Madam Song found herself listening with increasing understanding.
Her daughter was to be the future Princess Consort, so being good to the Prince was only right.
Finally reaching the upper floor and entering a private room, Zhu Qiong gently placed him on the bamboo mat, adjusted his posture, and whispered, "I'm sorry, I didn't ask for your consent just now… you're not angry, are you?"
Bai Li Chong Yan blinked his eyes slightly.
He felt that the woman's attitude towards him was vastly different from her attitude towards others.
Zhu Qiong gazed at him with soft eyes, her voice exceptionally gentle, "Have you forgotten your voice? Have you been taking your medicine these days?"
Finished.
He gestured, then remembered Zhu Qiong couldn't understand and gave up.
Just as Zhu Qiong was about to say something, Madam Song entered, followed by Bai Li Chong Yan's guards. Seeing Bai Li Chong Yan's movements but not hearing their conversation, they didn't ask further questions.
The guards did not dine at the same table. Madam Song ordered some light, easily digestible liquid food, clearly to cater to Bai Li Chong Yan.
Bai Li Chong Yan gestured to the guards, who immediately stepped forward and respectfully said, "Madam, these are enough for our Prince to eat. You may order something else."
Upon hearing this, Madam Song's impression of the person before her changed again.
Unable to speak, unable to walk, confined to bed for a long time, and only able to use a wheelchair when out, he not only didn't give up but was so polite, self-controlled, and graceful. If not for… he was truly a good match.
She nodded slightly, "It's alright. Qiong'er and I also eat lightly. Let's have these."
The waiter's voice was respectful, "A few honored guests, please wait a moment. The dishes will be ready soon."
After the waiter left, the atmosphere in the private room became somewhat stiff. Bai Li Chong Yan couldn't speak, and the guards couldn't join the conversation. Madam Song, despite having things to say, couldn't say them directly, so she held back.
"What have you been doing at home these past few days? Anything interesting happen?"
Madam Song subconsciously wanted to stop Zhu Qiong.
The guards beside them immediately translated Bai Li Chong Yan's gestures, "The Fifth Prince sent the Prince a blue-mouthed parrot a few days ago. It can imitate speech, but it's a bit slow-witted. It's quite amusing."
"Do you like birds?"
Her original form was, after all, a type of bird.
Bai Li Chong Yan nodded slightly.
The guard whispered, "Birds are free, unrestrained. They are truly enviable."
Madam Song looked at Bai Li Chong Yan with a hint of pity, her expression complex.
Freedom, unrestraint.
Perhaps Prince Yan did not wish to be embroiled in the struggle for the throne, nor did he wish to fall out with his brothers. However, born into royalty, how many could truly live as they pleased?
Zhu Qiong suddenly produced a feather. The feather was no larger than her palm, vibrantly colored and beautiful, faintly shimmering with light. As the light flowed, it gave off a sense of mystery.
"I've treasured this for a long time. I'll give it to you today. Take it with you wherever you go from now on."
It contained a drop of her essence blood, which could save his life in a moment of crisis.
"Qiong'er." Madam Song looked at her with a hint of disapproval.
The feather looked beautiful, but it was just a feather. How could she give it away so casually? And to tell him to take it everywhere he went was perhaps a bit… spoiled.
"It's alright." Bai Li Chong Yan gestured to her, and the guard said, "The Prince really likes this feather. He will definitely keep it with him. Thank you, Miss Song."
Zhu Qiong, acting playfully, blushed slightly and looked at him with a soft, shy voice, "I'm glad you like it."
Madam Song: "..."
The guard's expression was lively as he translated, "The Prince says he likes it very much."
The two exchanged glances, bowing and embodying the phrase "communicating with eyes" to its extreme. Madam Song frowned repeatedly, unable to utter a word of reminder, and could only drink cup after cup of tea.
By the time the food arrived, she was half-full of tea and couldn't eat anything.
Zhu Qiong found it amusing.
"Here, Mother, eat this."
"Prince, eat this."
"The soup is stewed well, rich and fragrant without being greasy. Your Highness should have some."
"Eat some meat. I've noticed you're too thin."
"Here, Mother, have some too."
Madam Song could no longer drink. Watching Zhu Qiong "busily" attending to both of them, she felt no happiness, only an inexplicable melancholy.
Her daughter, besides herself, was revolving around another person. She had never seen such diligence at home before.
She was naturally unhappy, but as the guard had said, they were future husband and wife. It was good for them to be close. Later, when her daughter entered the Prince's mansion, she would have a firmer footing.
The marriage was bestowed by the Emperor, unchangeable. Now, all she could do was watch her daughter treat him well, hoping that later, when she entered the Prince's mansion, he would treat her daughter well.
Alas.
Madam Song sighed, with little appetite, and soon put down her chopsticks.
"Mother, you're not eating anymore?"
"I'm full. You two eat."
Zhu Qiong thought that her mother hadn't eaten much at all and felt puzzled. Could it be that she had drunk too much tea and was too full?
[She's stuffed herself with dog food… *burp*. ]
The system also felt stuffed: [Miss, you and the mission target are being too intimate. Everyone else can't bear to watch. ]
Zhu Qiong looked up in confusion. Madam Song was lost in thought, and the guards had various expressions, but none showed any particular emotion.
