Chapter 100 IF Line: Saving the Courtesan [Female-Dominated] - (Part Two) Illness...

Chapter 100: Saving the Courtesan in the IF Line [Female-Dominated] - (Part Two)

Xu Lingzhao put down her pen, walked around the ironwood desk, and stopped half an arm's length in front of Chu Jingze. She said calmly, "Now, you are a law-abiding citizen."

Her tone was cold and distant, and Chu Jing felt a lump in his throat, but he quickly rallied. He had come here to find her because he had something important to discuss.

He looked at Xu Lingzhao, took a step forward, and with a trembling hand reached out to grasp her sleeve. He raised his head, his eyes filled with tears, and looked at the person in front of him. "Your Highness, I...I beg Your Highness to save my family. My mother and father are still in prison, and I have a younger sister who is still in swaddling clothes. Please, please, Your Highness..." he choked out these words.

Chu Jingze knew, of course, that his request was excessive. He could only gamble on whether she would agree, if it wasn't for His Highness to redeem him.

They are probably already suffering inhumane treatment and can hardly protect themselves.

Xu Lingzhao looked down at the fair hand, the bruises on the back of the hand had not yet faded. She did not pull her sleeve out of his hand, but let him hold it in his palm.

"Why should I help you?"

Her voice echoed in the quiet study.

At that moment, their eyes met. Chu Jing lowered his head, his lips trembling as he knelt before her. He released her clothes and instead took Xu Lingzhao's hand.

He raised his eyelids to observe Xu Lingzhao's reaction. Her expression remained indifferent, but she did not stop him.

Chu Jing then remembered what the madam of Zuifenglou had taught him.

He looked at her hand with its distinct knuckles, the veins standing out prominently against her fair skin. Chu Jing then leaned closer as if he had made up his mind, pressing his soft lips against the back of her hand.

He paused for only a second, but it felt like an eternity. His eyes were flushed, and his hair fell to the ground, making him look like a beautiful woman.

"Please, have mercy on me," he whispered, bowing his head and waiting for Xu Lingzhao to speak.

Seeing his bold actions, Xu Lingzhao did not refuse. Her eyes flickered slightly, and she pinched his chin with her other hand, forcing him to raise his head, her fingertips caressing his delicate skin.

With tears welling up in her eyes and her long eyelashes drooping, a blush creeping up her cheeks, she was breathtakingly beautiful.

She bent down to help him up, reached out to wipe away his tear, and looked down at his lower abdomen. "Have you seen a doctor?"

Xu Lingzhao only remembered that yesterday he had fallen to the ground clutching his lower abdomen, but the person in front of him cried even harder. His eyes were full of grievance, and his shoulders trembled slightly. "Li Nu is... clean."

He misunderstood.

She didn't speak, but simply took his hand and said, "I know."

Chu Jing blinked blankly, carefully considering her words. She said she knew, so why ask if she had seen a doctor? The doubt in his eyes was too obvious.

Xu Lingzhao had never been in a relationship with a man before, and she didn't know how to speak in this situation.

She turned to retrieve the black silk crane cloak hanging to the side.

Chu Jing watched her turn around, a hint of fear flashing in his eyes. Why did she turn around? Did she hate him? He subconsciously took half a step to follow her.

She walked towards him again and draped a black silk crane cloak over his shoulders.

"Let's go," Xu Lingzhao said calmly.

Where to?

Xu Lingzhao glanced at him, then took his hand and walked outside. Chu Jing looked at their clasped hands, and an indescribable feeling spread through his heart. It spread densely from his chest, and his heartbeat involuntarily accelerated at that moment.

As Huaiyue watched the door open and her Highness lead someone out, she raised an eyebrow slightly; she had made the right bet.

Xu Lingzhao glanced at Huaiyue, who was secretly laughing, and asked, "Is Tingzhu Garden all ready?"

