"Ah-choo!" Xue Xingyue couldn't help but shiver.
Feng Jiu tightened the cloak draped over Xue Xingyue. Xue Xingyue was very close to him, and he could even smell the faint fragrance emanating from her. His face felt a little hot; this was the first time he had been so close to His Highness.
The fire was finally extinguished, but it was impossible to stay at the inn. Madam Jiang and Jiang Xiuyi returned to the carriage, and Xue Xingyue also returned to hers.
Xue Xingyue realized all her clothes had been taken to the inn because she intended to change them. Thus, when the fire broke out, she had rushed out in a panic, forgetting about her clothes.
"Your Highness, please change into these," Feng Jiu said, taking out clothes from the bundle Meng Jiangming had given him.
Xue Xingyue nodded, "Alright."
Feng Jiu said, "I will stand guard outside."
After Feng Jiu left, Xue Xingyue finally took off her soaked clothes and changed into the ones Meng Jiangming had provided. They fit surprisingly well. Just as she finished changing, she heard Jiang Xifeng's voice.
"I've asked someone to simmer some ginger soup. Feng Jiu, take it to Miss Xue," Jiang Xifeng said.
Feng Jiu took the bowl and replied, "Thank you, Master Jiang."
"You're welcome. If you have any other requests, feel free to ask at any time," Jiang Xifeng said.
"Not for now, thank you!" Feng Jiu replied.
Jiang Xifeng left.
Feng Jiu whispered, "Master, are you ready?"
Xue Xingyue said, "Yes."
Feng Jiu lifted the carriage curtain and brought the ginger soup inside, saying, "Master, you should have some too. Your subordinate tested it with a silver needle earlier; it's not poisoned."
Xue Xingyue nodded, took the bowl, and took a sip. Indeed, she felt a little warmer.
With some remaining, Xue Xingyue handed the ginger soup to Feng Jiu, saying, "Feng Jiu, you have some too. It will ward off the chill."
Feng Jiu was startled and looked at the bowl in Xue Xingyue's hand. He was taken aback. Xue Xingyue asked, "What's wrong?"
Feng Jiu shook his head, took the bowl, and said, "Your subordinate will drink it outside and return the bowl to Master Jiang afterwards."
Getting off the carriage, Feng Jiu held the bowl. Even with just the bowl, he could still smell the scent belonging to His Highness, and his ears turned slightly red.
He drank the remaining ginger soup, and his heart inexplicably began to beat faster. An indescribable feeling welled up within him.
Soon, he forcefully suppressed this thought. He was His Highness's subordinate and absolutely could not have any other thoughts, absolutely not.
When Xue Xingyue woke up, the carriage had already started moving. She lifted the curtain and saw Feng Jiu driving the carriage. She asked, "How long have we been traveling?"
Feng Jiu replied without looking up, "We've been traveling for about an hour. Master, please rest a little longer."
Xue Xingyue nodded, lowered the curtain, and closed her eyes.
The journey was safe. Although there were some bumps, it was not unbearable.
Around noon, the carriage stopped. Xue Xingyue got out and saw only Jiang Xiuyi present. Madam Jiang was no longer there, so she walked over and asked, "Where is Madam?"
Jiang Xiuyi was taken aback and replied, "Madam is resting inside."
Xue Xingyue nodded, turned, and left.
Jiang Xiuyi watched Xue Xingyue's retreating back, her gaze subtly complex.
When it was time for dinner, Madam Jiang came out, but her complexion was still somewhat pale. Xue Xingyue walked up and asked, "Madam, are you feeling unwell?"
Madam Jiang nodded, "I feel a bit nauseous and want to vomit."
Xue Xingyue took Madam Jiang's hand to feel her pulse. After a slight pause, she said, "Madam, you are likely suffering from acclimatization. Drink more water, and I will ask Feng Jiu to gather some medicinal herbs."
Madam Jiang nodded, "Thank you. If it weren't for you, last night would have likely..."
Thinking back to last night's events, Madam Jiang still felt a lingering fear.
Xue Xingyue replied, "Madam, this is what I should do."
Seeing that Madam Jiang was feeling unwell, she asked Jiang Xiuyi to help Madam Jiang back to the carriage to rest.
After eating their dry rations, Xue Xingyue also got into the carriage. She called Feng Jiu into the carriage.
"Master, is there something you need?" Feng Jiu asked.
"Feng Jiu, I just felt Madam Jiang's pulse, and it seemed like a pregnancy pulse, but I'm not entirely sure," Xue Xingyue said.
Feng Jiu was stunned and replied, "If it is indeed a pregnancy pulse, it might be difficult to preserve it during this journey."
Xue Xingyue nodded, "So, you go and find some medicinal ingredients to make a medicinal diet for Madam Jiang. If it can be preserved, try to preserve it!" She thought that their current location was a wilderness. Sending Madam Jiang back might not be enough to save the pregnancy. It would be better to keep moving forward. Moreover, she wasn't entirely sure it was a pregnancy pulse. If she was wrong, wouldn't that bring false hope to Madam Jiang?
Feng Jiu nodded, "Alright, your subordinate will go and get the herbs now."
Just as Feng Jiu was about to step out of the carriage, Xue Xingyue suddenly said, "Feng Jiu, why are you avoiding me?"
Feng Jiu was startled, his eyes showing a hint of panic. "Master, what are you talking about? Why would your subordinate avoid you?"
Xue Xingyue stepped forward, grabbed Feng Jiu, and said, "Then look me in the eye."
Feng Jiu trembled all over. He pulled away and said, "Master, your subordinate will go find the herbs first." With that, he left.
Xue Xingyue frowned slightly.
Looking in the direction Feng Jiu had left, she seemed lost in thought.
After drinking the medicinal herbs, Madam Jiang quickly showed improvement and was no longer as sickly. However, Feng Jiu still avoided her. Xue Xingyue decided not to press the issue, thinking that Feng Jiu must have something to hide from her. Since he didn't want to talk about it, she wouldn't force him.
Finally, they arrived at a county closest to Jiangnan.
They found an inn. Even Xue Xingyue couldn't help but sigh that a bed was truly comfortable. She asked the innkeeper to bring some hot water, as she planned to take a hot bath.
Sinking into the bathtub, Xue Xingyue felt immensely comfortable.
Slowly, feeling tired, she drifted off to sleep.
Suddenly, there seemed to be some movement outside the door. She woke up abruptly, "Feng Jiu, is that you?"
There was no response from outside. Xue Xingyue's gaze turned cold. She quickly put on the clothes that were placed beside her and stood by the door. A moment later, smoke began to drift in from inside the door. She held her breath, preventing the smoke from entering her nose and mouth.
Shortly after, the door lock was picked, and someone stealthily entered. Just as Xue Xingyue was about to act, someone else had already dealt with the intruder. "Miss Xue, are you alright?" Jiang Xifeng walked in, continuing to move further inside without pausing.
Xue Xingyue, standing at the doorway, gave a cold glance and turned to walk out, closing the door behind her.
The smoke inside would not dissipate anytime soon. Perhaps she could give Jiang Xifeng a grand gift.
At that moment, Feng Jiu also returned from outside. She called Feng Jiu over and gave him a few instructions. Feng Jiu's gaze immediately turned cold, and he said, "Master, your subordinate will kill this Jiang Xifeng! How dare he covet Master."
Xue Xingyue stopped Feng Jiu and said, "What's the use of killing him? It won't solve anything. Hurry, do as I said."
Feng Jiu gritted his teeth and left.