Startled by Lin Qinghe’s reprimand, Mei Lan and Zhu Ju snapped back to reality. They fetched a handkerchief, folded it, and with Zhang Taiyi’s help, stuffed it into You Rong’s mouth, freeing Lin Qinghe’s hand.
Lin Qinghe withdrew her hand, revealing a deep, bloody bite mark.
Zhang Taiyi quickly said, “Princess, your humble servant will apply medicine immediately!”
Lin Qinghe frowned at his words. “There’s no need! This princess is fine. Continue tending to You Rong’s wounds!”
Compared to You Rong’s injuries, her own were insignificant.
Zhang Taiyi, flustered, said, “But Princess, your hand…”
Lin Qinghe’s eyes narrowed. “Hmm? Is your subordinate disobeying this princess’s command?”
“Your servant would not dare! Your servant… will continue tending to his wounds.”
Zhang Taiyi raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his brow and resumed treating You Rong. He couldn’t fathom why the Fifth Princess, disregarding her own noble status, insisted he treat a mere servant first.
It took Zhang Taiyi half an hour to clear away the necrotic flesh from You Rong’s wounds, apply medicine to stop the bleeding, and bandage them. By the time he was finished, in the cool autumn air, he was drenched in sweat.
Zhang Taiyi swallowed and turned, cupping his hands. “Princess, your servant has finished treating this servant’s wounds. I will now go write a prescription and fetch the herbs. If he survives three days, his life will be out of danger. Also…”
Zhang Taiyi paused, hesitating.
Lin Qinghe noticed. “Does Imperial Physician Zhang have something more to say?”
Zhang Taiyi hesitated for a moment. “If thin slices of ginseng were placed in the servant’s mouth, it would be of great benefit to him.” He hadn’t mentioned it earlier, considering You Rong was just a servant and the Fifth Princess likely wouldn’t part with precious ginseng for him.
Lin Qinghe nodded. “This princess understands. Thank you, Imperial Physician Zhang. You may go now to write the prescription and fetch the medicine.”
“Yes, Princess.”
Lin Qinghe then said, “Mei Lan, escort Imperial Physician Zhang out.”
Mei Lan curtsied. “Yes, Princess.”
As Zhang Taiyi was leaving, he remembered Lin Qinghe’s bitten hand had not yet been treated. Just as he was about to attend to it, Lin Qinghe waved her hand, signaling him not to bother and to depart.
Zhang Taiyi’s expression was puzzled, but he dared not question further and left.
As soon as Zhang Taiyi’s footsteps faded, Lin Qinghe turned to Zhu Ju. “Among the gifts my father, the Emperor, bestowed upon this princess recently, there was a very precious thousand-year-old ginseng tribute from the Western Regions. Go fetch it and slice it for You Rong to hold in his mouth.”
Zhu Ju was greatly astonished. Was the Princess truly going to use such a precious thousand-year-old ginseng on a mere servant like You Rong? She wondered if her ears had deceived her.
Seeing Zhu Ju standing frozen, Lin Qinghe expressed her displeasure. “Why are you standing there like an idiot? Go! Fetch the thousand-year-old ginseng!”
Only then did Zhu Ju confirm she hadn’t misheard and hurried, “Yes, Princess, your servant will go now!”
Zhu Ju retrieved the thousand-year-old ginseng, sliced it, and placed it in You Rong’s mouth. She was about to return the rest to Lin Qinghe’s private treasury, but Lin Qinghe instructed her to leave it and give You Rong a few slices every day going forward.
This time, Zhu Ju couldn’t help but be shocked, her hands trembling as the thousand-year-old ginseng almost slipped to the ground. The Fifth Princess was too strange today. She seemed kinder to them, yet was so concerned about You Rong! The Ghost Festival was over, it was now midday, the sun high in the sky. Had the Fifth Princess truly been possessed by an evil spirit?!
Lin Qinghe didn't notice Zhu Ju’s inner thoughts and waved her hand. “You may all withdraw. This princess will call for you if needed.”
“Yes, Princess, your servants take their leave.”
The door to the side chamber was closed, and Lin Qinghe sat by the bed, her chin resting in her hand, staring worriedly at the unconscious You Rong.
Lin Qinghe mumbled, “You absolutely must not die. If you die, not only will your mission fail, but I will be dragged down with you…” She sighed several times, then lowered her gaze to her bitten right hand, her thoughts drifting. In this ancient era, there was no rabies vaccine. Should she perhaps get one? Realizing she was thinking of irrelevant matters, Lin Qinghe shook her head and refocused her thoughts. She glanced at the pale, unconscious You Rong and turned her attention to the matter at hand. The original host had treated You Rong so terribly. Before even considering making him fall in love with her, how could she make him not resent her? That was a headache in itself.
Lin Qinghe thought and thought but could come up with no solution, so she decided to stop thinking about it. Everything would be planned once You Rong woke up.
As Zhang Taiyi had warned, You Rong’s condition was extremely perilous. That night, his fever worsened, making him feel like a furnace. Lin Qinghe watched with a heavy heart, helpless. She could only order Mei Lan to fetch a basin of water and constantly place a damp, wrung-out handkerchief on You Rong’s forehead to cool him.
As the night deepened, Mei Lan said, “Princess, you should return to your chambers to rest. Perhaps we can take care of You Rong?”
Lin Qinghe was naturally uneasy. “No need. This princess is not sleepy. I will watch here. If you are tired, you may withdraw first.”
“No, your servants are not tired. We will stay here to watch over the Princess.” Their mistress hadn't rested, so how could they, her servants, rest first?
Seeing Lin Qinghe meticulously caring for You Rong, even dampening a handkerchief to gently wipe his dry lips, Mei Lan, Zhu Ju, and the others were inwardly astonished. The thought of suspicion re-emerged in their minds. Had the Fifth Princess truly been possessed?
For the next two days, Lin Qinghe barely left the side chamber, tending to You Rong. Only when utterly exhausted would she briefly rest on the couch. You Rong’s condition fluctuated; he would sometimes have a fever, then feel a bit better, leaving Lin Qinghe worried sick. Fortunately, on the third day, You Rong’s condition finally stabilized. After examining him, Zhang Taiyi declared he was out of mortal danger. A few more days of herbal medicine, and he should wake up. Lin Qinghe’s perpetually worried heart finally settled.
After rewarding Zhang Taiyi, Lin Qinghe had Mei Lan escort him out. She remained in the side chamber, contemplating You Rong, still unconscious. She had no idea what to do once he woke up.
Two more days passed, and You Rong remained unconscious. Lin Qinghe continued to care for him as usual, sleeping on the couch when fatigue overwhelmed her. The next morning, as the sky outside the window turned pale and gradually brightened, the eyelids of the long-unconscious You Rong on the bed trembled slightly, and he opened his eyes.
The unfamiliar surroundings came into view, making his thoughts sluggish. After a long moment of daze, he turned his head and saw Lin Qinghe asleep on the couch, thinking he was mistaken. He wearily closed his eyes, intending to rest for a moment. Just then, he heard Lin Qinghe stir. She yawned and walked to the bedside, placing her soft hand on his forehead. She mumbled softly, “His fever is gone, why is he still not awake…”