“Brother Song, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gone to Huguo Temple with you all. If it weren’t for me, you and Su Tan wouldn’t have parted on bad terms today.”
Liu Qingyin’s face was full of guilt, tears continuously falling.
Song Tingchen’s thoughts seemed to drift, his gaze fixed on the snow-covered bamboo branches. No one knew what he was thinking.
It was only when Song Xiao nudged his arm that he snapped out of it.
“Aunt Qing, it’s not your fault. It’s the bad woman who’s bullying everyone. She bullies Father, she bullies you. Aunt Qing, does it still hurt?”
Hearing Song Xiao’s tender, soft voice, Liu Qingyin forced a smile. “Xiaoxiao, be good. Aunt Qing isn’t in pain.”
Though she claimed not to be in pain, her voice carried a sob, and her eyes were red.
“Aunt Qing, you’re lying. You’re about to cry, how could it not hurt? Wuwu… Let me blow on it for you, okay? Blowing on it will make it stop hurting…”
Back when Su Tan wasn’t the bad woman yet, she had gotten hurt too.
He had asked her then, “Mother, does it hurt?” She had smiled, patted his head, and said, “If Xiaoxiao blows on it for Mother, Mother won’t hurt anymore.”
Liu Qingyin’s delicate face wore a fragile smile. She tilted her head slightly—perhaps because she had just cried, or perhaps because the weather was extremely cold—but her voice was somewhat hoarse. “Xiaoxiao, how about blowing on it for Father?”
“When Aunt Qing hurts, Xiaoxiao feels sorry for her. But when Father hurts and doesn’t say anything, Xiaoxiao doesn’t know.”
Song Xiao obediently nodded. Aunt Qing was gentle and beautiful, much better than the bad woman who abandoned him. It was a pity Father didn’t like Aunt Qing. “Father, blow blow~”
Song Tingchen patted Song Xiao’s head. “Good boy, Father isn’t in pain.”
Song Xiao’s eyes darted around mischievously. Suddenly, he reached out and hugged Song Tingchen’s neck, softening his voice pitifully. “But Aunt Qing is in pain.”
Even though Father didn’t like Aunt Qing, Aunt Qing liked Father!
“Father, how about you blow on it for Aunt Qing?”
Liu Qingyin looked up at Song Tingchen, only to see his expression still as calm as water. Her face stiffened slightly, quickly switching to an awkward expression. “Xiaoxiao, don’t talk nonsense.”
“Your father is like an older brother to Aunt Qing.”
Song Xiao mumbled, “But if Father is Aunt Qing’s older brother, then I should call Aunt Qing ‘Auntie’…”
His voice grew softer and softer. Liu Qingyin pretended not to hear, but when she looked at Song Tingchen, her face turned a shade paler.
Seeing Liu Qingyin’s forced smile, Song Tingchen’s eyes darkened. He slowly averted his gaze, his voice carried away by the wind.
“Let’s return to the mansion.”
Liu Qingyin’s nails dug deeply into her palm. As always, she forced a gentle, understanding smile and changed the subject. “Brother Song, does your promise to take me to Chen Wang Mansion still stand?”
Song Tingchen’s gaze fell on her. “Yes.”
…
“Brother Song, I’m ready. Let’s go.”
Liu Qingyin gave Song Tingchen a soft smile. The swelling and redness on her face had mostly subsided, concealed by makeup, giving her a fair complexion with a faint pink glow. Elegant and graceful, she stood holding an umbrella in the snow, truly resembling a fairy from a painting.
Song Tingchen frowned slightly, noticing her fingers reddened from the cold yet still dressed lightly. Though puzzled, he thought that girls all cared about their appearance and ultimately said nothing. “Yes, let’s go.”
Once in the carriage, Liu Qingyin made small talk along the way, while Song Tingchen remained lost in thought, his mind elsewhere.
Liu Qingyin’s fingers tightened until they turned white.
The moment Su Tan returned, Song Tingchen began treating her with such indifference!
A suffocating frustration churned in Liu Qingyin’s chest, neither rising nor settling.
