Chapter 20: The seriously ill princess was pale, her black hair was spread out, and her lips...
Xie Jing, who was wearing pajamas and had disheveled hair, had no desire to sleep at the moment. He sat wrapped in a quilt with his knees hugged, feeling very confused.
Was Yu Qing's heartfelt analysis today considered? What should he do? Tomorrow, he would just pretend he knew nothing and carry on as usual.
Wouldn't that be too cruel to him?
Qiying said that Yu Qing had never been involved in romantic affairs before, and was devoted to his country, not even having a favorite person. Now, he was suddenly given a marriage, and despite the fact that his wife's identity was a hot potato, he still treated her like a treasure. But it turned out that his wife was actually a man, and his feelings were doomed to fail...
Xie Jing's pressure was doubled.
Otherwise, why not act with him?
He imagined himself and a man in love and harmony, and suddenly he was struck by lightning. He really couldn't do it. If they hugged each other, he was afraid he would vomit.
Every time Yu Qing touched his hand or made contact with him, he actually felt uncomfortable and numb. His hands were too hot for Xie Jing, and his eyes were too intense.
The sword light was as fast as a meteor, the man holding the sword turned around and smiled, and the scene under the moon tonight suddenly appeared in his mind again.
Yu Qingsheng was indeed… not bad looking. He had delicate features, rosy lips and white teeth, and a clear, refined temperament. His voice was also pleasant, warm and clear. When slightly tipsy, his cheeks flushed slightly, his eyes and eyebrows were smiling, and he almost looked spirited.
He had embraced Xie Jing by the pool, and had also killed the snake that Xie Jing feared the most with a sword. Now when Xie Jing thought of it, his heart would inevitably beat fast... and so on.
Why think about these things?
The terrible question emerged again: Could it be that I really am a homosexual?
Absolutely not!
Even if it was Yu Qing, it would be impossible!
I couldn't sleep, no matter what I did, I couldn't fall asleep. The pillow was hard, the quilt was stiff, the candlelight was glaring, everything was uncomfortable. The fabric inside the bed curtains rubbed against each other, and I tossed and turned.
Xie Jing really didn't want to face Yu Qing and just wanted to avoid her.
If Yu Qing continues her courtship tomorrow by following her actions tonight and wants to get closer to him, how should he respond?
Xie Jing was so confused that he went crazy.
Burying his fingers in his hair, Xie Jing sighed deeply, then parted the curtain.
"Qiu Lian? Qiu Lian?"
Qiu Lian, who was about to go to sleep in the outer room, came in upon hearing this: "Your Highness, why haven't you rested yet?"
Xie Jing: "Please get the medicine for me."
Qiu Lian was stunned: "...Why did your highness think of this? I'll remember it for you. It's not time yet. Just take it in a few days."
"It's only a few days away anyway," Xie Jing said, "Let's just eat it tonight."
The medicine they were talking about was the secret medicine from Nanzhao that they had brought back from the imperial concubine's palace last time. Xie Jing had taken one pill every two or three months since he was ten years old to soften his tendons and suppress bone growth.
The effect of the medicine was extremely painful, practically breaking all the meridians and bones in the body. The imperial physician was unable to diagnose the cause and only concluded that it was a relapse of the princess's old illness.
Therefore, he used to fall seriously ill several times every year and would not leave the palace for ten days or half a month claiming to be sick.
"Tomorrow morning, tell Yu Qing that I'm sick and there's no need to come and pay my respects."
Xie Jing picked up the pitch-black pill from the brocade box, frowned, swallowed it, and then fell back onto the bed dejectedly.
Late at night, a familiar pain vaguely came up.
Xie Jing slowly exhaled in the darkness. Even though he had to deal with the effects of the drug, it was still good to be able to temporarily suppress his worries. He hoped to have some peace and quiet for the next few days.
The next day, Huaifeng Pavilion.
"The princess has feelings for me?" Yu Qing asked blankly, "What do you mean?"
Qiying said helplessly: "You yourself can't feel it at all?"
Yu Qing was putting on her hair and crown, preparing to go to Wenhua Garden. She and the princess had always treated each other with respect, nothing had changed, at best they had become more familiar with each other.
