The young emperor blinked dazedly, and tears immediately streamed down his face.

Chang Le was startled and hurriedly knelt, tugging at his sleeve, “Your Majesty, you can’t cry now … Think about it, the Empress’ cough is due to her body’s weakness. It’s not as serious as you think. It’s a happy thing.”

Doctor Huang quietly stopped Chang Le, “He has too many pent-up emotions. Crying a bit might actually help. Don’t worry, I’ll watch over him.”

The little eunuch could only stand aside silently and watch with heartache.

In Chang Le’s memory, His Majesty only cried openly when he was the Crown Prince …

Back then, the late Emperor was still alive, and with only the emperor as his son, Duan Changchuan was very much doted upon. The late Emperor brought His Majesty with him when he met the ministers and even when reading books. At that time, His Majesty was still young and as small as a little bean. The late Emperor would often hold and caress His Majesty.

The late Emperor had also hired the best tutor for His Majesty. Despite being very well-behaved and studying until late every night, the young preceptor believed that strict teachers produce outstanding students, so he was very strict and often used various excuses to punish His Majesty.

Of course, the young preceptor didn’t dare to punish the emperor’s son directly, so it was Chang Le who took the beatings instead when Duan Changchuan made mistakes.

However, His Majesty had been kind since he was young. Every time Chang Le was beaten, he would feel guilty for a long time and apply medicine for him.

Once, during a particularly harsh winter, the tutor beat Chang Le severely. His hands, already chapped from frequent work, swelled up badly after the beating.

Seeing this, Duan Changchuan felt sorry for him and hurriedly pulled him to kneel in front of the late Emperor, crying.

At that time, the little boy knelt on the stone steps of the Ming Sheng Hall, barely taller than the threshold, and was shivering in the cold.

He was sobbing uncontrollably, but his back was straight.

“If Qing Xi truly didn’t work hard and failed to complete tasks and meet the tutor’s expectations, Qing Xi would accept the punishment. However, Xi’er studied hard day and night and remembered and reviewed all the teachings, yet the tutor still punished Xi’er for those tricky questions that Xi’er didn’t understand. Chang Le is Xi’er’s servant, but Imperial Father once said a servant is also a human. Xi’er being unable to protect him is Xi’er’s own fault. However, Xi’er believes there is nothing wrong with his words and actions. Why does the tutor beat Chang Le at will?”

The late Emperor sent someone to investigate and held the little boy in his arms to comfort him.

That night, His Majesty had a high fever due to the cold. Even in his dreams, he worried and asked, “Has Chang Le’s hand been treated?”

Later, after the late emperor passed away, His Majesty was forced to ascend the throne even though he was still a child.

Since then, Chang Le had rarely seen His Majesty cry again.

Now, looking at the tears drip from the young emperor’s chin … Chang Le suddenly felt as if he had returned to that harsh cold winter in a trance. Despite His Majesty’s grievances, he still had someone who cared for him.

–

Duan Changchuan cried for a long time. The more he cried, the sadder he felt. He felt that he was being too willful.

However, when he thought about how Bai Su didn’t stand in front of him and comforted him even when he cried so hard, made him feel even more aggrieved.

It wasn’t until the handkerchief was soaked that he finally stopped crying.

He raised his red eyes, looked at Imperial Physician Huang, and asked, “May I go and see … what she left for me?”

Thus, under Imperial Physician Huang’s guidance, they went to a cellar below the Imperial Hospital.

Although it was early summer in June, the cellar was as cold as a freezer. The deeper they went, the colder it got, with their breath turning into white mist.

Chang Le covered him with warm clothes and said, “Your Majesty, be careful not to catch a cold.”

Duan Changchuan nodded and continued walking.

It turned out to be an ice cellar. There were large chunks of ice inside and many things were stored. There were also some rare medicinal herbs, neatly placed in the drawers made of ice.

The blood that Bai Su left was placed in a more accessible spot, in two large ice drawers. When opened, they revealed ten neatly arranged white jade bottles.

“She drew three bowls of blood, and I put it in ten bottles. Bai girl had Feng Yao make these bottles, and each small bottle can be used three times. Now there’s only half a bottle left, and I’m reluctant to use it. I was thinking of giving it to you when you have a big reaction during pregnancy.”

Duan Changchuan’s fingers brushed over the white jade bottles one by one. The hem of his bright yellow clothes became damp with the cold.

Ten bottles … They were filled with Bai Su’s blood. Over the past month, he had been fed daily with it to ensure he received the Alpha’s soothing pheromone.

