Chapter 9 Checking for Poison
When I found Xie Ning he was sleeping beneath a tree.
Both arms were pillowed behind his head, one leg hooked lazily over a stump.
His bamboo hat covered his face, leaving only his thin lips and sharp jaw visible.
His breathing was steady. The firm lines of his abdomen rose and fell beneath his clothes.
I felt relieved seeing him so relaxed. I lifted my skirt and walked quietly to his side. I still did not know whether he had been poisoned with Gu Poison. The clearest sign would be a mark on his wrist. I leaned closer, trying to check behind his ear. A few strands of my hair brushed his neck.
He opened his eyes at once, flipped up, and pinned my wrist above my head. My back hit the rough bark and I gasped.
"It hurts..."
He recognized me and loosened his grip slightly, though his brows stayed furrowed. "What were you doing just now?"
I hesitated. "I wanted to see if you had been poisoned."
Xie Ning laughed. "Poisoned? By you?"
I shook my head quickly. "No, no. I wanted to check whether you had been poisoned with Gu Poison before..."
He raised an eyebrow. "I only took a few gold beads from you. Do you really wish me dead that much?"
Even so, he released me. I lost my balance and nearly fell. He caught me again, steadying me by the waist.
"I have never been poisoned," he said, looking down at me. "Why ask now?"
I let out a long breath. "That's good. You must be careful from now on."
Xie Ning glanced at me, then looked away, the tips of his ears faintly red. "What are you muttering about?"
I tugged his sleeve again. "Are you feeling well lately? Any weakness? I brought plenty of medicine that can help restore strength."
Xie Ning stared at me, then laughed in exasperation. "Does the Imperial Princess want to check my body herself?"
One of his hands still rested lightly at my waist. When he leaned closer, his warm breath brushed my face. I misunderstood and thought he wanted me to take his pulse.
I looked up seriously. "You trust me? Then may I check?"
Xie Ning froze.