His voice was a little hoarse, but his tone remained calm. “There’s no need to worry. Every year, when the seasons change, I come down with a minor illness or two. It’s nothing serious. A couple of doses of medicine will cure it.” As he spoke, he moved to get up.
A-Yan was still pregnant. If he passed his illness on to her, that would be real trouble.
“I’ll rest in the front hall.” It would be better for him to keep his distance from her.
Zheng Yuande had just shaken out an outer robe and was about to step forward to help His Highness the Crown Prince dress when Worthy Lady Shen snatched the garment right out of his hands and flung it onto the folding screen.
Zheng Yuande: “...?!”
His chubby hand froze in midair. His mouth fell slightly open, and he stood there utterly dumbfounded. Sometimes, he truly wanted to shout, “How dare you!”
But after one glance at His Highness’s expression, he... didn’t dare.
The slate-blue outer robe hung over the screen, its sleeves dangling and swaying gently.
Shen Yanshui frowned as she looked at the Crown Prince, then glanced outside, where the rain was still falling in a fine, steady drizzle. The air was thick with dampness.
“Your Highness, you’re ill. Lie down properly and wait until the imperial physician has examined you,” she said. Putting some force into her hands, she pressed him back onto the bed. “Wouldn’t you have to brave the wind again just to get to the front hall?”
Cui Yu lifted his head, his gaze settling on her face. His brow creased slightly, and his voice was low and hoarse. “You’re still pregnant.” He did not want to pass his illness on to her.
Of course Shen Yanshui knew what he meant.
“If Your Highness leaves just like that, and I can’t see you, then I’ll be worried. I’ll worry so much I won’t be able to sleep or eat. That would be what truly harms my health.”
Ahem. Though it probably would not go so far as losing sleep and appetite, she truly was worried.
Cui Yu looked at her darkly. Unable to eat? Unable to sleep?
Hah. Once she turned around, she would probably eat and sleep better than a little pig.
Now that he looked at her, it was as though he could suddenly see her thoughts much more clearly.
Shen Yanshui felt inexplicably uneasy beneath his dark gaze. “Why is Your Highness looking at me like that? I’m perfectly healthy, so please don’t worry about me.”
Cui Yu looked at her face, at the concern in her expression. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something...
In that instant of hesitation, Shen Yanshui suddenly bent down.
She cupped his face in both hands.
His cheeks were faintly warm, and against her cool palms, the heat immediately seeped into her skin.
Then she lowered her head and, with an audible smack, kissed him on the lips.
In the quiet room, the sound was especially clear.
Zheng Yuande had been fretting so badly that sweat covered his forehead. His heart was in turmoil—worried about the Crown Prince’s health while also thinking someone should hurry and urge the imperial physician to come. Just as he was debating whether he ought to say something—
He saw that scene.
“???!!”
His eyes instantly widened into perfect circles. His mouth opened, then closed, then opened again, making him look exactly like a fish flopping on shore.
Inside, he could not help crying, Oh dear!
This, this, this, this Worthy Lady... was far too bold!
In broad daylight, with His Highness the Crown Prince still ill—how could she suddenly just... kiss, kiss him?!
Cui Yu, too, was stunned by her kiss.
When her lips touched his, they were warm and soft, carrying the faint, sweet freshness of her breath.
His entire body went rigid for an instant. Then his heart began pounding beyond his control—rapid and heavy, each beat seeming ready to burst through his chest.
But almost at once, his brows drew together again. “A-Yan...”
“All right.” Shen Yanshui straightened and looked down at him, her tone bright and easy. “If it was going to spread, that kiss just now would already have done it. There’s no use worrying about it now, Your Highness.”
Her constitution was not so weak that she would catch a cold from something so minor.
Besides, her powers were not for nothing.
Cui Yu looked at her, opened his mouth, yet in the end said nothing.
Seeing the undisguised concern in her eyes, the turbulent emotions that had kept him awake all night gradually began to settle.
