They were walking very quickly, almost about to miss the last pharmacy, making Mei Siyu anxious like an ant on a hot pan. Xiao Rou beside her only looked worried, not speaking, afraid of disrupting her thoughts and delaying important matters.
“Xiao Rou, go say you need to use the restroom, to stall them, so I can take the medicine,” Mei Siyu said decisively, her beautiful almond eyes wide open. Though the reason was not elegant, for saving someone, it was the only way!
“Yes, my lady, just watch me. Xiao Rou guarantees to complete the mission.” Xiao Rou showed a rare playful side, making her smile and ease some of her tension.
“Sir, I need to use the restroom. Could you please stop for a moment?” Xiao Rou politely said to the guards standing on both sides of the phoenix carriage.
They were initially hesitant, as this was a busy area, and the noble Mei Fei was sitting in the carriage. The emperor had repeatedly instructed them to ensure her safety without any mishap. But seeing her urgent expression, they couldn’t rudely obstruct her. After all, nature calls, so they agreed, remaining vigilant to protect Mei Fei.
As Xiao Rou was gone for a while, Mei Siyu cleared her throat, knowing it was her time to act. She shyly said, “Sir, could I speak with you for a moment?”
The lead guard respectfully followed her to the pharmacy door, where they whispered briefly. He nodded repeatedly and then returned to wait by the carriage, not following her.
Mei Siyu quickly entered the pharmacy and whispered to the doctor, “Please give me some antidote and wound cleaning supplies. Anything good for wounds, I want it all.” She tried to control her urgency and speak slowly.
When the doctor wrapped the medicines, she took them, but then realized she had no money to pay. The doctor was waiting, and she couldn’t leave without paying. Eating for free was one thing, but not paying for medicine would be embarrassing for a royal consort!
She whispered to the doctor, then ran to the guard and said sheepishly, “I didn’t bring money. Could you lend me four taels of silver? I’ll definitely return it when I get back.” She looked at him pitifully.
The guard quickly took out his money pouch and handed it to her, saying, “Your Highness, no need to be polite. Please take it.”
Mei Siyu gratefully took the money to pay for the medicine, now understanding the benefits of being a royal consort – borrowing money without returning it! She laughed to herself.
Finally obtaining the needed medicinal herbs, the issue of decocting them could be dealt with later. The most important thing now was to return quickly and see if the man had been discovered and was still breathing.
The guards could finally breathe a sigh of relief, having safely escorted Mei Fei back to the palace. Though not a great achievement, they had at least saved a life. This Mei Fei was indeed as rumored – “behaving strangely, never acting conventionally” – being near her was nerve-wracking! Recalling the recent events made them break out in a cold sweat.
[Text: 032 Please Remove Your Hand!]
As evening approached and the main group returned to the Yangfeng Palace, she hurriedly walked to the inner courtyard, concerned about the man’s safety.
Seeing him lying well on the bed somewhat calmed her anxious heart. He was very handsome, though his face was extremely pale. His distinct facial features and delicate eyebrows were not obscured by his condition; in fact, he looked even more delicate.
With Xiao Rou’s help, she difficultly removed his clothes to his waist. What first caught her eye were shocking, horrific scars. Each was as thick as a finger, twisted like climbing centipedes, making her heart ache. What willpower he must have to endure such immense pain, repeatedly?
Carefully cleaning his wounds with a cotton cloth, black blood oozed out, and the wounds were grotesquely turned outward. The sight was so horrifying that Xiao Rou ran outside to cry secretly. However, Mei Siyu was brave, competently cleaning his wounds, her delicate hands involuntarily trembling, her snow-white forehead covered in large beads of sweat, clearly forcing herself to be strong.
“Go search inside” distant noisy voices were heard, along with urgent footsteps.
Xiao Rou, standing in the outer room, saw this and quickly ran into the inner room, so fast she couldn’t stop and crashed into Mei Siyu’s body, saying intermittently, “My lady, it’s bad… they’re going to search the rooms.” She glanced worriedly at the still unconscious man, thinking her lady was already unlucky, and now caught in more trouble.
Mei Siyu explained something to her, and Xiao Rou went out to wait for the guards’ inspection. After Mei Siyu tidied up the scene and everything returned to normal, she loosened her clothes, wearing only a green halter top and white underwear. She felt ashamed but had no choice to resolve the crisis. She thought that since he was unconscious, he wouldn’t see or feel anything, which made her feel slightly less embarrassed.
Bang, the door was opened, and more than ten fierce-looking guards rushed in. Xiao Rou stood in front of them, saying, “Gentlemen, our master is not feeling well and resting. Your actions are inappropriate.”
“Little girl, stop talking nonsense. How dare you defy the imperial order? You’re seeking death!” Saying this, they threw her into the corner and walked directly into the inner room.
What they saw was a half-exposed beauty in a sleeping pose, with snow-white arms exposed. They looked intently, feeling an itch inside. They had never seen such a scene, and she was so beautiful, almost like a fairy descended from heaven!
“How bold! How dare you blaspheme Mei Fei? Aren’t you afraid of the Emperor’s punishment?” Xiao Rou stood in front of them again, shouting discontentedly. This time, it worked. They lowered their heads and retreated from the inner room. The search had been avoided. Xiao Rou followed, sighing in relief and gently closing the door, not wanting her mistress’s skin to be further violated.
“You, you, when did you wake up? You didn’t see everything, did you? Hey, don’t let your hands wander!” Mei Siyu whispered. Just as she was about to breathe a sigh of relief after escaping danger, she saw him, his eagle-like eyes staring directly at her, his hand pointing at her chest. No wonder she jumped out of bed in fright! It was truly dangerous and shocking.
Wen Yuyan struggled to open his eyes, covering his painful wound. What he saw was a blurry outline. He wanted to ask for water but was pushed away harshly, with her shouting, “You’re harassing me!”
Enduring the pain, he tried to see the person shouting clearly. She wore a purple pleated skirt with beautiful beads at the hem, her black hair tied up with a phoenix hairpin. Her delicate skin, her beautiful face with a shy blush, her exquisite features made it hard to imagine such a beautiful woman could make such a terrifying cry, as if she wanted to eat him. He could barely lift his hand, and he just wanted some water.
“Water, please give me water,” Wen Yuyan barely squeezed out these words from his cracked lips.
“Water? You reached out for water? Haha, I’ll pour it for you,” she said softly, quickly walking to the table to pour water, then hurrying to his side to feed him. He managed a slight smile, saying, “Miss, I can do it myself,” then shyly lowered his head.
As he drank water, she was attracted by his elegant demeanor. He slowly supported himself, carefully took the cup, and slowly sipped. His movements were so graceful. His looks were just above average, his eyes not particularly beautiful, his nose not very straight, only his lips somewhat sexy. But he gave her a comfortable feeling, with a cool and elegant temperament.
“What are you looking for?” Mei Siyu asked, seeing his wandering gaze.
“My clothes,” he simply replied.
