usatvline Chapter 705 The Childhood Sweetheart Used as a Shield (15)
Chapter 705 The Childhood Sweetheart Used as a Shield (15)
Su Youbai gently patted Mu Zhou's back until she calmed down and stopped coughing, then laid her down flat again.
This series of actions was entirely driven by instinct.
So when he realized what he had done, Su Youbai was completely stunned.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a palace maid still standing to the side with the medicine. He pursed his lips, got up, and beckoned her to continue applying the medicine.
Upon seeing this, the palace maid hurriedly stepped forward, rolled up Mu Zhou's sleeve, gently kneaded it, and applied ointment.
After applying the medicine to both hands, the palace maid remembered the physician's instructions and was about to lift the blanket and her skirt to apply the medicine to her knees when she suddenly remembered that the emperor was still there.
Putting aside the fact that Princess Rongxiang is a young lady from a respectable family, it would be inappropriate for the Emperor to remain here, given that she is engaged to General Qin.
But, what can you do when he's the emperor?
So the little palace maid didn't dare to say a word, and tremblingly lifted the county princess's skirt, then gasped.
Before my eyes were a pair of slender, fair legs, but there was a large bruise on the knee.
The bluish-purple marks were shocking, ruining the original flawless jade-like appearance and leaving only fragile abuse.
Su Youbai's eyes stung from the purplish-blue bruise. He clenched his fists, suddenly remembering the imperial physician's words, and his eyes sharpened.
Those damned lackeys, how dare they be so disrespectful!
Even though the Empress Dowager knew that Mu Zhou was a scapegoat and the most innocent one, she still didn't think of letting her off the hook.
But soon, he was stunned by his own inexplicable ruthlessness.
I shouldn't have these kinds of emotions.
This anger came without any reason, making him extremely agitated.
He didn't want to think about it in detail.
Su Youbai lowered his eyes and looked at Mu Zhou, who was sleeping restlessly, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
What are your skills?
Not every situation offers a way out.
How come we are now at the mercy of others?
In just a few days, I've managed to turn myself into this state.
The palace maid breathed a sigh of relief after applying the medicine and tucking the princess back into bed.
She glanced furtively at the emperor beside the bed.
The terrifying pressure seemed to dissipate somewhat, and she took the opportunity to pick up the tray and take her leave.
In the room, after a brief moment of emotional indulgence, Su Youbai had already returned to his usual cold and aloof demeanor.
He glanced at Mu Zhou one last time, then turned and left without looking back.
He still has official duties to attend to, and there's no need for him to be distracted by these meaningless matters.
*
Mu Zhou briefly woke up early the next morning.
Her mind was still hazy, yet she was still thinking about getting up to copy the scriptures.
The young palace maid who was serving her quickly helped her sit up and placed a soft pillow under her lower back.
“Princess, you are now in the Emperor’s bedchamber, so you no longer need to copy books.”
Mu Zhou blinked in confusion, only then realizing that she was no longer in the small Buddhist hall.
But then, she became nervous and fearful again:
“But if the Empress Dowager finds out, she will definitely blame me. Brother Qin, he…” Mu Zhou’s eyes dimmed for a moment when he mentioned Qin Yansi. “The Empress Dowager said that I should pray for the soldiers and recite scriptures to atone for their sins.”
The palace maid comforted her:
"Princess, what does that traitor's matter have to do with you?"
She gently lifted Mu Zhou's wrist and slowly kneaded it:
"Your Majesty, Princess, don't worry. There's been another war on the border. One urgent report after another has been sent up. The Empress Dowager was so angry that she vomited blood and fainted. She hasn't woken up yet."
After hearing this, Mu Zhou leaned back on the soft pillow with relief.
The other palace maids didn't say much either.
Chief Steward Huang has already given instructions that the county princess is timid and should not be frightened.
So she didn't dare tell anyone that everyone in the small Buddhist hall had been flogged a hundred times and lost their lives.
Mu Zhou had little appetite and only drank a few mouthfuls of rice porridge before falling asleep again.
By evening, her fever returned.
The young palace maid dared not delay and hurriedly went to find Huang Qing outside the study.
*
"She atoned for Qin Yansi's sins?"
Su Youbai spoke indifferently, as if he had no particular emotion about it.
Upon closer inspection, however, one can see that dissatisfaction has already been etched into his eyes.
The guard reported everything that happened in Mu Zhou's room without missing a single word. When the Emperor asked a question, he cautiously replied:
“That’s what the county princess said,” he glanced discreetly at the displeasure in the Emperor’s eyes, and added, “However, the Empress Dowager is always good at bewitching people. With her sweet words and flattering demeanor, the county princess, being of pure and kind nature, might be deceived.”
Su Youbai snorted.
She was indeed so bewitched that she lost her mind.
Qin Yansi completely disregarded her life or death, yet she began to atone for his sins.
Su Youbai's expression was cold and aloof. He never put down the folded document in his hand from beginning to end, nor did he look away for even an inch.
"Go out. There's no need to report everything about her."
He didn't want to waste any more energy on these things.
The guards respectfully withdrew.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will take my leave."
The guards had just left when Huang Qing entered with hurried steps, his voice slightly anxious:
"Your Majesty, Princess Rongxiang has caught a fever again, and she's delirious from the fever."
Su Youbai's hand tightened on the memorial, leaving several marks on the paper. He stood up abruptly, his tone icy:
"He was perfectly fine this morning, how could he suddenly have a fever? Where are the imperial physicians? What are they doing?"
"The imperial physician has already left," Huang Qing hurriedly followed, seeing that the emperor had already taken his leave. "Your Majesty, it's getting windy outside. Let me put a cloak on you."
Huang Qing followed behind, saying as he ran.
The guards had just come down the steps when they looked up and saw the Emperor looking serious and hurrying towards his bedchamber.
He touched the sword at his waist, recalling the emperor's words, his mind somewhat confused.
After this, should we continue to record every detail of the county princess's affairs?
*
Inside the bedchamber, Mu Zhou huddled under the brocade quilt, trembling all over.
Even though the floor heaters in the room were burning brightly and she was covered with a brocade quilt, she still felt cold all over.
After the chill passed, her cheeks burned bright red again.
The imperial physician changed the prescription, and the medicine was being brewed when he heard the voice outside saying "Greetings, Your Majesty." He withdrew his hand from taking the pulse and hurriedly knelt down to pay his respects.
Su Youbai didn't waste any words and just asked him what happened.
The imperial physician considered carefully before speaking:
"The county princess already had a chronic illness, which was prone to relapse in winter. The continuous fear, being forced to kneel in the cold, and not being able to eat properly would naturally slow down her recovery, and relapses were also possible."
Su Youbai's eyebrows and eyes were sharp:
"Send someone to fetch whatever nourishing herbs you need."
"Yes."
The imperial physician readily agreed.
The palace maids carried basins of water and used towels to cool Mu Zhou's forehead.
Mu Zhou's brows were furrowed, and he was sleeping very restlessly.
Her lips were deathly pale, devoid of any color.
Su Youbai stood there silently with one hand behind his back and a cold face. Although people came and went in the hall, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Once the temperature finally dropped and the medicine was administered, the number of imperial physicians and palace maids decreased significantly.
Only one palace maid remained. She wiped the sweat from Mu Zhou's neck and replaced the handkerchief on his forehead with a new one.
Su Youbai took a step closer, his robes brushing against the bed.
"Go out."
Upon hearing this, the young palace maid quickly got up and left.
Mu Zhou was quiet for only a moment before muttering something to himself.