Chapter 9

“I must make sure you feel as comfortable here as you did at home.”

The man spoke casually, as if it were just an offhand remark.

Yet Nie Long’s heart trembled at these words, unable to meet the dark gaze of the man across from her.

After dinner, Chu Ji mentioned he needed to review memorials in the Imperial Study, telling her to rest early and not wait up for him.

The first three nights after the Imperial Wedding required the couple to share a bed. Nie Long didn’t know how the Emperor had explained their failure to consummate the marriage on the first night, but even without intimacy, they were still expected to sleep together.

The night passed peacefully, though Nie Long found herself embarrassed—just like the first night, she had unconsciously ended up in the man’s embrace, sleeping soundly against him.

Fortunately, having experienced it once before, Nie Long was mentally prepared and didn’t panic too much.

By mid-morning, after finishing breakfast, Chun Feng came to report: “Your Majesty, the Young Master from Prince An’s Residence was brought out last night and is now settled in your Secluded Courtyard.”

Nie Long wiped her mouth with a handkerchief and asked, “How is he now? What did the Imperial Physician say?”

“The Young Master is unconscious with a persistent high fever. The physician said it’s High Fever Hysteria, with unrelenting coughing—almost like… the early signs of Pulmonary Tuberculosis.”

“Pulmonary Tuberculosis?”

Chun Feng looked horrified as she replied, “Yes, Your Majesty. The physician said the Young Master is still so small—he might not last three days.”

Nie Long hadn’t seen the child yet and didn’t know the full situation, but her heart grew anxious.

In ancient times, Pulmonary Tuberculosis was a death sentence, especially for such a young child. Without antibiotics or proper treatment, there was little hope of recovery.

As a preschool teacher, Nie Long had always been soft-hearted toward children. This child was one she had personally taken responsibility for. If anything happened to him—even knowing that in the original story, he was fated to die young—she wouldn’t be able to forgive herself.

Now that she was truly living in this world, Nie Long couldn’t remain detached. This was a vivid, living reality where every person was flesh and blood, no longer mere puppets of the author’s pen. They had their own thoughts, their own warmth—everything here was real.

After a moment’s thought, she said to Chun Feng, “Later, seek the Emperor’s permission. Tell him I wish to leave the palace to visit the Little Prince An.”

Chun Feng frowned, hesitating. “Your Majesty, Pulmonary Tuberculosis is contagious! You must protect your Dragon Body—what if you catch the illness?”

Nie Long raised a hand, meeting her gaze steadily.  

“Chun Feng, the Young Master is just a child. I pity him for losing his parents so young. Helping him is no trouble—consider it accumulating merit for the Emperor. As for infection, he’s frail because he’s small, but I’m grown and not so easily affected. If you’re worried, I’ll wear a mask. There’s no need for concern.”

Chun Feng stared at her young, beautiful Empress, captivated by the gentle yet firm light in her eyes. Blushing, she murmured, “Your Majesty is too kind. This servant was narrow-minded.”

At lunchtime, Nie Long had assumed the Emperor would be too busy with state affairs to join her. But just as the meal was being served, Chu Ji hurried in.

His face was dark with disapproval and anger. “You’ve always had a weak constitution, yet you want to visit that child? The Imperial Physician said it’s incurable—what if you fall ill from exposure?”

“Nie Long, don’t be stubborn. If you truly care for that child, I’ll order the Imperial Physicians to work through the night to find a solution. You are not to leave the palace.”

Nie Long paused, not even having had the chance to perform proper courtesies before being bombarded by the Emperor’s furious words. Her eyes looked up at the enraged ruler with confusion.

She straightened her back, forgoing formalities, and met the Emperor’s gaze directly. “Pulmonary Tuberculosis isn’t truly incurable. If I keep my distance and wear a mask, there won’t be any danger. Your Majesty… may I just go see him once?”

Her eyes held firm determination mixed with pleading, misty with unshed tears. Chu Ji’s anger evaporated instantly, the frustration in his chest disappearing without a trace. He truly had no way with her—he should have known this was her nature.

