The night was deepening, and the lights in Prince Huai's bedchamber dimmed.
"Your Highness, it's time for bed," Miss Jun said, looking at Prince Huai who sat on the bed, eyes wide open.
Prince Huai laid down with a groan, yet his eyes remained open.
It was a tactful evasion.
She was all too familiar with this trick.
"Your Highness, may I tell you a story?" Miss Jun asked as she sat down beside the bed.
Prince Huai shifted inward immediately.
"No," he said, his voice polite yet distant, "no need."
Miss Jun looked at Prince Huai, then glanced at the palace maid and eunuch who had withdrawn from the bedchamber.
"Your Highness, would you like to hear the story about hunting tigers in the mountains?" she shifted forward slightly and said in a low voice with a slight raise of her eyebrows.
It was the story Prince Huai used to love hearing her tell.
He never tired of it, always excited and eager each time.
Wondering if he would feel any connection to her now. Aren't children the most perceptive? Would the girl who told him the same stories as his sister surprise and excite him?
Miss Jun watched Jiurong, suppressing her nervousness.
Jiurong, ah, it's your sister, Sister Jiuling is here to tell you a story again.
"No," Prince Huai said without any reaction, decisively, while shifting inward again, "Could you get up please?"
He also pointed at the quilt under Miss Jun.
"You're on my quilt, I can't sleep well like this."
Unlike other children who might cry and throw tantrums to express their discontent, he stated his discomfort very politely, with the dignified air of a young noble.
Children are sensitive. Since becoming Prince Huai, he must have understood his environment and, coupled with Princess Jiuli's upbringing, he maintained his last shred of dignity with calm like Princess Jiuli.
Children are still children. They only see what they see before them. As his sister, he devotedly clings to you. As someone else, even if you say similar words, he won't warm up to you at all.
This stinker, Miss Jun let out a breath, thinking of something else to say to attract him when someone entered from outside. She stiffened instantly, knowing without looking back that it was Lu Yunqi.
"Your Highness must be tired from today's play. Sleep early so you can be energetic for tomorrow," she said, rising from the bed and letting down the mosquito netting.
Lu Yunqi did not come inside but sat down in the antechamber.
He had been doing this for days.
Ever since Princess Jiuli left, he had not departed but stayed night after night in Prince Huai's bedchamber, unconcerned about and not avoiding Miss Jun, also present in the room.
In his eyes, Miss Jun was just a doctor, perhaps a suspect, or even a dead person.
Miss Jun was well aware of this and didn't particularly mind.
But today felt different.
The light in the bedchamber was dim, and in the darkness, a gaze rested continually on her.
And this gaze felt different than before.
Of course, it was because of what she had said and done today.
Miss Jun lay down on the cot, feeling somewhat relieved to have averted a crisis, yet her heart was restless again.
Why would he still remember that, after all this time?
And thinking about those countless pieces together resembling herself in that house made her feel nauseous.
Tossing in bed, her hand clenched tightly under the quilt.
Those disgusting acts, that disgusting appearance, what was he thinking!
.........................
Winter sunlight streamed into the room, bright and warm. Several windows were half-open, and the room was filled with a faint fragrance, devoid of the strong medicinal smell and stuffiness of a month ago.
More people than before were now in the bedchamber, wearing official robes, the imperial physicians looked concernedly at Imperial Physician Jiang who was diagnosing Prince Huai's pulse.
Imperial Physician Jiang had a solemn expression. After diagnosing the left hand, he checked the right hand, and it took a moment before he withdrew his hands.
"How is it?" the imperial physicians asked impatiently.
Imperial Physician Jiang nodded and smiled with relief.
"He's well," he announced.
The imperial physicians' expressions were complex.
He had actually cured him.
Imperial Physician Jiang stood up and bowed in the direction of the imperial palace.
"The emperor and the Empress Dowager can finally rest assured," he sighed and then turned to face Miss Jun with genuine respect, "Miss Jun, Jiang bows in admiration to you."
For the sincerity of Imperial Physician Jiang, Miss Jun was not moved at all; she just nodded her head.
This posture seemed very haughty in the eyes of the imperial physicians, adding to their dissatisfaction.
Miss Jun did not care about their displeasure, and she also felt nothing for Imperial Physician Jiang's humble admission of defeat; how could she ever trust someone like Imperial Physician Jiang?
The only reaction Miss Jun had about Imperial Physician Jiang coming to take Prince Huai's pulse was that she was also going to be driven out of Prince Huai's mansion.