He did not speak again.
Seeing that he had quieted down, Shen Yanshui helped him lie back on the bed.
Propped against the pillow she had arranged behind him, Cui Yu watched her bustle about, his gaze deep and unreadable, as though he were lost in thought.
Before long, hurried footsteps sounded outside.
“Master, the imperial physician has arrived,” Chunping called.
Shen Yanshui quickly had him brought in.
Only then did Chunping usher an elderly imperial physician into the room at a brisk pace.
The old physician was among the most senior members of the Imperial Medical Bureau and specialized in internal medicine.
Upon entering, he first respectfully paid his respects to the Crown Prince. One glance at His Highness’s complexion was enough to give him some idea of the situation.
Daring not delay, he stepped forward and placed a pulse pillow beside the bed.
Cui Yu extended his wrist.
The old physician bent over and placed his fingers upon the pulse. As he pressed lightly, his brow creased.
He examined the pulse for a while longer, then switched to the other wrist and continued for some time before finally withdrawing his hand. Taking a step back, he bowed and said, “Your Highness’s pulse is taut, thin, and rapid, especially at the left cun and guan positions. This indicates constrained liver qi transforming into fire, with depletion of the heart’s yin.”
“Furthermore, the cold wind entered the body last night. Wind-cold has constrained the exterior, suppressing the protective yang and causing the fever. Your Highness’s condition arises from both internal and external causes: inwardly, pent-up worries and excessive strain of the mind have depleted the yin; outwardly, wind-cold has invaded and weakened the body’s defenses. Together, these have brought on the fever.”
After a pause, he continued, “What Your Highness most needs at present is to ease your mind and refrain from further mental exertion. Excessive thought harms the spleen, while emotional constraint harms the liver. When liver wood overcomes spleen earth, the spleen and stomach are injured, and qi and blood can no longer be properly generated, making recovery difficult. For the next few days, Your Highness should rest quietly, think and worry as little as possible, and eat lightly. Once the pathogenic influence has dispersed and the constraint has lifted, you will naturally recover.”
Cui Yu listened with an indifferent expression, merely giving a slight nod.
The old physician bowed. “This humble servant will go prepare a prescription at once and personally decoct the medicine. Please rest assured, Your Highness.”
Having said this, he saluted once more and withdrew, bent respectfully at the waist.
Zheng Yuande hurried out after him; he still needed to ask what foods the Crown Prince ought to avoid...
Standing to one side and listening to Imperial Physician Zhou’s words, Shen Yanshui felt her brow twitch slightly.
Pent-up worries?
She glanced at the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince reclined against the pillows, his expression calm enough to reveal nothing. Yet his weakness was impossible to hide. His lips were far paler than usual, shadows lay beneath his eyes, and faint bloodshot veins showed in them, as though he had not slept at all the previous night.
What could the Crown Prince possibly have been thinking about to worry himself sick?
Surely... it could not have been because of what she had said to him last night?
The thought had barely surfaced when she dismissed it as unlikely.
He was the heir to the throne. How could he become so troubled over such trivial matters of love and affection that he fell ill? Perhaps he had been brooding over some matter of state she knew nothing about.
She turned and instructed Dongyi to have the small kitchen heat some water, then told Chunping to prepare some light, easily digestible food.
Only after giving those orders did she return to the bedside. Sitting on its edge, she leaned slightly forward to look at the Crown Prince.
“Your Highness, does your head hurt?” Her voice was very soft. “Would you like me to massage it?”
Cui Yu raised his eyes to her. After a brief silence, he said in a low voice, “It doesn’t hurt. Sit farther away. There are palace servants here to attend to me. Go rest outside.”
Yet for some reason, Shen Yanshui found his words rather unpleasant to hear.
“They are them, and I am me.”
Having said that, she paid no heed to his reaction. She reached out, her fingertips settling lightly against his temples as she began to massage them with a gentle, measured pressure.
