Liu Huai felt a chill run down his spine and could only gesture for Yu Shiyan to proceed. “Your Highness, please sit down and extend your hand.”
Although the Seventh Prince indeed held little influence, a physician’s compassion demanded equal treatment for all patients. Moreover, Liu Huai was somewhat aware of his circumstances and found them genuinely pitiable.
Yu Shiyan remained silent, obediently taking a seat and laying his palm flat. Liu Huai carefully examined the dried dark green juice, then withdrew his hand in surprise, turning to fetch gauze from his medicine chest. “I hadn’t expected Your Highness to be well-versed in herbal medicine as well.”
Yu Shiyan frowned slightly but felt no aversion toward Liu Huai. After all, this was the man who had voluntarily cared for him for over a month, while other imperial physicians had shirked their duties, deeming him powerless and insignificant.
“What do you mean?” Yu Shiyan asked.
“This is plantain juice, used to stop bleeding. Could it be that Your Highness didn’t treat this wound yourself?” Liu Huai smiled without pressing further. “It seems you’ve encountered a kind-hearted soul worth befriending.”
“Impossible.” Yu Shiyan withdrew his hand displeased, his breath growing slightly unsteady as if recalling something.
That woman merely saw him as a plaything to summon and dismiss at her whim. Now, having grown bored of toying with him, she was finding new ways to torment him. Hadn’t he suffered enough at her hands?
Liu Huai, not being in his position, couldn’t comprehend his feelings and thus said no more, quietly tending to his fresh wounds. “There, all done, Your Highness.”
He closed the medicine chest and added a reminder, “Avoid contact with water for the next few days. You still have some bruises—I’ll retrieve blood-activating and stasis-resolving ointment and deliver it to your quarters.”
“Very well. Thank you.” Yu Shiyan nodded gently as he draped his blue robe over his shoulders.
With that, Liu Huai pushed the door open and left, startling Yuan Siyin, who had been leaning against the doorway waiting. “Miss Yuan… you’re still here?”
Wiping cold sweat from his brow, Liu Huai bowed with clasped hands.
“No contact with water, right? Understood. You may go.” Yuan Siyin waved impatiently, her gaze repeatedly drifting toward Yu Shiyan inside.
“About… the morning run…”
“Keep nagging and I’ll make it a night run.”
“Your servant takes his leave.” Liu Huai slung his medicine chest over his shoulder and scurried away.
Good heavens, wasn’t he moving faster than when he arrived?
Yuan Siyin pondered for a moment, deciding to lean against the doorway with crossed arms instead of entering. Better let him rest properly. If she went in now, he’d surely bristle like an angry cat.
Why did that thought suddenly bring a wild kitten to mind?
But the male lead was truly handsome—like a clear breeze after rain, his cold brows reminiscent of frozen snow. Though the Crown Prince was also pleasing, in her heart, he couldn’t compare to Yu Shiyan.
Heh.
The woman abruptly smacked her own head without warning.
Yuan Siyin! Yuan Siyin!
Snap out of it!
This is the one who could end your life… no, the person who could.
“Miss, the Empress Dowager has summoned you for the midday meal.” Feicui approached, puzzled to find her standing outside the bedchamber without entering. “Are you not going in because you wish to rearrange the furnishings?”
“No—” Yuan Siyin began to explain when Yu Shiyan silently pushed the door open and emerged.
Feicui observed the two, her face betraying a hint of disbelief. “The Seventh Prince is here as well… Perhaps you might join us for the meal?”
Given the relationship between the male lead and the original host, it would be unreasonable if he didn’t refuse.
Yuan Siyin felt no psychological pressure whatsoever, already looking forward to the delicacies they would soon be eating.
Unexpectedly, Yu Shiyan pursed his lips and actually nodded in agreement.
That alone wasn’t surprising, but he even retreated behind her to straighten his slightly disheveled outer robe. Upon closer look, his eyes held a faint mistiness, and his cheeks were tinged with a soft blush.
This in itself wasn’t unusual—after all, the weather was sweltering.
The real problem arose when Feicui’s gaze toward her shifted abruptly.
Yuan Siyin suspected Yu Shiyan had done it on purpose, but she had no proof.