Love at First Sight Chapter 45: I Am Truly Ruthless

Winter mornings were always so bleak and frigid that everyone could not help but shiver. In the rear courtyard of the Prince’s residence, the place where Cuier was caned to death, blood had stained the ground only yesterday, but by early morning, it had already been cleaned spotless, leaving no trace behind. It was as if the girl had never existed in this world; everyone continued on with their routines, performing their respective duties, and no one mentioned her again. Thus, a young life vanished from the world without a sound.

“Your Highness, just like that, I lost my three-piece set. What a pity—I waited several months before I could finally use it,” Wen Yueqing complained.

Zun You smiled. “All right, all right, I’ll get you another set, how about that?”

“Is there still time to make it now? If I have to wait another two or three months, the weather will already be getting warm.” She hoped Zun You would come up with a solution.

“I’ll find more seamstresses to work on it for you, and make sure you have it within a month. Satisfied?” Zun You knew well that she was impatient by nature.

“That’s wonderful! This time, use more duck down, please. I want it to be the thickest and softest one yet.” Wen Yueqing, hearing his ready agreement, pressed her luck further.

“Your Highness, I have another request. Could you also have someone gather some goose down for me and make another set? For that, I can wait, since goose down is so rare.”

Zun You looked at her helplessly. “I’ll have them made for you, all right? Never mind goose down—even if you asked for phoenix down, I’d have people search for it. How’s that?”

“Really? Then I want phoenix down!” she teased deliberately.

“Take a look—do you think I look like a phoenix?” Zun You shot her a glance.

Wen Yueqing sat beside him, gazing at him for a while before bursting into mischievous laughter. “I think you do—a handsome phoenix, no less. Come on, let’s start plucking your feathers.”

As she spoke, she reached for Zun You’s head, pretending to grab him.

“Hey, hey! What are you doing? You must be fully recovered now, huh?” Zun You quickly raised his hand to block her. “I see you’re getting bold.”

“That’s right! I am bold, ha! Haven’t you figured me out by now?” Wen Yueqing said, and the two of them began to play around.

Just as they were enjoying themselves, Liu Yi arrived to report.

“Your Highness, Qiao’er, maid of Concubine Tian, has something to report.”

“Let her in.” Zun You took Wen Yueqing’s hand, signaling her to stop fooling around.

Upon entering, Qiao’er saw the two sitting side by side and immediately lowered her head. “Your Highness, my lady is unwell. She’s been sweating with chills since last night and says her heart feels uneasy. She wishes Your Highness would come and see her.”

“Concubine Tian?” For a moment, Zun You almost forgot there was such a person in the residence. He was not by nature a cold-hearted man, and upon hearing this, he felt some concern.

“Come, accompany me to see her,” Zun You said to Wen Yueqing.

Wen Yueqing pouted. “I don’t want to go. It’s so cold outside, and it’s so warm in here. Besides, she’s your woman. I’d rather not play the third wheel.”

Zun You’s lips curled in a smile; judging by her tone, she was clearly jealous—this was a good sign, proof she’d begun to care for him. He was delighted. As long as she could truly accept him, he would disregard everything else and welcome her into his household with dignity, granting her a proper status.

“No, I don’t care. You have to come with me.” His tone was resolute.

“Honestly.” Wen Yueqing stood up, thinking to herself, “You’re still so young, so clueless about women.” Reluctantly, she accompanied Zun You out.

“Your Highness, you are here. Allow me to pay my respects,” Tian Liangren said, about to get out of bed.

Zun You gestured for her to stay. “You’re unwell, there’s no need for formalities.”

Tian Liangren was pleased to see Zun You come to visit. Now, she was the only concubine left in the residence. As long as His Highness visited, it meant he still thought of her. With a bit more effort, she might regain favor—perhaps, like Lady Li, she might become pregnant and have no more worries.

But the sight of Wen Yueqing following behind made her uneasy. What should have been a rare moment alone was now spoilt. Still, she forced a gentle smile.

“Miss Wen, you’re here, too. Last time you were unwell, I wasn’t able to help. Now it’s my turn to trouble you with a visit.”

“It’s no trouble at all,” Wen Yueqing replied quickly.

Zun You sat on a stool and asked, “You don’t look well. Has the physician seen you?”

“No,” Tian Liangren replied softly, shaking her head. Her face was pale and unadorned, save for a light dusting of powder, making her appear even more sickly.

“I was afraid Physician Zhang was too busy caring for Lady Li, so I didn’t send for him. I didn’t want to be an inconvenience, so I just endured it. But now that I see Your Highness, I feel much better.”

Wen Yueqing found her behavior excessive and had no desire to stand there listening. She silently grumbled, “Aren’t these ancient women exhausted? Even their words are so roundabout.”

Zun You, however, was patient. “Regardless, if you’re ill, you must see the physician.”

He turned to instruct Qiao’er, “Go and fetch Physician Zhang.”

Qiao’er acknowledged and hurried off.

Before long, Physician Zhang arrived carrying his medicine case. Looking after Lady Li these days had worn him out—taking pulses, preparing decoctions, overseeing everything himself, terrified something might go wrong. Another incident in the Prince’s residence would be disastrous.

He took Tian Liangren’s pulse, his face betraying no emotion for a long while.

Seeing his silence, Tian Liangren spoke up, “Physician Zhang, since last night I’ve felt my heart racing and uneasy, as if something is obstructing it.”

Physician Zhang thought privately, “There’s nothing wrong! She just overate—her digestion’s poor, so her stomach feels blocked. Women in the Prince’s residence are all delicate; most likely, she’s just angling for attention.”

He was also curious about how she’d managed to make herself look so wan.

Of course, he couldn’t say any of this aloud—he couldn’t very well tell His Highness that she was simply overstuffed. So he offered her a reassuring response.

“Your pulse is perfectly normal, Concubine Tian. Just be sure to drink plenty of water, get more rest, and eat easily digestible foods. Relax, and you’ll soon be well.”

“Thank you, Physician Zhang. I’ll try to rest more. Perhaps I’ve just been worrying too much. I’m quite timid, after all. Yesterday, witnessing that bloodshed outside frightened me terribly.”

Wen Yueqing rolled her eyes. So all this effort was just to tell Zun You how ruthless she was, how cruel. Yes, that’s right—I am ruthless. Now that you know, keep your distance.