As soon as Si Yi spoke, he stood up, causing everyone to look at him in bewilderment. After a moment’s hesitation, he strode out of the Zi Shan Hall, leaving everyone puzzled. The Fourth Prince called after him, “Hey… Your Highness the Crown Prince, class is about to start. Where are you going?”
Yuan Bi sat at the front of the carriage, looking at the gate of the Ning Guo Gong Fu, and asked Si Zhan, “Master, aren’t we going to send in our calling card?” They had been stopped for some time.
After a while, Si Zhan replied, “No, just stay here and watch.”
Yuan Bi fell silent, recalling how he had previously stopped Yun Xiang Junzhu to inform her that his master couldn’t take medicine, which inadvertently angered his master. He had never seen his master so angry before or show care for anyone.
However, he realized that his master seemed to care deeply about Yun Xiang Junzhu, which explained his willingness to offend the Crown Prince to assist her. Yet, he couldn’t understand why they had come but chose not to enter.
At that moment, three luxurious carriages suddenly stopped outside the Ning Guo Gong Fu gate.
Yuan Bi looked at the carriage decorations and called out to Si Zhan in the carriage, “Master, the Crown Prince’s carriage has arrived.”
Si Zhan raised his hand and lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, seeing Crown Prince Si Yi descend from the lead carriage. Two medical officials in round-collared robes followed him, one being Xu Fengyu, who often diagnosed him.
Lin Zhengyang rushed out to greet them, exchanging pleasantries before leading them inside.
Si Zhan’s grip on the curtain tightened, then relaxed as he let it go. Yuan Bi heard a series of urgent coughs from within the carriage.
*
The setting sun bathed Biandu City in golden light, signaling the end of the day.
Yuan Bi called into the carriage, “Master, it’s getting late.”
Silence answered.
Yuan Bi frowned, advising, “Master, you haven’t eaten all day.”
After a long pause, Si Zhan finally replied, “It’s fine.”
*
In Chu Yun Yuan, Ning Wan Wan felt sore and numb, as if ants were gnawing at her. She furrowed her brow and slowly opened her eyes.
Chang Nanny’s joyful voice rang out, “She’s awake, she’s finally awake…”
