Chapter 25.2
Kneeling by the bed, she held the bowl of medicine, took a sip, and wrinkled her brows at the bitterness. The temperature was acceptable, so she scooped a small spoonful and offered it to Li Wenjian's lips.
Unable to move as he lay on the bed, Li Wenjian opened his mouth as Zhao Heng approached with the spoon.
With their faces so close, their warm breaths intertwined, causing a faint blush to appear on Zhao Heng's cheeks.
The wind seeped in through the cracks of the window, making the flames flicker.
In the gentle light, the beauty was captivating, with soft features and a halo of warmth adding a touch of delicate mystery to her snowy skin and graceful figure.
After drinking the medicine, Zhao Heng wiped the residue from his lips and gently brushed his face with her sleeve, a fragrant breeze following, "Thank you."
Feeling a bit embarrassed by her words, Zhao Heng hastily put the handkerchief back in her waist and asked, "Your Highness, would you like some water?"
Li Wenjian shook his head, saying he didn't need water as the medicine had quenched his thirst, not wanting to trouble anyone further.
After feeding him the medicine, Li Wenjian settled back onto the bed, his eyes drifting shut.
Passing the bowl to a maid outside, Zhao Heng hesitated about whether to distract him with some conversation. As a sudden thunderstorm rumbled and lightning streaked across the sky, Zhao Heng's shoulders trembled slightly. She refocused her thoughts.
With injuries come chills, and His Highness couldn't afford to catch a cold now.
Raindrops flew in through the half-open window, and Zhao Heng quickly walked over, climbed onto the grand imperial bed, and swiftly closed the window.
Li Wenjian slowly raised his eyes.
Turning to face him, Zhao Heng met his gaze before quickly averting hers and saying, "The physician said you shouldn't be left alone these next few days. Tonight, I will stay here with you."
With heavy rain outside, Li Wenjian couldn't allow her to go back in such weather. Glancing at the cupboard, he remarked, "There are more blankets in there."
Following his suggestion, Zhao Heng retrieved a soft blanket from the cupboard. Concerned about his injuries, she hesitated before decisively walking to the opposite grand bed.
If Li Wenjian were in good health, she wouldn't have dared to share a bed with him. However, with his severe injuries, she was afraid she might accidentally hurt him while sleeping.
Preparing the soft bed, Zhao Heng said to Li Wenjian, "Your Highness, if you need anything tonight, just call me."
Li Wenjian nodded with his eyes closed. Zhao Heng then extinguished the lamp by the bed and settled back on the bed to rest.
After a long day, Zhao Heng was already tired. Barely half an hour had passed before she was startled awake, feeling the exhaustion creep in.
The sound of rain from earlier echoed in her ears, the soft patter of raindrops on the leaves and roof tiles. Now, the rain fell heavily, loud and chaotic, like pearls scattering on a jade plate, disturbing her peace.
Zhao Heng dreamt of her childhood in the village, during the same season and rain. Her grandmother would plant sweet potatoes in the back of the village, while she played on the ridges. The verdant leaves carried misty water vapor, everything absorbing the endless rain. The rain pressed down the grass on the roadside, forming cheerful streams that flowed into the distant river.
Young Zhao Heng, wearing a straw raincoat, splashed through the puddles on the ridges, water splashing around her, eliciting light laughter. There was a phoenix tree on the ridge, its large blossoms knocked down by the rain. After having her fun, she picked a handful of purple-tinged white phoenix flowers from under the tree and made a wreath with dogtail grass.
"Ah Heng, it's time to go home," her grandmother called out after finishing her chores.
Reluctant to leave her play, Zhao Heng dawdled until her grandmother called her several times. Anxiously, she ran over and placed the flower wreath on her grandmother's straw hat. Her grandmother chuckled at her mischievousness, then returned the wreath to her head. The large wreath hung down from the brim of the hat, blocking her view. Her grandmother stooped down to adjust it, took her hand, and led her home.
Passing by the wild cherry forest, her grandmother stood on tiptoes, picking a few red cherries to put in her mouth.
