With her delicate face and slender waist, the royal uncle lost control.

Qin Jiuchen was taken aback, a warm feeling welling up in his heart, but he suppressed it with reason.

He looked away, his voice strained: "We should reconsider Nian'er's marriage."

"The prince is worried about being a burden on me because of his poor health."

Yun Nian looked him straight in the eye, giving him no chance to escape, "Or do you simply not like me and don't want to marry me?"

Qin Jiuchen pursed his lips, remained silent for a long while, and then said in a low voice, "It's because I don't like it..."

Before he could finish speaking, Yun Nian suddenly leaned down and kissed his lips.

Caught off guard, Qin Jiuchen didn't have time to react before he felt a soft, warm touch on his lips.

He could taste the faint sweetness of apples on her lips, and the salty taste of her tears.

He wanted to back away, but Yun Nian stubbornly refused to let go.

She mimicked how he used to kiss her, gently taking his lower lip into her mouth, her tongue tentatively exploring, yet with an undeniable firmness.

Qin Jiuchen froze. His reason told him he should push her away, but his body betrayed his will.

He closed his eyes, finally giving in, reaching out to hold the back of her head and deepening the awkward kiss.

Her lips were soft and sweet, like the tenderest cherry blossom petals in early spring.

He responded gently, guiding her and helping her gradually relax.

Their breaths mingled, and the air was filled with a faint smell of medicine and the sweet scent of apples.

Yun Nian tasted the faint metallic taste of blood in his mouth, her heart ached, and she kissed him even deeper.

She clumsily kissed his lips and tongue, as if trying to draw out all the toxins from his body in this way.

The kiss was lingering and passionate, lasting until they were both breathless. Qin Jiuchen gently pulled away, his forehead pressed against hers, his voice hoarse: "Nian'er..."

"Your Highness,"

Yun Nian cupped his face in her hands, tears glistening in her eyes. "I love you, and I want to marry you. Not out of gratitude, not because I have no other choice, but simply because I love you."

She sniffed, trying to keep her voice from choking back tears: "So, please get better soon, and then marry me, okay?"

Looking at her red eyes and the undisguised love in them, Qin Jiuchen finally nodded.

He held her tightly in his arms and whispered in her ear, "Okay. I'll marry you when I'm better."

-

In the following days, Qin Jiuchen's condition fluctuated, and he was mostly in a daze.

The imperial physicians came every day to change the medicine and administer acupuncture, but they all shook their heads and sighed.

Finally, he brought out a specially made pill, saying that it could stimulate vital energy. Although it could not detoxify, it could temporarily restore Qin Jiuchen's spirit.

After taking the medicine, Qin Jiuchen's complexion improved, and his eyes became much clearer.

Yun Nian helped him to the yard to bask in the sun.

The autumn sun was warm but not glaring, and when it shone on his pale face, it finally added a touch of rosiness.

Yun Nian stood in front of him and looked up at him.

The sunlight shone from behind her, making her look soft and warm.

"Your Highness,"

She said softly, her eyes filled with an unprecedented determination, "Let's get married in the next few days. I don't want a wedding, I don't want a dowry, let's just take heaven as our witness and get married."

Upon hearing this, Qin Jiuchen remained calm and reached out to pull her into his arms.

He looked down at her, his gaze gentle and deep:

"No rush. Once I'm better, I'll marry you with a grand wedding procession. How could I let my Nian'er suffer?"

Yun Nian knew what he was thinking. He was afraid that he couldn't cure the poison and that he would ruin her life.

So she didn't expose him, but simply nestled obediently in his arms and softly hummed in agreement: "Then Your Highness must get well soon."

Qin Jiuchen smiled, said nothing, but simply hugged her tighter.

-

That evening, Qin Jiuchen was unusually energetic and sat up against the headboard reading a book.

The candlelight flickered, casting his profile on the wall; though thin, he remained upright.

Yun Nian quietly walked in and gently turned off a few lamps, instantly dimming the room.

Only two candles remained by the bedside, casting a soft, warm light.

Qin Jiuchen noticed the commotion, looked up, and was slightly taken aback.

In the candlelight, Yun Nian slowly walked over.

She wore a moon-white gauze dress, with layers of light gauze, yet the design in certain places was extremely ingenious.

The neckline was slightly low, revealing her delicate collarbone and a patch of snow-white skin.

The gauze fabric is semi-transparent, and you can vaguely see the lotus root-colored bodice underneath.

With her skirt trailing on the ground, her long legs outlined alluring curves beneath the sheer fabric as she walked.

She walked to the bedside and sat down next to Qin Jiuchen.

The candlelight danced on her face, making her features appear exceptionally beautiful.

She styled her hair in a bun today, with a few strands of her black hair hanging loosely on her neck, adding to her charm.

"What book is Your Highness reading?"

She asked softly, her voice a little softer than usual.

Qin Jiuchen's gaze lingered on her, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly: "...The Book of Military Strategy."

Yun Nian smiled, reached out and took the book from his hand, then casually placed it aside.

She leaned closer to him, and the distance between them suddenly shortened.

"Your Highness's injuries haven't healed yet, why bother with all this trouble?"

As she spoke, she gently stroked his cheek with her fingers, sliding down his jawline to his Adam's apple.

Qin Jiuchen's breath hitched.

Yun Nian's fingers continued downwards, gently unbuttoning the top button of his inner garment.

Her movements were slow, her fingertips lightly brushing against his skin, bringing a tingling sensation.

"Nian'er..."

Qin Jiuchen's voice was slightly hoarse as he tried to say something, but he was interrupted by her next action.

Yun Nian leaned down, her lips almost touching his, caressing him lightly.

When she tried to back away, Qin Jiuchen instinctively chased after her, but she chuckled and dodged him, only gently placing a kiss on the corner of his lips.

"Does Your Highness want it?"

She whispered in his ear.

Qin Jiuchen felt a surge of heat rising from his lower abdomen; his body reacted faster than his reason.

He reached out to grab her, but Yun Nian nimbly dodged. When she came close again, her fingers had already slipped inside his clothes and touched his warm chest.

Her fingers were soft and slightly cool as they roamed over his skin, each touch like a spark igniting a flame.

Qin Jiuchen's breathing quickened as he gripped her wrist: "Nian'er, you mustn't..."

Yun Nian broke free from his hand and suddenly straddled his lap.

This position made her slightly taller than him. She looked down at him and said, "I'm willing to do anything as long as it's you."

As she spoke, she began to unbutton his undergarment.