Chapter 138: Nursing Xia Jiujiang Day and Night

Xia Jiujian, who was usually impervious to all illnesses, had unexpectedly fallen ill. After suffering from a high fever for two days, she gradually regained consciousness. Groggily opening her eyes, she was immediately struck by the burning discomfort in her throat, while her eyelids felt as heavy as if weighed down by a thousand pounds—she longed to close them and drift back to sleep.

When Xia Jiujian opened her eyes, she found herself in a completely unfamiliar room. Naturally, she dared not succumb to drowsiness. She tried to sit up from the bed, but a strong hand held her back. Leaning against a broad chest, a bowl of clear water was brought to her lips.

After drinking, Xia Jiujian felt some relief and asked, “Where am I?”

Turning her head, she saw Ming Ze standing guard over her. He looked tired, his hair disheveled and dark circles beneath his eyes suggesting he had not slept for days, yet his handsome features remained undiminished.

Ming Ze replied, “This is Xiangrui Pavilion.”

“How many days have I been unconscious?” Xia Jiujian felt her entire body heavy, sore, and exhausted, fully aware she had caught a serious illness after being drenched by rain.

“Two days.”

Her eyes widened in shock. “Two days? I haven’t been back to the Jin Prince’s Mansion for two days? That won’t do—I have to go back.” Not having been seen for two days was unacceptable. She tried to get out of bed.

From nearby, a cold voice sneered, “Third Brother, I told you your infatuation was all for nothing. She fainted for two days, yet Jun Bu Wen never came to look for her. No one wants her anymore, and she still naively wants to return.”

Xia Jiujian recalled what Jun Bu Wen had said to her on that stormy day. She had thought he would be anxious and worried after two days of her absence, but Ming Ningzi’s words revealed that no one had come searching for her during that time.

If Xia Jiujian did not return to the mansion, even if Jun Bu Wen did not care, surely Lv Luo, who was close to her, would be very worried. But no one had come for her. Perhaps Jun Bu Wen had ordered the maids not to leave the mansion.

Was Jun Bu Wen planning to divorce her?

Xia Jiujian fell into thoughtful silence, her expression one of deep heartbreak, clearly still thinking about Jun Bu Wen.

Ming Ningzi clicked her tongue and said, “Third Brother, you went to all this trouble arranging for her to stay here, having servants change her clothes, attending to her for two days, yet she doesn’t appreciate it at all.”

Xia Jiujian glanced at Ming Ze, who indeed looked haggard. Guarding her for two days showed he cared in his own way. She patted Ming Ze on the shoulder and joked, “Such a dutiful grandson.”

She quickly resumed her usual flippant demeanor, though Ming Ze smiled bitterly, knowing Xia Jiujian was merely trying to dispel his worries.

Lowering his head, Ming Ze said quietly, “You… should go.”

Ming Ze did not stop Xia Jiujian. He even sent a servant to bring her clothes. Xia Jiujian dressed but said nothing. She looked at Ming Ze’s retreating figure. When your heart belongs to someone else, all other feelings become meaningless. She was grateful to Ming Ze, but that gratitude amounted to nothing more than a simple thank you. Without a backward glance, Xia Jiujian turned and left.

When Xia Jiujian stepped out of Xiangrui Pavilion, the sun shone brightly. The streets bustled with people—some busy at market stalls, others drinking at taverns, and many worried about their livelihoods. Yet, Xia Jiujian suddenly felt lost, unsure of where she truly belonged.

Jun Bu Wen clearly did not care about Xia Jiujian’s wellbeing. To him, Xia Jiujian was a dispensable presence at the Jin Prince’s Mansion. What meaning was there in returning? Besides the Jin Prince’s Mansion, she had nowhere else to go. The Xia family was no home to her; everyone there schemed against her at every turn.

Though uncertain where to head, Xia Jiujian found herself unknowingly standing before the gates of the Jin Prince’s Mansion. Looking up at the gilded characters inscribed above, she felt torn, uncertain whether to advance or retreat.

Something felt amiss. The guards at the Jin Prince’s Mansion were all unfamiliar faces, people Xia Jiujian had never seen before. Could it be that, in just two days, Jun Bu Wen had replaced everyone in the mansion?

Could he be so ruthless?

Pouting in frustration, Xia Jiujian was about to turn away when she overheard a group of passersby whispering by the gate.

“Isn’t this Jin Prince supposed to be a war god? How come he suddenly collapsed like this?”

“Maybe he caught some illness during the war with the Southern Kingdom.”

“He fainted and hasn’t woken up for two days. The mansion’s still heavily guarded—maybe it’s bad news.”

“Shh, keep your voice down. It’s best to keep these things private. If the wrong people hear…”

“I heard the Jin Prince is seriously ill.”

“That poor Jin Princess. She just married him not long ago and might already be widowed.”

“Widowed? What widowed? Didn’t you hear? The Jin Princess fainted on the road a few days ago and was taken to Xiangrui Pavilion by the Southern Kingdom’s Third Prince.”

“Who knows what’s going on between the Southern Kingdom’s Third Prince and the Jin Princess?” someone said with a sly grin.

Xia Jiujian’s face darkened as she heard the rumors spreading around her. How was it that everyone knew about her time at Xiangrui Pavilion?

Clenching her fists, Xia Jiujian had thought Ming Ze’s rescue was a kindness, yet here he was, tarnishing her reputation.

“If the Jin Prince dies, I bet the Jin Princess has already found herself a new match.”

“The Southern Kingdom’s Third Prince would want a divorced woman? She’s already been married before.”

“You don’t understand. I heard the Third Prince likes the Jin Princess and even petitioned Emperor Zongkang to marry her. If he weren’t a Southern envoy, trying to marry someone else’s wife would have gotten him beaten to death.”

What nonsense was this? When had the Southern Kingdom’s Third Prince ever sought to marry Xia Jiujian? It was Princess Anya all along. Who started these rumors, and how had they become so twisted?

“I heard the Jin Prince is gravely ill, and the Jin Princess isn’t even at the mansion. She’s off enjoying herself with the Southern Kingdom’s Third Prince.”

“Everyone at Xiangrui Pavilion has been talking—those two spent two whole days and nights together in the same room.”

“Tsk, tsk. The Jin Prince isn’t dead yet, and the Jin Princess is already acting so brazenly.”

Xia Jiujian’s face grew darker and darker. In their mouths, she had become a wanton woman.

“I hear the imperial physicians have come in waves, even the chief doctor Zhang arrived, but it’s all to no avail.”

Those words jolted Xia Jiujian’s heart. Jun Bu Wen was seriously ill. The heavy guard at the Jin Prince’s Mansion and the unfamiliar faces explained why no one had come looking for her these past two days.

Upon hearing Jun Bu Wen’s critical condition, Xia Jiujian recalled the heat toxin fever she had suffered. Standing at the gate, wavering whether to enter, that hesitation vanished. She bolted toward the mansion.

The guards blocked her path, glaring angrily. “Who dares storm the Jin Prince’s Mansion?”

Xia Jiujian sneered coldly. “When did I, the Jin Princess, become someone who storms in? You’re the strangers here. Who put you in charge of guarding the Jin Prince’s Mansion?”

Shouting “Jin Princess” did nothing to sway the guards. Instead, they suddenly encircled her, as if intending to detain her. Xia Jiujian frowned in confusion—what was this about?

One guard spoke, “Jin Princess, please come with us.”

Knowing her identity, the guards showed no respect, even attempting to forcibly seize her. Xia Jiujian noticed the emblem on their sword sheaths and a thought struck her: today’s Jin Prince’s Mansion was far more complicated than she had imagined.