"Your Highness, I had people clean the place thoroughly yesterday." Huaiyue emphasized the word "yesterday." Having grown up with Xu Lingzhao since childhood, she naturally understood her intentions.

Xu Lingzhao looked at the person standing beside him and said, "From now on, you will live in Tingzhu Garden."

Chu Jing knew he had succeeded. He nodded slightly and said, "Thank you, Your Highness." As soon as he finished speaking, she squeezed his palm, and when he looked up again, she had already looked away.

"I'll take you there." Xu Lingzhao led him through layers of scenery to Tingzhu Garden. Only then did Chu Jingze realize that his place was very close to Xu Lingzhao's study.

The garden gate is a moon gate with a jade plaque above it, inscribed with the two characters "Listening to Bamboo" in slender, silver-hooked calligraphy. Entering through the gate, one finds a winding path paved with dark green pebbles and white gravel in cloud and water patterns, leading to a secluded and tranquil place.

"You should rest first. I'll come to see you later." Xu Lingzhao didn't go inside but stopped in the courtyard in front of the gate. "I've already ordered the imperial physician to come and treat you. Get some rest."

As the warmth faded from his heart, Chu Jing watched her turn away, his disappointment evident. He couldn't help but step forward and tug at her sleeve.

Xu Lingzhao turned to look at him, while Chu Jing looked at her with misty eyes and spoke softly, "Your Highness."

Hearing this from His Highness made Huaiyue blush.

Xu Lingzhao hadn't expected him to be so bold. Did he mean he didn't want her to leave? She stopped in her tracks, looking down at him, waiting for him to speak.

"Your Highness, Tanuki is not feeling well." Although his words did not imply that she should stay, he gripped her clothes tightly and refused to let go.

Xu Lingzhao took the hand that was clutching her clothes and looked at the already open door. "I'll accompany you to see the imperial physician."

Seeing that his goal had been achieved, Chu Jing smiled slightly. He leaned gently against her arm, his eyelashes fluttering, and said, "Thank you, Your Highness."

The stove inside was burning brightly, and the heating was very strong. Huaiyue closed the door and bowed her head as she left.

Xu Lingzhao led him to the chaise lounge, pressed his shoulder to make him sit down, and said, "It's windy outside, so try not to go out too much in the future."

Chu Jing nodded obediently after hearing this, but he soon realized that he was sitting while the prince in front of him was standing. He glanced at the purple clay tea set on the table and said to Xu Lingzhao, "Your Highness, let me pour you some tea."

"Are you thirsty?" Xu Lingzhao asked, puzzled by his anxious tone. Why was he suddenly in such a hurry?

He subconsciously licked his dry lips; now that he mentioned it, he really was a little thirsty. Xu Lingzhao noticed this little action.

"Open your mouth." Xu Lingzhao pressed the teacup against his lips without waiting for a reply.

Chu Jing's face flushed red. He reached out and grasped her forearm. "Your Highness, I can do it myself." He looked up at Xu Lingzhao and found that she didn't speak. Her eyes seemed to tell him that he had no right to refuse.

He had no choice but to open his mouth obediently.

"Your Highness, the imperial physician has arrived." Huaiyue's voice came through the heavy door, her tone tinged with barely perceptible tension. "Your Majesty, I summon you to the palace."

Xu Lingzhao put down his teacup and reached out to wipe the water from the corner of his mouth. "Get some rest. I'll come over later."

As Chu Jing watched her departing figure, he felt that everything before him was unreal. If his family had not been raided, he would not have been worthy of the illustrious and upright Second Prince. The Emperor had not yet established an heir, and she was one of the most promising princesses.

Moreover, he had just been released from the Drunken Wind Pavilion and was still in prison, leaving him with almost nothing. If it weren't for His Highness, he probably... He didn't want to think about it anymore.

A physician with graying temples came to Chu Jingze, covered his wrist with gauze and began to take his pulse. Standing next to the physician was a maid.