But this was an unavoidable situation.
There were no secrets in Prince Huai's mansion. The imperial palace was very aware of Prince Huai's recovery, and although she had many ways to make Prince Huai appear critically ill, which would allow her to stay by his side longer, Prince Huai's body was not suitable.
She looked at Prince Huai, who sat on the bed full of vigor.
It was no wonder the imperial physicians declared Prince Huai's condition as incurable smallpox; Prince Huai's recent cold was indeed severe, nearly draining his body.
She dared not and could not continue to use medicine to mask his recovery.
While she very much wanted to stay by her brother's side, it wasn't at the cost of harming his health.
"Since that's the case, and the New Year is also approaching, I will return to the palace to report to the emperor, Miss Jun can also go back and have a good New Year," said Imperial Physician Jiang with a smile.
Miss Jun did not speak, but she nodded slightly in thanks.
Imperial Physician Jiang was not displeased with Miss Jun's attitude; he left smiling, while the other imperial physicians stayed behind.
"Miss Jun, if there's anything you need to instruct, just tell us," said one of the imperial physicians with a smirk.
"I have nothing to tell you," Miss Jun immediately replied, looking at him and smiling, "His Highness is cured; whatever happens next is your concern, just don't try to blame it on me."
What kind of remark was that! The faces of the imperial physicians turned ashen.
"How dare you, are you cursing His Highness?" shouted one of the imperial physicians, eyebrows raised.
Miss Jun smiled.
"No curse can make a person sick; only incompetent doctors blame others for their inability to cure," she said.
This girl—truly!
The imperial physicians in the room were visibly upset, abandoning any feigned admiration they had intended to show.
Mr. Gu, standing to the side, smiled and looked at Miss Jun, a hint of amusement flashing across his eyes.
Miss Jun did not pay attention to them, but instead went up to Prince Huai, squatting down in front of him as he sat on the couch.
"Your Highness, now that you are well, I must take my leave," she said softly, "You must take good care of yourself, avoid eating indiscriminately, and don't..."
She was interrupted by Prince Huai smiling and nodding at her.
"Thank you," he said, his childlike voice clear, and his expression kindly cut her off, "This prince is grateful and will reward you."
Miss Jun looked at him, intending to speak again, but Prince Huai had already signaled to Mr. Gu.
"Mr. Gu," he called out happily, springing off the couch, "I'm well now, and can continue my studies."
He walked briskly toward Mr. Gu, who also came forward with a nod and a smile.
"No rush, no rush," he said.
"I need to hurry; I've fallen behind on a lot of schoolwork," said Prince Huai, seriousness mixed with a tinge of anxiety.
The imperial physicians all laughed.
"His Highness is indeed diligent."
"His Highness is smart and quick-witted; he will catch up soon."
They said, chuckling, the room filled with a warm and festive atmosphere.
Crouched in front of the couch, Miss Jun seemed forgotten; she slowly stood up, glancing at Prince Huai, who was revealing a joyful smile to Mr. Gu. Perhaps noticing her gaze, Mr. Gu looked over at her, his eyes smiling and seemingly profound.
Miss Jun cast her gaze downward toward him, bowed slightly, picked up her medicine box, and walked out without looking back.
More than a month after leaving Prince Huai's mansion, the streets were already filled with the strong scent of the New Year.
Regardless, her wishes had been fulfilled, Jiurong's illness was cured, and she had successfully obtained the master's handwritten notes. Miss Jun patted her medicine box, ready to have a good New Year.
The sound of hooves in a hurry, Lu Yunqi arrived at the door under the escort of a group of Jinyiwei, reins in hand, looking down from above.
Miss Jun glanced indifferently at him, withdrew her gaze, and continued down the street, ignoring the prickling sensation of his gaze on her back.
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Thank you to Bing of the South for the reward of a Spirit Beast Egg.
Thank you to? The Final Shot? for the reward of Xian Pao Yuan.
Thank you to md12 for rewarding the He's Bi.
Unknowingly, this book has been written for half a year; a lot has happened during this time. With the assistance of the deputy editor Dou Dou and the management team, along with the company of dear readers, we have come this far. There is still another half year to go, and I ask for your continued support in this journey. I have no way to repay you but to write a story that pleases everyone with the utmost sincerity.
Thank you, everyone, for your hard work.
For any shortcomings, thank you for your tolerance and understanding. Please believe in my sincere heart, in writing stories and in the sincerity of interacting with people, and in gratitude.