“May I … take these used bottles back with me?” He asked with a trembling voice.

“You … I advise against it. What would you do with them? You’d just end up missing her more and feeling worse. You’re pregnant now, and your emotions shouldn’t be too intense. If you take these bottles back, you’ll likely end up crying at night, which isn’t good for the baby.”

“I won’t cry. I just want to look at them …”

“No, I promised Bai lass to take good care of you. If I say no, it means no. Not only that, I will be staying in your hall tonight, in case something happens to you.”

The young man sniffed sadly … And lowered his head again.

“Alright, alright, it’s not a big deal! She only left these for a short time, and she’ll definitely come back soon. Maybe in three to five days, she’ll be back in the palace. It’s just that Shiyi came a little early, if he had stayed a bit longer, he might have seen her packing her things and rushing back to bring you good news. That fool doesn’t know how to do things.”

The old man spoke as if he saw Bai Su packing her luggage with his own eyes.

But Duan Changchuan wasn’t a fool who could be easily coaxed. He sighed helplessly and turned to instruct Changle, “Have Shiyi go back to check on Bai Su. It takes four to five days for the round trip. If Bai Su is still only coughing a bit … I won’t worry anymore.”

The little eunuch quickly responded, “Yes, this servant will go back and tell them right away!”

“Wait … forget it. Let’s head back to Ming Sheng Hall together. I wrote a letter to Bai Su earlier. I’ll let Shiyi bring it to Huainan.”

“Okay, then let’s go out first, Your Majesty.”

“Mm.”

–

Duan Changchuan returned to the hall, took out the letter he had written before, and handed it to Shiyi, “Let Xiao Ba go with you. The Empress is very astute. If the messenger suddenly changes, she’ll be suspicious. And I’ll have to trouble you … to run faster.”

Xiao Ba quickly took the letter and knelt on one knee to swear, “Rest assured, Your Majesty. We’ll reach the Empress’ palace in Huainan in two days.”

Shiyi also knelt and replied with confidence, “Rest assured, Your Majesty!”

Then they hurriedly left.

The letter in the tube was finally handed over to Bai Su on the morning of the third day after the two traveled with horses as fast as they could.

Recently, Huainan had entered the rainy season. It had been raining continuously for several days, and the morning air was filled with mist. Even the walls inside the house were covered with water droplets.

Locals called this the “Return of the South”.

Bai Su first looked at the drizzling rain outside the window for a while, then turned around and skillfully lit the atractylodes in the incense burner.

Just as the smoke rose from the burner, she heard a familiar knock on the door.

“Your Highness, it’s Xiao Ba. The letter from His Majesty has arrived.”

She hurried over to open the door, “Thank you for your hard work. Cough … how is His Majesty?”

The shadow guard quickly nodded, “His Majesty is well. A few days ago, there was an assassination attempt at Ming Sheng Hall, but His Majesty is unharmed.”

Then, he glanced at her curiously, “Your Highness, why are you coughing?”

“It’s nothing. Cough … It started raining recently in Huainan, and the temperature suddenly dropped. I was in a hurry to discuss matters with Elder Sun and the others and didn’t wear enough clothing, so I caught a slight cold. Cough cough … After drinking Elder Sun’s cinnamon twig decoction, I’m almost better. I’ll write a reply to him after reading it. Don’t tell him about this, it’s nothing serious. If it reaches his ears, it will only make him worry.”

Xiao Ba hurriedly nodded, but … before he could say “Yes”, Shiyi suddenly appeared beside him.

His voice was originally loud, but he couldn’t reveal Bai Su’s identity, so he deliberately shouted with a whisper voice, “Your Highness, so you only caught a cold! His Majesty thought you had infected and cried for a long time! His eyes were swollen from crying!”

Xiao Ba, “…”

Subconsciously covered Shiyi’s mouth.

However, this person was still confused, “Why are you stopping me? His Majesty didn’t say anything about not letting Her Highness know.”

Xiao Ba pinched his ear and scolded, “Didn’t His Majesty tell you to observe secretly? Do you not understand what ‘secretly’ means?”

Bai Su, “…”

She shook the paper tube helplessly, “So this is why you two came to deliver the letter?”

Xiao Ba nodded weakly, “Yes … His Majesty instructed Shiyi to immediately report to him if you have shown any illness. A few days ago, you had symptoms of coughing, Shiyi rushed to Shengjing. After His Majesty heard about it, he was very worried about your situation and sent this subordinate and Shiyi to check on you again. Your Highness, please read the letter soon. His Majesty is still waiting for your reply in Shengjing.”