Li Wenjian's back pain kept him from falling asleep, his consciousness drifting in and out until he heard Zhao Heng softly weeping. In the dim light of the room, he opened his eyes and turned to the soft bed. Zhao Heng was sleeping with her back to him, the soft blanket outlining the contours of her body.
Her shoulders trembled, her sobs continuous.
"Zhao Heng."
Her only response was continued weeping.
Li Wenjian sat up, the movement causing a twinge in his injured back. He sucked in a cold breath and slowly got out of bed, walking to the edge of the soft bed to look at the tearful Zhao Heng.
Her hair spilled like green silk, her skin pure as jade, tears glistening in the corners of her eyes. Tear after tear fell down her cheeks, dampening the pillow.
His mouth moved silently, and Li Wenjian leaned in, hearing her murmurs - "Grandmother."
Li Wenjian reached out, gently rubbing the back of her neck for a moment. Gradually, Zhao Heng quieted her sobs, her trembling body settling down.
The rain outside continued to rage, lightning flashing through the window, casting a pallor over Zhao Heng's face. Li Wenjian noted her sleeping position, her head resting on one arm, and knew she would wake up feeling sore in the morning.
Sitting beside the soft bed, Li Wenjian helped Zhao Heng up, her body limp from sleep. He held her in his arms.
A softness filled his embrace.
Jolted by her movement, Li Wenjian felt the pain in his back reverberate, causing him to break out in a cold sweat. Clenching his teeth, he endured the discomfort before gently setting Zhao Heng down and covering her with a thin blanket.
Helpless, he gazed at her sleeping face, unsure who was taking care of whom.
The next morning, Zhao Heng woke up much later than usual. Startled by the bright sunlight streaming through the window, she realized she had overslept - something she hadn't done in years, as she was always an early riser.
As she slowly regained consciousness, thoughts of Li Wenjian's injury and the morning medication and meals flooded her mind. With a sudden start, she sat up in bed, her heart racing.
How could she have slept so heavily and forgotten about the important tasks?
Quickly dressing herself, she tiptoed to Li Wenjian's bed. His eyes were closed, his breathing almost imperceptible. A cold feeling washed over Zhao Heng as she cautiously placed her hand near his nose to feel for his breath.
His injuries were too severe, and he had lost so much blood that any neglect in care could easily lead to an accident. Back in the village, some people had lost their lives just from a cut on the finger by a sickle.
With these thoughts in mind, her hands trembled as she hesitantly touched his lips, which felt soft and cold. Her face paled in an instant.
Suddenly, Li Wenjian raised his hand, gripping Zhao Heng's hand in his palm, his voice hoarse, "Are you awake?"
His hand felt cold.
Relieved, Zhao Heng realized it was her responsibility to take care of him, yet she had slept more deeply than he had. Feeling guilty, she said, "I'll go prepare your medicine."
"No need," Li Wenjian replied. "I've already taken it."
"Taken it?" Zhao Heng was shocked that she had been oblivious to everything, even when the palace maids brought the medicine in. "What about breakfast?"
"That's done too," Li Wenjian's voice sounded weary as he stifled a few yawns. "You go freshen up and have your meal first. I'll rest a bit more."
Having endured the pain from his wound and the struggle through the night, Li Wenjian was exhausted.
Seeing him closing his eyes, seemingly exhausted, Zhao Heng realized he needed proper rest for his wound to heal. She gently adjusted the blanket, then left the sleeping quarters.
As she exited the quarters, Lian Zhou was waiting in the corridor and hurried over upon seeing her, "Master, you're awake? Eight Princess has been looking for you several times."
As the sun reached its zenith, casting short shadows, it was nearing midday. Zhao Heng whispered, "Why didn't you wake me?"
Lian Zhou bowed her head. "His Highness instructed not to disturb you."
Feeling a wave of despair, Zhao Heng realized that people coming in and out to feed him and administer medicine could see her sleeping soundly next to him. The thought of the situation spreading to others filled her with dread.
Seeing her distress, Lian Zhou reassured her, "His Highness asked for the medicine and meal to be placed outside, so he could take care of it himself."
Feeling even more anxious, Zhao Heng knew the physician had advised rest for Li Wenjian's healing. She reminded herself not to be careless the next day.
