Chu Hengyuan walked to the bedside, gold-laced ointment in hand, and carefully reapplied the premium salve to Aran’s wounds. Once finished, he stared at her, lost in thought.
He recalled the recent conversation between Leng Yi and Leng Qi. The beginning of his past life and this one, where he had foolishly mistaken a fish-eye for a pearl, had all started because of the medicinal herbs Aran had risked her life to retrieve.
After Aran died in his past life, Leng Yi and the others had tracked down Zhang Liu, the carriage driver who had escorted Murong Qingyan back to the Capital years prior. Fearing the truth would come to light, Murong Qingyan—on the eve of her plot to enter Chu Hengyuan’s inner court—had rewarded Zhang Liu with a fortune in gold and silver, more than he could earn in a lifetime. She promised him the wealth on the condition that he never set foot in the Capital again. Zhang Liu had taken the treasure and returned to his home village in the mountains.
Back then, Murong Qingyan had not yet developed the ruthlessness she later acquired. Had it been a few years later, the driver likely would not have met such a peaceful end.
Under interrogation by Leng Yi, the driver had eventually confessed that when Aran was critically injured in the Qilian Mountains, she had knelt and begged Murong Qingyan, who happened to be passing by, to ensure the medicinal herb was delivered to Grand Eunuch Bai at the residence.
Chu Hengyuan stroked Aran’s face. "Aran, the Qilian Mountains are treacherous. How did you manage to make your way through them all by yourself?"
Back then, Aran had braved the mountains, facing miasma, venomous insects, wild beasts, and marshes. She had encountered countless unknown dangers at every turn: inhaling foul vapors, suffering bites from toxic insects, being attacked by predators, and sinking into treacherous bogs. She had finally gathered the medicine in such a brutal environment. If it were for an ordinary friend, Aran would never have set foot in those mountains in her life.
Because she had inhaled so much miasma and had been severely mauled by beasts, Aran had been barely able to crawl to the front of Murong Qingyan’s carriage when she finally encountered her.
The decoction prepared by the kitchen was brought in. Once it reached a suitable temperature, Chu Hengyuan picked up the spoon and fed it to Aran, bit by bit.
"No, no, I don't want to die. I was framed, Prince!" As the medicine touched her throat, the sensation triggered memories of the poisoned wine forced upon her in their past life. Aran began to thrash about, muttering in her delirium.
"Aran, I know, I know. Don't be afraid, I'm here." Chu Hengyuan anxiously set down the bowl, gripped her hands firmly, and pressed them against his chest, soothing her gently.
Under his comfort, Gu Ranran gradually relaxed. Chu Hengyuan thought to himself that this trauma was likely rooted in the conflict she believed she had with Murong Qingyan, coupled with his own refusal to listen to her explanations and his choice to side with the Murong family.
He took a handkerchief and wiped the cold sweat from her forehead. When had Aran become so quiet, so reserved, and devoid of her former smiles? It must have been two years ago, after he had ordered her to be whipped.
A profound sense of remorse washed over Chu Hengyuan. Why hadn't he sent someone to investigate back then? Why couldn't he have given Aran even a little bit of trust?
Chu Hengyuan kept watch over Gu Ranran until dawn, but she did not wake.
Having reported to the palace yesterday, he was required to attend the morning court session today. Reluctantly, he went to the washroom, cleaned up, and changed into his court attire.
Before leaving, he returned to the bedroom. "Take some blood-nest swallow from the storehouse and stew it. As soon as she wakes, bring it to her." Looking at the frail, small figure on the bed, he was determined to see her restored to health.
"As you command, Prince!" Grand Eunuch Bai received the order and headed to the storehouse. He thought to himself that Aran was truly fortunate. Seeing the Prince’s panic yesterday, he suspected that once the daughter of the Murong family married into the household, Aran would surely become a mistress of her own courtyard.