When Ling Shumo came back from court, she heard that Shangguan Xu was ill, so she did not go to Linglong Palace to pay her respects to the Princess.

Ling Shumo could guess with her eyes closed whether Shangguan Xu was really sick or just making an excuse, but she still went to Changqiu Palace as soon as possible to check on Shangguan Xu's condition.

Ling Shumo stopped the attendant of Changqiu Palace from passing the message and quietly pushed open the door. She saw Shangguan Xu leaning on the bed with a listless look on his face. He was pale and blue, and it was obvious that he was extremely ill.

Ling Shumo was completely stunned for a moment. The moment she came to her senses, she hurried to Shangguan Xu's bedside, "Why are you like this? The last time I saw you, you were fine. The weather has turned cold these past two days. Did you catch a cold?"

Shangguan Xu looked aggrieved. "Your Highness said that when he last saw me, I was in good health. Does Your Highness remember the last time you came to Changqiu Palace?"

Ling Shumo thought for a moment and replied weakly, "It seems to be about half a month ago."

Half a month ago was the day when Princess Pei Jiusheng married into the Eastern Palace. Ever since Pei Jiusheng took over Linglong Palace, Ling Shumo would go to Linglong Palace to accompany Pei Jiusheng whenever she had a moment of free time. As a result, the other concubines in the Eastern Palace's harem fell out of favor.

Shangguan Xu was so aggrieved that he almost cried, "I haven't taken the initiative to look for Your Highness, because I want to know when Your Highness will remember that there is a servant in Changqiu Palace. But Your Highness spends every day with the Princess and the Prince, and I'm afraid he has even forgotten what I look like."

When Shangguan Xu said this, he suddenly covered his mouth and started coughing violently. He coughed so hard that tears couldn't stop flowing down.

If Ling Shumo still doesn't understand the situation, then we can only say that she is blind.

Shangguan Xu is suffering from lovesickness and is depressed.

Ling Shumo didn't know what expression to make for a moment.

She was used to coaxing Shangguan Xu like a child, and as for the love between a man and a woman, there was absolutely no such thing.

During the more than half a month that she had stayed in Linglong Palace, she had lunch once at Chenyou Palace at Lu Jinshu's invitation.

Shangguan Xu did not take the initiative to find her like Lu Jinshu did. Her heart was devoted to the stunningly beautiful Pei Jiusheng, and she naturally forgot about Shangguan Xu.

Other men might become lovesick and sick just to win her favor, but Shangguan Xu didn't have that kind of brain, so he was really sick.

Ling Shumo poured a cup of hot water for Shangguan Xu. She instructed Shi Qi to go to the Imperial Hospital and ask Liu Yuanshi to come and treat Shangguan Xu's heart disease.

Ling Shumo's mood is a bit complicated now.

It is said that "don't hit someone who smiles at you", and this also applies to feelings.

Shangguan Xu loved her wholeheartedly. Even if she didn't feel any love for Shangguan Xu, after being together for a long time, there was always a sense of kinship between them.

Ling Shumo gently held Shangguan Xu's hand and said, "I don't have any government affairs to attend to today, so I can stay with you in Changqiu Palace."

Shangguan Xu's face, which had turned pale from illness, instantly recovered some of its vitality when he heard Ling Shumo say that she would accompany him today.

His other hand, which was not being held, also rested on the back of Ling Shumo's hand, "When I feel better, I will personally go to the kitchen to cook for Your Highness."

Ling Shumo's expression changed instantly, and she decisively refused, "I came to see you out of kindness, and not only did you not feel grateful, but you actually resorted to cooking in the kitchen, using such vicious means to retaliate against me."

Shangguan Xu blinked his eyes and swore to the heavens with four fingers raised, "This time, your servant has been diligently learning cooking skills with Jin An. Your servant promises that you will never again replace salt with sugar or vinegar with soy sauce. Every dish is carefully prepared by your servant. Your Highness, you won't even glance at it. Are you so cruel to reject your servant?"

Ling Shumo said ruthlessly, "I don't like eating, so I'm not lucky enough to enjoy your cooking."

Shangguan Xu hung his head, looking heartbroken. "Your Highness is so cruel. I am simply flirting with a blind man."

Ling Shumo pinched his cheeks with two fingers, "A handsome man's eyes are called flirtatious. You are at most a monster with a green face and fangs. I am scared to death by you. Even if I had a desire for food before, it has completely disappeared after seeing you. Not only can I not eat lunch, I am about to vomit up the food I had in the morning."

Shangguan Xu's almond-shaped eyes widened, and he no longer looked sickly. His breathing became heavier with anger. "Although I am not even one-tenth as beautiful as the princess and the prince, I am not that ugly monster, am I?"

Ling Shumo loosened her left hand that was pinching his cheek, and held up a bronze mirror in her hand, placing it before Shangguan Xu's eyes. "Look, I've only been talking to you for a short while, and your face has become much rosier. Am I more skilled than the doctors in the Imperial Hospital?"

Shangguan Xu was so angry that he didn't want to talk. He felt that he didn't need to see the imperial physician anymore. The medical skills of Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess were truly unfathomable. He had been cured by his anger.

At this time, Director Liu arrived late. She took Shangguan Xu's pulse and her conclusion was exactly the same as Ling Shumo's guess.

Shangguan Xu was upset because Ling Shumo hadn't come to Changqiu Palace for more than half a month, so he got angry and fell ill.

Liu Yuanshi simply prescribed two calming prescriptions and was then politely sent away by the attendants of Changqiu Palace.

As they were talking, it was almost time for lunch. Ling Shumo was just about to have someone serve the meal when she heard a servant come and announce, "Lord Lu has arrived."

Shangguan Xu sat up straight at once. "Your Highness is in for a treat today. During the days I was ill, Jin An would send someone to Changqiu Palace every day at this time to bring me food. The attendant who came with me as a dowry is as good a cook as I am."

But it's quite a coincidence that Jin An has been recuperating in Changqiu Palace, and he actually came here in person today, and happened to run into His Highness here."

The door was gently pushed open from the outside.

Lu Jinshu, dressed simply, walked in.

The bandage on his right shoulder had not been removed yet, and he was now holding a square Huanghuali food box in his left hand.