A fever would inevitably bring a headache.
Seeing the dark circles and bloodshot eyes, she knew he had most likely not slept well the previous night, which would only make his head hurt more easily.
As she massaged him, she quietly sent a thread of her ability through her fingertips.
Her power could not directly cure his cold, but it could make him feel a little more comfortable and ease some of his symptoms. As for when he would recover, that still depended on the medicine prescribed by the imperial physicians and on his own constitution.
Still, it was good if she could make him feel even a little better.
Cui Yu closed his eyes.
Her fingertips were warm and soft against his temples, her touch neither too light nor too heavy. The faint fragrance that clung to her drifted over and lingered at the tip of his nose...
He opened his eyes and watched her for a moment. Then he suddenly turned his head and gave an order in a hoarse voice.
“Everyone, leave.”
Chunping and the others attending in the room were startled, but quickly withdrew with the rest of the servants, their movements quiet and careful as they closed the door behind them.
The room fell silent.
Only the soft patter of rain outside remained, along with the mingled sound of their breathing.
Cui Yu reached out and took hold of the hand she had placed on his temple.
Her hand was small, entirely enclosed within his palm, her fingertips faintly cool.
“A-Yan...” he called softly, his voice slightly rough.
With her hand held in his, Shen Yanshui lowered her gaze to him. “Your Highness?”
Cui Yu parted his thin lips, wanting to say something...
But when the words reached his mouth, he felt that language was too flimsy, too inadequate.
Shen Yanshui looked down into his eyes.
They glimmered faintly with moisture from the fever, bloodshot at the edges, yet his gaze was deep and heavy. All at once, she understood the words he wanted to say but could not bring himself to speak.
She smiled, her eyes curving gently. Her voice was soft, tender.
“Your Highness, there’s no hurry. We have a long life ahead of us.”
She did not need the Crown Prince to make her any promises.
A man’s mouth was made for lying.
If he truly cared, time would tell.
Whether a person was sincere had never depended on what they said, but on the days and deeds that accumulated, one by one.
If his heart was not in it, then even if he swore to heaven and earth that he loved her unto death, until the seas ran dry and the rocks crumbled, they would still be nothing more than pretty words.
There was still a long road ahead.
She would simply watch and see.
Cui Yu looked at the faint smile on her lips and heard her say, “There’s still a long life ahead of us.” His hand tightened slightly around hers, his voice low and hoarse.
“...All right.”
Yes. They still had a very, very long life ahead of them...
Outside, the rain continued to fall, fine and dense. It pattered against the roof tiles, stone paths, and the leaves of the old scholar tree, making soft, scattered sounds—as though someone were murmuring quietly, lingering and gentle.
*
When Emperor Pingkang received word that the Crown Prince had fallen ill, he was in the study of the imperial villa, listening to Xu Chengwen read memorials aloud.
A few days earlier, his vision had suddenly become blurred as he reviewed the documents. He had flown into a tremendous rage, and several batches of attendants had vanished from his side since then. Those still serving him now could not help but tread on eggshells.
Chief Eunuch Cheng said carefully, “Your Majesty, word has just come from Chengxin Hall that His Highness the Crown Prince developed a fever last night. The imperial physicians have already gone to examine him.”
Emperor Pingkang’s gloomy expression paused. He lifted his head and glanced at Chief Eunuch Cheng.
“The Crown Prince is ill?” As he spoke, the crease between his brows, which had remained tightly drawn, actually loosened a little. Then he asked suspiciously, “Hasn’t the Crown Prince been quite robust of late? How did he suddenly fall ill?”
Chief Eunuch Cheng cautiously raised his eyes, studying the Emperor’s expression.
To his surprise, there was the faintest trace of a smile on His Majesty’s face. His heart clenched, and he bowed deeply as he answered with care, “Your Majesty, His Highness has been frail since childhood. Though he appears much stronger now, his constitution is still somewhat weak at its foundation. How could he possibly compare to Your Majesty’s vigorous health?”
