Just then, Qi Zheng and the others caught up. A group gathered around, asking, “What happened? What’s going on?”
At that moment, Shen Cui, who had likely seen the commotion from the mountain, returned. Seeing Ji Cheng lying on the ground, she cried out and rushed over, “Sister Cheng!” If not for Shen Che holding her back, Ji Cheng might have been “crushed to death” by Shen Cui’s embrace.
However, Ji Cheng wasn’t the focus of Shen Cui’s concern. After shedding a few tears, she turned to glare at Fourth Miss Wang, pointing at her nose and saying, “Was it you? Did you hurt Sister Cheng? You saw you couldn’t win against me, so you took it out on Sister Cheng, didn’t you?”
Hearing this, everyone turned to look at Fourth Miss Wang.
Fourth Miss Wang snorted coldly, “So this is how the Shen family teaches their children? To falsely accuse others without any evidence?”
Shen Cui turned pale with anger, insisting, “I know it was you. I know you did it.” Although she kept saying this, Shen Cui indeed couldn’t produce any evidence, causing Shen Yu and Shen Che to frown.
Shen Yu called out, “Fifth Sister! We men can’t examine Cousin Ji’s injuries. Go and take a look.”
Shen Cui had no choice but to return to Ji Cheng’s side.
Ji Cheng’s head was bleeding, and her hair was stained with blood. Shen Cui, while crying, searched for her wound and used a handkerchief to apply pressure to the bleeding area.
Ji Cheng was in a pitiful state. Although many trees had withered in winter, their trunks remained. As she tumbled down, her hands, feet, and face were all injured, and her body was covered in blood, a frightening sight.
Fortunately, the imperial physician arrived in time, brought by Shen Yu’s attendant Song Lan, who rode the same horse. The physician first examined Ji Cheng’s injuries and said, “Fortunately, there’s no life-threatening injury. But we’ll need to move her back to the tent for a thorough examination.”
Luckily, a stretcher had been brought. Ji Cheng was carefully placed on it and carried back.
When they returned to the Shen family’s camp, Shen Yuan, Su Yun, and others were naturally alarmed. The sight of Ji Cheng being carried back also startled many others. In no time, everyone at the Southern Garden autumn hunt knew that a Shen family cousin had been injured, her fate unknown.
As for Fourth Miss Wang, some believed her, while others didn’t. Gossip was inevitable. Fourth Miss Wang only smiled coldly in her heart, looking at those people and Ji Cheng. She had committed this day’s events to memory, knowing there would be a day of reckoning.
Regarding Ji Cheng’s injuries, though fortunately there were no fractures, she had multiple sprains and abrasions. Her head was also bleeding from the impact, and she remained unconscious.
Thankfully, there was Xue Rong Yu Guang ointment from the palace, so there was no need to worry about scarring.
Outside the tent, Shen Qian was inquiring about Ji Cheng’s condition from Chu Zhen. Firstly, she wanted to know how Ji Cheng had been injured, and secondly, she couldn’t miss the chance to chat with her crush.
Chu Zhen said, “Regardless of what others say, I saw Miss Wang Si’s horse crash into Miss Ji.” Moreover, Chu Zhen, knowing that Ji Cheng was the one who had impersonated Ji Yuan in the polo match, had witnessed her riding skills. How could she have fallen off her horse for no reason?
If it were true as Fourth Miss Wang claimed, that Ji Cheng had crashed into her, it certainly wouldn’t have been Ji Cheng who fell. On this point, Chu Zhen had complete confidence in Ji Cheng. At the time, Fourth Miss Wang’s cold and aloof demeanor had indeed intimidated Chu Zhen, given his youth, but he later realized the truth.
However, Chu Zhen couldn’t understand why Shen Che would speak up for Fourth Miss Wang. He should have seen it too. Chu Zhen recalled his friends’ usual praise for Fourth Miss Wang and wondered if Shen Che might also have taken a liking to her. If so, he truly lacked discernment.
Hearing Chu Zhen’s words, Shen Qian immediately said, “I believe you, Brother Chu. If you say you saw it, then you must have. I never imagined Sister Siniang would be that kind of person.”
