullsh#t.

Alright, I don’t believe it myself either.

Sheng Tingwan decided to just smash the already cracked pot⁴ and said, “I saw a dark figure just now and thought an enemy spy had infiltrated the camp, so I came out to investigate. I didn’t expect it to be you. It seems this was just a misunderstanding.”

Mhm, this excuse is perfect.

Seeing her flustered appearance as she struggled for an excuse, Wen Nuan was torn between laughter and exasperation. “Since it’s just a misunderstanding, is Your Majesty returning to your tent to rest?”

Sheng Tingwan looked at her. “What about you? You’re not going back?”

“I plan to stay and enjoy the scenery,” Wen Nuan said lightly.

“Then I’ll enjoy the scenery too.” Sheng Tingwan walked to the river’s edge. Watching the river water glistening under the cold, clear moonlight was truly dreamlike. “The Jiuwan River is Xizhou’s most unique scenery. This river has nurtured all the common people of Xizhou; its contribution is immense.”

Wen Nuan walked to Sheng Tingwan’s side. “Does Your Majesty plan to reward this river?”

“What do you think would be a good reward?”

Wen Nuan thought for a moment. “How about Your Majesty inscribes a few words for this river?”

Sheng Tingwan hadn’t expected Wen Nuan to make this request. “That’s a good idea. I will write it tomorrow.”

“Then Wen Nuan thanks Your Majesty on behalf of the Jiuwan River,” Wen Nuan said, performing a salute.

Sheng Tingwan looked at the jade-like face of Wen Nuan before her. Thinking of what Fang Minghe had said to Wen Nuan earlier, her brow furrowed slightly. “Are you about to leave Xizhou?”

“Mhm,” Wen Nuan affirmed.

Sheng Tingwan’s fingertips clenched, and she pressed her lips together tightly. “Have you decided where to go?”

Wen Nuan glanced at her, a slight smile on her lips. “I’ll take it one step at a time.”

“You’ve wandered for three years, is it still not… enough?”

Three years. Every single day since you left has felt like a year, as if thirty years, three hundred years have passed.

“The mountains and rivers are vast and beautiful. How could it ever be enough?”

Sheng Tingwan lowered her eyes. “Then… then what about after you’ve wandered through all the vast and beautiful mountains and rivers!?”

“What is Your Majesty trying to say?” Wen Nuan saw that her clothes were thin and her body was trembling from the evening wind.

She undid her outer robe and draped it over Sheng Tingwan. “Your Majesty, even if you are out catching spies, you must remember to dress warmly. The nights in Xizhou are unlike the capital; it’s cold and damp here, and it’s easy to catch a chill.”

“Ling Wen Nuan?” Seeing Wen Nuan about to step back, Sheng Tingwan abruptly grabbed her hand.

The moment icy cold met scorching heat, it felt as if a heart could melt.

Wen Nuan looked down at her hand being held by Sheng Tingwan and replied softly, “Mhm, I’m here.”

“Come back to the capital,” Sheng Tingwan said, gripping Wen Nuan’s hand tightly.

“Go back for what?”

Sheng Tingwan swallowed. “Come back and continue being my Prime Minister, alright?” she asked with difficulty.

“Just the Prime Minister?” A glint flashed in Wen Nuan’s eyes.

Sheng Tingwan didn’t quite understand the deeper meaning of Wen Nuan’s words, but from the surface meaning, she could sense that Wen Nuan didn’t seem satisfied with the position of “Prime Minister.”

Her brow furrowed, and she said with some disbelief, “You want to be the Empress Regnant of the Tianyang Kingdom?”

A vein twitched on Wen Nuan’s forehead. She shook off Sheng Tingwan’s hand and sighed helplessly. “In Your Majesty’s eyes, am I a rebellious minister and a traitorous son?⁵“

“No,” Sheng Tingwan saw Wen Nuan’s hurt expression and immediately denied it. “That’s not what I meant. I don’t think you’re a rebellious minister and a traitorous son.”

“It’s just that you told me you weren’t satisfied with the position of Prime Minister. In the Tianyang Kingdom, the only position higher than the Prime Minister is that of the Empress Regnant,” Sheng Tingwan said, aggrieved.

