Chapter 9 Princess

Shen Qingmeng spent the night holding Chu Wangshu.

The next morning, Shen Qingmeng sensed that the person in her arms seemed restless. She suddenly opened her eyes and saw Chu Wangshu frowning, not because of pain, but as if he was trapped in a nightmare.

She patted Chu Wangshu's face and gently shook his body, but Chu Wangshu remained completely absorbed in the dream. Shen Qingmeng had no choice but to lift his hand, aim at the tiger's mouth (the area between his thumb and forefinger), and bite down.

Chu Wangshu suddenly opened her eyes, but her gaze was unfocused, it was unclear whether she was not fully awake or...

Shen Qingmeng waved her hand in front of his eyes, but there was no reaction.

But in the blink of an eye, Chu Wangshu fell asleep again. The only thing he did was open his eyes for a moment and subconsciously touch the hand he was holding to see if there were any familiar calluses.

When Physician Li returned to the warm pavilion with the medicine, Shen Qingmeng told him that Chu Wangshu had woken up once, but seemed to be unable to see anything. Physician Li noticed first the red and swollen teeth marks on Chu Wangshu's tiger's mouth.

"Girl, did you bite him awake?"

Shen Qingmeng nodded somewhat awkwardly: "He seems to be having a nightmare."

"Hmm..." Doctor Li scooped up some of the herbal medicine in his hand, and fed it to Chu Wangshu when it was at the right temperature. "Your teeth are growing well."

Clearly, Shen Qingmeng didn't understand this inexplicable praise; she was more concerned about Chu Wangshu's eyes: [Is he blind?]

“It’s all normal. It would be normal for him to die,” Doctor Li said, sitting by the bedside and starting to feed him medicine spoonful by spoonful. “The practice of divination should perhaps not exist. It’s fine for a wandering fortune teller to predict marriage, but to risk one’s life to divine the fate of a nation is too absurd.”

Wang Shu indeed foresaw and changed too many things. So-called divine punishment is not fixed. He had been deaf before, when he was only thirteen. His servant who had been with him since childhood had also died. He would spend his days by the window watching the wind chimes the servant had made, neither speaking nor eating, drinking whatever medicine was given to him. Later, he somehow came to his senses and returned to that indifferent state.

Shen Qingmeng felt very confused after hearing these words.

When she arrived, she heard the imperial physicians say that they couldn't get Chu Wangshu to take his medicine. At the time, she thought Chu Wangshu was too ill, but now it seems that he has no desire to live.

The palace sent someone to summon Shen Qingmeng for questioning before the emperor. She didn't want to answer, but then she thought of the escort agency and Chu Wangshu, so she had no choice but to.

People who have something to worry about can be threatened.

Countless palace maids and nannies dragged Shen Qingmeng through a bath and a change of clothes, then adorned her with heavy headdresses before leading her to see Emperor Qing.

Shen Qingmeng bowed respectfully according to the etiquette the nanny had just taught her, and waited for Emperor Qing to speak.

"You, are you a mute girl?"

Shen Qingmeng nodded. Isn't this something even a fool could know?

"Zhang Dezheng, show this to the princess."

Emperor Qing sent a royal physician to examine Shen Qingmeng's pulse.

Shen Qingmeng dared not show any dissatisfaction and could only extend her hand.

The treatment for working for the emperor is too poor. How come you can't even get a seat when you're taking someone's pulse?

"Your Majesty, the princess was likely fed a mute poison that was created many years ago to train assassins."

"Is it curable?"

"This..." Zhang Dezheng knelt on the ground, his voice trembling, "Your Majesty, please forgive me, that batch of mute poison has already been used up, and... and no formula or antidote has been left behind. Your subject, your subject does not know how to cure it..."

Emperor Qing waved his hand, "Go down."

Shen Qingmeng stood in the main hall, unsure of what to do, so she simply kept her head down and counted the pearls on her sleeves.

To be honest, the royal family is really rich. They sewed eight pearls onto the cuffs of just one dress... Doesn't that feel uncomfortable?

The old nanny beside her quietly nudged Shen Qingmeng with her elbow, and she came back to her senses and looked at Emperor Qing.

"Are you acquainted with the Imperial Advisor?"

Shen Qingmeng nodded hesitantly. They had known each other for half a year and met less than ten times. Was that considered being familiar?

Yes, she should count. She's seen Chu Wangshu naked, so they're pretty familiar with each other.

"Move into the Astrology Pavilion and keep the Imperial Advisor company."

Princess Qingmeng was inexplicably sent back to the Astrology Pavilion, and the nanny who had been with her and a palace maid of similar age also went up the mountain with her.

Sitting in the sedan chair, Shen Qingmeng loosened the tightly cinched belt around her waist. The old women were saying things like a thinner belt would look better, completely ignoring the injury on her waist. Besides, how could it look good? She was almost out of breath.

Then, she began to remove the hairpins and ornaments from her head. They were indeed quite beautiful, but they were too heavy. Shen Qingmeng felt that if she lowered her head even slightly, it would be difficult for her to lift it back up.

