The Counterattack Plan of A Villain With Ten Thousand Fans - Chapter 199

Chapter 199

The person in front of him was clad in dark, form-fitting clothes, with an appearance slightly above average and a height to match, but his expression was indiscernible.

098 glanced at the man repeatedly, "Host, this doesn't seem like an adult." How could a non-adult suddenly appear here?

Ling Chunann did not answer 098's question but instead looked at the person in front of him, "Who are you?"

"I am Ying Ji." The man glanced at the bamboo leaf in Ling Chunann's hand and then at Ling Chunann's face, performed a courtesy bow, and said, "My master wishes to invite you over as a guest."

Without waiting for Ling Chunann to respond, Ying Ji grabbed Ling Chunann's arm, leapt into the air, and with a few jumps, landed in the courtyard of the house next to Prince Anjing's mansion.

098 was startled, impressed by the speed. It then began to worry a bit, considering this world to be somewhat of a martial arts world, and Ling Chunann had no martial arts skills, which could be a disadvantage in this world.

Ling Chunann was not as worried as 098; he was quite interested in the world's light-body skills, finding them more convenient than the local transportation, albeit being grabbed by the arm was somewhat uncomfortable.

This courtyard, adjacent to the purple bamboo garden of Prince Anjing's mansion, belonged to the old mansion next door. The original text did not mention who lived in this old mansion, nor did An Zhiqi's memories contain any useful information.

Ling Chunann took a quick look around, noticing the well-maintained flowers and plants and the spotless pathways, indicating that every scene was meticulously designed. Judging by the size, this separate courtyard was no smaller than their royal mansion.

After setting Ling Chunann down, Ying Ji took a few steps back and apologized, "Sorry for the rudeness."

"It's fine," Ling Chunann shifted his gaze away, "Who wants to see me?"

"Please wait, I will report immediately."

"Host, I couldn't find any information on the master of this place. According to the records, this old mansion was originally built for a prince of the previous dynasty, but for some reason, it was abandoned for over a decade and even designated as a forbidden area by the emperor," 098 relayed the information to Ling Chunann.

"Got it." Ling Chunann sat down on a stone bench and looked at the chessboard on the stone table.

The chessboard was set for a game left unfinished, strangely with two chess containers placed side by side on one end.

Clearly, it was a solo game. Counting the pieces on the board and tracing back from the final move, Ling Chunann concluded, "One thousand two hundred forty-nine."

"What?" asked 098.

For someone to play so many moves alone indicated a boring life. Shaking his head, Ling Chunann picked up a white piece and placed it in the center of the board, "I've decided to forgive him."

Unable to follow his host's thought process, 098 was confused.

After a while, Ying Ji reappeared in front of Ling Chunann, now more humble than before, "Our master invites you in."

Ling Chunann stood up, brushed off the nonexistent dust, and gestured for Ying Ji to lead the way.

Ying Ji led Ling Chunann to a room, stopping three steps away from the door, "The master is waiting inside for you, please enter."

Ling Chunann nodded and pushed open the door.

It was the time of the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the room was warmed by a stove, its scent unable to completely mask the faint smell of medicine. Ling Chunann entered, and Ying Ji closed the door behind him.

Passing a screen, a figure appeared in Ling Chunann's view. The man, with his black hair casually tied up, had sharp and indifferent features when expressionless, and even seated, his tall stature was evident. However, he appeared much leaner than in any previous worlds Ling Chunann had encountered. The scent of medicine Ling Chunann had detected came from him, and a wheelchair was placed not far from him, suggesting some mobility issues.

Upon seeing Ling Chunann enter, the man smiled, "You're here," and gestured to the chair beside him, "Please, have a seat."

Ling Chunann nodded but did not immediately move, "Who are you?"

"You must be the son of Prince Anjing." The man identified Ling Chunann without surprise at the scar on his face and continued after a cough and a sip of tea, "By seniority, you should call me 'Great Uncle Emperor,' but since we are not of the same clan, such formalities are unnecessary. My name is Xiao Hongjing, but you can simply call me Hongjing."

Xiao Hongjing's name had appeared once in the original text, but the character had died suddenly after a few lines, leaving a mystery unresolved until the end of the story, which made a deep impression on Ling Chunann.

Now hearing the man introduce himself, Ling Chunann understood. Being called 'Great Uncle Emperor' yet not of the same clan clearly meant this child, born to the retired emperor in his seventies, was illegitimate.

In fact, considering ages, Ling Chunann's current body was eighteen, and the man was only about eleven years older, not yet thirty.

According to what was said in the original story, Xiao Hongjing's illness was congenital, plagued by disease from birth, and not being born to the royal family, yet surviving the power struggles between generations, he was indeed remarkable.

With these thoughts, Ling Chunann bowed, "Great Uncle Emperor, I am An Zhiqi."

098 was sure that Xiao Hongjing's expression twisted slightly when Ling Chunann used this title, confirming that Ling Chunann was indeed provoking him on purpose. "Great Uncle Emperor, may I know the purpose of inviting your royal nephew to your esteemed residence?"

Xiao Hongjing did not immediately answer but poured a cup of tea for Ling Chunann, "Come, have a seat."

Ling Chunann moved to sit, took a sip of the tea, and frowned.

"Sorry, the hospitality is lacking; all I have here is medicinal tea," Xiao Hongjing quickly explained, seemingly worried Ling Chunann would leave.

"It's fine, I also drink medicine at home," Ling Chunann replied.

"Medicine? Why do you need medicine? Is there something wrong with your health?" Xiao Hongjing's expression became tense.

Ling Chunann replied, "It's nothing..."

Xiao Hongjing interrupted, "Give me your hand."

Ling Chunann looked at him, a hint of amusement in his eyes, then extended his hand with feigned nervousness.

