Princess Consort Ling stiffly raised her hand and gently patted Song Shuyu's back.
"Be a good girl, don't cry! Mother is here!"
"Did you suffer some grievance when you went out? Tell Mother, and I will definitely help you vent your anger."
Feeling Princess Consort Ling's concern, Song Shuyu cried even more heartbrokenly.
"There, there, don't cry. You've only just started to recover from your illness. If you keep crying, I'm afraid it will harm your body."
"Don't worry, Mother will stay with you and will never leave you!"
Song Shuyu replied with a muffled voice, "Will you really not leave me?"
Princess Consort Ling affectionately patted Song Shuyu's head.
"Mother never lies. Of course I won't leave. Alright now, if you keep crying, you'll feel unwell again later."
"Come, let Mother help you lie down. Be a good girl and drink your medicine in a bit, then get some good rest."
"You need to be good and recuperate so that the Prince and I won't worry, understand?"
"Mhm."
Song Shuyu obediently lay back on the bed. Princess Consort Ling secretly breathed a sigh of relief as she reached out to pull the blanket over her.
At that moment, someone walked up from behind.
"Shuyu is awake?" Prince Ling walked over, scrutinizing Song Shuyu.
Seeing Prince Ling, Song Shuyu pouted, wanting to cry.
Princess Consort Ling hurriedly held her down. "Look, the Prince is so busy, yet he came to see you immediately upon hearing you woke up."
"It just goes to show how much he worries about you. You should be happy."
Song Shuyu glanced at Princess Consort Ling and saw her giving her a meaningful look.
Song Shuyu forced a smile at Prince Ling and then sat up.
"Father, I am already much better. You don't need to worry."
Prince Ling was extremely satisfied with Song Shuyu's understanding of the big picture.
He sat down on the edge of the bed.
"It was truly dangerous for you this time. Now that you are finally awake, you must rest well."
"Once you are fully recovered, we will set off for the capital."
"Yes, your daughter understands. It is my fault for making you worry, Father."
Song Shuyu replied obediently.
Prince Ling was very pleased. He looked around the room.
"Weren't you very fond of that red coral ornament in my room? I'll have someone bring it over to you later."
Princess Consort Ling was stunned. That ornament was the Prince's absolute favorite.
To think the Prince was actually giving it to Song Shuyu? Princess Consort Ling's fingernails dug into her palms.
Song Shuyu's eyes lit up.
That red coral was beautiful, without a single flaw.
What made it most precious was that it was large and perfectly intact, just like a tree.
Song Shuyu had fallen in love with it the very first time she laid eyes on it.
However, that red coral ornament was also something Prince Ling favored greatly.
Every time Song Shuyu went to the study, she could only steal a few extra glances to satisfy her craving.
And now, Prince Ling was actually offering to give it to her?
Most importantly, Prince Ling had actually noticed how much she liked it?
Song Shuyu's heart was filled with emotion.
"Father, that is your favorite too. I shouldn't take it."
Song Shuyu tested the waters cautiously.
"There is no precedent for me taking back my words once spoken."
"These worldly possessions are not as important as you!"
After saying this, Prince Ling looked at Princess Consort Ling.
"Have you sent for the doctor?"
Princess Consort Ling nodded with a smile, "I have already sent a maid to fetch him."
As they spoke, a maid outside announced that the doctor had arrived.
Princess Consort Ling stood up and stepped behind Prince Ling.
The doctor entered and first bowed to the Prince and the Princess Consort.
"Quickly, examine the Commandery Princess and see how she is doing."
"Yes."
The doctor got up from the floor and motioned for Song Shuyu to extend her hand.
He took Song Shuyu's pulse, and after just a moment, he withdrew his hand.
"To answer Your Highness, the Commandery Princess's condition is no longer serious."
"After taking a few more doses of medicine to regulate her body, she will fully recover."
The doctor was led away by a maid to write the prescription, and Prince Ling stood up.
"I still have matters to attend to. Be a good girl and listen to your mother."
"Mhm." Song Shuyu wore an obedient expression.
Prince Ling left, and a maid brought in the freshly brewed medicine.
Smelling the strong scent of herbal medicine, Song Shuyu turned her face away.
"Take it away!"
Princess Consort Ling's face darkened, but she forced a smile.
"Good medicine tastes bitter but benefits the body. You heard the doctor just now; you still need to take a few more doses before you can fully recover."
"Because you fell ill, the Prince's scheduled departure time had to be delayed a bit."
"If you keep failing to get better, our departure time will be pushed back even further."
"Disrupting the Prince's schedule will create a lot of extra work for him. You wouldn't want the Prince to be too exhausted, would you?"
As she spoke, Princess Consort Ling took the medicine bowl from the maid's hands and personally offered it to Song Shuyu.
"Come, let Mother feed you. Just pinch your nose and gulp it down in one breath."
Hearing Princess Consort Ling's gentle, coaxing tone, like she was talking to a child, Song Shuyu turned her head back.
Princess Consort Ling smiled at her. "Drink it. Mother has had someone prepare candied fruit."
Song Shuyu closed her eyes, pinched her nose, and took a small sip.
So bitter! So foul!
Song Shuyu's face scrunched up.
She pushed the medicine bowl aside, causing the liquid to splash out and drip onto Princess Consort Ling's clothes.
Looking at the glaring stain on her newly made dress, Princess Consort Ling's patience evaporated.
She handed the bowl to the maid behind her. "You serve the Commandery Princess her medicine! I am going to change my clothes."
"Yes."
The maid stepped forward and shot a look at another maid.
"Pardon the offense, Commandery Princess."
After saying that, she and the other maid pinned Song Shuyu down and forcefully poured the medicine down her throat in one go.
Song Shuyu struggled fiercely, coughing incessantly until tears even rolled down her face.
"Alright, Commandery Princess. Come have a piece of candied fruit."
A piece of candied fruit was stuffed into Song Shuyu's mouth.
Tasting the sweetness in her mouth, Song Shuyu looked at the two maids who had retreated to the side, looking incredibly respectful.
It was as if the scene from just moments ago had never happened.
At that moment, Princess Consort Ling walked back in.
"Did the Commandery Princess drink it?"
"To answer Your Highness, she has already drank it," the maid replied respectfully.
Princess Consort Ling sat down next to her and gently wiped the medicine stains from the corners of Song Shuyu's mouth with a handkerchief.
"Shuyu is so good! You are so much better than Anning!"
Praised, the candied fruit in Song Shuyu's mouth felt sweet all the way to her heart.
As the medicine took effect, Song Shuyu let out a yawn.
"Are you sleepy? If you are sleepy, then rest. Getting plenty of rest is good for your body."
Princess Consort Ling helped Song Shuyu lie down and tucked her in with the blanket.
Then, her hand gently patted Song Shuyu.
"Sleep now. Mother will watch over you."
Looking at the gentle Princess Consort Ling, Song Shuyu felt an inexplicable sense of being moved.
"Mother!"
"Yes, go to sleep!" Princess Consort Ling continued to gently pat the bedding.
Song Shuyu closed her eyes and quickly fell asleep.
Seeing that Song Shuyu was asleep, Princess Consort Ling immediately stood up.
"You stay here and guard Commandery Princess Funing. No matter who comes, do not allow anyone to approach!"
"If she wakes up looking for me, tell her I went to change my clothes."
After saying this, Princess Consort Ling left in a hurry.
She had to hurry and check on her daughter. It had been a full three days, and she heard she hadn't eaten or drank anything. She didn't know how her child was doing.
"Your Highness, adding sleeping medicine to that prescription... will it be alright?"
