Yuwenzhang nodded slightly, his gaze fixed directly on Xie Zhixue.
Xie Zhixue had her back to him, and the wet nurse was speaking in a low voice.
Consequently, she did not notice Yuwenzhang's arrival for a moment.
"How is the situation?"
Yuwenzhang withdrew his gaze and asked in a deep voice.
The wet nurse shook her head, her tone tinged with a measure of pity.
"He has been running a fever for a while now. If this burning keeps up, even if he miraculously manages to keep his life, he's going to end up an idiot."
Hearing this, Yuwenzhang felt a sense of clarity dawn within him.
No wonder Xie Zhixue had been in such a rush earlier, disregarding all propriety and shame; as it turned out, that brat was indeed seriously ill.
"Imperial Physician Li, trouble you to go inside and take a look at the child!"
With that, once Imperial Physician Li had gone inside, Yuwenzhang instructed the wet nurse to bring Xie Zhixue out.
Xie Zhixue raised her eyes to meet Yuwenzhang's gaze, a hint of gratitude deep within them.
"This maid thanks the Crown Prince for stepping in to save him."
As she spoke, she bent her knees and prepared to kneel.
Seeing this, Yuwenzhang let out a cold snort.
"You make this expression of thanks sound terribly easy."
Despite his words, he exerted strength in his hands, supporting Xie Zhixue by the elbow and preventing her from kneeling any further.
"I thought you were quite formidable, yet now you've managed to reduce yourself to such a wretched state. If word gets out, people will likely accuse the Crown Prince of mistreating his servants."
Rebuffed by him like this, Xie Zhixue was momentarily left speechless.
She glanced down at herself; she certainly was in a wretched state.
Over here, Zhang Youqing held an umbrella over Yuwenzhang, while the wet nurse supported Xie Zhixue by her side.
Inside, Imperial Physician Li carefully took Ping'an's pulse, placed the newly written prescription on the table, and then walked out.
"Crown Prince, the child inside was startled these past few days, suffering from convulsions and nightmares, which, combined with a chill entering his body, caused this persistent high fever. If he takes a few doses of calming and wind-dispelling medicine over the next few days and rests properly, he will be fine."
Hearing Imperial Physician Li's words, Yuwenzhang nodded slightly.
"Thank you for your trouble in making this trip today, Imperial Physician Li."
Imperial Physician Li was a middle-aged man with the beginnings of a beard.
He rubbed the dark stubble on his chin and waved his hand dismissively.
"The Crown Prince is too kind. If there is nothing else, this subject will take his leave."
"Very well, I will have Youqing escort Master Li out."
As soon as Yuwenzhang said this, Zhang Youqing hastily handed the umbrella he was holding to the wet nurse and opened another one for himself.
A smile on his face, he gestured with his hand to lead the way for Imperial Physician Li.
"Master Li, this way please."
Imperial Physician Li bowed with his hands cupped toward Yuwenzhang and departed in the company of Zhang Youqing.
"This subject takes his leave."
After the two men had left, Xie Zhixue finally raised her head.
Upon learning Imperial Physician Li's identity from Yuwenzhang, half of the burden that Xie Zhixue had been carrying in her heart was instantly lifted.
Everyone admitted to the Imperial Hospital possessed genuine skills.
Since Imperial Physician Li had just said that Ping'an was in no serious danger, Xie Zhixue could finally set her mind at ease.
Without waiting to speak with Yuwenzhang, she rushed straight into the room.
Ping'an was not yet awake, but when she felt his forehead, she found that the temperature had dropped somewhat.
Now that Ping'an was safe, she naturally had to go and thank Yuwenzhang properly.
Had Yuwenzhang not brought in the imperial physician, Ping'an probably would not have survived this ordeal.
However, rising too quickly, she lost her footing for a moment and fell straight backward.
Seeing this, Yuwenzhang reacted faster than his brain could process.
He caught Xie Zhixue from behind, perfectly wrapping his arm around her slender waist.
"Are you really in such a rush to throw yourself into my arms?"
