Chapter 29 – In Sickness

After the first snowfall, the end of the year was almost here.

Yet at this critical juncture, Yu Ying fell ill.

The original owner had been frail by nature, and Yu Ying herself never paid much attention to her health. Even though Qingtao was always by her side to look after her, she couldn’t possibly oversee everything. Besides, Yu Ying still harbored the thought that if she simply died here, maybe she would get to return to the modern world.

And so, this outing to admire plum blossoms in the snow inevitably left her ill.

By the time Kangxi learned about it, Yu Ying had already been sick for several days.

The closer it drew to year’s end, the busier Kangxi became. During this period, he hadn’t had time to enter the inner palace at all, and naturally, no one dared to report to him about the situation of a mere Noble Lady.

How did Kangxi find out Yu Ying was ill?

Although he hadn’t entered the harem, the harem certainly hadn’t forgotten him. In recent days, the stream of soups and herbal tonics sent to Qianqing Palace had been unending. But he happened to notice that nothing had arrived from Changchun Palace. So he asked about it casually.

“Consort An has never liked sending such things forward,” Liang Jiugong said in a low voice, bending and hesitating as he answered.

Kangxi was displeased. “I’m asking about Noble Lady Jin.”

Liang Jiugong was so frightened that he dropped to his knees. “R–replying to Your Majesty, Noble Lady Jin has already been ill for quite some time.”

Hearing that Yu Ying was seriously ill, Kangxi’s first thought was that someone in the harem, resenting her favor, had made a move against her. He shot up from his seat at once, about to head for Changchun Palace. As he passed Liang Jiugong, he didn’t forget to kick him. “Useless! Why didn’t you report sooner that Noble Lady Jin was sick?”

Liang Jiugong felt aggrieved. Ordinarily, when His Majesty was busy with state affairs, he disliked being disturbed by harem matters. Why was it so different now that Noble Lady Jin had fallen ill?

When Kangxi arrived at Changchun Palace, Consort An came to greet him as usual. But Kangxi had no patience for her insincere courtesies. He waved her away impatiently and led his attendants straight toward Yu Ying’s quarters.

This was Kangxi’s first time stepping into Yu Ying’s rooms.

The courtyard was not large. In winter’s desolation, it looked especially empty. Kangxi glanced around and suppressed his displeasure.

At the moment, the most pressing matter was the sick person inside.

He no longer lingered over the surroundings and hurried into the room.

Inside, only Qingtao was attending her. Seeing the Emperor, she dropped to her knees at once. Kangxi didn’t speak, just waved his hand.

His gaze swept the small chamber, and in an instant, he saw the frail figure lying on the bed.

His heart tightened.

He approached the bedside. Just a few days ago, she had been lively and spirited—now she lay pale and weak. An inexplicable ache welled up in his chest.

Yu Ying had just woken up. Seeing Kangxi appear so suddenly, she was rather surprised.

“Your Majesty, why have you come?” She struggled to sit up.

Kangxi was startled and hurried to press her back down. “Beloved Consort, don’t get up. Rest properly.”

Then he turned to Qingtao. “How has your mistress been sick this long without improving? Where is the Imperial Physician?”

Kangxi’s sudden question frightened Qingtao so much she nearly fell prostrate. “Replying to Your Majesty, the physician came the day before yesterday. He diagnosed a chill and prescribed medicine, which my lady has been taking.”

“Then why isn’t she better? Are all the men in my Imperial Medical Bureau worthless?” Kangxi’s tone grew cold. “Liang Jiugong, go summon Physician Zhou from the Bureau!”

Physician Zhou was the Director of the Imperial Medical Bureau, usually serving only the Empress Dowager, the Emperor himself, and the Crown Prince. Ordinary concubines had no right to summon him.

Liang Jiugong quickly withdrew to carry out the order.

Perhaps it was because sickness always left her prone to wandering thoughts. Looking at this man who seemed genuinely concerned, Yu Ying felt the Emperor’s favor was absurd, like an illusion hanging in midair, leaving her constantly uneasy.

Sensing her unease, Kangxi patted her gently. “Beloved Consort, don’t be afraid.”

Yu Ying forced a small smile.

For a moment, the room fell silent as they waited for the physician.

Kangxi didn’t hear any of her thoughts—perhaps she truly was too exhausted.

Not long after, Physician Zhou arrived, panting heavily.

