Su Jingyuan remained unconscious for two days before waking up in Prince Rui’s residence.
Even before opening his eyes, he caught the faint scent of Gossamer Cloud Incense. This incense was crafted by palace perfumers and was often bestowed as an imperial gift.
When he fully regained consciousness, his gaze fell upon a massive rosewood screen adorned with intricate birds and flowers—a display of opulence far beyond what his declining Duke of Yu’s residence could ever afford.
Su Jingyuan propped himself up halfway, his eyes dark and profound.
At the slightest movement, two palace maids emerged from behind the screen. “Young Master Su, you’re awake,” they said.
When one of the maids moved to assist him, Su Jingyuan coolly avoided her touch.
His throat felt parched. “Where is this?”
“Young Master Su, this is Prince Rui’s residence. You fell ill, and His Highness happened upon you. He brought you here to be examined by an imperial physician.”
The maid replied with grace and propriety.
Prince Rui had already instructed everyone in the residence: they were to say he had brought this person back himself, and no one was to gossip or tarnish the princess’s reputation.
“Prince Rui?”
Su Jingyuan had met Prince Rui before, but their relationship was far from close. There was no reason for the prince to bring him back to his residence.
A vague memory stirred within him.
That day, his old illness had flared up, causing him to cough up blood, and his horse had suddenly bolted. Had no one intervened, he would likely have died or been left half-dead.
In his dazed state, as darkness descended, he had forced his eyes open.
In a blur, he glimpsed the figure of a young woman.
She was radiant beyond compare, her sleeves fluttering in the wind, the Gold-Sprinkled Peonies on her skirt glowing crimson in the setting sun.
Then, as dusk deepened, the carriage curtain fell, blocking his view.
Yet a handkerchief, caught by the wind, drifted into the carriage.
He heard a woman’s voice, soft as a dreamlike whisper, saying, “So beautiful.”
As if guided by some unseen force, he reached out and picked up the silk handkerchief. It carried a faint, elusive fragrance…
Su Jingyuan lowered his gaze, his long lashes veiling the depth in his eyes.
“Was there a silk handkerchief found on me?” he asked the palace maid beside him.
Someone promptly presented his original clothing, atop which a neatly folded handkerchief lay.
“Is this the one you mean, Young Master Su?”
Su Jingyuan understood now—it hadn’t been an illusion. That woman was real.
Daring to send someone to Prince Rui’s residence and commanding the imperial guards—such a noblewoman could only be one person in the capital.
But why had she saved him?
“Young Master Su, Imperial Physician Li is here to examine your pulse,” the maid reminded him upon hearing the announcement.
Imperial Physician Li, his temples streaked with gray, entered the room. As he had done the previous two days, he took Su Jingyuan’s pulse and inquired about his condition.
“Young Master Su, forgive my bluntness, but this illness of yours has not developed overnight. You should have begun proper treatment long ago. How did it worsen to this extent?”
Imperial Physician Li stroked his beard, shaking his head repeatedly.
“I’m ashamed to admit it was due to youthful ignorance that it was neglected until now.”
Su Jingyuan’s face was pale, a cold gleam flickering in his eyes.
Begin treatment early?
His so-called loving mother and elder brother in the residence probably wished for his early demise.
“Young Master Su, I have prepared a prescription. You must take it daily without fail. Avoid exposure to cold in the morning and evening, and refrain from overexerting your mind.”
“Thank you, Imperial Physician.”
Imperial Physician Li then asked, “Do you practice martial arts, Young Master Su?”
Su Jingyuan replied, “I trained a little in my youth, but I’ve practiced less in recent years.”
“Exercise is beneficial, as long as it isn’t overly strenuous. Strengthening your bones and muscles can aid your recovery.”
Imperial Physician Li went on to offer detailed advice on other matters. Finally, as if to offer comfort, he added,
“This illness may be somewhat difficult to recuperate from, but as long as Young Master Su follows what this old man says, results will be seen within six months.”
Su Jingyuan thanked the imperial physician once more, knowing in his heart that his illness would be hard to recover from.
Those two poisonous insects in the household would never allow him to rest easy.
But now, it didn’t matter. It was just a life, after all. If he died, no one would grieve.
Since his life couldn’t be saved, he might as well send his mother and elder brother on their way first.
………………
Morning Sun Palace.
