Chapter 9 I originally wanted to show Xiao Siliang what medicine was...

They had originally planned to show Xiao Siliang what hunting was like, but now that they had been assassinated and Zhao Linzhang's hand was injured, he couldn't even ride a horse, so they returned to the mansion early the next morning.

News of King Zhuang's assassination had already reached the palace. As soon as they entered the palace, the eunuch who was there to deliver the imperial decree arrived.

The Emperor was concerned about his injury and granted him special permission to rest and recuperate. Two beautiful palace maids accompanied him, saying that he had come to take care of him because of his injured hand.

In the past, the emperor would occasionally bestow beautiful women upon him, but he always refused. This time, however, looking at the injury on his palm, he acquiesced to this romantic gift.

The two beautiful women were like twin flowers, with arched eyebrows, delicate waists, and slender figures. Their movements were like two lotus flowers swaying gently in the lake, and their voices were as sweet and melodious as spring orioles.

After meeting Zhao Linzhang, both of them were instantly captivated by him.

Rumor has it that Prince Zhuang disliked women and had a rough appearance, the opposite of the current emperor's gentle and refined manner. They felt as if they had fallen into a wolf's den.

Looking at him today, King Zhuang is strong and powerful, with deep-set features and an overwhelming masculine aura. Most importantly, King Zhuang is not yet married and has no children. If they could give birth to a son or daughter, they would not have to worry about the rest of their lives.

Zhao Linzhang did not examine the two women's appearances closely and instructed Granny Li to arrange accommodations for them.

The presence of two women who seemed to be half mistresses in the Prince's mansion suddenly made it much more lively. The sounds of string and wind instruments never stopped. Little Siliang was curious about everything, and when she heard the tune, she would wiggle her little bottom and jump along.

Seeing how much he liked it, Zhao Linzhang summoned the two women to perform a dance.

Shen Yunrong, holding her child, sat below Zhao Linzhang. Thanks to the young master, she had never seen a beautiful woman perform a dance before, especially one from the palace.

As the music of string and wind instruments began, two women dressed in sheer gauze dresses slowly emerged. Although there was a charcoal fire burning in the house in early winter, Shen Yunrong felt cold for them.

But the two seemed impervious to the cold, their waists trembling slightly, the bells on their bodies jingling, their skirts fluttering, and a strong fragrance wafting through the air.

Shen Yunrong felt a little dizzy from the smell. The young master seemed only interested in the sound of string and wind instruments, and had no interest in the beautiful woman's graceful dance. A sudden burst of drumbeats frightened him so much that he burst into tears.

Zhao Linzhang, both amused and exasperated, waved away the two women who were dancing with great enthusiasm.

"Don't you like dancing?" Zhao Linzhang walked down and half-squatted to pinch Xiao Siliang's nose, but the child grabbed his finger and wanted him to hold him.

The strong scent of cosmetics still lingered in the air, and even Zhao Linzhang couldn't resist it. He took the child in his arms and said, "Godfather will take you out for a walk."

"Your Highness's hand?" Shen Yunrong stared at Zhao Linzhang's injured hand, afraid that the child might accidentally hurt him again.

"It's alright!" Zhao Linzhang didn't look at his own hand, which was still wrapped in cotton, but instead glanced at the scabbed wound on Shen Yunrong's neck.

The reddish-brown scar, more than half a finger long, resembled a crack in a beautiful jade.

Shen Yunrong hurriedly followed, and after strolling through the garden, Xiao Siliang pulled Zhao Linzhang, pointing to his bedroom, where there was a lifelike wooden carving of a horse.

Ever since Zhao Linzhang carried him to see the room last time, he still remembered it and would occasionally pull Shen Yunrong's hand, wanting to go inside. Shen Yunrong, however, dared not enter Zhao Linzhang's bedroom without permission. She always had to coax him into coming.

Zhao Linzhang was puzzled, so Shen Yunrong explained. He then smiled and said, "Want to see my godfather's big horse?"