At these words, the wrinkles on Emperor Pingkang’s face smoothed out, and he immediately burst into hearty laughter.
The laughter rang through the study, carefree and unrestrained, and it took quite some time before it gradually faded.
Once he had finished laughing, Emperor Pingkang said, “The Crown Prince truly does need to train himself more. Otherwise, how will he bear the weight of ruling a nation?”
Hearing that laughter, Chief Eunuch Cheng finally felt the stone in his heart drop away.
He hastened to reply with a smile, “Your Majesty is absolutely right. His Highness the Crown Prince is still young. In all matters, he must rely upon Your Majesty’s guidance. He simply cannot do without Your Majesty.”
Sure enough, Emperor Pingkang was even more pleased by this, and the smile on his face deepened.
Watching the Emperor’s expression from the side, Xu Chengwen felt a heaviness settle in his heart.
These past days, having attended the Emperor at close quarters, no one understood more clearly than he did just how wary His Majesty had become of the Crown Prince...
Would the Crown Prince... truly be able to ascend to that seat?
And if the Crown Prince fell, then...
Emperor Pingkang pondered for a moment, then lifted his chin. “Go. Send some medicinal ingredients to the Crown Prince. Tell him to recuperate properly these next few days and not concern himself with anything else.”
Chief Eunuch Cheng promptly bowed. “Yes, Your Majesty. This servant will see to it at once.”
Once he had left the study, he let out a soft breath and raised a hand to wipe away sweat that was not there.
These past few days, His Majesty’s mood had been as tempestuous as last night’s thunderstorm. He had served with the utmost trepidation, terrified that a single wrong word might bring disaster upon him. Yet now that the Crown Prince had fallen ill, His Majesty’s mood had actually improved...
He shook his head and quickened his pace toward the Imperial Academy of Medicine.
...
When the Empress learned that the Crown Prince was ill, her expression changed at once. She immediately set aside what she had been doing and personally led her attendants to Chengxin Hall.
Seated at the bedside, the Empress reached out to feel her son’s forehead. It was burning hot beneath her hand, and her brows drew tightly together. “He was perfectly well yesterday. How has he come down with such a fever today? Did he catch a chill from the wind?”
Naturally, she had no idea that the Crown Prince had braved the wind and rain in the middle of the night, coming from the front palace to the rear palace.
Nor would Cui Yu tell anyone.
Otherwise, even though his mother had always been reasonable and understanding, she could not help but harbor some resentment toward A-Yan.
“Mother need not worry.” Cui Yu’s voice was still somewhat hoarse. “It is only a minor illness. The imperial physicians have already prescribed medicine. A couple of doses will be enough to cure it.”
Though the Empress remained concerned, she knew that her son fell ill several times each year, so she was not overly alarmed.
Still, she could not help questioning Zheng Yuande in detail about what had happened the previous night.
Zheng Yuande had long since received the Crown Prince’s instructions and naturally did not dare speak carelessly. He only said that the Crown Prince had become so absorbed in reading that he had lost track of time, and had accidentally caught a chill. He even knelt to beg forgiveness.
Worthy Lady Shen was briefly taken aback. Then, upon reflection, she understood, and her heart could not help but stir.
After asking her questions, the Empress looked at her son, then at Worthy Lady Shen standing nearby. Her brows furrowed slightly as she turned to Shen Yanshui. “You are with child now. Let Lady Zhang handle such close bedside care. Do not wear yourself down and fall ill as well—it would hardly be worth it.”
Before Shen Yanshui could reply, Cui Yu had already spoken, his expression composed. “There is no need. It will only be for a day or two. With Zheng Yuande here, there is no need for anyone else to attend me.”
Zheng Yuande hurriedly said, “Please rest assured, Your Majesty. This servant will certainly take good care of His Highness the Crown Prince!”
