Qingqing remained unconscious all day, her breathing growing louder, eventually muttering incoherently. During this time, the Emperor, Empress, and Mr. Lin came to visit several times, each shaking their heads and sighing, at a loss for what to do. By evening, the physician advised Li Qin, who had been vigilantly by her side, to rest. Li Qin, with no choice, went down to have a meal. He was already slightly injured and, having been exhausted all day, had little appetite. Facing the table full of food, he suddenly remembered Qingqing’s accusation from that day: “Your Highness, do you know that this ‘simple meal’ of yours could feed three or four common families for a year?” If it weren’t for his damn pride, Qingqing wouldn’t have chased after him and ended up like this. He recalled Qingqing’s innocence and uniqueness when they first met, her talents, and the various moments they shared, growing more distressed with each thought. Looking at the exquisite food on the table, he suddenly burst into anger, “Crash!” He overturned the table, roaring, “Take it all away! From now on, anyone who dares to serve me such lavish food will face consequences.”
“Your Highness, who are you venting your anger on?” Just as the servants stood bewildered, the sweet and gentle voice of Yafu sounded from the doorway, carrying a hint of youthful innocence yet also a trace of authority. Li Qin, however, had no pleasant expression, sitting silently on the pearwood chair. Yafu felt slightly displeased, wondering why Qingqing, this elder sister, had such “charm.” She said to Li Qin, “Yafu knows you feel guilty. But remember, you are the Crown Prince; no matter the time, you are the most noble Crown Prince.” Having been constantly criticized by the Emperor and the Fourth Prince in recent days, hearing someone comfort him, Li Qin felt a bit clearer. He murmured, “Yes, I am the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince… and… I didn’t want her to fall…”
Yafu hid a slight smile, which was noticed by the Crown Prince. After all, she was still young, and her acting skills were not yet refined. Seeing his displeasure, she quickly changed her expression to a smile, “Let’s go check on our elder sister!”
Qingqing was resting in Li Qin’s main bedroom. The physician was not attending inside but was waiting at the door. Li Qin angrily said, “You quack doctor, why are you standing here instead of properly attending to her?” The physician stammered, “Your Highness, this… this…” Seeing his panicked expression, Li Qin thought something had happened to Qingqing and was about to rush in. The physician hurriedly blocked him, falling to his knees with a mournful face, “Your Highness, please do not make things difficult for this old servant.”
Li Qin suspected something was amiss, his anger subsiding as he smiled cunningly, “I won’t make it hard for you if you hit me twice.” The physician said, “I dare not, even if I had the courage of a lion.” Li Qin’s eyes narrowed, his face darkening, “So you want to die? How dare you block me, the Crown Prince.” The physician, knowing well the saying “Serving a king is like serving a tiger,” always reminded himself to be ready to sacrifice his life, but when faced with death, fear gripped him. Besides, he couldn’t stop Li Qin, who had already entered the hall.