Shen Qian had always been on good terms with the Wang sisters. Even though they had grown apart for various reasons, she had never thought ill of them. Even when others spoke negatively, she always defended the Wang sisters. But today, upon hearing Chu Zhen’s account, Shen Qian immediately believed him. This shows how naive young women can be when first experiencing feelings of love.
Shen Qian further asked if Chu Zhen knew why Fourth Miss Wang would do such a thing, and repeatedly thanked him for taking care of Ji Cheng.
Even though Chu Zhen was somewhat slow, he could sense Shen Qian’s feelings. He found such admiration from women tiresome; the only heart he wanted was that one person’s. But Shen Qian’s gaze was too intense, and she was Shen Che’s sister, so Chu Zhen had to offer a few perfunctory responses before hastily leaving.
News of Ji Cheng’s injury and unconsciousness quickly reached Wang Yueniang. The current Wang Yueniang was no longer the naive girl she once was. She immediately understood the key points of Ji Cheng’s act, realizing that Ji Cheng must have been unable to deal with Shen Che, so she used this ploy to escape.
However, Wang Yueniang had to admit that given Ji Cheng’s current state, there was little she could do against her now. Still, she acknowledged Ji Cheng’s cleverness in using this method to outmaneuver her fourth sister, who had always maintained a good reputation, allowing herself some satisfaction.
Feeling troubled, Wang Yueniang left the temporary palace and headed towards the gardens on Qihua Mountain. To clear her mind, she didn’t even bring along her maids or eunuchs, walking alone on the mountain path.
Before long, Wang Yueniang noticed someone following her. She turned and shouted sternly, “Who’s there? Show yourself to this Imperial Consort!”
As soon as Wang Yueniang finished speaking, a guard emerged from the woods. Palace guards wore black with gold embroidery; this man’s shoulders were embroidered with the Black Tortoise, indicating he was a third-rank guard. He wore a golden sword at his waist and stood about ten feet away from Wang Yueniang, exuding an aura of strength and stability.
The man wasn’t particularly handsome, and his skin was somewhat dark, but he gave off an impression of masculinity and strength – the type of man Wang Yueniang rarely encountered. Unlike Shen Che, who resembled a majestic jade mountain, beautiful and flawless, this man was like a red sandstone cliff standing in the desert. Wang Yueniang, no longer the naive girl who only looked at men’s faces, found her gaze first falling on the man’s muscular chest, then his lean waist – truly the embodiment of a powerful physique.
“This subordinate is Cui Chuang of the Tiger Warriors’ First Company,” Cui Chuang bowed to Wang Yueniang.
“Don’t follow me,” Wang Yueniang turned away, no longer looking at Cui Chuang. But in her mind, she couldn’t help comparing him to the aging, pot-bellied Emperor Jianping, feeling even more bitter and resentful.
“This subordinate is ordered to guard this area and ensure Your Highness’s safety,” Cui Chuang replied expressionlessly, implying he wouldn’t back down.
Wang Yueniang immediately turned back to face him, “You dare disobey this Imperial Consort’s order? Do you tire of living? Who do you think you are to contradict me? You’re nothing but a dog, yet you dare to talk back to your master.”
Wang Yueniang was misdirecting her anger. If it were anyone else, they would have been on their knees begging for forgiveness by now.
Not only was Cui Chuang not intimidated by Wang Yueniang, he stood his ground and coldly said, “This subordinate is a person, and as for you, you’re hardly the master of this palace. In the end, you’re just the Emperor’s plaything and one that’s been ridden by others at that.” As he spoke, Cui Chuang had walked up to Wang Yueniang.
Overwhelmed by his strong masculine presence, Wang Yueniang couldn’t help but take two steps back, her back against a tree trunk. “You… what are you doing? How dare you!”
Cui Chuang lowered his head, his nose almost touching Wang Yueniang’s.
Wang Yueniang felt the white breath from his nostrils entering her own. She felt dizzy, her legs too weak to stand. Her body began to slide down, and if not for Cui Chuang’s hands gripping her waist, she might have collapsed entirely.
“Let go of me!” Wang Yueniang thought she was shouting sternly, but when the words came out, they were weak and alluring. She closed her eyes in shame and anger, only to hear Cui Chuang chuckle softly. His nose traced from hers to her cheek, then to her lips.
