Junxuan held the golden hairpin in his hand. It was a very simple hairpin, but the workmanship was very exquisite, unlike the simple and gorgeous ones he wore in the palace.
The entire hairpin has no tassels, and the top has three willow leaves, but they are not made of composite material. They are cast directly into this shape, which is obviously something that only a skilled craftsman could make. Even people in the palace might not have this skill.
This little thing doesn't look very big, but I never expected it could be used as a weapon to hurt people. It's probably something that Shen Yunxi's family specially prepared for her.
Junxuan played with the gold hairpin. After being injured, he did not return it to Shen Yunxi. Instead, he brought it back from the pavilion. He couldn't explain why he did this. This was clearly the property of the woman he had previously disliked, and he should return it to her. Then, according to Shen Yunxi's wishes, the two of them should never have any contact again.
But since the hairpin had already been brought back, Junxuan didn't investigate further, and the hairpin twirled nimbly in his hand.
Unable to fall asleep for a long time, Junxuan got up and walked to the window. For some reason, he walked to the window he didn't usually stay at.
Junxuan stood by the window, his gaze deep and unfathomable, as if trying to see through the layers of palace walls to understand something.
Defu walked in, bowing slightly, carrying a cloak in his hand.
“Your Majesty, it’s already midnight. You are still injured and need to take care of your health.” Defu said as he draped the cloak he was holding over Junxuan.
Junxuan did not move. "This matter of my injury must not be made public. It's just a minor injury."
Upon hearing this, Defu immediately replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, please rest assured, I have already informed the imperial physicians."
Although he didn't know why the emperor was injured, Defu didn't dare to ask any more questions, even though he was very curious, since the emperor's wound was caused by a hairpin.
In other words, the person who injured the emperor was likely a woman.
If this news were to get out, the woman who injured the Emperor would surely be sentenced to death. Judging from the Emperor's attitude now, he clearly intends to protect that woman.
I just don't know who that woman is.
After much thought, Defu guessed it might be Lu Wanqing. After all, the Emperor was only relatively lenient with Lu Wanqing, so it wasn't impossible for him to cover up the matter of hurting him for her.
However, despite his speculations, Defu couldn't just ask Junxuan, so he had to keep the matter to himself.
As a servant, one must obey the master's orders; speaking carelessly will cost one's life. Defu, being a shrewd person in the palace, naturally understood this principle.
"Go downstairs." Junxuan still wanted to be alone.
Defu immediately agreed, bowed, and went out.
As soon as he stepped out of the bedchamber, a young eunuch approached him. He had a handsome appearance and very clear eyes.
"This servant Sixi greets Your Excellency. Eunuch Qin from the Imperial Household Department sent me to ask Your Excellency whether it is time to distribute the monthly necessities to Miss Shen in the Empress Dowager's palace?" Sixi asked in a low voice.
After pondering for a moment, Defu shook his head. "We won't issue it for now. His Majesty hasn't said anything, so I can't ask."
Given Junxuan's dislike for Shen Yunxi, he probably wouldn't allow the palace to provide her with the necessary items, which would likely just be some clothing and monthly allowances.
Moreover, Shen Yunxi was staying in the Empress Dowager's palace, so she probably didn't need it, Defu thought.
The main problem is that Shen Yunxi's status is currently illegitimate; she is not the emperor's concubine, so it seems unreasonable to issue those gifts. It's best to wait for the emperor to make a decision, as making a decision on one's own is likely to displease the emperor.
"Yes, this servant will inform Eunuch Qin immediately." Sixi hurriedly left.
Junxuan was unaware of what was happening outside the palace. He gazed in that direction quietly for a long time until it was time for the morning court session.
Having not slept all night and being injured, Junxuan's complexion was not good; he looked somewhat pale. He forced himself to attend the morning court session before returning to rest.
When Junxuan woke up in the afternoon, he was in much better spirits and his complexion was slightly better. It was just the right time to change his dressing.
But when it came time to change the dressing, another thing happened.
"Your Majesty, please remember not to get wet these next two days. Although it was a bit deep, you will recover soon. Your Majesty's health has always been very good, and you will be fine even if you catch a chill. But Miss Shen is in a bad situation." Imperial Physician Hong said this unintentionally.
In fact, Physician Hong didn't have any other intentions; he simply wanted to say that Jun-hyun was in good health.
Miss Shen?
There is only one person in the palace who can be called Miss Shen, and that is Shen Yunxi.
Junxuan paused in closing his clothes, then casually asked, "Miss Chen... what happened to her?"
Without giving it much thought, Imperial Physician Hong replied to Junxuan, "Your Majesty, Miss Shen may have caught a chill last night, and was also somewhat frightened, which is why she fell ill today. A palace maid from the Empress Dowager's palace came to the Imperial Hospital to fetch the imperial physician, and coincidentally, it was I who went to see Miss Shen. Alas, Miss Shen's high fever has not subsided, and she is burning hot and her face is flushed. I don't know if it's because she was too frightened last night. After taking the medicine and going to sleep, she is still having nightmares."
What was said unintentionally may have been taken to heart by the listener.
Junxuan certainly wouldn't forget what he did last night. He wasn't drunk, and he remembered everything clearly.
So Shen Yunxi fell ill because she was frightened by him last night and caught a chill?
For a moment, Junxuan felt a mix of emotions, and a faint sense of guilt began to rise within him, as if Shen Yunxi's illness was somehow related to him.
“In that case, let’s use the medicines from the Imperial Hospital as much as we can. We can’t let someone fall ill in the palace and we’re reluctant to give them medicine. Where would I put my face if word got out?” Jun Xuan said.
Imperial Physician Hong nodded in agreement, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Defu stood aside, listening to Junxuan's words, and felt that something was not quite right.
What? The Emperor doesn't dislike Shen Yunxi that much?
After Imperial Physician Hong left, Junxuan glanced in the direction of the Empress Dowager's palace and then looked away without any further reaction, focusing on his own political affairs.
Even without outsiders noticing, he himself understood that his feelings towards Shen Yunxi had changed recently, which was not what he wanted to see. He also needed time to process this and stop caring about Shen Yunxi.
Shen Yunxi was unaware of Jun Xuan's dilemma; she only woke up slowly in the evening.
"Miss Yunxi is finally alright. Her Majesty came to check on you several times. Thankfully, you've woken up now," said Granny Tian.
After discovering that Shen Yunxi was ill, Granny Tian stayed by Shen Yunxi's side as arranged by the Empress Dowager. Almost a whole day passed before she finally woke up.
Fortunately, the fever subsided an hour ago. Doctor Hong said we still need to be careful, in case the fever returns tonight.
Shen Yunxi was so tired that she had difficulty getting up, so Granny Tian helped her up.
"Thank you so much, Granny. You're not only serving Her Highness but also taking care of me." Shen Yunxi said with gratitude. "Granny, please go and rest. I'm fine here."
Ultimately, it was my own fault for not paying attention. If I had noticed the water was cold last night and drunk a bowl of ginger soup, I might not have caught a cold.
I never expected it to be this serious; it seems it's incompatible with the imperial palace.
She caught a cold and fell ill. She doesn't know how Junxuan's injuries are. After all, she was the one who started it.
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