Chapter 38

Mu Yuheng heard Feng Yan ask what was wrong, but he said nothing. He merely snorted and walked away, leaving Feng Yan with a dashing view of his back. Feng Yan stood there, completely baffled. He could not understand what had happened to Mu Yuheng. Hadn’t he already had breakfast with Ling Jiayue? Why was he unhappy again? But since Feng Yan truly could not figure it out, he decided not to think about it anymore. On the morning of the third day, while Ling Jiayue was changing Ling Jiaxuan’s bandages, Ling Jiaxuan finally woke up. Seeing him regain consciousness, Ling Jiayue was overjoyed and asked anxiously, “Older Brother, you finally woke up! You scared me half to death. Thank goodness you’re all right.” After waking, Ling Jiaxuan saw Ling Jiayue and asked, “Yue’er, are you all right? Where are we? My head feels so dizzy.” As he spoke, Ling Jiaxuan tried to sit up, but he had no strength and fell back down. “Older Brother, I’m fine. Your injuries haven’t healed yet, so don’t rush to get up. We’re at the Seventh Prince’s Residence. That night, you were struck by a concealed weapon. The Seventh Prince happened to pass by and saved us.” Ling Jiayue supported Ling Jiaxuan and carefully explained everything to him. “Oh. As long as Yue’er is all right.” Ling Jiaxuan sighed in relief. “Older Brother, you can’t do this again. You frightened me so badly. I can’t lose you.” Ling Jiayue helped Ling Jiaxuan lie down properly as she spoke. “Older Brother is fine. As long as Yue’er is safe, that’s all that matters. I won’t let anything happen to you.” Ling Jiaxuan lay on the bed and spoke with absolute certainty. At that moment, Lingxue heard the commotion from Ling Jiaxuan waking up and hurried in with a cup of water. “Miss, Young Master Ling has just woken up. Give him some water to soothe his throat.” “All right. You’re always so thoughtful.” Ling Jiayue praised Lingxue. Then she helped Ling Jiaxuan sit up, holding the cup in one hand and feeding him water with the other. After drinking a full cup, Ling Jiaxuan felt his parched body slowly revive, and he became much more comfortable. “Miss, Young Master Ling has only just woken up. He needs to eat something to regain his strength. I’ll go to the kitchen and make some congee for him. It will be easier for him to eat,” Lingxue said. Ling Jiayue praised her again. “You really are thoughtful. Go on, and make some chicken soup as well. He needs something nourishing.” “Yes, Miss.” Lingxue turned and went to the kitchen. “Yue’er, help me sit up for a while,” Ling Jiaxuan said. “All right.” Ling Jiayue helped Ling Jiaxuan sit up, then placed several soft pillows behind his waist so that he could sit more comfortably. Once he was settled, Ling Jiaxuan asked, “Yue’er, where are Father and Mother? How long have we been staying at the Seventh Prince’s Residence? Shouldn’t we be going home?” “Father and Mother came to see us a few days ago, but we were both still unconscious at the time. Mother wanted to take us home, but she was worried that moving us back and forth would worsen our injuries, so she left us here. We’ve been staying here for about three or four days now.” Ling Jiayue explained everything to him. “Yue’er, now that I’m awake and there’s nothing seriously wrong with me, we should thank the Seventh Prince and return home. We shouldn’t impose on him any longer,” Ling Jiaxuan said. “Then wait until Lingxue comes back with the congee. You can eat first. I’ll send word to Father and Mother that we’re preparing to return home. After that, the two of us can go thank the Seventh Prince. How does that sound?” Ling Jiayue suggested. “That sounds good. Cough, cough… cough, cough!” Ling Jiaxuan had barely finished speaking when he began coughing violently, evidently choking on something. Ling Jiayue gently patted his back, then poured him another cup of water and slowly helped him drink it. Only then did he begin to recover. Before long, Lingxue returned with the congee. She had made century egg and lean