Chapter 146: Startling the Snake (Part 4)

As soon as Yan Yan finished speaking, the Eighth Princess Consort froze in place. She stared at Yan Yan for a long while before suddenly breaking into a smile. Turning to Lady Dong'鄂, she said, "Yan's words make sense. We cannot let our longing for the Eldest Brother-in-law make us foolishly assume he won't infect us. Let us leave quickly and not add to his burdens here."

The Eighth Princess Consort's sudden change in attitude was so bizarre that even Lady Dong'鄂 looked at her with astonishment. Yan Yan gave a sarcastic smile. "Then I shall not accompany you two out, Princess Consorts."

True to form, the Eighth Princess Consort cast another surprised look at Yan Yan, followed by a suspicious glance toward the inner chamber where the curtains were tightly drawn, her face filled with doubt. Yet, in the end, she did not ask to go in and take a look; instead, she grabbed Lady Dong'鄂 and stormed out of the study.

Standing in the outer room, Yan Yan watched their retreating figures in silence, biting her lower lip. She found the Eighth Princess Consort's attitude utterly strange, yet she was unwilling to believe that Ninth Master's poisoning could have anything to do with her. In Yan Yan's impression, regardless of what kind of role the Eighth Princess Consort played in time-travel novels, she was always portrayed as noble and proud—the type of person who, even if she plotted against others, would openly brandish her weapons.

Therefore, Yan Yan preferred to believe she was mistaken. Historically, Ninth Master had stood by the Eighth Prince until the very end; otherwise, he would not have met such a tragic end. If, for the sake of brotherly affection, Ninth Master was destined to suffer ultimate ruin, and yet was betrayed by his brother at this very juncture, wouldn't that be too pitiful?

Yan Yan felt that even if she voiced these thoughts aloud, Ninth Master would never believe them. After all, she couldn't even convince herself. She vigorously shook her head, trying to dislodge the chaotic thoughts swirling inside it.

Mother He seemed to sense what Yan Yan was thinking, though she remained somewhat baffled. Softly, she asked, "Secondary Consort, should we draw back all the curtains?"

Yan Yan nodded with a sudden realization. "Yes, draw them back. And open the windows for a while to let some fresh air into the room."

Over the past few days, despite the imperial physician's repeated warnings that Ninth Master must not be exposed to drafts, Yan Yan had insisted on opening the windows every day to let in fresh air. After several days, the room's atmosphere had returned to a crisp freshness, entirely devoid of the stale, heavily medicated stench that had assaulted her senses when she first stepped into the study.

Yan Yan hurried into the bedroom, walked up to the window, and pulled back the curtains with a forceful motion. Sunlight immediately poured in, illuminating every dark corner. Faced with such brilliant light, Yan Yan could not help but smile knowingly. She reached out and pushed the window open. Inhaling the fresh air from outside, she took a deep breath and smiled, "My Lord, with such glorious sunlight, what a pity it would be if you didn't see it! Once you recover, we can take the children horse-riding in weather like this. I don't know how to ride yet; you'll have to teach me..."

Chattering away, Yan Yan turned around. At the exact moment she completed the turn, she froze completely. Ninth Master was lying on the bed, gazing right at her. Though his gaze was still somewhat hazy, he was clearly awake.

Yan Yan instinctively took a few quick steps forward, then paused, blinking as she stared at Ninth Master. It was as if she simply couldn't believe her eyes. Biting her lower lip, she looked at him in profound shock.

Ninth Master looked at Yan Yan, smiled weakly, and motioned to her with a feeble wave of his hand.

Instantly, Yan Yan's eyes grew hot. Tears broke through her eyelids, falling continuously like pearls from a snapped string. Taking two or three quick strides, she rushed to Ninth Master's side, grabbed his hand, and choked out, "My Lord, you're awake."

Ninth Master gazed deeply at Yan Yan and a smile touched his lips. It was neither the aloof smile he usually wore nor the doting smile meant only for her heart, but rather a serene, tranquil, and deeply tender smile born of surviving a great calamity.

Ninth Master propped himself up to sit. Yan Yan hurriedly placed a pillow behind his back and labored to help him sit up comfortably. Only then did she return to her seat, gazing infatuatedly at him.

Ninth Master let out a sudden chuckle and said in a low voice, "Why aren't you speaking?" His voice was raspy and exceedingly weak, yet to Yan Yan, it was the most melodious sound in the entire world, far sweeter than any other.

"I was wondering if Your Lordship still remembers me. What if you had slept through and forgotten all about me!" Yan Yan wiped away her random tears, rambling incoherently.

Ninth Master found this side of Yan Yan entirely genuine. He tapped the tip of her nose and murmured softly, "Silly girl."

To his surprise, upon hearing this, Yan Yan abruptly lunged into his arms, wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, and burst into a torrential flood of tears that seemed to shake the heavens and earth. Ninth Master was momentarily stunned, but a moment later, the corners of his mouth curved upward as he gently patted her back.

Between sobs, Yan Yan cried out, "You're finally awake, you're truly finally awake! How could Your Lordship be so cruel as to sleep for so long? Do you know how terrified I was, how utterly terrified..."

Yan Yan's crying was loud enough to startle Mother He, Wang Quan, and the imperial physician waiting in the outer room.

Mother He and Wang Quan rushed into the room almost simultaneously. Seeing that Ninth Master had regained consciousness, they both dropped to their knees with a thud and began to weep as well, crying out, "My Lord!" Mother He chanted repeatedly, "Heaven be praised! Heaven be praised!"

Watching Mother He and Wang Quan kneeling on the floor, Ninth Master gently patted Yan Yan's back once more and murmured, "Stop crying now. You're far too old to be weeping like a child; aren't you afraid of being laughed at?"

Naturally aware that Mother He and Wang Quan had entered, Yan Yan felt a sudden wave of embarrassment. She buried her face against Ninth Master's chest to secretly wipe away her tears, then straightened her posture. Turning to Chen Dainian, who stood behind Wang Quan, she said, "Imperial Physician, come quickly and examine His Lordship. Is his body entirely well?"

Hearing this, Mother He hastily rose to her feet and chimed in repeatedly, "Yes, please examine him right away, Imperial Physician."

Imperial Physician Chen hurried forward and carefully took Ninth Master's pulse. After a long moment, he smiled and said, "Congratulations to the Ninth Master, and congratulations to the Secondary Consort. The Ninth Master's condition is no longer in grave danger, though he must continue taking medicine for some time. Furthermore, his diet for the coming days should not be too greasy; he must eat light and nourishing foods."

Yan Yan nodded, meticulously noting down all the precautions in her mind. Watching her earnest expression, Ninth Master's lips curled upward once again. Throughout this period, even though he had remained unconscious, he had somehow been aware of the events happening around him. Therefore, he knew full well how resolutely Yan Yan had come to his side and how wholeheartedly she had cared for him. At that time, though he could not wake, his heart had experienced a boundless bliss—a form of happiness he had never known before.