I woke up from hunger.
The first thing I saw was the smoke-blue canopy above. There was light, but it was weak.
I turned my head slightly and saw the candle on the wall. It was as dim as a bean, no wonder it was so dark. Before I could look anywhere else, someone leaned over, "You're awake, how are you? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?"
That familiar voice, I was startled, then met Situ Yao's anxious face.
"I, where is this?"
"In my room. Quickly summon the imperial physician."
"Have we returned to the capital?" Otherwise, how could there be an imperial physician?
Situ Yao said, "No, Father Emperor is worried about me and specifically sent Imperial Physician Cai."
Imperial Physician Cai arrived as soon as he was mentioned. We were all familiar with him, so he spoke naturally, "Miss Wang, do you feel unwell anywhere?"
"My whole body aches, it feels like all my internal organs have shifted."
"Extend your hand."
He took my pulse and then said, "The results are the same as before. There is mild damage to the internal organs. Fortunately, the blood stasis has been expelled. You will be fine after a period of rest and recuperation."
My vision went dark, "Rest again?"
Why did it feel like ever since I came back, this body had become a porcelain doll?
Situ Yao said guiltily, "I'm sorry, I implicated you."
"Those people were indeed after you. Have you finished your assignment?"
"It's finished."
Peng Cheng brought hot water into the room, "Fortunately, Miss Wang was resourceful and escaped on her own. Otherwise, if Mr. Tao had taken you hostage, His Highness the Crown Prince would have been hesitant and perhaps he would have escaped."
I was very puzzled, "His Highness the Crown Prince stayed in Meicheng for so long, just to deal with a county magistrate?"
"How could that be? The people behind Magistrate Tao have powerful connections." He wrung out a hot towel and handed it to Situ Yao.
Situ Yao made a move to wipe my face, and I quickly said, "Let Ah Xiu do it."
Peng Cheng said, "Ah Xiu and Aunt Ruyi were frightened. I have already arranged for them to return to the capital first."
When did Ah Xiu become so unafraid?
I was speechless. I reached out and took the towel, wiping myself haphazardly, "Is there any food? I'm hungry."
Imperial Physician Cai was writing a prescription. He looked up upon hearing this and said, "The young lady's internal organs are damaged. She should only eat soft and easily digestible food. Have the kitchen send a bowl of rice noodles, something light."
Situ Yao asked, "Can chicken soup be drunk?"
"If the oil is skimmed off cleanly, it can."
Peng Cheng said, "I will arrange it immediately."
Imperial Physician Cai also got up, "I will go and prepare the medicine first."
In a moment, only I and Situ Yao were left in the room. Sigh, it was really too awkward.
Situ Yao handed me a cup of warm water, "Drink some, your lips are chapped."
I was indeed thirsty and gulped down a cup. Situ Yao poured a second cup, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, why don't you find me a maid? A servant woman is also fine. This commoner is not picky, as long as I have someone to attend to me."
"I only have guards here."
"Then who takes care of your daily life?"
"I have hands and feet, I don't need others to serve me."
Fine, I was speechless.
He, however, sat opposite me, "Don't you want to know the whole story?"
"It's a matter of state affairs. Even if you tell me, I might not understand. By the way, were those people on the mountain caught? What about that constable?"
"He was seriously injured, and also, he is not a constable."
"How can that be? He used an embroidered spring saber." I suspected Situ Yao was mistaken.
Situ Yao, however, said, "He is a trained assassin kept by Magistrate Tao, working only for him."
I was even more confused, "Since when can a small county magistrate afford assassins?"
"It's related to people in the capital. What do you want him for? Revenge?"
I shook my head, "His martial arts are good, it's a pity for him to die like this."
Situ Yao choked slightly. I felt quite regretful, but for an assassin, they must have done many dark deeds over the years. Perhaps they wouldn't die enough even after eight hundred reincarnations. Sigh, I should eat first. Just as I was thinking about eating, Peng Cheng came in with chicken soup and rice noodles.
I had been hungry for a long time, so I raised my spoon and started eating. Situ Yao stared at me for a while, "Eat slowly, no one is snatching it from you."
Then he was elbowed by Peng Cheng.
Tsk, this guard's boldness was growing.