Shen Qingmeng lifted the curtain inside the sedan chair and beckoned to the two people walking outside: "Get in."

But when the nanny saw Shen Qingmeng with her hair tied up high with a wooden stick cut from who-knows-where, and with her legs spread apart, slumped in the sedan chair, she immediately shouted, "Princess, you can't do this! Quickly sit down properly..."

Shen Qingmeng lifted the sedan curtain, pointed at the nanny, then pointed outside: 【Get out.】

After all, she was the master. Shen Qingmeng had no choice but to shut up after dismissing the old woman and got out of the sedan chair again.

Shen Qingmeng looked at the little girl again, as if asking, "Is there anything else you'd like to say?"

The little girl quickly shook her head and sat properly in place.

Shen Qingmeng lowered the sedan curtain, and the carriage continued its ascent up the mountain. She had only asked them to get in the carriage because walking would be too tiring, but the old woman was too noisy, so she couldn't blame anyone else.

The people sent by the Emperor are probably not good people either, but the girl in front of them looks really young and doesn't seem to have any ulterior motives.

Shen Qingmeng beckoned to the little girl, asking her to stick her head out, and then inserted a hairpin into her hair. The pink flowers made the little girl even more adorable.

"Thank you, Princess!" The little girl was slightly frightened, but dared not refuse.

She didn't want to be forced off the sedan chair and forced to walk the mountain path.

Back at the Astrology Pavilion, Shen Qingmeng left the two people to the steward to teach them manners, and then she lifted her skirt and ran up to the pavilion.

"What is the status of the Eleventh Princess?" Shen Qingmeng asked Physician Li.

"Did His Majesty say anything to you?"

[They asked if I was familiar with Chu Wangshu, then sent two people to follow me, telling me I was staying at the Astrology Pavilion to keep Chu Wangshu company.]

"The eleventh princess is the princess who was born at the same time as Chu Wangshu."

Shen Qingmeng instantly understood that Emperor Qing wanted her and Chu Wangshu to have a little charlatan.

He didn't give any rewards and even sent two people to monitor him. Even a donkey pulling a millstone knows to be fed something good. How could Emperor Qing be so stingy?

Chu Wangshu on the bed didn't make a sound, but quietly clenched her fist.

"Awake?" Shen Qingmeng took his hand and gently scratched his palm.

Chu Wangshu withdrew her hand and turned her head to the other side.

Shen Qingmeng asked Physician Li in confusion, "Have you lost your memory?"

Physician Li shook his head and said to Shen Qingmeng, "Qingmeng, you go out first. I'll talk to Wangshu."

Shen Qingmeng swaggered to the door, opened and closed the door of the warm pavilion, and then tiptoed back to Chu Wangshu's bedside.

It's because he can't see.

"Wang Shu, why are you doing this? Qing Meng's identity is already clear; you can't hide from her just because you want to."

"This ability to divine should not be continued, so why bother saving me?"

"But, but didn't you say the world was about to change? Now that Qingmeng can stay in the Astrology Pavilion legitimately, and you... right now, you can't... have sex with her, so there's no need to avoid her, is there?"

Chu Wangshu turned her head to the inside and after a long while said, "You all go out, let me have some peace and quiet."

"You guys?" Shen Qingmeng looked up at Physician Li in confusion: "How did I get exposed?"

“Girl, let’s ignore him. Uncle Li will take you to see something good.”

Physician Li brought Shen Qingmeng to the pharmacy and handed her a porcelain bottle: "Try drinking this and see if there's any change in your throat."

She took the porcelain bottle, slightly puzzled: "What is this?"

Physician Li said, "The medicine for your throat is not in sufficient dosage, so it may not be very effective. But I thought it would be good if you could talk to him. I will give you the new medicine when it is ready in a while."

Shen Qingmeng drank the medicine in the porcelain bottle in one gulp.

"How is it?" Physician Li looked at Shen Qingmeng expectantly.

It's so bitter!

"I'm asking about your throat, does it feel anything?"

【itch. 】

"Try it, make a sound, just like that day."

Shen Qingmeng tried clearing her throat, and lo and behold, a sound came out!

"Ah!" she called out tentatively, not loudly, but very clearly.

"Uncle Li!" Shen Qingmeng covered her mouth excitedly. She had just thought that there was no hope for her in this life, after all, that Physician Zhang said that there was no hope.

Just as Shen Qingmeng was about to run back to bother Chu Wangshu, before she could even step out the door, Physician Li called out to her, "Girl, don't go to Wangshu yet. He's very stubborn. If you go there now, he won't say a word to you."

"Then, what should we do?" Shen Qingmeng pinched the fabric at her lower back and shook it. The clothes in the palace were really useless except for being pretty. They were thick and tight. She really didn't understand why people had to wear such thick things in the summer.

"Go change into some cool and comfortable clothes, put some medicine on your wound, and go see him later."

Physician Li led Shen Qingmeng to a room she had never been to before. As soon as they opened the door, they were greeted by the fragrance of flowers.

