Chapter 101 : This Medicine is for His Highness

 In the book, except for the protagonist, the fate of others is just a few numbers.

Take Zhao Xufeng, for example.

In the book, it only mentions that he collided with the original female lead, Xue Qinghe, and then, after the death of the Duke of Zhao, his fate is never mentioned again.

Mrs. Xue’s fate is also described briefly.

The book only says that Xue Qingyin caused her harm, and after Xue Qingyin died, Mrs. Xue also perished in a foreign land, unable to even afford a candle before her death.

As for the inconspicuous character of the Crown Princess, her story is only summed up in eight words: “During the Shunping era, the Crown Princess passed away.”

Xue Qingyin, a fast reader, barely pays attention to anything other than the protagonist’s matters.

With such a quick scan, remembering these few words is already quite an accomplishment.

Then she recalls that King Xuan, too, meets his death in the original story.

This brings an indescribable frustration to Xue Qingyin.

In hindsight, it seems that since she chose to enter King Xuan’s manor, her and Mrs. Xue’s fates had already taken a dramatic turn.

… But what about the others?

This frustration causes Xue Qingyin to remain unusually silent on the way back.

When they reached the entrance of King Xuan’s manor, Fang Chengzhong was already waiting there. It seemed he was going to accompany King Xuan to the military camp.

When he saw Xue Qingyin, he quickly bowed.

In the past, Xue Qingyin would have greeted him with a smile and exchanged a few words.

Fang Chengzhong noticed her behavior and glanced at King Xuan, wondering, Has His Highness finally offended someone due to his lack of sensitivity?

King Xuan shot him a sidelong glance and did not hurry to leave.

He then dismounted and walked over to Xue Qingyin, lowering his voice and asking, “Are you still thinking about the Crown Princess?”

Xue Qingyin nodded.

Xue Qingyin hadn’t yet fully grasped the relationship between King Xuan and the Crown Prince, and whether they could tolerate such a rift.

Her every action now often represents King Xuan’s will.

So, regarding the matter of the Crown Princess, she could not act rashly.

She could only look at King Xuan, waiting for him to speak.

King Xuan turned to Fang Chengzhong and said, “Send someone to investigate if there is a family named Lin in the east of the city. Their background shouldn’t be too shabby.”

Fang Chengzhong was taken aback. “Yes.”

He didn’t understand what was going on yet.

King Xuan turned back to Xue Qingyin, saying, “Let’s first verify the truth of the matter, and then take action, alright?”

Suddenly, Xue Qingyin sprang up from the palanquin and gave him a tight hug.

In the process, she accidentally bumped her head on the top of the palanquin.

King Xuan’s expression shifted slightly, a mix of amusement and exasperation.

He immediately pressed her head down, and with one hand around her waist, he lifted her off the palanquin.

Fang Chengzhong turned his face away, inwardly admiring, Such affection…

“Your Highness, go ahead with your business. I’ll go in myself,” Xue Qingyin quickly smiled at King Xuan.

King Xuan patted her head and withdrew his hand, saying, “Send for the imperial physician.”

Xue Qingyin waved it off, “It’s nothing, I haven’t bumped my head hard enough to lose my senses.”

King Xuan: “…”

Fang Chengzhong couldn’t help but laugh. “The side concubine is truly broad-minded.”

King Xuan watched as Xue Qingyin entered the gate, followed by a few personal guards.

Soon after, some palace maids came forward, including one named Nong Xia.

Nong Xia, who had come with her as part of her dowry, was the only one accompanying her now.

Nong Xia, surprised, asked, “Did the young lady receive another reward today?”

One of the palace maids shot her a glare, disapproving of her addressing Xue Qingyin as “young lady.”

“Here, this is the reward.” Xue Qingyin took the Seven Star Sword from her personal guard.

Nong Xia stared, “Why would a lady receive a sword as a reward?”

The palace maid also thought this was odd.

Xue Qingyin smiled and playfully replied, “Probably it’s for convenience in chopping people.”

Nong Xia was left speechless.

The palace maid’s lips twitched. This side concubine is truly not someone to be trifled with.

They were genuinely afraid she might start chopping people for real!

As Xue Qingyin walked back to the Sincere Heart Hall, she hesitated for a moment before asking the palace maid, “Where was I supposed to stay?”

The palace maid was momentarily stunned, then replied, “The side consort’s residence should be appointed by His Highness personally. Usually, according to the rules, it would be in a side hall of the Linhua Palace or a place like the Changqiu Pavilion.”

Xue Qingyin, puzzled, asked, “Wasn’t there a place already prepared?”

The palace maid answered, “Before the side concubine entered the manor, all the side halls and pavilions were prepared.”

Xue Qingyin decided she would still play along and pretend for a bit.

She asked, “Which place has the better view outside the windows?”

The palace maid said, “Changqiu Pavilion.”

