“The Prince Consort Is Timid. He Cannot Be Without This Prince.”
The Imperial Physicians came once more to Fuju Courtyard.
The two examined Chu Yuan in turn. After a brief, quiet discussion, they stepped into the outer chamber and addressed Lu Ronghuai.
“Reporting to Your Highness, there is a blood clot within the Prince Consort’s skull. It obstructs his vision. He cannot see for the time being.”
Something ached and soured in Lu Ronghu’s chest all at once. His dark eyes dimmed at once. “How is it treated?”
The physician cupped his hands. “Silver-needle acupuncture is required, supplemented by decoctions. Once the blood clot disperses, he will recover. However…”
“However what?” Lu Ronghuai looked up.
The physician smiled awkwardly. “The needlework demands utmost precision. There can be no error. This official’s skill is limited. For safety, Your Highness would do best to invite Head Imperial Physician Wu. That would be most secure.”
“Go and fetch him.” Lu Ronghuai turned his head and instructed Xian Feng.
Xian Yu brought in a bowl of vegetable porridge and set it before Lu Ronghuai. He inclined his head, signaling them to withdraw.
He carried the porridge to the bedside himself. Seeing Chu Yuan sitting there with eyes open, quiet and obedient, something within him softened without warning.
“Ah-Yuan, sit up and drink some congee. I will feed you.”
He placed the bowl upon the low table, bent to lift him into a seated position against the headboard, arranged two soft cushions behind him, pulled the covers up to his waist, and reached beneath the bedding to test the warmth of the tangpozi.
If those rivals outside were to witness this bustling display of personal attendance, they would think the sun had risen in the west.
Chu Yuan allowed him to move him as he pleased. He sat with both hands folded over the blankets, still and beautiful as a white porcelain doll, and entirely silent.
The congee was of perfect warmth, thick and smooth, the grains plump and fragrant.
Chu Yuan took only two mouthfuls before turning his face aside.
Lu Ronghuai’s gaze fell upon his moist lips. His throat moved faintly. In a soft voice, he coaxed, “Two more bites. All right?”
Chu Yuan’s hands tightened under the blankets without thinking.
Lu Ronghuai took a handkerchief to wipe the corner of his mouth. Chu Yuan turned his head to avoid it.
Lu Ronghuai paused, then smiled as though nothing were amiss. “Ah-Yuan, what is the matter?”
His tone was calm and even. His movements were intimate and natural, as though such acts were entirely ordinary.
Chu Yuan closed his eyes wearily.
He could not discern Lu Ronghuai’s intent at all. He had clearly wished to kill him. Why, in the end, had he saved him? Why now offer false solicitude, as though that night’s events existed only in his imagination?
“Ah-Yuan, would you like to see Le Shu?”
The room was quiet. Lu Ronghuai leaned close to his ear. His voice was low and soft, like wind brushing past, filled with tenderness.
Hearing that excessive gentleness, Chu Yuan felt his scalp prickle. He shrank inward at once, tilting toward the inner side of the bed, only for Lu Ronghuai to seize his arm.
“You do not wish to see him? Very well.” Lu Ronghuai rose with feigned regret.
A faint tug came at his sleeve.
Chu Yuan had caught hold of the hem of his robe. His appearance was stubborn and pitiful all at once.
Lu Ronghuai sighed quietly to himself. He could not bear to tease him further. Sitting back down, he said in a tone that allowed no refusal, “Finish this bowl of porridge, and I will let you see him.”
Chu Yuan had no appetite. He could not see. His head swam. His body ached. The very thought of food repelled him.
He worried for Le Shu. He also knew this man’s domineering nature. Enduring the discomfort, he forced himself to finish the bowl.
When he was done, Lu Ronghuai let out a quiet breath of relief.
True to his word, he ordered that Le Shu be brought.
Once Le Shu arrived, Lu Ronghuai rose of his own accord and left.
“You may speak. This Prince will go to the study.” At the doorway, he called Xian Yu. “Stand guard here.”
He cast one long look at Chu Yuan, then closed the door and departed.
Le Shu had held back tears the entire way. The moment he saw Chu Yuan, they burst forth.
“Young Master, wuwuwu… this servant thought I would never see you again.”
He knelt by the bed, tears streaming.
Chu Yuan reached out and felt blindly through the air. Failing to find him, Le Shu wept harder and guided his head beneath Chu Yuan’s hand.
“Were you injured?” Chu Yuan asked hoarsely, running his hand gently over his hair.
Le Shu shook his head violently, sobbing. “This servant was rescued that night by Prince Li’s men. Two days of rest was enough. It is you, Young Master… how are you covered in wounds?”
“It is enough that you are safe,” Chu Yuan replied quietly.
Master and servant spoke in soft voices for nearly two ke.
