A doctor then knelt and said, “In reply to Your Majesty, Prince Ning has an arrow wound on his left leg. I have the necessary medicinal herbs, but as the weather is cold and windy, he needs to rest in a closed room for three to five days, avoiding wind and movement.”
Realizing that rest meant he couldn’t return to the capital, Chu Yunzheng noticed the doctor seemed unfamiliar and frowned, asking, “Which medical institution do you serve?”
“Your Majesty,” Chu Yuan said, “my injury is not that serious. I want to go hunting.”
“How can that be?” Chu Yunzheng quickly walked to Chu Yuan’s bedside. “With an injury to your leg, you can’t hunt. Lie down peacefully and don’t go out. I’ll come to see you every day.”
“Your Majesty,” the doctor interjected, “Prince Ning’s wound is at a meridian point. He cannot withstand even the slightest breeze. Visitors coming and going might be detrimental to his recovery.”
Chu Yuan replied, “Don’t be so alarmist. I know my injury best. It’s not serious. It’s already stopped bleeding. Just bandage me tightly, and I’ll go hunting tomorrow.”
Chu Yunzheng, worried he would worsen his injury, insisted, “You’re not allowed to go anywhere. Stay in the room. I won’t disturb you. When you’re healed, I’ll take you fox hunting.”
After much persuasion, Chu Yuan finally agreed to rest. To keep him from feeling bored, Chu Yunzheng instructed Ruan Ning to serve him and arranged for palace servants to deliver meals and medicine outside the door, forbidding the opening of doors and windows to prevent wind. After these instructions, he reluctantly left.
Ruan Ning sat on a stool behind the bed, listening to Chu Yunzheng meticulously arranging everything for Chu Yuan, from eating and drinking to clothing and entertainment. Her feelings were complex. Chu Yunzheng was truly good to Chu Yuan, but could an adult tolerate being managed like a child?
As Chu Yunzheng reached the door, he looked back at Chu Yuan, who was sitting by the bed railing with bright eyes. He instinctively called out, “A’Yuan, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Chu Yuan replied softly. “Your Majesty, it’s cold and snowy. Please take care of yourself.”
