It was late at night and the sound of the gong had faded away.
Yu Jiao drank a bellyful of cold wine. Although the stove was still burning in the room, she felt cold all over for no reason. Her hands and feet were weak. When she stood up, she accidentally knocked over the stool.
Jianjia was worried and hadn't rested. When she heard the noise, she asked through the door curtain, "Miss, have you drunk too much? Do you want me to come in and serve you?"
Yu Jiao only drank half a pot of wine. The sadder she was, the clearer her mind became. She said, "I want to take a bath. Ask someone to bring some hot water."
Jianjia quickly agreed, and soon brought in hot water.
When she entered the room, she saw Yu Jiao sitting on a low couch, her face supported by her elbows. Her cheeks were a little flushed, and she was obviously drunk.
Jianjia filled the bathtub with water behind the screen, went to the couch, reached out to help Yu Jiao, and said softly, "Miss, I will help you take a bath."
Yu Jiao got off the bed and shook her head, "No, go to sleep and I'll clean up tomorrow."
Normally, Yu Jiao never needed anyone to help her take a bath, but tonight was different. Jianjia was worried that she had drunk alcohol and would not leave, so she waited outside the screen.
Yu Jiao undressed and stepped into the bathtub, soaking her whole body in the warm water. Only then did she feel that the coldness in her heart was somewhat dispelled.
After soaking for a while, Yu Jiao felt a little dizzy due to the alcohol. She forced herself to get up from the bathtub and get some clean underwear, but she was caught off guard by the water stains on the floor. She slipped and fell to the ground.
Jianjia only heard a "thump" sound through the screen. Her face changed drastically. She hurried behind the screen, helped Yu Jiao up from the ground, and helped her sit on the bed. Jianjia asked with concern, "Girl, are you hurt anywhere?"
Yu Jiao felt a little dizzy. She forced a smile towards Jianjia and said, "Don't be nervous. I'm fine. I'm just sleepy. You should go to bed."
Jianjia looked her up and down before hesitantly going to the next room.
Yu Jiao's mind was as confused as a pot of porridge. She sent Jianjia to rest, lay down on the bed, and fell into a deep sleep.
Yu Jiao slept without dreams until dawn. She was awakened by Jianjia. She was still very sleepy. Although she sat up in a daze, she was still yawning sleepily. Jianjia fed her a bowl of sobering soup.
"Miss, don't forget that you have to enter the palace today. Maybe Princess Changle will be here soon." Jianjia reminded her while wiping Yu Jiao's face.
Yu Jiao stretched and finally woke up.
After Jianjia took clothes from the closet, Yu Jiao felt some pain in her left knee while getting dressed. She looked down and saw a large purple bruise on her left knee, with blood oozing from the abrasions.
Yu Jiao rubbed her aching forehead and then she remembered that she seemed to have fallen while taking a bath last night.
When Jianjia saw this, she couldn't help but said with concern, "The young lady fell so hard last night. It's all my fault for not being careful enough. I should have helped the young lady take a bath."
Yu Jiao shook her head and said softly, "It doesn't hurt that much. Please help me get the medical box."
Jianjia is a martial artist, and she often gets injured while practicing. If it's just a bump or a bruise, or skin is scraped off, it's actually no big deal. But this kind of bruise and abrasion with faint blood is the most troublesome. The scab must form first and then be peeled off, otherwise pus will fester inside.
Jianjia went to get the medical box with a look of self-blame on her face. Yu Jiao found some medicinal wine to disinfect the wound first, then applied some blood-dissolving, pain-relieving, swelling-removing and detoxifying medicine, bandaged it with gauze, and changed into her dress.
Seeing her calm expression, Jianjia opened her mouth as if wanting to say something.
Yu Jiao smiled and said, "This little injury is not worth mentioning. I accidentally bumped into it. Don't tell big brother."
The young ladies in other families were all pampered and rich, but her daughter was not pampered at all. Jianjia had no choice but to say, "I'll ask someone to serve the meal."
Yu Jiao had just finished her meal when someone from the gatehouse came over with a message saying that Princess Changle had arrived but had not entered the mansion and was waiting outside the gate.
Yu Jiao asked Jianjia to take the medical box and was about to go out when she saw Liu Yu walking towards her in a hurry. He was still wearing court robes, so he must have just finished court.
Yu Jiao paused and called out "father".
Liu Yu took off his black hat and walked up to Yu Jiao. "I just heard from your elder brother that the county magistrate of Changle wants to take you to the palace to see Concubine Xue."
Yu Jiao nodded.
Liu Yu touched her head, looked at her eyebrows, and there was worry hidden in her eyes. He said gently, "Although Concubine Xue is favored, there is nothing to be afraid of. You are smart and calm. Father believes that you can handle it. When you enter the palace, act cautiously. I will ask your elder brother to pick you up outside the palace gate."
Such a reminder warmed Yu Jiao's heart. She smiled and nodded, "My daughter knows."
Liu Yu said lovingly, "Go."
Yu Jiao took Jianjia and Bailu to the front yard.
Liu Yu stood there, looking at Yu Jiao's back and sighed softly. Yu Jiao was still young, but her eyes and eyebrows were already three-quarters similar to Princess Huaiyang. If she grew a few years older, she would probably not be able to go to places like the palace.
Liu Ziqi was standing beside the hanging flower gate. When he saw Yu Jiao coming, he sent her to the mansion gate but did not tell her anything.
When they reached the gate of the mansion, he said to Yu Jiao, "Brother, please go to Annan Marquis's Mansion first, and then I will pick you up outside the palace gate later."
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