“My lord, how can you ruin your health like this? I will never stop you from having anything you want, all I want is for you to be safe…” Ulanara Shuzhen said, tears streaming down her face. Hongshi’s heart softened, and he was at a loss for words. Usually, he had to try not to neglect her because she was the Empress’s niece, but he truly loved the gentle and kind-hearted Irgen. Yet, this delicate woman who cared for him so much moved Hongshi deeply.
"You...you saved me?" Hongshi stammered, and Ulanara Shuzhen lowered her head shyly. The maid beside her quickly explained, "Your Highness, Madam stayed by your side the whole time, changing your clothes, feeding you medicine, and..."
Before the maid could finish speaking, Ulanara Shuzhen waved her hand, signaling her to stop. Hongshi looked at Ulanara Shuzhen gratefully, "Shuzhen, I..."
Ulanara Shuzhen took Hongshi's hand and said with a smile, "Your Highness, there's nothing more to say. This is what I should do..."
"Shuzhen, I'm so sorry..." Hongshi pulled Ulanara Shuzhen tightly into his arms. Seeing this, the maid silently withdrew and closed the door. That night, Hongshi did not leave Ulanara Shuzhen's room...
A few days later, Hongshi gradually recovered his health and stopped indulging in drinking and merrymaking as before, and he never mentioned the Drunken Flower Pavilion again. His attitude towards Ulanara Shuzhen also changed subtly, and he would occasionally take the initiative to visit Ulanara Shuzhen's room to sit for a while and play with the little prince.
Ulanara Shuzhen was very satisfied with Hongshi's change and happily went to the palace, eager to report Hongshi's condition to the Empress.
The Empress seemed to have anticipated Ulanara Shuzhen's arrival, calmly leaning back on the chaise lounge, allowing the palace maids to massage her. Ulanara Shuzhen proactively dismissed the maids and knelt down to gently massage the Empress's thighs, saying shyly, "Empress Mother, the Prince has returned..."
The Empress smiled and asked confidently, "Are you much more awake now?"
Ulanara Shuzhen looked up in surprise and asked curiously, "How did Your Majesty know?"
"Is there anything I don't know?" The Empress looked at Ulanara Shuzhen meaningfully and smiled, "He is my son, so naturally I know him well..."
Ulanara Shuzhen said, "Yes, Your Majesty, do you know that the Prince no longer drinks, doesn't go out, and hasn't mentioned the Drunken Flower Pavilion at all... He doesn't seem to be as sensitive and saddened by the death of Lady Irgen anymore..."
At this point, Ulanara Shuzhen hesitated, her face flushed with embarrassment, and whispered, "Prince...Prince is still willing to be close to me..."
The Empress laughed heartily upon hearing this, and helped Ulanara Shuzhen up to sit beside her, saying, "You, you're so happy and shy over such a small thing... How will you assist Hongshi in the future, and how will you bear children?" The Empress's words made Ulanara Shuzhen even more embarrassed, and she lowered her head shyly, muttering, "How can Your Majesty make fun of me?"
"If you had just acted coquettishly and softened your stance earlier, would things have come to this? But it's not too late now. As long as Hongshi changes his mind, you still have a chance..." The Empress said to Ulanara Shuzhen with a mixture of reproach and affection. Ulanara Shuzhen nodded, her face flushed: "Your Majesty is right, Shuzhen understands..."
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