Pengcheng left decisively, leaving behind only a severely injured Crown Prince.
What a trap.
I had left the capital to avoid this man, only to run into him in Meicheng. Resigned, I stepped forward, "Your Highness, it's late. You should rest."
Situ Yao glanced at me. "I've been hungry all day and can't sleep."
It was almost Hai Zheng (23:00), and only the night watchman was left at the inn. I didn't dare to let him feed himself pastries, so I paid the boy to help me make a bowl of noodle soup. I paid him well, and he was generous with the ingredients, including meat, vegetables, and a poached egg.
Situ Yao sat down at the table himself, holding chopsticks in his left hand, and struggled to lift a noodle to his mouth.
Without warning, the noodle slipped from the chopsticks, splashing a few drops of hot soup.
Seeing his injured right arm, I eventually took his chopsticks. "Your Highness, this humble servant will feed you."
"Okay."
He agreed too readily, and I felt like I had been tricked, but I had no proof. Forget it, consider it repayment to the Empress. Twenty years ago, if he hadn't abolished my mother's servant status, I would still be a maid in his household.
Perhaps I would be serving the very person in front of me.
The Crown Prince lowered his gaze slightly and cooperated by eating the noodles.
Unfortunately, halfway through, he couldn't hold on and fell drowsy. I quickly helped him to the bed.
Injuries could easily lead to a high fever, and the Crown Prince's two wounds were not minor. Moreover, Pengcheng, an amateur, had treated them. I dared not sleep. I dragged a soft couch into the room and kept vigil by his bed. Sure enough, he developed a high fever in the latter half of the night.
I thought of calling Axiu, but my hand retracted when I touched the door. Resigned, I stripped his clothes and used strong alcohol to wipe him down.
After a whole night of fussing, his fever broke, but I had two dark circles under my eyes.
The next day, Axiu urged me to set off.
"I was too tired from settling accounts yesterday. Let's rest for another day."
"But, Miss, won't you sleep in the carriage?"
I had no choice but to reveal the truth, "The Crown Prince is here, understand?"
Axiu's mouth formed an 'o', her voice trembling. "The, the, the Crown Prince, slept, slept in your room? You, you guys..."
"Stop it. He's recovering from his injuries." Her expression was too obvious. I spat at her. "You're a good girl, can't you think of something normal? I stayed up all night until his fever broke. Tell the innkeeper we need a few more days, and then you can take care of him."
"No, no, no, Miss. How could this servant possibly be qualified to take care of the Crown Prince? This task still falls to you."
I showed her my dark circles. "Your lady is exhausted and needs to rest in your room."
Axiu was pushed into the role unwillingly, while I went to her room. Although I was tired and sleepy, I had no desire to sleep. As soon as I closed my eyes, the image of the Crown Prince with disheveled clothes and a flushed face lying on my bed appeared.
It coincided perfectly with what happened one night.
I'm going to die.
I realized that I actually found him desirable.
When I woke up, Axiu was guarding my bedside. "Why are you here? Where is the Crown Prince?"
"The Crown Prince woke up and said he's not used to strangers serving him, so he asked me to look after you."
"Has his fever subsided?"
"It has, but he looks a bit weak. Miss, you must be hungry. I didn't dare to wake you because you were sleeping soundly."
Of course, I was hungry.
So Axiu ordered several dishes for me. "Miss, the Crown Prince also ate very little at noon. Would you like him to eat a little more?"
"Why are you asking me? Go ask him yourself."
Axiu's face fell. "How could this servant dare?"
Situ Yao wasn't that frightening.
He seemed very gentle and polite. Axiu, this girl, is usually so boisterous, but she becomes a paper tiger when she sees someone important. I was disappointed in her lack of courage, but I eventually returned to my room. Situ Yao had already gotten up and was leaning against the bed, reading a book.
At a glance, it was a novel from Meicheng.
I had bought two copies, one for my mother and one I planned to give to Suisui.
These things were indeed good for passing the time. I pretended not to see it. "Your Highness, you are still injured. Why don't you lie down more?"
"If I lie down too much, my body will stiffen. You're awake."
"I'm awake. I'm just about to eat. Axiu said you didn't eat much at noon. Would you like to join me for a few more bites?"
"Alright."
So I asked Axiu to add two more light dishes.
I also thoughtfully prepared a spoon for him.