BXBX NOVEL Chapter 41 - 41: Giving a Medicine
Upon seeing Xiao Nanye, Zhou Rongfang was taken aback. However, her surprise gave way to understanding as she took in his demeanor.
She reflected on his past marriage proposal and concluded that he must be visiting for Jiang Peihuan.
Offering a warm smile, she said, “Your Highness, it’s a privilege to have you grace our humble Jiang Mansion. Huan Huan, please ensure his comfort,” she suggested to Jiang Peihuan.
“Understood, Second Aunt.”
Zhao Yong interjected, “Second Madam, it’s time for the prince to escort the Second Young Lady.”
Zhao Yong noticed Zhao Fuqing’s pale face. With Jiang Ruyun already dressed up, Zhou Rongfang had no option but to agree
At this point, Jiang Ruyun was already dressed up, leaving Zhou Rongfang with no other option but to agree.
Shortly after, a maid helped Jiang Ruyun, donned in red, out of her room. Zhou Rongfang instructed, “Lan Er, guide the Second Miss and the Prince to the ancestral hall.”
“Yes, Second Madam.”
Stepping out of her room, Jiang Ruyun locked eyes with Zhao Fuqing. Seeing his pallor, her shy demeanor tempered. As she moved forward, leaning on her maid, she gently said, “Brother Zhao, let’s proceed to the ancestral hall.”
“Mhm,” replied Zhao Fuqing impatiently, leading the way. A chill ran down Jiang Peihuan’s spine as she watched them.
Once Jiang Ruyun and Zhao Fuqing had departed, Jiang Peihuan turned to Xiao Nanye and proposed, “Your Highness, may I request your presence at the ceremony in the Chrysanthemum Hall?”
“Your thoughtfulness is appreciated, Miss,” he responded graciously.
Jiang Peihuan had initially planned to have a maid escort him, but circumstances demanded her presence as his guide.
When the Jiang family noticed Xiao Nanye, they expressed surprise. Yet, seeing him with Jiang Peihuan, their surprise turned to understanding.
“King Cheng, it’s an honor to have you,” said Old Madam Jiang, who moved forward to greet Xiao Nanye, holding Nanny Xu’s hand for support. But, before she could bow, Xiao Nanye intervened.
“Please, Old Madam, rise. Today, I’m here to share the joy. Just treat me as a regular guest, there’s no need for formalities.”
“I appreciate your understanding, Your Highness. I hope you’ll forgive any shortcomings in our hospitality.”
“Certainly not, it would be an honor if the Eldest Miss could accompany me,” Xiao Nanye replied.
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Jiang’s eyes sparked with curiosity but she held her tongue as the newlyweds were making their way towards them.
Zhao Fuqing led the way with confident strides, with Jiang Ruyun trailing behind.
Though Jiang Ruyun’s health had improved slightly over the past few days, she was far from fully recovered. Zhao Fuqing walked briskly ahead, forcing her to break into a near jog to keep up. Her face soon turned pale from the exertion.
Upon witnessing this, the Jiang family seethed with anger.
“Your Highness, can’t you see my sister can’t keep up? Could you slow down for her?” Jiang Sijin’s voice broke the silence.
Hearing this, Zhao Fuqing seemed slightly irked. But remembering the admonition from the King of Huainan, he checked his annoyance. He understood that once the formalities of the ceremony were complete, he wouldn’t have to put up with this any longer.
In the ensuing time, Zhao Fuqing indeed appeared somewhat more compliant.
Before long, Jiang Ruyun was ushered into the bridal palanquin, ready to be carried off to the Huainan King’s Mansion.
The Jiang family members, stationed at the entrance, watched the palanquin depart.
“When the Prince of Huainan shows such disrespect in front of us, one can only imagine the excesses that will occur in the Huainan Mansion after Ruyun’s marriage,” Liu Xiu voiced her concern, clutching the hand of the elderly madam.
Upon hearing her, Old Madam Jiang replied dismissively, “It was her decision, she cannot blame anyone else for the outcome.” Her gaze intentionally met that of Zhou Rongfang.
Witnessing Zhao Fuqing’s indifference, not only was Zhou Rongfang angry, but she also felt a pang of sympathy. Yet, she chose to remain silent, fearing that her words might invite more trouble for her daughter.
“Huan Er, please see off King Cheng,” Old madam Jiang instructed, looking at Xiao Nanye who was still standing at the door.
“Yes, Grandmother.”
As the senior members of the Jiang family went inside, Jiang Peihuan turned to Xiao
Nanye, her voice soft, “Your Highness, the wedding has concluded.”
“I’m aware.”
Hearing this, Jiang Peihuan fell silent, her expression cold.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Peihuan retreated into silence, her expression growing cold. Observing her aloof demeanor, Xiao Nanye felt a sense of helpless despair.
After a moment’s thought, he spoke softly, “I fear your sister might face difficulties in her married life at the Huainan King’s Mansion.”
“Should any issues arise in the future, you may send Ye Xiao to seek my assistance.”
“Your Highness, 1 appreciate your good intentions. But as my grandmother mentioned, this was her decision. If any problems do arise, she must bear them herself.”
“If you genuinely believed in what you just said, you wouldn’t have confronted others at the Huainan King’s Mansion.”
Xiao Nanye knew from his investigations that the relationship between Jiang Peihuan and Jiang Ruyun was strained. However, he also knew that she had stood up for her sister in spite of their differences.
Her demeanor belied a different story, she was not as icy as she appeared. This cold faqade might just be a shield to guard herself. A spark ignited within Xiao Nanye as this realization dawned on him, making his gaze towards Jiang Peihuan grow warmer.
“Your Highness, please excuse me. 1 have some pressing matters, so I can’t accompany you further.”
With that, Jiang Peihuan started to walk away. An inexplicable fear to meet his warm gaze took over her, for reasons she could not fathom.
But as she took a step, he grabbed her wrist. Even through her clothes, she could feel the heat of his hand.
Coldness flashed in Jiang Peihuan’s eyes. “Your Highness, please behave.”
“I’m sorry.”
Noticing her icy reaction, he quickly let go of her hand. As he turned to leave, he left a small box in her hand.
“This is something 1 had prepared for you.”
He departed without waiting for her response, his figure soon vanished from sight.
“Miss, what’s this?” Yue Er, watching the scene unfold, couldn’t resist asking.
“Don’t tell anyone about this.”
Finishing her words, Jiang Peihuan headed towards her plum garden. Once in her room, curiosity got the better of her and she opened the box.
She was taken aback by the sight within the box.
Inside was a bottle of medicine, just by its scent she recognized it as the Heart-nourishing Pill. This potion was renowned for its nourishing properties, particularly beneficial for people suffering from insomnia.
But how did he know about her sleepless nights?
Ever since her rebirth, she hadn’t slept well. Every night, she was haunted by dreams, and every moment, she feared that waking up would prove it was all just a dream.
“Miss, what is this medicine?”