Chapter 111: Chapter 111: Detrimental to Fertility? Barging into the Tent at Night

Princess Hua Chang felt her tolerance for the brute had undergone a major change.

In the past, the teacup in her hand would have long since been smashed outside the tent. How could she have tolerated such impudence from him?

But after spending these past few days together, she had discovered his good qualities. Not only was his chest warm, but his heart was, too. He always greeted her with a smile, and at night, having a sturdy shoulder to lean on had even improved her sleep considerably.

Though she was often so exhausted she was on the verge of sleep, she had to admit that the best way to improve a marital relationship was to share a bed, whisper private words to each other, and engage in loving, intimate acts.

It was far more direct and passionate than words could ever be.

Wei Chi Lianping heard no movement from inside. ’Has she fallen asleep?’ he wondered. He called out, "Miss Ji?"

Ji Qingwu answered at once, afraid he would say something else outrageous. She walked to the tent entrance and said, "General Wei Chi, you may come in."

When Wei Chi Lianping entered, he saw Princess Hua Chang sitting at the table, her hand clenched around a white porcelain teacup, giving him a look that was beyond words.

With all his shouting, it was a good thing the birds in the forest couldn’t talk.

Otherwise, by tomorrow, the entire camp would know she was so worried about him she couldn’t sleep at night! And that he was anxious to go back to bed with her!

Princess Hua Chang frowned, her tone sharp. "Didn’t I send a guard to say we would come to you? Why are you here?"

Wei Chi Lianping was in high spirits. No matter how cold the Eldest Princess’s expression was, he felt overjoyed.

He smiled. "It’s chilly out tonight, so it’s better that I came over. Besides, the path back is dark. I can walk with you, Eldest Princess."

The night was late, and Ji Qingwu felt it wasn’t right for the two of them to stay in her tent for too long. She didn’t want to keep the couple from their sleep.

She said, "Since you’ve come all this way through the night, General, let me take a look at your wound. Where is the injury?"

’Examine the wound?’ For once, Wei Chi Lianping felt a little awkward.

The scratch was on his thigh, which was hardly an appropriate place to show to a young lady.

’Besides, if the Emperor were to find out...’

Just now at the dinner table, who could have struck the numbing pressure point on his elbow from a distance without him even noticing? Wei Chi Lianping already knew the answer.

It had to have been the Emperor.

Wei Chi Lianping had merely said a few too many words about Miss Ji Wu during the meal, and Emperor Wu Su had retaliated like this.

If Ji Qingwu really did treat his leg and saw his thigh, then there would be no point in treating it. It would be a waste of effort, as it would probably just get chopped off anyway.

The light in Princess Hua Chang’s eyes shifted. She had forgotten about that—the location of the wound was indeed problematic. ’But that’s perfect,’ she thought. ’This wasn’t my real intention anyway.’

So, Princess Hua Chang cleared her throat and said, "Miss Ji, please take his pulse first. See if there are any internal injuries."

Wei Chi Lianping’s eyes lit up astonishingly. He sat down at once. He would gladly do anything the Eldest Princess said right now. He was so energized, he felt he could go hunt ten more black bears.

Ji Qingwu diagnosed him for a moment through the Prince Consort’s sleeve, and the space between her eyebrows twitched.

She looked at the Prince Consort’s rigid profile, her eyes flickering with confusion and shock.

After a moment, Ji Qingwu withdrew her hand. She didn’t mention the abnormality in his pulse, saying only, "The General’s wound appears to be superficial. It hasn’t affected your qi or blood. Applying some topical medicinal powder and keeping the wound clean should be sufficient."

Wei Chi Lianping smoothed his cuff and said dismissively, "No need for all that trouble. I’ve already rinsed it. It’s just a small scratch, nothing serious."

Princess Hua Chang glanced doubtfully at his thigh.

But he always wore black, so she couldn’t see anything. He did, however, still have a hint of moisture about him, proving he had just bathed. If the wound was fine after getting wet, it probably wasn’t anything serious.

Princess Hua Chang said coolly, "Since you’re fine, you may go back."

Wei Chi Lianping was speechless.

He couldn’t just do whatever the Eldest Princess said.

He had almost forgotten why he came here. How could he possibly be fine!

Wei Chi Lianping immediately changed his tune, his brows knitting together tightly.

"There is a problem! A big one! My bathwater was stained red with blood! Eldest Princess, hurry back with me and see for yourself."

Ji Qingwu observed him. He spoke with vigor and could clearly run and jump. He didn’t look like someone who had lost a lot of blood.

But Princess Hua Chang, remembering the blood drawn by the switch she had struck him with, was overcome with worry and actually fell for his exaggerated claim.

He half-coaxed, half-tricked her into going back with him.

Before they left, Ji Qingwu carefully explained to Princess Hua Chang how to clean the wound.

She also whispered something in her ear.

Ji Qingwu watched the two of them depart.

The tall, strapping Prince Consort put on a show of weakness, acting as if his legs were failing and he needed support. He insisted on hunching his powerful frame and leaning against the slender Eldest Princess.

After their figures disappeared, Ji Qingwu sat down in her chair, her brow deeply furrowed.

Until tonight, she had believed that Wei Chi Lianping’s feelings for Princess Hua Chang were as simple and easy to read as a child’s.

But...

’That pulse was nothing like the Prince Consort’s outward appearance. I definitely detected something abnormal.’

Ji Qingwu returned to the daybed, still dressed in her outer robe. She left a single lamp lit.

This was because she had just whispered in Princess Hua Chang’s ear, asking the Eldest Princess to come see her when she had a free moment later that night.

The Prince Consort’s pulse was abnormal, in a way that would be detrimental to conceiving an heir. A matter this important had to be brought to the Eldest Princess’s attention as soon as possible.

The night air was frigid.

A tent, after all, was no match for a proper room. The daybed was icy cold, so Ji Qingwu could only warm the spot directly beneath her, not daring to move much.

A single thin blanket was not nearly enough to ward off the chill. Ji Qingwu piled on everything she could wrap around herself, and only then did she manage to stop feeling cold.

Just then, there was another sound at the entrance. Someone was pulling open the tent flap.

’The Eldest Princess is here already?’

Ji Qingwu didn’t move her body, only lifting her head to look.

Emperor Wu Su had already turned to close the tent flap securely. When he saw the state Ji Qingwu was in, a flicker of amusement crossed his eyes.

She had bundled herself up like a little silkworm cocoon, with only her small, palm-sized face peeking out. Her bright, dark eyes were wide as they stared straight at him.

"Your Majesty?" she exclaimed in surprise.

If she could have freed her hands, Ji Qingwu would have rubbed her eyes.

’He finished that stack of memorials—it was half as tall as a man!—in such a short time?’ she thought. ’Even if he weren’t the Emperor, he would surely achieve great things in any other profession.’

The lamplight flickered, casting half of Emperor Wu Su’s face in shadow, but the expression in his eyes was exceptionally gentle.

Seeing the pleasant surprise still lingering in her eyes, he spoke, his voice cool and clear. "We only just saw each other. Don’t you recognize me after such a short while?"

Ji Qingwu tried to sit up, but the blankets and sheets were wound around her in layers. The more she struggled, the more entangled she became.

She managed to sit up with some effort, and as soon as she freed one arm, Emperor Wu Su stepped forward and took her outstretched, pale hand in his.

The bones of his fingers felt firm, but his hand was filled with a dry warmth. The comforting heat flowed directly from his palm into her body.

She felt he was the only source of heat in the surrounding chill. Even the air around him seemed to grow warmer.

Ji Qingwu really wanted to scramble up his arm, wrap herself around him, and never let go.