When the Female Lead Becomes Obsessive – Chapter 113

Volume Five: Those Years When I Was the Prime Minister

Striving For

The two of them stared at each other without a word, the silence stretching on for a long time.

Sheng Tingwan sat on the edge of the bed and reached out to touch the blush that had risen on Wen Nuan’s cheeks from her attempt to get up.

“It’s Tendon-Softening Powder.”

Wen Nuan couldn’t speak; she could only look at Sheng Tingwan calmly.

Sheng Tingwan knew Wen Nuan couldn’t speak. After all, Fang Minghe had told her how to use the Tendon-Softening Powder; if the dosage was increased, it could make Wen Nuan completely lose her motor functions, including the ability to speak. That way, she would have no way of leaving her.

“I bet you’re cursing me right now,” Sheng Tingwan’s fingertips slid to Wen Nuan’s eyes and brows. “Cursing me for being despicable and shameless, for being base and vile, for stopping at nothing, for being a treacherous villain, am I right?”

Wen Nuan blinked, her clear eyes fixed on her, profoundly indicating that she was not cursing her.

Seeing her blink, Sheng Tingwan gave a cold sneer. “It seems you really are cursing me.”

Wen Nuan: …

“So what if you curse me? Everything I’ve become, isn’t it all the result of your personal guidance?” Sheng Tingwan pinched Wen Nuan’s chin.

My personal guidance?

Don’t just pin the blame on me, I never taught you to drug people!

Did you go bad all on your own these past three years!?

The System said silently: 【Did you not?】

Wen Nuan choked. …

Her attitude immediately became more rigorous. I meant I never taught Sheng Tingwan to use a scheme like drugging someone.

The System instantly gave her a look of “heh.”

Wen Nuan: …

Sheng Tingwan saw Wen Nuan’s eyes glaze over, clearly not listening to her seriously.

Infinite sorrow welled up in her heart, yet she also felt utterly ridiculous. Now that she had forcibly kept Wen Nuan by her side, shouldn’t she have known how vicious and contemptuous Wen Nuan’s attitude would be after she woke up!?

Reaping what you sow, getting your just deserts. You can’t blame anyone else.

“Wen Nuan, whether you believe it or not, I will not kill you, nor will I touch you. Everything I’ve done is simply because I hope you can stay by my side,” Sheng Tingwan said in a low voice.

Of course Wen Nuan understood she wouldn’t kill her, but not touch her?

That won’t do!

Wen Nuan blinked her eyes, meaning: Do not pity this delicate rose because of my weakness. Come, ravage me wantonly, trample me, conquer me!

System: 【…The way you’re acting makes me think you just want to lie back and take it.】

Wen Nuan: …I do not. Different positions create different new sensations.

【…】 the System asked, puzzled, 【We clearly studied together, so why have you progressed so quickly?】

They had secretly watched all the films and read all the dirty books together, so why had Wen Nuan’s enlightenment been so explosive?!

Wen Nuan mused, “A great man once taught me that practice is the sole criterion for testing truth.”

【…】

The System was angered into leaving.

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Sheng Tingwan thought Wen Nuan didn’t believe her and begged in a low voice, “Wen Nuan, I have never had any intention of killing you. Never.”

I only developed a selfish desire for you, a nauseatingly selfish desire.

“So don’t be afraid, I really won’t touch you. You just have to stay well in the capital, in the palace, by my side,” she held Wen Nuan’s unresponsive hand, the warmth of her touch making her linger. “As long as I can see you at all times, that’s enough.”

Wen Nuan sighed heavily in her heart. Looking at such a humble Sheng Tingwan, she suddenly wondered if she was pushing her too far.

Unfortunately, she was currently like a person in a vegetative state. Besides her eyes, no other part of her body could move.

“System, you there?”

No one responded.

Wen Nuan sighed. “Time to get to work.”

After a good while, the System emerged reluctantly. 【What?】

“Cure me of this Tendon-Softening Powder.”

【What’s wrong?】 The System picked its nose. 【Not playing the imprisonment PLAY anymore?】

“Play my ass,” Wen Nuan couldn’t bear to see her so humble and subservient. Her heart ached for her.

Besides, even if we were to play an imprisonment game, we could talk it out first. Then we could play however we want.

“Hurry up and cure me.”

【Actually, you can detoxify automatically without my help.】

Wen Nuan was puzzled. “What do you mean?”

【Weren’t you poisoned with both Qingxia Nether Soul and Nine Serenity, two potent poisons?】 the System said, 【Those two poisons neutralized each other, and because of the Lihuo Lingzhi, you now have a constitution that is immune to all poisons.】

“Immune to all poisons?” Wen Nuan asked in surprise.

The System nodded. 【I discovered it when I scanned you just now. That’s why I asked if you wanted to be detoxified.】

“Then if I weren’t immune to all poisons, could you still have cured this Tendon-Softening Powder?”