At this, the Empress’s brow creased, but she said nothing. With a sigh, she remained for another half hour before finally rising to leave.
Before departing, she looked at Worthy Lady Shen, who was following at her side, and reminded her, “Little Yuan is accustomed to serving the Crown Prince and is there to look after him. You need only take good care of your own health.”
Shen Yanshui promptly agreed.
The Empress looked at her once more, sighed inwardly again, and then departed with her attendants.
That day, not only did the Empress personally visit Chengxin Hall, but Emperor Pingkang also sent gifts there.
The ministers, who had been filled with worry, could not help but breathe a sigh of relief at His Majesty’s actions.
Although His Majesty had been wary of the Crown Prince in recent years and had openly and covertly elevated the Fourth Prince and the First Prince, now that the Crown Prince had fallen ill, he had sent imperial physicians and bestowed medicinal supplies. It did not appear, at least, that father and son had become estranged.
If His Majesty and the Crown Prince could continue getting along as they did now, nothing could be better.
And if imperial power could pass smoothly from one generation to the next, that would be an even greater blessing.
As for earning the merit of having backed the next emperor... there was no point even thinking about it.
Looking across the court, among the older princes, none could compare with the Crown Prince in either birth or achievement, whether in civil affairs or martial matters.
What was there to fight over?
The First Prince was the eldest son born of a concubine. His mother, Consort De, came from a humble background. Though His Majesty had elevated him somewhat in recent years, his ability was what it was. Whenever he handled official business, something always went wrong—if it was not this, then it was that. Those serving under him could barely keep up with cleaning up his messes.
The Second Prince was fairly trouble-free by comparison. He was the sort to leave everything to others: any task assigned to him was handed straight down to his subordinates. Still, he did not meddle in their work merely to show off his own competence.
The Fourth Prince had some talent, but his hunger for glory was truly a headache. He claimed every scrap of credit for himself, and his greed was almost unsightly. If you worked under him, you could forget about receiving any credit; you would be lucky not to have the blame dumped on you instead.
As for the Sixth Prince, he had only begun involving himself in state affairs this year. He seemed reasonably organized, and at times his views on government matters were quite perceptive. But that was all... He was young, after all, with little foundation beneath him. It was still too early to tell whether he would amount to much.
But serving under the Crown Prince was entirely different.
The Crown Prince did not care about one’s background—only one’s ability. The capable were promoted, and the incompetent removed.
Working for him, one did not have to worry about one’s superiors shifting blame, nor fear being suddenly shoved forward as a scapegoat. One only needed to carry out one’s own duties properly.
Merit was recognized in full: whoever earned it received it. The Crown Prince never claimed even the slightest credit for himself. It could not have been more reassuring.
The Crown Prince might be somewhat stern at times, and less approachable than the Fourth Prince or the Sixth Prince, but sternness was a good thing. Sternness kept those with ulterior motives from making reckless moves. And anyone who dared reach out a greedy hand would have it chopped off by the Crown Prince without hesitation.
Who would not want to follow such an heir to the throne?
But the problem was...
In recent years, His Majesty’s conduct had become increasingly difficult to understand.
Even while the northern frontier was at war, he had not forgotten to build pleasure palaces and renovate imperial halls. Construction projects sprang up everywhere, and money flowed out like water.
Fortunately, some of it had been dissuaded.
It was said that recently, His Majesty wanted to build an astronomical observatory for Master Xuanqing—another vast sum of silver pouring away...
And then there was this: when His Majesty was younger, he had been fairly open to advice and willing to listen to differing opinions. But loyal counsel is harsh on the ears. Perhaps after hearing too much of it, he no longer wished to hear it at all.
Now...
His Majesty could no longer tolerate such words.
He had grown ever more engrossed in the pursuit of immortality and the Dao, swallowing alchemical pills.
Any minister who dared offer frank remonstrance faced demotion at best, and confiscation of property and exile at worst.