In previous worlds, men's hands were always warm, but this time, they were even colder than Ling Chunann's, despite the room being heated and him wearing a fur coat not suited for the season.

As time passed, Xiao Hongjing's frown deepened. Ling Chunann had not yet had a chance to sort out this body's condition, and it wasn't in great shape, with every physician declaring the prince wouldn't live past forty. However, the original story saw him dying in his early twenties, a conclusion never tested.

After taking Ling Chunann's pulse, Xiao Hongjing retracted his hand, his expression softening, "This is a remnant toxin from birth. I'll send someone with some medicine later; after two months of treatment, you should recover." He then began writing a prescription.

"Thank you, Great Uncle Emperor," Ling Chunann said, smiling brightly at Xiao Hongjing, who paused and then looked away, "Never mind, you should return home for now. I was rude today."

Leaving the old mansion, 098 asked, "Host, why didn't he keep you at his residence?" It was unlike the man, who usually clung to Ling Chunann during their encounters.

"Perhaps he finds me too ugly and disdains me," Ling Chunann said pitifully.

098, for once, did not fall for it, "How is that possible?!" Xiao Hongjing's gaze had been so fixated on Ling Chunann, the warmth in his eyes was unmistakable, how could he find Ling Chunann ugly?

Ling Chunann laughed, shrugged, and did not answer 098.

While Xiao Hongjing was taking Ling Chunann's pulse, Ling Chunann had also quietly used his power to examine the man. Xiao Hongjing's physical condition was much worse than it appeared; without treatment, he wouldn't live more than two years.

Clearly, given the medical skills Xiao Hongjing had just demonstrated, he must have been aware of this prognosis. With the understanding built over many worlds, Ling Chunann knew Xiao Hongjing wouldn't want to burden him.

As night fell, no one noticed Ling Chunann's brief absence. After instructing that dinner was not needed, Ling Chunann returned to his room, took out a small bottle from a storage cabinet under the bookshelf, swallowed two green, fragrant pills from it, and then, removing his outerwear, climbed onto the soft couch with a book to read leisurely.

"Host, what are you doing?" 098 inquired.

"Taking medicine."

Shortly after finishing a book, there was a gentle knock on the door.

"Host, it's Ying Ji," 098 informed.

"Come in," Ling Chunann called.

Ying Ji entered, holding a tray with a bowl of medicine. "Young Master An, the master asked me to bring you this medicine."

"Thank him for me," Ling Chunann said with a smile, then took the medicine bowl and drank it down in one gulp.

As Ying Ji was about to leave, seeing Ling Chunann had taken his medicine, he paused mid-sentence, reaching out to catch Ling Chunann as he suddenly slumped over, "Young Master An, are you alright?"

By then, Ling Chunann had already lost consciousness.

098 felt something was amiss but couldn't pinpoint what it was until Ying Ji, in a rush, took their host back to Xiao Hongjing's residence and successfully took over his bed. Only then did it dawn on 098.

The depth of the host's schemes was unfathomable, and 098 admitted defeat.

Of course, Ling Chunann had planned this. He had examined the prescription Xiao Hongjing had written for him and knew what medications An Zhiqi had been taking previously. Upon realizing the prescribed medicine contained ingredients that were incompatible yet not lethal, he had acted accordingly, executing a flawless plan without arousing suspicion.

Thus, when Ling Chunann woke up the next morning in Xiao Hongjing's arms, it was hardly surprising.

Ling Chunann pried open the clothing over Xiao Hongjing's chest, touched the man's chest to find it cold, and thought if not for the heartbeat, Xiao Hongjing hardly seemed alive. Noticing the man's body was too lean, Ling Chunann pulled open the clothing over Xiao Hongjing's shoulder, thankful there was at least some flesh on the arm, then licked it before biting down.

Fortunately, despite Xiao Hongjing's poor health, his wound recovery rate remained unchanged. After Ling Chunann had his fill and licked clean the blood around the wound, it had nearly healed.

"What flavor?" Xiao Hongjing's voice came through.

"A faint taste of medicine," Ling Chunann savored, showing no embarrassment at being caught, and smiled mischievously at Xiao Hongjing, "Delicious."

"That's good," Xiao Hongjing's voice carried a hint of laughter, and then he pulled Ling Chunann closer into his embrace, expressing regret, "I'm sorry, my dear, for my oversight yesterday. I forgot to ask what medicine you had been taking. It's fortunate you're alright; otherwise, I would have to apologize with my life."

"Hm? What happened to me yesterday?" Ling Chunann feigned ignorance, "Right, why am I here?"

098: "..." Pretend, just keep pretending.

Xiao Hongjing didn't doubt Ling Chunann's act. He explained the importance of not carelessly mixing medicines and, to ensure Ling Chunann's recovery, suggested he stay there for two months under his care.

"I'll send someone to inform your father; he will agree. As for the courtesan you brought back," Xiao Hongjing glanced at Ling Chunann's expression, "if you like her, after you recover, I can arrange for a few noble ladies for you. It's best to let this one go."

Had it not been for the palpable jealousy, Xiao Hongjing's words might have been more believable.

Already achieving his goal, Ling Chunann seemed reluctant, "She's only been in the mansion for two days; I haven't even..." Then, perhaps intimidated by the chill emanating from Xiao Hongjing, he nodded in quick succession, reluctantly agreeing, "Alright, I'll have her sent back in a few days."

"Then it's settled," Xiao Hongjing softened his expression, touching Ling Chunann's hair gently, "It's getting late; you should get up. I'll have someone prepare breakfast for you."

Ling Chunann obediently got up from the bed, "Great Uncle Emperor, let me assist you with dressing."

Watching Xiao Hongjing's conflicted expression, 098 couldn't hold back any longer and burst into laughter.

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