Wang Yueniang tried to hit and kick Cui Chuang, but he was like an iron mountain, immovable and seemingly impervious to pain, exuding masculine strength.
Just as Wang Yueniang was about to give up resisting, Cui Chuang unexpectedly released her waist and stepped back ten feet. “This subordinate takes his leave.”
Long after Cui Chuang had left, Wang Yueniang’s face was still flushed and hot. Her mind was in turmoil, but strangely, the irritation she had felt when leaving her quarters had completely vanished.
Ji Cheng regained consciousness in the evening. Her hands and feet were bandaged, and her head was wrapped in white cloth, giving her a comical appearance. There were several scabs on her face where the wounds had already begun to heal.
After Willow Leaf helped Ji Cheng look in a mirror, Elm Money brought in the heated medicine for her to drink.
Elm Money, clutching her chest, said, “Miss, you scared me today. That Fourth Miss Wang is so vicious. Unable to beat you in horsemanship, she resorted to such dirty tricks.”
Ji Cheng didn’t respond, silently drinking her medicine. Willow Leaf, while feeding Ji Cheng, chimed in, “Don’t worry, Miss. Your injuries aren’t serious. The imperial physician said you’ll be fine. Fourth Miss even went to request some Xue Rong Yu Guang ointment from the palace for you. It will prevent scarring when applied to the wounds.”
“Mm,” Ji Cheng responded. “I’m fine. But for the next few days, no matter who asks, just tell them I can’t get out of bed yet.”
In truth, Ji Cheng really couldn’t get out of bed. Although she had a strong constitution, she often worried excessively. This time, with the head injury, “evil entered through the wind.” After taking the medicine and having a bowl of porridge, she lay down but soon developed a fever, requiring another visit from the imperial physician.
Being at the temporary palace was fortunate, as the imperial physicians from the Imperial Medical Office had accompanied the court to the Southern Garden. It would have been difficult to find other doctors here, but requesting an imperial physician was much more convenient. Otherwise, given Ji Cheng’s status, she wouldn’t have been qualified to be seen by an imperial physician.
When Shen Che came to Ji Cheng’s tent, she was sweating under the blankets. In her feverish state, seeing Shen Che, she thought she was having a nightmare.
Ji Cheng was lying in bed when Chen Che sat down beside her.
“You’re quite harsh on yourself, aren’t you? Weren’t you afraid of becoming crippled or an idiot when you fell?” Chen Che remarked.
Ji Cheng, already delirious with fever and feeling miserable, couldn’t help but shed tears at Chen Che’s mockery. She was still young, only a fifteen-year-old girl, yet she had to shoulder so many responsibilities. Each matter weighed heavily on her mind, and in her weakened state, she couldn’t maintain her usual toughness.
Chen Che seemed utterly insensitive to her feelings. “You have the nerve to cry? Well, you should cry. You’re so stupid, hurting yourself more than you hurt your enemies.”
Ji Cheng’s wounds ached, her eyes stung, and her head throbbed. In a burst of anger, she sat up and hurled her porcelain pillow at Chen Che. She felt as if she might die, her body in unbearable pain. The slight exertion left her breathless, and dizzy, and she collapsed back onto the bed.
Chen Che easily caught the pillow, while Liu Ye’er and Yu Qian’er, the maids attending in the tent, were startled by the commotion.
Chen Che glanced at the two maids and said calmly, “Leave us. I need to speak with your Miss privately.”
Yu Qian’er hesitated, but Nan Gui and Liu Ye’er pulled her out to the outer chamber.
Yu Qian’er pleaded softly, “Sister…”
Liu Ye’er shook her head, knowing some inside information. She could only cover for Ji Cheng, “The Second Young Master is Miss’s cousin. He won’t do anything improper.”
After the maids left, Chen Che moved closer to Ji Cheng’s bedside. Looking down at her tear-stained face, he seemed to realize that she was just a young girl after all.
Chen Che sighed, “Didn’t I tell you I had a plan?”
Ji Cheng remained silent. She was accustomed to relying on herself, especially not on someone as cold-hearted as Chen Che. If she could handle something herself, she would, even if it meant suffering a little. She had carefully observed the place where she fell from her horse, protecting her head and face from sharp objects as she rolled. She had intentionally hit the tree stump, knowing she needed a substantial injury to stay in bed. A minor wound wouldn’t have been enough to keep Wang Yue Niang from causing more trouble.
