readytorunbook Chapter 103 Years in the Palace 11
Chapter 103 Years in the Palace 11
"Did King Qi come here to discuss the issue of swimming with me?" Liu Xingxing changed the subject.
The implication is clear: do whatever you want, don't bother arguing with her.
"No, I was just bored and saw that Your Highness was all alone in the wind, so I came here to chat with you for a bit."
Why does his mouth suddenly sound like it's been poisoned? Is he indirectly insulting her for having no friends?
"Your Highness, there's no need to worry. The fish soup I made in the kitchen should be almost ready. I'll go and bring it to His Majesty to try. You can relax here and enjoy the breeze."
Liu Xingxing gave a slight curtsy and then walked towards the kitchen on the second floor.
Jing Yizhi blinked slightly, watching the person leave.
"...Really, he still has the same bad temper as before."
A murmur faded away with the river breeze.
Actually, Liu Xingxing was keeping the fish soup for herself, but she just wanted to tease Jing Yizhi.
The wild crucian carp, freshly caught from the river, was so fresh that it would be a waste to give such good food to Jing Yanzhi. She didn't even step into Jing Yanzhi's room before taking the fish soup back to her own room to enjoy it slowly.
There were also restrictions on the number of people on this trip. Apart from Chu Chun, Liu Xingxing only brought four maids and one old woman to serve her.
Compared to other concubines who could only bring one or two maids, she was already far better off. Even the Empress only brought six maids, two old women, and one personal maid. Her configuration was already the best she could imagine.
At this moment, all the servants were serving her in her room. Liu Xingxing didn't want to give Chu Chun any soup, so she drank a whole big bowl herself, which even came with several pieces of fish. After eating, she just lay down and died.
Evening
Singing and dancing began on the deck. Jing Yanzhi set up several banquet tables to entertain the ministers who had come with him, as a form of entertainment during the journey. In any case, there had been no shortage of such entertainment since the day they set sail.
Liu Xingxing was also dragged along to attend. As a concubine, she almost never missed such banquets, and the other concubines were no exception.
After all, life on a ship is always long and boring, and this kind of life will last for more than three months. Naturally, everyone would be willing to come and see if there is any excitement.
Liu Xingxing stared blankly at the dance troupe in front of her, singing and dancing in various ways. She stuffed a mouthful of cloyingly sweet pastry into her mouth and then habitually took a sip of rice wine to calm herself down. There was no tea for her at such a banquet.
Since I was on the deck, there was no reason to go out for some fresh air. The river breeze cleared my head.
She couldn't stand it after only a few days of this.
Fortunately, the ship would dock every now and then and set up camp nearby for three to five days, or even ten days or more. Along the way, they would buy some supplies and local specialties, and the people on board would be able to go ashore and relax.
……
"Your Majesty, these are the first batch of melon seeds and chestnuts. I know you love them, so I went to a place a little further away to buy them. They're still warm. Please try them."
Early in the morning, Chu Chun brought two bundles of things wrapped in kraft paper to her.
Liu Xingxing touched the paper wrapping the chestnuts; they were still warm. She unwrapped it and looked inside. The aroma of chestnuts wafted out, so she couldn't resist peeling one and tasting it. It was indeed quite good.
"It's delicious, you should have some too. Running around so early in the morning must be tiring."
When Chu Chun saw that Liu Baiyi liked it, she was also very happy: "Thank you, Your Majesty. I'm glad that Your Majesty likes it."
"These melon seeds are good too. We can buy more to take on the boat later."
"Your Majesty, rest assured, this servant will definitely buy enough."
The ship had been sailing for about ten days, but had only traveled a little over a hundred li. It was incredibly slow, and the journey was filled with frequent stops and starts.
The only advantage is that you can taste fresh local specialties from all over the world.
Life on land doesn't last long, and life on the river is the same day after day. If you live like this for too long, you'll become dull and lifeless.
Liu Xingxing was like that. Now she really felt like vomiting whenever she saw the river. Her body lived up to expectations and she fell ill two months later. Moreover, she vomited violently, throwing up whatever she ate. No matter what doctors did, she couldn't be cured. She also became so thin that she looked unrecognizable. She looked sickly all day long and seemed like she could die at any moment.
It was truly the greatest sin she had ever suffered in her life, and Jing Yanzhi stayed by her side day and night.
Perhaps his mind is truly not clear enough due to his illness; even she could hardly tell the difference in his acting.
Looking at Jing Yanzhi, who was watching over her every day with eyes full of worry, Liu Xingxing's already confused mind became even more hazy.