She appeared indifferent to many things, soft and fragile like a porcelain doll, yet beneath that exterior lay an unyielding determination for what she believed in.

Especially when it came to children—her heart was particularly tender. Kind but not excessive, once she set her mind to something, even if she failed, she wouldn’t dwell on it excessively, only seeking to act with a clear conscience.

Chu Ji reflected that what he loved about her was precisely this multifaceted nature. If she weren’t so resolute, if she were cowardly and fearful of death, she wouldn’t be the woman he adored.

Moreover, in their previous life, that child had been successfully saved by Nie Long. His current excessive worry stemmed from fear that something might go wrong this time—that things wouldn’t proceed as smoothly as before. He couldn’t bear to let her take even the slightest risk, and it angered him that she didn’t value her own safety enough.

Upon further thought, even though he had been granted a second chance at life, there was no guarantee against unexpected mishaps.

But under the young woman’s soft pleading and unwavering resolve, the man’s heart melted into warm tenderness, all traces of sternness gone. He reached out to pat her head. “I’ll accompany you this afternoon.”

In their previous life, Chu Ji and Nie Long hadn’t been close at this stage. When the Kunning Palace attendants came to report, he had casually waved his approval without much thought. But this time, he absolutely couldn’t let her go alone—only by keeping her within his sight could he feel at ease.

The Emperor and Empress had just been married and hadn’t yet completed the customary return visit to the bride’s family. By protocol, they shouldn’t leave the palace privately. However, since Young Master An was ill and couldn’t easily be brought into the palace, the two had to disguise themselves, accompanied by similarly disguised guards, palace maids, and eunuchs.

Fortunately, the residence on Chang’an Street wasn’t far from the palace—just about half an hour by carriage.

Chu Ji stepped down from the carriage first, extending his hand to assist Nie Long, who was dressed as an ordinary young lady from a respectable family. She wore a simple pink-and-white dress, her hair partially tied up in an elegant Peach Blossom Bun while the rest cascaded naturally, exuding youthful charm.

Chu Ji himself wore the blue brocade robes typical of a wealthy commoner, tall and robust, handsome and dignified. He helped his young wife down and held her hand as they entered the residence. Nie Long tried to pull away briefly but, finding his grip unyielding, eventually relented.

The Secluded Courtyard had already been taken over by palace attendants, with guards stationed all around for protection. Upon receiving notice of their arrival, the assembled eunuchs, palace maids, and guards knelt in greeting.

Nie Long went straight to the point, instructing someone to lead her to the child’s room.

The eunuch glanced at the Emperor before responding, “Your Majesty, Your Highness, this way.”

Chu Ji took out a handkerchief from his sleeve and tied it around the lower half of Nie Long’s face, murmuring, “Be careful. Don’t catch anything.”

He himself, however, took no precautions whatsoever.

Nie Long hesitated for a moment before retrieving a fine white silk handkerchief from her person and handing it to him.

The man was momentarily stunned, his eyes lighting up with a spark, but instead of taking it, he bent down and leaned his face close to hers. Under the girl’s surprised and puzzled gaze, he shamelessly pointed to his own face and said, “You have to put it on for me too.”

Nie Long: …

She gave the shameless emperor an exasperated look but couldn’t resist his pleading, puppy-dog eyes. Reluctantly, she unfolded the handkerchief, folded it into a triangle, and reached out to tie it behind his head, securing it in place.

As the girl leaned in, her light, sweet fragrance naturally drifted into the man’s senses. Breathing in the familiar scent and watching her focus intently on tying the handkerchief for him, his eyes softened. In this moment, he was no longer the lonely, domineering emperor…

Perhaps in his later years in his previous life, those ministers had pitied him for his solitude. Only now did Chu Ji realize that the sweetness after such bitterness was all the more intoxicating and heart-stirring.

