Chapter 58 The sickly fox watched the once bright person slowly being sculpted...
The charcoal fire inside burned very brightly, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere. The curtains were drawn, blocking some of the sunlight, making the room slightly dim.
When the fox woke up, he found himself lying on the couch. He stretched out his fingers, twitched them slightly, and then pulled them back under the covers.
Lying there blankly in bed was getting really boring, so he decided to get up and read a storybook.
But the fox had a wicked idea: if he could make the medicine take effect and fall asleep, would he not have to take it?
I'm so smart!
So the fox closed its eyes tightly, lay straight, and remained motionless, intending to pretend to be asleep.
A series of hurried footsteps came from outside the door, which was gently pushed open, and someone tiptoed in.
The fox recognized the footsteps; it was Tinglan.
The bad fox and the good fox in my mind started fighting again, and in the end, the good fox surprisingly gained the upper hand and successfully defeated the bad fox.
After all, Tinglan would be scared if he kept his eyes closed.
He didn't want Tinglan to be afraid.
Ji Qing opened her eyes, steeled her resolve, and thought, "Oh well, I'll just have to take the medicine. It'll all be over once I close my eyes."
"Your Highness has woken up."
The fox smiled broadly, "You're awake."
"His Highness just fainted in the garden."
The fox stubbornly insisted, "I didn't faint; I just fell asleep."
"Okay, it's asleep." Tinglan stroked the fox's fur.
“There’s nothing major going on these next few days. When you go out to relax again, I’ll go with you, okay?” Tinglan spoke gently, raising his hand to lightly stroke the fox’s forehead, but his eyes were filled with an unyielding sadness.
The fox reluctantly nodded. Going out with Tinglan meant he couldn't play the fox chasing its tail game anymore, which was a real shame. But being with Tinglan was still wonderful.
The fox sat up, with several soft cushions behind him.
The Ninth Prince sat by the couch, holding a small silver knife in his hand, slowly peeling a pear.
The pear flesh was snow-white, cut and placed on a white porcelain plate, then brought to the fox's mouth.
"Would you like some?"
The fox happily opened its mouth, took a big bite, chewed it for a while, and exclaimed with great satisfaction, "Sweet! Delicious!"
The young prince has really lost weight these past few days. The soft flesh on both sides of his cheeks has thinned, and his skin and flesh are almost sticking to his bones. His once rosy lips have also lost their color, and he looks like a snow sculpture.
But he still forced a smile...
Tinglan looked away, bent down to help the fox up, and removed the cushion so he could lie down. "Your Highness, please rest well. Once you've recovered, we'll go out and have some fun."
The fox lay obediently and nodded emphatically.
But as soon as Tinglan left, he secretly brought up some storybooks to read.
News of Prince An's serious illness spread quickly after he fainted.
The next day, people came to Changqiu Palace.
Prince Ning sat casually by the bed, but lowered his voice and asked cautiously, "Why are you sick? Did Tinglan bully you? Tell your brother, and your brother will stand up for you."
The fox quickly waved his hand, "No."
Prince Ning sighed, "Father is ill, you are ill, and my brother has been acting strangely lately."
He realized he had said something he shouldn't have, and immediately scratched his head. "Never mind, never mind, I won't talk to you about these unpleasant things. Just focus on getting better. I brought you some tonics."
Upon hearing the word "medicine," the fox's face fell, and he nodded reluctantly, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Zhou Yiqing didn't use the main gate; he climbed over the wall to get in. He had some pills in his pocket and listened in the backyard for a long time to make sure there was no noise inside before sneaking in.
The fox had done the same thing every time it brought him food before, but now that it was Zhou Yiqing's turn, he felt very uncomfortable.
"Xiao Jiqing, what's wrong with you?" He asked in a panic, circling the bed. "This shouldn't be happening. You're usually as healthy as an ox."
The fox replied softly, "I don't know."
The Taoist priest's eyes widened. "Even the imperial physician couldn't find anything?"
The fox shook its head.
Zhou Yiqing held her head in her hands, her thoughts wandering, trying to think of external reasons, "Is it because the palace is a bad place? Is it bringing you bad luck?"
He actually wanted to ask if it was Tinglanke's fox, but he dared not speak because of the Ninth Prince's tyrannical power.
"No, no, you look too scary. I'll try to send a message to your sister and ask her to come and take you back."
"But the tribulation hasn't been overcome yet..."
"Oh dear, don't even think about transcending tribulation at this point. Just being able to save your life is good enough. Listen to me, I'll go deliver the message." The Taoist priest slapped his thigh anxiously. "Even if you don't go back, it would be good to have your sister think of a solution."
The fox lowered its head and remained silent.
He didn't want to leave; he didn't want to be separated from Tinglan.
It's just occasionally spitting out a mouthful or two of blood, and then suddenly falling asleep. It doesn't hurt or itch. Maybe sleeping more will even help you grow taller. It shouldn't be a big deal.
Why do you have to leave?
The fox sullenly buried its face in the blanket.
Tinglan was sitting by the window at that moment, and through the bright window, he could clearly see the people coming and going in the courtyard.
He had no idea that the little prince knew so many people.
It's so good that so many people care about Your Highness.