To put it bluntly, quite a few people at court were hoping that the Crown Prince would ascend the throne as soon as possible.
His Majesty appeared well enough at present, but the problem was that, if things continued along this course, no one could say whether one day he might suddenly lose his mind from taking too many pills and start killing people for sport.
After all, history was full of emperors who had been wise and brilliant in their youth, only to become suddenly muddle-headed in old age and leave the court awash in blood.
Of course, the ministers could only think such things to themselves. They did not dare utter a single word aloud.
All they could do was pray that His Highness the Crown Prince would recover quickly.
*
Two or three days later, Cui Yu’s condition had improved considerably.
His fever had largely subsided. He still coughed now and then, and his throat remained dry and itchy, but the imperial physicians said that after two more doses of medicine and several days of proper rest, he would make a full recovery.
Over the past few days, a steady stream of visitors had come to call.
The First Prince came. The Second Prince came. The Sixth Prince came. Even the Seventh Prince, whose leg had yet to heal completely, had himself carried over.
The Crown Prince was still ill and lacking in energy, so he did not keep them long. Each stayed for no more than the time it took to drink a cup of tea before taking their leave.
As the Seventh Prince was leaving, Cui Yu suddenly called out to him.
“Seventh Brother.”
The Seventh Prince had already reached the doorway with someone supporting him. At once, he turned back to look at the Crown Prince seated in his chair.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince?”
Cui Yu sat upright in his high-backed chair, his expression composed as his gaze rested on the Seventh Prince’s face.
“Focus on recovering from your injury. In the future, I will still need Seventh Brother’s support in court affairs.”
Over the years, he had observed that this seventh brother of his was not a useless good-for-nothing like the Eighth Prince. At the very least, he possessed considerable talent in riding and archery, though he had never displayed it before others.
The Seventh Prince froze for a moment.
He had not expected the Crown Prince to say such words at a time like this.
Ever since the day the Crown Prince had competed against Beirong’s First Prince, he had been carrying a lingering heaviness in his heart.
It was not directed at anyone else, but at himself.
The Crown Prince had helped him greatly, and he had wanted to repay him. Yet his leg had been injured at precisely such a time, leaving him no choice but to watch helplessly as the Crown Prince took the field himself.
Though the Crown Prince had ultimately won—and even gained considerable prestige throughout the court, among the military, and in the hearts of the common people because of that contest—what if things had gone differently?
What if the Crown Prince had been injured?
For the past few days, he had lain in bed in low spirits. But now, hearing the Crown Prince’s words, his body gave a sudden jolt. The dullness in his complexion seemed to be lit by something, and his entire bearing brightened.
“Please rest assured, Your Highness,” he replied at once, his voice noticeably louder than before. “Your brother will recover as swiftly as possible and will never allow his injuries to delay important matters!”
Cui Yu gave a slight nod and said no more.
The Seventh Prince bowed once again before allowing himself to be helped out. Even his back appeared straighter than when he had arrived.
Watching from outside, Shen Yanshui sighed inwardly.
When the Seventh Prince had arrived, he had looked worried and dejected. Yet he was leaving with his face alight with determination. The Crown Prince had said only two sentences, but their effect was remarkably potent.
She was still musing over it when another announcement came from outside.
“Your Highness, Great General Qi has arrived.”
Hearing this, Shen Yanshui did not pause. She lifted her foot and walked straight into the room.
Cui Yu, who had just been sitting straight and tall, abruptly slumped into a “weakened” posture.
At once, Shen Yanshui stepped forward with a look of concern. She set the bowl of sweet soup in her hands beside the Crown Prince and said with a bright smile, “Your Highness, I just went to the small kitchen and made this snow pear soup. I added sugar and white fungus. Your throat has been dry and itchy these past few days, so you should have more of it. It will help soothe your throat.”