Yuwenzhang raised an eyebrow, staring at Xie Zhixue with eyes full of teasing amusement.
Hearing this, Xie Zhixue's face flushed with a faint red.
"Please mind your words, Crown Prince. If this gets out, it might damage the Crown Prince's reputation."
Regardless of what she said, Yuwenzhang kept his arm around her waist of his own accord.
Feeling the wet texture beneath his hand, he could guess just how long Xie Zhixue had stood out in the rain.
Was she an idiot?
Quietly, Yuwenzhang pinched a corner of her garment, droplets of water sliding down his hand.
The wet nurse caught sight of this scene, a trace of a smile blooming on her face.
She knew her judgment was spot on.
Yuwenzhang was a child she had raised from infancy with her own milk; she understood his temperament better than anyone.
Those involved are blinded, while onlookers see clearly.
In the wet nurse's eyes, Yuwenzhang had clearly fallen for Xie Zhixue!
Before long, the Eastern Palace would likely be welcoming its mistress, Xie Zhixue!
Thinking this, the wet nurse quietly slipped away, pulling the door shut behind her.
Precisely because of this, she missed the scene that followed.
Yuwenzhang reached out to lift Xie Zhixue's chin, and imperiously pressed his lips to hers.
Xie Zhixue instinctively struggled, only for him to lock her hands behind her.
"Crown Prince."
After several futile attempts, she finally ceased her struggles.
Seeing that she was finally willing to stay quietly in his embrace, Yuwenzhang's expression improved somewhat.
He glanced briefly at Ping'an on the couch, then shifted his gaze away.
"I've had the wet nurse brew some ginger tea for you; drink some in a bit. Once this brat recovers, you can come back to serve by my side. Don't go wandering around in front of me for the next few days, lest you pass your sickness on to me."
With that, Yuwenzhang haughtily let her go.
Seeing that Yuwenzhang was about to leave, Xie Zhixue bowed to him from behind.
"Crown Prince, thank you for stepping in to save him today. The two of us, mother and son, are endlessly grateful."
Hearing Xie Zhixue's words, he waved a hand and turned to leave.
With matters here concluded, Yuwenzhang returned to his bedchamber to rest, weighed down by exhaustion.
At that moment, Zhang Youqing was already waiting at the door.
The moment he caught sight of Yuwenzhang, he chattered away, reporting on the situation.
"Crown Prince, this servant just made a trip to Miss Xie's place and handed the prescription from Imperial Physician Li over to her. As it happened, the wet nurse was brewing a pot of strong ginger tea for Miss Xie to ward off the cold, and even this servant managed to get a bowl."
As he spoke, Zhang Youqing quietly observed Yuwenzhang's expression.
He noticed that the brow Yuwenzhang had been knitting so tightly had relaxed somewhat.
Seeing this, Zhang Youqing knew his words had struck a chord in Yuwenzhang's heart, so he quickly added a couple more lines.
"Earlier, this servant saw that Miss Xie's clothes were soaked clear through, so I shamelessly asked Imperial Physician Li to prescribe a few extra doses of cold-dispelling herbs while he was filling the prescription. They've already been handed over to Miss Xie, so the Crown Prince can rest easy."
Hearing this, Yuwenzhang raised an eyebrow at him with a half-smile.
"You certainly are a clever one."
His words carried a rather sarcastic edge, yet Zhang Youqing was not afraid.
Zhang Youqing had been castrated and followed by Yuwenzhang's side since he was a child.
It was safe to say that he was the person who understood Yuwenzhang's temper best.
From Yuwenzhang's expression just now, Zhang Youqing could not detect the slightest hint of genuine anger.
At the end of the day, Yuwenzhang was merely teasing him with a few scolding remarks—it was nothing to hurt or worry about, and he certainly wouldn't take it to heart.
He let out a chuckle and said nothing more.
That night, Xie Zhixue kept watch by Ping'an's side the entire time, her eyes reddened from exhaustion.
Over on Yuwenzhang's side, a series of absurd dreams looped one after another, denying him a peaceful sleep.