9 – Yongzheng’s Little Fox
The two exchanged a knowing smile.
The sky gradually filled with a thin layer of gold as the sun hid behind the clouds, revealing only half of its body. It was then that several figures, led by Kangxi, came galloping on horseback toward them.
A few men used chains to bind the limbs of the wolf king.
Fu Qingzi grew increasingly uneasy. Why was there a large patch of red on Yin Zhen’s arm?
As soon as Yin Zhen dismounted, Fu Qingzi hurried forward. Kangxi’s anxious voice rang out, “The imperial physician! Summon the imperial physician!”
The imperial physician quickly arrived, carrying his medical chest.
Upon seeing Fu Qingzi, Yin Zhen struggled slightly as he handed her a small black fox from his embrace before promptly fainting.
Fu Qingzi looked down at the tiny black fox in her arms, her eyes filled with complex emotions as she wondered what he was thinking. Had Yin Zhen brought back the cub of the large fox? But why had he gotten himself injured in the process?
After Yin Zhen was carried back to the tent, the imperial physician carefully examined him and finally breathed a sigh of relief. After applying the medicine, he bowed and reported to Kangxi, who was also anxiously waiting nearby, “The Fourth Prince is temporarily out of danger. I have applied a wound-healing ointment to his injuries.”
“After this, it may fall to the Fourth Princess Consort to take care of him,” the imperial physician said, handing the medicine to Fu Qingzi.
Fu Qingzi reached out and tucked the wound-healing ointment into her sleeve, pursing her lips as she replied, “It’s no trouble.”
Kangxi stayed in the tent a while longer but could not remain for too long. After instructing Fu Qingzi, he left the tent, saying, “Take good care of the Fourth Prince. I must leave now.”
Fu Qingzi curtsied in acknowledgment.
She glanced at Consort De’s indifferent expression and couldn’t help but feel a chill in her heart on Yin Zhen’s behalf.
Turning her gaze to Su Peisheng, she asked with an ambiguous tone, “Su Peisheng, what exactly happened?”
Su Peisheng explained that Yin Zhen had been injured while shielding Kangxi from the wolf king’s attack. No wonder there had been a fleeting look of guilt in Kangxi’s eyes.
After hesitating for a moment, Su Peisheng added, “Princess Consort, even while injured, Fourth Master did not forget to bring back the fox he had previously chosen for you.”
Fu Qingzi was momentarily stunned. What exactly did he mean by this?
She gently nudged the black fox curled up asleep beside her with her foot.
The little fox, still drowsy, rubbed against Fu Qingzi’s foot, wrapped its front paws around her ankle, and closed its eyes again.
For once, Fu Qingzi set aside her usual fastidiousness and picked up the fox, cradling it in her arms. She pressed her cheek against it, noting how soft, clean, and glossy its black fur was.
The little fox rubbed against her again, opening its dark, gleaming eyes as if to fawn on her.
Fu Qingzi dampened a handkerchief and gently wiped the fine beads of sweat from Yin Zhen’s forehead. Seeing his slightly pale face, her heart tightened involuntarily.
When Yin Zhen awoke, he found Fu Qingzi cradling a small fox that was sleeping soundly in her arms, her hands resting on the edge of the bed as she dozed off.
Sensing movement, Fu Qingzi opened her eyes, and the two locked gazes.
“You’re awake.”
Yin Zhen reached out and stroked the little fox in Fu Qingzi’s arms, his voice hoarse as he asked, “Do you like it?”
A faint glimmer flickered in Fu Qingzi’s eyes, and her voice softened unconsciously. “Thank you for the little fox, Lord. I like it very much.”
Yin Zhen then added with a serious tone, “Hmm, the moment I saw it, I thought it resembled you.” Upon closer listening, there was a hint of teasing in his words.
Fu Qingzi was momentarily speechless. “…” What did he mean by that? Did she really resemble this little black fox that was as dark as coal?
Fu Qingzi’s beautiful eyes flickered, unwilling to be outdone as she said, “I just gave it a lovely name.”