"It's all right..." Yu Qing said, "By the way, I have to go to court in a few days. I'll find time to go to Tanyin Temple to burn some scriptures. I'd like to ask the princess if she wants to go with me."
At this time, news came from outside that someone had arrived from Wenhuayuan.
"My Lord, Miss Qiu Lian sent me to inform you that His Highness is not feeling well today. Please do not go to pay your respects."
Yu Qing was startled and asked, "What do you mean by 'poor'? What happened to Her Highness?"
This servant was just a messenger and didn't usually serve closely, so naturally he didn't know anything.
Yu Qing became uneasy. She said, "No, I'll go over and take a look first."
"Hey, Prince, please put on your hair crown..." Qiying said, but Yu Qing had already put on his clothes and went out.
She took two steps at a time and quickly arrived at the entrance of Wenhuayuan.
After waiting for a while, Qiu Lian appeared from behind the main hall, and Yu Qing hurriedly stood up.
"Why is the Prince Consort here again?" Qiu Lian hesitated, "I should have sent someone to pass on the message..."
"Is Qingjia sick? I'm worried."
Qiu Lian sighed and said, "Your Highness is suffering from an old illness that has been with him for a long time. Your Highness, don't worry. Your servants will take good care of your Highness."
"Old illness? What do you mean?"
Yu Qing had initially assumed the princess had caught a cold, but upon hearing about the old illness, she felt it was more complicated than that. She only knew Qingjia was frail, and had no idea she had any old illness.
"Can I go in and take a look?"
Qiu Lian paused and said, "This... Your Highness hasn't washed yet, and it's inconvenient for him to get up. I'm afraid this isn't appropriate."
Qingjia had always been dignified and elegant, and she might not want to show her sickness. But none of this mattered; Yu Qing just wanted to know her condition.
Yu Qing said, "Miss Qiu Lian, could you please pass the message on for me and tell me that Yu Qing wants to see you?"
Qiu Lian: “…Yes.”
While Yu Qing was on the way, he had already asked his servant to go to the best clinic to invite a famous doctor to come to his house, and no one knew how long it would take for the doctor to arrive.
Could it be that because I stayed outside for half a day last night and drank cold wine, I caught a cold and developed the symptoms?
Thinking of this, Yu Qing almost blamed himself. He should have sent the princess back to her room properly.
The prince consort insisted on coming, and Qiu Lian reluctantly explained the reason to Xie Jing.
Xie Jing felt even more upset when he heard that Yu Qing, this troublesome guy, actually came to visit him.
...What a stubborn person.
But it is also something Yu Qing can do.
It's understandable for a husband to worry about his sick wife, but making excuses and refusing to see her is also suspicious. Just send her away as soon as you meet her.
"Yes, I understand."
Qiu Lian returned to the front hall and saw Yu Qing still standing there, not wanting to sit down.
She hadn't looked carefully just now, but now she realized that the prince, who was usually well-dressed, seemed to have come in a hurry, and his hairband was loose.
"Qiu Lian, what do you say?" Yu Qing asked.
"Your Highness is awake, I can take you in to take a look. But don't stay too long. Your Highness didn't sleep much last night. He will take medicine soon and needs to rest."
Yu Qing: "Have you been feeling unwell since last night? Didn't sleep all night?"
"Um."
Yu Qing asked anxiously, "Why did you tell me this morning? You should have asked someone to treat His Highness sooner."
Qiu Lian pursed her lips and said, "No need to call a doctor. We always have medicine on hand. Don't worry, Prince Consort."
She was slow and measured, but Yu Qing felt very nervous.
They say that when the emperor isn't anxious, the eunuchs are. When the master is sick, the maids have to rush to the rescue. Why is Miss Qiu Lian so calm? Yu Qing couldn't calm down anyway.
"Your Highness's body is worth a million dollars. What if something goes wrong?"
As they were talking, they walked out from the back of the hall without stopping and came to Qingjia's bedroom.
Afraid of disturbing the princess, Yu Qing subconsciously lowered his voice.
Qiu Lian pushed open the door, and inside the room, the long and rich smell of medicine hit her in the face, covering up the light fragrance.
Yu Qing came to the princess' bedside, the curtains half drawn. He was startled when he saw her. He had known Qing Jia was not well, but he had not imagined it was this serious.