With time running short, Zhao Heng hurriedly freshened up and had a light midday meal, before visiting Li Nanxi at the Pearl Mirror Palace. Learning about Li Wenjian's injury that morning had brought her to tears several times. After visiting the Eastern Palace and hearing about the need for her brother to rest, Zhao Heng found herself busier than ever.
Upon returning to the Pearl Mirror Palace, she cried out of worry a couple more times due to her emotional turmoil. She had little appetite for her meal. Upon hearing that Zhao Heng had arrived, she immediately ran to her, throwing herself into Zhao Heng's arms, sobbing, "Imperial Sister-in-law, will my brother die?"
Startled by the address, Zhao Heng was taken aback. Only the Crown Princess had the right to be addressed by her as the princess's sister-in-law. Being just a mere Zhaoxun, such an address was beyond her status.
However, at that moment, the young girl was clinging to her, tears streaming down her pretty eyes and falling down her cheeks, wetting her clothes with the crimson peony flowers on them. She didn't have time to worry about formalities, so she gently stroked the girl's soft hair, "Don't worry, he's not seriously injured. He'll be better in a few days."
"Really?" The young girl looked up at her, her eyes filled with deep concern and fear.
"Yes," Zhao Heng reassured her, leaning in to kiss her on the forehead. "He also said to make sure you study hard. He'll test you on your lessons once he's better. If you fail, he'll throw away your rabbit and dolls."
*
Leaving the Pearl Mirror Palace, Zhao Heng thought that Li Wenjian needed his midday medicine. Moving swiftly, eager to return to the Eastern Palace, she unexpectedly ran into a group of people in the Plum Garden.
Among them, Zhao Heng recognized Xie Tinghuan, the one who had accompanied Seventh Princess to the Eastern Palace on that day. The others were unfamiliar to her.
Zhao Heng nodded in their direction as a greeting and attempted to leave.
However, one person deliberately blocked her path. She moved left, they moved left; she moved right, they moved right.
Xie Tinghuan pulled at her sleeve, "Zhiyu, let's go."
Unexpectedly, Wang Ruoyu brushed off Xie Tinghuan's hand and pushed her to the side. Xie Tinghuan stumbled back two steps and stopped, frowning and sneering as she retreated to the side.
Wang Ruoyu was the daughter of the Minister of Rites and had admired His Highness for years. When she learned that he had elevated an unknown palace maid to the status of Zhao, she had been simmering with resentment for days. Under her influence in recent days, her animosity towards Zhao Heng had reached its peak.
A clash was unavoidable in this chance encounter.
Zhao Heng stopped and looked up at her, "Who are you? Why are you blocking my way?"
Wang Ruoyu scrutinized Zhao Heng from head to toe, sneering, "So the rumors are true, you indeed have a face that can overthrow nations and cities. Today, seeing you in person, the rumors do you justice!"
Maintaining a calm expression, Zhao Heng asked, "Are you done?"
With a look of disdain, Wang Ruoyu continued, "I heard you used to be just a palace maid?"
Zhao Heng raised her gaze to meet hers and before she could speak, Wang Ruoyu sneered, "As a lowly servant, you managed to captivate the Crown Prince. It seems you do have some skill."
Those around Wang Ruoyu covered their mouths, chuckling softly.
Smiling faintly, Zhao Heng slowly lifted the corners of her mouth, "You are mistaken."
"What do you mean by mistaken?" Wang Ruoyu glared at her. "Aren't you a palace maid?"
"I am, indeed," Zhao Heng calmly replied, nodding. "But you are wrong about one thing. His Highness is wise and kind-hearted, not someone to be easily swayed, especially by beauty. I suggest you... watch your words carefully."
With that, she turned and left with Lian Zhou.
Watching her retreating figure, Wang Ruoyu hesitated for a moment before realizing that she had slandered herself by likening His Highness to infamous historical figures. She stamped her foot in frustration, "That sharp-tongued servant!"
Xie Tinghuan, seeing Wang Ruoyu's defeat, bit her lip gently, her hands clenched in pain.
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Author's Note:
Li Gouzi: I've been telling you all, when looking for a husband, find someone like me. Can you handle soothing your wife to sleep right after major surgery, before the anesthesia wears off? Can you?