Yin Zhen looked at her with a puzzled gaze, “Hmm?”
Fu Qingzi’s phoenix eyes held a hint of amusement as she replied, “Shaoye.”
Yin Zhen: “…”
Yin Zhen frowned slightly, asking weakly, “Did Qianjin provoke you again?”
Under the candlelight, Fu Qingzi’s eyes seemed even more cunning, like a little fox.
As Fu Qingzi carefully unwrapped the gauze to change Yin Zhen’s dressing, she suddenly heard him say hesitantly, “Shaoye it is, as long as it makes you happy.”
Fu Qingzi rarely laughed out loud, “Thank you, Lord.”
Seeing the two deep bite marks on Yin Zhen’s arm, Fu Qingzi took a deep breath, her heart skipping a beat. They looked even more frightening than when she had seen them in the afternoon.
Yin Zhen glanced sideways at Fu Qingzi, a faint smile playing on his lips as he asked, “Scared?”
Fu Qingzi steadied herself and calmly replied, “Not scared.”
After applying the medicine to Yin Zhen’s wound, Fu Qingzi picked up the little fox again, examining it closely. Did it really resemble her?
Yin Zhen remained silent for a moment before asking, “Have you eaten at the front?”
Fu Qingzi’s expression remained calm, though a faint glimmer of amusement flickered deep in her eyes. “I’ve been here keeping you company all along.”
Just as Yin Zhen was about to call for Su Peisheng, someone from the front happened to bring in the meal.
Her gaze carried a hint of laziness, her long, thick eyelashes slightly lowered as she looked at the dining table. “Perfect timing.”
Yin Zhen placed his hand on Fu Qingzi’s fair, slender fingers. “Help me up.”
After the meal, Fu Qingzi helped Yin Zhen back to the bed. She wondered, since it was his hand that was injured, why couldn’t he move his feet either?
Yin Zhen rested his uninjured hand behind his head, his icy gaze devoid of any warmth as he said lightly, “Fu Qingzi, I won’t be going to the hunting grounds for the next two days. Feel free to exaggerate the severity of my injury.”
Could it be that Yin Zhen’s injury wasn’t accidental?
Fu Qingzi glanced at him indifferently. “Alright, you’re so injured you can’t take care of yourself.”
Yin Zhen’s brow furrowed slightly, his dark pupils like spilled ink as he looked at Fu Qingzi, gritting his teeth. “Do you need a lesson?”
Having woken up early that day, Fu Qingzi was exhausted. After tidying up briefly, she lay down beside Yin Zhen.
Yin Zhen nudged Fu Qingzi with his foot, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Fu Qingzi, aren’t you going to put out the lamp?”
Fu Qingzi called out toward the outside before lying back down. “Su Peisheng, come in and put out the lamp.”
Yin Zhen also lay down, shifting closer to Fu Qingzi as he moved inward, his voice magnetic and gentle. “You’re quite skilled at ordering my people around.”
Fu Qingzi complained, “Your arm is injured, don’t keep moving closer to me.”
Yin Zhen shifted outward again, snorting. “Do you think I care about being close to you?”
Fu Qingzi fell silent. From his tone, was it her fault for trying to help him?
After Fu Qingzi fell asleep, Yin Zhen shifted back toward her.
This woman slept quite properly, but her words weren’t exactly pleasant to hear.
The next day, as soon as Fu Qingzi woke up, she found herself in Yin Zhen’s embrace. Who was it that said he didn’t care about being close to her yesterday? It really left her at a loss for words.
Fu Qingzi carefully removed Yin Zhen’s large hand from her waist.
Yin Zhen’s dark eyes stared directly at Fu Qingzi.
Fu Qingzi: “…”
Yin Zhen snorted coldly and turned his head away.
Su Peisheng and Qiao An came in to tidy up for the two of them before the imperial physician entered to examine them. Seeing Yin Zhen’s pale and weak complexion, the physician hesitated for a moment, then cupped his hands and asked, “Has the Fourth Prince been like this since yesterday?”
Fu Qingzi gave a slight nod. “Yes.”