Ye Qingcheng’s thoughts were largely occupied by Shangguan Hongsheng’s serious illness.
She was somewhat worried.
Ye Qingcheng looked at the maidservant, about to tell her she wouldn’t be blamed, when she suddenly felt something was amiss.
She frowned and said, “You look unfamiliar. I don’t think I’ve seen you before. When were you assigned to me?”
The maidservant was slightly startled, then lowered her head and said softly, “My lady, I was just accepted into the mansion. It’s normal for you not to have seen me.”
“Oh, new, no wonder you look unfamiliar.”
Ye Qingcheng nodded and said, “Stop being so stiff. I don’t bite.”
The maidservant responded and gave her a smile.
This smile held a familiar scent from her memories, but what kind of familiarity was it? Ye Qingcheng couldn’t recall at the moment, only that it felt like déjà vu.
After breakfast and a little preparation, Ye Qingcheng left the Regent’s Mansion and went to Shangguan Hong’s residence.
She didn’t ask a servant to announce her, not wanting to disturb Shangguan Hong’s rest. Her intention was to take a look and understand his condition.
Without seeing him in person, Ye Qingcheng would ultimately feel uneasy.
Still outside Shangguan Hong’s room, Ye Qingcheng heard an unfamiliar voice conversing inside.
Curious, she paused and listened for a moment.
“Young Master Shangguan, how was the medicine applied yesterday? Judging by the color of the changed bandages, the absorption seems quite good, but I’m unsure how your body is feeling.”
This was a voice Ye Qingcheng hadn’t heard before.
“Thank you for your concern, Doctor Wen. I feel much better after the bandaging yesterday.”
This, however, was Shangguan Hong’s voice.
Hearing this, Ye Qingcheng was stunned for a good while.
Were they changing bandages inside now? No wonder the air was filled with the scent of herbs.
But wasn’t Shangguan Hong said to be gravely ill? Why did he still need bandaging? What was going on?
Before Ye Qingcheng could ponder further, a middle-aged man in a long robe walked out, led by a young servant. Before leaving, he glanced at Ye Qingcheng.
Ye Qingcheng frowned and strode into Shangguan Hong’s room.
Shangguan Hong was lying on the bed, his face extremely pale, almost devoid of color, as if he were a blank sheet of paper.
Seeing Ye Qingcheng, he seemed somewhat surprised, “My Lady? Why are you here?”
“I heard you were gravely ill, so I came to see you.” She walked slowly closer.
“I apologize, my lady. I’m actually not in any serious condition. You needn’t worry too much about me.” Shangguan Hong said with a smile.
“You don’t look like you’re in any serious condition at all! You’re clearly very badly injured and very ill.” Ye Qingcheng glared at him, unable to hide her concern.
After all, they were friends with some history, and seeing him in such a state, she couldn’t bear it.
“What exactly happened to you? Did something happen? Young Master Shangguan, why are you in such a state?” Ye Qingcheng asked, frowning.
“This… it’s really hard to say.” Shangguan Hong scratched his head.
She rolled her eyes, “What’s so difficult to say about it? Tell me, and I will certainly champion your cause.”
As she spoke, she patted her chest to make a promise.
Seeing her actions, Shangguan Hong’s emotions were stirred by her, and his mood greatly improved, causing him to laugh for a while.
After his laughter subsided, he straightened his expression and said softly to Ye Qingcheng, “My current state is greatly related to the Regent.”
“Xiao Wangye? How is it related to him? What does your injury, your illness, have to do with him?”
Ye Qingcheng was clearly astonished.
Shangguan Hong sighed and said, “My Lady, haven’t I told you enough about the Regent? What kind of person he is, and why he keeps you by his side, I’ve told you all of it. It’s just that you refuse to believe it.”
“But…”
“My Lady, are you still choosing to believe the Regent?”
Shangguan Hong gave a bitter smile.
She bit her lip, unsure of what to say.
Although she felt something was off, she hadn’t yet discovered what exactly felt so strange.
He took a deep breath and said, his face etched with pain, “My plan to take you away was discovered by the Regent, and so, he wanted to kill me. All these injuries and pains I’ve suffered are all thanks to that Regent.”
Ye Qingcheng lowered her eyes.
“My Lady, this is not your fault.”
“Young Master Shangguan.” Ye Qingcheng suddenly raised her head and looked at Shangguan Hong before her. “Didn’t you tell me you were a transmigrator?”
She had finally discovered what felt strange to her.
Shangguan Hong’s gaze slightly sharpened, “My Lady, even you refuse to believe me?”
“I’m just curious,” she said.
He smiled with understanding, “It seems no matter what I’ve done for you, it can’t compare to a single smile from the Regent. Even if I heard that the Regent has been neglecting you for many days, you are still on his side, aren’t you?”
She frowned and said, “That’s not what I meant, Young Master Shangguan, please don’t think that way…”
Shangguan Hong said, “My Lady, even transmigrators face difficulties. Does being a transmigrator mean you can do whatever you want? Since he is the Regent, anything he wishes to do is not difficult. In this capital, the Regent has many people and great influence, while I am alone.”
He paused and then said bitterly, “I am fighting a lonely battle, and for whom I am fighting so hard, My Lady, don’t you know?”
As he spoke, his gaze fixed tightly on Ye Qingcheng.
Ye Qingcheng was slightly startled, a part of her heart clearly touched.
She looked back at him, their eyes meeting.
“I’ve wronged you,” she said, her lips moving.
Shangguan Hong smiled, “It’s alright. I would never blame you, My Lady.”
She said, “But how can your body recover, Young Master Shangguan?”
“Don’t worry about my body for now. Aren’t you at all concerned about yourself?” An emotion called concern flowed in his eyes.
“Me?” She blinked in surprise.
“Yes, My Lady. I know your identity. Ye Qingcheng, right?”
Upon hearing this, Ye Qingcheng was greatly surprised, “How do you know I…”
He laughed, “I transmigrated. Such things are not a secret originally. It’s just that I’m only revealing it now.”
Ye Qingcheng knitted her brows.
“I didn’t say anything before because I understood your situation. Having left modern times for so long, and without strength, it must be a very painful experience, wouldn’t it?” he said.