Once Nie Long finished tying the handkerchief, she noticed the man staring at her unabashedly, right in front of all the palace attendants. Flustered, she shot him a discreet glare. “Done!”

Snapping out of his daze, the man chuckled heartily at his little wife’s adorable pout. Patting her head, he said with a smile, “Let’s go.”

With that, he took her hand again, his large palm enveloping her delicate fingers, and strode ahead with his long legs. The attendants lowered their heads, not daring to watch their masters’ affectionate banter.

The room was dim, the windows tightly shut, filled with the heavy scent of medicine. As Nie Long approached the bed, the man stopped her when she was still a few steps away.

“Just look from here.”

The child on the bed was still unconscious, his face sallow. At only four years old, he was a tiny figure, his eyes tightly shut as cold sweat continuously dripped down his face. He trembled occasionally, clearly suffering even in his sleep, sometimes coughing dryly without awareness. If not for the faint rise and fall of his small chest, one might not even realize there was a little life lying there.

Nie Long’s heart ached at the sight. Thinking of the plump, rosy-cheeked children in kindergartens and comparing them to this frail, emaciated child on the bed, she felt grateful she had come.

Chu Ji was also taken aback. In his previous life, he had only met Chu Jingxi after the boy had fully recovered, in Nie Long’s palace.

Back then, after being rescued, the boy had been plumped up under her care, following her around all day, calling her “Auntie” in that annoyingly endearing way.

He never expected that in this life, the first time he saw the boy, he would be… such a pitiful little thing.

Nie Long took two steps closer. Chu Ji, lost in thought, didn’t stop her in time. She bent down to examine the child—his sallow, pale face, the night sweats, persistent fever, coughing, and trembling. It all looked like… early-stage Pneumonia.

She reached out to touch the child’s forehead, but Chu Ji, snapping back to reality, stopped her. “Let me.”

Without waiting for her response, he pressed the back of his hand against the child’s forehead and cheeks. After a moment, he said, “He’s burning up.”

Nie Long’s expression tightened at his words. Children had low immunity. If early-stage Pneumonia wasn’t treated properly, it could easily develop into Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

Moreover, some symptoms of Pneumonia and Pulmonary Tuberculosis were similar. Ancient physicians lacked sufficient diagnostic tools and dared not prescribe medication recklessly. Often, Pneumonia wasn’t fatal due to complications but because delayed treatment led to worsening conditions.

She had taught preschool for several years and had the most contact with children, so she had some knowledge about various emergencies and common illnesses that children might encounter.  

Previously, a child in her class had contracted pneumonia. After a week of IV treatment at the hospital without improvement, the parents took the child to a renowned traditional Chinese medicine practitioner. With just a few doses of herbal medicine, the child recovered in two days and returned to school healthy on the third day, carrying a small backpack.  

At the time, Nie Long had listened to the parents recount the incident and, out of curiosity, asked a few more questions. The parents were generous and even sent her photos of the prescribed herbal formula.  

Nie Long marveled at the wonders of traditional Chinese medicine. Though she had no intention or means to study it herself, she still asked for the old practitioner’s contact information—likely due to her professional instincts, as she was particularly concerned about children’s health.  

She consulted the old practitioner about common illnesses in young children and their corresponding treatments. The practitioner was generous with his knowledge, eager to teach, and whenever he had time, he would explain everything in detail to her.  

From diagnosing symptoms to prescribing the right dosage, Nie Long absorbed every word with fascination and committed it to memory. Occasionally, when a child in her class had a sudden fever or headache, she could even step in to help.  

Chu Ji washed his hands in the hot water brought by a eunuch, then wiped them with a handkerchief soaked in liquor before reaching out to take her hand.  

Nie Long snapped out of her thoughts and instructed the palace maids and eunuchs nearby to open all the windows in the room for ventilation. She also ordered hot water to be boiled, delegating tasks in an orderly manner.  

The Imperial Physician stood behind her, bowing slightly and not daring to speak until now, when he tentatively remarked, “Your Majesty seems quite skilled in this field?”