After spending half a cup of tea's time, I only found one bottle of Panax notoginseng. Although I didn't have Yunnan Baiyao, at least it could temporarily stop the bleeding.
The man lay on the soft couch, staring intently at me. When I applied the medicine to him, his only reaction was to furrow his brow; he didn't utter a sound.
"Even though he hates dirty people the most, he managed to put up with it this time..." she complained as she took a new set of clothes out of the closet and helped him change.
Just as she was about to turn around and ask Shaoyou to fetch a basin of hot water so she could tidy herself up, her wrist was suddenly grabbed.
"What?"
His eyes were still frighteningly bright, his thin lips were tightly pursed, his eyebrows were slightly furrowed, and there was a hint of resentment in them.
I stared at him blankly for a while, until his grip tightened and his brows furrowed deeper, before I finally understood.
"Cough cough..." I looked away from his eyes, my heart pounding, feeling a burning heat spread across my face. "Well, the first time we met, your father called you over to spar with my older brother. My older brother was already thinking of killing you, just because your father... left you at Shixiang Courtyard and I watched you for two whole hours..."
"And then?" His voice was very soft and weak; it would have been impossible to hear him if the room hadn't been so quiet.
"Then, you must have really hated me when we were kids, right? Back then, no one dared to openly show their disgust towards me like that. At first, I just felt uncomfortable but didn't take it to heart. Later, my older brother told me to give you a hand, and I did. But who knew you... you were so complicated and awkward. I never sympathized with you or pitied you. I just felt uncomfortable every time I saw you. Why are you okay while I'm the only one who's upset? The more I felt this way, the more I wanted to cause you trouble. Later, it just became a habit without me realizing it..."
My thinking at the time was very simple: since you hate me, I'll hate you too.
"In the end, you just don't believe me!" He was so humble towards the end that I couldn't help but pinch his hand, but I didn't dare to use too much force.
He loosened his grip slightly. "...Did you hurt yourself when you fell?"
"I don't feel your pain."
I wanted to ask who did it, but I swallowed the words back. I'll wait until he's fully recovered before asking.
"Shall I have Shaoyou come and tidy things up, and get some hot water for you to wipe yourself down?"
He nodded and closed his eyes.
I finally managed to win over this man who's more childish than a child himself; it was exhausting.
Chapter 100
By the time everything was settled, the heater was lit, and the incense was burned, it was already past midnight. I decided not to sleep at all and simply watched him sleep until dawn.
This injury was quite serious, and he didn't take medicine and rest in time. It has taken a lot of energy to recover, but even so, he still can't sleep soundly. The slightest noise can wake him up.
I tucked him in, and before I could even remove my hand from the blanket, he opened his eyes.
"Sleep a little longer, I'll go get you something to eat."
According to Shaoyou, this person drinks alcohol very frequently and hardly touches anything else. It's only thanks to his profound internal strength that he has survived until now.
"Hmm..." he mumbled, then closed his eyes and fell asleep again.
Wei Minglou maintained his usual aloofness, and one could not see anyone until they reached the outside of Tianfu Garden.
After circling around for a while, I finally reached the kitchen. Before even entering, I was greeted by an enticing aroma that made my mouth water.
"What's this?"
The person cooking the porridge was startled by me. As soon as they looked up, they started grimacing and wincing, probably because they had pulled a bone.
"Lamb bone porridge, it's good for replenishing blood and energy," Shao You replied.
"Oh." I took a deep sniff; it smelled wonderful. "The kitchen is so far away; by the time the food gets there, it'll be cold. What's the point of eating then?"
"His Majesty has never liked the smell of cooking oil, so his meals are always kept warm by his subordinates using their internal energy."
"How much longer are you going to hold on?" Why does this situation feel so familiar?
"...Has His Majesty finally agreed to apply the medicine?"
"Okay, give me a few bottles of Yunnan Baiyao later."
Qionghua's expression suddenly changed, and she glared at me with eyes full of resentment.
"Why didn't you come sooner? You broke two ribs and were in pain for four whole days. What were you going to do to comfort me?!"
The cook next door, who was chopping vegetables very methodically, suddenly slipped his hand and almost dropped the knife from the cutting board.
Who inflicted the knife wound on your shoulder?
"you do not know?"
"have no idea."
"There are some things you should ask him yourself, but there are some things I still need to make clear to you. Please, please don't hurt him again." Furong smiled slightly, but her expression turned serious in an instant. "If there's a next time, I won't let you off the hook."
If it happens again, I won't let myself off the hook. You feel sorry for your master, but I feel even more sorry for him.
How great were the losses this time?
