Chapter 125: You Big Liar

Huangpu Shenqing emerged from the bathroom, wiping his hair with a towel, and looked at the girl, who still seemed shaken. "What's wrong?"

Shangguan Renran slumped on the sofa. "Mr. Huangpu, I..."

He sat down beside her and stated with certainty, "What did he do to you?"

She widened her eyes and sat up from the sofa. "How did you know?"

"Ha, why shouldn't I know?"

"No, I just didn't expect... this is too..."

"Too incredible? You’re just slow; you didn't notice it yourself." The man’s tone carried a hint of frustration at her lack of perception.

Annoyed, Shangguan Renran climbed onto his lap. "Hey, Huangpu Shenqing, watch your language. Why am I slow?"

"Good girl, I like this position." Huangpu Shenqing embraced the girl as she was and carried her to the large bed in the room.

He pressed his body against hers, his hands busy undoing his own robe.

"What are you doing?" she asked, shrinking back and trying to retreat.

"Taking off my clothes to sleep."

"Aren't you already wearing pajamas? You are not allowed to take them off!" She still remembered the time he had stripped naked to scare her.

"Be good, come here. I won't touch you." The man untied his robe, revealing a bronzed, solid chest; the fluid lines of his physique were full of wild charm.

"I don't want to." She shook her head, trying to get down and find somewhere else to sleep.

The man grabbed her feet and dragged her back down, pinning her struggling legs with his own and catching her hands above her head. "Where are you going?"

"I don't want to sleep with you anymore."

"Then who do you want to sleep with?"

Driven to desperation, Shangguan Renran snapped, "I'd rather sleep with anyone than with you!"

As soon as she said it, she realized what she had uttered.

Seeing the flicker of anger in his eyes, she panicked and tried to explain, "No, I..."

Huangpu Shenqing silenced her sharp tongue with a fierce, biting kiss.

Shangguan Renran felt like a fish gasping for air, her mouth aching intensely. She pushed against the man pressing down on her, her hands meeting the solid skin of his chest.

"Mmm... Huangpu... Huangpu Shenqing."

He reluctantly pulled back, looking at the girl’s swollen lips and her dazed, dark eyes. Her charming, bewitching appearance made him unable to resist pressing a light kiss to her lips once more.

He couldn't help but wonder what her eyes would look like if they were blue.

"Huangpu Shenqing, you big liar," the girl accused him in a soft, whimpering voice, which sounded like a coquettish protest to his ears.

He smiled. "How did I lie to you? Didn't you say it to me first?"

She kicked him with her slender, fair feet. "You said you wouldn't touch me! Besides, I just misspoke, can't I?"

Huangpu Shenqing caught her feet and pinned her back down. "You’re good at making excuses for yourself. Go to sleep."

Shangguan Renran pushed him away. "Sleep? I haven't even taken a bath yet."

She was still wearing the clothes from the day, while he had already showered and changed. Of course he could sleep!

Huangpu Shenqing raised his hands. "Fine, go ahead."

Shangguan Renran found the robe Ye Xin had prepared for her, glared at him, and ducked into the bathroom.

She went to the far end of the room to avoid any reflection from the glass door. Once inside, she noticed that all the toiletries had already been opened.

She knew exactly who was responsible for that. Really...

Outside, Huangpu Shenqing listened to the sounds from the bathroom, easily imagining what the girl was doing. He lay on the bed, feeling restless.

The bathroom was well-insulated, but Huangpu Shenqing’s hearing was better.

A few minutes later, the sound of water running.
Ten minutes later, the rustle of clothes being removed.
Fifteen minutes later, the sound of the tub overflowing.
Half an hour later, silence.
An hour later, still no movement.

Huangpu Shenqing suddenly sensed something was wrong. He walked to the bathroom and pounded on the door. "Ranran? Ranran?"

There was not a single sound from within, let alone a reply.

He cursed under his breath, stepped back, and kicked the door with all his might.

*Bang.*
*Bang.*
*Bang.*

The door gave way. He rushed in to find the girl’s pale, delicate body nearly submerged in the water, her flaxen hair spread out, her face devoid of color. Ignoring the intimate sight, he grabbed a large towel to wrap her in, his heart burning with anxiety.

He lifted her up, cursing his own stupidity. "Ranran... Ranran, wake up. A doctor... yes, get a doctor."

While wrapping her in a robe, Huangpu Shenqing contacted Mo Yi and the others, then rushed downstairs with her in his arms.

"Doctor... hurry and get a doctor... hurry and send a car, find a doctor!"

The entire castle was thrown into chaos. Dozens of on-duty servants scrambled—some for cars, some for doctors—while others notified Duke Polia in the front castle and other members of the Skikoive family.

Jieliya and Ye Xin, who were staying in the same castle, dressed quickly and rushed downstairs. Mo Yi and the others also hurried down from upstairs upon receiving the call.

"What happened to the Miss?" Ye Xin asked, looking at Shangguan Renran in his arms, her heart filled with worry and fear.

"What’s wrong with the girl? Is she sick, or what happened?"

Huangpu Shenqing ignored them, asking the maid who had just called, "How much longer until the doctor arrives?"

"The family doctor will be here in ten minutes; the hospital specialists will take at least fifteen."

"How long to the nearest hospital?"

"At the fastest, twelve minutes."

"Go to the hospital. Mo Yi, get the car ready."

"Yes."

Huangpu Shenqing took her to the nearest hospital. He didn't wait for the family doctor because he knew they were usually specialized in hereditary conditions, and he wouldn't let the girl suffer for those extra two minutes.

He drove at breakneck speed. Before the car had even come to a full stop, he carried her out, demanding to know where the emergency room and specialists were the moment he saw a doctor.

After finally getting her into the emergency room, he was barred from entering, and he felt as though he were losing his mind.

Mo Yi, Mo Jiu, Ye Xin, and the others arrived shortly after, finding the man standing outside the emergency room in his black robe and slippers, radiating restless agitation. They didn't dare say a word, knowing it was not the time to ask questions.

Pigri helped Jieliya, along with Duke Polia and Ke He Mo, to the hospital. Seeing the group waiting outside the emergency room, their anxiety only deepened.

They ordered everyone to seal the news, forbidding any information about the night’s events from leaking out, and the hospital was placed under a complete lockdown.