Xiao Siliang clapped his hands happily when he heard the horse, and Zhao Linzhang carried him to his bedroom: "Father will take you to see the big horse!"

Shen Yunrong watched their backs. They really looked like an ordinary father and son. If it weren't for the title of godfather, it would be hard to tell that the child was not born to the prince. Prince Zhuang was even more competent than some other fathers.

As soon as they entered the courtyard where the Prince of Zhuang lived, they saw Liu Hu, who was still walking with a limp.

Without Zhao Linzhang's signal, Shen Yunrong dared not enter the bedroom. She stood guard at the door and spoke quietly with Liu Hu.

"Brother Liu, is your injury getting any better?"

Liu Hu shifted his legs, trying to stand up straight with shame: "It's alright, just a minor injury." He hadn't been able to get out of bed for three days.

"I should have pleaded with the Prince for you that day." Shen Yunrong saw him standing swaying precariously and regretted not being bolder that day.

"This is already a mercy from His Highness. Twenty strokes of the cane are just superficial injuries. If anything happens to you and the young master, Liu Hu will be held accountable even if he has to die a thousand deaths."

Zhao Linzhang held the child and touched the wood carving. The child was so happy that he drooled. He turned around, but the little wet nurse was nowhere to be seen.

Before he even stepped out of the room, he saw the young wet nurse smiling gently—a smile he had never seen before, without the slightest hint of restraint. A gust of cold wind blew the stray hairs from her temples. As he watched the two chatting amiably, his arms around the child tightened involuntarily.

Xiao Siliang started crying sadly. Shen Yunrong heard the crying and immediately turned around: "Your Highness, the young master is probably hungry. Let me hold him."

Zhao Linzhang, with a dark expression, took the child back into her arms. Shen Yunrong, unaware of what had happened, assumed the child had bothered the prince and quickly held the child in her arms, gently stroking him.

But the child's interest in the rocking horse hadn't waned. He returned to the familiar embrace and kept pointing, wanting to go back into Zhao Linzhang's bedroom.

Shen Yunrong was in a dilemma; she dared not go in without the prince's permission.

"Siliang still wants to see, take him inside!" Zhao Linzhang could also see that the child was unwilling to leave.

The last time she entered Zhao Linzhang's bedroom, it was dimly lit. She was so afraid of being punished by the prince that she didn't dare to look around the bedroom.

The rocking horse was more than half a person's height. Xiao Siliang liked to sit on it. Shen Yunrong held him. Zhao Linzhang went behind the screen, and she didn't dare to look over.

The house wasn't as magnificent as she had imagined; in fact, it was even simpler than the young master's house. Only the pear wood octagonal table had a lustrous sheen, and Shen Yunrong, though she didn't understand, felt that it was made of the finest wood.

A soft rustling sound came from behind the screen. Xiao Siliang was focused on riding the rocking horse. The sound made Shen Yunrong turn her head to look in the quiet room.

A large robe flashed out from behind the screen, and Shen Yunrong quickly averted her gaze and lowered her head.

Zhao Linzhang walked to her side and held out his hand to her: "Jade Skin Cream can remove scars, you can take it and use it."

Shen Yunrong saw his outstretched palm, on which lay a pure white porcelain bottle with the two red characters "Imperial Use" on it.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Linzhang was rummaging around for the ointment for her. Shen Yunrong was flattered and shook her head: "Your Highness, this is too precious!"

"Take it. It's only valuable if it's useful; otherwise, it's just an inanimate object." Zhao Linzhang said in a low voice when he saw that she hesitated to take it.

This prince, who inspired fear in the courtroom, could send criminals running for their lives with a mere hum. Shen Yunrong was so frightened that she trembled, supporting the child with one hand and reaching out to take him with the other.

"This servant thanks Your Highness for your generous gift."

Fingertips brushed against Zhao Linzhang's warm palm, feeling cool and smooth.

