Every three months on this day, Dongfang Heng would fall ill and suffer terribly. He would stay here, and as soon as Dongfang Heng fell ill, he would know that he could deliver medicine to Dongfang Heng in time.
Osmanthus wine has a strong aftereffect. Shen Lixue drank three cups. At first, she was fine, but gradually, her head became dizzy and her eyes became hazy. She rested her head on Dongfang Heng's arm, closed her eyes, and her breathing gradually became even.
Dongfang Heng had drunk quite a bit and was a little tipsy. Looking at the completely dark sky, a bitter smile appeared on his lips. The torrential rain was still falling. They hadn't brought an umbrella when they came, and it wasn't very cold, so he took off his coat and covered Shen Lixue with it. He gently held her in his arms, rested his chin on her hair, and closed his eyes.
His heart hadn't started to ache yet; it wouldn't be too late to send her back to her room when it did.
The torrential rain poured down, pounding against every inch of the bluestone path, yet it could not disturb the tranquility and warmth within the pavilion.
The white hourglass flowed gently, and the sands of time passed second by second. A water droplet fell from the eaves with a thud, startling Dongfang Xun from his slumber.
Bright eyes opened, the sky was bright, the rain had stopped, and the plants on the ground, cleansed by the wind and rain, were exceptionally fresh, swaying gently in the breeze.
Dongfang Xun was shocked. He had actually fallen asleep. Dongfang Heng hadn't taken his medicine during his illness, so he must be in excruciating pain.
The beautiful, large hand picked up the medicine cup and strode towards Fengsong Courtyard, but she froze the moment she stepped into the courtyard. Dongfang Heng was sitting in a chair, wearing only a white undergarment, holding Shen Lixue in his arms, fast asleep, showing no signs of illness.
What happened? Did I miscalculate when his illness started? He didn't object when I offered to make him medicine yesterday.
He took a light step, about to go and ask, when Zi Mo appeared out of nowhere and blocked his way: "Your Highness, the Prince has instructed that no one is allowed to disturb you!"
"I know!" Dongfang Xun frowned, then stopped and looked at Dongfang Heng and Shen Lixue in the pavilion. What was going on?
In a hazy state, I heard a voice asking, "Second brother, are you not having a relapse?"
Dongfang Heng was startled and suddenly opened his eyes. The sky was bright, the trees were green and crisp, and crystal-clear water droplets rolled back and forth on the green leaves. Dongfang Xun stood at the gate of the courtyard, looking at him with a puzzled expression.
His jade-like fingers gently touched his chest, his brows furrowed slightly. He hadn't had a relapse, and his hellish experience every three months hadn't manifested. What was going on?
"Second brother, are you feeling unwell?" Dongfang Heng woke up, and Zi Mo no longer stopped him. Dongfang Xun strode over.
Dongfang Heng shook his head: "No!" His body was perfectly normal, without the slightest discomfort.
"Your injury is healed?" Dongfang Xun asked Dongfang Heng gently.
"No!" Dongfang Heng shook his head again. Just a few days ago, he was in so much pain that he vomited blood. How could he possibly be better?
"Then why didn't the illness flare up?" Dongfang Xun asked, puzzled.
"I don't know either!" Dongfang Heng turned to look at the courtyard gate: "Zimo, go and fetch Physician Chen!"
"Yes!" Zi Mo flew away.
With a soft, warm body in his arms and a delicate fragrance lingering in his nostrils, Dongfang Heng looked at the sleeping Shen Lixue and a faint smile appeared on his lips. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at the ethereal Dongfang Xun, and his gaze darkened. Dongfang Heng picked up Shen Lixue and strode towards the room.
"That's your room, not a guest room!" Dongfang Xun reminded softly.
"I know!" Dongfang Heng replied, continuing his walk towards the room without stopping.
"Men and women are different. You two are not married yet. Don't ruin the girl's reputation!" Dongfang Xun frowned.
