Recovering from injuries and searching for relatives: The prince's "clingy" daily life
Zhao Jingyi led three thousand elite soldiers and swept away the audacious bandits with lightning speed. This time, he was no longer the playboy prince who only knew how to have fun. Instead, filled with anger and the lingering fear of regaining what he had lost, he personally commanded the operation, leading from the front, uprooting the bandit's den. The bandit leader was killed on the spot, and the remaining members were all captured, thus completely avenging Qin Yuti and the guards and servants who had died.
Upon returning to the capital in triumph, Zhao Jingyi didn't even bother to recount his military achievements; his first priority was to rush back to the Prince's residence to see his beloved Princess Qin Yuti. Qin Yuti's injuries had largely healed under the careful care of the imperial physicians, but she was still somewhat weak. Without a word, Zhao Jingyi immediately requested a long leave from the Emperor, offering a perfectly valid and irresistible reason: "Father, my wife suffered a tremendous shock and injustice this time, and her health is severely compromised. I must personally stay by her side to soothe her nerves and help her recover. Otherwise, I won't be able to concentrate on court affairs until she fully recovers."
The emperor was both amused and annoyed by his son's pathetic attitude of "If my wife is no good, I'll be deposed." But considering that Qin Yuti had indeed suffered a great deal, he granted him leave.
Thus, the Prince Yi's Mansion began a "sweet" mode where the prince personally served the princess as she recovered from her injuries.
During the day, the Prince's Mansion was bustling with activity.
Crown Princess Xu Nianchu, Princess Rui Su Wanqing (though their relationship was delicate, they maintained appearances), Shen Anci, Liu Mianying, and other close friends were frequent visitors, bringing various tonics and words of comfort. Even Minister Qin and his wife, along with their eldest daughter Qin Shuhua, often came to visit. Seeing their daughter's (younger sister's) pale face, they felt heartbroken and developed a genuine appreciation for Zhao Jingyi, who was always by her side and busy with her needs. In front of the ladies, Zhao Jingyi displayed remarkable composure, thoughtfulness, and care, serving tea and water, and inquiring about their well-being, earning widespread praise.
Only Qin Yuti knew that once this guy saw off his guests and closed the door, he would immediately reveal his true colors.
Every evening was Prince Yi's "clingy" time.
"Wife, it's time to take your medicine." Zhao Jingyi held the medicine bowl, blew on it to cool it down, and brought it to Qin Yuti's lips. His eyes were bright, as if feeding her medicine was the greatest joy.
Qin Yuti said helplessly, "Your Highness, I can do it myself."
"No! Your hands are too weak, I'll feed you!" Zhao Jingyi insisted, feeding her spoonful by spoonful, and occasionally using his sleeve to wipe away non-existent medicine stains, taking the opportunity to touch her little face.
After he finished his medicine, he stayed by the bedside and began to "settle scores": "Why were you so stupid back then? You could have just talked to them and waited for me to come and save you, right? Why did you have to jump off the cliff! How dangerous! What would I do if you really died?" As he spoke, his eyes began to redden again, and he looked like he was about to have another cry.
Qin Yuti could only comfort him: "The situation was urgent at the time, I had no choice..."
"Anyway, you can't do that again!" Zhao Jingyi hugged her tightly, nuzzling his head against her neck. "You have to promise me that if you encounter danger in the future, saving your life is the most important thing, nothing is more important than you!"
After finally calming the prince down, whose emotions were in turmoil, Qin Yuti remembered Granny Shi's request and said, "Your Highness, about Granny Shi and the others..."
"Don't worry! I haven't forgotten!" Zhao Jingyi immediately perked up. "I've already sent people to investigate! The files of all the students named Shi Lei who came to the capital for the imperial examinations three years ago are being reviewed. We'll have news soon."
Sure enough, within a few days, a clue emerged. Three years ago, a candidate named Shi Lei from Xinghua Village did indeed come to the capital to take the imperial examination. But strangely, his name was not on the list of successful candidates, and he seemed to have vanished into thin air, disappearing without a trace after the examination.
"It seems that Brother Shi Lei may have had an accident after the scientific expedition but before the results were announced, or he may have been controlled by someone," Qin Yuti analyzed with a frown.
Zhao Jingyi nodded: "The capital is so big, it's easy to hide someone. But as long as he's still in the capital, I'll dig him out even if I have to search three feet into the ground! He's a great benefactor of our family, we must find him!"
The couple began to investigate the matter secretly, using their connections in the Prince's Mansion and the Qin family to carefully examine all the people and events related to the imperial examination three years ago.
However, whether he was receiving visitors or investigating official business during the day, Zhao Jingyi's true nature was revealed when the night was quiet.
He was like a piece of chewing gum, stuck to Qin Yuti and impossible to peel off.
"Wife, are you tired today? Let me give you a massage."
"Yu Ti, look how beautiful the moon is tonight, shall we rest early?"
"My dear Yuti, you're all better now, just let me kiss you, just once..."
"Give me a hug, just hold me while I sleep, I promise I won't move..." (and then the promise is usually broken).
Qin Yuti found his transformation from an "arrogant playboy" to a "giant loyal dog" both amusing and exasperating. Sometimes, when he got annoyed by her persistence, she would scold him with a stern face, and Zhao Jingyi would immediately put on a pitiful expression: "I almost lost my queen, and I'm still scared. Can't you be a little gentler with me?"
Seeing him like this, Qin Yuti finally softened. After all, during this dangerous encounter, she had genuinely felt his concern and care for her. Perhaps, this seemingly unreliable prince truly cared for her.
As a result, the servants of the Prince's Mansion often saw their Prince fawning over the Princess like a big dog trying to please his master. Although the Princess often looked disgusted, there was a hint of indulgence and smile in her eyes and brows.
The hero who fought the bandits has become a clingy husband; the princess who survived the ordeal has begun a new life of seeking gratitude and "taming" her husband. Meanwhile, the mystery surrounding Shi Lei's disappearance hangs like a dark cloud, foreshadowing that this journey to find his family will likely not be so smooth.
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