In that instant, Mo Han Zhao clearly felt how incredibly light Yun Mu Jing was—not only was her body extremely slender, but in the bitter cold, she was also dressed far too thinly.
Did the General’s Mansion not even give her proper clothes to wear? His expression involuntarily darkened.
“Your Highness!”
Earlier, when Mo Han Zhao had approached Yun Mu Jing, Zhu Ye had already led the Eastern Palace Shadow Guards to attack and eliminate the surrounding bandits.
By then, the group of bandits that had posed a great threat to Yun Mu Jing moments before had been completely wiped out.
Only then did Zhu Ye come before Mo Han Zhao to report, “This wave of bandits has also been completely cleared. Next…”
Before Zhu Ye could finish speaking, Mo Han Zhao interrupted him, saying calmly, “First, have the accompanying physician come here.”
Logically speaking, Yun Mu Jing’s confinement had not been lifted; she should have been in the Ancestral Hall of the General’s Mansion at this time. How did she end up at Moqian Mountain with Madam Yun and Si Yu?
He still had many things to ask Yun Mu Jing.
After speaking, Mo Han Zhao led Yun Mu Jing forward at a slow pace, heading toward the carriage from the Eastern Palace that was parked somewhere on Moqian Mountain.
Zhu Ye was momentarily stunned, then glanced at Yun Mu Jing held in his master’s arms and immediately understood. He replied, “Yes!”
After Mo Han Zhao brought Yun Mu Jing into the carriage and was about to set her down, the next moment, Yun Mu Jing, still unconscious, instinctively clutched the collar of his robe.
“Why… why does no one want me… If Jing’er behaves better, will someone want Jing’er…” Between muffled sobs, tears once again streamed down Yun Mu Jing’s pale, beautiful face.
Mo Han Zhao was taken aback once more. He had never known that Yun Mu Jing lacked such a sense of security—so much so that she felt this inferior.
His handsome face involuntarily showed a complex expression again, and his heart felt as if something heavy was pressing down on it, leaving him somewhat stifled.
Because, in truth, he was also one of the many who had abandoned Yun Mu Jing.
Originally, it should have been Yun Mu Jing who was betrothed to him, yet he had broken off the engagement to ask for her sister’s hand in marriage.
Yun Mu Jing’s heart must have been deeply hurt.
But Yun Mu Jing was pure and kind-hearted by nature. Even when she herself was wounded, she wished well for others. Thus, not only did she not show the slightest hint of resentment, but she also smiled and blessed him and Si Yu.
For a moment, Mo Han Zhao couldn’t bring himself to pull Yun Mu Jing away. Instead, he held her in his arms as they sat, softly comforting her, “I am here. Rest peacefully.”
At that moment, Mo Han Zhao’s dark eyes were filled with conflict and pain.
Yun Mu Jing was his savior; he was the one who had taken her innocence, and now, due to his irresponsibility, she was left to bear all this suffering alone.
Had he… made a mistake?
Over the past two days, Mo Han Zhao had also thought of ways to take care of both Yun Mu Jing and Yun Si Yu, but he had found nothing.
Perhaps… there simply was no perfect solution that satisfied both!
But if so, what about Si Yu? Si Yu was his savior from the past, the one he had long resolved to love for a lifetime.
“Your Highness.”
Just as Mo Han Zhao’s thoughts were swirling, the carriage curtain was lifted, and the accompanying Imperial Physician Zhang entered.
Seeing Mo Han Zhao holding a woman, his eyes widened. “This young lady…”
“Spare me the unnecessary words. Come and examine her,” Mo Han Zhao said coldly, feeling particularly irritable at the moment.
Only then did Imperial Physician Zhang realize he had spoken out of turn. He immediately entered the carriage to take Yun Mu Jing’s pulse.
He glanced at the wound on Yun Mu Jing’s neck, took out golden sore ointment and bandages from his medicine chest, and dressed Yun Mu Jing’s injury.
After finishing everything, Imperial Physician Zhang’s expression remained grave. “Your Highness, the wound on this young lady’s neck isn’t particularly serious. I’ve already applied medicine, and it should heal in a few days.”
“However, her body is too weak, she’s been excessively worried lately, and it seems her emotions have been somewhat agitated, which is why she fell unconscious.”
