TFSRITA Chapter 41

In reality, Yan Qing wasn’t thirsty.

Half an hour ago, she had already drunk some water. Besides, she hadn’t spoken a word nor exerted herself, just leaning against the headboard listening to a little eunuch tell stories. Why would she feel thirsty?

However, the nursemaid insisted that she drink every half hour. This frequent schedule also made her need to use the restroom more often.

At this point, both of her arms were out of commission, so she needed help with everything, and naturally, she didn’t want to have to use the restroom too often. It was just too embarrassing.

So, Yan Qing turned her head away when the tea was brought to her.

Ji Yecheng’s face darkened. Normally, he would have grabbed her by the chin and forced the tea down her throat.

But looking down at her arms bound by splints and at the silk scarf hiding her bruised, frightening neck, Ji Yecheng felt no anger. Instead, with unusual patience, he once again brought the teacup to her lips.

Yan Qing moved her head away again.

Ji Yecheng: “… Are you trying to get Song Yu beaten?”

Yan Qing glared at him! Always with the threats—every time. And the target was always Yan Qing.

Annoyance rose in Ji Yecheng’s heart, turning his mood even more sour, and his face grew darker. Still, his tone remained gentle. “Just drink some water.”

Yan Qing shot him a cold look and turned away once more. She wasn’t going to drink! How dare he threaten her again?

She was done with it.

He wasn’t going to kill Song Yu anyway!

But this refusal seemed to improve Ji Yecheng’s mood a bit. The corners of his usually stern lips curved slightly. Watching her press her delicate lips together in defiance, a thought crossed his mind, and in a low voice, he asked, “You really won’t drink?”

Yan Qing pressed her lips even tighter, determined not to drink!

Ji Yecheng withdrew the teacup.

Yan Qing, watching him out of the corner of her eye, was just starting to feel confused when she saw the man take a sip of the tea himself. Her heart sank, and as she began to recoil, Ji Yecheng pulled her forward.

His lips brushed against hers, and her face turned pale. She immediately tried to push him away—her hands were still functional even if her arms were injured.

But Ji Yecheng anticipated this. Not wanting her to aggravate her injuries, he restrained her hands.

He forced her mouth open, and the warm tea flowed inside.

Yan Qing’s face flushed a deep red, and a wave of nausea hit her. She wanted to spit it out immediately.

But then Ji Yecheng threatened, “If you dare spit it out, I’ll do it three more times!”

That single sentence made Yan Qing freeze, her tongue going stiff.

Satisfied, Ji Yecheng finally let her go, stepping back as he adjusted her pillows and blanket. His deep eyes remained fixed on her. “Swallow it!”

Yan Qing’s expression twisted. She wanted to curse him, but her throat was still too sore, and she couldn’t say a word.

Ji Yecheng handed the teacup back, his handsome face showing a faint, unreadable smile. “Pour another cup. The imperial concubine probably hasn’t had enough yet.”

Yan Qing: “…”

You win!

Grinding her teeth, Yan Qing grudgingly swallowed the tea.

The warm liquid soothed the wounds in her throat, but it left a sick feeling in her stomach. Damn it, the tea had his saliva in it. It was disgusting. She felt like throwing up…

But it was just a thought. Yan Qing didn’t vomit, just felt a bit queasy.

After swallowing the tea, her mood took a nosedive, and she closed her eyes, deciding that if she couldn’t see him, she wouldn’t be bothered by him.

Ji Yecheng, aware that she didn’t want to see him, got up and left. At the door, he turned to Jiang Wende and said, “Call the physician to check on her arms.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Jiang Wende immediately left.

But he didn’t head to the imperial medical hall.

To take care of Yan Qing and monitor her condition, all the physicians were currently staying in a side hall of the emperor’s palace.

Whether or not they were having peaceful nights was none of Ji Yecheng’s concern.

Watching Jiang Wende leave, Ji Yecheng’s thoughts began to drift. His long fingers lightly touched his lips, as if still feeling the lingering warmth from earlier. He closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath to calm the rapid beating of his heart.

He composed himself before stepping out of the Lingyun Palace. The autumn breeze was cool and refreshing, carrying away the heat from his body.

After sending away the physician, Yan Qing lay in bed feeling completely hopeless.

Occasionally, she could get up and walk around.

However, due to her recent ordeal, her body had become weak, unable to support her for long.

Eventually, she drifted off to sleep.

When she woke again, she was met with the sight of Zhuyin’s face.

Zhuyin was leaning against the headboard, seemingly dozing off.

As soon as Yan Qing moved, Zhuyin woke up and asked, “My lady, do you need to use the restroom?”

Yan Qing nodded.

Zhuyin carefully helped her up.

After assisting her with the restroom, Yan Qing’s face was flushed with embarrassment, but she was also full of questions. Her large, watery eyes blinked at Zhuyin as she tried to convey her thoughts.

Once she was fully awake, she noticed that Zhuyin had disappeared earlier. Ji Yecheng had told her that Zhuyin had been imprisoned for attempting to assassinate him. Yan Qing had wanted Zhuyin released, but Ji Yecheng had always pretended not to hear her. With her hands unable to write and her voice too weak to speak, there was no way for her to directly communicate this.

So, the matter had been left unresolved.

But Ji Yecheng had promised not to kill her, so Yan Qing focused on recovering, hoping to regain her ability to speak soon.

While her voice wouldn’t return to its original clarity, she would still be able to talk. The damage to her vocal cords was severe but not completely irreparable.

…

The woman’s eyes were bright and expressive, her face full of emotion as though trying to communicate.

Zhuyin’s usually impassive face softened with a hint of a smile as she explained, “His Majesty said you needed someone to take care of you, so he let me out.”

Just like that?

Yan Qing pouted, unsure how to react.

She had thought she would need her father, the prime minister, to intervene.

Zhuyin didn’t help her back into bed immediately. Instead, she asked, “Would you like to go for a walk?”

Yan Qing nodded, but the movement was small, causing her neck wound to tug painfully, making her eyes twitch in discomfort.