Chapter 46: How Are You Still Alive?

The man's voice carried a terrifying authority. It not only made Ningyuan Shen’s heart skip a beat but also sent a chill down her spine. Especially when he lowered his gaze toward her, the dark shadows beneath his eyes, illuminated by the flickering candlelight, exuded a grim and chilling aura that made Ningyuan swallow nervously.

By now, Ningyuan was almost certain that this was the man everyone whispered about—the mad, unpredictable former Crown Prince Xie Wanzhou, known for brandishing a blade and attacking anyone at a moment’s notice.

Biting her lip in silent resolve, Ningyuan realized just how ruthless Yunshu He’s scheme was—to lure her here so that whatever Xie Wanzhou might do to her would be utterly beyond her control.

Facing the very embodiment of the deranged, cold-blooded Xie Wanzhou, Ningyuan forced down her fear and tried to keep calm. Despite the numbness in her body, she strained to drag herself backward, using her elbow to inch away from him, seeking some distance.

But as soon as she took two steps back, Xie Wanzhou maneuvered his wheelchair closer to her, subtly closing the gap between them once more.

“I’m asking you—where’s today’s wine?” he said, leaning forward and scrutinizing Ningyuan’s face closely.

Upon recognizing her, his pupils trembled slightly, a flicker of surprise passing through his eyes, but it quickly faded away.

Straightening up, Xie Wanzhou asked with a hint of doubt, “You weren’t here to bring me wine?”

He chuckled softly to himself and added, “You don’t look like one of those palace maids who bring me wine. Those girls don’t have your courage… they don’t even dare meet my eyes.”

Seeing that his tone was calm and reasonable, without the wildness of his usual fits, Ningyuan gathered her courage and propped herself up.

“Your Highness, I’m not here to bring wine. It’s my first time in the palace, and I got lost on my way out. I accidentally entered your chambers. Please forgive me, Your Highness,” she said respectfully.

As she lowered her head to perform a deep bow, Xie Wanzhou suddenly produced a folding fan from somewhere, lifted her chin with it, and forced her head back up. Then, he leaned in even closer, examining her face more thoroughly.

This time, after taking a good look at Ningyuan, a faint joy appeared in his eyes.

He immediately withdrew the fan, wheeled his chair backward two paces, and put some distance between them.

Seeing him step away, Ningyuan’s fear gradually receded, replaced by puzzlement.

Wasn’t Xie Wanzhou supposed to be a madman, prone to losing his mind at any moment?

Yet, now, he showed no signs of madness.

Could it be that his condition fluctuated? Perhaps she was just lucky to encounter him during a lucid moment?

Relieved, Ningyuan looked up at Xie Wanzhou and said with utmost respect, “Your Highness, it’s getting late. I won’t disturb your drinking any longer. I’ll take my leave now.”

She bowed her head, preparing to stand and leave.

“Your leave?” Xie Wanzhou’s pupils contracted sharply as he wheeled closer again.

Just as Ningyuan rose, a heavy weight pressed down on her shoulder, forcing her back down.

Looking up, she saw Xie Wanzhou holding the folding fan, pressing her shoulder firmly.

“Y-Your Highness?” Ningyuan’s voice trembled.

He said nothing, his gaze fixed intently on her.

Seeing this, Ningyuan instinctively thought he was having a relapse, and fear welled up inside her once more.

Yet, amidst her fear, Xie Wanzhou merely asked softly, “What’s your name?”

Trembling, she answered, “Ningyuan Shen.”

“Ningyuan Shen?” He pursed his lips. “Daughter of General Shen?”

She nodded.

Hearing this, Xie Wanzhou withdrew the fan and said coolly, “Stand up. Don’t kneel so much—you’ll hurt your knees.”

Ningyuan: “…”

She didn’t want to kneel, but he hadn’t exactly told her to stand either!

After a moment’s hesitation, rubbing her aching knees, she stood.

Now looking down at Xie Wanzhou rather than up, his appearance seemed less terrifying.

Though his hair was disheveled, it merely added a layer of weariness and laziness.

The more she looked, the more her fear diminished.

But with him seated in his wheelchair, he now had to look up at her.

After a brief upward glance, his eyes flickered, and he said lightly, “Or… you’d better stay kneeling. I’m looking up at you; my neck hurts.”

Ningyuan: “…”

Once again, she was left speechless.

Seeing her hesitation, Xie Wanzhou seemed to realize that having her kneel while talking wasn’t quite fitting.

He changed his tone: “Forget it, you stand. I won’t look at you then.”

With that, he wheeled around and turned his back to her.

Ningyuan stared at his back for a long time, her lips twitching slightly, unable to find words to describe her feelings.

Who could tell her whether Xie Wanzhou was truly mad—or just foolish?

“Y-Your Highness, I… I’ve come to bring you… wine,” a trembling voice called from outside the hall.

Ningyuan was surprised. No wonder Xie Wanzhou had asked her for wine earlier.

It turned out palace staff did deliver wine to him at set times.

“Go get the wine for me. I can’t get it myself,” Xie Wanzhou suddenly ordered.

Ningyuan thought he must be speaking to a servant, but scanning the room, she found no one else there.

Only then did she realize he was addressing her.

“Are you calling me?” she asked uncertainly, pointing to herself.

He retorted bluntly, “You’re the only sane person in Lin’an Hall. If I’m not calling you, then who else?”

Realizing this, Ningyuan obediently hurried over and opened the great doors of Lin’an Hall.

But upon opening the doors, she froze again.

Outside knelt two palace maids, heads pressed tightly against the floor.

In front of them were two neatly arranged jars of wine.

Seeing this, Ningyuan found it odd but softly said, “The wine has arrived. You may leave.”

Hearing her voice, the two maids simultaneously lifted their heads, staring at Ningyuan in disbelief.

“Who… who are you? How did you get into His Highness’s chambers?” the maid on the left asked shakily.

They weren’t shocked that a woman was in Lin’an Hall.

They were stunned because there was a living person inside!

“I got lost and accidentally came here,” Ningyuan answered truthfully.

Upon hearing this, the other maid also asked tremblingly, “Your Highness, did he do anything to you?”

Ningyuan shook her head.

At this, both maids were even more shocked.

As if seeing a ghost in broad daylight, their eyes widened like copper bells, and they shouted in unison, “How is it possible that you walked out of Lin’an Hall alive?”