Wen Nuan raised an eyebrow. “Is the position of Empress Regnant… the only one higher than the Prime Minister?”

Sheng Tingwan was puzzled. “Besides the position of Empress Regnant, what other position is higher than the Prime Minister?”

“Your Majesty can think about it yourself.” Wen Nuan couldn’t be bothered to say more and turned to walk back toward the military camp.

“Hey, tell me!” Sheng Tingwan followed, asking anxiously.

“Your Majesty is exceptionally intelligent; you will surely be able to figure it out. This commoner’s words end here. As for the rest…” Wen Nuan stopped abruptly, her eyes narrowing as she looked around warily.

“I command you, you must tell me, otherwise…” Sheng Tingwan didn’t expect Wen Nuan to stop and walked headfirst right into her back.

She clutched her forehead and, seeing Wen Nuan scanning the surroundings, mumbled, “Wha… what’s wrong?”

Wen Nuan grabbed Sheng Tingwan’s hand and pulled her into her arms, her eyes fixed on the mound of earth ahead.

Sheng Tingwan froze as Wen Nuan embraced her, saying in disbelief, “You… why are you hug… hugging me?”

What is Wen Nuan doing?

Is she hugging me so suddenly because she’s also reluctant to see me go?!

“Don’t talk,” Wen Nuan whispered close to her ear. “There are people in ambush around us. Stay close to me.”

Sheng Tingwan was still savoring the warmth of Wen Nuan’s embrace and the searing touch on her earlobe. The moment Wen Nuan said there was an ambush, she immediately became alert and scanned the surroundings. “How many?”

They were still some distance from the Tianyang Kingdom’s military camp. If they made a loud enough noise, they might be able to attract the attention of the soldiers.

【A rough estimate, no fewer than thirty people!】 the System scanned the area. 【And every one of them is highly skilled in martial arts, armed with long sabers and sharp swords. It looks like the blades are even coated in poison. You need to be careful.】

Wen Nuan held Sheng Tingwan’s waist and said softly, “In a moment, when I yell ‘run,’ you run toward the camp as fast as you can and get help.”

Sheng Tingwan clutched her clothes tightly, saying nervously, “What about you? You’re not running with me?”

“I’ll cover the rear.”

“No, I’ll stay with you,” Sheng Tingwan immediately objected. “I won’t leave you alone.”

Wen Nuan stroked the back of Sheng Tingwan’s head and said gently, “Be good, Tingwan. Run to the camp and get reinforcements. You know how good my martial arts are, don’t worry.”

Sheng Tingwan’s body trembled. It had been so long since she had heard Wen Nuan call her Tingwan, so long since she had been told to “be good” so gently.

It had been a very long time.

So long that hearing it so suddenly now, her eyes actually started to well up with tears.

Sheng Tingwan hugged Wen Nuan and said with a tremor in her voice, “Alright, I’ll be back very quickly. You have to hold on. You must wait for me.”

Wen Nuan lowered her head, gently kissed Sheng Tingwan’s hair, then released her hands. Her expression turned grave as she shouted, “Run—”

Sheng Tingwan immediately ran toward the military camp. The assassins hiding behind the mounds immediately followed, trying to intercept her, but were blocked by Wen Nuan who stood in their way.

Wen Nuan’s gaze was fierce, her eyes filled with bloodlust. She looked at the insignia on the assassins’ weapons and sneered, “The Minqiu Kingdom really isn’t leaving itself any path of retreat, is it?”

The assassins looked at Wen Nuan, raised their sabers in unison, and roared, “Kill Ling Wen Nuan, and we can extinguish the fighting spirit of the Tianyang Kingdom! Forward!”

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Sheng Tingwan ran into the military camp at top speed. Leading Li Panxuan and others, she immediately rushed toward the Jiuwan River.

By the time they arrived, they found the area around the Jiuwan River already littered with corpses. Only one person was still standing in the center, her figure slender and light. From a distance, with the wind blowing through her robes, she had an air of someone about to ascend to immortality.

Sheng Tingwan immediately recognized Wen Nuan’s figure. Seeing that she was alright, she ran over, ecstatic. “Wen Nuan—”

Wen Nuan turned around, smiling as she opened her arms to welcome Sheng Tingwan.