Yun Chaorong, having slept her beauty sleep, looked increasingly radiant.
Just a few days ago, she had appeared sickly and weak, but today her complexion was rosy, and her eyes sparkled with vitality.
“Today, dress me up properly.”
Yun Chaorong sat before the dressing table, winking at her reflection in the mirror.
Nanny Yu smiled. “Even without dressing up, Your Highness is still the number one beauty.”
“Would Your Highness like to try the new cosmetics sent by the Imperial Household Department?” Yingxia presented a small white porcelain box.
After Yun Chaorong nodded, Michun also asked:
“Would Your Highness like to pick out some bright-colored clothes today?”
Upon receiving an affirmative reply, Michun happily selected several new dresses for her to choose from.
But when it came to selecting head ornaments, Michun’s joy faded somewhat:
“It’s a pity that Gold-Wire Agate Lotus Headdress set isn’t here, otherwise it would match this dress perfectly.”
Yun Chaorong: “Where is that headdress set?”
Michun looked at Yun Chaorong in surprise. “Your Highness, don’t you remember?”
“Imperial Consort Li took it earlier.” Yingxia couldn’t hold back her words.
That headdress set was exquisitely crafted, and Her Highness had liked it too. But when Imperial Consort Li came by, who knows what nonsense she said, coaxing Her Highness into lending her the headdress to wear.
She said it was borrowed, but after lending it out, she never mentioned returning it.
And that wasn’t the first time.
Perhaps because Her Highness had so many things, she had always been generous and didn’t mind much.
Over the past few years, how many fine items had Imperial Consort Li taken from Her Highness? It was far more than just one.
Yingxia chattered away, telling everything.
Yun Chaorong had originally worried whether the original owner had a bad habit of smashing or throwing things. Hearing that Imperial Consort Li had taken them, she felt much more at ease.
She remained calm and composed. “Imperial Consort Li took it? That makes it easier. It just so happens I’m going to visit her today.”
“Michun, make a list. Write down everything Imperial Consort Li has taken.”
“This servant will write it right away, it’ll be done soon.” Michun turned and left. She had a clear idea of everything in her mind.
After finishing breakfast, Yun Chaorong led a large crowd of palace attendants and leisurely made her way to Linhua Palace.
Xiao Fengzi raised his voice: “Princess Rongyang has arrived~”
The palace attendants of Linhua Palace immediately came out to bow. “A thousand years to the Princess!”
Yun Chaorong didn’t tell them to rise, standing at the entrance and watching for a while.
She noticed that the palace maids of Linhua Palace were dressed quite elegantly. Their hairpins and earrings were more beautiful than those of other palace maids, and their palace attire was brand new.
Imperial Consort Li was doing well, and her maids had plenty of perks.
The kneeling palace attendants felt uneasy, unsure what the Princess intended to do. A few days ago, when Her Ladyship the Imperial Consort went to the Imperial Study and displeased the Princess, she was immediately placed under house arrest and had her salary suspended.
“Rise.”
Yun Chaorong led her people straight into the inner hall.
Inside the hall, Imperial Consort Li’s expression was frighteningly dark.
After being placed under house arrest, the Emperor hadn’t visited her once. Even when she sent palace attendants to find the Emperor, saying the Third Princess was unwell, the Emperor only replied: “Summon the imperial physician.”
When her family heard about this, they sent a message from outside the palace, reminding her to watch her words and actions. They even said that if they had sent her younger sister into the palace instead, she would never have been so reckless.
Imperial Consort Li was so furious she nearly fell ill, and her appearance grew noticeably haggard.
It was all because of that motherless fool, Yun Chaorong!
She had also heard that Yun Chaorong had changed her mind and would no longer be sent for a political marriage.
The next time she saw that girl, she would definitely find a way to make her suffer.
“Your Highness, your health is what matters most. It’s not worth making yourself ill over this.”
A sweetly smiling young woman sat in the seat below Imperial Consort Li, reaching out to pour her a cup of tea.
She wore a green gauze dress, with only a single jade hairpin in her hair.
The dress bore no intricate patterns, and the jade hairpin was not particularly translucent—it was all rather plain.
Yun Jingshan smiled gently. “Your Highness, please have some tea first.
My elder sister has always been favored, so it’s no wonder she acts impulsively. Why trouble yourself with anger over her?”