Consort Li rushed to Princess Zhenzhen’s chambers after being summoned by the Empress Dowager for a scolding.
“Zhenzhen, are you unwell?”
“I’m alright.”
Consort Li observed Princess Zhenzhen for a moment and breathed a sigh of relief: “It’s good that you’re fine.”
Then she frowned again: “Since nothing’s seriously wrong, why didn’t you go when your Imperial Grandmother called you to talk? Don’t you know this will displease the Empress Dowager? Originally, when Eighth Princess ran to the Empress Dowager to speak ill of you, the Empress Dowager didn’t believe her. But with your willfulness like this, Her Majesty will surely side with Eighth Princess…”
Princess Zhenzhen curtly interrupted Consort Li’s nagging: “I don’t want to go.”
Consort Li was choked speechless for a moment: “Zhenzhen, what’s gotten into you?”
“Can’t Mother Consort understand what I’m saying? I don’t want to go! Why must I go please others when I’m annoyed inside? Why must I speak sweetly and smile at someone I find disagreeable? I’ve had enough—I don’t want to do this anymore!”
“Zhenzhen, do you know what you’re saying?”
“Mother Consort, I’ve never been as clear about what I’m saying and doing as I am today.”
Consort Li’s face looked extremely ugly: “Zhenzhen, you—weren’t you very sensible before? What’s wrong today? Have you been possessed?”
She reached out to touch Princess Zhenzhen’s forehead, but Princess Zhenzhen turned her head away: “Mother Consort, I’m fine. Please go back. I want to rest.”
“Zhenzhen—”
Princess Zhenzhen finally grew impatient: “Mother Consort, even if you want to lecture me, could you wait a few days? I’m not in a good mood.”
By then, she wouldn’t know any of these troublesome things—clean and simple, nothing wrong with that.
“Very well, Mother Consort will leave first.” Thinking of what she had forced her daughter to do, Consort Li couldn’t voice her criticisms. She sighed and quietly left.
Princess Zhenzhen was upset by Consort Li’s visit and pulled a brocade quilt over her face.
The next day was another sunny day.
Princess Zhenzhen still hadn’t awakened late into the morning. After discussing it, her two personal palace maids finally couldn’t help but step forward to wake her.
The princess had been too lax these past few days—this couldn’t continue.
“Your Highness, it’s time to rise.”
Princess Zhenzhen’s eyelashes fluttered lightly as she slowly opened her eyes. After coming to her senses, she sat up with the palace maids’ help.
“Help me wash up.” As her feet touched the ground, Princess Zhenzhen felt weak all over and instructed the palace maids. But as soon as she spoke, she began coughing. She quickly covered her mouth with a handkerchief, and when she moved it away, there was a streak of bright red on it.
Princess Zhenzhen clutched the handkerchief tightly, not letting the palace maids see. After washing up and eating, she sat by the window in a daze for a while, then suddenly rose and walked outside.
The two palace maids exchanged glances and hurried to follow.
Princess Zhenzhen sat down in a pavilion and instructed the palace maids to summon her guard, Long Ying.
Outside the pavilion was a cluster of peonies blooming magnificently, like enchantingly beautiful women. Princess Zhenzhen turned to admire the flowers, and hearing soft, familiar footsteps, she turned her head.
A tall young man entered. Though his face showed no expression, his gaze toward Princess Zhenzhen was focused and earnest: “This humble servant greets Your Highness.”
Princess Zhenzhen revealed a slight smile: “Long Ying, come here.”
Long Ying was somewhat puzzled but still stepped forward.
“Sit.”
Looking at the stone stool Princess Zhenzhen pointed to, Long Ying was stunned.
“I told you to sit, so sit. Why are you always like a block of wood?” Princess Zhenzhen glanced at him.
Long Ying obediently sat down. Having never sat face-to-face with the princess before, he seemed somewhat uncomfortable.