pork congee and added a few drops of sesame oil. Its fragrance was enough to make anyone’s mouth water. Ling Jiayue could not help praising her. “Lingxue, your cooking gets better and better.” Lingxue merely smiled. “As long as Miss and Young Master Ling don’t dislike it.” Ling Jiayue took the bowl of congee from Lingxue and slowly fed it to Ling Jiaxuan, one spoonful at a time. After drinking some of the congee, Ling Jiaxuan felt warmth spread through his stomach, then gradually throughout his body, leaving him feeling extremely comfortable. In the end, Ling Jiaxuan finished an entire bowl. He teased, “Lingxue’s cooking really is excellent. Yue’er, you’re truly blessed. If you keep having Lingxue feed you like this every day, you’ll grow into a Little Pig. Then no one will marry you.” “Older Brother, what nonsense are you talking about?” Ling Jiayue said, embarrassed. It was rare to see Ling Jiayue looking so shy and charming. Moreover, he had only just woken up, so Ling Jiaxuan was in an especially good mood. He threw his head back and laughed heartily. Seeing how happy Ling Jiayue and Ling Jiaxuan were, Lingxue also covered her mouth and giggled. At that moment, Mu Yuheng happened to enter. Hearing the laughter of the master and servants, he said, “I intended to come in and see how Young Master Ling’s injuries were doing. It seems there’s no serious problem now.” Ling Jiaxuan said, “Thank you for saving our lives, Seventh Prince. Ling Jiaxuan will never forget your great kindness.” “That night, I merely happened to be passing by. In such circumstances, I could not have stood by and done nothing. It was only a small favor, so Young Master Ling needn’t take it to heart,” Mu Yuheng replied. Behind him, Feng Yan thought to himself: Of course Young Master Ling doesn’t need to take it to heart. Our master intends to marry his younger sister. How could he let anything happen to him? Ling Jiaxuan continued, “My sister and I have imposed on the Seventh Prince for quite some time. Now that neither of us is in any serious danger, it’s time for us to take our leave.” The instant Mu Yuheng heard that Ling Jiaxuan intended to return home, his first thought was: If they go back, Ling Jiayue won’t be here anymore either. A faint sense of loss welled up in his heart. Yet he truly could not find a reason to ask them to stay. Mu Yuheng gave a light laugh. “There’s no rush. Stay here for now. I’ll have Feng Yan notify the Ling Residence first. Once everything there has been arranged and your injuries have stabilized a little more, you can leave tomorrow.” “What the Seventh Prince says makes sense. Then my sister and I will impose on you for one more day,” Ling Jiaxuan said. “You needn’t be so polite, Young Master Ling.” Mu Yuheng was delighted. He could keep Ling Jiaxuan here for another day. “Feng Yan, go to the Ling Residence first. Madam Ling must be anxiously waiting,” Mu Yuheng instructed. Feng Yan accepted the order and headed to the Ling Residence. Madam Liu was overjoyed when she heard that Ling Jiaxuan had regained consciousness, but she was still worried about his injuries and asked, “Feng Yan, how is my son’s condition?” “Madam Ling, there’s no need to worry. Young Master Ling’s injuries are improving now that he has woken up. Before I came here, he even ate a bowl of century egg and lean pork congee. He should be out of danger,” Feng Yan answered respectfully. “That’s good, that’s good. Thank you for your trouble, Feng Yan,” Madam Liu said happily. “In that case, I’ll return to the Seventh Prince’s Residence and report back to my master.” Feng Yan took his leave and returned. “Steward, see Feng Yan out properly,” Madam Liu instructed. “Steward matron, have someone prepare more nourishing supplements. Then come with me to see whether Yue’er and Jiaxuan’s rooms have been properly arranged. It’s winter now, so replace all their bedding with down quilts. They’re light yet warm.” As she gave her instructions, Madam Liu rose and went off to busy herself.