After placing the person on the bed, Jing Yun fumbled her way to the candle holder in the dark and lit the candle.
"The door…" the man on the bed pointed weakly at the open door.
"…" Jing Yun's face darkened with exasperation.
Wearing a dark expression, she walked over and closed the door, then went to the wardrobe and dug out a small box.
The original body had practiced martial arts since childhood, inevitably suffering bumps and bruises, so she had prepared quite a few fine medicines for herself.
She carried the small box to the bedside and looked at the man covered in blood and utterly weak, her two willow-leaf brows twisting into contorted worms.
With him drenched in blood like that, there was no way to tell which part was injured. And seeing how faint his breathing was, as if he could stop breathing at any moment, she was afraid to question him carefully for fear he wouldn't have the breath to answer.
Other things aside, if he really kicked the bucket in her room, she truly wouldn't be able to clear herself of involvement!
After taking a deep breath, she hesitated no longer and sat down at the bedside to untie his sash.
No wounds on his chest.
Then she turned him over and saw his back was also fair and unmarked.
She looked down at his trousers, her hands hesitating.
"This prince… has… has no… external… external injuries…"
Jing Yun shot a glare at his pale face. "Couldn't you have said so earlier? Since you're not injured, where did all this blood come from?"
"Cough… someone… someone else's…"
"…!" Jing Yun began clenching her fists. She wanted to hit someone!
However, before she could raise a hand, the man's eyelids drooped and he passed out completely.
Though martial artists don't practice medicine, they more or less know how to check pulses. Drawing on the original body's experience, Jing Yun reached out and felt the pulse at his wrist, only to find his pulse was utterly chaotic—clearly caused by internal injuries.
Looking again at the blood-stained outer robe she had stripped off and tossed aside, she began to understand. This person had likely been in a fight, using his Internal Energy to injure others, and so while being splattered with blood, his own Internal Energy had also suffered severe damage.
She dug out two bottles of medicine from the small box, both for Breath Regulation and Internal Energy recovery, then pried open the man's mouth and poured all the pills from both bottles into his mouth at once.
They were all things for strengthening the body. Given his severe condition, she didn't dare give him too little. Over-supplementing was better than not enough—anyway, he was the one who refused to let anyone examine him, so if there were aftereffects, it wasn't her concern.
This was all she could do.
Having done her good deed and put away the medicine box, she returned to the bedside. Looking at the man lying there like a dead pig, she suddenly found herself at a loss.
Although she wasn't a conservative ancient person and had no concept of chastity, having a bare-chested man sleeping in her bed was still no solution. If anyone saw this, she'd have no way to defend herself…
What she didn't expect was that the very thing she feared would happen. Suddenly, footsteps came from outside the courtyard.
Her heart lurched, and without thinking, she waved a Palm Wind toward the candle—
Barely two or three breaths after the candle went out, Jing Liangyu's voice came from outside the door. "Di'er!"
She hurriedly straightened the bedclothes, stuffing the man toward the inner side of the bed and covering him with the quilt, while making the drowsy tone of someone just woken up as she called toward the door, "Father… it's so late, is something the matter?"
Then she deliberately stomped her foot to make the sound of putting on shoes, before running to open the door.
Outside, Jing Liangyu wore a tense expression and couldn't help but glance into her room.
The room was dark, so naturally nothing could be seen. His glance wasn't deliberate either, but rather an instinctive, guarded reflex.
"Father, it's so late—why haven't you rested yet? You look so tense and uneasy. Has something happened?" Jing Yun asked with concern as she rubbed her drowsy eyes.
"Yun'er, have you noticed anything unusual?" Jing Liangyu probed, turning to scan the courtyard.
"What do you mean, unusual? There's nothing unusual! It's just that the thunder was so loud tonight that I was startled awake several times."
"Yun'er…"
"Father, if you have something to say, just say it. Why are you hemming and hawing with your own daughter?"
Jing Liangyu glanced once more at the servants guarding the courtyard gate, then lowered his voice and said to her, "Tonight an assassin entered the Prince of Huai's residence. The assassin fled, and the Prince of Huai's men chased him to the vicinity. Some guards reported seeing the assassin enter our marquis estate…"
Jing Yun was shocked. "Entered our marquis estate? That's terrible!" With that, she turned to go back to her room. "Father, wait for me a moment. I'll change my clothes and come with you to catch the assassin!"
Jing Liangyu grabbed her. "Yun'er, there's no need to be so anxious. I just came by to take a look, worried the assassin might have run into your courtyard. As long as everything is fine here, I can rest easy."
Jing Yun shook her head. "Father, there's nothing wrong here. You know my abilities—if an assassin really had broken in, I would have noticed immediately."
Hearing this, Jing Liangyu nodded, then instructed her, "The Prince of Huai's men are still outside. I must personally lead a search and then report back to them. Go back inside and rest. Don't make a fuss, and if anyone asks, say you know nothing."
