The physician's diagnosis revealed that Sima Qing had caught a cold and was suffering from poor blood circulation, likely due to starvation and exposure to the cold.
Jiu Yue: "..."
For some reason, Jiu Yue felt a pang of guilt.
Though their stances weren’t exactly aligned, she had to admit that during her time at the Regent’s residence, she had lived quite comfortably in terms of material comforts… So how had Sima Qing ended up starving and freezing under her roof?
Seeing her expression darken, Uncle Fu quickly defended himself.
"Your Highness, this old servant never mistreated him. He insisted on staying in the woodshed, saying he wouldn’t leave until he saw you."
Jiu Yue froze, recalling how Uncle Fu had come to urge her repeatedly over the past few days, only for her to brush him off each time…
"My apologies, Uncle Fu. It seems this was my fault." Her voice softened as she glanced at the weakened Sima Qing, an inexplicable sense of responsibility welling up inside her.
Uncle Fu sighed and reassured her, "Your Highness couldn’t have known… Will you be returning to the palace tonight?"
Jiu Yue shook her head. "I’ll stay at the princess’s residence these next few days."
Uncle Fu bowed and went to make arrangements.
After giving instructions to the servants, Jiu Yue returned to the palace with Lianqiao, rummaged through her treasures, and then hurried back to the princess’s residence.
The system munched on digital sunflower seeds, watching the progress bar soar to 62%, basking in silent pride.
Honestly, it had initially worried that its clueless host wouldn’t be able to handle this task.
But now, it was at ease.
Who would’ve thought the Regent would practically self-destruct on his own? What luck for its host!
The system happily calculated the ratio of angst to romance—according to the standard, they needed an even split. Just moments ago, during their reunion, the progress bar had gained another 9% in soft pink, bringing the romance portion to 37%, while the angst portion stood at 25%.
And how long had it been since the mission started?! They were already this far along!
The system suddenly felt its future was blindingly bright!
"Host! You can do this!" The system, unable to contain its excitement, cheered her on.
Jiu Yue had been nervous, but the system’s unexpected encouragement caught her off guard. She blinked, then regained her confidence.
"You think I can do it too, right?" Jiu Yue sniffled, her gaze hardening with determination. "Right, I can! I’ll go see him now!"
The system snapped out of its euphoria—only to see Jiu Yue hauling a giant acupuncture needle into Sima Qing’s room.
The system: "..."
The system: "Maybe—"
Jiu Yue immediately cut it off. "Shh, I’m thinking."
The system: "..."
The bright future it had envisioned just moments ago suddenly seemed to dim. What was happening???
The system vanished.
Meanwhile, Jiu Yue quietly observed Sima Qing’s reaction. An empty medicine bowl sat nearby—he must have just taken his dose and was probably asleep now.
Maybe she shouldn’t wake him.
There was something about Sima Qing’s gaze that felt invasive, as if he could see right through her disguise.
The thought unsettled her. She shook her head, dismissing it, then turned her attention to Sima Qing lying motionless on the bed. After a steadying breath, she reached out and carefully rolled him onto his side—
Only to flip him completely over.
Jiu Yue froze in place: "..."
Sima Qing, desperately pretending to sleep: "..."
The two hidden guards lurking in the shadows: "..."
For a moment, they thought the Crown Princess was attempting assassination.
They barely managed to restrain themselves from jumping down—until the Crown Princess snapped impatiently, "Just gonna stand there and watch? Lend a hand! Or do you not care about your prince anymore?"
The two: "..."
They exchanged glances, shock evident in their eyes.
Jiu Yue had guessed it was Mo Jin and Fu Yu, Sima Qing’s ever-present, inflexible shadows. Couldn’t they see she was struggling alone?!
She huffed, and moments later, two figures landed behind her.
"Your Highness, how may we assist you?" one of them asked stiffly.
Jiu Yue spun around—
And came face-to-face with Qiu Dongfang and Mei Wuchang in an awkward stare-off.
Jiu Yue: "..."
Her mood turned strange. Why was Qiu Dongfang here???
And since when had Mei Wuchang joined Sima Qing’s entourage???
Qiu Dongfang and Mei Wuchang had been fidgeting, unsure what to do with their lord feigning sleep, and now found themselves in an uncomfortable silence with the Crown Princess…
But the longer they looked, the more familiar she seemed.
—Wait, wasn’t that the mask the prince had commissioned that day?!
Their eyes widened in realization.
Jiu Yue’s heart skipped a beat.
She dared not show her true face to Sima Qing, but Qiu Dongfang and Mei Wuchang were another matter… Except if they figured it out, keeping it from Sima Qing would be near impossible.
So as their expressions grew increasingly suspicious, Jiu Yue felt both relief and frustration.
The room fell into tense silence.
A cough shattered the stillness—
"Your Highness?" Sima Qing turned his head slightly, fixing her with a dazed, questioning look. "What are you planning to do to me?"
"..." Jiu Yue smacked her forehead—she’d almost forgotten her mission. "You two, strip him! I need to needle him!"
Her bold declaration left the three men speechless.
Qiu Dongfang and Mei Wuchang shot horrified looks at Sima Qing, who was equally stunned into silence—until he caught sight of the massive iron needle Jiu Yue pulled from its case.
The meter-long needle glinted ominously.
The three men: "..."
Sima Qing’s pupils contracted. In the blink of an eye, he sat upright, his voice suddenly clear and strong.
"This prince was unaware Your Highness was skilled in acupuncture," he said carefully. "However, the medicine has already taken effect, and I feel much improved. Your concern is appreciated, but the needle can—"
Before he could finish, Jiu Yue frowned disapprovingly.
"Your Highness, you shouldn’t avoid treatment out of fear." She stepped closer, pushing him back down and swiftly peeling off his outer robe.
Sima Qing, powerless to resist: "..."
Qiu Dongfang & Mei Wuchang, utterly dumbfounded: "!!!"
Sima Qing turned his head, glaring wordlessly at Qiu Dongfang and Mei Wuchang—but Jiu Yue stole his line again.
"What are you two waiting for?" She gestured impatiently. "Hold him down so he doesn’t squirm and mess up my needlework."
Qiu Dongfang & Mei Wuchang: "..."
Sima Qing: "..."
The light in Sima Qing’s eyes dimmed.
A miscalculation.
Next time, he wouldn’t pretend to be sick in front of her.
The Regent silently noted the lesson.