"Juyi Manor has 564 people. It's not many, but it's excellent. Every single one of them is extraordinary. You probably don't know how much effort and energy His Majesty has put into Juyi Manor." She carefully ladled out some porridge, a mocking smile curving her lips. "Only His Majesty and the four of us protectors know about Juyi Manor. The reason it's so secretive is mainly to catch people off guard. Who knew your eldest brother was such a shrewd fellow? He used the Rong family's defeat as bait to lower our guard against him. How did he find out? He even knew that our contact with them was through the Fire Fu Token. That's one thing, but to be able to steal the Fire Fu Token from Wuyue Palace, I really have to look at him in a new light."
"Don't you suspect there's a traitor among us?"
He raised an eyebrow. "I don't know what others think, but I certainly don't have the guts to betray him."
"Since he wasn't an inside traitor, and my elder brother couldn't possibly be that capable on his own, are you sure he stole the Fire Token?"
“He said it himself when he pointed the blade at the king, and he wasn’t alone.”
"Big brother, Blade, are you saying Yunzhi was injured by my big brother?" I almost screamed. "He's not alone... there's also Xiao Lianjue, isn't there? Who exactly is he?"
"The reaction is good, but it's too fake that you don't know Xiao Lianjue."
"You're convinced I have ulterior motives, fine, I won't bother with you anymore." I was furious, but my tone was surprisingly calm. "Shaoyou, take me to Beiqingyuan. I need to rest."
"Wait a minute, you..." Qionghua frowned slightly, "You really don't recognize Xiao Lianjue, the master of the Eastern Palace?"
"The head of the Eastern Palace, isn't that the Crown Prince? Are you kidding me? He had my elder brother win over the foreign tribes? Does that mean he wants to usurp the throne?!"
"Even without Han Xuanmo's involvement, the Heavenly Clan Kingdom would still find an excuse to stir up trouble. Your Majesty merely followed the wind and accelerated the development of events. You originally wanted to watch the show, but you didn't expect... You were the last person they planned to target."
Looking into his eyes, I couldn't tell if it was anger or panic, and I started to tremble.
"Do you think I conspired with my elder brother to have him steal the Fire Token?"
"It's not impossible."
"...But you also said that only the five of you know about the Fire Fu Token!"
"Whether His Majesty is willing to tell you or not is his right. Even if he doesn't, I believe that with your abilities, you will naturally find out through other channels."
After talking for so long about the traitor who started it all, it ended up backfiring on me. I've finally experienced what it means to suffer in silence.
"So, in the end, you just don't believe me, do you?"
He lowered his head, placed the porcelain bowl on the plate, and remained silent for a while before speaking.
"How can I believe you? I only know that every time His Majesty gets into trouble, it's related to you."
"Great Protector, is the porridge ready? I'll take it to you."
Shaoyou stepped forward and picked up the plate. Because his back was to me, I couldn't see his expression, but Qionghua was clearly stunned for a moment, then his brows furrowed more, and he glanced at me before waving his hand impatiently.
"Madam, would you like something to eat?"
"No, let's go."
Qionghua's words left me incredibly frustrated. Although they were true, they were still very hurtful.
"The Grand Protector is also wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord. Besides, he is injured and his words may be harsh when he is angry. Madam, you don't need to worry about it."
"I'm not going to argue with him."
That's what I said, but I still have a knot in my heart; it's impossible not to mind.
Chapter 101
Author's Note: Thanks to the students who helped me get extra points! ^-^
Here's a freshly written chapter, presented with both hands, as a token of my gratitude.
When they returned to Zhaonan Pavilion, the man had already gotten up. He was still wearing only a single garment and sitting on the soft couch, his face appearing even paler in the cold wind blowing outside the window.
"You won't stop until you make someone sick, will you?" I rushed over and slammed the window and door shut.
His jet-black hair, no longer supported by the wind, hung limply, covering half of his face.
My heart tightened. I never thought of myself as someone who cries so easily, but now my nose really stung.
"Clouds..."
"Lian'er, tell me, how much of you can I trust?" He raised his head, his eyes cold and clear. "This humble attitude is so unlike you. Are you trying to please me so you can continue to use me?"
“You…” I opened my eyes wide, both angry and anxious, unable to speak.
"Come here, let me hug you for a while." He slowly reached out his hand, his fingers long and delicate.
My temper flared up, and I slapped his hand away.
He paused for a moment, then laughed. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have doubted you."
Her hand reached out again, but I dodged it. Her phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, she bit her bloodless lips, and her fingers twisted tightly around my sleeve.
"I really came here to suffer. I didn't want the good food and comfortable accommodations outside, but I came here to endure the cold and hardship..."
Suddenly, the hem of my sleeve sank, and before I knew it, he pulled me down onto the couch.