"Yes, I'll remember." Jing Yun replied obediently.
Soon, Jing Liangyu left with the household servants.
Gazing at the courtyard gate, Jing Yun furrowed her brow again and again, thinking of the man currently in her bed, and didn't know what to say.
The Prince of Yu really knew how to pick a place to hide!
She had originally planned to leave the capital in the next couple of days, but now that he had disrupted things—and with such severe internal injuries—she probably wouldn't dare go anywhere for the next few days!
Fine!
Considering he had helped her escape her marriage, she would help him this once, as repayment for that favor!
…
Regarding the events in the middle of the night, some people had heard the commotion, but since Jing Liangyu had personally led the search, no one in the estate dared to inquire further. So they only knew that Jing Liangyu had led men on a night patrol through the estate—they had no idea he was searching for an assassin.
In the morning, Xiangxing came to help Jing Yun wash and dress, and couldn't resist asking, "Miss, last night in my drowsy state I heard someone come—it seemed to be the Marquis. The Marquis coming so late at night—was there something urgent?"
Jing Yun smiled faintly. "Nothing. He just couldn't sleep and came to check on me."
Before Xiangxing could say anything else, Jing Yun continued, "I don't plan to go out these next couple of days. I want to rest properly. Don't bother doing my makeup either—just bring breakfast in. You've been helping at the rice shop these past few days and must be exhausted. I'm giving you a few days off. Do as you please."
Xiangxing quickly shook her head. "Miss, I'm not tired. I know you're not in good spirits. I won't disturb your rest—I'll just keep watch outside. Call me anytime if you need anything."
Jing Yun smiled faintly again. "These past few days, I've been exhausted even without doing anything. How could you not be tired after carrying rice for several days? Alright, just do as I say—I'm giving you a few days off. If you really feel you have nothing to do, go out on the streets and pick up two simple sets of ready-made clothes for me, something convenient for traveling. My father said he'll send me to my maternal grandfather's house in a few days. I think it's better to keep a low profile when out and about, so I don't attract unnecessary trouble on the road."
Only then did Xiangxing nod. "Yes, this servant will go in a bit."
She delivered the food to Jing Yun's room. As soon as she left, Jing Yun closed the door.
Then she walked to the bed and pulled open the bed curtain.
She had thought Xia Yanli was still asleep and was about to try waking him, but when she pulled the curtain open, she saw he was not only awake but sitting cross-legged in meditation, regulating his internal breath.
Since there were no clothes to change him into, he was bare-chested, his firm, sculpted muscles and sexy physique blatantly displayed before her eyes—more dazzling than a thousand-watt fluorescent lamp.
Her gaze involuntarily lifted to fix on his handsome face.
At this moment, he not only had energy, but was clearly breathing heavily and rapidly. His complexion in particular was red as a monkey's bottom—extremely abnormal.
"Um… Your Highness, are you alright?" she asked instinctively.
The man slowly lifted his eyelids and spoke abruptly, "What did you feed this prince?"
Jing Yun was slightly stunned, then replied, "I didn't feed you anything—just two bottles of pills for replenishing qi and regulating breath."
Hearing this, Xia Yanli's pupils constricted sharply, his gaze shooting out like needles, and he clenched his back teeth. "Do you think you're feeding a pig? Was there any need for that much?"
Jing Yun instinctively leaned back, her delicate willow brows knitting tightly. "You wouldn't let me call the mansion physician, and I don't know medicine. I only knew those pills help with internal energy. I was just worried that giving you too little wouldn't work!"
"You!" Xia Yanli's breathing grew even more strained.
"Your Highness, the way you look, it seems you've taken an overdose of the pills?" Jing Yun raised an eyebrow, wanting to laugh but managing to hold it in perfectly.
"You think?" Xia Yanli gnashed his teeth as if he wished he could bite her to death.
Seeing his fierce expression, Jing Yun wasn't annoyed. She lowered the bed curtain and turned to the table to eat breakfast.
Just as she took her first sip of congee, she heard the man's cold, hard voice from within the bed, "Find this prince a robe!"
Jing Yun swallowed the congee in her mouth and replied coldly with two words, "There isn't one."
"Just find this prince any garment to cover himself!"
"There isn't one."
"…"
From within the bed curtain came the sound of grinding teeth, and a chill seeped out, gradually filling the room.
Jing Yun was somewhat displeased too—after all, being ordered around like a maid really didn't feel good.
Fortunately, she had no intention of offending him. She adjusted her emotions slightly, picked up the bowl of congee she had set aside, walked to the bedside, lifted the curtain, and handed it in. "Your Highness, you're the one who told me not to tell anyone. I even sent my personal maid away. Where am I supposed to get men's clothing?"
Hearing this, the anger in Xia Yanli's eyes finally subsided somewhat.
He didn't stand on ceremony either, reaching out to take the congee bowl and gulping it down.