But with so many people coming, it might disturb His Highness's rest. Tinglan lowered the curtain, left the window, and turned to instruct the eunuch beside her.
"Your Highness is going to rest now. Please have the guests leave."
Yu Wenhuai happened to be at the entrance. His information was not as readily available as that of the princes and nobles. He had just heard about the matter and rushed over.
He lifted the thick curtain at the door and carefully entered.
The room reeked of medicine.
Through the hanging semi-transparent curtains, one could vaguely see a figure lying on the bed.
It seems she has already fallen asleep.
Yu Wenhuai hesitated for a moment at the door, then decided not to disturb them any longer and was about to leave.
Suddenly, the curtain was lifted, and the fox poked its head out, beckoning to him mysteriously, "Could you bring me the snacks on the table?"
The fox had just tucked his storybook under his buttocks.
Hehe, now it's perfect to have someone bring over the snacks, what a delightful life!
Yu Wenhuai smiled and looked down. "Your Highness seems to be in good spirits."
"I'm fine, nothing's wrong." The fox, holding the plate of snacks, began to munch on them.
A look of worry appeared on Yu Wenhuai's face. Suddenly remembering some bad news, he tilted his head and glanced at the door, then leaned down and asked in a low voice.
"Has anyone forced Your Highness?"
The fox chewed on its snacks, somewhat puzzled.
Forced? Does forcing me to take medicine count?
Before he could answer, a young eunuch respectfully knocked on the door. "His Highness is unwell and needs to rest. Please leave now, sir."
Yu Wenhuai's hand suddenly trembled, and he turned around stiffly. Then he stood up and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, take care."
The fox, completely unaware of what he was thinking, smiled and waved at him.
Yu Wenhuai had only taken a few steps when he suddenly heard a violent coughing sound behind him, and he turned around abruptly.
The young prince's pale face flushed an unnatural red from coughing. He slumped halfway off the bed, his fingers covering his lips, his brows furrowed.
"Is Your Highness alright?" Yu Wenhuai was shocked and quickly stepped forward.
The fox took a few deep breaths, straightened up, lowered its fingers, and said in a hoarse voice, "I'm fine."
It's just a slightly itchy throat, nothing serious. Eating some snacks or chicken legs will help soothe it.
Yu Wenhuai was suddenly stunned. He noticed with his sharp eyes that there was a smear of crimson on the little prince's drooping fingers.
Hearing the commotion, the eunuch outside rushed in and helped the fox up. "Your Highness, are you alright? The imperial physician will be here soon."
Yu Wenhuai stood there dumbfounded. "Your Highness coughed up blood."
The young eunuch was startled and hurriedly took the pills from the cabinet next to him and handed them to the fox.
"Thank you very much, Lord Yu. His Highness is seriously ill and is truly unable to receive guests. Please return home first."
Yu Wenhuai nodded slightly, turned and left, his heart filled with turbulent emotions.
He was almost certain that this young eunuch was no ordinary palace servant.
Otherwise, how could I have recognized him at a glance?
It seems that someone has indeed planted spies in Changqiu Palace, and they are doing so with impunity, as if they have nothing to fear.
Yu Wenhuai left quickly, his mind preoccupied the whole way. This matter was clearly beyond his control...
After the guests left, Tinglan came out from the side room. The imperial physician had already examined the fox's pulse again and was saying the same old things, like that it needed to rest.
The fox lay sprawled on the bed, utterly bored, feeling its non-existent tail aching from lying there.
A perfectly healthy fox, lying around like this will ruin it.
"I want to go out of the palace to play." The fox tugged at Tinglan's sleeve.
"The imperial physician said that Your Highness cannot go out now."
"I don't care, I want to go out and have fun. It doesn't have to be today, tomorrow is fine too."
Tinglan remained silent.
The fox continued to whine, tugging at his sleeve and refusing to let go, "Okay? I'll go buy some delicious food, and we won't feel the wind while we're in the car."
Tinglan sighed, "Let's talk about it once His Highness's condition has stabilized."
The fox lay back down with a thud, like a soulless salted fish.
Oh my god, being sick is really awful.
The Nine Thousand Years Old ultimately couldn't outwit the fox.
On a sunny midday, the fox was wrapped in a thick crane cloak, wearing a veiled hat to block the wind, with a thin gauze curtain hanging down from the cloak to obscure his face.
As the car drove further and further away, the fox nestled in the soft, embroidered cushions, peering out through the curtains in a blurry manner.
There were vendors outside selling small balls and similar items.
"Does Your Highness wish to buy one?" Tinglan asked.
Ji Qing shook her head. "I don't play those childish games."
The ball was for the fox; he's a person now and doesn't play with balls anymore.
Tinglan lowered her eyes and remained silent.
You know how playful and energetic he used to be, so seeing him so quiet now, you can't lie to yourself.
His Highness is really very ill and doesn't even have the strength to play.
It's truly a cruel thing to watch someone who was once so bright with life slowly wither away.
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Author's note: I'm so sorry [please], I had a dinner party tonight and got home late, so the update is late.
Anyway, Happy New Year everyone! [Fireworks][Fireworks] May 2026 bring you all the best and may all your wishes come true! [Fireworks][Fireworks][Fireworks]
Love you all!!
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