"Master..."
Liu Xingxing lay flat on her back, turned her head to look at the person who was dozing by her bedside, and tears inexplicably streamed down her face. She tried her best to raise her hand, which trembled as she reached out to touch his face, but stopped just before she touched him.
"Master, is that you...?"
She couldn't help but call out softly again.
As if sensing something, the person's closed eyes trembled slightly, and then they slowly woke up.
Jing Yanzhi was confused for a moment, then saw that Liu Baiyi had woken up. He then grabbed her hand with a slightly flustered expression and asked, "Yi'er, you're awake. How are you feeling?"
Liu Baiyi took a deep breath, then gasped for air, her chest heaving. Her eyes were fixed on Jing Yanzhi, who was holding her hand. Tears streamed down her face as she kept repeating, "No, no, no..."
He then fell into a coma again, and his breathing became much weaker.
Jing Yanzhi panicked even more: "Yi'er, Yi'er, what's wrong? The imperial physician! Where is the imperial physician!"
Upon hearing the summons, the accompanying imperial physician, carrying his medicine chest, hurriedly ran in from outside, bowed, and greeted the emperor: "Your Majesty."
"No need for that, come quickly and see how Yi'er is!"
The imperial physician hurriedly opened his medicine chest, took out his diagnostic tools, and then glanced at Jing Yanzhi, who was still holding onto Liu Baiyi's outer hand. Slightly embarrassed, he said:
"Your Majesty, the Empress's hand..."
Jing Yanzhi realized what was happening and let go of her hand.
The imperial physician wiped away non-existent sweat from his forehead before carefully moving Liu Baiyi's hand to begin his diagnosis.
Before long, the imperial physician withdrew his hand and reported with surprise and doubt: "Your Majesty and Her Majesty's vomiting has indeed stopped. This coma was probably caused by a sudden palpitation affecting the internal organs. Although Her Majesty's pulse is weak, it is also very steady, but it is also very chaotic, which is really strange..."
"Is Yi'er feeling unwell?"
"Your Majesty's health is much better now. I will prescribe a few more doses of medicine to replenish your qi and blood. Your Majesty should wake up later tonight."
Jing Yanzhi unconsciously breathed a sigh of relief: "It's good that you're alright, you can go now."
"Yes."
But the imperial physician suddenly seemed hesitant to speak, and Jing Yanzhi frowned again: "Is there anything else, Yi'er?"
"Oh no, no, no, Your Majesty has been watching over the Empress for several days now, and should take better care of your health. As the ruler of the country, Your Majesty must not overwork yourself. The Empress is now fine, so why don't you go and rest for a while and let the servants watch over her?"
Jing Yanzhi glanced silently at Liu Baiyi, whose eyes were closed and face was pale, carefully tucked her in, and then walked out of her tent without a word. The imperial physician hurriedly stood up and followed him out.
Jing Yanzhi said coldly to the people waiting outside, "If Yi'er wakes up, inform me."
"Yes."
How could the people outside not agree? Although it was inappropriate, they were truly envious of Liu Baiyi for having the emperor's favor, and for having him watch over her day and night even when she was sick.
Jing Yanzhi glanced again at the tent door, which was open in a V-shape, and returned to his royal tent without saying a word.
"Farewell to Your Majesty."
……
Liu Xingxing didn't know how long she had slept, but she felt unwell and woke up thirsty.
"Water, water..."
I called out weakly twice, but there was still no response.
Liu Xingxing struggled to sit up, staring at the empty tent with only a sliver of light. Her first thought was that she might have been left behind and forgotten to bring it on the boat.
With a furrowed brow that could trap a mosquito, he searched for something to hold water in the tent.
She finally understood why those characters in novels and TV shows needed to drink water as soon as they woke up after being in a coma for several days. Her throat was dry and sore, and all she wanted to do was drink a large glass of water to soothe it.
Liu Xingxing, suppressing her dry throat, called out twice more: "Early Spring, Early Spring?"
Damn! Is her vocal cords damaged? She can barely hear her own voice anymore.
With her body extremely weak, she got out of bed, swaying as she walked to the simple low table without even bothering to put on her shoes, grabbed the teapot on it, and started gulping down the tea.
Fortunately, there was still plenty of water in the teapot, and the tea was lukewarm, just right for drinking.
After drinking half a bellyful of tea, her throat was finally no longer dry. Liu Xingxing put down the teapot and plopped down on the ground, her brain blanking for a long time before she finally came to her senses.