When Zhao Shu woke up, she found herself in her own bed. Chu Chun and the others were standing happily in front of her bed. "Princess, you're awake. Are you hungry? Xing'er has made you some porridge," Chu Chun said.
"Today isn't the day for distributing monthly allowances, so why are you all so happy?" Zhao Shu wondered. They were all smiling so broadly that their teeth were showing. Women in Dayong, especially those from wealthy families, usually didn't show their teeth when they smiled. It was unusual for them to be so unconcerned about their image.
Green Ivy, being young, couldn't hide anything from Zhao Shu. She happily said, "Princess, you slept for seven hours, and you slept so soundly that you didn't even kick off the covers."
"Where's Xiao Guozi?" Thinking of yesterday's events, a gloomy look appeared on his face.
Xiao Guozi, who had been waiting outside, heard Zhao Shu's words and silently walked in carrying his whisk. Zhao Shu's gaze fell on him; there were no marks on his face, but he walked with a limp. "Are you injured?"
"This servant was careless and twisted his ankle. Please don't worry, Princess." He recalled how he had been defeated by a woman yesterday! Defeat was one thing, but that woman had a knack for injuring places he couldn't see. Now, with every step he took, he clenched his teeth in pain to keep from groaning.
Seeing his expression, Zhao Shu knew exactly what had happened. Huo Baichuan must have gone mad and ordered someone to beat them up. "What happened? Tell me the truth. Even if someone from the Huo family dares to hit me, it's unacceptable!"
"Princess, no, I really did sprain my ankle. It has nothing to do with Duozi. I was just careless while walking. If you want to blame me, then blame me. I am not skilled enough." He spoke incoherently, but he still managed to reveal all the information.
Zhao Shu looked at him menacingly, "Did they threaten you?"
"No, no." Xiao Guozi shook his head like a rattle drum, but he was really uneasy about lying to Zhao Shu, so he put on a mournful face and said, "Princess, please don't worry about it. This servant is not skilled enough, so it is only right that I was beaten. Duozi is right, this servant is too weak to protect the princess. But please believe this servant, this servant will practice martial arts diligently, and one day, this servant will defeat Duozi!"
Zhao Shu looked at him scrutinizingly, "You really don't need me to stand up for you?"
"No need, no need, thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I'm fine." Xiao Guozi hurriedly waved his hand. He remembered Duo Zi's words, "If you dare to ask the princess for help, I will beat you every time I see you, until you are crippled!" He was shocked, but he also secretly vowed to defeat Duo Zi.
Seeing the determination in his eyes and the resolve in his attitude, Zhao Shu said no more. "Alright, go find Old Peng to prescribe some medicine and help me get ready. Let's go see my brother, the Crown Prince." She figured Han Ying must have been beaten too; she'd ask him again tonight if he was badly injured.
After washing up and having a simple breakfast, she left the embroidered tower. "Where's A-Yun?"
"Miss Sun saw that you were still unconscious, so she went to check on His Highness the Crown Prince. He must be playing music right now. I saw Sister Banshu take the zither and go over there," Green Luo answered quickly.
"Very well, let's go and pay our respects to the Empress Dowager first." Zhao Shu said, and then walked forward.
In early spring and midsummer, they stood guard beside her, afraid she would fall because of the cold and slippery ground. "Princess, Lady Zhang just sent someone to say that Master Wuye is paying homage to the Empress Dowager today and will not see anyone."
Zhao Shu paused for a moment. What did her grandmother mean by this? Was she not allowing her to use Master Wuye to slap Yuan in the face?
Before long, we arrived at the left hall of Fengxin Hall. The melodious sound of the zither was gentle and slow, like a spring breeze caressing the green willows, making people feel relaxed and comfortable. It was also like a surging river, flowing forward without hesitation, making people admire and yearn for it. In its leisurely and melodious sound, it was like a sweet and gentle story, like the most brilliant morning sun, shining on the earth and bringing warmth and hope.
The flowing music danced in the wind, expressing the most uplifting sentiments of the listeners amidst the icy snow.
Sun Yun's qin playing skills were superb. The old physician Peng once said that if Bo Ya were still alive, he would definitely consider him a confidant.
Everyone has something they excel at, and they will always shine in their most suitable field.
As Zhao Shu approached, Sun Yun, engrossed in playing his instrument in the pavilion, was completely unaware of her arrival.
Instead of disturbing her, he pushed open the door to the side hall. Li Zhuonai was on the roof beam. For some reason, he seemed extremely unhappy today, and the way he looked at Zhao Shu was also strange.
Today, it was Physician Peng who was on duty. He was taking the Crown Prince's pulse. After taking the pulse, he stroked his beard, smiled and nodded, "Your Highness, I will treat your leg in a few days. Please make sure to keep your mind and body relaxed and listen to music more often."
Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Shu walked in, turned around and grinned, "The princess has arrived. His Highness is recovering very well. He can start treating his leg in a few days. I'll go prepare the medicine. The princess can keep His Highness company for a chat."
"Alright, thank you, Elder Peng." As he spoke, he arrived at the Crown Prince's bedside. Elder Peng packed his medicine box, made way for him, and left the side hall.
"Brother Crown Prince, are you feeling any better?" Zhao Shu sat down and asked the Crown Prince, without mentioning what happened yesterday.
The Crown Prince smiled, a smile that was much deeper, but also less bitter and forced. "Much better." After he finished speaking, he took a box from the bedside and handed it to Zhao Shu. "This is a birthday gift for A-Jun. I hope A-Jun won't think that her brother gave it to her so late."
Zhao Shu accepted it, and overjoyed, her nose tingled and her eyes welled up with tears. "Thank you, Crown Prince. It's no trouble at all. I don't mind what you give me, Crown Prince."
"Open it and take a look." The Crown Prince reached out and patted her head affectionately. Zhao Shu was moved, and so was he. When everyone else abandoned him, only this cousin stayed by his side and helped him. He knew about Hao Jie's situation, and it was precisely because he knew that he felt even more heartache.
If it weren't for Zhao Shu, he really wouldn't know how to deal with Hao Jie and his son. One was his maternal grandfather, and the other was his maternal uncle. Both were his mother's closest relatives. Should he kill them or not?
If they are killed, where will the Empress Dowager be held hostage?
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