The princess's face was pale, her black hair was disheveled, and her lips were bloodless.
"...Your Highness?" Yu Qing called softly.
Hearing the sound, Qingjia's long eyelashes like feather fans trembled and she opened her eyes.
"How do you feel?"
"It's okay," Qing Jia frowned and said, "You look sick and haggard, and I'm disgusted by you. I didn't want you to come here."
The princess' voice was hoarse and weak, and Yu Qing's heart ached as if it were being pricked by needles.
How could she possibly dislike her? Qingjia was still a sick beauty even when she was sick, which would only make people more anxious.
You were smiling under the pavilion yesterday, why are you so sick today?
"It's my fault. I was delayed too long last night. I must have caught a cold in the pavilion."
Qing Jia forced a smile upon hearing this: "That has nothing to do with it. I've had this illness for years, but it hasn't flared up in my residence. I've gotten used to it in the palace. It's really nothing. It will heal on its own in a few days."
How could it be nothing?
"Don't talk for now, let me see." Yu Qing held Qingjia's wrist.
Xie Jing: “!”
He subconsciously wanted to pull his hand back, but all the bones in his body were sore and he naturally had no strength.
Yu Qing frowned, and the warm touch passed through his fingertips to Xie Jing's wrist.
Xie Jing: “…”
He gritted his teeth and wondered when this habit of attacking others at the slightest disagreement would disappear.
Although Yu Qing wasn't well-versed in medical theory, she had practiced martial arts for many years and was sensitive to the flow of qi and blood through the meridians. She could even tell the severity of a problem by its pulse. Right now, Qingjia's pulse was chaotic, rising and falling weakly, as if her qi and blood were stagnant.
These are clearly symptoms only seen in a seriously ill person.
"What medicine is Your Highness using?" she asked Qiu Lian.
"Dong Li is currently decocting the prescription that the imperial physician has been prescribing. Your Highness will feel better after taking it."
"That won't do..."
Qing Jia closed his eyes again. Qiu Lian beside him reminded him, "Your Highness must be tired. I will help you take the medicine and rest. Your Highness, please go back first."
After leaving Wenhua Garden, Yu Qing asked someone to get his token, prepare the horse and carriage, and headed straight for the palace after leaving the Marquis' Mansion.
It is no longer reliable to ask the servants to go to the outside clinic to ask for help. We must find the imperial physician.
Qing Jia's deathbed made her extremely anxious, and she was suddenly outside the palace walls. She showed the guard her badge and went straight to the Imperial Hospital.
"Which imperial physician has examined the Seventh Princess? Her Highness fell ill last night. The carriage is ready. Please accompany me to the Xuanbei Marquis's residence."
Several imperial doctors stroked their beards and looked at each other.
"Doctor Li, could you please take the Seventh Princess's pulse more?"
"I'm on duty today and can't leave the palace. Where's Doctor Sun?"
"I'm preparing a prescription for a tranquilizer for the Empress. Where's Lord Zhao?"
"I'm going to Jinxiu Palace to check my pulse later..."
Yu Qing said, "Since you have all treated the princess, why don't you all come with me? The carriage is spacious and has plenty of room."
"This..." Doctor Sun said, "Your Excellency, the Crown Prince may not know that the Seventh Princess has been ill for some time. It's a congenital weakness. It's just a normal prescription and decoction. It doesn't matter whether she goes or not. So, I'll have the medicine boy prepare some medicine according to the prescription..."
"What do you mean it's the same?" Yu Qing was already losing his patience.
These imperial doctors didn't care at all. Not only did they not take Qingjia's condition seriously, they also hinted that they were making a big deal out of nothing.
"I've already told you that the Seventh Princess is in a bad condition, yet you're still not taking your time. If something were to happen, would you be able to handle it?" Yu Qing frowned. "Have you always been so indifferent to the princess?"
Having served in the military for many years, Yu Qing has an aura of majesty even though he is not fierce.
"This... I dare not neglect it, how could I neglect it..."
Several imperial doctors were shocked by her words and realized that this young marquis was not a scholar. Imperial Doctor Sun began to pack up his medicine box.
"Whether it's a new or old illness, please have your Highness examine it carefully," Yu Qing said. "I'll report this to the palace later. Please stay at the Marquis' Mansion for the next few days."
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