Chapter 156: Tao Ming Wakes Up (Part 1)

Su Nanxing led Feng Ying into the side-chamber bedroom. Seeing Tao Ming lying on the bed, pale and unconscious, Feng Ying was greatly astonished and asked, "How did this happen?"

"What have you heard?" Su Nanxing tucked the blanket around Tao Ming before the two of them stepped back out of the bedroom.

"As soon as I entered the imperial city, people were saying that Tao Ming and Qiao Kongqing were caught in bed together by someone from the Su family, and that the marriage engagement between the Qin and Su families was annulled. They also said you were bewitched by her and broke away from the Su family," Feng Ying recounted the gossip, studying Su Nanxing closely. Seeing his expression remain indifferent, as if he had heard these rumors countless times already, Feng Ying couldn't help but scoff, "Such stories could only fool ordinary folks."

Omiting Tao Ming's identity as a member of the demon race, Su Nanxing recounted everything that had happened that day from beginning to end.

Feng Ying sighed, "Tao Ming truly has terrible luck. The romantic debts you incurred are being paid for by her."

"You're right. The trouble I caused is always borne by her." Flashes of numerous different women flickered before Su Nanxing's eyes, all of whom had ultimately died right in front of him.

Feng Ying watched Su Nanxing thoughtfully, sensing an inarticulable aura enveloping the man before him—a mix of pain and regret, intertwined with relief and fear. It seemed Tao Ming's recent ordeal had dealt Su Nanxing a heavy blow.

Su Nanxing reined in his chaotic thoughts. "You should head back early, lest my father takes his anger out on you."

At these words, Feng Ying produced a chest given by Qiao Ruowei. "My mother asked me to bring this, saying it's your personal treasury."

Su Nanxing opened the chest and rummaged through it, finding everything he had placed in the betrothal gifts that day intact inside. Besides those, there were also the fine cold-gold chains removed from the two little ones, several pouches of fine medicine, and two bags of purple crystal coins. He knew instantly that Qiao Ruowei was worried he might suffer and struggle outside.

"Go back and tell my mother I'm doing well." Su Nanxing closed the chest, locking away everything connected to the Su family.

Su Nanxing accompanied Feng Ying to the main gates of the Qin residence. Before leaving, Feng Ying tossed out a final remark, "Just say the word if you need anything."

...

Half a month later.

Su Nanxing was sitting in the living room eating when he heard Ruanruan shout, "Daddy, come quickly! Mommy's eyes moved!"

Dropping his chopsticks, Su Nanxing rushed into the bedroom in a few strides, sitting down on the edge of the bed and staring fixedly at Tao Ming without blinking.

However, Tao Ming's eyes remained tightly closed and motionless.

Ruanruan gently touched Tao Ming's cheek. "Strange, Mommy's eyes moved several times just now."

Nuonuo nodded repeatedly as well. "I saw it too."

Though somewhat disappointed, Su Nanxing still comforted them, "Mommy must have been dreaming."

"Mommy's been sleeping for so long and still won't get up!" With that, Ruanruan stretched out a tiny hand and scratched teasingly at Tao Ming's cheek, making a face. "Shame on you!"

The corners of Tao Ming's mouth twitched slightly.

Su Nanxing's eyes lit up. "Let's all kiss Mommy awake!"

Ruanruan and Nuonuo leaned in and planted a few kisses on Tao Ming's cheeks, but still, there was no reaction from Tao Ming.

By this point, even Su Nanxing began to doubt himself. Had his eyes played tricks on him?

Lowering his head, just as Su Nanxing's lips brushed against Tao Ming's, she tilted her head aside slightly, opened her eyes, and said weakly, "I haven't brushed my teeth yet."

A smile bloomed on Su Nanxing's face, while tears welled up in his eyes. He gently kissed Tao Ming's forehead and then instructed the two little ones, "Go quickly and tell Grandma and Uncle that Mommy is awake."

The little ones scrambled off the bed and ran barefoot out of the side chamber.

Pulling Tao Ming into his embrace, Su Nanxing choked out, "Wife, you're finally awake."

Feeling utterly weak throughout her body, Tao Ming managed a faint smile and replied, "I'm awake."

The Seventh Prince practically sprinted into the side-chamber bedroom. Upon seeing Tao Ming, his mouth opened, but he had no idea what to say.

Rolling her eyes to look at the Seventh Prince, Tao Ming whispered softly, "Brother..."

The Seventh Prince couldn't believe his ears. "What did you just call me?"