Ji Cheng hadn’t lost consciousness during the fall. She had only pretended to be immobile and had heard Chen Che’s words defending Fourth Lady Wang. Ji Cheng didn’t suspect Chen Che of having any tender feelings for Fourth Lady Wang and guessed he might have some follow-up action planned, needing to avoid suspicion and conflict with the Wang family.
Ji Cheng simply ignored Chen Che.
After a long silence, Chen Che said, “Ji Cheng, you need to learn not only to obey me but also to trust me.”
Ji Cheng’s eyelashes fluttered, sparkling with tears. Her face, marred by blood stains, possessed a strange, tragic beauty in its battered state, unexpectedly stirring one’s blood.
Chen Che reached out to wipe the tears from the corner of her eye. His fingertip was wet with her tears, and Ji Cheng shrank back in surprise.
“Why are you burning up so badly? No wonder you’re not playing the meek lamb anymore and starting to show your temper. You’ve become a real lamb due to illness,” Chen Che said, reaching out to feel Ji Cheng’s pulse at her wrist.
Ji Cheng trembled and tried to pull her hand away, but Chen Che’s grip was like an iron vise. “Don’t move. I’m checking your pulse.”
Ji Cheng indeed stopped moving. After taking her pulse, Chen Che called Liu Ye’er back in. “Show me the prescription the Imperial Physician wrote for your Miss.”
Liu Ye’er obeyed, opening a box and bringing the copied prescription to Chen Che.
Chen Che examined it. “It’s mostly correct, but you have excessive yang fire and weak kidney water. I’ll add one herb for you to try.” He looked at Liu Ye’er, who quickly brought over the brush and ink the physician had used earlier.
Chen Che added an herb to the prescription, blew on the ink to dry it, and handed it to Ji Cheng. “Take a look.”
Ji Cheng only had a rudimentary understanding of medicine. She looked at the herb Chen Che had added, and while she didn’t understand its effects, she could at least tell it wasn’t poison.
“You know how to diagnose and treat illnesses?” Ji Cheng asked, her voice hoarse from illness. In the candlelight by the bed, it had a certain allure.
Chen Che smirked, “These old Imperial Physicians write prescriptions only aiming for stability. Whether the patient recovers well is secondary, as long as they don’t die under their care.”
Ji Cheng thought to herself that he was truly arrogant, not even respecting the Imperial Physicians’ skills.
As Ji Cheng was about to speak, Chen Che suddenly frowned, sniffed, and looked around, his gaze finally settling on Ji Cheng’s feet.
Before Ji Cheng could retract her feet, Chen Che had pulled off her white socks, revealing a pair of pristine feet, like two white lotus petals, delicate and youthful. No wonder ancient poets compared women’s feet to lotus blossoms or jade.
Although Ji Cheng’s feet looked perfect, when held, one could feel that her heels were slightly rougher, unlike those of young ladies who had been carried in sedans and carriages since childhood. She had run too much as a child, and it was difficult to regain that natural beauty later in life.
Despite this minor flaw, Ji Cheng’s feet were still exquisitely beautiful in shape and color. Upon closer inspection, there was a small imperfection on her right little toe – a tiny scar from when she was nipped by a crab while catching fish as a child. By now, it had faded to match her skin tone and was barely noticeable.
Chen Che was now holding Ji Cheng’s foot close to his nose, frightening her so much that she didn’t dare move, only drawing in a sharp breath, unsure of what had gotten into him.
The cherry-pink silk trousers slid down as her foot was lifted, revealing a stretch of leg so white it almost dazzled the eyes. Ji Cheng’s face immediately flushed, the pink color spreading from her face down to her collar and to her toes.
Just as Ji Cheng’s foot nearly touched Chen Che’s nose, he sniffed at her foot and ankle. “What did you apply to your wounds?”
Yu Qian’er, hearing Ji Cheng’s sharp intake of breath, rushed into the inner chamber. She saw Chen Che holding Ji Cheng’s foot and was about to confront him fiercely.