System: 【…No.】

Wen Nuan: “…You’re just great, aren’t you.”

She couldn’t be bothered to be sarcastic with the System anymore. “If I’m immune to all poisons, then why am I lying here right now?”

【Didn’t I just say? The female lead gave you too large a dose, so even with a poison-immune constitution, you still need some time to regulate it,】 the System scanned Wen Nuan’s body. 【One night. You’ll be detoxified by tomorrow morning.】

That’s good. One night is nothing, it’ll pass quickly.

Sheng Tingwan sat by the bed, pressing her cheek against Wen Nuan’s palm. Although she had been using the medicine Wen Nuan gave her, she could still feel how cold her own body was.

Unlike Wen Nuan’s palm, which was so warm.

Sheng Tingwan looked up. “Wen Nuan, can we sleep together tonight?”

Wen Nuan’s eyes lit up.

“I won’t touch you. It’s just that the night is freezing, and I’m a little cold. If two people sleep together, it will be much warmer.”

Hearing Sheng Tingwan say she wouldn’t touch her, the light in Wen Nuan’s eyes dimmed.

Sheng Tingwan didn’t get a response. She was just talking to herself, taking Wen Nuan’s silence as tacit agreement. Shamelessly, she took off her outer robes, got into bed, and covered them both with the same quilt.

“Wen Nuan, I’m still a little cold. Can I hold you while we sleep?”

Wen Nuan’s eyelashes trembled lightly.

Sheng Tingwan squeezed into Wen Nuan’s embrace, wrapping her arms around Wen Nuan’s slender waist. Just as she had said, she only held her, not daring to make any other transgressing moves.

Sheng Tingwan really did what she said she would do. She said she wouldn’t touch her, and she didn’t. Wen Nuan waited for a long time before finally closing her eyes in peace.

What a waste of a good opportunity.

---

A heavy snow fell in the early morning. Snowflakes weighed down the tree branches, and with a crack, a branch snapped.

Wen Nuan’s eyes flew open. She tentatively moved her body and found that she really could move again.

She glanced at Sheng Tingwan lying in her arms. Her cheeks were flushed, and when Wen Nuan touched her forehead, it was scalding hot.

Sheng Tingwan had a fever.

It must have been from the sudden drop in temperature last night. The heavy snow had come, and Sheng Tingwan had caught a wind-chill¹.

Wen Nuan slowly got up, put on the clothes and cloak from the side, and walked out of Qianyang Hall.

Just as she stepped out of the bedchamber, she ran right into Lu Yan. Lu Yan’s eyes widened in disbelief at the woman in the red cloak before her.

She naturally knew what Her Majesty the Empress Regnant had done to Prime Minister Ling, but she never imagined that Prime Minister Ling would wake up.

Then Her Majesty… Lu Yan looked worriedly toward Qianyang Hall.

Could it be that Prime Minister Ling killed Her Majesty?

Lu Yan’s heart pounded with fear, and she dropped to her knees. “This ser… this servant…”

Wen Nuan said faintly, “Go and fetch Fang Minghe.”

Lu Yan’s heart jumped. Is Prime Minister Ling preparing to settle scores one by one?

She didn’t dare to disobey Ling Wen Nuan. She could only get up and go to the Imperial Medical Academy to summon Fang Minghe.

When Fang Minghe learned that Ling Wen Nuan had woken up so quickly and could even walk, he was aghast and rushed to Qianyang Hall with Lu Yan.

The two of them looked at Ling Wen Nuan sitting at the entrance of the hall, and both their hearts shook.

Lu Yan knelt. “Prime Minister, Physician Fang is here.”

Fang Minghe kowtowed. “This subordinate official pays his respects to Prime Minister Ling.”

“Her Majesty has a fever from a chill. Go take a look,” Wen Nuan said with a stern face.

Fang Minghe’s brow furrowed slightly. He rose. “Yes.”

He walked into Qianyang Hall.

Wen Nuan looked at Lu Yan, who was still kneeling on the ground, and chuckled lightly. “Lu Yan, you were promoted by me, weren’t you?”

She lowered her voice, which was now laced with ice shards. “Is this how you repay me?”

Lu Yan prostrated herself on the ground, her body trembling nonstop as she said in a panic, “This servant deserves death, this servant deserves death…”

“Don’t be afraid. I won’t kill you. On the contrary, I should praise you for your loyalty. After all…” Wen Nuan pinched her chin, looking into her terrified eyes, “…when I gave you to Sheng Tingwan back then, it was so you would follow her, prioritize her in all matters, and serve her with all your wisdom and loyalty. You’ve done very well.”

Lu Yan’s chest heaved violently. She didn’t dare to breathe.

“Alright, go and prepare hot water. Her Majesty has a fever and needs to be wiped down,” Wen Nuan released her.