Le Shu wiped his tears with his sleeve and sniffed. “Young Master, let this servant remain here to care for you.”
“That will not be necessary. This Prince will care for him personally.”
The door opened. Lu Ronghuai entered, followed by Head Physician Wu of the Imperial Medical Bureau.
Le Shu feared him deeply. He rose at once to bow and stood stiffly at the bedside, head lowered, and not daring to speak.
Lu Ronghui walked over. He was a tall man, broad-shouldered and long-limbed, and the moment he stationed himself by the bed the air in the whole room seemed to constrict around him.
A fierce, overbearing presence flooded the chamber. Le Shu nearly lost his breath and retreated two steps.
Lu Ronghui glanced around with lazy indifference, and only when he found Chu Yuan’s side, he appeared satisfied and sat.
“Head Imperial Physician Wu, this Prince must trouble you.” He raised one finger. Xian Feng immediately brought a stool to the bedside.
Lu Ronghuai took a clean, soft handkerchief and placed Chu Yuan’s wrist upon his own thigh, laying the cloth over the slender joint.
The moment he released him, Chu Yuan withdrew his hand.
Lu Ronghuai caught it again.
One grasped. One evaded. Back and forth they went until Head Imperial Physician Wu’s white brows shot up and said, “Do you intend to have him treated or not?”
Chu Yuan froze.
He had been so intent on avoiding Lu Ronghuai, blinded as he was, that he had forgotten others were present.
He bit his lip lightly, ashamed of his discourtesy.
His wrist was seized once more. The palm that held him burned hot, firm as iron. A faint laugh brushed his ear.
“Enough. No more trouble. Let the physician examine you first.”
Chu Yuan’s chest rose and fell. He turned his head toward the inner side of the bed, unwilling to acknowledge him.
Head Imperial Physician Wu ambled forward at his own pace. After taking the pulse and examining him, he gave his conclusion quickly.
“The clot must be dispersed. I will prescribe a formula. Once prepared, it should be decocted at once.”
He handed the prescription to Lu Ronghuai, then took out a roll of silver needles. “I will now administer acupuncture to the Prince Consort. The rest of you should withdraw temporarily.”
Lu Ronghuai reviewed the prescription and passed it to Xian Feng yet remained seated.
“Must this Prince withdraw as well?”
Head Imperial Physician Wu regarded him without expression. “Your Highness is not versed in medicine. What purpose would you serve?”
Lu Ronghuai answered without shame, utterly assured of himself. “The Prince Consort is timid. He cannot be without this Prince.”
Head Imperial Physician Wu: “…”
He looked at Chu Yuan, lips pressed tight and unwilling to speak. He looked again at the arrogant prince.
Who, in truth, could not be without whom?
In the end, the Head Imperial Physician drove Lu Ronghuai out.
Acupuncture required total concentration. There could be no carelessness. With such a calamitous presence seated in the room, how was he to treat the patient in peace?
Lu Ronghuai sat in the courtyard for half a sichen.
The kettle upon the brazier bubbled steadily. His heart churned in the same fashion, unsettled and without rest.
His gaze was deep as a rising tide. When lowered, it concealed the immense cold surging beneath.
In his previous life, Chu Yuan’s health had worsened year by year. Countless prescriptions brought no improvement. At that time, he had been occupied with campaigns. Chu Yuan not wanting him to worry had deceived him every time he asked, insisting he was fine. Lu Ronghuai to his lasting shame, had been foolish enough to believe him.
He had thought only that he must return to Ye Jing as swiftly as possible. Once back, he would secure the finest physicians and the most precious medicines. He would surely restore Chu Yuan’s health.
He did eventually return to Ye Jing. He found physicians with greater skill. He could afford the rarest, most costly medicines.
His Ah-Yuan, however, remained forever in the Northern Frontier.
“Your Highness? Your Highness?” Xian Feng called several times before Lu Ronghuai emerged from those heavy, blood-stained memories.
“What is it?” His voice was hoarse, as though wind and snow had passed over it.
“The Head Imperial Physician Wu has finished and departed. Would Your Highness like to see the Prince Consort?”
“Yes. Bring the medicine.”
Lu Ronghuai returned inside and looked toward the bed.
Chu Yuan was not there.
His pupils contracted sharply.
At that moment, from the inner chamber came the crisp shatter of porcelain striking the floor.
Lu Ronghuai’s heart lurched. He crossed the room in three strides. “Ah-Yuan.”
✧ A Word from the Author ✧
Physician Wu: The Prince’s clinginess resembles a certain medicine in our Imperial Medical Bureau.
Lu Ronghuai: Oh? What medicine?
Director Wu: Dog-skin plaster.
Yuan-Yuan: (happily applauds)
Thank you, dear readers, for your support! Muah~
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