"Li Xue will come of age in three months, and we'll be married soon!" Dongfang Heng said, his tone filled with ease and joy.
Dongfang Xun was taken aback. This was the first time he had heard Dongfang Heng speak to him in such a relaxed tone. Was his change all because of Shen Lixue?
Dongfang Heng entered the inner room, carefully placed Shen Lixue on the bed, looked at her flushed face due to drunkenness, a faint smile appeared on his lips, gently covered her with a quilt, and went behind the screen to wash up.
After a short while, Physician Chen arrived. Dongfang Heng came out of the room and sat down at the table. Physician Chen firmly grasped his wrist and carefully took his pulse.
The pulse in his hand beat steadily. Physician Chen's gaze deepened. Under the solemn gaze of Dongfang Xun and Dongfang Heng, he spoke calmly: "The Prince's pulse is much weaker than before, which should be due to the loss of half of his internal energy. Apart from that, there is no change."
Dongfang Xun frowned at Dongfang Heng: "Who did you fight? How did you lose half of your internal energy?"
"It's a long story, I'll tell you later." Dongfang Heng gave a few perfunctory words and looked at Physician Chen: "Physician Chen, last night was supposed to be the time of my once-every-three-months serious illness recurrence, why didn't it occur?"
"This?" Physician Chen took the pulse again and shook his head: "I don't know either!"
Dongfang Heng raised an eyebrow. If even Physician Chen couldn't find anything, there must be something fishy going on. Just as he was about to ask if the onset of the illness had been delayed, a sharp pain suddenly shot up in his chest, like a fine needle piercing his heart, so painful that it almost made him suffocate.
Dongfang Heng clutched his chest tightly, his brows furrowed, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. His blood surged in his chest, and a metallic taste rose to his throat. Blood flowed rapidly between his jade-like fingers.
"Prince An!" Physician Chen exclaimed in surprise, quickly taking out a pill and stuffing it into Dongfang Heng's mouth.
Dongfang Xun was also taken aback: "So your injury didn't heal, it just had a delayed flare-up!"
"Where's the medicine?" Dongfang Heng asked weakly. His serious illness, which recurred every three months, was no small matter, and he had to suppress the pain with medication.
"I've already had the servants heat it up; it'll be here soon!"
As soon as Dongfang Xun finished speaking, a fragrant aroma of medicine wafted through the air, and Zi Mo's tall figure landed beside the table, holding a bowl of steaming hot medicine in his hand.
Dongfang Heng took the medicine, let it cool, and drank it down. The bitter medicine hit his nose, and he frowned tightly. Thinking of Shen Lixue's bright smile, he endured the discomfort and drank every last drop of the medicine.
Dongfang Xun raised an eyebrow. He used to always drink half a bowl and then pour out the other half, but now he actually drank it all.
"I'm going back to my room. You may do as you please!" Knowing that Dongfang Heng needed to rest after taking his medicine, no one said anything more.
Dongfang Xun looked in the direction he walked, raised an eyebrow. He was going to his room to rest, and Shen Lixue was sleeping in his room. Was he going to rest with her?
Recalling Shen Lixue's bright face, dazzling smile, cunning eyes, noble status yet humble and unassuming nature, a smile appeared on his lips. Such a woman was indeed worthy of Dongfang Heng.
With his hand covering his chest, Dongfang Heng slowly walked to the bed. This short distance of a few dozen meters had almost exhausted all his strength. After taking off his shoes, Dongfang Heng lay down next to Shen Lixue fully clothed and hugged her into his arms through the blanket.
With a soft, boneless body in his arms and a delicate fragrance lingering in his nostrils, Dongfang Heng suddenly felt the pain in his chest lessen.
Dongfang Heng was startled and hugged Shen Lixue even tighter. Her small face was pressed against his chest, and her gentle warmth seeped into his skin through the thin clothes, like a special force reaching his aching heart, instantly reducing some of the pain.
What happened?