Jing Yun took back the empty bowl but didn't leave immediately. Instead, she probed tentatively, "When does Your Highness plan to leave?"
Xia Yanli glanced at her, then suddenly closed his eyelids, as if thoroughly disgusted with her.
Jing Yun frowned and said, "Last night, people from the Huai Prince's residence chased an assassin to near the marquis's residence and even suspected the assassin had hidden inside. It alarmed my father, and he personally led a search of the residence all night."
Hearing this, Xia Yanli's closed eyelids twitched unnaturally, but he did not open his eyes. He merely asked in return, "The marquis came here to search?"
"Yes, he came to search, but I sent him away."
"Good. Then I will stay here temporarily and leave in a couple of days."
"…!" Jing Yun's beautiful eyes could not help but widen. She had told him all this hoping he would leave quickly, not so he could shamelessly stay!
Perhaps sensing her anger, Xia Yanli explained with his eyes still closed, "The court officials all know I left the capital two days ago on official business. If I return to my residence now, it will surely arouse the Huai Prince's suspicion. Since the marquis has already searched this place, it is the safest. I am very reassured."
He was reassured?
Jing Yun was almost amused by anger.
Could he have some shame? He was a prince, yet he treated her boudoir bed as his den—was that something a normal person would do?
Xia Yanli's long, narrow peach-blossom eyes suddenly opened a slit, gazing at her steadily. "Sixth Miss, do not forget how I helped you leave the Residence of the Fuyuan General."
Jing Yun could not help but roll her eyes. She simply said, "But in a couple of days I am leaving the city to go to my maternal grandfather's home!"
"No matter. Just bring me along."
"…!"
Just as Jing Yun was about to explode with anger at his demand, Xiangxing's voice came from outside the door, "Miss!"
She quickly lowered the bed curtain and hurried to open the door.
"What is it?"
"Reporting to Miss, that Old Madam Du is outside the residence gate, insisting on seeing you no matter what! The gatekeeper told her you were unwell, but she still refused to leave and even made a scene, cursing the gatekeeper!" Xiangxing reported urgently.
Jing Yun clenched her fists.
That mother and son of the Du family never stopped challenging her patience and bottom line. She was truly reaching the limit of her tolerance!
"Let her in!"
"Miss…"
"With such a shameless thing, if I do not give her a taste of embarrassment, she will really think I am easy to bully!"
Facing her icy face and sharp gaze, Xiangxing felt a little afraid and quickly responded, running toward the main gate.
Before long, Yao Zhuhua was brought into the flower hall of her courtyard.
Jing Yun had not combed her hair. She sat in the main seat with her black hair loose, neither smiling nor rising to greet the guest. Her delicate, beautiful face was tense, cold, and hard.
"Yun'er, I heard you were unwell. Are you feeling better?" Yao Zhuhua asked with concern the moment they met, as if she had not seen Jing Yun's cold expression.
"Old Madam Du, you were so eager to see me. Is there some important matter?" Jing Yun asked instead of answering.
"Yun'er, what happened on the wedding day was all Ran'er's fault. It was Ran'er's negligence that made you suffer. I came today to apologize to you on Ran'er's behalf. Please, for my sake, forgive Ran'er!" Yao Zhuhua's face was full of shame.
"For your sake?" Jing Yun suddenly curved her lips. "What status does Old Madam Du have to speak of face with me? Are you relying merely on being older than me?"
"…" Under her mockery, Yao Zhuhua's old face turned white with a swish.
Jing Yun watched her with composure as she endured her resentment without daring to speak, while scenes of how she had once looked also surfaced in Jing Yun's mind.
Ten years ago, when this woman worked for others, she was diligent and honest, and always treated her with utmost respect. No one knew when it began, but this woman dressed more and more glamorously, and her words and actions no longer showed the humble caution of before. When speaking to her original self, she inexplicably put on the airs of an elder.
The original self was kind-hearted and never minded her changes. But she was not the original self, and she truly could not bring herself to like someone who, upon rising to the top, became so full of herself. Moreover, she constantly brought up matters of face—one might ask, how much face does she have? Did she give birth to her, raise her, or provide guidance and help on her life's path?
None of the above!
"Old Madam Du, since you've come today, then for the sake of your age, I'll say a few more words to you." She suppressed the sneer at the corner of her lips and looked at her upright and solemnly. "When your son got together with Tang Yingying behind my back, he lost the right to make me marry beneath myself. For the past ten years, during the hardest and poorest times for you and your son, all your food, clothing, and expenses were paid by me. Even your son's current achievements were entirely paved by me. Ten years of giving—I asked for nothing, only that he be wholeheartedly devoted to me. Is that demand excessive? I'm not attacking you, but your son started enjoying the blessings of two women before he even married me. That's simply inhuman! I, Jing Yun, have family background, looks, and talent—what gave you the confidence to think I would share a husband with another woman?"
"Yun'er…"
"Old Madam Du, please call me Sixth Miss!"