Huayang Palace.
The Second Prince had been staying in the side hall of Huayang Palace to recuperate since breaking his leg, making it convenient for Consort Wei to care for him.
Although the Second Prince had lost any chance of ascending the throne, his brother, Prince Qi, was also born to Consort Wei. Thus, Huayang Palace remained a bustling hub, with visitors from various palaces arriving incessantly.
However, the Second Prince refused to see anyone, having no desire to do so.
These visitors were thus compelled to leave their gifts and offer words of good fortune and comfort to Consort Wei.
Whether their sincerity was genuine remained unknown, but the Second Prince had given up all hope. He neither ate nor drank, and Consort Wei had to force-feed him his medicine. He lay like a tattered cotton doll, his eyes vacant, unresponsive to anyone or anything.
Consort Wei's brow was furrowed with worry, adding several lines to her face.
Fortunately, Wei Qing also resided in Huayang Palace and could share some of her burden.
Even before breaking his leg, the Second Prince had shown Wei Qing no kindness, and his demeanor remained unchanged.
The pampered Miss Wei had often been saddened and wept silently due to the Second Prince's harsh words. This time, however, she held her ground. Regardless of how sour his expression was, she refused to leave.
She had just brought him a bowl of hot chicken soup and persuaded him earnestly for a long time, but the Second Prince remained as unresponsive as if he were dead. Though she cried, after weeping, she would devise other methods.
Emerging from the side hall, the cold wind dried the tear tracks on her face. She stood outside the door for a moment, and upon hearing a palace maid announce Consort Wei's arrival, she quickly wiped her tears to greet her.
To her surprise, Consort Wei arrived with Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun.
Wei Qing paused for a moment, offered her greetings to the Prince of Ding'an and his consort, her usual arrogance gone, her face etched with exhaustion.
"The Prince and Princess of Ding'an have come to see Yuan Lie," Consort Wei told Wei Qing.
Wei Qing nodded, saying nothing.
The palace maid pushed open the door. The side hall was heated by a ground dragon. As the door opened, warmth surged out.
Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun stopped outside the hanging screen, not entering directly.
A palace maid drew aside the beaded curtain for Consort Wei. Inside, Consort Wei gently said to the Second Prince, "The Prince and Princess of Ding'an have come to see you."
The Second Prince showed no reaction, indicating his refusal to see them.
Wang Qingyao used her clairvoyant eyes to look inside. The Second Prince lay quietly on the bed, like a person in a vegetative state, devoid of any vitality. Her gaze fell upon his injured right leg, and after watching for a while, she understood.
In modern times, the Second Prince's broken leg would be a minor issue, easily fixed with a steel nail, removed after a year or two. However, without such technology in ancient times, it could only remain broken.
But if he underwent rigorous exercise and rehabilitation, Wang Qingyao believed he could walk with a limp or with the aid of a crutch.
He hadn't had an amputation!
Wang Qingyao withdrew her gaze, unceremoniously lifted the curtain, and walked in. Everyone was startled. Xiao Yun quickly followed her.
Hearing the sound, the Second Prince turned his head in embarrassment and roared towards the interior, "Get out!"
Truly, he lacked even the most basic manners.
Wang Qingyao stood still. Xiao Yun quietly tugged at her sleeve. Wei Qing pleaded, "Princess of Ding'an, please do not agitate him. I beg you to come out."
Wang Qingyao chuckled and said, "Your Highness, can you stop looking so utterly dejected? To be honest, you've only broken a leg, and it's not a severe break. With exercise, you can still walk, though you might limp a bit..."
Wei Qing turned pale with shock.
After the Second Prince broke his leg, let alone mentioning limping, they dared not even utter words like running or jumping in front of him. Yet, Wang Qingyao had directly called him a cripple.
She glared at Wang Qingyao with anger.
Wang Qingyao continued, "But even as a cripple, you are the most esteemed cripple in the Great Sheng Dynasty. You are far happier than those who struggle daily at the bottom of society, unable to afford enough to eat, just to fill their stomachs. So stop this act..."
"Didn't you never want to be emperor? Didn't you wholeheartedly pursue true love? Given your condition, Miss Wei still attends to you day and night, which clearly shows true love, doesn't it?"
Wei Qing, who had been indignant, was taken aback when the topic suddenly shifted to her. She was momentarily stunned, her face rapidly turning red.
Wang Qingyao looked at Consort Wei. "Your Majesty, why not have the Emperor bestow a marriage upon Miss Wei and the Second Prince? Miss Wei," she turned to Wei Qing, "you are willing, aren't you? You don't intend to refuse marrying him now that the Second Prince is crippled?"
Wei Qing's face turned crimson. Although shy, she knew that at such a sensitive moment, any hesitation would cause the Second Prince to misunderstand. Therefore, she immediately nodded, "I am willing."
She looked at the Second Prince.
After days of silence, the Second Prince finally showed a second reaction: "No!"
Not only did he speak, but he also propped himself up on his upper body. Wei Qing quickly placed a pillow behind him.
The Second Prince looked at Wang Qingyao, his eyes filled with helplessness and fatigue. "Princess of Ding'an, please stop this nonsense, won't you?"
Hearing him speak, Wei Qing's nose stung, and tears welled up again.
The Second Prince forced himself not to look at her, his gaze fixed solely on Wang Qingyao.
Wang Qingyao said, "I am not being nonsensical. I am serious. Look, Wei Qing also seems quite eager to marry you."