Chapter 4: All Square

The sparse, dim yellow candlelight faintly illuminated Shu Ruohua’s pale face.

Xiao Che walked to the side of Shu Ruohua’s bed.

When he saw how weak and sickly she looked, his already dark eyes deepened further into unfathomable darkness.

He was silent for a moment…

Then reached out, removed the token from his waist, and threw it to Zhong Zihan beside him. “Go get the imperial physician!”

His voice was icy cold.

In the two years since their marriage, this was the first time Xiao Che had looked at Shu Ruohua so carefully. For some reason, a strange, indescribable feeling stirred in his heart.

…

Zhong Zihan took the token and quickly ran out.

Not long after, he returned with Imperial Physician Wang.

On the way there, Zhong Zihan had already given a brief account of the situation to the physician.

So when they arrived at Lengfeng Pavilion, Imperial Physician Wang didn’t ask many questions. After bowing to the Crown Prince, he immediately rushed to Shu Ruohua’s bedside to examine her pulse.

After thoroughly checking her condition, he finally let out a sigh of relief. He stepped back, bowed, and said respectfully to Xiao Che:

“Your Highness need not worry. Her Ladyship fainted due to long-term malnutrition. I will now prepare a decoction. After taking a few doses, she will recover.”

After speaking, the imperial physician, understanding the situation well, quietly retreated.

Xiao Che’s expression grew even darker.

…

The next day, at morning hour.

Shu Ruohua, like a pig, had slept soundly through the night, only waking up now because of hunger.

She opened her eyes in a daze.

When she realized she was still in Lengfeng Pavilion, her heart instantly sank.

So… her escape plan last night had failed, and she was sent back to the Cold Palace?!

As she recalled the events of the previous night, she became filled with regret.

Xiao Che had not left all night.

In the early morning, he had Zhong Zihan and Qian Ning go outside the palace to buy breakfast.

At that moment, he was standing by the window, seemingly deep in thought, and hadn’t noticed that Shu Ruohua had woken up.

“Who are you?” Shu Ruohua’s voice suddenly came from behind him.

Xiao Che was slightly startled. He didn’t respond at first but slowly turned around, a glint of cold light flashing in his eyes.

Shu Ruohua had originally been sulking about failing to escape, but she caught a glimpse of the figure by the window.

She stared at Xiao Che’s back for a long time, feeling like he looked somewhat familiar.

It wasn’t until he turned around that she realized—it was the man from last night!

The events of last night immediately replayed in her mind…

This was the man—whose subordinate had struck and knocked her unconscious!

If it weren’t for them, she might’ve successfully escaped last night!

The moment she thought of this, Shu Ruohua’s little heart exploded with rage. She didn’t even bother to put on shoes and jumped off the bed, her eyebrows raised with anger.

She stormed over to Xiao Che, about to shout, “Last night—”

But before she could finish, Qian Ning’s voice came from outside, “Miss…”

Her tone carried a trace of excitement.

Soon, Qian Ning appeared in Shu Ruohua’s line of sight, and behind her… there seemed to be someone else following.

Qian Ning was smiling cheerfully, but when she saw Xiao Che, her expression immediately tightened.

“Your H—” She wanted to speak and looked like she was about to bow, but before she could do anything, Xiao Che raised his hand and stopped her.

“I’m merely an attendant from the Eastern Palace. No need for formalities,” he said coldly, his gaze locking onto Qian Ning like a predator watching its prey.

Qian Ning seemed to understand instantly and quickly responded, “Understood.”

She then turned her smile toward Shu Ruohua again, opened the oil-paper bundle she was carrying on the table, and the rich aroma of steaming hot buns filled the room!

When Shu Ruohua saw the buns, her eyes lit up like a starving ghost. She grabbed one and stuffed it straight into her mouth.

“Miss, eat slowly,” Qian Ning said, heart aching as she tried to comfort her.

Xiao Che’s face darkened again.

Following behind Qian Ning was Zhong Zihan, carrying some pastries. He walked over.

“Young Master!” he greeted Xiao Che with a bow and was about to say something, but when he saw the look in Xiao Che’s eyes, he swallowed his words.

Then he quietly pulled Qian Ning aside and left the room.

…

After eating five buns, Shu Ruohua finally felt full.

Since arriving in this ancient world, this was the first time she’d actually felt full.

She wiped the corner of her mouth, then suddenly remembered there was still someone standing nearby.

Just now, she noticed how respectfully Zhong Zihan and Qian Ning treated Xiao Che, so she realized that the buns this morning must have been bought on Xiao Che’s orders.

She immediately picked up another bun, her face full of smiles and sincerity, and handed it to him. “You haven’t had breakfast yet, right? Here!”

Xiao Che didn’t speak, nor did he take the bun.

“You’re not eating?” Shu Ruohua asked when he didn’t respond for a long time.

Still, Xiao Che remained silent.

“What, shy?” Shu Ruohua raised her eyebrows. She stroked her chin and circled around him as if studying something…

Then, her black eyes sparkled as she forcefully shoved the bun into his hand. “Oh, come on. Just eat it. You bought me buns this morning, so we’ll call last night even, alright? All square!!”

…