Chapter 112: A Patient Arrives at Midnight

When Qin Wanru returned to her residence, Zhifang Pavilion, Nanny Yu had already set everything in order. Knowing that everyone was exhausted from the journey, Qin Wanru had specifically instructed Nanny Yu to let the servants rest early.

Nanny Yu and Yujie were waiting at the entrance for her. Qin Wanru sent Qingyue off to bed and insisted that Yujie take the reluctant Nanny Yu to rest as well. Left alone in the courtyard, she fell into deep thought. Although she had brought many people with her, it was clearly not enough. Tomorrow, her grandmother would likely hire a matchmaker to purchase more servants, and she would have to ensure Nanny Yu selected a few suitable ones.

Having just arrived in the capital, Madam Di’s reach was not yet long enough to interfere. However, if they were to purchase another group of servants, it would be possible, as Madam Di could always enlist the help of Lady Yongkang. In her previous life, this Lady Yongkang had played no small part in pushing things along behind the scenes.

There was so much to do upon arriving in the capital. Having rejected Madam Di’s offer to show her around, she had to find a way to accompany Shui Ruolan to banquets, and the sooner, the better. Currently, she still had the appearance of a young child; even if rumors from Jiangzhou were to reach the capital and Madam Di tried to manipulate them against her, people would find it ridiculous and unbelievable because she had arrived in the capital as such a young child. But if she were to grow up, some things might become harder to explain.

Shui Ruolan had no roots in the capital, and as a widow who had remarried, she wouldn’t even see an invitation to a banquet without someone to guide her. Yet, Qin Wanru saw an opportunity; it seemed she would need to take her mother to offer incense at a temple soon. There, she might find someone who could serve as a gateway for her and her mother into the circles of the noble families.

"Thwack." As Qin Wanru stood under a tree waiting for Yujie to return, something suddenly hit her. She looked up at the treetop, but under the pitch-black sky, she saw nothing. Perhaps it was just a branch falling as winter approached?

She rubbed her head, bewildered, and lowered her gaze, only to be struck by something else. This time, the blow was even harder. Qin Wanru let out an "Ouch!" and as she looked up again to see what was happening, she heard a burst of laughter. Looking toward the side wall, she saw a figure sitting there.

It was Chu Liuchen.

Qin Wanru rubbed her head and blinked, her doll-like face full of confusion under the lamplight, as if she couldn't process what was happening. She had never expected to see this man sitting on her own courtyard wall. Given his constitution, was he truly suited for climbing walls and trees? She tilted her head slightly, peering at his face in the dim light, and felt that he didn't look well at all.

Yujie came out of Nanny Yu’s room, and upon seeing the scene, she paused, her face tightening with vigilance as she walked over. Qin Wanru gestured for her to stay calm and not to worry.

Chu Liuchen jumped down from the tree and walked over to Qin Wanru, looking her up and down. He was fiddling with a few pebbles in his hand—needless to say, those were what had struck her. In the lamplight, his complexion was indeed poor; his lips were as pale as his face, and he seemed listless, yet his eyes looked at Qin Wanru with interest.

"Your Highness, is your health really up to climbing walls?" Qin Wanru looked up at the high wall; it was much taller than the ones in Jiangzhou and clearly served as a genuine defense.

"It is tiring!" Chu Liuchen tossed the pebbles aside and suddenly leaned toward her, his body limp. Qin Wanru gasped and quickly reached out, taking two small steps back to catch him, though fortunately, the tree behind her braced them both. Yujie moved to assist, but Qin Wanru signaled her to stop. This Prince was a prideful man; there was no telling what he cared about, so she would support him herself.

"Your Highness, are you alright?" Qin Wanru whispered. It was taxing to hold him up, but she dared not let go. From a distance, it wasn't obvious, but as they stood close, she could feel the intense heat radiating from him. He was running a fever!

"I am not well!" he murmured, his voice low against her ear. Chu Liuchen’s eyes were closed, and his breath was hot. Qin Wanru reached out to touch his forehead; it was alarmingly hot. Setting aside all hesitation, she beckoned Yujie over, and together they helped him into the house.

After laying him on the bed in the inner room and propping him up with cushions, Qin Wanru instructed Yujie to bring a basin of cool water. She then retrieved a small packet of medicinal powder from her supply—a simple remedy she had prepared herself for colds. It was not as potent as a decoction, but it would suffice.

She mixed the powder with hot water, and the scent of herbs filled the air. Once it had cooled slightly, she sat by the bed and fed him with a spoon. The soup was light, and the temperature was just right. "Your Highness, please take your medicine," she said softly.

