A little girl lay on the bed. One look at her, and Tang Zhuyun's heart nearly melted.
The girl was about Linlin's age. Her long eyelashes were dark and thick, and her large, clear eyes shimmered with moisture, as though starlight had been crushed into her black pupils... Her skin was very pale, an unhealthy, almost translucent white. When she saw the Prince of Jin enter, her lips curved into a smile, revealing two shallow dimples. In a soft voice, she called, "Father..."
The frost on the Prince of Jin's face receded, and his expression softened considerably. He sat down in a chair beside the bed. "Yanran, how are you feeling today?"
"Father, I don't feel unwell. I just... want to go outside for some fresh air and sunshine."
The windows in the room were shut tight, and some heavy, cloyingly sweet, oppressive incense burned in a tall crane-shaped incense burner. Tang Zhuyun had felt uncomfortable the moment she entered.
She also noticed Yanran studying her with curiosity, scrutiny, and a faint trace of anticipation.
What was this little angel hoping for?
The Prince of Jin stepped forward and took his daughter's hand. "You can go outside once you're better. Be good. I found a physician to treat you today. You'll definitely get better."
Yanran looked at Tang Zhuyun. "Is it this elder sister?"
Tang Zhuyun was delighted. Although it meant the Prince of Jin might be gaining a generational advantage over her, she was young, and she liked it.
"That's me." Tang Zhuyun stepped forward.
Just then, a maid in a crabapple-red dress entered with a bowl of dark medicine. Her eyes lit up at the sight of the Prince of Jin, but she lowered them to hide her delight. She bowed respectfully and spoke in a soft voice. "Greetings, Your Highness."
What a dog of a man, attracting bees and butterflies everywhere.
Sick of this sort of act, she looked at Yanran and unexpectedly caught a flash of panic in her eyes.
Did she not want to take her medicine?
Tang Zhuyun said nothing and watched quietly.
The Prince of Jin said coldly, "Bring the medicine here."
"Your Highness, please let this servant do it." The maid stepped forward and knelt before him, revealing a well-placed glimpse of the charms beneath her bodice.
The Prince of Jin ignored her and picked up the medicine, reaching out with his other hand to help Yanran sit up. He was clearly quite used to this.
Yanran seemed to be giving herself courage. "When Father feeds Yanran, Yanran isn't afraid of the bitterness. It isn't bitter at all."
Oh, this little darling! She's even cuter than Linlin.
Tang Zhuyun said, "There's no need for her to take the medicine yet. I'll check her pulse."
The Prince of Jin said, "After she takes her medicine."
"You've taken so much medicine before. Did it help?" Tang Zhuyun sneered. "Since Your Highness asked me here, shouldn't you follow my medical advice?"
"How dare you!" the maid suddenly scolded. "How dare you be so insolent before His Highness!"
"If I'm insolent, naturally I have what it takes to be. Don't believe me? Why don't you try it yourself?" Tang Zhuyun looked down at her with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. Suddenly, she picked up a handkerchief from the tray and stuffed it down the front of the maid's dress. "Next time you try to sell something, you'd better have something to offer first."
The maid's face instantly turned scarlet.
"Leave!" the Prince of Jin said.
The maid's eyes filled with aggrieved tears. "This servant... this servant is afraid the young lady will ask for me later," she said in a low voice.
As she spoke, she looked at Yanran.
There was unmistakable panic in Yanran's eyes.
"Father, I want Hongxiu. I want Hongxiu."
"Stand to one side!" the Prince of Jin said.
A triumphant look flashed through Hongxiu's eyes.
Tang Zhuyun said gently to Yanran, "Hold out your wrist and let big sister take a look. We won't take any bitter medicine, so don't be afraid, Yanran."
Yanran broke into a smile, her gaze gentle. "I'm not afraid of bitter medicine, Sister."
"Good girl."
For a great devil like the Prince of Jin to have such a daughter who tugged at people's heartstrings, it had to be a genetic mutation.
Tang Zhuyun checked Yanran's pulse, her brows slowly knitting together.
Although the Prince of Jin's voice was still deep, he could hardly conceal his tension. "How is she? How is Yanran's health?"
"She's fine." Tang Zhuyun gently tucked Yanran's little hand back beneath the quilt.
"Fine?" The Prince of Jin raised his voice and gave Tang Zhuyun an icy look, plainly suspecting she was talking nonsense.
So many imperial physicians had examined Yanran, and they had all said she was seriously ill. They had even said she might not live past ten. Moreover, her epileptic fits really were severe, and each time she hovered between life and death. And now Tang Zhuyun was telling him she was fine?
Hongxiu exclaimed, "Your Highness, she's obviously a quack! She's a swindler!"
Yanran looked anxious, but for some reason she said nothing. Her beautiful eyes filled with tears, and she seemed to want to speak but held back.
Tang Zhuyun straightened up, looking from the Prince of Jin to Hongxiu, a cold sneer on her lips.
The Prince of Jin vaguely guessed that she was unhappy at being called a swindler, so he said coldly, "Hongxiu, leave us!"
Hongxiu said, "This servant can't rest easy. I've raised the young lady myself, and I..."
"Get out!" It was Tang Zhuyun who spoke.
She truly couldn't hold herself back any longer, and fragrant words spilled from her mouth.
Deeply aggrieved, Hongxiu wanted to explain herself, but the Prince of Jin swept an icy gaze over her. She immediately fell silent, bowed with a deeply aggrieved air, and withdrew.
Tang Zhuyun said, "Get out. Get as far away as you can."
How does hiding outside the door count as getting out?
The Prince of Jin said coldly, "Know when to stop! She's the maid who has served Yanran since she was little, and she's also in charge of this courtyard."
"Then you're blind," Tang Zhuyun said.
"What did you say?"
"I said her breasts are really small."
The Prince of Jin said, "..."
He suddenly wondered whether he had made the right choice in thinking there was little hope for Yanran and placing his last hope in Tang Zhuyun.
He had originally wanted to use the fact that Tang Baixin had been framed to win over the Tang father and son, but with Yanran in mind, he had chosen without hesitation to make a deal with Tang Zhuyun instead.
Now, it seemed this woman was arrogant and conceited, and he really couldn't see that she had any skill.
Had a blind cat just stumbled upon a dead mouse before?
"You get out too." Tang Zhuyun continued driving him away without ceremony. "Take everyone in this room with you. I need to examine Yanran alone."
"What are you up to?"
"You're the one who invited me, Your Highness. Don't you understand that you shouldn't employ someone you distrust, or distrust someone you employ?" Tang Zhuyun folded her arms and sneered. "I say I can treat her. Whether you believe me is up to you."
The Prince of Jin hesitated for a moment, then said to Yanran, "Don't worry. Father will be right outside. She wouldn't dare do anything to you, or Father will skin her alive!"
Skin her alive?
Was it because she'd just stripped off his trousers?
Tang Zhuyun was amused whenever she thought of it now.
The Prince of Jin led everyone out of the room.
Alone with Tang Zhuyun, Yanran was a little timid and shrank farther back.
Tang Zhuyun felt that her guess had some merit.
She said, "Yanran, will you take off your clothes?"
Yanran was terrified. "No, no, don't take off Yanran's clothes! Yanran is very, very good."
Tang Zhuyun's heart ached unbearably, but she patiently coaxed her. "Big sister won't touch you. I'll wait for you. Can Yanran take her time and do it herself?"
Then she said something else, and Yanran stared at her wide-eyed, her face full of disbelief.