Xie Zhixue’s pupils contracted, and she hurried to support Ping’an. She reached out to touch him; he was indeed running a high fever. Xie Zhixue bit her lip hard, tasting a trace of salt and iron before she finally steadied herself. After laying Ping’an on the bed and propping him up with soft pillows to ensure he wouldn’t fall, she rushed to boil a pot of hot water. She had long since grown accustomed to such chores during those years on the farm.
"Mother... Mother..."
As she entered the room with the kettle, Xie Zhixue heard Ping’an murmuring. Her heart tightened to see the child, usually so full of life, lying listlessly on the bed. It was already late, and since they were at the Crown Prince’s Villa, she could not simply summon a physician for Ping’an, even if she wanted to. Xie Zhixue tried using traditional remedies to lower his fever, but they had little effect.
The nanny, passing by outside, noticed movement in the room and the faint flickering of candlelight, so she tentatively knocked on the door. After hearing Xie Zhixue’s response, the nanny entered with an oil lamp. A close look revealed Ping’an’s cheeks were flushed crimson, and Xie Zhixue’s eyes were slightly swollen.
"Girl, is Ping’an running a high fever?" the nanny asked, her brow furrowed with concern. Although they hadn't known each other long, the child had been well-behaved after Xie Zhixue left, following her around and calling her "Nanny," always trying to help in any way he could. How could she not grow fond of such a sensible boy? Seeing him in such distress, tossing and turning, she hurried forward to check his temperature.
"Oh, heavens! My dear girl, you must go and beg the Crown Prince to summon a physician! He cannot go on burning like this!"
The nanny’s sharp eyes caught sight of the basin and cloths nearby, and she guessed that Xie Zhixue had already tried her best. But the fever hadn't broken; if it dragged on, it could cost the boy his life. Knowing the gravity of the situation, Xie Zhixue thanked the nanny with a bow and rushed off to find Yuwenzhang.
She did not know if Yuwenzhang would help, but Ping’an was her life. Even if she had to beg, she would secure a physician for him.
At that moment, Yuwenzhang was still in the study, reviewing memorials. He had initially lain down to sleep, but the thought of Xie Zhixue had left him so infuriated his chest ached. Having failed to find him in the bedchamber, Xie Zhixue had followed the light to the door of the study and begged for an audience.
"Your servant, Xie Zhixue, requests an audience with the Crown Prince."
Hearing her voice from outside, Yuwenzhang couldn't help but arch an eyebrow. Why was she here so late? Could it be that she regretted being a servant and had come to throw herself into his arms? At this thought, Yuwenzhang felt a complex mix of emotions, and for a moment, he had no desire to respond.
Xie Zhixue caught the shadow of Yuwenzhang through the light from within, but he ignored her request. Steeling herself, she knelt directly on the floor and kowtowed, her voice rising.
"Your servant, Xie Zhixue, requests an audience with the Crown Prince!"
After several calls, Yuwenzhang finally opened the door. The moment it swung open and Xie Zhixue looked up, Yuwenzhang saw the blood staining her forehead. His pupils shrank, and he questioned her coldly.
"It is late. Why do you seek an audience?"
Seeing Yuwenzhang emerge, Xie Zhixue crawled on her knees to his feet. "Your Highness, Ping’an is burning with a high fever. I beg for your mercy—please let me summon a physician!"
They were at the Crown Prince’s Villa; without his permission, she could not bring anyone inside. Yuwenzhang’s thin lips pressed into a tight line as he looked down at her. Though her forehead was stained with blood and she appeared disheveled, the sight only made her skin seem paler, the contrast of crimson and snow-white breathtakingly beautiful. Yet, the moment he thought of her begging him on behalf of that bastard child, his heart grew sour.
Yuwenzhang reached out and tilted her chin upward, his gaze sweeping over her without restraint. "Since you beg for my mercy, you ought to show some sincerity."
Xie Zhixue trembled at his words. She had barely scraped by while raising Ping’an on the farm for the past few years; what sincerity could she possibly offer? Moreover, in the great East Palace, all under heaven was his for the taking. She lifted her eyes to meet his gaze. Xie Zhixue bit her lip, then stepped back half a pace and began to undo her fastenings.
Yuwenzhang did not stop her, though a nameless fire grew within him. For that bastard child, she was willing to go this far! Seeing she was about to unfasten her undergarment, Yuwenzhang turned his head away abruptly.
"Enough! You cheapen yourself; I have no interest in someone like you! Aren't you going to fetch a physician? Go, then! Don't be an eyesore here."
With that, Yuwenzhang tossed a token to the ground and strode back into the study. The door slammed shut in front of her, the rush of air making her shiver. But Xie Zhixue had no time to worry about such things. She hastily rearranged her clothes, snatched the token from the floor, and ran.
Inside the study, Yuwenzhang held a memorial, but he could not focus. He had lied to Xie Zhixue. He had always had feelings for her, and seeing her half-undressed in the moonlight had forced him to recall the madness of that night. He took several deep breaths, finally suppressing his inappropriate urges. Sitting in his chair, Yuwenzhang pondered. The child must be quite ill, or she would not have resorted to such tactics. For a moment, he had even thought of letting the boy die, but seeing the desperation in her eyes, he could not bring himself to be that cruel.
*Enough,* he thought. *The decision is made.* After all, it was just a child.
Yuwenzhang stood by the window and looked out, but Xie Zhixue was already gone. He gave a cold snort. It was late; it was debatable whether she could even find a physician at this hour.
Yuwenzhang summoned his personal attendant, Zhang Youqing, and told him to have Imperial Physician Li make a visit.
"Your Highness, what should this servant say?"
Zhang Youqing’s heart sank when he heard the order. He had been at the latrine when Xie Zhixue came, and upon returning to hear this command, his heart leapt into his throat. Regardless of how he looked at it, Yuwenzhang seemed perfectly fine, so the physician was clearly for someone else.
"Tell him I have a splitting headache and ask him to come over."
Zhang Youqing took his orders and hurried off to fetch Imperial Physician Li.
Meanwhile, Xie Zhixue had gone to Ji’antang Pharmacy, the closest and most reputable in the Capital. But it was late; what physician would still be making house calls? In desperation, she ran to several other places, but to no avail. As luck would have it, a heavy downpour began, and she was soaked to the bone. Realizing she couldn't find a doctor and worrying for Ping’an, she ran all the way back.
In the room, the nanny was diligently using warm cloths to wipe Ping’an down. When the door opened, she was startled to see Xie Zhixue dash in, drenched from head to toe.
"Girl, what happened..." The nanny stopped, leaving the question unfinished. Seeing Xie Zhixue alone, she knew no physician had been found. She stepped aside, and Xie Zhixue leaned over to check on Ping’an, her tears mingling with the rainwater.
The nanny shook her head with a sigh and rose to close the door, only to see Yuwenzhang standing outside under an umbrella.
"Your Highness?"