Bai Su didn’t know whether to be angry or amused when she heard about the actions of that little child in Shengjing.

Calling him clever, but he sent someone who couldn’t think on his feet. But if one said he was foolish, only someone brainless like this wouldn’t deceive him in such matters.

In short, cleverness can sometimes backfire.

Sigh, really …

She didn’t know what to say.

You’ve had a long journey. Let Xiao Liu prepare some food for you. I’ll write a reply now and I’ll have to trouble you to send it back tonight.” She said.

Then, she took the letter back to her room.

Inside the house, atractylodes and mugwort were already burning. The incense burner was emitting a delicate smoke, filling the air with the scent of herbs.

Bai Su sat in front of the table and opened the tube. The faint scent of gardenias drifted out. His message contained a mix of inexperienced and youthful shyness, as well as his longing for her.

Just the smell of the pheromone allowed her to sense the young emperor’s fluctuating emotions as he wrote the letter.

The woman couldn’t help but smile.

Opening the letter, she saw the emperor’s elegant handwriting, which also carried a touch of tenderness.

Perhaps, even Duan Changchuan himself hadn’t noticed the slight difference in his handwriting when reviewing memorials versus writing letters. His notes on memorials were sharp and authoritative, exuding a strong imperial aura. However, the letters he wrote to her were obviously much softer, with a tender touch … as if he was acting coquettishly.

[To my dear Alpha,

Seeing these words is like seeing me in person.]

Between the lines, filled with his longing for her.

Bai Su’s smile grew wider as she read. When she saw the last sentence “The second letter from last time, I really like it. Sister, could you write another one?”, she couldn’t help but cover her mouth and chuckle.

It was as if he were standing in front of her, gently tugging at her sleeve, blushing, and softly calling out to her, “Sister… please?”

She immediately took a piece of paper and wrote a line of small characters:

[I heard that a certain Omega sent someone to spy on me. So, there’s nothing this time. Reflect on your action.]

Then, she folded it and placed it in a new paper tube.

After that, she spread out another piece of paper and wrote seriously.

[To my baby,

I hope this letter finds you well.

You secretly sent someone to spy on me. Don’t you think you deserve a spanking? Don’t worry, the epidemic in Huainan is under control. I just caught a slight cold a few days ago and coughed a few times. I’m almost better. The fact that I still dared to write and deliver letters to you, is already very clear, isn’t it? If I’m really infected, how would I dare to send my personal things to you? I will always be careful. If something happens to me, what will my Omega do? Every time I think of you, I act more cautiously.

Huainan has indeed entered the rainy season recently. Locals say it’s not too stuffy at the beginning, so I’m feeling alright. Jiangnan is beautiful. Yesterday, I picked a lotus from the pond and placed it on the table. It’s a pity there’s no camera in this era, otherwise, I’d send you a picture. Regarding water conservancy in Huainan, I’ve already reminded Lin Qing to be vigilant. I’ve also discussed specific methods with him. He, together with the second place is smart and won’t neglect it.

Speaking of this, is someone secretly jealous again?

Don’t worry, I don’t have any interactions with Lin Qing. He followed Elder Sun to manage the pandemic in Huainan City. We only communicate via letters. Be good, when I return, I can show you all the letters.]

After that, she wrote some reminders for him to take care of himself and talked about missing him.

At the end, it was signed: [Your Alpha, Bai Su.]

In addition, she also wrote the letter the young emperor wanted and put everything into the paper tube.

At night, after Xiao Ba and Shiyi had rested and eaten dinner, Bai Su handed the insincere letter to Shiyi.

Then, she beckoned Xiao Ba over and handed him the real letter. She deliberately avoided Shiyi and whispered, “Give this to His Majesty some time after he reads the letter from Shiyi.”

Xiao Ba, sharp as ever, immediately guessed there was something amiss and frowned, “Your Highness, do you write a random letter to His Majesty on purpose? Please don’t, His Majesty cried so hard two days ago. Please don’t tease him … His Majesty is genuinely worried about you.”

Bai Su, “Then keep an eye on him. When he looks like he’s about to cry, take this letter out to comfort him. Don’t let him really cry.”

“… Ah? Oh, okay, alright. This subordinate will remember!”

“Mm, go. Don’t keep him waiting.”

“Yes! Then this subordinate will head back first. Your Highness, please take care of yourself and return to the capital early!”

“I will.”