Chapter 12

It was a great night, but retribution came very quickly.

The next morning, Qi Xinglan couldn't get up no matter what. His head felt heavy and he was extremely cold. He looked outside with great effort and found that the window was closed.

At that time he hadn't noticed anything was wrong until Fu Wen came in and was shocked to see his red face. She quickly came over to pour a glass of warm water for Qi Xinglan.

"Your Highness, why is your face so red? Do you have a fever?"

Qi Xinglan then remembered to use the back of her hand to feel the temperature of her forehead. It was indeed a little hot. Qi Xinglan's tone was flat, "It is indeed a little hot. What about... the king?"

Fu Wen didn't know why Qi Xinglan was still concerned about the king even now, but she answered honestly, "The king passed away before dawn, I'd better go and get the imperial physician for you as soon as possible."

Qi Xinglan nodded, drank the glass of water in one gulp, and her throat finally felt better.

Qi Xinglan was quite aware of her own physical condition. She couldn't go to see Liang Yin in her current condition. However, after learning about his condition, she would definitely come back to see him. It would still be in time to talk about it then.

But then again, why is my body in such a bad condition? Is it just because I said something a little harsh the night before that it's no longer acceptable now?

Qi Xinglan believed that he had practiced martial arts seriously for the past 18 years, without wasting time, and was waiting for the day when he could fight alongside his father on the battlefield.

Even if I have been slacking off since coming to Xiyuan, it is not to the extent that...

As Qi Xinglan was thinking, Fu Wen brought the imperial physician into the palace. After all, Qi Xinglan was also a man, and it was much more convenient for outsiders to come and go, so there didn't have to be so many taboos.

The imperial physician looked to be around sixty years old, and he prostrated himself when he saw Qi Xinglan.

"You don't have to be so polite." Qi Xinglan was helpless and winked at Fu Wen.

Fu Wen pulled the person up and said, "Her Majesty the Queen is kind to everyone, so there is no need for you to be polite."

"You should treat His Highness as soon as possible."

The imperial physician nodded, stepped forward and sat down on the stool that Fu Wen had just placed for him, without reminding Qi Xinglan to stretch out a wrist first.

The imperial physician closed his eyes and examined the patient for a few times, then asked Qi Xinglan to stick out her tongue.

"Your Highness, you just have a fever caused by overwork. I will prescribe a few pills of medicine for you. You will be fine after you boil them and take them."

"Excuse me, sir." Qi Xinglan stared at the medicine box that the imperial physician was packing for a long time, and then asked, "Where did you learn the art of Chinese medicine, sir?"

The imperial physician bowed again and said, "My master came back from the Great Zhou after completing his studies. I am merely inheriting his legacy."

Qi Xinglan nodded thoughtfully, "Then you can go back now, Fu Wen, you can see him off in person."

"Yes, sir."

Even though Qi Xinglan felt very uncomfortable, she still got up and washed up. After all, she could only take medicine after washing up and eating.

Fu Wen came back soon and asked someone to prepare medicine while serving meal to Qi Xinglan.

Having to take medicine after breakfast was another big problem. The smell of the medicine penetrated Qi Xinglan's nose from the farthest part, and it was really hard to ignore.

Qi Xinglan asked tentatively: "Fu Wen, do we have any preserved fruits or other things in our palace that can slightly reduce the bitterness of this medicine?"

Fu Wen rarely went against his wishes and shook her head in embarrassment, "The imperial physician said that using preserved honey will affect the efficacy of the medicine."

The doctor brought the medicine to me and said, "Please drink it. It's only less than a bowl. You will feel better after drinking it."

Qi Xinglan thought about her own discomfort and resolutely picked up the bowl of medicine and drank it all in one gulp.

After drinking it, he grimaced in pain, and it took Qi Xinglan a long time to recover.

Fu Wen put the empty bowl back on the empty lacquer tray and picked it up again to take it away. Before leaving, she reminded Qi Xinglan: "Your Highness, you should have a good rest first. I will call you when it's time for lunch. Then we will have to take medicine again."

Qi Xinglan now felt bitter in her stomach and her head was heavy, so she could only lie in bed to rest.

If God gave him another chance, Qi Xinglan would never mess around with Hui Lin again. He could not bear this sin a second time.

Qi Xinglan fell asleep in a daze. When she woke up, she could see the sunlight coming in from outside.

When she withdrew her gaze, it met the eyes of someone. Qi Xinglan recognized this person immediately. Who else could it be but Hui Lin?

Seeing him looking at her with a distressed expression, Qi Xinglan took back his hand and said, "What's wrong? Have you dealt with your work? You actually have time to come and see me."

There was a hint of grievance in these words, but Hui Lin was not stupid, so he could naturally hear it.

"Lan'er, I really went too far last night. I got up a little late this morning and didn't realize you were sick."

"I was already taught a lesson when I went to see the Queen Mother this morning. You may teach me a lesson again now."

In Xiyuan, it is normal for a wife to teach her husband a lesson when he makes a mistake. Hui Lin thought that even the royal family should be no exception.

Qi Xinglan, however, had no intention of teaching him a lesson for such trivial matters. She looked over angrily, with her back even straightened a little.

"You mean, even my mother knows that I'm sick, or is it because of the nonsense I had with you?"

"I didn't say it, but she should be able to guess..."