When Liang Jiugong had come to fetch him, he had thought something must have happened to the Emperor again. But the further they walked, the more he suspected it was some favored consort. Yet as they continued past the main palaces into the western sixth compound, he realized they were heading somewhere remote.

This certainly wasn’t the residence of any high-ranking consort.

When he stepped into the chamber and saw the Emperor already there, before he could bow, Kangxi cut him off. “Quick, come examine Noble Lady Jin!”

Once he saw the frail woman lying on the bed, he realized this wasn’t their first meeting—he’d seen her once before in Qianqing Palace. In just a few days, he’d encountered her twice in the Emperor’s presence. If that wasn’t truly a “noble lady,” what was?

Without delay, he draped his silk handkerchief over Yu Ying’s wrist and began taking her pulse.

Yu Ying watched him curiously. Judging by his demeanor alone, she could tell he was highly skilled. Yet before he had even finished taking her pulse, his brow furrowed deeper and deeper.

[Am I really about to die?]

[If I die… will I get to go home?]

Kangxi, waiting nearby for the diagnosis, noticed Zhou’s expression growing more grave, and his heart gradually lifted in alarm. But then, suddenly, he heard those two thoughts.

Kangxi’s gaze darkened sharply, and Zhou, who happened to look up, felt a chill run down his spine.

Zhou withdrew his hand and was just about to speak when Kangxi gestured to him and walked out first.

Zhou hesitated but could only follow.

[Is there something I’m not allowed to hear?]

Once they were in the courtyard, Kangxi dismissed the remaining servants, leaving only Liang Jiugong.

“Now speak. How is Noble Lady Jin’s condition?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Zhou bent even lower, then finally reported his findings.

After hearing it, Kangxi ordered Liang Jiugong to accompany the physician to fetch medicine. He stood alone in the courtyard, deep in thought.

It was indeed a chill. But why had it lingered so long?

Because her health was so poor to begin with.

If she took proper care of herself, it wouldn’t be serious. But she didn’t care—she even seemed to welcome it. So even a trivial illness dragged on without improvement.

And just now, he’d heard her think—If I die, maybe I can go home.

She wanted to die? Well, whether she could or not… would depend on whether he was willing to let her!

Since she’d come to his Great Qing, she would have to stay properly!

Kangxi turned back and reentered the room.

Yu Ying was lying listlessly, staring at the bed canopy. Hearing the sound, she turned her head, eyes bright with an unspoken hope.

“Your Majesty… am I about to die?”

Kangxi’s expression darkened. Was his Great Qing truly so unworthy of attachment?

He felt an unreasonable bitterness.

“How could you think that? Physician Zhou is the finest doctor in the Bureau. He will surely cure you!”

“O-oh… is that so? That’s wonderful, hahaha…” Yu Ying laughed awkwardly.

Once the medicine had been fetched, decocted, and brought in by Qingtao, Kangxi stayed beside her the entire time.

Yu Ying looked at the dark, bitter liquid and the Emperor, who insisted on feeding her himself.

[Don’t you have anything better to do?]

Kangxi raised a spoonful of medicine to her lips. “Beloved Consort, you must drink it while it’s hot.”

Yu Ying was speechless. She fell silent.

[The way he calls me “beloved consort”—it’s like that line from the banned books, ‘Darling Lang, drink your medicine.’]

She ventured, “Perhaps… I can drink it myself?”

Kangxi’s face turned black as ink. Even banned books were surfacing now. “Beloved Consort, are you unwilling to let me feed you?”

What else could she do? She could only force herself to swallow the whole bowl, one bitter mouthful at a time.

Of course, she smiled outwardly but cursed him in her heart countless times.

Kangxi listened to her furious thoughts, each more vigorous than the last, and instead of being angry, he only felt relief. He preferred seeing her this lively.

When the medicine was finally finished, Yu Ying grew drowsy again. She had been forcing herself to stay awake for him, and now the medicine made her so sleepy she could hardly keep her eyes open.

Watching her struggle to stay conscious, Kangxi felt pity. He no longer made her talk.

After instructing her servants to take good care of her, he told Yu Ying he would visit again the next day and turned to leave.

Before he stepped out, he looked back deeply at the person lying on the bed. Seeing that she seemed to have fallen asleep, he paused a moment, then finally left.

How… can I make you want to stay?