Xue Qingyin clapped her hands, “Then we’ll stay at Changqiu Pavilion for now.”

The maid appeared puzzled, but simply nodded.

Before long, the maid came to report that Granny Zhen had come to see her.

Xue Qingyin was confused. “What does she want?”

The maid hesitated. “It seems she’s bringing something for the concubine.”

“Let her in then.”

“Yes.” The maid sighed with relief. Granny Zhen had been in the palace for a long time, once serving as the Crown Princess’s wet nurse, and had even looked after His Royal Highness King Xuan. As a mere lowly maid, she was hesitant to offend her.

Soon, Granny Zhen entered, carrying a food box. She walked up and respectfully bowed first.

She was a person of proper manners.

She showed great respect to Xue Qingyin as well.

After placing the food box in front of Xue Qingyin and uncovering the lid, a somewhat familiar, yet not entirely familiar scent immediately filled the air.

Undoubtedly, it was a bowl of medicine.

Dark and steaming hot.

Granny Zhen bowed again and said, “I served as a female physician in the late empress’s service for two years, skilled in women’s health. I took the liberty to prepare a warming soup for the concubine. Please, concubine, have a taste.”

You know you’re being presumptuous, huh?

Xue Qingyin wrinkled her nose.

She disliked others prying into such matters, making it sound as if she came to King Xuan’s residence only to have children. Even though Granny Zhen seemed to genuinely want to help, it was still irksome… She wouldn’t tolerate it just because it came from so-called “good intentions.”

Xue Qingyin licked her lips, her eyes twinkling as an idea crossed her mind. She smiled and said, “Granny Zhen is very thoughtful, but the medicine looks quite hot. Please leave it here for now.”

Then, she turned to the maid and instructed, “Go prepare some sweet snacks. I’ll need them later when my mouth tastes bitter.”

The maid was taken aback.

Based on her few days of observing the concubine, she knew the concubine was quite pampered. How was it that she was so easily accepting this?

After the maid left to prepare the snacks, Granny Zhen was greatly surprised. She sighed with relief, thinking that although the concubine was a bit lazy, frail, and excessively beautiful—sometimes even not adhering to proper behavior—she was still a sensible person, knowing what was important and what wasn’t.

If she could become pregnant soon, that would put her mind at ease.

Unfortunately, King Xuan’s residence was still too quiet, with only this one person by His Highness’s side…

Granny Zhen thought a lot.

However, seeing that Xue Qingyin was easy to talk to, she didn’t insist on making her drink the medicine.

Not long after, the maid returned with the snacks.

Xue Qingyin leisurely ate quite a few, then wiped her hands and lazily yawned. “Go wash up, I want to take a little nap.”

The maid could only respond.

When Xue Qingyin removed her hairpins and leaned back on the soft couch, wrapped in a thick blanket, she turned over.

The maid glanced at the medicine on the table.

It was completely cold.

Clearly, the concubine had no intention of drinking it.

The maid silently sighed.

The concubine was quite clever, not directly refusing Granny Zhen’s good intentions, but using this method to avoid conflict.

As night deepened, Xue Qingyin was half-awake, stretching her arms.

The maid, who was standing nearby, began to feel sleepy and wondered whether to wake Xue Qingyin for dinner.

Suddenly, footsteps approached.

The door was forcefully opened from the outside.

Prince Xuan walked in.

The maid’s sleepiness vanished immediately, and she quickly rose to greet him.

However, King Xuan walked straight up to Xue Qingyin, lowered his head, and stared at her for a moment, seeming somewhat helpless.

Then he bent down and was about to pick her up.

“Huh?” Xue Qingyin was startled, blinking her eyes in a daze, her voice soft with lingering sleep. “Your Highness, you’re back?”

King Xuan answered with a simple “Mm,” and lifted her up, as if to carry her outside.

Xue Qingyin grabbed his sleeve and said, “Wait a moment.”

Now, she was more awake.

She asked, “Where are we going?”

King Xuan replied in a low voice, “Back to the Cunxin Palace.”

Xue Qingyin paused, then smiled and said, “Before we go, Your Highness, please take a look.” She pointed to the bowl of cold medicine on the table.

King Xuan frowned. “Has your old ailment returned?”

Xue Qingyin shook her head, smiling mischievously. “Your Highness, that’s the medicine Granny Zhen prepared for you.”

The maid beside them widened her eyes, thinking, how could the concubine say such things?

But what Xue Qingyin said next made her even more stunned, nearly enraged.

Xue Qingyin smiled sweetly, speaking in a soft and tender tone, “She must be worried you’re not able to perform in the bedchamber.”

King Xuan: “…”

His fingers, which had been resting on Xue Qingyin’s waist, suddenly tightened.

He lowered his head to her ear, his voice cold as he asked, “I can’t perform?”