Cui Yu’s lashes trembled. His face was still somewhat pale, making him look rather frail. With a slight crease between his brows, he nodded and answered softly, “All right.”
No sooner had he spoken than he curled a fist to his lips and coughed twice.
The sound was muted, as though he were forcing it down in his throat.
Shen Yanshui hurried forward and gently patted his back, her movements soft and tender. “Your Highness, don’t rush,” she said, picking up the bowl beside him and preparing to feed him. Over the past few days, she had personally administered the Crown Prince’s medicine, and by now she had become increasingly practiced at it.
Cui Yu looked at the tremella-and-snow-pear soup held to his lips and took a sip. The sweetness of the pear washed away the faint bitterness lingering in his mouth.
He raised his eyes to look at her.
The concern and worry in her gaze could not have been clearer. He watched her for a moment.
Once again, he became certain that A-Yan held him in her heart.
He gave a slight nod, his voice even gentler than before. “I understand.”
When Qi Mingchuan reached the doorway, this was the sight that greeted him—and his heart gave a sudden jolt.
What was going on?!
When had his eldest nephew injured his hand? Why did he need someone to feed him medicine?
As far as he remembered, his eldest nephew had refused to be fed medicine ever since he was seven!
Just as he was about to speak, Zheng Yuande, standing beside him, quietly tugged at his sleeve. The words caught in his throat at once.
“???”
Hearing the commotion behind her, Shen Yanshui smiled at the Crown Prince before straightening and taking two steps toward the door. Then she paused and turned to Qi Mingchuan.
“Uncle, His Highness has only just begun to recover and still has little energy. Please be considerate of him.”
Her words were tactful, but the meaning beneath them was clear: the Crown Prince was still ill, so please do not speak with him for too long or tire him out.
“...”
Qi Mingchuan looked at her, then glanced at his eldest nephew.
He had visited yesterday as well. At the time, Worthy Lady Shen had not been present. Though his eldest nephew had indeed been ill, he had seemed no different from usual—clear-headed and composed.
Not only had the tasks he assigned Qi Mingchuan shocked him thoroughly, they had come one after another, keeping him so busy that he had spent half the night discussing them with the old man before being driven home.
And at the time, the Crown Prince’s hand had been perfectly fine...
So why, with Worthy Lady Shen at his side today, did his illness suddenly appear so much more serious?
His face was pale, his brow lightly furrowed, his voice weak and listless, and from time to time he even coughed...
Seeing that Worthy Lady Shen was still watching him, Qi Mingchuan nodded. “Don’t worry.”
Only then did Shen Yanshui withdraw, closing the door behind her.
The instant the door shut, Qi Mingchuan’s gaze returned to his eldest nephew. His brow had just begun to furrow in concern, and he was about to speak, when he saw—
Cui Yu, who had been reclining against the soft cushions of his high-backed chair, suddenly sat upright.
The frail posture vanished completely the moment the door closed.
He no longer leaned against the cushions. Sitting straight and proper, his complexion perfectly normal, he looked at Qi Mingchuan.
Where was even a trace of the weakness he had displayed moments ago?
His expression was mild as he lifted his chin in indication. “Uncle, have a seat.” His voice was clear and steady, his breathing even—utterly unlike the frail, coughing invalid he had been only moments before.
Qi Mingchuan: “...??”
He stood where he was, watching his eldest nephew switch faces with such effortless fluency, utterly baffled. “What exactly are you... doing?”
Cui Yu looked at him with a solemn expression, his gaze deep and inscrutable. “Uncle, you... wouldn’t understand.”
Qi Mingchuan: “...?” What was there for him to understand?
How to pretend to be sick??
Having just stepped outside and walked a few paces beneath the corridor eaves, Shen Yanshui thought of the Crown Prince’s pitiful, weak act over the past few days and could not help laughing.
She truly had not expected that the Crown Prince’s illness really seemed to have been caused by her...
Still less had she expected that the Crown Prince could be so... adorable.
