Chapter 2 Wasn't the princess already dead?

"Really...really?"

She was extremely aggrieved, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

But Xie Yunchuan's expression was so sincere that the little dumpling believed him.

"Why is Sheng Sheng's wrist wrapped up? And why does it hurt?"

As her consciousness gradually returned, Sheng Sheng realized the pain in her wrist.

Xie Yunchuan frowned: "Sheng Sheng, you don't remember?"

Sheng Sheng blinked and nodded: "I remember, my name is Sheng Sheng!"

Xie Yunchuan pondered for a moment, then sat down beside her and patiently guided her: "Shengsheng, do you remember what happened before, or who you met?"

Sheng Sheng looked confused, following Xie Yunchuan's train of thought.

Only a few fragmented images surfaced in my mind: a dimly lit corner of the woodshed, a half-bowl of cold, spoiled white rice, and...

Sheng Sheng felt a sharp pain in her head, and fear and resentment surged up in an instant.

"Waaaaah, Sheng Sheng can't remember, but Sheng Sheng is so scared!"

"Sheng Sheng, Sheng Sheng!" Xie Yunchuan hugged the little girl tenderly, gently patting her back. "Sheng Sheng, don't be afraid. If you can't remember, then don't think about it. Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, your brother is here!"

The little dumpling pouted, her lower lip trembling slightly, like a frightened fawn. Her big, watery eyes were full of grievance, but she held back her tears and said in her childish voice, "Be brave, Sheng Sheng, don't cry."

This sight softened the hearts of everyone in the hall. Who could bear to bully such an adorable little dumpling?

Xie Yunchuan pursed his lips, his veins bulging slightly. Huang Ying had been in Yuqing Palace for many years and knew that Xie Yunchuan was suppressing his temper.

His sister suffered such injustice, and as her brother, he must be heartbroken.

The little girl had just been sweating profusely under the covers when Huang Ying saw that Xie Yunchuan didn't know what to say for a moment, so she took the initiative to say, "Your Highness, let this servant wipe the princess's body first."

"Hmm." Xie Yunchuan felt a mix of emotions, and softened his voice to comfort her, "Sheng Sheng, you still have a fever. How about I have the imperial physician take another look at you?"

She wiped away her tears, blinked, thought for a moment, and slowly nodded.

Xie Yunchuan breathed a sigh of relief, turned around and left, Yan Hu reluctantly jumped off the bed and followed behind him.

Huang Ying noticed when she changed her clothes earlier that, in addition to the wound on her wrist, the little dumpling had several red marks of varying depths on her body, clearly indicating that she had been beaten.

Sheng Sheng obediently let Huang Ying wipe her body without moving. Her obedient and sensible appearance made Huang Ying feel extremely sorry for her, and she became even gentler in her movements.

Who could bear to hit such a well-behaved child so hard?

"Princess, you'll feel better after I wipe your sweat."

Sheng Sheng was a little confused: "Sister, my name is Sheng Sheng, not Princess."

Huang Ying was amused and explained, "Princess, your name is Sheng Sheng, 'Princess' is just a title. You see, our Highness is your brother, 'Highness' is also just a title."

"My...brother?"

"Yes! The princess is His Highness's sister. His Highness missed the princess very much before. Now that His Highness has found the princess, His Highness will definitely protect her well from now on."

"He's Sheng Sheng's older brother. An older brother will protect Sheng Sheng?"

The little dumpling's voice was soft and sweet, with a slight nasal tone from just having cried. She asked earnestly, her delicate little face making anyone's heart ache.

Huang Ying nodded: "Yes, Princess, you don't need to worry. This is Yuqing Palace, and His Highness will protect you well."

When His Highness returned at night carrying a little girl who was soaking wet and barely alive, they were all terrified.

When Xie Yunchuan led the imperial physician in, Sheng Sheng had already accepted the fact that she had an older brother, and there was still a hint of anticipation in her eyes as she followed Xie Yunchuan.

Yan Hu jumped onto the bed again and threw himself into her arms: "Keep it down, brother's back!"

Yan Hu kept licking her, but soon he couldn't help but laugh and say, "Stop licking! Stop licking!"

"Yan Hu".

Xie Yunchuan grabbed Yan Hu by the back of the neck, somewhat displeased, and threw him off the bed.

Yan Hu paced around the bed twice, grumbling, before sitting down beside it.

Xie Yunchuan said solemnly, "Imperial Physician Li, give the princess another thorough examination."

"yes."

Physician Li was the head of the Imperial Medical Academy. He was honest and conscientious, and having lived for nearly fifty years to reach the position of head physician, he naturally understood that the most important thing in the deep palace was to learn to be blind and deaf.

But didn't this second princess die in a fire shortly after her birth five years ago?

Imperial Physician Li dared not even breathe, for fear that he might have stumbled upon some deep palace secret.

"Uncle, you're sweating so much!" Sheng Sheng pointed to Physician Li's forehead and asked with concern, "Are you feeling very hot, Uncle?"

Xie Yunchuan glanced at him expressionlessly, his eyes carrying a warning, which met the gaze of Physician Li.

Physician Li shuddered, awkwardly holding his breath as he wiped the cold sweat that had somehow covered his forehead with his sleeve: "Your Majesty, I am terrified. I thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am just... uh, I am indeed a little hot."

"Thank you so much, Uncle, for treating Shengsheng."

The little boy couldn't understand the subtle differences in their eyes. He simply thought that Doctor Li was tired and hot from treating him, so he thoughtfully fanned him with his hand.

Physician Li was flattered and about to kneel down when Xie Yunchuan grabbed his arm and said helplessly, "Physician Li, please tell me the truth about the princess's condition as soon as possible."

Physician Li dared not say more and quickly replied, "Your Highness, the princess is blessed with good fortune. She escaped danger last night, her fever has subsided, and the wound on her hand has been treated. She is now fine and only needs to apply medicine daily and rest."

Xie Yunchuan's complexion improved somewhat, and Physician Li continued, "It's just that the princess has long suffered from a weak spleen and stomach, resulting in impaired digestion and absorption. As a result, the food and water cannot be properly transformed into qi and blood, leading to her physical and mental frailty. At five years old, she is as thin as a three-year-old child. The princess's limbs are weak, her skin is not firm, and she has also suffered from excessive blood loss. She needs even more careful recuperation."

Xie Yunchuan felt more and more heartbroken as he listened. What had his sister gone through to become like this?

If Sheng Sheng hadn't encountered that accident, she would have been a beautiful and radiant pearl!

Suppressing his anger, Xie Yunchuan asked, "Then why can't the princess remember what happened before?"

After a moment of contemplation, Physician Li said, “The princess is still young, and excessive blood loss may have damaged her sensory organs, causing her amnesia. However, the princess still remembers her name and is otherwise no different from a normal person. Therefore, I believe that the princess did not want to recall some painful events due to the trauma and chose to forget that memory.”

Xie Yunchuan remained silent. He knew nothing about Sheng Sheng's past, nor did he know what had caused her pain.

But in the future, he will definitely protect her.