For two days, Li Man'er had barely spoken to Qi Yihan in the carriage. She had been listless and dispirited, as if drained of all energy.
She ate little and spoke less, subtly avoiding Qi Yihan's gaze and concern, as if deliberately keeping her distance.
Qi Yihan was no fool; he couldn't help but notice the change in Li Man'er. However, it was hardly the time for romantic affections. With his subordinates present, he could only pretend nothing was amiss. He planned to find an opportunity to talk to Li Man'er properly once they entered the mountains.
Hurrying along, the group finally reached the foot of the Moluo Mountain Range two days later.
"Your Highness, this is the path up the mountain," the leading scout, after carefully studying the map, confirmed their route. "However, it's getting late. This subordinate suggests we make camp at the foot of the mountain tonight and ascend tomorrow."
Qi Yihan took the map, glanced at the surrounding environment, and confirmed the scout's assessment. "This should be the place. Let's rest. We'll ascend first thing tomorrow morning."
"Yes!"
Everyone became busy. Some built fires, others prepared food, and some kept watch, each attending to their duties.
Li Man'er remained motionless in the carriage, even contemplating covering herself with a blanket and sleeping.
The carriage door was abruptly flung open, and Qi Yihan's face was colder than the temperature in the northern desert.
A Si, with great tact, alighted from the carriage, not daring to even lift her head.
Qi Yihan, enveloped in a chilling aura, sat down beside Li Man'er.
For some reason, Li Man'er felt a pang of guilt, as if she had done something wrong. She instinctively asked, "What are you doing in here?"
Qi Yihan longed to pull her into his embrace, grip her chin firmly, and seal her lips. He wanted to vent the pent-up frustration of the past two days.
Yet, the chill he exuded made him reluctant to let the young girl catch a cold.
"What's been going on these past two days? Why have you been avoiding me?"
Li Man'er retorted indignantly, "When did I?"
"You didn't?" The atmosphere suddenly grew oppressive. A cold glint appeared in Qi Yihan's eyes. "You're not the kind of person who gets discouraged by a few words from others."
Li Man'er looked at him in surprise. Who were "others"? Had someone been badmouthing her behind her back? She had no idea.
"I'm just feeling unwell." At this moment, as Qi Yihan moved closer to her, Li Man'er's feelings underwent a subtle shift. She felt petty, experiencing the insecurity and the peculiar emotional fluctuations that came with being in love, becoming someone she barely recognized.
"Unwell?" Qi Yihan frowned, clearly unsure whether to believe her.
"I don't know where."
Li Man'er appeared hesitant and unwilling to elaborate.
"If you're truly unwell, you're a physician, wouldn't you know what's wrong with yourself?" Qi Yihan felt some of the chill dissipating from him. He leaned closer to Li Man'er, pressing himself against her. "Are you unwell, or are you trying to avoid me?"
Li Man'er pushed him away. "Don't come so close, I really don't want to… I…" In her panic, Li Man'er blurted out, "I got my period."
Qi Yihan frowned, not understanding what "period" referred to. "Huh? What's wrong?"
"It's… it's my monthly flow," Li Man'er said, feeling a little embarrassed. She wondered if her mood swings and overthinking were due to her period.
Qi Yihan paused, then seemed a little uncomfortable. He cleared his throat before saying, "Are… are you feeling unwell? Do you need medicine?" He clearly understood now. "I'll get you some hot water." He then turned and rushed out, his earlier commanding demeanor replaced by a hurried retreat.
Li Man'er watched him go and couldn't help but smile. The feeling of vexation in her heart subsided considerably.
Not long after, the carriage door opened again. This time, it was A Si who returned.
She brought Li Man'er a cup of hot water and handed her a hot water bottle. "Miss, hug this, it will make you feel more comfortable."
A Si admired Li Man'er even more. She was the only one the Prince held so dear. She had never seen the Prince so concerned about anyone, to the point of being flustered and even a little shy when a young lady was having her period.
"You brought this with you?"
A Si replied, "I saw it before we left and casually packed it in my bag. But it's also because the Prince cares about you, he specifically asked me to bring you some hot water." As fellow women, A Si immediately understood Qi Yihan's intentions.
Speaking of which, A Si couldn't help but chuckle. The look of confusion and awkwardness on the Prince's face at that moment was a rare sight. Who would have imagined the dignified Ninth Prince showing such concern for another person! It was beyond imagination.
Li Man'er cradled the hot water in her hands, lost in thought.
A Si, not noticing her peculiarity, said, "Miss, I'll go get you something to eat. The wind is strong outside, please don't come down."
"I know."
A Si left the carriage and soon returned with a bowl of steaming millet porridge and a glistening roasted rabbit leg.
"This is a rabbit they caught earlier. It's passable, so please eat some and get some rest," A Si said, having followed Li Man'er for some time and knowing she wasn't picky about food.
Li Man'er wasn't picky; it was just that she had everything she needed in her spatial realm and never lacked food.
Li Man'er finished her dinner quickly, wrapped herself tightly in a blanket, and said, "A Si, I'm going to sleep for a while."
"Miss, rest assured, I'm here," A Si replied. She put away the bowls and chopsticks, stoked the embers in the charcoal brazier, and then said, "You sleep now."
That night, Li Man'er slept soundly, a peaceful sleep without dreams.
When Li Man'er woke up the next morning, A Si was no longer in the carriage. Li Man'er took the opportunity to enter her spatial realm and freshened up from head to toe, emerging feeling revitalized.
Perhaps it was because she had cleared her mind, or perhaps she really had just been affected by her period, but her mood was exceptionally good, and the worries and anxieties of the past few days had vanished.
"Miss, are you awake?"
Li Man'er hummed in response. "Are we leaving?"
A Si opened the carriage door. "First, we'll have breakfast, and after a little packing, we'll head into the mountains."
"Okay, I'll be right there." Staying in the carriage was uncomfortable, so Li Man'er stepped out to get some fresh air.
Seeing that her complexion was good and her spirits were high, looking like a completely different person from the previous two days, Qi Yihan truly believed what Li Man'er had said earlier.
"How are you feeling? Did you catch a chill last night?"
"No, thank you, Your Highness. I slept very well."
Qi Yihan simply said, "The journey ahead may be arduous. Can you manage?"
"Your Highness underestimates me too much. Besides, my period is over now."
Qi Yihan seemed taken aback that she would suddenly mention her period. He felt a slight awkwardness and cleared his throat. "Let's eat first."
Li Man'er couldn't help but smile, thinking he was quite innocent. She wondered if it was true or just an excuse.
A Jiu watched Li Man'er from a distance, his eyes filled with venom, as if wielding sharp hooks.