Love at First Sight Chapter 21: The Night of Nightmares

Wen Yueqing decided to consider it as a loss to avoid greater misfortune. She glanced at the two and said, "Li, you should rest well. I won’t disturb you any further."

"No, Your Highness, I won't accept this. She’s a mere maid who bullied me—how can we let her off so easily?" Li had finally seized an opportunity and was determined to vent her anger properly on Wen Yueqing. A fine of three months' wages was nothing but a slap in her face.

"Your Highness must punish her with dozens of blows. Only then will she truly be disciplined, and perhaps she’ll learn not to defy her superiors." Li deliberately emphasized her words.

"You’re pregnant now, so don’t shout for punishments and executions. It’s not good for the child. Trust me, this matter must not be mentioned again," Zun You soothed Li, unwilling to escalate things or let Wen Yueqing suffer too much.

"From now on, focus on nourishing your body. You are now Lady Li," Zun You patted her shoulder and turned to Liu Yi, "Prepare for Lady Li: a set of Chiba gold peony jewelry, a pair of Magpies-on-Plum gold hairpins, a pair of Golden Begonia pearl hair ornaments, a pair of red gold pearl earrings, a thick brocade cape trimmed with silver-mouse fur, and a jade-embroidered skirt with a red silk jacket."

"Your Highness..." Li gazed at Zun You with affectionate eyes.

Hearing these precious gifts, Li was overjoyed. She adored the rewards, but above all, Zun You had granted her the title of Lady. If she bore his first son, Li Rongrong would surely rise further in rank—the prospects for glory were limitless.

At this thought, Li was moved to tears, clutching Zun You’s waist tightly. "Thank you, Your Highness. I will not fail your expectations. I will care for myself and the child diligently."

Seeing her drop the topic of punishing Wen Yueqing, Zun You embraced her, his face filled with warmth and satisfaction.

Everyone present offered their congratulations, "Congratulations, Lady Li!" "Congratulations, Your Highness!" The room was suddenly filled with a festive atmosphere.

Wen Yueqing watched the two in their intimacy and felt utterly out of place, uncomfortable in every way, her headache worsening. She pressed her lips in a bitter smile and quietly slipped away.

Tian, who had stood silently by, felt even more unsettled. What had just happened was like a thunderbolt to her. From now on, would there be any place for Tian Yunlan in this prince’s residence?

Wen Yueqing had Zun You’s favor; Lady Li carried the precious child. And she? She could barely catch a glimpse of Zun You. These thoughts brought Tian nothing but sorrow.

She clenched her handkerchief tightly, forcing a smile as she offered her congratulations, but the bitterness in her heart spread, even filling her mouth, as if she had eaten a handful of lotus seeds. She was in agony.

Wen Yueqing felt dizzy and weak, her steps light as air. After returning to the front courtyard, she fell asleep.

That night, her cold worsened. Feverish, she drifted in and out of consciousness, dreaming she was submerged in a bottomless pool, alone and surrounded by nothing but icy water and endless solitude. She swam for what felt like eternity, unable to find an exit or escape route. In that dim, shadowy depth, she eventually drowned. With waves of suffocating pain, Wen Yueqing flailed her arms and struggled desperately.

"Ah!" Sweating profusely, she woke up. The dream had felt so real—the suffocating pressure seemed to close in from all directions.

"Miss, Miss," Tong'er anxiously wiped her sweat.

"I want to go home, I want to go home—call someone, send me home," Wen Yueqing shook her head, rambling deliriously.

Tong’er wiped away tears. She understood the words about going home, but not what a call was or why it needed to be made.

Seeing Wen Yueqing so distressed, she hurried off to find the household physician, only to learn he was still tending to Lady Li, brewing medicine to stabilize her pregnancy and unable to leave.

Tong’er had no choice but to seek out Zun You, but he was also staying with Lady Li, and the gates to the back courtyard were already closed.

In her desperation, she thought of Kang Qi. She ran to the guardhouse and found Kang Qi patrolling.

"Kang Qi, please help!" she called as she hurried over.

By now, they were familiar with each other, occasionally chatting when they met. Seeing her panic, Kang Qi quickly asked what was wrong.

"It’s Sister Qing—she’s burning up with fever, and the physician can’t come. I don’t know what to do, Kang Qi, please think of something," she said, panting.

"Don’t worry, it’s not a big problem," Kang Qi glanced outside the residence and instructed a guard, "You, go fetch the nearest doctor."

"Yes," the guard replied and ran off.

"Tong’er, go back and look after Miss Wen. I’ll bring the doctor over soon," he said gently.

"Thank you, Kang Qi," Tong’er nodded quickly. For some reason, his words made her feel safe.

She jogged back, then stopped suddenly and glanced back. She caught Kang Qi’s gaze as he watched her, filled with concern. He gestured for her to hurry home, and her heart fluttered like a kitten. She quickly turned away, not wanting anyone to see her flushed face.

At that moment, Kang Qi could only feel that the little maid was so helpless. If she spoke up, he would do his best to help her. She was about the same age as his own sister, orphaned so young—such a pitiful soul.

Soon, the doctor brought from outside arrived. After examination, he found Wen Yueqing’s cold was severe and prescribed several doses.

"Three times a day after meals. Keep her warm and let her rest. If her heart and lungs are affected, it will be much harder to treat," he instructed, then ordered hot water to be prepared. Tong’er wiped Wen Yueqing’s face and body, and only when Wen Yueqing finally slept peacefully did the doctor leave.

Kang Qi called from outside the door, "Tong’er, take good care of Miss Wen. I’ll head back now. If you need anything, just come find me."

Tong’er didn’t open the door, only answered from inside, "Yes, Brother Kang, don’t worry. Thank you for everything today."

"It’s nothing, don’t worry. I’ll go back to my night watch," Kang Qi replied and left.

Tong’er quietly opened the door just a crack and peeked out, watching Kang Qi’s figure recede. Her heart thumped wildly.

"This must be what it feels like to like someone," she thought to herself, then quickly shook her head. "What am I doing? Miss is still ill—I shouldn’t be thinking such things."

Tong’er gently closed the door again, went to Wen Yueqing’s bedside, and whispered, "Miss, you must get better soon."