But then she heard Chen Che asking about the medicine applied, and Ji Cheng, immediately realizing something was wrong, called out hoarsely, “Yu Qian’er.” Yu Qian’er came to her senses and brought over the Snow Jade Cream sent from the palace.
Chen Che released Ji Cheng’s foot, and Yu Qian’er quickly helped Ji Cheng straighten her trouser leg and cover her with the blanket.
“Something has been added to this medicine. How many times has your Miss applied it?” Chen Che asked.
Yu Qian’er hastily replied, “Only once, Second Young Master. Is there something wrong with the medicine?”
Chen Che looked at Ji Cheng. “Did you apply it to your face as well?”
Ji Cheng had already guessed that the medicine probably contained ingredients that could disfigure her. Fortunately, she disliked having anything greasy on her face, so she had only applied it to the wounds on her body.
“Don’t use it anymore. As for the wounds you’ve already treated, it’s up to fate now,” Chen Che said.
Yu Qian’er covered her mouth, about to cry out, but Ji Cheng shook her head at her, and Yu Qian’er held back.
“Sometimes women can be more vicious than venomous snakes, infiltrating every aspect,” Chen Che remarked.
The speaker may have been unintentional, but the listener took it to heart. Ji Cheng had never considered herself a good person, so she couldn’t help but take it personally, wishing Chen Che would leave immediately.
Chen Che seemed lost in thought for a moment before saying, “In three days, I’ll have Nan Gui bring you some medicine. You should apply it to your wounds; it should be able to neutralize the poison.”
“Thank you, Cousin,” Ji Cheng replied, not one to be ungrateful. But Yu Qian’er was less tactful, standing still and not moving.
Chen Che looked at Yu Qian’er, who trembled but still didn’t budge. “This maid of yours is quite good,” he said to Ji Cheng.
Ji Cheng looked at the beautiful Yu Qian’er and replied, “She’s still young.” It wasn’t clear if this was intentional or not, but it certainly made Chen Che uncomfortable.
“I prefer those who are a bit older,” Chen Che retorted.
Yu Qian’er stamped her foot, realizing that Ji Cheng and Chen Che were joking. She ran out with a flushed face, regretting her concern for her mistress who was now teasing her.
Not only was Yu Qian’er unable to bear it, but Ji Cheng also felt uncomfortable. The foot that had been held by Chen Che still felt tingly.
“You don’t think you’re old, do you?” Chen Che leaned in, looking into Ji Cheng’s eyes.
Ji Cheng glared at Chen Che in response.
A hawk doesn’t rustle the grass before pouncing on a snake.
“Don’t think too much at such a young age,” Chen Che said.
Although Ji Cheng knew Chen Che was teasing her, her emotions had been toyed with, rising and falling at his whim. This man was truly a master of manipulation, able to make one’s heart flutter with just a glance or an ambiguous word. But Ji Cheng thought to herself that those who indulge too much in matters of the heart will eventually face heavenly retribution.
“Don’t make a move against the Wang family. Your time for revenge will come soon enough,” Chen Che said as he stood up and straightened his robes.
Ji Cheng’s illness revealed the extent of her relationships. Not only did Shen Yuan and Shen Qian take turns keeping her company during the day, but young ladies like Li Hui and Han Ling Ze also came to visit her. It showed that Ji Cheng’s efforts to cultivate relationships hadn’t been in vain. Although these young ladies were of higher status, they were willing to condescend to associate with someone they found agreeable.
The next day, not only did Ji Cheng’s usual friends visit, but even Shen Yu came to her tent, bringing young Master Hong with him.
At the time, Ji Cheng was leaning against soft pillows, taking her medicine. She had sweated through the night and was feeling somewhat better, but her condition was still fluctuating, and she lacked energy.
As soon as young Master Hong saw Ji Cheng, he rushed towards her, calling out, “Sister Cheng!”
Shen Yu’s cold voice rang out, “Hong’er.”
Young Master Hong immediately deflated and obediently called out, “Aunt Cheng.”
Ji Cheng worried about passing her illness to young Master Hong, quickly covered her mouth with a handkerchief. “Hong’er, thank you for coming to see me, but I’m ill. You’re so young, I don’t want you to catch my sickness.”