Chapter 77 : Loyalty, Fear of Death

“Miss, the Prince Regent is here,” Faer whispered into Song Ying’s ear.

Song Ying nodded and said to Master Yu, who was examining her new medicine, “Do you think my medicine needs any adjustments?”

Master Yu, who had taught many people medicine and pharmacology throughout his life, considered Song Ying one of the most outstanding.

“This is fine,” he said.

Song Ying continued, “Sir, the Regent heard that you were here and came to visit you.”

“Oh?” Master Yu looked up from the medicine bottle. His inquisitive gaze lingered on her face for a moment before he smiled and said, “Since he made the trip here, of course I should go and see him. Let’s go.”

Song Ying replied, “Please.”

Yue Shaozhi was seated in the main hall. Hearing footsteps, he nodded at Yu Liang and signaled him to welcome Master Yu in.

Naturally, Song Ying followed Master Yu inside.

“Master Yu, it’s been a long time,” Yue Shaozhi said.

Because he had something to ask of Master Yu, he stood up and didn’t sit back down until after Master Yu had taken his seat.

Faer brought over freshly brewed tea and then stood behind Song Ying.

Master Yu looked at the tea leaves in his cup, gave a surprised exclamation, and looked at Song Ying in astonishment. “This is Southern Moon’s Green Snow Lotus.”

Song Ying said, “Yes.”

Master Yu took two sips and praised it repeatedly, “Good tea, very good tea. It seems even better than what I had before.”

Song Ying said, “After all, the Regent is visiting in person of course, the tea couldn’t be too ordinary.”

Only then did Master Yu remember Yue Shaozhi’s presence and apologized, “Forgive me, Your Highness. The fragrance of this tea was just too captivating.”

Yue Shaozhi said, “I know you love tea. I have a bottle of ‘Bu Xue’ at my residence. Would you be interested in coming back with me to try it?”

Bu Xue was a rare and remarkable tea. Since even that was being offered, how could Master Yu not understand Yue Shaozhi’s true purpose?

He stood up and said, “Thank you very much, Your Majesty.”

Song Ying escorted them to the gate. Just before leaving, Master Yu seemed to think of something and turned to Song Ying, saying, “I suddenly had an idea, what if we didn’t cover the jade bowl with soil, and instead exposed the seeds to the cold wind?”

Song Ying said, “Alright, I’ll try placing them in separate bowls.”

Master Yu said, “I’ll come back in a few days.”

Song Ying responded, “Master is welcome back anytime.”

Shortly after the carriage set off, the sharp-eyed Faer noticed a familiar figure. She gently tugged at Song Ying’s sleeve and gestured for her to look.

Song Ying raised her eyebrows and nodded. Faer immediately ran over to stop the person.

“Sister Yunchun, what a coincidence! What are you doing here?”

Yunchun hadn’t expected to be spotted by Faer. She lowered her head helplessly, glanced around nervously, and said with guilt, “I… I came to buy some things for the princess.”

Song Ying stood at the top of the steps. “Faer, bring her in.”

Looking at the trembling Yunchun, Song Ying smiled and said, “What are you afraid of? I’m not going to eat you.”

Yunchun dropped to her knees and kowtowed in panic. “Miss, please forgive me. I won’t dare to do it again.”

Song Ying said calmly, “What are you talking about? I just thought it’s been a while since you and Faer saw each other, so I asked you to come in and catch up.”

Faer helped Yunchun up. “Sister Yunchun, ever since you went to the palace, we haven’t had tea and chatted in ages.”

Yunchun shook her head, wanting to say something, but then Song Ying said, “I know it was Song Ruoer who sent you. She wanted to find out where Yue Shaozhi went to invite Master Yu.”

“Well, now you’ve seen it. Master Yu is temporarily staying at my Xiaohanju Residence. Do you want to go back and report to her?”

Yunchun hesitated. “…”

Song Ying continued, “You know Song Ruoer’s condition better than I do. If she found out that Yue Shaozhi invited Master Yu through me, what do you think she would think?”