Normally, they would go to the Jade Warmth Pool to bathe, but Sheng Tingwan was not fit to be exposed to the wind right now.

Lu Yan kowtowed. “Yes.”

She immediately got up and left Qianyang Hall.

After a while, Fang Minghe came out and knelt before Wen Nuan. “Her Majesty has only caught a chill and is in no mortal danger. This subordinate official has already prescribed medicine. After three days of taking it, she will certainly recover.”

He paused for a moment, then changed the subject. “This subordinate official, Fang Minghe, begs the Prime Minister to bestow upon me the crime of great disrespect.”

Wen Nuan lifted her eyelids. “Are you surprised?”

Fang Minghe paused, not daring to answer.

“Why was the Tendon-Softening Powder useless against me?”

Fang Minghe was indeed puzzled, but he didn’t dare to ask.

“Because I was poisoned with both Qingxia Nether Soul and the Nine Serenity Elixir, two potent poisons, and I also consumed the Lihuo Lingzhi. These three substances transformed my body, making it immune to all poisons².”

Fang Minghe’s pupils trembled. Incredulously, he said, “Immune to all poisons?!”

Wen Nuan held out her wrist. “You can verify it yourself.”

Fang Minghe’s fingertips trembled as he checked Wen Nuan’s pulse. He then used a silver needle to draw a sample of her blood. Upon careful examination, he found that Wen Nuan was indeed immune to all poisons; the Tendon-Softening Powder he had created was completely useless against her.

“To think it’s really… immunity to all poisons.”

Something that was once so unattainable was now right in front of Fang Minghe. He was so shocked he was almost speechless.

Wen Nuan looked at Fang Minghe. “Besides the Tendon-Softening Powder, what other medicine did you make for Her Majesty?”

Fang Minghe pursed his lips, his hands hanging at his sides clenching tightly. “This subordinate official…”

Wen Nuan leaned closer. “What is it?”

Fang Minghe’s lips moved.

Wen Nuan raised an eyebrow, a trace of surprise flashing in her eyes. “If Her Majesty asks for it, just give it to her. Don’t tell Her Majesty that I asked you about it, understand?”

Although Fang Minghe didn’t understand Wen Nuan’s meaning, he replied, “This subordinate official understands.”

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The medicinal soup Fang Minghe prescribed was very effective. After one bowl, Sheng Tingwan’s high fever subsided.

Lu Yan had prepared the hot water. “Prime Minister, the hot water is ready.”

Wen Nuan unfastened Sheng Tingwan’s clothes and said faintly, “You may leave. If you hear any sounds, do not come in, understand?”

“…” Lu Yan couldn’t figure out Wen Nuan’s intentions and could only obey. She swallowed hard. “Yes.”

Lu Yan exited the bedchamber and closed the doors properly.

Sheng Tingwan was covered in sweat, her inner shirt soaked through.

Wen Nuan stripped her bare, lifted her horizontally in her arms, and carefully placed her into the bathtub.

Her body suddenly touched the water, and Sheng Tingwan let out a soft hum, her eyes still closed, not yet awake.

Wen Nuan’s movements were gentle as she slowly lowered Sheng Tingwan. The sudden feeling of weightlessness made her frown, and her hands shot out from the water to wrap around Wen Nuan’s neck, the resulting splash completely soaking Wen Nuan’s clothes.

Wen Nuan chuckled lightly. “Be good.”

Sheng Tingwan seemed to be in great discomfort. She forced her eyes open with extreme difficulty. The world before her was hazy, and she could only vaguely make out the figure in front of her.

She thought it was “Lu Yan” and slowly released her hands, letting “Lu Yan” place her in the tub.

After settling her, Wen Nuan picked up a nearby cloth, wet it, and began to gently wipe Sheng Tingwan’s body. The soft, damp cloth slid across her neck, her collarbones, her chest…

Sheng Tingwan felt very comfortable being wiped and let out soft whimpers tinged with pleasure and comfort.

Wen Nuan wiped her arm. “Lift your arm.”

Sheng Tingwan obediently lifted her arm.

“Give me the other one.”

Sheng Tingwan obediently handed her other arm over for Wen Nuan to wipe.

Hearing those two commands, her originally dazed consciousness gradually returned. The tone and manner of this person’s speech were not something Lu Yan could produce.

Sheng Tingwan closed her eyes for a moment, and her vision cleared considerably. She saw clearly the person washing her.

“…Wen Nuan?!”

Am I dreaming?

Why would Wen Nuan be washing me?

Why can Wen Nuan move freely?!

Hearing her call her name, Wen Nuan responded, “Mn.”

Hearing the “person from her dream” respond, Sheng Tingwan reached out to touch Wen Nuan’s cheek. Seeing that she didn’t dodge, she lamented in her heart, It really is a dream.

