Chapter 9 A Respectful Couple
Jiang Fenghua's pupils widened in shock. She stared blankly at Xie Shang's face, which remained as cold and hard as ever. His movements were even more rude as he placed her on the soft couch, showing no tenderness whatsoever. "Before the imperial physician arrives, I will first examine you to see if any bones are broken."
"Your Highness can do that too?" A glint of light flashed in Jiang Fenghua's beautiful eyes.
Xie Shang didn't want to explain that this was common sense for a soldier, but unfortunately he could never go to the battlefield again. His father, the emperor, disliked him and had given up on him.
Xie Shang personally lifted her skirt and took off her shoes and socks. He saw that her flawless jade feet were red and her ankles were swollen. He pressed them lightly with his fingers, and Jiang Fenghua's tears rolled down her cheeks instantly from the pain.
Xie Shang looked at the beautiful woman with tears welling up in her eyes, biting her handkerchief without saying a word, and said, "If it hurts, just shout it out. Shouting it out will make you feel better."
Jiang Fenghua wept uncontrollably, her eyes tightly shut, and she shook her head. Because of the unbearable pain, she even began to bite the back of her hand.
Xie Shang had never seen a woman so afraid of pain. He hadn't even started yet, and it would hurt even more when he applied ice later.
"No bones are broken, just a sprain. Apply ice first, then medicine." Xie Shang then instructed a palace maid to fetch ice.
She asked, "Your Highness, does it hurt when you apply the medicine?"
"It will hurt, but just bear with it," he said.
Jiang Fenghua pulled her legs back and curled up on the soft couch, her brows furrowed tightly. Her eyes, like deep lakes, were filled with glistening tears, and the teardrops on her cheeks were like pearls, her fair face flushed, making her look heartbreakingly beautiful.
"Let's stop applying the medicine. It won't hurt as much if we don't move it. Let it heal on its own," Jiang Fenghua said.
"If you don't apply ice and medicine, your foot will never get better, and you'll be lame," Xie Shang deliberately threatened her.
Jiang Fenghua was so frightened that she straightened her legs again and kicked her foot into his arms. "I can endure it. I don't want to become a cripple."
Xie Shang shook his head helplessly. Soon, a palace maid brought ice. Xie Shang instructed the maid to apply ice to Jiang Fenghua's ankle, but as soon as the ice touched her ankle, tears streamed down her face like broken pearls. Her lips trembled slightly with pain, and she kept crying out, "Be gentle, it hurts..."
Seeing this, the palace maid dared not exert any force. If she touched her even slightly, she would tremble in pain.
Xie Shang couldn't bear to watch any longer. "How can the swelling go down without some effort?"
The palace maid dared not disobey and tried to increase the force, which made Jiang Fenghua bite her hand so hard that it bled.
Seeing that she looked like she was about to faint from the pain, Xie Shang said to the palace maids, "The force is not right. I will do it. You may all step back."
The palace maid breathed a sigh of relief and quickly stepped aside.
Xie Shang sat on a low stool, gently holding her delicate feet in his hands. His cool fingertips lightly circled her ankles, trying to help her gradually get used to the pain. He said, "Don't bite your hands anymore, or you'll have to get your hands treated again. Hold my arm and think about something else to distract yourself."
Jiang Fenghua nodded obediently and placed her hands on his arms. The next second, when the ice touched the painful spot, she suddenly gripped it tightly and pinched it hard. Xie Shang felt her strength increase, and he was afraid that his arm would be pinched purple. But at least she didn't move around anymore. He continued to circle her to reduce the swelling. When the pain became unbearable, she suddenly hugged his shoulders and pinched his shoulder and back with her fingers.
Xie Shang frowned slightly, his handsome features flushed, and the girl's fragrance wafted over as her cheek brushed against his ear, sending shivers down his spine.
After a series of movements, and after an unknown amount of time, her ankle finally felt a little better and the swelling subsided.
Jiang Fenghua seemed to faint from the pain, her consciousness hazy as she slumped into his arms. At this moment, her forehead and brows were covered in fine sweat, and her body seemed to be soaked with sweat as well. Her fragrant, sweaty appearance was pitiful and endearing.
Xie Shang's throat bobbed, his heart pounded, and Jiang Fenghua snuggled against him, quite unruly. Luckily, there were only the two of them in the palace; otherwise, if the palace maids and eunuchs saw them like this, they would think that the two of them had just done something shameful.
Outside the palace, Empress Cheng instructed the imperial physician to leave behind medicine for her bruises and injuries before letting him depart.
A faint smile played on her lips, making one reluctant to enter the hall and disturb her.
Granny Xi whispered in her ear, "This old servant has never seen the Prince so patient. If the Princess Consort can win the Prince's favor, it will relieve the Empress of her worries. As for the Su family's daughter..."
"Shang'er is sentimental, and he will never give up Su Tingwan for Jiang Fenghua. Now it depends on whether Shang'er can take Jiang Fenghua seriously."
"Yes," Granny Xi added, "Such a delicate and beautiful girl, it's no wonder the prince is tempted."
“Since His Majesty has agreed to appoint Shang’er as the Prefect of the Capital, it means that His Majesty has not completely given up on him. With Shang’er’s intelligence, he will surely achieve great things.” Jiang Fenghua was right. Only when Shang’er was under His Majesty’s watchful eye could His Majesty remember that he had such an outstanding eldest son.
When they returned to their residence, Empress Cheng feigned exhaustion and did not come out to see them, telling them to go back to their residence on their own.
Jiang Fenghua had her medicine applied and her foot wrapped in bandages; Xie Shang carried her into the carriage.
Back at the Prince Heng's residence, Xie Shang carried her into the bedroom and turned to leave, but Jiang Fenghua quickly called out to him, "Your Highness..."
Xie Shang was taken aback. "What is it?"
"Thank you," Jiang Fenghua said gently.
Xie Shang said in a deep voice, "It was Mother who accidentally frightened you, which caused you to fall and twist your ankle. No need to thank me."
She said eagerly, "Thank you for everything, including the last time and the time before that."
Xie Shang paused, realizing she was referring to her wedding day and the time she almost fell off the carriage in the palace.
He instructed Hongxiu, "Be careful not to get your feet wet when you bathe, and don't get out of bed for the next few days." When he held her, he could clearly feel that her clothes were soaked with sweat, and she was covered in sweat, so she probably wouldn't be able to fall asleep easily.
Xie Shang himself didn't realize that he seemed to have accepted Jiang Fenghua as his wife, and their way of getting along was just like that of a respectful and courteous couple.
Hongxiu replied respectfully, "Yes, this servant will be careful."
After Xie Shang left, Jiang Fenghua sat up straight, her expression returning to normal. She raised her water glass and took a sip: "Prepare some water."
Hongxiu said, "Your Highness, what happened between you and the Prince in the palace? Why did the Prince carry you back and say those things... It seemed like the Prince was concerned about you."
"Don't overthink it. He treats other women the same way, especially Su Tingwan, he's particularly gentle with her." Jiang Fenghua's shy expression vanished instantly, replaced by a calm demeanor.
"Oh." Hongxiu didn't understand why her mistress wasn't moved. The prince was so handsome and charming; any woman would be attracted to such a man!
After taking a bath, Jiang Fenghua had someone place the Four Treasures of the Study (writing brush, ink stick, inkstone, and paper) on her desk and began to calmly practice calligraphy.
Xie Shang won't be coming tonight, so he has no reason to enter the bridal chamber. She has to think of a way.
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