He had never seen it.

"Young master, like Huaiyue, I am His Highness's personal maid. My name is Yu He." Yu He lowered her head, and compared to Huaiyue's liveliness, she was more composed.

After the imperial physician finished his treatment, Yu He took him out, leaving Chu Jing alone in the room.

The room was warm, and as he watched the incense smoke rising from the burner, a sense of drowsiness washed over him, and Chu Jing unknowingly fell asleep on the chaise longue.

Xu Lingzhao didn't return from the palace until late at night. She originally wanted to go to the study, but the warm light from the Tingzhu Garden next to her seemed to be reminding her of something.

"How is his health?" As Xu Lingzhao walked on the road to Tingzhu Garden, Huaiyue took out two pieces of yellow paper covered with writing from her sleeve and handed them to her. "The imperial physician came to see him this afternoon and said that there was nothing seriously wrong, just a lot of superficial wounds."

Xu Lingzhao looked at the contents and handed it back to Huaiyue, "Did he eat anything?"

Yu He said not yet, the young master has been sleeping since the imperial physician left.

Xu Lingzhao pushed open the door and immediately saw the person lying on the chaise longue. Although the room was well-heated and there were soft cushions on the chaise longue, she would still catch a cold. She frowned slightly and walked straight toward him.

All that could be seen were dried tear stains at the corners of the person's eyes, which were tightly closed.

Her face was flushed an unnatural red, and she reached out to touch his forehead; it was a little hot.

Just what I feared most came to pass.

Xu Lingzhao picked her up and placed her on the bed. "Huaiyue, go and fetch the imperial physician again. This is my palace token."

Huaiyue quickly took the palace token belonging to Xu Lingzhao and ran outside.

"Thirsty, in pain." Chu Jing opened his eyes groggily and looked at Xu Lingzhao in front of him. He just looked at her with teary eyes. Xu Lingzhao helped him up and let him lean against her.

"Yu He, pour the water."

"yes."

Xu Lingzhao took the cup and fed him water with incredibly gentle movements. Watching him unconsciously lick his lips, she asked, "Want some more?"

He nodded slightly.

It wasn't until he drank three small cups of water that Chu Jingze felt his throat was better. Savoring her delicate fragrance, Chu Jingze unconsciously nuzzled her chin with his head and held her waist tightly with his hands.

Xu Lingzhao touched his burning cheek, her voice unconsciously softening, "The imperial physician will be here soon."

"Mmm." Her voice was very soft, and to Xu Lingzhao it sounded like she was being coquettish.

Oh no, all his actions are like he's being affectionate.

Xu Lingzhao looked at Yu He standing to the side and said coldly, "How could you let him sleep on the couch?"

Yu He sensed the anger in his tone and immediately knelt on the ground. "Your Highness..." Before she could finish speaking, Chu Jingze interrupted her, "It's not her fault. I wouldn't let her in."

"Why?" Xu Lingzhao asked, puzzled, as she listened intently to Chu Jingze's words.

"I'm scared. I want Xiaoqing." Chu Jingze's tone was somewhat aggrieved. Xiaoqing had been with him since he was a child. When the Chu family was raided, all the servants were sold off. In the past, Xiaoqing would accompany him when he slept.

Xu Lingzhao naturally knew who Xiaoqing was; she had thoroughly investigated Chu Jingze.

"Your Highness," Yu He said. She knew where Xiao Qing was. Xu Lingzhao had instructed her to go find him long ago, and he was still on his way. "I will go and fetch him."

Xu Lingzhao nodded, and after Yu He left, only the two of them remained in the room.

"It's hot." Chu Jing then stretched his hand out from under the covers, intending to take off his undergarments.

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Author's Note: I will upload the corrected version after the main text is finished. [Applause][Applause][Applause] I'm so sorry, dear readers, there were too many typos, which affected the reading experience. [Crying][Crying]