"Brother!" Tao Ming called out with all her might. Though her voice was barely louder than before, the Seventh Prince heard it crystal clear.

"You... you remember everything?"

Tao Ming nodded slightly.

The two little ones crawled back onto the bed, Ruanruan pouting as she said, "Mommy, you're not allowed to sleep for this long anymore!"

Tao Ming twitched the corners of her mouth toward her and nodded.

Tao Sisi walked in carrying a bowl of porridge. "Quickly, let Mingming have some food."

Su Nanxing took the bowl, scooped a spoonful, blew on it to cool it down, and held it to Tao Ming's lips.

Tao Ming kept her mouth firmly shut and slowly turned her face away.

Tao Sisi coaxed her softly, "Be a good girl, Mingming. You've just woken up and can only have some porridge. We'll give you meat in a few days."

Putting the spoon back into the bowl, Su Nanxing said helplessly, "She's disgusted that she hasn't brushed her teeth."

The Seventh Prince turned and strode out the door. When he returned, he was holding a cup of water and a wooden basin.

Su Nanxing coaxed Tao Ming patiently, "Wife, it's not convenient for you to brush your teeth right now. Just rinse your mouth."

Tao Ming looked at the Seventh Prince. "Brother, the washroom—the blue water."

The Seventh Prince quickly fetched the blue mouthwash. After Tao Ming rinsed her mouth, Su Nanxing fed her the porridge spoonful by spoonful.

Once the bowl of porridge was finished, Tao Ming felt a bit of her strength return. "I'm full. Is this porridge cooked by Liuli?"

Tao Sisi was extremely surprised. "You can taste it?"

"She likes to put honey in it."

"How come I couldn't taste it?" Tao Sisi sniffed the aroma from the bowl suspiciously, smelling nothing unusual.

Su Nanxing gazed tenderly at Tao Ming in his arms. "She's never liked sweet things. I'll go make some vegetable and lean-meat porridge later."

Ruanruan made a fuss, wanting Tao Ming to hold her. Tao Ming tried hard to lift her arms, but the moment they rose a few centimeters, her strength vanished. "Be a good girl, Ruanruan. Mommy has no strength to hold you right now. Why don't you give Mommy a hug instead?"

Pouting, Ruanruan complained, "Daddy's holding you, how am I supposed to hug you?"

Tao Ming changed tactics. "You two give Mommy some kisses, and Mommy will get better soon."

The two little ones leaned in, pecking at Tao Ming's face like little birds. Ruanruan even pressed her own chubby cheek against Tao Ming's lips, inviting a kiss.

Seeing that Tao Ming lacked the energy, Tao Sisi hurriedly intervened, "Ruanruan, Nuonuo, Mommy is still very weak. Go play with Grandma and let Mommy rest some more."

Though reluctant, Ruanruan knew Tao Ming was sick. Pouting, she obediently followed Tao Sisi out of the bedroom.

Su Nanxing laid Tao Ming down flat, kissed her forehead, and said, "I'll go make something delicious for you."

Knowing that Su Nanxing was simply creating space for her and the Seventh Prince to talk, Tao Ming responded with a soft "Mhm."

As soon as Su Nanxing left, the Seventh Prince sat by the bedside and gazed quietly at Tao Ming. The Tao Ming before him was completely different from Ruomeng in his memories.

Ruomeng's beauty was alluring and bewitching, whereas Tao Ming's beauty was bold, striking, and magnificent.

Two completely different people, yet they shared the exact same soul.

Seeing the Seventh Prince staring at her in silence, Tao Ming softly called out, "Brother..."

The Seventh Prince hesitated for a moment. "What should I call you?"

Tao Ming's eyes shone brightly. "I am Tao Ming."

"Don't you hate him?" The Seventh Prince understood the implication behind her words.

Tao Ming curved the corners of her mouth, attempting a smile. "It's best to live in the present."

"You..." Emotion welled up in the Seventh Prince's heart. The power of love was truly great; everyone eventually bowed to its magic. Even covered in scars, people could not stop singing praises of its beauty.

Tao Ming reassured him, "Brother, Ruomeng was merely one lifetime. The ties between Su Nanxing and me were hopelessly entangled long ago." Without waiting for the Seventh Prince to speak, she added, "Brother, you should start living for yourself as well."

The Seventh Prince gently stroked the top of Tao Ming's head. "My little girl has grown up."

Red eyes flashed simultaneously on the foreheads of both the Seventh Prince and Tao Ming, vanishing almost in an instant.