Reborn To Be The Imperial Consort [BL]-Chapter 165: Preening Black Dahlia — VI

Against all the instincts and his own sanity warning him, Li Xinyuan let his curiosity win over. It was within his nature — the inability to resist prying. The original plot of the novel had begun the moment Liu Mingyun disappeared and Namgung Jihye was finally introduced.

Even if he was to be wholly oblivious, he knew they were bound to meet. For he could feel the gears of the world shift and bend around the woman standing before him, so humble and kind.

The thought made his frown worsen, brows drawing tight and lips pursed in displeasure. He did not want to share the Crown Prince, no matter what may be fated.

Even so, Li Xinyuan could not allow personal gripes and the worries of a near future to cloud his mind and judgement.

"Very well," despite himself, despite the nagging thought that perhaps this was an elaborate trap, the surgeon agreed. "I shall follow you."

At his word, the faces of the young ladies brightened with relief. "However, I must make my conditions clear."

Namgung Suyeon looked like she wanted to say something gruff again, but a single chiding glance from her oldest sister had her swallowing whatever she intended to say. Instead, it was the female lead who spoke again, kind and accommodating.

"Whatever they are."

An hour later, Li Xinyuan — in disguise strengthened by Hu Lijing’s power to prevent discovery — was following after Namgung Jihye and Suyeon. Both of whom radiated anxiety haste.

Haste was never a good sign, especially in the surgeon’s profession. Haste was a clear indication of something wrong, immensely wrong, really.

"We have gone against the patriarch’s orders to bring him here," he heard Namgung Suyeon whisper ahead of him, believing herself discreet. "we shall be punished if discovered."

Beside the young lady, Namgung Jihye walked with mirrored urgency in her steps, eyes watchful as they darted all around.

"I am willing to accept whatever punishment father doles out. But I can no longer watch her suffer, Suyeon-ah."

If Li Xinyuan’s frown could deepen any more, it did. Vexation burrowed deep in his chest and countless unwelcome thoughts slithered in without preamble.

Who could they be talking about? To go so far as breaking rules for her? Who exactly was she?

His lips pursed, for a moment, he entertained the thoughts of declining. He did not need more trouble. Li Xinyuan was so busy he could barely keep his head above water. If his true identity was to be discovered... It would be a different issue in its entirety.

The surgeon shook his head to clear the deluge of thoughts pulling him away from the present.

Where did his hippocratic oath go for him to think this way? Now that he put himself in the lion’s mouth, he could not run away without at the very least taking a look.

Firmly admonishing himself a few times, Li Xinyuan straightened his back, busying himself with taking in the surroundings rather than eavesdropping on a conversation he was uninvited in.

All around him the restrained elegance for which the Namgung clan of JiangHu was famous bled in every wall, in every intricately woven curtain, in every fabric that hung low and swayed with the slightest movement.

It had this quiet opulence that drew attention rather than demanding it. As he looked around in slightest of fascination, he couldn’t help but compare it to the warm yet clinical, comfortable yet practical atmosphere in the Li Clan.

Li Xinyuan shook his head, smiling at the thought of the kind of a person his aunt was. Practical, clinical, and scarcely warm.

Now that he thought it over, the Li Clan’s estate reflected the Divine Phoenix’s personality quite expertly.

Deep in thought but largely aware of his surroundings, the surgeon allowed the Namgung sisters to lead him through the longwinded hallways, and deeper into the manor.

"Here we are." In a low, careful voice, the female lead announced, stepping to the side and smiling apologetically. "I ask you to brace your heart, Doctor Baek."

At her ominous warning, as Li Xinyuan’s lips pursed, and before he could ask for more information, Namgung Suyeon strode forth, her shoulders tense with impatience as pushed open the door.

"Please, help her with the best of your abilities, Doctor Baek."

Li Xinyuan became even more unsettled at Namgung Suyeon’s request. What could be so horrible that both the women saw it necessary to forewarn?

Regardless of his doubts, the surgeon forged ahead and stepped into the... Well kept and luxurious room before the sisters. The sight so contrary to what his imagination had been, compelled him to raise an eyebrow in doubt.

It appeared empty. The window was open to allow in some cool autumn breeze and sunlight.

The silk curtains pulled open swayed with the wind as birds trilled outside and drying leaves rustled, hanging precariously on their branches, trembling.

The breathtaking eyes of molten gold hidden by warm brown, roamed around the seemingly empty room he cautiously wandered into. An unfinished piece of embroidery. A pretty handheld fan carelessly tossed on the floor.

He halted, head dipping to gaze down at the fan adorned in soft colours of peach blossom. Akin to a snake, the dark branch crawled from one end of the fan to the other, crooked at places from the weight of the peach blossoms.

It was a shame for this fan to be tossed away so carelessly. Although it did appear to be painted by unsteady hands.

Gingerly, Li Xinyuan bent to pick the fan up, fingers curling on the wood as he carefully snapped it shut.

Rustle. Cough.

The surgeon froze. He could have sworn the room had been empty.

Following the minute sound, Li Xinyuan looked up, long raven waves of his hair spilled over his shoulders to caress the floor covered in soft rug.

Alarmed, his head snapped up to search for the source of the noise. There, a few good feet away from him, sitting with their back to the door was a person.

Even from their thin back, he could determine them ailing. Just what was going on?

Li Xinyuan slowly straightened up once more, fist pressed on his lips, he let out a cough to alert the person of his presence.

At the sudden sound, they jerked, yelping with a start. However, strangely enough, they did not move to stand, only turned to look from where they sat.

Li Xinyuan’s lips thinned as his eyes met with the woman’s. She looked pale and frail — neither in a good way — and terribly surprised.

"Please, do not be afraid," he raised his hands in surrender, speaking in a voice meant to soothe the young woman. "I am a physician brought here by Young Misses Namgung."

The more Li Xinyuan observed her, carefully studying that emaciated but otherwise beautiful face, the more irate he became. This woman looked closer to a ghost than a human.

And Li Xinyuan did not like ghosts.

After a beat, the young lady’s pale lip moved hesitantly.

"By Jihye unnie and Suyeon-ah?"

This sickly woman...? Li Xinyuan’s face fell before it darkened as recognition sparked at her words. This was Namgung Hyein?