Princess Zhenzhen smiled sweetly: “Long Ying, with your martial arts skills so formidable, why are you always so foolish when you see this palace?”
Long Ying lowered his head: “You are my master.”
“Long Ying, you’ve followed me for ten years now, haven’t you?”
Long Ying nodded.
Princess Zhenzhen looked at the peonies outside the pavilion and sighed: “Being this palace’s guard isn’t as comfortable as being other princesses’ guards. Over these years, this palace has had to leave the palace from time to time—you must find it troublesome, right?”
Long Ying felt surprised and boldly glanced at Princess Zhenzhen before quickly lowering his eyes again.
Princess Zhenzhen chuckled softly: “You’re still so tongue-tied. But this palace doesn’t even know how many times you’ve saved me over all these years, and I’ve never thanked you for it.”
“Being able to protect Your Highness is this humble servant’s good fortune, and it’s also this humble servant’s duty.” Long Ying said with his head lowered.
“In the future—” Princess Zhenzhen opened her mouth but swallowed the words she wanted to say, instead saying: “Long Ying, if you have the chance to see Third Miss Li in the future, thank her on this palace’s behalf. Tell her… this palace considers her a friend.”
Long Ying remained silent.
“Long Ying, have you gone mute? Why aren’t you speaking?” In front of her most familiar personal guard, Princess Zhenzhen didn’t display the practiced charm familiar in the imperial palace, but instead showed some petulance and ease.
“Why doesn’t Your Highness tell Third Miss Li personally? If Your Highness wishes to see Third Miss Li, this humble servant will naturally accompany you there.”
Princess Zhenzhen’s eyes flashed with sadness: “You fool, this palace is about to recruit a prince consort. Running outside the palace after that would earn me a scolding.”
Hearing the words “recruit a prince consort,” Long Ying lowered his head even further and spoke no more.
“Did you remember what this palace said?”
“I remember.”
Only then did Princess Zhenzhen reveal a relaxed smile: “Good, you may withdraw.”
“This humble servant takes his leave.”
Watching Long Ying bow his head and back away, Princess Zhenzhen inexplicably felt reluctant and couldn’t help calling out: “Long Ying—”
Long Ying’s steps paused, maintaining his bowing posture without moving.
“Although you’re so foolish, this palace… is still satisfied with you. Alright, you may withdraw.”
Long Ying silently withdrew. Princess Zhenzhen looked away and rubbed the corners of her eyes.
It must be because she was about to die that she felt so sentimental, reluctant to part even with a small guard, wishing she could have him stay and talk more.
“Let’s go back.” Princess Zhenzhen passed by the two palace maids and gave a light instruction.
The two palace maids discovered something was wrong with Princess Zhenzhen the next morning.
That morning, Princess Zhenzhen was again slow to rise. One palace maid couldn’t help but lift the bed curtain to urge her, and immediately saw Princess Zhenzhen with her eyes slightly closed, her face greenish and frightening in appearance.
“Your Highness!” The palace maid panicked, calling several times without any response from Princess Zhenzhen, and hurriedly shook her arm.
Princess Zhenzhen barely opened her eyes, turned her head, and began coughing violently, spitting a mouthful of blood onto the pillow embroidered with golden peonies.
The two palace maids were terrified and quickly went to report everywhere.
Consort Li was the first to arrive, holding Princess Zhenzhen and crying bitterly: “Zhenzhen, what’s wrong? Don’t frighten Mother Consort!”
Soon, the imperial physician arrived, took Princess Zhenzhen’s pulse, and his expression immediately changed.
Eunuch Wei had obtained a bottle of medicine from him, and Princess Zhenzhen was clearly showing symptoms of having taken that bottle of medicine!
Involving imperial family secrets, the imperial physician felt a chill in his heart and dared not speak the truth, using the usual vague words they employed when treating nobles.
Soon, the news that Princess Zhenzhen had fallen seriously ill and was near death spread throughout the palace.