Hui Lin felt so distressed when he saw Qi Xinglan's red cheeks and pale lips.

He grabbed Qi Xinglan's hand and was about to put it on his face and body. Qi Xinglan pursed her lips slightly, and finally clenched her hand into a fist and placed it on his shoulder.

But her hand stopped and she didn't make the next move. She turned back to look at him, and saw that he had turned his back to her. Her voice was hoarse from being burned. "Forget it. I did it voluntarily last night anyway. I have to blame myself for everything."

Hui Lin was helpless, as Fu Wen came to deliver lunch, and Hui Lin found a reason to wake Qi Xinglan up.

"Lan'er, lunch is ready. Come get up and eat something. You have to take medicine later, and you can't eat on an empty stomach."

As he spoke, he actually bent down and picked up Qi Xinglan's shoes. Qi Xinglan mustered up the courage to drink the medicine, turned around and sat up again.

Seeing him waiting for her with shoes in hand, she fell silent for a moment, and then said, "What...what are you doing?"

Hui Lin didn't waste time talking to him and just grabbed his feet and put them on him. At this time, the little girl Qi Chaoting came in and saw this scene.

Qi Xinglan looked up when she heard footsteps. She was very embarrassed. She was speechless and explained stiffly: "Why is Ting'er here? Did you come to see me because you knew my brother was sick?"

No matter how young or stupid Qi Chaoting was, he should have known that she should not be there at this time.

So she turned around and ran away, leaving behind a sentence: "Brother, get well soon."

"This girl." Qi Xinglan laughed, and looked down to see Hui Lin just putting on his shoes and standing up.

Qi Xinglan was about to get up, but he carried her horizontally to the dining table.

"Hui Lin, is it worth it for you to go just two steps?"

Hui Lin just put him on the chair and touched his head. "Of course, I'm just apologizing to Lan Er."

Qi Xinglan ignored him and lowered her head to eat.

Qi Xinglan had just finished her meal and after a while she was about to start taking medicine. She thought a short pain is worse than a long one, so this time she drank all the medicine without anyone urging her.

Hui Lin reached out to wipe the corner of his mouth, but saw Qi Xinglan looking at him slyly, as if she knew he would not refuse, and put her hand on his shoulder again.

"Here's a taste for you."

Before Hui Lin could react to what to taste, he was forced to taste the medicine in Qi Xinglan's mouth.

It was indeed very bitter. He didn't know how Qi Xinglan finished it in one gulp.

But when the two of them were entangled in each other's lips, even the bitterness of the matter melted away.

"Is it bitter?" Qi Xinglan passed the bitter taste to him, then generously let him go and let him taste it himself.

Hui Lin shook his head and told him firmly: "It's not bitter."

Qi Xinglan didn't believe it: "Is it true?"

Huilin carried him back to the couch and said, "How can it be bitter to be able to kiss your beauty?"

"...You're not afraid that I'll pass on my illness to you."

Hui Linyou kissed him heavily, as if to verify the truth of what Qi Xinglan said.

"Don't be afraid." His tone was firm.

Qi Xinglan turned her head and said, "Go ahead. You must have come here without finishing your official business. I won't delay you."

This time Hui Lin couldn't refute it. He knew that Qi Xinglan had a fever in Chongyun Palace, and then he came directly to Lanquan Palace and stayed there until Qi Xinglan woke up not long ago. He had no time to deal with anything in the meantime.

"Then I'll come see you again in the evening."

"I promise not to bully you this time!" he added.

Qi Xinglan heard it but didn't turn around to look at him. She held the quilt with her hands and waited for Hui Lin to leave before glancing at his back.

Qi Xinglan wondered if she had forgotten something, and when she couldn't remember it for a moment, she went to rest again.

—

The forgotten Liang Yin and Hui Lin arrived at the Purple Palace one after another. Hui Lin just glanced at him indifferently, "Lan'er... uh, the queen is ill today, you won't be able to see him."

"Ah? I didn't receive any notification..."

"I will inform you personally."

Liang Yin was helpless and only heard Lin say, "I'm sorry that you came here for nothing today."

How could he bear the king's apology?

Although Liang Yin is young, he is not stupid. He was about to kneel down, but Hui Lin stopped him with one hand.

"Okay, that's enough rules, let's go back."

"Yes, I will take my leave."

On the way back, Liang Yin recalled what had just happened: the king said that the queen was ill, but he saw that she was fine yesterday. How could she suddenly fall ill?

Liang Yin couldn't help but think of the King and Queen he saw yesterday, and the Queen fell ill the next day...

Liang Yin suddenly realized.

—

After returning to Lin to handle official business, he hurried to Lanquan Hall to accompany him for dinner and take medicine.

At night, he would hold Qi Xinglan and sleep obediently, not daring to do anything. The most excessive thing he did that night was kissing him a few more times.

Qi Xinglan took medicine for a day and her fever had subsided a little. Hui Lin woke up in the middle of the night and subconsciously touched Qi Xinglan's forehead. He was relieved to find that she had returned to normal.

He then hugged Qi Xinglan tightly, and the latter seemed to subconsciously find the most comfortable position in his arms and lie down.

Hui Lin hugged him tightly with satisfaction, and couldn't help sighing that holding the person he loved in his arms seemed to be the happiest thing in his life.

Although the person he likes may not be completely sincere to him, everything is moving in a good direction.