She thought to herself—if she could save Princess Zhaoyang with this life-saving Danyao, and by doing so, secure a connection to the ladder of influence at Chen Wang Mansion, then she would no longer have to endure humiliation in the Song household.
Once this idea took root, Liu Qingyin found herself holding unexpectedly high hopes for this visit.
As soon as they arrived at Chen Wang Mansion, she noticed the servants were tense and solemn, as if preparing to receive an important guest.
Liu Qingyin quietly tugged at Song Tingchen’s sleeve.
“Brother Song, does Prince Chen hold you in such high regard? The servants here seem both nervous and busy—as if they knew you were coming.”
Song Tingchen’s brow furrowed slightly. In these troubled times, if such words were to spread, others might speculate about his relationship with the prince. “Qingyin, don’t speak carelessly.”
Liu Qingyin paid no mind. “Brother Song, you ought to have more confidence in yourself. You are a true hero—it’s only natural that Prince Chen admires you and wishes to befriend you.”
Song Tingchen’s brow tightened again. He had intended to reprimand her, but when he saw the shimmering tears in her eyes, he sighed softly and said nothing more.
Liu Qingyin’s world was small—apart from her late father, there was only him.
That was why she admired him so deeply and was always so considerate, never wanting to cause him trouble.
Song Tingchen’s gaze drifted to the snow clinging to the bamboo branches.
As for Su Tan—well, why even think of her?
They proceeded to the guest hall, where the steward of Chen Wang Mansion served tea and refreshments. Before Song Tingchen could speak, Liu Qingyin asked, “Why isn’t Prince Chen here?”
The steward smiled politely but distantly. “Miss Liu, the princess cannot be left alone for even a moment. His Highness is unwilling to entrust her to others and is personally watching over her.”
Liu Qingyin smiled and flattered, “Even with the imperial physicians and nursemaids attending to the princess, His Highness still stays by her side—such a devoted father.”
The steward replied, “It’s not only during her illness. Even on his busiest days, His Highness always sets aside an hour to spend with the princess.”
Song Tingchen’s eyes flickered.
He, too, was often busy.
In the past, Song Xiao had been cared for by Su Tan personally, and later by his mother and Liu Qingyin.
He himself only checked Song Xiao’s studies.
He had never thought much of it—those around him did the same. But now, hearing how Prince Chen devoted an hour each day to his daughter, he couldn’t help but reflect on whether he had been negligent as a father.
Liu Qingyin lowered her gaze. With that one probe, she had gauged the princess’s importance to Prince Chen, strengthening her resolve for what she planned to do today.
She stood and said, “My late father left me three Danyao. Only one remains now. Hearing of the princess’s illness, I brought it specially, hoping it might be of some help.”
Fearing the steward might refuse, Liu Qingyin pressed the box containing the Danyao into his hands. “This was given by the Worry-Free Divine Doctor. My father once met the divine doctor by chance, and he gifted him three Danyao.”
The steward had intended to decline—after all, far too many people had been sending medicines to Chen Wang Mansion lately.
His master had already instructed him to refuse any offerings that weren’t exceptional.
But upon hearing the name of the Worry-Free Divine Doctor, he hesitated for a moment and did not immediately push the Danyao (Elixir) back. “Please wait a moment, miss. I shall inquire about His Highness’s wishes.”
The Worry-Free Divine Doctor possessed unparalleled medical skills, capable of reviving the dead and regenerating flesh.
The steward turned and left. After a while, he returned with a smile on his face. “Miss Liu, the imperial physician has examined the Danyao (Elixir) you sent and confirmed it is suitable for the young princess’s condition. It has been divided into smaller pills and administered to her.”
“Her fever has now subsided, and His Highness is delighted. May I trouble you to wait a moment? His Highness will soon come personally to express his gratitude.”
Liu Qingyin revealed a smile, shyly biting her lip. “It was merely a small effort on my part. I’m just glad to be of assistance to His Highness.”
At this moment, Song Tingchen stood up and said, “Since the princess is out of danger, we shall take our leave now.”