While Song Nanxin was on her way to the main courtyard of the Prince Ning's Mansion, Song Yihuan was personally escorted back to Tinglan Courtyard, her accommodation in the mansion, by Nanny Zhao.
As she pushed open the door, a childish voice came from ahead. "Fourth sister."
A child of about four years old walked towards her. He was quite delicate-looking, but astonishingly thin. His lips were purplish-red, a sign of heart disease.
Running up to Song Yihuan under the protection of the maid, Song Yixuan grabbed her sleeve and asked timidly, "Sister, where did you go last night? Why didn't you come back? Xuan'er missed you."
"I..." Song Yihuan had just opened her mouth when a sharp pain shot through her arm. Nanny Zhao had tightened her grip on Song Yihuan's hand, her fingernails digging into the tender flesh and cutting off the words that were about to come out.
With a bitter taste in her mouth, Song Yihuan stroked Song Yixuan's face and said with a smile, "Last night, sister drank a bit too much wine at the banquet and passed out. Eldest sister arranged for me to stay in the guest room in the front yard. I forgot to send someone back to tell you. Will you blame me?"
Song Yixuan shook his head. Holding his sister's hand, the two walked towards the inner room. Yihuan very naturally changed the subject. "Last night when I was not here, did Xuan'er take his medicine and go to bed on time?"
Sure enough, Song Yixuan forgot about his sister's overnight absence and replied cheerfully, "Yes! Xuan'er remembered what sister told me and took the medicine and had his meals properly. Fourth sister, the meat last night was really delicious..."
Nanny Zhao stood by the door, watching the siblings chatting with each other. She saw Song Yihuan coax Song Yixuan to sleep without revealing any secrets. Only then did she show a satisfied look.
She asked the maid Chunxing to carry Song Yixuan into the room. Song Yihuan walked into the yard and said to Nanny Zhao,
"Nanny, don't worry. Since I've promised eldest sister, I won't go back on my word."
Nanny Zhao's eyes swept across Song Yihuan's blushing cheeks. She snorted and said, "I hope the Fourth Miss remembers her identity and the kindness that the Eldest Miss has shown to you and your younger brother. One should know how to repay kindness to live a long life."
After Chunxing settled Song Yixuan, she came out and saw Song Yihuan still standing in the yard. The woman's waist was extremely slender, and her long hair was casually pulled up at the back of her head. Just standing there, she was like a beautiful painting. However, she seemed a bit different from yesterday.
It seemed... she was a bit more charming than yesterday, with an indescribable allure.
Chunxing walked up to her and whispered to Song Yihuan, "Fourth Miss, Young Master Five is running out of medicine. The one boiled this morning was the last dose..."
Song Yixuan had to take medicine every day. If he missed a single dose, he would suffer from heart palpitations.
Coming back to her senses, Song Yihuan said, "Okay, I'll find a way to replenish the medicine."
After thinking for a while, she said, "Chunxing, go boil some hot water. I want to take a bath."
"Now?" Chunxing was a bit surprised.
"I had an argument with eldest sister for a long time yesterday and broke out in a light sweat. I'm not feeling very comfortable." Song Yihuan explained.
Chunxing didn't suspect anything and agreed before backing off. Soon, the water was boiled. Chunxing wanted to help Song Yihuan to the bathroom, but Song Yihuan told her to leave after entering the room. "You go and watch over Xuan'er. He can't be left alone. I can do it by myself."
The situation of the siblings in the Marquis Mansion was awkward. They only had this one maid to serve them. Chunxing couldn't take care of both at the same time, so she had to leave. Before leaving, she kindly closed the door for Song Yihuan.
Since she woke up on that big bed, Song Yihuan had been led around by others. Only at this moment did she finally get a precious chance to be alone. But after holding on for so long, she had reached her limit.
With trembling hands, Song Yihuan took off her clothes. She almost lost her balance several times. Taking a step with her sore and weak legs, she submerged her whole body in the water. The indescribable pain between her legs reminded her of what absurd things had happened last night. Finally, she couldn't hold back anymore and covered her face and cried.
But afraid of being discovered, she didn't even dare to make a sound. Her tears fell into the water through her fingers, leaving no trace in the world and getting no one's compassion.
In the Mustard Pavilion in the Imperial Garden of the Palace.
"Cousin, cousin?"
Ji Lingchuan suddenly came back to his senses. Looking up, he met a pair of narrow, teasing eyes. "What were you thinking so intently that you didn't even respond when I called you several times?"
Ji Lingchuan's expression remained unchanged. He said, "I wouldn't dare to deceive Your Majesty. I was just thinking about some matters at home that I haven't dealt with yet."
The face with a bit of boyishness suddenly leaned over. The Emperor Huan, who was only two years younger than Ji Lingchuan, said with a teasing look in his eyes, "Oh? Could it be that you were thinking about your newlywed wife? How was it? Did you consummate your marriage last night when you got back? Is she good-looking enough to catch your eye?"
What did she look like?
Ji Lingchuan was in a daze again.
Yesterday, he led the 100,000 Black Armored Army back from the war. After returning, he went to the palace to pay homage to the Emperor first. When he got back to the Prince Ning's Mansion from the palace, the welcome banquet had already started.
He saw his never-before-seen newlywed wife, Song Nanxin, the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Ding'an, sitting beside his mother. But there were too many guests in the mansion at that time. He only took a quick glance at her. In his impression, she was no different from most of the noble ladies in the capital.
It was when he went to Yixiang Pavilion as ordered by his mother that he remembered the elegant and fresh fragrance on her body, her soft and slender jade arms, her overly thin waist, and the soft cries of "husband" in the dim room.
"Cousin?" Emperor Huan called out again, raising his lips in a mischievous smile. "Forget it. Judging from your absent-minded look, you must be thinking about sister-in-law. Since that's the case, I won't keep you. Go home early."
Ji Lingchuan's expression remained unchanged. He got up and bowed. "I take my leave."
But when he turned around to leave, his ears turned slightly red, revealing a bit of his inner thoughts and making Emperor Huan even more curious about the Princess of the Prince Ning's Mansion.
After leaving the palace gate, Ji Lingchuan got into his sedan chair and didn't delay. He went straight back to the Prince Ning's Mansion.
Even when sitting in the sedan chair, Ji Lingchuan sat upright. Although his eyes were closed, his ears were paying attention to the outside sounds. This was a habit he had developed during his years of military service. No movement could escape his eyes.
However, he, who usually had excellent concentration and endurance, rarely felt a bit restless at this moment.
He didn't know his own strength last night. He still remembered that in the end, she was crying in pain and left several scratches on his body. She must have been seriously injured...
Just then, the sedan chair passed by the bustling Juxing Square. Ji Lingchuan suddenly opened his eyes and said, "Go to the medical clinic."
Fu Zhou was surprised for a moment and nervously asked, "Is the Prince injured?"
"Don't ask too many questions."
Fu Zhou could only scratch his head and told the bearers to detour to the nearest medical clinic, "Shengde Hall".
The medical clinic they found on the way was quite deserted. There were only a few patients seeing the doctor. Ji Lingchuan didn't mind. He stepped into the clinic, but unexpectedly bumped into someone at the door.
Ji Lingchuan was tall and imposing, and he had been practicing martial arts and leading troops for many years. He stood still, while the other person was knocked backward and let out a startled cry.
The cry was both delicate and charming. Before Ji Lingchuan could react, he had already reached out to support the other person's elbow.
"Be careful."
The familiar faint fragrance of apricot blossoms wafted into his nose.