Shang Shaoyan glanced at the gradually warming weather outside the window and laughed, "The Northern Zhou can't sit still anymore."
As she said this, she remembered Qiao Xiuyu, who hadn't left the mansion since returning yesterday, and hurriedly said to Shang Yunlan, "Go and tell someone in the mansion that I'm too sick to get out of bed... It doesn't matter if other people know or not, but Qiao Zhuo has to know."
Shang Yunlan: "..."
He was rather speechless: "If you want him to care about you, why don't you just have someone talk to him directly?"
Shang Shaoyan glared at him: "So you've been single all this time."
Shang Yunlan: "..."
It's not very harmful, but extremely insulting.
However, seeing Shang Shaoyan's cheerful appearance, she couldn't bring herself to refuse and could only resign herself to leaving.
...
Shiyi noticed that his young master had started acting strangely ever since he returned to the manor yesterday.
One moment she's frowning with worry, the next she's blushing and smiling, and she sighs from time to time; her expressions change faster than turning the pages of a book.
Eleven was very worried about Qiao Xiuyu, after all, he was the Emperor and Empress's most beloved youngest son, and besides, he had served Qiao Xiuyu since he was a child, so it would be a lie to say that he had no feelings for him: "Is the young master ill? Should we send someone to take a look?"
Qiao Xiuyu was somewhat puzzled: "I don't feel uncomfortable anywhere."
Eleven was skeptical: "Young master, please don't try to fool me. You need to get well soon. What if... finds out?"
Just then, Bai Lu, who had just come in and was on a mission to deliver a message, was worried about not having a reason to mention the county princess's illness. Now that she had returned and heard this, she quickly seized the opportunity and said in a nonchalant tone, "If he is not feeling well, there happens to be a royal physician in the manor. Why don't you ask him to come and take a look at Young Master Lu?"
Eleven was immediately happy and wanted to agree, but then she saw Qiao Xiuyu frowning and asking with concern, "Why did the county princess bring back a royal physician from the palace? Is something wrong with the county princess? Is she ill?"
Bai Lu thought to herself, "No wonder the county princess cherishes Lu Langjun so much. Look how he thinks of the county princess all the time. How thoughtful and meticulous he is!"
Thinking this way, she couldn't help but become more sincere. Following Shang Yunlan's instructions, she said, "The county princess didn't want the young master to know, fearing that the illness would affect you; but I think the county princess really wants you to see her, so I took the liberty of doing so."
She paused, then looked at Qiao Xiuyu with a hint of pleading. However, because she usually had a cold expression, her pleading seemed more like a threat: "Please, sir, do not tell the county princess what I said."
eleven:"……"
He swore that Bai Lu must have a lot of complaints about him and his young master.
Look at that skillful use of threats!
Qiao Xiuyu, however, did not notice this. He nodded and said somewhat anxiously, "Don't worry. Quickly take me to see the county princess."
...
Shang Shaoyan lay on the bed, drowsy, occasionally asking Bai Shuang, "Has Young Master Lu arrived yet?" This made many of the maids sigh – although Young Master Lu was just a musician, judging from the county princess's appearance, he must have occupied a significant place in her heart. It seems they should be more vigilant in the future.
When Shang Shaoyan asked for the eighth time, someone outside announced, "Young Master Lu has arrived."
Shang Shaoyan quickly put away his nonchalant expression, adjusted his sleeping position, and only allowed Qiao Xiuyu to come in after confirming that he looked pitiful and cute.
Logically speaking, it shouldn't be appropriate for Qiao Xiuyu to enter Shang Shaoyan's boudoir, but Shang Shaoyan didn't think it was a problem, and Qiao Xiuyu was just being overly concerned; it's normal for the maids to think that Qiao Xiuyu was a male concubine.
So, apart from Shiyi and Shang Yunlan who was eavesdropping in the corner of the courtyard, no one else seemed to think anything was wrong.
When Shang Shaoyan saw Qiao Xiuyu, who was covered in a chill, hurry in, he felt that his soul, which had been corrupted by Empress Li, had been sublimated. He immediately smiled and said, "Young Master Lu, what brings you here?"
Qiao Xiuyu's handsome face was full of concern. He took off his cloak, revealing a white long robe underneath. He looked gentle and had an ethereal air about him. Shang Shaoyan managed to restrain himself from taking a few more glances.
In Qiao Xiuyu's eyes, the usually lively and playful county princess was now lying sickly in bed, trying her best to smile so as not to make him worry, which made him feel uneasy.
He felt a pang of heartache and walked over to sit on the couch by the bed: "What's wrong with An'an?"
Just as Shang Shaoyan uttered the words "An'an," he heard a cough coming from under the window outside. It was Shang Yunlan.
Shang Shaoyan: "..."
She looked at Qiao Xiuyu gently: "Young Master Lu, there's no need to worry. I was just a little frightened, but I'm fine."
Qiao Xiuyu pursed his lips. He hesitated for a moment, then stretched out his right hand, wanting to test the temperature of Shang Shaoyan's forehead.
Before Shang Shaoyan could react, she saw that through the window where Qiao Xiuyu was facing away, Shang Yunlan was staring intently at her with eyes that revealed three parts shock, three parts fear, and four parts raging anger.
Shang Shaoyan was startled and instinctively dodged backward, just in time to avoid Qiao Xiuyu's attempt to cover her forehead.
Shang Shaoyan: "..."
Qiao Xiuyu's eyes dimmed, and she forced a smile: "I was just worried and acted rashly. I apologize to the county princess. Please don't be angry, or you'll hurt yourself."
Shang Shaoyan knew that Qiao Xiuyu was concerned about him, but Qiao Xiuyu looked guilty. He immediately felt a pang of heartache and quickly took out a hand from under the covers and gently, very gently, took Qiao Xiuyu's slightly cold hand in his.
They've tied the knot.
Shang Shaoyan smiled contentedly, but Qiao Xiuyu saw it as a hint of shyness.
The hand that had been warmed under the covers for a long time felt so warm, it seemed to reach right into Qiao Xiuyu's heart. He looked away, feeling a little awkward.
Shang Shaoyan coaxed softly, "I'm afraid you'll ruin my makeup, not that I'm afraid of you or that I dislike you."
She paused, and a blush crept onto her pale face, clearly showing her shyness: "I like you."
She looked up and saw Shang Yunlan's furious face outside the window once again.
Shang Shaoyan: "..."
She casually looked away, then turned to Qiao Xiuyu and coaxed softly, "Once I'm ready... let's be together, okay?"
Qiao Xiuyu's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she smiled gently, her eyes full of joy and earnestness: "Okay. When you and I are both ready, we'll be together."
Romance con artist Shang Shaoyan: "..."
Suddenly, I felt a pang of guilt, after all, she was the kind of person who would rather have the throne than a beautiful woman.
However... considering how handsome, well-behaved, and pitiful Qiao Xiuyu is, she could be with him, after all, she does like him a little bit.
Yes, only a little bit.
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