Yuwen Hao was shocked in his heart. She said she would rather die than become the King of Chu's concubine?
How ridiculous. Wasn't this position as the King of Chu's concubine what she had desperately sought after using every trick up her sleeve?
"Wake up and explain yourself clearly!" A surge of indescribable anger rushed up in Yuwen Hao. He held up her face and slapped her.
Xi Mama was furious. She stood up and blocked in front of Yuan Qingling, saying, "How can you bear to do this? Prince, how have you become so vicious? Even if you don't have marital affection, even a stranger wouldn't treat her like this! How can you be so heartless?"
Yuwen Hao glanced at Yuan Qingling's frighteningly pale face. The tears in her eyes had already welled up, but she was forcing herself not to let them fall, looking stubborn and cold.
He actually couldn't stand looking at her stubbornness and turned to leave.
Standing under the locust tree outside the side hall, watching the yellow leaves swirling in the wind in front of him, his heart also felt like a great wind had blown through, filled with indescribable emotions.
"King of Chu!" Behind him came the voice of Concubine Chu Mingcui of Qi.
Yuwen Hao collected himself and turned to look at her.
She stood in front of the corridor, her skirt trailing behind her, her bearing noble and elegant, like a fairy descending to earth.
Her beauty had always been outstanding and unmatched.
Childhood sweethearts, yet she had become another's wife. In his heart, there was a faint piercing pain.
Seeing the hidden grief in his eyes, Chu Mingcui finally felt a trace of smug satisfaction.
He still couldn't forget her after all.
She raised her eyebrows, speaking with some gratification, "The Supreme Emperor's illness has stabilized now, and Father Emperor's attitude towards you has also changed slightly. I'm also happy for you."
He neither agreed nor disagreed.
After a long silence, she said faintly, "How are you?"
Yuwen Hao lowered his eyes. "What's there to be good or bad about? I'm still alive."
Chu Mingcui gave a sad laugh. "Yes, what's there to be good or bad about? Being alive is enough. I only hope now that what I fear will not happen."
Yuwen Hao looked up at her. "What are you afraid of?"
With eyes brimming with tears, Chu Mingcui's eyelashes fluttered lightly as she said softly, "I'm afraid that one day, for the sake of that position, you and him will fight to the death."
Yuwen Hao was silent for a long while before slowly shaking his head. "No, I have no other thoughts. Don't worry too much. I made you a promise before, and I will honor it."
Chu Mingcui let out a soft sigh, looking at his handsome face. "You know, I've always hoped it would be you." Having said that, she blinked her eyelashes, tears welling up, making sure he saw it before slowly turning to leave.
He stood there woodenly, thinking not of Chu Mingcui's meaningful gaze just now, but of Yuan Qingling's pained and resolute face.
Xi Mama came out with water and stood behind him for a while before gently saying, "Prince, go back in. Everything can be talked through clearly."
Yuwen Hao nodded slightly and turned to go back in. He did indeed have a lot to ask Yuan Qingling.
Yuan Qingling was still lying face down on the bed. Her clothes were just lightly draped over her back and covered with a brocade quilt. Her face was tilted to the side, pale.
Seeing Yuwen Hao come in, she slowly closed her eyes, exhaustion evident in the faint dark circles under them. The shadows cast by her eyelashes made her look weak and fatigued.
Yuwen Hao had calmed down a lot more. He pulled up a chair and sat in front of the bed. "We need to have a good talk."
Yuan Qingling didn't open her eyes, just said indifferently, "As long as you don't hit me, I'm willing to have a good talk anytime."
Her words were calm and breezy.
Yuwen Hao narrowed his long eyes. Looking over all her injuries, this breeziness felt somewhat sarcastic.
Yuan Qingling slowly opened her eyes to look at him. "No need to guess. My words represent what I'm thinking. Since the Prince is willing to communicate, I welcome it. I'm not a masochist who needs to be beaten up before I'll cooperate."
Yuwen Hao naturally didn't believe her. He leaned back in his chair, feet pressed against the bed frame, the chill still evident on his face. Both his body and mind rejected Yuan Qingling.
However, Yuan Qingling's words undoubtedly reduced his rejection and disgust somewhat.
"What medicine did you give the Emperor?"
"Emergency medicine, can be used for heart attack, heart failure and breathing difficulties." Yuan Qingling replied.
"Who gave you the medicine?"
"No one. It was my own."
Yuwen Hao's eyes were cold. "Clearly, you're unwilling to tell the truth."
"It's because you don't believe me that makes you think I'm not telling the truth."
Of course Yuwen Hao didn't believe her. How could she have gotten these medicines herself? However, he also understood that if someone highly skilled had given her these lifesaving divine medicines and told her to keep it secret, it would be normal.
He asked again, "What poison did you give me that made me lose consciousness and be unable to move?"
"That wasn't poison, it was anesthetic, for surgery, similar in effect to zijin soup."
Yuwen Hao coldly said, "Zijin soup is poison."
Yuan Qingling looked at him. "So the medicine you made me drink was poison."
Yuwen Hao was silent, tacitly admitting it.
Yuan Qingling said, "Forget it, be it poison or divine medicine, I don't care anymore. It's just this life. If you really can't stand the sight of me, then take it. But as long as I live one more day, please don't always make things difficult for me. At least while I'm treating the Emperor, please be more tolerant. For past matters, after I leave the palace, I will give you an explanation."
Yuwen Hao coldly said, "If anything happens to the Emperor under your care, I will hold you accountable."
Yuan Qingling retorted, "Then what if the Emperor recovers? Will you give me credit for that?"
Yuwen Hao narrowed his eyes and leaned over her, his cold eyes flashing in front of her for a moment. "I will. I clearly distinguish between gratitude and grudges."
He then stood up, pulling the chair back and tossed a pill onto the table. "Later, have Xi Mama give it to you to take." Having said that, he turned and left.
Yuan Qingling was somewhat surprised by his answer. Clearly distinguishing between gratitude and grudges? Would he?
She didn't know about gratitude, but she was certain he clearly distinguished grudges. At least, he held a grudge against the original Yuan Qingling for scheming against him, and hadn't let Yuan Qingling have a single good day.
She was extremely exhausted and soon fell into a deep sleep.
She didn't know how long she had slept. When she awoke, she saw Xi Mama sitting at her bedside.
Seeing her awake, Xi Mama felt her forehead and said, "Your fever's gone down."
Yuan Qingling also felt her spirits had improved somewhat. She croaked, "Thank you for taking care of me, Mama."
"Don't mention it!" Xi Mama's expression was indifferent. She got up and poured a cup of water, taking the pill Yuwen Hao had left and coming over. "Take your medicine."
"What medicine is this?" Yuan Qingling propped herself up to look at the glossy red pill, like a chocolate truffle.
"Zijin Dan."
"Zijin Dan?" What was it now, Zijin soup wasn't enough she had to take Zijin Dan too?
Xi Mama said, "It reduces bruising and regenerates flesh, extremely good for your injuries. This pill is worth thousands in gold. Each prince only has one. It can save your life if you're gravely injured."
"So miraculous? What is it made of?" Yuan Qingling was very interested in studying medicine, so she took it and sniffed it. It had a very strong notoginseng smell. Was it made with notoginseng?
"I don't know, just that it's extremely precious. The Prince..." Xi Mama looked at her. "When the Prince was once gravely wounded by an arrow, he didn't even bear to take this pill."
Yuan Qingling felt a little complicated inside. This pill was so precious, yet he was willing to give it to her. Naturally, it meant he believed she could cure the Emperor.