If this were the real Ling Wen Nuan, she probably wouldn’t let me touch her face so easily.

Since it’s a dream, does that mean I can do whatever I want?

Sheng Tingwan leaned her body closer, her full, fair arms wrapping around Wen Nuan’s neck. Her eyes shimmered like water, and her breath was as fragrant as orchids. She drew near to Wen Nuan, the distance between them slowly closing.

Wen Nuan didn’t retreat, a smile on her lips as she watched her.

This dream is so good, Sheng Tingwan thought.

She tilted her head and tentatively kissed the corner of Wen Nuan’s mouth. Seeing that she was still smiling, not refusing or resisting, Sheng Tingwan began to push her luck. It’s just a dream anyway, why should I be so timid?

Her trembling lips pressed down, frantically and messily nibbling at Wen Nuan’s lips, as if that wasn’t enough, wanting something deeper.

Sheng Tingwan said with some urgency, “Wen Nuan, can you open your mouth?”

Wen Nuan could see that Sheng Tingwan’s consciousness was muddled and that she probably thought she was dreaming. She deliberately teased her, “Why are you kissing me?”

Sheng Tingwan’s lips were still on hers as she mumbled, “Because… because…”

Wen Nuan’s voice was low and magnetic, coaxing her, “Because of what? As long as you say it, I’ll open my mouth, alright?”

Sheng Tingwan looked at Wen Nuan, her face like a peach blossom. Her eyes and brows were as exquisite as autumn waters, beautiful beyond description.

She was hopelessly lost. “Because… I love you.”

Wen Nuan’s lips curled into a smile. “Really?”

Sheng Tingwan nodded. “Really. I really love you.” She moved closer, sometimes gently biting and grinding against Wen Nuan’s lips. “I really, really love you.”

“Ai…” Wen Nuan dodged her kiss, scooped up some water, and splashed it directly at Sheng Tingwan. “Sober up.”

Sheng Tingwan was stunned by the splash, staring blankly at Wen Nuan until her gaze shifted from hazy to shocked and incredulous.

Wen Nuan crossed her arms, smiling faintly. “Awake now?”

Sheng Tingwan swallowed, nodding her head tremblingly.

“Do you remember what you just did?”

Sheng Tingwan: “…”

I don’t want to remember, can I not!?

“Look at the cut on my lips,” Wen Nuan deliberately leaned closer. “Why don’t Your Majesty guess who bit it?”

Sheng Tingwan glanced hastily and saw that there was indeed a cut on Wen Nuan’s lips.

Seeing her head sink lower and lower, almost submerging into the water, Wen Nuan said, “Someone said they loved me just now? I don’t know if I misheard, or if someone was lying.”

Sheng Tingwan felt she had no face to see Wen Nuan anymore. It would be better to just drown herself in the bathtub.

“If you don’t speak, I’m leaving,” Wen Nuan stood up and said deliberately. “If I leave this time, you won’t be able to stop me.”

Sheng Tingwan’s pupils trembled. If Wen Nuan leaves this time, she really will have no way to keep her.

At this thought, Sheng Tingwan shot up from the water and hugged Wen Nuan from behind, her voice trembling. “Don’t go. Don’t go, I’m begging you.”

Wen Nuan looked at the hands clasped tightly in front of her chest. “Why can’t I go?”

Sheng Tingwan gritted her teeth, as if giving up the struggle, and shouted in a last-ditch effort, “Because I love you! I don’t want you to leave me! As long as I can see you, it’s fine even if you hate me, despise me, or wish you could kill me!”

As her words fell, the air around them seemed to freeze. Sheng Tingwan’s heart was in agony, like an ant on a hot pan, unable to find a moment of peace.

“Haha…” Wen Nuan couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Wen Nuan’s laughter terrified Sheng Tingwan, and her entire body tensed, not daring to relax.

Wen Nuan loosened Sheng Tingwan’s hands and turned to face the ashen-faced woman, her gaze sweeping over her naked body a few times.

“Sheng Tingwan, is it that hard to say you like me?”

Sheng Tingwan shuddered violently. “We are both women. I was afraid you wouldn’t accept it, afraid you would detest me, hate me, despise me…”

“But that’s all what you assumed. Have you ever asked me what I think?”

Sheng Tingwan looked up. “What you think?”

“Yes, what I think,” Wen Nuan said. “Do you want to know what I think?”

Sheng Tingwan nodded dazedly. “…I want to know.”

Wen Nuan leaned in, cupped the back of her neck, and kissed her fiercely. She then gave a helpless smile. “Sheng Tingwan, if you like me, just say so. It’s not like I won’t take responsibility.”

“I taught you that if you like something, you should strive for it, even if it means using unscrupulous means.” Wen Nuan pulled the stunned Sheng Tingwan into her arms and patted her gently.

She said softly, “Tingwan, I have been won over by you.”

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