"No one is watching us."
[Because watching you is too painful. An unexpected mouthful of dog food, who can handle that! I'm tired of it myself. ]
Zhu Qiong frowned slightly, "What do you mean by that?"
[It's just… alas, I won't say anymore. You'll know later. ]
It was already painful enough to eat dog food, and now she had to explain to the perpetrator that he was a single dog… System, isn't that like stabbing oneself in the heart? He'd be crazy to hurt himself like that.
Zhu Qiong didn't have the habit of pressing for answers and let it go.
Bai Li Chong Yan noticed she was spacing out. Unfortunately, he couldn't speak, so he didn't ask. Instead, he used his chopsticks to pick up some food for her, indicating for her to eat.
Zhu Qiong smiled like a blooming flower, radiant and beautiful, "Thank you, A'Yan. I like it very much!"
Looking at her happy face, Bai Li Chong Yan also felt a surge of joy.
Seeing her happy made him happy too.
The meal ended with their joy and everyone else's misery. As they left Zhen Xiu Pavilion, Madam Song wanted Zhu Qiong to return with her, but Zhu Qiong preempted her, suggesting they go boating on the lake and asking her to go back first.
Madam Song was so angry she rolled her eyes.
"Qiong'er, it's getting late today. If you don't go back soon, your father will worry."
She looked at Madam Song with a charming smile, "It's okay, Mother. You go back first. Remember to put in a good word for me with Father. Thank you, Mother!"
Madam Song was speechless and could only lead her people away.
Zhu Qiong pushed the wheelchair, her voice light and cheerful, "Let's go boating!"
Saying that, she pushed the wheelchair and left.
The attendants could only follow.
***
There are three major lakes in the capital: the Imperial Lake within the palace, Wang An Lake, which is integrated with the moat around the city gates, and the largest lake in the capital, Wang Yue Lake, located at the end of East Street.
They arrived by carriage and then directly boarded a pre-arranged pleasure boat, attracting little attention.
The guards tactfully retreated, leaving only the two of them on the pleasure boat. The boat slowly drifted towards the center of the lake. Zhu Qiong looked out the small window at the scenery, in a good mood.
"Are you happy to be out today?" Su Dan Novel Network
Bai Li Chong Yan nodded heavily.
This was one of the rare happy days he had experienced in years.
Zhu Qiong smiled gently, "If you like it, we can be like this every day from now on."
Bai Li Chong Yan gestured two movements to her.
Zhu Qiong thought of something, stepped forward, and grabbed Bai Li Chong Yan's hand, "I'll try to treat your throat. It might hurt. Can you bear it?"
The other party nodded trustingly.
Zhu Qiong placed her hand on his throat. A gentle, cool aura penetrated his flesh. Bai Li Chong Yan initially felt a chill, followed by heat and pain, making him involuntarily want to struggle.
Zhu Qiong gripped his hand with a little force, "It will be over soon. Be good, bear with it."
Bai Li Chong Yan felt the burning sensation, recalling the scenes of torture, being force-fed poison, and becoming this way. His whole body trembled uncontrollably.
He allowed the person in front of him to hold his hand, slowly drawing closer to her, as if seeking warmth from her.
Seeing this, Zhu Qiong's heart ached again.
She could also see those scenes, which made her infinitely angry and even more heartbroken for him.
She released his hand, embraced him with one arm, and drew them closer. Both knelt on the ground, as if in an embrace.
A warm aura enveloped him, freeing him from the pain, and he slowly calmed down. The pain also subsided.
"Good boy, it's alright now." Zhu Qiong stroked his back and whispered comfortingly, "I will heal you. It's alright."
As for those who had turned him into this state, they would all be punished.
After a long while, Bai Li Chong Yan finally lifted his head from her embrace.
He made a "thank you" gesture. Zhu Qiong smiled at him, "You don't need to thank me. Come, try speaking."
Bai Li Chong Yan was stunned for a moment, then slowly opened his mouth.
In Zhu Qiong's encouraging gaze, he slowly spoke, "...Ah."
His voice was hoarse and unpleasant.
But this was the first sound he had made since being force-fed poison.
His eyes under the mask instantly reddened. The originally calm eyes were filled with mist, and he couldn't help but want to cry, unsure whether it was from happiness or sadness.
"Ah… Qiong…"
He tried his best to call out the name of the person before him, but after not speaking for so long, it was difficult to utter the two words. He almost choked after managing to say them.
"It's alright, take your time." Zhu Qiong comforted him and reached out her hand, "The ground is cold. I'll help you up. Lean on me."
Bai Li Chong Yan slowly raised his hand, allowing her to pass through his knees and armpits. He rested his hand on her arm and was lifted by her.
He had been ill for many years, as light as a paper kite, his body extremely frail. Holding him, Zhu Qiong's heart ached again.
This person was truly too pitiable.
She carried him to the couch, covered him with silk, and sat beside him, letting him lean against her. She put her arm around his thin shoulders and secretly decided to help him gain some weight.
"...A, A'Qiong."
Bai Li Chong Yan eagerly spoke, the mist in his eyes not yet dissipated, but he couldn't wait to call her, again and again.
"A, Qiong…"
Zhu Qiong smiled gently, "A'Yan is so amazing!"
"Qiong…"