Chapter 44 When Qiushuang entered the room, she saw him clad in lonely white robes, his ink-black hair crowned with jade, his silhouette desolate.

Fortunately, when the wound sprayed poisoned blood earlier, the imperial physician had collected a bowl of it and carefully preserved the arrow, intending to study the poison and its antidote upon his return.

Thus, he merely prescribed some common formulas to clear heat and detoxify, along with herbal decoctions to replenish blood and boost energy, plus external medications to reduce inflammation and stop bleeding for Su Yingxue. After instructing Qiushuang to take good care of Her Highness the Eldest Princess, he left with the arrow and poisoned blood.

Having studied under the master of Medicine Immortal Valley for some time, Chu Xingchen naturally understood medical principles better than the imperial physician. Seizing the opportunity while Qiushuang was escorting the physician out, he grasped Su Yingxue’s wrist to check her pulse. After observing, listening, questioning, and assessing, he secretly retrieved his life-saving detoxification pill from his robes. Propping her up with the cool water placed on the table, he slipped the poison-avoidance pill into her mouth and poured cool water to force her to swallow it.

As Qiushuang’s returning footsteps approached, he thoughtfully used his own sleeve to wipe away the traces of water around her mouth. He even refilled the cup on the table to its original level and repositioned it exactly as it was, aligning even the orientation of the cup handle.

He meticulously wiped the water stains on the table surface using his white cloud-patterned brocade sleeve as a cloth. Finally, just as Qiushuang entered, Chu Xingchen sat upright with perfect posture, appearing as if nothing had happened.

When Qiushuang entered the room, she saw Chu Xingchen in his solitary white robes, ink-black hair adorned with jade, his back appearing lonely. His figure stood alone, his spine straight, sitting formally and silently before Her Highness the Eldest Princess without uttering a word.

Chu Xingchen merely gazed deeply at her, motionless like a sculpture. Seeing this scene, Qiushuang thought to herself: It seems Prince Chu has finally noticed and taken to heart the care Her Highness has shown him these past days. It appears Her Highness’s sincere efforts have not been in vain after all.

As Qiushuang drew closer, she saw Her Highness’s face remained pale as paper, lying there completely unconscious, and her heart ached terribly. Truth be told, having served Her Highness for over a decade, she understood her temperament and character thoroughly.

The previous Eldest Princess had been willful, arrogant, and domineering, hardly a good mistress even to those who remained loyal to her. Minor beatings every three days and floggings every five days were commonplace.

But now, since awakening after falling into the lake, Su Yingxue’s temperament had completely transformed. She no longer arbitrarily beat, scolded, or flogged others, treating her palace maids and attendants with extreme respect—even to the point of being indulgent, frequently bestowing rewards instead of arbitrarily punishing or tormenting them as before.

Sometimes, even when servants or palace maids made mistakes, she would merely smile lightly and let it pass. The previous princess had inspired more fear than gratitude, making people terrified. The current Eldest Princess represented the complete opposite extreme.

She embodied only gentleness, only benevolence, only kindness and innocent eyes—clear like a spring—how could they compare to the former cold, ruthless, bloodthirsty, and severe gaze?

The current Eldest Princess was pure and kind, gentle and humble, diligent and hardworking, tolerant and approachable, clear-minded and perceptive, wise and eager to learn, sincere in treating others.

She could effortlessly recite numerous praises for Her Highness, yet couldn’t find a single word of criticism. Such an admirable princess had been grievously wounded, and now lay bedridden, barely breathing, severely injured and poisoned—how could Qiushuang not ache for her?

Knowing the princess needed ample rest, Qiushuang tactfully saw Chu Xingchen out. Before he left, she handed over stacks of brand-new riding outfits, specially tailored for Chu Xingchen under the princess’s earlier instructions, to the palace maids under her charge.

“These riding outfits were entrusted by Her Highness this morning to be delivered to Prince Chu’s residence by evening. Unfortunately, Her Highness’s injury delayed this. We must trouble Prince Chu to have your attendants take them back,” Qiushuang explained with a smile, after all, it was the Eldest Princess’s sincere gesture.

Qiushuang knew that ever since Prince Chu saved the Eldest Princess’s life, Her Highness had been exceptionally attentive to all matters concerning him. She cared deeply about whether Chu Xingchen was living well in the Side Hall.

In the past, Chu Xingchen’s clothing, food, and lodging were all of the lowest standard. Now, everything he used, ate, and where he lived matched the princess’s own rank—allocated from her palace provisions. This clearly showed Su Yingxue’s special regard for Chu Xingchen.

In the Dasheng Royal Palace, from the lowest maids and servants to the highest-ranking nobles, everyone was astutely perceptive. Thus, the attitude of the palace staff toward Chu Xingchen had long since changed beyond recognition.

Those of lower rank than Su Yingxue all paid him the respects due to a prince. Those of equal rank to her would politely address him as Prince Chu. These gestures were all acknowledgments of Su Yingxue’s status as the supremely noble Eldest Princess—a show of respect and face.

People often speak of offering flowers to the Buddha, but the key isn’t the flowers—it’s that the recipient is the Buddha. Only a revered, exalted, and noble Buddha is worthy of receiving offerings and worship from the world.

Similarly, if Su Yingxue weren’t the Eldest Princess, if she didn’t enjoy the unique, profound favor of the Dasheng Monarch Su Qinhuai, how would she possess any nobility in the eyes of the world?

In the end, what people worship is merely the noble bloodline of the Su Imperial Family, the imperial authority and prestige that Su Yingxue represents.

Alas, Qiushuang sighed inwardly. Perhaps this care and warmth from Her Highness had come too late for Chu Xingchen. In his eyes, Qiushuang had never detected any equivalent concern or regard for the princess.

She wondered when Prince Chu would realize how painstakingly sincere the Eldest Princess was, genuinely acting as an elder sister in planning for his welfare.

Hearing this, Chu Xingchen looked down at the array of riding outfits before him. Su Yingxue had prepared seven sets for him, each differing in style, color, and embroidery. These seven outfits covered all seasons, every stitch and thread custom-made specifically for him.

As the thick stack of riding clothes was received by the palace maid standing beside him, he gazed at the pile, his heart unsettled.

Just like earlier in the carriage, when Chu Xingchen received the black bow she had personally commissioned for him, his eyes had been filled with stunned emotion and turmoil. It was the first time anyone in Dasheng had treated him with such esteem, presenting him with such a valuable gift.

Yet, the person who gave this gift was the one he had hated most intensely in his past. Truly, fate was unpredictable—the one who had hurt him most deeply, the one who had personally pushed him into the abyss, was now the first to show him such sincere care and value.

How utterly absurd! How utterly contradictory it made him feel!

Chu Xingchen remained silent, his deep, dark eyes fixed intently on the riding suit before him. His gaze was like a still, unfathomable pond, its surface unrippled and impossible to penetrate.