“We must soothe her emotions, then have her take medicine regularly to recuperate for some time.”
“Body is weak?” Mo Han Zhao frowned.
Right, that previous physician had said Yun Mu Jing’s foundation was poor.
Mo Han Zhao had long ordered the imperial physician to prepare medicine to replenish her qi and blood for Yun Mu Jing, placed in an embroidered box, intending to give it to her as a gift.
But when he went to the General’s Mansion to present gifts to everyone, Yun Mu Jing didn’t appear to receive it personally—General Yun accepted it on her behalf.
Those people at the General’s Mansion had never regarded Yun Mu Jing highly to begin with. Most likely, the items never reached Yun Mu Jing’s hands.
“Damn it! I should have realized earlier…”
“Write the prescription immediately, use the best medicine for me.” Mo Han Zhao’s eyes held anger as he said quietly, “Give the prescription to Zhu Ye and tell him to find a way to decoct the medicine.”
“Your servant obeys.” Imperial Physician Zhang now understood His Highness’s regard for the young lady in his arms. It must be said, this young lady’s beauty was unparalleled in his lifetime.
Although it was no secret that His Highness favored the young lady from General Yun’s mansion, His Highness was the future ruler of Dongliang. Since ancient times, which emperor didn’t have three thousand beauties in the harem?
That young lady might well become some consort in the future.
Thinking this, Imperial Physician Zhang dared not neglect further. He turned and hurriedly left the carriage to write the prescription.
When the Eastern Palace traveled, medicinal ingredients were fully prepared, so decocting medicine wasn’t actually difficult.
Zhu Ye was highly efficient and soon brought in the decocted medicine.
After Yun Mu Jing took the medicine, her breathing stabilized considerably, gradually showing signs of waking.
“Mmm… it hurts.”
Yun Mu Jing suddenly whimpered softly twice, rubbing uncomfortably against Mo Han Zhao’s chest.
Then, with teary eyes, she struggled to open them, just as she met Mo Han Zhao’s gaze.
“Ah!”
When Yun Mu Jing realized she was actually sitting on Mo Han Zhao’s lap, her hands still clutching his lapel,
she recoiled as if electrocuted, shrinking into the farthest corner of the carriage.
“Your Highness, I… I didn’t mean to.” Yun Mu Jing’s eyes reddened anxiously, trembling with fear. “I have no other intentions, I understand, Your Highness is my younger sister’s husband.”
“So I would absolutely never entertain any other thoughts.”
Mo Han Zhao looked at Yun Mu Jing’s cautious appearance, sighed deeply, stepped forward to grasp her wrist, and said gently, “I’m not blaming you, rest assured.”
If he hadn’t allowed it, what woman could touch even the hem of his garment? Let alone lie in his embrace.
“Why were you at Moqian Mountain today?” Mo Han Zhao asked with a frown.
He no longer believed General Yun would lift Yun Mu Jing’s confinement. Yun Mu Jing being able to leave was likely due to some special reason.
Yun Mu Jing was first startled, then a fleeting trace of desolation passed through her gaze. She forced a smile and said, “Deep within Moqian Mountain, there is a Qingshan Temple, a famous Mandarin Duck Temple far and wide.”
“Second Younger Sister and Your Highness are deeply in love, and wanted to pay respects at Qingshan Temple. As for me, I borrowed Second Younger Sister’s good fortune.”
“Mother was worried that Second Sister would have no company on the journey, so she let me out to accompany Second Sister to the temple for incense offering.”
Mo Han Zhao frowned, feeling that Yun Mu Jing was still hiding something from him.
Yet Yun Mu Jing’s words were flawlessly logical and perfectly reasonable.
Was he overthinking it?
“Today’s incident…” Mo Han Zhao looked at Yun Mu Jing, his brow slightly furrowed, but he did not continue.
Yun Mu Jing recalled the scene of being abandoned without hesitation moments ago. On her still somewhat pale, delicate face, her eyes instantly reddened.
“Thanks to Your Highness for saving me. If not for Your Highness, I would have lost my life.” Yun Mu Jing smiled, but the tears streaming from the corners of her eyes betrayed her.
“Are you truly alright?” Mo Han Zhao’s heart trembled.
“I’m fine, what could possibly be wrong?” Yun Mu Jing’s smile grew even brighter. “I’ve… grown accustomed to it.”