Chu Liuchen opened his eyes, looked at her, and obediently drank the medicine. He then shoved the bowl back into her hands and said quite naturally, "Candied fruit!" He opened his mouth slightly.

The handsome youth’s eyes were closed, his long lashes casting shadows on his eyelids; it was an aesthetically pleasing sight, but his parted lips gave him an unexpectedly strange air. Was this truly the Chu Liuchen who would eventually rise to become the Crown Prince?

Bewildered, Qin Wanru couldn't remember where she had put any candied fruit. Just then, Yujie returned with water and reminded her, "Miss, didn't you have a jar of the candied fruit that the Old Madam was using on the road? I shall fetch it for you."

Qin Wanru nodded, placed the bowl on the table, and soaked a clean cloth in the cool water, wringing it out before placing it on Chu Liuchen’s forehead. Yujie brought the jar, and Qin Wanru carefully placed a piece of fruit into his mouth. Chu Liuchen chewed it, seemed satisfied, turned his head to the side, and fell quietly asleep with the towel on his forehead.

"Miss, this..." Yujie, still confused by the situation, was astonished to see him sleeping so peacefully.

"Yujie, it’s fine. Go get some sleep," Qin Wanru said with a yawn. Fortunately, she had rested in the afternoon.

"Miss, I cannot sleep. I will stay here and watch over you," Yujie insisted, worried about leaving her alone.

"It’s alright. This is Prince Chen of the capital; I know him. You are tired from today, so go rest. We have much to do tomorrow," Qin Wanru said, waving her hand.

There was indeed much to do. If she didn't make arrangements quickly after arriving in the capital, she would be suppressed by Madam Di again.

"Miss, I will sleep just outside. Call me if you need anything," Yujie said, deciding to stay by the door. Qin Wanru, seeing her resolve, could only nod. Yujie poured her a cup of tea, stepped out, and closed the door. Still uneasy, she didn't dare to sleep properly and simply sat by the doorframe, closing her eyes.

Qin Wanru did not realize Yujie had stayed. She herself was feeling quite drowsy, and after sitting at the table for a while, she rested her head down and soon fell asleep. The journey had been exhausting, and although she had napped in the afternoon, the fatigue had not fully faded. The recent flurry of activity had drained her remaining energy, and she drifted off.

When she finally woke up, she pushed herself up, her long lashes fluttering as she opened her eyes. She stared blankly into a pair of handsome, gentle eyes, unable to regain her senses or even recall where she was. Those eyes were beautiful and clear, so pure that one would never suspect the owner of harboring ill intent. Qin Wanru closed her eyes again, letting her head drop, intending to drift back to sleep.

However, her head did not land on the table but on something soft. Sensing something amiss, she struggled to open her eyes again and realized, after a long moment, that she was leaning on someone’s shoulder.

She pursed her pink lips and lifted her head to look at the youth who seemed to have walked out of a landscape painting. His hair was pitch black, his skin pale, his nose high, and his lashes long—so long they seemed to be right before her eyes. Her hand reached out almost instinctively, but she froze when her fingers brushed his warm cheek.

His butterfly-like lashes fluttered, and he was truly awake.

"Your Highness, are you feeling better?" Qin Wanru immediately sat upright and composed herself, glancing at his face. Though still pale, he looked much better than before, and she breathed a sigh of relief. She had truly feared he might succumb to illness in her courtyard.

"I am leaving," Chu Liuchen said, rubbing his shoulder as he stood up with a languid air.

"Your Highness, how will you leave at this hour?" Qin Wanru asked, looking around in surprise. She didn't think he was capable of walking out on his own. He was better, but not fully recovered; she could tell just from his voice.

"If I wish to leave, I can," Chu Liuchen said, raising an eyebrow and giving her a mischievous look. He walked to the window and tapped rhythmically on the wooden frame. Two black-clad guards appeared instantly at the window.

"I am leaving now, but there is one thing wrong with your courtyard," Chu Liuchen said, glancing at her with feigned dissatisfaction.

"What is wrong with it?" Qin Wanru widened her eyes, unfazed by the sudden appearance of the guards.

"It lacks a fishbowl—a large one," Chu Liuchen said lazily. "I will have one sent to you tomorrow, so you won't have to hide inside just to watch the sky."

Without waiting for a response, he pressed his hand against the windowsill, vaulted lightly outside, and vanished into the night with his two guards.

Left behind, Qin Wanru stood with her mouth slightly agape, blinking in confusion. Since when did she have a special fondness for fishbowls? Was Chu Liuchen speaking the truth, or was there a deeper meaning? She couldn't quite fathom it.