“Wang Shu had everything prepared. Clothes, hairpins, everything. He even made the balm himself. Wang Shu has certainly kept himself busy these past six months,” Doctor Li said, opening the wardrobe and letting Shen Qingmeng choose a dress. “He also made you a few hairpins, but I don’t know where he put them.”

Shen Qingmeng held up the dress in front of the bronze mirror, comparing it to herself, and nodded repeatedly: "He has excellent taste!"

"By the way, talk less, especially don't speak too loudly. The dosage of this medicine is not enough, and you might suddenly become mute again one day."

Shen Qingmeng nodded and made a "seal her mouth" gesture to Physician Li.

Of course, it's really hard to talk less.

Shen Qingmeng realized once again that she was probably really talkative, so much so that she even wanted to greet everyone in the Astrology Pavilion, but the thought of having to explain to Emperor Qing how her voice was so good was too much trouble, so she kept her mouth shut.

But the matter couldn't be left unsaid, so the only option was to go find Chu Wangshu.

There was a bowl of medicine in the warm room, which had gone cold but remained untouched.

The person on the bed was still facing the wall, huddled in a corner, seemingly unconscious, asleep, or lost in thought.

Out of curiosity, Shen Qingmeng dripped a drop of medicine onto the back of her hand and then licked it.

Ugh! Why is this stuff so bitter? No wonder Chu Wangshu didn't want to drink it.

Indeed, you can't just add anything to the medicine for flavoring. Shen Qingmeng simply heated up the medicine and brought back the rice cakes that she had just steamed in the kitchen to the warm pavilion.

Shen Qingmeng whispered in Chu Wangshu's ear, "Grand Preceptor, please get up and drink your medicine, okay?"

Chu Wangshu suddenly opened her eyes. Although she couldn't see anything, she still turned her head to look in the direction of the sound.

"I can speak now!" Shen Qingmeng sat on the edge of the bed, helping Chu Wangshu sit up and lean against the soft pillows. "There are just some sounds that I can't pronounce clearly, but it's already very good!"

Chu Wangshu did not reply, but closed her eyes and tried her best to suppress the corners of her mouth.

"Smile if you're happy," Shen Qingmeng reached out and poked Chu Wangshu's cheek again, but this time Chu Wangshu turned her head away and did not follow her action.

"Go and rest, I'm tired."

"Drink your medicine, and I won't bother you anymore."

Chu Wangshu reluctantly reached out her hand, wanting to take the medicine bowl.

"Open your mouth."

"Myself..." Before Chu Wangshu could finish speaking, a small piece of sweet rice cake was stuffed into her mouth.

It also has a hint of sesame aroma.

"Eat something to fill your stomach first, it will make you feel uncomfortable if you drink medicine directly," Shen Qingmeng broke off a small piece of rice cake and fed it to Chu Wangshu, then stuffed the rest into her mouth. Hmm, it was indeed quite delicious, but it was a little dry.

"Take some medicine to clear your throat." Although she felt that the more she drank the medicine, the more congested she would feel.

Chu Wangshu took the medicine bowl and drank the soup in a few gulps. He frowned, suppressed the urge to gag, and handed the bowl to Shen Qingmeng.

Another candied fruit was stuffed into my mouth; it was a dried peach.

"I just bought it outside. I used to love it. Isn't it delicious?"

There has still been no response.

"Okay, I'll go out. I've put the rice cakes and tea by your bedside. Help yourself, but I won't be responsible if you spill them."

Shen Qingmeng closed the door, but peeked through the crack in the door at the person inside.

Hey, you went to get the rice cake yourself, that's pretty good.

The next few days were the same. Shen Qingmeng kept nagging in Chu Wangshu's ear every day. Chu Wangshu didn't talk to her, but he ate whatever she fed him without resisting.

Shen Qingmeng knocked over a teacup, and Chu Wangshu subconsciously reached for the edge of the bed, wanting to go over.

"Hey! Are you in a hurry? It was just a little cold water, I'm fine."

Chu Wangshu withdrew her hand and closed her eyes again.

Shen Qingmeng blew on the medicine in the bowl and then licked it a little.

"vomit!"

Just as Chu Wangshu raised her hand, she heard someone say, "It tastes awful."

He took the bowl and drank it all in one gulp. Drinking this stuff spoonful by spoonful was even more of a torture.

Shen Qingmeng made red bean paste and added some honey, but unfortunately Chu Wangshu couldn't see it.

She scooped up a spoonful and, with a mischievous grin, fed it to Chu Wangshu.

Chu Wangshu frowned and swallowed the strange thing.

Red bean paste is sweet, but...

"It tastes good, doesn't it? I specifically asked Uncle Li for some Coptis chinensis."

Chu Wangshu was speechless. She turned to lie down on her side and covered her mouth with the blanket.

"Why is it that I finally managed to speak, but you've gone silent again? Is it that only one of us can open our mouths?" Shen Qingmeng said helplessly to Chu Wangshu's back.

He neither speaks nor responds to anyone.

She looked at the thin figure under the covers, reached out, and pinched Chu Wangshu's waist hard.

Ouch, it hurts my hand.