Chapter 7: If Her Highness Wants, She Only Needs to Crook Her Finger—What Kind of Man Could She Not Have?

“Unfortunately, Prince Chu overestimates his status. Her Highness the Eldest Princess is of noble standing. In the Great Sheng Dynasty, there are plenty of fine men. If Her Highness wants, she only needs to crook her finger—what kind of man, in terms of looks or talent, could she not have?”

“What kind of scion from powerful ministerial families or high-ranking officials could she not have? There are plenty of men more suitable, elegant, distinguished, handsome, and talented than Prince Chu who would willingly kneel and submit to Her Highness the Eldest Princess, serving her attentively.”

Qiushuang, fiercely protective of her mistress, sneered mockingly upon hearing Chu Xingchen’s disrespectful words. “Just like Prince Chu’s current status as the powerless, penniless, and talentless Hostage Prince of the Qi State, and his current appearance—covered in blood, flesh torn, and scars all over his body?”

“I’m afraid, forget about serving as a male consort for the night, even standing by the Eldest Princess’s feet to carry her shoes would require Her Highness to consider whether it would offend her eyes!”

Qiushuang was furious. The Eldest Princess was her mistress, and she would not allow outsiders to insult her in the slightest. She spoke at length, leaving Zhang Susu stunned.

Upon hearing this, Chu Xingchen’s eyes turned crimson, his expression growing even darker and colder. The icy glare in his eyes sharpened like arrows.

Seeing this, Zhang Susu couldn’t help but feel awkward and somewhat headache.

Qiushuang, I know you want to vent anger for Su Yingxue.

But I am Zhang Susu now. I haven’t taken a liking to Chu Xingchen, nor do I want him as a male consort. I originally saved the male lead this time, hoping to earn some goodwill from this future big shot so that at least I wouldn’t die so miserably later.

Well, just as things were showing a slight tendency to improve, Qiushuang’s words stomped out that spark.

Now, whether any goodwill has been accumulated is unknown, but the hatred in Chu Xingchen’s eyes has likely grown even more.

Sigh, I suppose there’s still a long road ahead.

After all, there are still five years until Chu Xingchen breaches the kingdom’s gates. During this time, whether through flattery or assistance, I must treat this revered figure well.

I don’t expect him to repay kindness with kindness; I only hope that after Chu Xingchen ascends the throne, he won’t kill me but spare my life, allowing me to peacefully complete my Conquest Mission and return safely to modern times.

After all, Zhang Susu doesn’t ask for much. She only seeks to survive and complete the mission.

Everything can be taken slowly.

When Chu Xingchen was carried back to the Princess’s Palace, for the convenience of summoning the Imperial Physician and having palace attendants care for him, Su Yingxue disregarded the dissuasion of Qiushuang and several other palace maids and arranged for Chu Xingchen to be placed in the Side Hall.

By the time Chu Xingchen was brought into the Side Hall, he was already unconscious. Su Yingxue touched his forehead—it was frighteningly hot.

Lying on the bed now, he showed none of the earlier intimidating, crimson-eyed, furious, and hateful glare reminiscent of a wolf cub. Instead, he resembled a sleeping wolf pup, no longer baring its fangs and claws, with only an adorable, sleeping face.

In his slumber, Chu Xingchen had thick eyebrows, a handsome facial contour, long eyelashes, fair skin, a tall nose bridge, and dark, ink-like long hair. Although his face still carried a youthful air, he was an exceptionally handsome young man.

No wonder the Eldest Princess Su Yingxue from the Original Work took a liking to him and wanted to make him her male consort in the future. With looks like these, even in modern times, he would likely grow into the appearance of an idol boy band member.

Zhang Susu gazed at Chu Xingchen for a long time. He seemed to be burning with fever, muttering something in his delirium as if trapped in a terrifying nightmare.

When Qiushuang entered the room carrying the prepared herbal decoction and topical ointment, she saw Zhang Susu sitting at the small table beside the bed, propping her chin on her hand. Her clear, bright eyes were fixed intently on Chu Xingchen’s sleeping face.

Qiushuang recalled how the Eldest Princess had rushed to the Inner Service Directorate upon hearing of Chu Huangzi’s capture, and sighed inwardly. Her Highness must have taken a liking to this Chu Huangzi.

What Zhang Susu was actually studying were the whip marks covering his back and chest – this was merely a youth of fifteen or sixteen.

His body was covered with both old and new wounds. The bloody lacerations and numerous scars made Zhang Susu, a transmigrator, feel utterly appalled.

Zhang Susu found it difficult to imagine how the brief mentions of abuse toward the male lead Chu Xingchen during his hostage years in the Original Work were now materialized before her as these tangible scars covering his body. She thought Chu Xingchen was truly pitiful, and that Su Yingxue was absolutely despicable.

How could the author of the Original Work have such twisted tastes to create a character like Su Yingxue, who took such pleasure in flogging, beating, and tormenting others?

Su Yingxue, you truly have reaped what you sowed!

Su Yingxue, why must I, Zhang Susu, bear the consequences for the sins you committed?

Zhang Susu felt deeply sorrowful as she looked at Chu Xingchen’s scar-covered body.

“Her Highness the Eldest Princess, the medicine is ready.” Qiushuang brought the medicine in and placed it on the table. “The Imperial Physician said this herbal decoction should be taken twice daily, morning and evening. The fever should break after three days. The topical ointment needs to be applied three times a day.”

“Your Highness is of noble birth and yet unmarried. Although Chu Huangzi won’t undergo his capping ceremony for several years, it’s still inappropriate for you to perform such minor tasks like applying medicine. Perhaps you could let this servant handle it instead.” Always prudent, Qiushuang offered this gentle advice.

Zhang Susu softly declined, “That won’t be necessary, Qiushuang.”

“This Palace will apply the medicine personally, as a way to atone to him.” Though Zhang Susu’s expression was sorrowful, she knew the wounds on Chu Xingchen’s body weren’t inflicted by her.

Yet now, Zhang Susu was Su Yingxue, and Su Yingxue was Zhang Susu. Since she occupied Su Yingxue’s body, she was Su Yingxue. The debts Su Yingxue owed would be repaid by her.

Hearing this, Qiushuang didn’t insist. She simply presented the opened celadon ointment container to her mistress.

Su Yingxue stood up and sat by the bedside. Gently dipping her fingers into the ointment, she carefully applied it bit by bit to Chu Xingchen’s torn flesh while softly blowing on his wounds, hoping to alleviate his pain.

After meticulously treating the wounds on his back, Su Yingxue carefully bandaged them to prevent secondary infection. After all, medical conditions in ancient times were likely inferior to modern times, and there were no anti-inflammatory drugs.

When she finished treating the wounds on Chu Xingchen’s back, she summoned guards to help turn him over, then meticulously treated all the scars on his chest before properly bandaging them.

After applying the ointment, she helped Chu Xingchen into a semi-reclining position against the bed. Bringing the bowl of herbal decoction to his tightly closed eyes, she gently blew on each spoonful, cooling it before carefully feeding it into his mouth.

Once he swallowed, she used an embroidered handkerchief to wipe the spilled liquid from the corners of his lips.

She patiently continued feeding him this way for quite some time until the bowl of herbal decoction was finally empty.

After finishing the medicine, Su Yingxue set down the medicine bowl and, with Qiushuang’s assistance, supported his body as she gently laid him back down, tucked him in properly, and covered him with the quilt.