The Mystic Physician seemed to sense the peculiar atmosphere. He quickly pricked Song Shihuan's finger with a silver needle before retreating into the house, closing the door swiftly behind him.
One must steer clear of trouble.
Song Shihuan stood before Song Yu, her almond eyes brimming with heartache that was about to overflow. She then turned to Qingling. "Eldest Senior Brother, could you please take my royal father to change his clothes? Here is some excellent medicinal ointment. If there are places he cannot reach, I must trouble you, Senior Brother."
Song Yu suddenly regretted having cried out in pain earlier.
Rather than making Ah Huan sad, it would have been better to grit his teeth and bear it himself.
After Song Yu had changed and applied the ointment, Qingling's gaze towards him held several degrees more respect.
Once outside, Qingling grabbed Qingchi by the collar and started dragging him away.
"Hey, Eldest Senior Brother, why are you grabbing my collar? I can barely breathe!"
"I've noticed you've been particularly fond of speaking out of turn lately. It seems the tasks assigned to you are still insufficient. Master will wake soon. If he sees you haven't made any progress, you'd better watch your hide."
Qingling's eyes were shadowed with complex thoughts. Just moments ago, he had seen marks on the body of this Crown Prince of Great Qi, signs of insect bites. It seemed he had indeed suffered greatly to rescue their Master.
Meanwhile, Song Yu felt the air had become much fresher after Qingchi left.
"Let me see... feels like you've even gained a little weight on your face."
Song Yu reached out and pinched Song Shihuan's cheek. "Father is fine. I was just exaggerating earlier. Qingling helped me apply the medicine; I'll be better in a couple of days."
Song Shihuan tugged at Song Yu's sleeve. "Thank you, Father."
"Why would there be any need for thanks between father and daughter?"
Just as Song Yu was preparing to quietly enjoy a pleasant moment with his daughter, a familiar voice rang out, causing a vein on Song Yu's forehead to immediately begin throbbing.
He had just gotten rid of one Qingchi, and now here came Gu Mingzhu.
Gu Mingzhu came running over, sweating profusely, holding a letter high in her hand. "Your Highness, Your Ladyship, it's a letter from Uncle Shen San!"
Song Yu raised an eyebrow. Shen San could write letters?
Upon opening the letter, a single short line met his eyes:
"His Majesty longs for your return with great anxiety. All at court are trembling with fear. Return with haste."
"Father, what did the Teacher write?" Song Shihuan, not as tall as Song Yu, couldn't see the letter in his hand.
"He says we should stay at Qingyun Realm a while longer and properly relax," Song Yu said with a flawless, smiling expression.
"Teacher is so kind," Song Shihuan said sincerely. "I thought he was going to tell us to return."
"Uncle Shen San is the best!" Gu Mingzhu, hearing they could stay at Qingyun Realm longer, also jumped for joy.
Song Yu meticulously folded the letter and placed it back in the envelope.
Return with haste?
Not a chance.
...
Early the next morning, Master Qingshan awoke.
This time, upon waking, Master Qingshan's complexion was rosy, with no trace of illness about him.
Moreover, the first person Master Qingshan saw upon opening his eyes was Song Shihuan.
"Master, you're finally awake!"
Master Qingshan was momentarily stunned, then reached out to ruffle Song Shihuan's hair. "Wonderful. I thought I might not see Ah Huan again."
"From now on, whenever Master wishes to see me, you will."
Master Qingshan's heart settled completely, and his expression gradually relaxed.
Only then did he have the energy to look at the several disciples around him.
The usually most boisterous Qingchi was now as docile as a mouse seeing a cat, standing behind Qingling.
Master Qingshan nodded. Even the youngest disciple had tempered his nature. Time truly was the greatest teacher.
"Qingling, you have worked hard."
"As long as Master has recovered, this disciple's efforts are nothing," Qingling replied, also very excited, not even noticing Qingchi's peculiar demeanor.
The Mystic Physician examined Master Qingshan once more and finally pronounced:
"Perfectly sound and well."
Everyone finally let go of their worries completely.
"Master Qingshan, I am Mingzhu, the Young Lady's companion," Gu Mingzhu spoke up, following Master Qingshan's gaze. "Your full recovery today is a joyous occasion for Qingyun Realm. Let's have the kitchen prepare a feast tonight to celebrate!"
Song Yu facepalmed.
Qingchi secretly applauded.
With Master Qingshan's awakening, Qingyun Realm came fully back to life. Cheerful laughter could be heard in every corner. It wasn't until December that Song Yu, feeling a slight pang of conscience, proposed returning to the capital.
"So soon?"
Master Qingshan, holding Song Shihuan close, was clearly unwilling to let her go.
"Master Qingshan, if Ah Huan and I are not back by New Year's Eve, my imperial father will most likely come charging here himself," Song Yu said with a weary look. If he could, he wouldn't want to return to the capital either.
Returning meant being beaten with a shoe sole and being impeached by gossiping court officials.
"Then you go back by yourself. Leave Ah Huan here."
"To be frank, whether I return or not isn't the main concern. In my imperial father's eyes, what matters is Ah Huan," Song Yu directly revealed the "family hierarchy" to Master Qingshan.
Master Qingshan was also caught in a dilemma.
"Why doesn't Master come with us to Great Qi?"
Song Shihuan tilted her head. "You can also see the place where we used to live, see Grandmother, and see what Great Qi is like now."
Master Qingshan's heart was stirred.
Seeing an opportunity, Song Yu also quickly joined in persuading him, finally convincing Master Qingshan to nod in agreement.
On the day the group departed Qingyun Realm, Gu Mingzhu, looking at Qingchi following behind Master Qingshan, felt her eyelid twitch. "Why are you coming too?"
"Eldest Senior Brother and the others were worried about the Master, so they asked me to accompany him to Great Qi."
"But why you?" Gu Mingzhu couldn't figure it out.
"Naturally because I'm considerate and meticulous, capable of taking good care of the Master," Qingchi said while rubbing his nose.
In truth, it was because everyone else had important duties, and he was the only idler.
Gu Mingzhu nodded suspiciously upon hearing this, feeling the reason was rather odd.
"Well, alright. When we reach the capital, I'll take you to my favorite food shops."
"Great! I love eating."
...
On the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth lunar month, the group finally arrived at the capital.
Belatedly, Song Yu began to feel somewhat guilty. After settling Master Qingshan and Qingchi, he planned to sneak Song Shihuan directly back to the Eastern Palace.
Unexpectedly, as soon as they entered the palace gates, they encountered the expressionless Emperor Yuanyou.
Beside him were a resentful-looking Cheng Guang and Shen Qingping, who wore a helpless expression.
"What a coincidence, Imperial Father, running into you here," Song Yu said, so embarrassed he wished he could sink into the ground.
"No coincidence. I was waiting for you."
Emperor Yuanyou glanced towards the shadows. "Shen Xiao, take the Young Lady to the Zichen Hall first to warm up. I'll be there shortly."
And so, before Song Shihuan could react, Shen Xiao whisked her away to the Zichen Hall in an instant.
Left behind, Song Yu's internal danger radar was blaring incessantly.
One moment, Emperor Yuanyou was smiling slightly. "Did you enjoy your time at Qingyun Realm?"
The next, he took off his shoe and advanced towards Song Yu with the sole in hand.
"If I don't give you a thrashing today, I'm not your father!"
"Owwww~~"