“Heart illness is hard to cure. Even if it’s Master Yu, I’m afraid this medicine won’t work at all.”

Yunchun’s heart skipped a beat, and her face gradually turned pale.

Song Ying added, “You’re loyal. My father placed you at Song Ruoer’s side because of that. But if your loyalty ends up making it difficult for her to give birth, who do you think will be the one to suffer in the end?”

Yunchun was so frightened that she dropped to her knees again. “Miss, Miss, I was only following orders. I didn’t think it through. Miss, you are kind-hearted, please help me.”

Song Ying said, “I can’t help you. The only one who can help you is yourself.”

Yunchun had no idea how she left Xiaohanju. When she returned to the palace, she ran into Yu Liang.

“Guard Yu…”

Yu Liang noticed her distressed appearance. “Where have you been? The princess is looking for you.”

Yunchun quickly responded, “Yes, I will go and serve the princess right away.”

Yu Liang watched her hurriedly leave, then turned to report to Yue Shaozhi.

“Your Majesty, Yunchun has returned.”

Yue Shaozhi: “I see.”

Earlier, when they were leaving Xiaohanju, Yu Liang had noticed Yunchun hiding among the crowd.

At first, Yue Shaozhi had intended to order Yu Liang to capture and kill her, but Faer had taken her away first.

He had already made an agreement with Master Yu: if Song Ruoer inquired about Master Yu’s whereabouts, Xiaohanju must not be mentioned.

If Yunchun were exposed and caused Song Ruoer to grow suspicious, he would have no choice but to silence her.

But now that the maid had been intercepted by Song Ying, he assumed she had been given a warning.

“After Ruoer falls asleep, have Yunchun come see me.”

Yu Liang: “Yes, Your Majesty.”

After helping Song Ruoer drink her medicine and fall asleep, Yunchun escorted Master Yu to the guest house. On her way back, she encountered Yu Liang again.

She was terrified of the guard and stammered, “Guard Yu… is there something you need?”

Yu Liang replied, “The prince wants to see you.”

Yunchun’s heart began to race. She nervously followed him to the study and knelt on the floor. “This servant greets the prince.”

Yue Shaozhi looked down at her and said, “Raise your head.”

Yunchun swallowed hard and slowly lifted her head. But as soon as her eyes met Yue Shaozhi’s cold gaze, she dropped back down, trembling all over. “My Lord, this servant…”

“Do you know why I called you here?”

Yunchun’s mind raced. She knew that one wrong answer, and Yu Liang behind her would strike her down without hesitation.

“I… I don’t know. Please enlighten me, Your Majesty…”

Looking at the trembling Yunchun, Yue Shaozhi spoke slowly. “Master Yu was brought back from outside the city with great difficulty. I don’t want any further complications…”

Yunchun understood the meaning behind his words and immediately kowtowed.

“I—I’m too dim-witted to fulfill the princess’s orders. I only saw the prince’s carriage leave the city.”

Yue Shaozhi nodded, satisfied. “Go back and serve the princess well.”

As though receiving a pardon, Yunchun bowed low and backed away. “Yes, I’ll take my leave.”

It was only after she had completely exited the study and the courtyard that Yunchun finally dared to breathe a sigh of relief.

Just now, she truly thought she was going to die. She looked up at the gloomy sky and wiped the sweat from her face.

Looking back, if Faer hadn’t pulled her into Xiaohanju earlier, she’d probably be a corpse by now.

After calming down, Yunchun entered Song Ruoer’s bedroom.

“Hmm? Yunchun, is that you?”

“Princess, are you awake?”

“It must be the medicine. I didn’t sleep long, but I feel much better. By the way, how did the thing I asked you to do go?”

Yunchun knelt on the floor, guilt written all over her face. “It’s my fault. I lost track of him. I only remember that the prince’s carriage left the city.”

The room fell silent. Song Ruoer stared at Yunchun and, after a moment, sighed.

“Get up. After all, it was a carriage. How could your two legs keep up with a four-hoofed horse?”

“Thank you, Princess.”

Yunchun finally exhaled in relief. Though she was loyal, she feared death even more.