Volume 1, Chapter 8: The Princess Falls Ill
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Bishui carried a pot of hot water into the private chamber inside the house. Circling around the screen, she glanced at the bed and noticed that the heir apparent was no longer there.
Mei Lingxi, wrapped in an outer robe, sat on the couch, watching her enter and explained, “I just had a nightmare, and my nightclothes are soaked. Could you help me clean up?”
“Of course.” Bishui concealed her disappointment and helped her into the private chamber.
After changing into a clean set of nightclothes and returning to the couch, Mei Lingxi found herself unable to fall asleep. She felt a twinge of guilt for disturbing Ye Jianxun’s peaceful slumber.
Early the next morning, Bishui brought a bottle of medicinal wine, beaming with excitement. “Madam, the heir just sent this medicine and instructed to massage several times today.”
After several massages from Bishui, the pain indeed lessened considerably, and Mei Lingxi felt much more comfortable sitting and lying down.
However, the smell was decidedly pungent. Bishui burned some incense to dispel the strong scent of the medicine.
At dinner, a rare occasion found Prince Ning, Princess Ning, and Ye Jianxun dining together.
Princess Ning looked much better today. She picked up a piece of Dongpo pork and offered it to Mei Lingxi, saying, “Eat more meat.”
Mei Lingxi smiled and nodded, “Thank you, Mother.” She then began eating slowly, quickly finishing the piece of meat.
Noticing her fondness for meat, Princess Ning happily served her some stir-fried pork with wood ear mushrooms next. However, after a bite, Mei Lingxi’s expression twisted, and she lightly fanned the hot steam with one hand.
“Is something wrong? Doesn’t agree with your stomach?” Princess Ning asked with concern.
Ye Jianxun, sitting beside Mei Lingxi, handed her a cup of hot tea. “Perhaps it’s a bit spicy.”
Mei Lingxi took the tea and drank it down in large gulps, finally easing the burning sensation.
Princess Ning smiled at the corner of her eyes. “Jianxun knows Lingxi best.”
Then she offered Ye Jianxun a piece of perch. “I remember you love fish most. Eat more.”
Ye Jianxun thanked Princess Ning, but Mei Lingxi noticed he never ate the perch.
It seemed Princess Ning’s understanding of the heir was shallow, much like her own mother’s understanding of her.
After dinner, Prince Ning and Ye Jianxun went to the study, while Princess Ning entered the bedroom. She took Mei Lingxi’s hand affectionately and said, “I heard from the servants that the heir called for water last night?”
Only then did Mei Lingxi realize why Princess Ning and Prince Ning had dined with them today, and a heavy pressure weighed on her.
Princess Ning patted her hand, thinking she was shy, and smiled, “Don’t be embarrassed. It’s natural for husband and wife to be close.”
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“Thank you for your concern, Mother.” Mei Lingxi’s face flushed from ear to cheek.
Princess Ning changed the subject. “Lingxi, what do you think of Jianxun?”
Mei Lingxi lowered her eyes and whispered, “The heir is quite a good person.” In truth, she had no real intention of getting to know him and could only answer reluctantly.
Princess Ning smiled. “Jianxun was frail and often sick as a child, sustained by all kinds of tonics. When he was five, the Duke sent him to Songshan Temple and he rarely came home. I missed him every night then.
Thankfully, he grew strong and learned many skills.”
At fifteen, he was brought back. The Duke took him to study state affairs, and he was clever, able to grasp principles quickly.”
Princess Ning glanced at her and smiled, “Do you remember the flower viewing banquet in the palace three years ago when he first saw you?”
Mei Lingxi was engrossed in listening, but suddenly her heart skipped a beat.
She had never been to the flower viewing banquet. The one who attended was her second sister, Mei Lingyi.
The heir and Mei Lingyi had been betrothed for so long that Princess Ning should have known Mei Lingyi’s appearance.
“He fell in love with you at first sight and asked to marry you immediately. At first, the Duke disagreed, having a better match in mind, but he could not resist Jianxun’s devotion and eventually relented.
You were betrothed when Jianxun was sixteen.”
Mei Lingxi couldn’t help but ask, “The heir is now twenty, and the betrothal was four years ago. Why has the marriage been delayed?”
Princess Ning’s smile vanished abruptly. Her gaze suddenly grew vacant, and she clutched her head, screaming loudly, “Yes, those four years—where was Jianxun? My mind is blank! What happened? Ah, my head hurts so much...”
Startled, Mei Lingxi steadied herself and hurriedly told Bishui to fetch the house doctor.
Ye Jianxun in the study heard the commotion and quickly approached.
Prince Ning’s face darkened like ink upon seeing Princess Ning’s relapse. He looked at Mei Lingxi with unblinking eyes and asked sternly, “What did you say to the Princess?”
Mei Lingxi replied calmly, “Mother told me some old stories about the heir’s childhood.”
“I asked, what did you say to her?” Prince Ning emphasized “you.”
Mei Lingxi bit her lip, about to speak, but Ye Jianxun stepped in, blocking Prince Ning’s gaze from Mei Lingxi, and said, “Mother must have spoken of those times at Songshan Temple. She fell ill with a head condition out of longing for me.
Today, she must have mentioned this to the heir’s wife, triggering the old illness. I hope Father will not blame her.”
Prince Ning raised an eyebrow, glanced at Ye Jianxun, and said, “The Princess suffers greatly from this head ailment. She must not worry or overthink.”
Mei Lingxi stepped forward and solemnly said, “Lingxi understands and will be more careful from now on.”
“Enough, go back.” Prince Ning waved his hand and left with Princess Ning from the Rainfall Garden.
Watching them leave, Mei Lingxi took a moment, accepted the hot tea Bishui poured, and sipped it gently.
When Prince Ning had questioned her just now, his eyes were harsh, so unlike his usual warm demeanor.
Ye Jianxun poured himself a cup of hot tea and said, “Father has always considered Mother’s illness paramount. He spoke harshly in haste; don’t take it to heart.”
“Thank you, heir, for helping me just now.” Mei Lingxi expressed her gratitude.
Ye Jianxun took a sip, put down the cup, and said slowly, “I don’t want you to be blamed and cause trouble for me.”
Well, Mei Lingxi very much wanted to take back her thanks.
Though still puzzled, she did not wish to inquire further. She had agreed to the substitute marriage to escape the village, and when the time was right, she would find a chance to flee the Prince Ning Mansion.
This was not her home; she would not waste her heart on the people and affairs here.
“Your Highness.” Suddenly, Lin Mu’s voice came from outside.
Mei Lingxi guessed Ye Jianxun had urgent matters and quickly said, “Your Highness, please attend to your affairs.”
Ye Jianxun nodded and pushed open the door, heading to the study.
“Have you found anything?” Ye Jianxun asked bluntly.
Lin Mu hesitated. Ye Jianxun grew impatient. “Speak!”
Lin Mu lowered his head and spoke cautiously, “On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Lady Hou took the heir’s wife to Tianhua Temple to pay respects.
Due to heavy rain, they rested in a temple guest room. At night, a thief broke into the heir’s wife’s room, drugged her, and took advantage of her, stealing her purity...”
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