After saying all this, Ji Yunshu’s temples throbbed with pain. Her entire head buzzed, her whole body felt cold, and her limbs were powerless.

Yet she continued to force herself to endure!

Wei Yi noticed something was wrong with her and asked nervously, “Shu’er, what’s the matter?”

“It’s nothing.” She smiled, forcing herself to act as if nothing was wrong.

She didn’t want Wei Yi to worry.

Her gaze shifted, and she noticed several books placed on a nearby table.

There was the “Book of Rites,” “Luo’s Poetry Collection,” “Meng Zhao”…

She picked up the “Book of Rites” and flipped through it.

Actually, she had read a bit of this book before but hadn’t finished it. Later, when she wanted to continue reading, it had already disappeared. It was said that Liu Qingping had taken it to prop up a table leg in the kitchen. As a result, when Madam Liu saw it, she pulled it out and threw it directly into the stove to burn—completely destroyed.

Seeing it here now inevitably stirred some nostalgia.

Wei Yi said, “The Grand Tutor brought these books from the archive hall. He said the content would be helpful to me and told me to read them more. It’s just that court affairs have been busy recently, so I haven’t had time to read them all—only flipped through them occasionally.”

“These books he asked you to read are all very good.”

“Then I’ll read them tonight.”

“You don’t need to be so hasty. Read them when you have free time.” She flipped through a few pages, but the densely packed characters swayed severely before her eyes, becoming more and more blurred. Her head grew heavier and heavier.

Her hands felt as if they were soaking in ice water, trembling with cold.

With a sudden shiver, she began to cough.

This worried Wei Yi terribly. He grasped her hand in one swift motion. “Your hands are so cold, yet you still say nothing’s wrong.”

This woman was just like Jingrong—both loved to act tough.

While coughing, she said, “I’m really fine. Probably because I got caught in the rain, my body is still a bit cold. I’ll warm up after sitting for a while.”

“I should still have the imperial physician come take a look.”

“That’s not necessary… cough cough…” Before she could finish speaking, her steps stumbled, her wrist lost strength, and the “Book of Rites” fell from her hand, hitting the ground heavily.

At the same time, her body fell backward and was caught by Wei Yi.

She fell into his embrace.

Then—

Her entire body lost all strength.

“Shu’er? Shu’er?”

Wei Yi called to her desperately.

But she couldn’t respond at all. The only thing she could feel was cold!

Bone-piercing cold.

Until she lost consciousness!

Immediately, Wei Yi scooped her up in his arms and loudly commanded the eunuch who entered, “Summon the imperial physician. Quickly!”

It was almost a roar.

Then he rushed into the inner chamber carrying her, placed her on the bed, brought two quilts to cover her, and continuously rubbed her ice-cold hands vigorously with both hands.

“Shu’er?” His worry left his mind completely blank. The only thought in his heart was that he couldn’t lose her.

The person on the bed grew increasingly pale, her body like a block of ice, cold to the touch.

Soon, the imperial physician arrived and examined her.

He said, “Master Ji’s body is too weak, and she hasn’t rested properly for consecutive days. Just now she also got caught in the rain and wind, so she couldn’t endure it and fainted. But Your Majesty need not worry. This subject will prescribe medicine for Master Ji to take, and after a good night’s rest, she’ll be fine.”

Only then did his heart settle somewhat.

As long as it wasn’t some stubborn illness, that was good.

“Thank you, Imperial Physician Li.”

“Then this subject will go prepare the medicine.” The physician withdrew.

Wei Yi ordered someone to bring several warming braziers to place beside the bed so that Ji Yunshu’s body could warm up.

After a short while, a palace maid entered carrying the prepared medicine.

“Give the medicine to me.”

So the palace maid supported Ji Yunshu while Wei Yi personally fed her the medicine spoonful by spoonful.

Afterward, a eunuch entered and asked, “Your Majesty, should we send word to Prince Rong outside the palace?”

By now that man must be going crazy with worry!

He looked at the unconscious Ji Yunshu, remained silent for a moment, and said, “Go tell Prince Rong that Master Ji will not be returning today.”

“Then… about Master Ji fainting?”

“Don’t mention it.”

“Yes.”

The eunuch left.

In the inner chamber, only the two of them remained.

Wei Yi continued holding her hand without letting go, looking at her with both worry and heartache, his gaze never moving even slightly.

“Shu’er,” he softly called.

But apart from the sound of rain coming from outside, no voice responded to him.

He extended his hand, bit by bit moving toward Ji Yunshu’s pale face. The instant his fingertips lightly touched her, he withdrew them again.

As if afraid of disturbing Ji Yunshu’s dream!

And at that very moment, many past memories suddenly flooded his mind.

“Shu’er, do you remember when we first met? At that time, you taught me how to write my name, stroke by stroke. I’ve kept it all firmly in my heart. The second time we met was at the Ji manor gates. That day it was snowing heavily. I stood by the stone lion waiting for you. Even though it was so cold, I was still unwilling to leave. But then you used those various knives for your autopsies to frighten me. I was so scared I fell straight to the ground and ran away in embarrassment. Even now when I think about it, I find it amusing.”

He smiled.

He continued, “There was another time, at night. I carried you home on my back. You gave me directions, and I sang songs for you. Then I walked you all the way back. Those things that happened back in Jinjiang, the things between you and me—no matter how many years pass, I will never forget.”

All sorts of scenes of when the two were together flashed through his mind at this moment.

They were beautiful!

Happy!

But—

Wei Yi’s eyes reddened slightly. “Now you and I can never return to how things were before. Between us, there’s not only a wall, but also a heart.”

A heart that doesn’t love me!

Holding back tears, he slowly leaned down and kissed Ji Yunshu on the forehead.

…

Prince Rong’s Manor.

The rain was still falling. Jingrong stood at the main gate, waiting all along for Ji Yunshu.

It was already so late—why hadn’t she returned yet?

Lang Bo said, “Your Highness, Miss Ji and His Majesty haven’t seen each other for a long time. Perhaps their long-awaited reunion made them forget the time.”

Jingrong ignored him.

Lang Bo continued, “Then should… this subordinate go look outside the palace gates?”

“…”

“Your Highness?”

“Shut up.” He shot him a glare, then asked, “Where’s Ziran?”

“I don’t know. Haven’t seen him for several days. Ever since Zijin died, he’s been like a shadow—appearing at times, disappearing at others.”

Jingrong let out a stifled breath.

At this moment, a guard from the palace came riding on horseback.

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

“What is it?”

“His Majesty ordered this subordinate to inform Your Highness that Master Ji will be staying in the palace tonight.”

What?

Jingrong was shocked. “What did you say?”

“Because of the rain, and since it was already getting dark, Master Ji stayed behind. His Majesty was afraid Your Highness would worry, so he ordered this subordinate to come and inform you.”

Rain?

Getting dark?

These were the reasons for not coming home?

Jingrong was both angry and helpless.

After the guard left, his face darkened completely.

It was as if a volcano was housed inside his body, ready to erupt at any moment.

To avoid harming the innocent, Lang Bo took two steps backward.

Who would have thought—

Jingrong roared, “Prepare my horse!”

This lord’s woman—I’ll fetch her myself!