He couldn't bear it any longer, so he decided to speak up and ask her for clarification. It must have been difficult for Ling Mohan, having to drink such bitter medicine for so long; it was truly impressive. If she had to drink this medicine, she probably would have given up from the bitterness and refused to drink it long ago.
"Of course, I don't think the medicine is bitter, I'm just confused and want to ask you for clarification," Ling Mohan's expression tightened. He certainly wouldn't admit this to Feng Jin. Even if the medicine were more bitter, he would grit his teeth and drink it without fear. If Feng Jin knew he was afraid of bitter medicine, wouldn't he be laughed to death?
"That's good. I was worried you thought the medicine was bitter. I was thinking if you really couldn't bear the bitterness, I would change the prescription and use something less bitter. Now it seems I don't need to bother."
When Ling Mohan heard Feng Jin say this, his expression immediately fell apart. Was it too late to regret it?
"You've drunk the medicine, so you should rest. I'll go and continue to boil medicine for you." She had been rushing to boil medicine for Ling Mohan whenever she had time these past two days, without any breaks.
"I still have to keep drinking? I've been drinking for three days already. In fact, my wound has already healed, and my body is very strong. I'm full of energy. Can I stop drinking this medicine?" Ling Mohan cautiously tested Feng Jin's intentions. He really didn't want to keep drinking it. He just hoped Feng Jin could be merciful and let him off the hook, not continue to torment him.
Feng Jin's brows furrowed slightly, as if she were thinking about something. After a moment, to Ling Mohan's anticipation, she uttered words that made him feel his beliefs collapsing: "No, you need to continue drinking this medicine for another two days. This is all for your own good. You're all grown up, you can't throw a tantrum like a child. You need to obediently drink your medicine. From now on, I'll watch you drink it before I leave."
Ling Mohan's lips twitched a couple of times, his face completely devoid of any smile. He felt as if the sky was about to collapse. "Then can you... can you make this medicine not so bitter?" Since he had to continue drinking it, why not make it less bitter if possible? Why should he cling to his pride and suffer, making things difficult for himself?
Feng Jin immediately understood Ling Mohan's true intention. This wasn't a retreat to the next best option; the medicine couldn't be avoided, so he wanted to find a way to make it more bearable. So his righteous and fearless demeanor earlier was all an act? She had admired him for nothing, thinking he was so formidable. What a waste of her feelings.
"Alright, I know what you mean. Don't worry, I'll definitely satisfy you. I definitely won't let you drink such bitter medicine anymore. Your wish has been granted. From now on, just drink your medicine obediently and don't make excuses." For the past few days, every time he drank the medicine, he would spout all sorts of nonsense, and only when he absolutely couldn't avoid it anymore would he start drinking. She had been wondering why Ling Mohan was acting so strangely, and now she finally understood. All the reasons were because of this.
After being gently mocked by Feng Jin, Ling Mohan no longer cared about his pride. He just smiled and replied, "As long as the medicine isn't so bitter, everything else is negotiable... negotiable..."
Feng Jin shook her head helplessly. She was truly impressed by Ling Mohan's little schemes at this moment and was speechless. How could being sick change a person's disposition so much? The current Ling Mohan was like a child, arguing over the slightest trivial matter.
After giving Ling Mohan a few more instructions, Feng Jin left with lingering concern.
"Madam, you should go back and rest. Let this servant watch here." Chu Qing followed Feng Jin's instructions and placed the last ingredient into the medicine pot, then suggested to Feng Jin that she go back to rest, letting her stay and watch. Now that the medicine was all prepared, all that was left was to continue boiling it. She could manage watching it by herself, there was no need to make Madam stay here as well.
"Alright then, you watch here." Anyway, there was nothing too important left to do. Letting Chu Qing watch alone was the same. She might as well be polite and take this opportunity to slack off and get some good rest. After giving Chu Qing a couple more instructions, Feng Jin got up and left. As soon as she returned to her room, before the stool beneath her could even fully warm up, there was a commotion outside.
"Madam, the Prince of Jing and his Princess Consort have arrived." Feng Jin's brow furrowed slightly. Lin Yuwei's arrival wasn't unusual, but the two of them coming together was quite rare, as it was their first time.
"I'll go see." Feng Jin murmured a couple of words, then quickly stood up and walked outside. As soon as she reached the hall, she saw Chu Chenyi pacing back and forth like an ant on a hot pan.
"Can't you just sit down? My head is about to explode from you fussing around." Lin Yuwei rubbed her temples, her complaining voice echoing throughout the hall. The moment she looked up and saw Feng Jin, she acted as if she had seen a lifeline and quickly got up and grasped her hand tightly, "Sister Feng Jin, you're finally here." If she didn't come any sooner, she would have truly been driven mad by Chu Chenyi. Now she was truly liberated.
"Your Highness Prince of Jing, what brings you here..." It was rare for him to willingly come here to see her, when before he would avoid her whenever he saw her.
"I've come here to request a favor. I hope Madam can accompany me."
"That might not be possible. There are many affairs in my household, and my young general is currently unwell. I cannot leave easily. Therefore, I'm afraid I cannot accompany Your Highness..." She truly didn't want to go, but there were many matters in the household, and Ling Mohan still required care.
Chu Chenyi immediately became anxious, his tone becoming flustered, "Consider it a plea from me. This is really an urgent matter. Please accompany me into the palace."
"Into the palace... to do what? I hope Your Highness Prince of Jing can explain clearly?" The more she heard, the more confused she became. What was the purpose of going into the palace, and what was Chu Chenyi's reason for coming today?
Chu Chenyi glanced at the maids standing around and directly ordered them all to leave. After everyone had left, Chu Chenyi finally spoke the truth: "My father, the Emperor, has fallen into a coma, and the imperial physicians in the palace are powerless..."