When Zhang Lexuan finally broke free from her chaotic consciousness once more, her entire body was wrapped in a sensation that was warm, delicate, and carried a faint scent of agarwood.
She lifted her heavy eyelids slightly and realized she was lying on an extremely luxurious bed.
The bedding was made of the Sun Moon Empire's unique cloud-patterned brocade; it felt as warm and smooth as jade to the touch, without a hint of roughness.
The bed curtains were made of pale gold gauze, cascading down as smoothly as flowing water, separating the space inside the bed from the outside world into a quiet, private sanctuary.
The air was filled with a faint, soothing medicinal fragrance that refreshed the heart and mind, clearing her previously muddled head.
Kong Deming was still sitting quietly on the pear wood armchair beside the bed; he had kept watch here from beginning to end, never leaving for a single step.
His gaze rested gently upon the young woman on the bed, as if he were guarding a treasure that had been lost and found again.
In the hall outside the room, the two brothers, Xu Tianran and Xu Tianhao, stood side by side, whispering about something.
Their voices were kept extremely low, and separated by the heavy door and the gauze curtains, she could only vaguely catch a few indistinct tones, unable to hear the specific content.
As soon as her consciousness returned, Zhang Lexuan did not open her eyes immediately; after taking a furtive look, she simply feigned sleep.
She first calmed her mind and carefully sensed the state of her body at that moment.
She slowly mobilized her spirit power and was pleasantly surprised to discover that her spirit power, which had been nearly exhausted due to excessive consumption and extreme exhaustion, had now basically recovered and was full.
The feeling of stagnation in her meridians had vanished without a trace, and even her body, which had been weak and frail from severe injuries and exhaustion, had shed that heavy fatigue.
Her entire body felt light and comfortable, with no trace of her previous weakness or helplessness.
She understood in her heart that someone must have treated her meticulously during the time she had fallen into a deep coma.
Not only had they stabilized her foundation of spirit power, but they had also restored her damaged body.
This favor was extremely heavy.
Kong Deming, sitting by the bed, had keenly sensed the moment Zhang Lexuan's consciousness awakened and her spirit power stirred.
However, Kong Deming did not immediately expose her little ruse; he simply maintained his gentle posture and watched her quietly.
But when he clearly perceived that Zhang Lexuan was quietly channeling her mental force, attempting to eavesdrop on the conversation between the brothers Xu Tianran and Xu Tianhao in the hall outside, he helplessly shook his head.
A gentle smile tugged at the corners of Kong Deming's lips as he spoke to break the silence in the room: "Girl, since you are already awake, stop pretending to sleep and get up."
The voice was gentle and mellow, carrying the unique affection of an elder, yet it also held an unquestionable certainty that made it impossible for Zhang Lexuan to continue feigning sleep.
Only then did she slowly open her eyes, her gaze still filled with the confusion and fatigue of someone who had just woken up, while her bloodshot eyes hid a trace of imperceptible panic and wariness.
Clearly, she remained uneasy about the unfamiliar environment she was currently in and about Kong Deming before her.
After opening her eyes, she first took a quick, calm look around the room she was in.
The room was extremely luxurious, showcasing the noble grandeur of the Sun Moon Empire's imperial family everywhere.
The floor was paved with white jade tiles as smooth and reflective as a mirror, reflecting the exquisite furnishings inside the room.
The surrounding walls were intricately carved and painted, inlaid with tiny gemstones that refracted brilliant light under the dim glow.
In the corners, several pots of rare and exotic flowers and plants were placed, emitting a faint, lingering fragrance.
On the table nearby, there were exquisite jade tea sets and gilded ornaments, each one of which was worth a fortune.
Zhang Lexuan was secretly shocked; even as the top genius of the current generation of Shrek, she had never seen such a luxurious residence.
At this moment, she felt a bit more grave about her own situation.
After examining the room, she slowly turned her gaze toward Kong Deming, who was sitting by the bed.
Zhang Lexuan's lips moved slightly, and for a moment, she was at a loss, her eyes filled with confusion and reticence.
For this elder related to her by bloodline, she did not know how to address him for the time being.
Kong Deming took in Zhang Lexuan's reaction; watching her calm and self-restrained demeanor, neither crying nor making a scene, he nodded inwardly and felt a bit more appreciation for this younger generation.
He spoke slowly, his voice still gentle: "According to seniority, you should address me as Great-Great-Grandfather."
As soon as these words were spoken, Zhang Lexuan froze in place, her eyes widening slightly, her face full of astonishment.
Great-Great-Grandfather?
This title was too distant and too unfamiliar.
Zhang Lexuan found it hard to accept for a moment; her lips moved for a long time, thousands of words stuck in her throat, but in the end, she could not utter this heavy title.
Seeing this, Kong Deming was not angry at all; he continued to speak patiently in that gentle, water-like voice: "If you cannot adapt to it yet and cannot bring yourself to say it, then just call me Elder Kong for now; there is no need to force yourself."
Upon hearing this, the tense emotions in Zhang Lexuan's heart eased slightly. She nodded gently, her tone filled with sincere gratitude: "Thank you, Elder Kong, for saving me."
Her voice was soft but every word was clear, revealing the unique gentleness of a young girl and also hiding a touch of relief at having survived a disaster.
Kong Deming smiled with gratification upon hearing this, his gaze falling upon her, filled with the affection of an elder: "You are my descendant, after all, flowing with the bloodline of our clan; in all reason and sentiment, it is impossible for me to ignore you."
After a pause, the old man's tone deepened slightly, and his words carried a hint of gravity: "However, the Crown Prince has already told you everything that needed to be said."
"Regardless of what you are truly thinking deep down, some decisions that concern your entire life must be made eventually; avoidance cannot solve any problems."
Hearing this last sentence, Zhang Lexuan's body trembled slightly.
Her face, which had regained a bit of color due to the recovery of her spirit power, instantly lost all its rosiness, and a paper-white pallor emerged once again.
Her fingertips curled slightly, and the panic and unease in the depths of her heart surged up instantly.
She naturally understood what decision Kong Deming was referring to.
Thinking of what Xu Tianran had said to her earlier, her heart felt as if it were being squeezed, and she could not catch her breath.
Kong Deming took in her reaction, knowing that it was not appropriate to say more at this moment; pushing too hard would be counterproductive.
He said no more, slowly stood up, adjusted his robes, and turned to walk toward the door of the room.
The moment he stepped out of the door, the old man's voice clearly reached Zhang Lexuan's ears again, carrying an earnest exhortation: "Girl, I will not force you to make any choice immediately; you have enough time to think."
"But since you have already come here, you must understand your current situation."
"Think about it carefully; calm your mind and think about every word the Crown Prince said to you earlier."
As his voice fell, Kong Deming raised his hand to push open the door and walked straight out of the room.
The heavy door slowly closed, completely sealing off the quietness within the room.