But Li Panxuan saw that one assassin was not quite dead. She saw her struggle to raise her hand, aim at Sheng Tingwan, and press a mechanism, shooting a sharp arrow from her sleeve.

“Your Majesty, be careful—” Li Panxuan couldn’t intercept it in time and could only shout, “It’s a sleeve arrow!”

Sheng Tingwan heard the rapid sound of something cutting through the air behind her. The speed was too fast; she couldn’t possibly dodge.

But in the next second, the image of Wen Nuan before her blurred and vanished from her sight in an instant.

There was only a pfft sound.

Sheng Tingwan turned around in disbelief, only to see Wen Nuan spit out a mouthful of black blood, the sharp arrow lodged squarely in her chest.

“Wen Nuan—” Sheng Tingwan violently caught Wen Nuan’s slumping body. Looking at the unconscious Wen Nuan, she cried out ceaselessly, “Wen Nuan, don’t scare me! Wen Nuan, wake up! Wen Nuan—”

The crowd exclaimed in shock, “Lord Prime Minister Ling—”

Li Panxuan immediately grabbed the assassin’s neck. The blood Wen Nuan spat out was black, which meant the sleeve arrow was coated with a potent poison.

Her eyes wide with fury, she shouted, “The antidote! Hand over the antidote!”

The assassin sneered, bit down on the poison sac in her mouth, and her head lolled to the side, her life extinguished.

Furious, Li Panxuan stabbed the assassin again for good measure and shouted to a nearby soldier, “Go find Fang Minghe, quickly!”

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Everyone looked at the utterly bloodless Ling Wen Nuan on the bed. Her face was as white as paper, her breathing faint, like a dead person. If not for a single silver needle from Fang Minghe that was preserving Ling Wen Nuan’s last breath, it was feared that all hope would have been lost by now.

Fang Minghe’s expression was grave. He stood up and looked at Sheng Tingwan. “Your Majesty, what the Prime Minister was struck with is the Azure Cloud Nether Soul of the Minqiu Kingdom. This poison… has no cure.”

That group of assassins had come with the intent to kill, and the fact that every assassin had a poison sac in their mouth meant they had long been resolved to die.

Hearing Fang Minghe say there was no cure, everyone’s heart trembled.

Sheng Tingwan tightly gripped Wen Nuan’s already cold hand, her dark eyes as if dyed with ink, without a trace of light. “Fang Minghe, if you cannot save Wen Nuan, Zhen will execute your entire clan.”

Everyone knelt in terror. Li Panxuan immediately pleaded, “I beg Your Majesty to show mercy.”

Fang Minghe looked at the faintly breathing Wen Nuan on the bed. “There is one method. It is extremely risky, but it offers a chance to save the Prime Minister’s life. Does Your Majesty wish to try it?”

Sheng Tingwan’s pupils trembled as she looked at Fang Minghe. “What is it?”

Fang Minghe took out a small box, opened it, and inside was a black pill. “This is the Nine Serenity Pill⁶. It is an extremely potent poison.”

“Are you thinking of using poison to fight poison?” Sheng Tingwan said with difficulty.

“This is the only method at present.” Fang Minghe placed the Nine Serenity Pill by the bed. “There is nine parts death and one part life⁷; the rest will depend on the Prime Minister’s own fortune.”

Sheng Tingwan clenched her fists tightly and said through gritted teeth, “Use it!”

Even if the chance was slim, she had to try.

Fang Minghe bowed his head. “Very well.”

“Li Panxuan?” Sheng Tingwan stood up, her eyes deep and profound, not looking at Fang Minghe administering the medicine to Wen Nuan behind her.

Li Panxuan knelt on the ground. “Your servant is here.”

Sheng Tingwan’s pupils instantly turned cold, her gaze fierce. A crushing pressure swept through the tent as she said in a frigid voice, “Dispatch the troops. Annihilate the Minqiu Kingdom for Zhen.”

Li Panxuan kowtowed, her voice resounding. “Your servant accepts the command!”

“If there are any who resist, kill them without question.” Sheng Tingwan’s face darkened, the coldness in her eyes almost tangible. “Zhen will have them atone to Wen Nuan with their lives!”

Everyone’s spirits soared as they responded, “Your servant accepts the command!”

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