Zhao Linzhang deliberately ignored the smooth touch: "Apart from the study, you can take Siliang wherever he wants to go in this mansion."

Ever since Zhao Linzhang shielded her with his hand on the blade last time, Shen Yunrong has become less afraid of him. Especially when he holds her in his arms, it's the first time in her life she's felt so at ease, a sense of security that even if the sky were to fall, he would be there to support her.

This time, he even gave her a plaster that looked like it was made for the imperial court. Who said the prince was cold and aloof? She smiled with genuine joy and said, "Mm."

Instead of a cold and distant "thank you," Zhao Linzhang heard her hum in response, and his previous gloomy mood vanished instantly.

After playing for a while, Xiao Siliang finally remembered that she wanted to nurse, and she tugged at Shen Yunrong's clothes and smacked her little mouth.

Shen Yunrong hurriedly took her leave with the child in her arms. Zhao Linzhang watched their departing figures, and saw Shen Yunrong place the medicine bottle he had given her into her bosom, feeling the sense of cherishing what he had given her.

Looking at the prince smiling gently on the steps, Liu Hu remarked that the prince seemed to have become very kind since becoming a father.

No wonder his mother kept insisting that he get married, and even talked about all the good things about the girl next door, Ms. Shen. He hadn't originally intended to, but after his mother talked so much, it seemed like she was quite nice.

Although she was a widow, she was prettier than those unmarried girls, and had a gentle voice. She was completely different from the shrewish women he knew. It wouldn't be a bad idea to have a girl like that as a wife.

As soon as Zhao Linzhang turned his head, he saw Liu Hu watching Shen Yunrong's departing figure with a blissful smile. His face darkened: "Liu Hu, how old are you this year?"

Liu Hu woke up from his sweet dream and saw his lord asking him a question he had never cared about before. He was once again amazed at how much his father had changed.

He honestly replied, "Sir, I'm twenty years old this year!"

"You're still unmarried?"

"What girl would be interested in a guy who's been licking the knife's edge?" Realizing he'd misspoke, Liu Hu quickly added, "He's so busy every day he doesn't even have time to drink water. Isn't that just making her live like a widow?"

The more he talked, the more wrong he became. Liu Hu wanted to slap himself hard. Why couldn't he speak today?

"Actually, I just haven't met a woman I click with." Liu Hu finally got it right at the last moment, secretly wiping the sweat from his brow.

They also said that the prince himself was already twenty-five years old and still unmarried. Outsiders said that he still had feelings for his deceased fiancée. He had been by the prince's side for so long, but he had never been seen to reminisce about his fiancée even once. This did not seem to be related to deep affection.

"You should get married too!" Zhao Linzhang said this before going to the study after consulting with Xiao Liu.

Next month is the Emperor's sacrificial ceremony, and as the person in charge, he will be very busy again.

After washing up, Shen Yunrong took out the ointment Zhao Linzhang had given her. What woman doesn't love to look pretty? She was also afraid that she would have an ugly scar on her neck.

She opened the bottle and a pleasant medicinal scent wafted out. She gently scooped out a little and applied it to the wound on her neck; it felt cool and refreshing.

The prince treated her differently. Even if she was slow-witted, she could sense Zhao Linzhang's intentions, but she did not want such immense wealth.

She also has a daughter. Her status means that she will have to be separated from her daughter after entering the Prince's mansion. Besides, how could the Prince have feelings for someone like her? He might be interested for a moment, but he will get tired of her after a few days. It will be difficult for her to leave.

She took out her small bundle, which contained the rewards she had received over the past few days. She had originally intended to keep the ointment to sell, but even if she dared to sell it, no one would dare to buy it, given the words "for the imperial use" on it. So, she reluctantly took it out to use herself.

She could just bear with it a little longer, and once winter was over and spring came, she could go back and help her daughter and elderly mother open a small shop.

Filled with anticipation for the bright future ahead, she lay down beside the young master. Now that he could roll over, she slept with him to prevent him from falling off the bed.