Perhaps the medicine the Imperial Hospital had worked on overnight had a miraculous effect; Xu Nuo felt much better the next day. He still looked listless, though, likely still upset by yesterday's events.
Wang Hai could only guess that he was upset by the Regent's humiliation. Biyu brought today's medicine, this time with a dish of candied fruit. Xu Nuo drank the medicine quickly and stuffed a piece of candied fruit into his mouth to chew.
Seeing that he had finished eating, Biyu tentatively said, "Your Majesty, the Regent requests an audience."
Xu Nuo hummed reluctantly, "Let him in."
A moment later, Xiao Jinyan appeared in his sight. The man was still the same, reserved and indifferent, unable to tell whether he was happy or angry.
"Your Majesty," Xiao Jinyan nodded calmly. Even though he had performed the formalities, it was a privilege granted to him by the late emperor. The original novel's Xu Nuo was extremely dissatisfied with this, but the current Xu Nuo had no problem with it.
"What brings the Emperor's uncle here today?"
Xu Nuo lowered his eyes and still didn't look at him as if he was angry.
"I see that Your Majesty looks much better today. I believe you will recover soon."
Xu Nuo hummed but didn't answer.
"Last night, I ordered someone to compile portraits of the young women in the capital who are waiting to be married. After Your Majesty recovers, you can hold a flower viewing banquet and invite these women."
"Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, the Central Palace has been vacant for a long time. You can put the selection of concubines on the agenda."
Xu Nuo raised his eyes and looked at him slightly absentmindedly, his eyes full of hurt and confusion, like a fawn caught by someone he trusted.
Xiao Jinyan's heart skipped a beat, but he suppressed the strange feeling in his heart and stood respectfully aside as usual.
Xu Nuo was about to cry again, and Wang Hai hurried out to smooth things over.
"Your Majesty, His Majesty has only recently recovered, and the Imperial Physician said it would be best for him to stay away from pollen."
Xiao Jinyan nodded and looked at Xu Nuo, who was lying on the bed with his back turned, "I have overstepped my bounds."
"Get out." The young man on the bed spoke, his voice trembling with a hint of crying.
Xiao Jinyan stood there in a daze, unable to control the urge to go forward and wipe away his tears.
"Get out!" Xu Nuo suddenly raised his voice and stopped Xiao Jinyan who was about to stretch out his hand.
"Yes." Xiao Jinyan paused for a moment, put away his distracted mood, and left the Funing Palace.
Wang Hai stepped forward cautiously, and sure enough, he saw Xu Nuo, who had her back to him, crying again. "Oh, Your Majesty, please don't cry. Next time, I will fight to the death and not let the Regent in."
Xu Nuo sniffed and nodded vigorously.
That night, Xu Nuo indeed developed a fever. The imperial physician who rushed over knelt on the ground. After examining Xu Nuo's pulse, the doctor said that his condition had worsened due to excessive emotional fluctuations and worry, and that the sudden fever had caused him to have such a severe illness.
Xiao Jinyan heard in the mansion that the little emperor suddenly started to have a fever and was so sick that he was unconscious. He didn't even have time for the coachman to harness the carriage and rode his mount all the way to the palace.
In front of the Funing Palace, a group of palace maids were coming in and out, and several imperial doctors were standing together outside the palace.
"Your Highness!" The imperial physician knelt down to pay his respects upon seeing him coming.
"How is His Majesty?" Xiao Jinyan had a cold aura and walked into the hall without stopping.
"Your Majesty's health has been weak to begin with, and now his emotions are fluctuating greatly during his illness. He is depressed and frustrated. If he can survive tonight, his life will be safe..."
Xiao Jinyan's mood dropped even lower as he walked in.
The young man in bright yellow lingerie on the bed had an abnormally flushed face and a look of pain. His face was even paler in the candlelight.
"Hubby... woof", Xu Nuo would occasionally utter a mumbling sound, and Xiao Jinyan leaned closer to hear it clearly.
"Husband?" Xiao Jinyan frowned, but didn't say anything. He reached out to check Xu Nuo's temperature.
The boy's forehead was burning hot and he was deep in a nightmare, but he kept whispering that he was cold.
Wang Hai wiped his sweat anxiously and said, "I've already sent someone to get a hot water bottle."
It was spring and summer, and all the hot water bottles in the palace had been stored in the warehouse. Xu Nuo suddenly reached out and grabbed Xiao Jinyan's sleeve before he could move away.
"husband……"
Hearing the name again, Xiao Jinyan reached back and held his small hand tightly in his palm, then added, "I'm here."
Xu Nuo's brow seemed to relax a little.
"Your Majesty, the medicine is ready." Doctor Xu came in with a bowl of medicine.
Wang Hai hurriedly took it. Xiao Jinyan sat down beside the bed, half-picked up Xu Nuo, wrapped him in a quilt, and with his other hand picked up a spoon, scooped up a spoonful of medicine, and put it to his lips to cool it down.
"Your Majesty, take your medicine."
Xu Nuo naturally did not respond, and the medicine that was against his lips flowed out from the corner of his mouth.
Wang Hai was getting anxious when he saw the Regent drink the medicine without hesitation and then lowered his head to kiss the emperor's lips.
This time no liquid flowed out.
Wang Hai was dragged away by Xu Yuanpan. Xiao Jinyan didn't even raise his eyes as he fed the boy medicine mouthful after mouthful. When the bowl of medicine was empty, the boy closed his eyes and rubbed against his arms.
"Husband...Nono..." Xiao Jinyan didn't hear clearly, but still responded to him softly.
"I'm here, don't be afraid, Nuonuo."
"Ding! Heartbeat value 50!"
Xu Nuo grabbed Xiao Jinyan's hand and slept in his arms all night in a daze, sweating a little. Xiao Jinyan turned his head and saw that it was already bright outside. His arm also felt a little numb.
Gently putting the already asleep Xu Nuo back on the couch, Xiao Jinyan gathered his clothes and walked out of Funing Palace.
Wang Hai, who was standing outside, immediately came forward and said, "Your Majesty, His Majesty..."
"He's fine now. Doctor Xu and I will keep a close eye on His Majesty."
His Majesty was seriously ill, and the Regent took charge of the government. He had not slept a wink all night, and there were some dark circles under the man's eyes, but he rushed to the front court without stopping.
Wang Hai looked at Xiao Jinyan's departing back, then looked at the little emperor who had finally fallen asleep peacefully in the room. He felt that it was just the retribution for his own actions, Xiao Jinyan.
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