Daily Interactions

The next day.

Zhao Hongming rewrapped his bandages and appeared before Chen Xuerong looking weak and frail.

Chen Xuerong was wearing a white close-fitting outfit, practicing in the courtyard with a wooden sword in hand.

Heat rose from her body, while a thin layer of white mist drifted around her.

Morning light fell upon her rosy profile. She seemed like a celestial maiden descending from the Ninth Heaven, breathtakingly beautiful beyond compare.

Chen Xuerong had remained in the palace these past two days. Either she guided Zhao Hongming in his training, or she cultivated diligently on her own.

She was often around him.

It felt as though he had gained another personal guard at his side.

A little strange.

Zhao Hongming coughed, signaling his arrival.

Hearing the sound, Chen Xuerong came back to her senses and stopped training.

With a slightly apologetic expression, Zhao Hongming said, "Miss Chen, I'm sorry, but I fear I won't be able to spar with you again for some time."

"No matter. Sparring can wait until later."

When she had seen how thoroughly Zhao Hongming had mastered his Martial Skills, she had unconsciously become serious.

As a result, she had failed to control her strength at the end and injured Zhao Hongming.

She could not absolve herself of responsibility for this.

Under such circumstances, Zhao Hongming had not blamed her in the slightest, which made her feel even more ashamed.

In truth, Zhao Hongming felt that this injury had turned misfortune into a blessing.

With the support of Heaven's Reward Martial Arts Panel, his Martial Skills had basically all reached perfection, and he had mastered them thoroughly.

Recently, he had been focusing entirely on cultivating the Eight Desolations Eternal Youth Technique, so whether he was injured or not had little impact on his cultivation.

On the contrary, he could use his injury as an excuse in the future to keep a low profile and devote himself wholeheartedly to cultivation.

Just this morning, he had sent someone to request leave from the Imperial Study, and no one had suspected a thing.

When the Crown Prince and several of his elder brothers learned that he had been injured while training, they had even sent people to deliver healing medicine, allowing him to gain some benefits for nothing.

Besides, because of his injury, Zhao Hongming could use it as a reason to have Chen Xuerong demonstrate and explain things personally, reducing the number of practical sparring sessions.

It spared him from being caught between a rock and a hard place, killing two birds with one stone.

"Your Highness. It is time to take your medicine."

While the two were talking, Wang Bao waddled over step by step, his backside stuck out as he carried a medicine box.

This medicine was healing medicine sent by his elder brothers.

It replenished blood and vital energy, speeding the healing of wounds.

He had already tested it on rats. There was no problem, so he could take it without worry.

Zhao Hongming placed a Pill in his mouth, then picked up warm water and swallowed it down.

Since his wound had already healed under the influence of the Eternal Youth True Intent.

Zhao Hongming was simply taking these Pills as supplements, and they could conveniently improve his physique.

After drinking the warm water, Zhao Hongming placed the porcelain cup back onto the tray.

Wang Bao bowed with his head lowered, but his backside kept swaying restlessly.

The previous caning punishment had left him seriously injured as well.

As for that rash little eunuch, he had not been seen again today. He was likely doomed.

Zhao Hongming did not feel that he had been overly harsh in this matter.

The Imperial Family possessed no authority over Martial Arts and relied entirely on clearly defined rewards and punishments to maintain order.

If they were too weak toward those below them, they would instead lose their authority.

Once that authority was lost, it would become an exceptionally dangerous matter for the Imperial Family.

Throughout history, members of the Imperial Family who were weak or arrogant and overbearing generally found it difficult to live to adulthood.

A thought stirred in Zhao Hongming's mind. "Someone, bring the Trauma Medicine from This Prince's study."

"Yes."

In less than a dozen breaths, a servant brought over the Trauma Medicine from his study.

Zhao Hongming placed it on the tray and said, "This medicine is remarkably effective for external wounds. Go back and apply it properly to your backside. Stop twisting about in front of This Prince."

Wang Bao's face immediately broke into a broad smile. "This servant thanks Your Highness for bestowing the medicine."

Zhao Hongming said indifferently, "Withdraw. In the future, keep a better watch over those below you."

"Yes."

Chen Xuerong watched Zhao Hongming wield a big stick in his left hand and a carrot in his right, his methods for disciplining his subordinates seasoned beyond his years.

He did not resemble a thirteen-year-old boy in the slightest.

As though recalling something, Chen Xuerong reminded him, "Your Highness, your body is still rather weak. The medicinal effects of some Pills may not be digested well. I happen to know several medicinal dishes that can nourish the body. I will speak to the cooks and have them prepare some."

After saying this, Chen Xuerong left the courtyard and headed to the Inner Kitchen.

As he admired her graceful retreating figure, Zhao Hongming's mood brightened for the morning.

Having lived in the palace for so many years, every day he saw either eunuchs, Imperial Princesses, or matrons.

Opportunities like this were few indeed.

Before long, Chen Xuerong returned, carrying a bowl of hot soup. Steam still rose from the bowl, clearly showing that it had just been prepared.

Chen Xuerong said, "This is Eight-Nine Seed Soup. Not only does it taste good, it can also stimulate the body's vitality and will be of great benefit to Your Highness."

"Oh!" Zhao Hongming said. "Then This Prince must give it a taste."

Seeing this, the little eunuch beside them hurriedly reminded him, "Your Highness, according to the rules of our palace, this servant must test it before Your Highness may taste it."

Zhao Hongming was quite satisfied with his own management.

After the previous incident with the Assassin from Han Country, he had felt that his meals were too casual and unsafe. Should someone poison him, an accident could easily occur.

Moreover, they were in such a special period, with the situation unstable.

Thus, under his deliberate yet seemingly casual prompting, Wang Bao had thoughtfully established a set of poison-testing procedures.

Zhao Hongming feigned anger. "You dog slave, could Miss Chen possibly wish to harm This Prince?"

The little eunuch trembled like a sieve, kneeling on the ground without uttering a word.

Chen Xuerong timely eased the situation. "He is right. Assassins are running rampant in the palace now. Your Highness should indeed be more careful with your daily meals."

After saying that, she habitually picked up a small cup, ladled out a spoonful first, and tasted it herself.

"The flavor is a little bland."

Zhao Hongming smiled. "This Prince will taste it as well."

He picked up the spoon and took a sip. It was somewhat sweet, yet also somewhat tart and astringent, and he could not help letting out a long sigh.

"What is it?" Seeing him like this, Chen Xuerong's delicate brows drew tightly together. "Does this soup not suit Your Highness's palate?"

Zhao Hongming shook his head. "Not at all. This soup is delicious."

"Then why?"

Lowering his head, Zhao Hongming stirred the spoon in the bowl. "Since This Prince was born, this is the first time someone has cooked soup like this for This Prince to drink. For a moment, many feelings welled up within me. I have made Miss Chen laugh."

After hearing this, Chen Xuerong stood speechless in a daze.

Only then did she remember that the prince before her had lost his mother at the age of four, then lived alone and neglected for eight or nine years.

For all these years, no one had supported him along the way. It must have been extraordinarily difficult.

Zhao Hongming drank the entire bowl of soup. Gradually, its effects emerged, and his complexion became even rosier.

"Let us not speak of this." Zhao Hongming said, "My movements will be inconvenient from now on. I still hope Miss Chen can explain more practical combat experience to This Prince in the future. Sparring will not be necessary."

"Alright." Chen Xuerong nodded in agreement.

Please recommend the new book and keep reading~