Pei Jingchuan looked at Jin Ning in disbelief.
She might be able to fake being sick or faint, but her hands, devoid of any warmth of a living person and as cold as ice, could not be faked!
He subconsciously raised his hand to touch her forehead.
Unlike her cold hands, her forehead was burning hot.
The heat made Pei Jingchuan's heart tremble.
Jin... Jin Ning is really sick! She's not faking it; she's this ill!
"Eldest Sister, you don't need to pretend to faint. We can beg Father together, and Father will surely let you off," Pei Mingyue continued.
But at this moment, Pei Jingchuan had already pushed away the two wet nurses who were forcibly pulling Jin Ning up. He let Jin Ning collapse into his arms, then picked her up.
Pei Mingyue looked at Pei Jingchuan in disbelief: "Second Brother?"
Marquis Yong'an also frowned: "What are you doing?"
Pei Jingchuan said urgently, "Father, Ning... Ning Ning has a high fever and has fainted!"
"We'll discuss everything else later. First, let's get Ning Ning treated!" With that, Pei Jingchuan, holding Jin Ning, strode out, intending to personally escort Jin Ning back to her bedroom.
After all, she was the sister he had doted on and carefully protected for so many years.
He had seen her change her temperament and wanted to teach her a lesson out of disappointment, but when she truly fell ill before him, he still couldn't help but lose his composure.
A few years ago, he took Jin Ning out to play and accidentally caused her to fall into an ice lake.
That time, Jin Ning was also very ill.
She almost lost her life.
He stayed by Jin Ning's bedside for three days and three nights. The first thing Jin Ning did when she woke up was not to blame him, but to look at him with concern and say, "Second Brother, you must have been worried."
She didn't even tell Father and Mother why she fell into the ice lake. No matter how anyone asked, she only said she was playing and it had nothing to do with anyone else.
At that time, Jin Ning was the only daughter in the Marquis's Manor. If something had happened to Jin Ning, Father and Mother would not have let him off lightly!
Recalling the events of a few years ago, Pei Jingchuan's eyes couldn't help but turn red.
At this moment, Jin Ning, nestled in Pei Jingchuan's arms, murmured, "Second Brother... Second Brother..."
"I'm here," Pei Jingchuan replied hoarsely.
But just then, Jin Ning suddenly woke up.
She had just had a dream.
She dreamed of the past, when she and her Second Brother were doted on by their grandfather.
At that time, their feelings were so pure and beautiful.
But the moment she opened her eyes and saw the heavy snow falling at Que Mountain Imperial Palace, she suddenly realized that it had been a dream.
The snow at Que Mountain Imperial Palace was real, Pei Jingchuan's indifference was real, and the golden hairpin that had forced her to her death in her previous life was also real.
The moment Jin Ning opened her eyes, she forcefully pushed Pei Jingchuan's chest and then rolled out of his arms.
Pei Jingchuan hadn't expected Jin Ning to do that. By the time he reacted, Jin Ning had already fallen into the snow.
Fortunately, the snow was thick, and Jin Ning didn't get hurt when she fell.
She staggered up from the snow and walked with difficulty.
"Ning Ning!" Pei Jingchuan called out, chasing after her and trying to support Jin Ning.
However, Jin Ning slapped his hand away and said coldly, "Get lost!"
Her expression was strong and stubborn.
She didn't want concern that was cheaper than grass!
"Ning Ning, Second Brother didn't know you were really sick... If I had known, I wouldn't have..." Pei Jingchuan grabbed Jin Ning's wrist, forcing her to stand still, trying to explain.
Jin Ning looked at Pei Jingchuan coldly: "Brother thought I was faking illness and brought me to Father to be punished."
"Now, who are you saying this for? Do you think you are innocent?" Jin Ning retorted.
"I... I didn't mean that," Pei Jingchuan said flusteredly.
He hadn't intended to treat Jin Ning this way.
The cold wind was biting, and Jin Ning was only wearing thin clothes. Already sick, the cold wind made her feel even worse.
"Jin Ning, listen to my explanation..." Pei Jingchuan was still talking to himself.
Jin Ning's cold, faint voice slowly came, "Second Brother, do you wish for me to die so badly?"
"Huh?" Pei Jingchuan was stunned and looked at Pei Jinning.
He then retorted, "What nonsense are you talking about! We've had some misunderstandings recently, but I genuinely care about you as my sister. How could I wish for you to die!"
"If you don't wish for me to die, then let go of my hand and let me return inside... If you continue to pester me here."
"I'm afraid I'll get even sicker and won't be able to recover," Jin Ning's eyes were full of mockery.
Perhaps, this was the result these people wanted?
There was no need to force her to death like in her previous life.
It was enough to let her fall gravely ill, never to recover, and thus die.
She would no longer be a stumbling block for the Crown Prince to marry the True Daughter of Destiny, nor for the True Daughter of Destiny to marry the Crown Prince.
Hearing Jin Ning say this, Pei Jingchuan quickly let go of her hand.
Jin Ning glanced at Pei Jingchuan, then dragged her lead-heavy legs back.
Pei Jingchuan sternly rebuked the wet nurses behind him, "What are you standing around for! Go and fetch an Imperial Physician!"
In this Que Mountain Imperial Palace, there were no ordinary doctors, only Imperial Physicians.
The wet nurses dared not delay and hurried to find an Imperial Physician.
The moment Jin Ning pushed open the door, she completely lost her strength.
Fortunately, Haitang had already caught up and supported Jin Ning the moment she collapsed.
When Jin Ning was taken away by Pei Jingchuan earlier, Haitang had followed behind, but she was not allowed into the main hall when Jin Ning was being questioned.
The next time she saw Jin Ning was when Pei Jingchuan was carrying her back.
Haitang helped Jin Ning back to the bed.
Her body, which had just warmed up, felt even more uncomfortable after this ordeal.
She lay on the bed, stiff, and in a daze, letting Haitang layer by layer cover her with blankets and then tuck a hot water bottle inside.
She also heard Pei Jingchuan say furiously, "Quickly bring another brazier! If anything happens to Jin Ning, I'll hold you responsible!"
Jin Ning had no strength left, she couldn't even make Pei Jingchuan shut up.
...
The news of Marquis Yong'an's Manor sending for an Imperial Physician soon reached the Empress's ears.
"Sending for an Imperial Physician?" Empress Xu asked with some surprise.
"It is said that Eldest Miss Pei has caught a cold and has a high fever," Granny Zhao whispered in a low voice.
Hearing this, Empress Xu's gaze became distant: "Is that so?"
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