Chapter 99 - The Second Princess Was Seriously Sick?

Seeing that Shen Ninghua was really going to leave, Shen Xuanlin got up from the bed regardless of his wound, but his butt and back hurt so much that he fell backwards and rolled off the bed.

Shen Ninghua hurriedly stepped forward to help him up. “You are already stupid enough. What if the fall makes you even more stupid?”

Hearing Shen Ninghua’s teasing tone, Shen Xuanlin hurriedly raised his head and smiled like a fool. “Eldest Sister, have you stopped being angry with me?”

Shen Ninghua covered him with the blanket and sat beside him. She said seriously, “Xuanlin, do you know your mistakes?”

Shen Xuanlin put away his smile and said in a somewhat aggrieved tone, “Eldest Sister, I wanted to vent anger for you because I saw that she was disrespectful to you.”

“I know you did it for my good, and I’m touched, but I don’t want you to become an impulsive person who is always acting recklessly.”

Shen Xuanlin’s eyes widened, and he didn’t understand. “Eldest Sister, I…”

“Don’t you understand? First, you openly attacked her, which means no matter where you go, she can find people as her witness to accuse you. Second, she was unprepared and did not know martial arts, so that you could knock her into the pond. But what if she was as skilled as Qing Que? What should you do if she threw you into the water instead? Third, you don’t know how to adapt and be flexible in dealing with things. I let you apologize to give you a chance to make things up. You only thought of venting anger. You were happy after venting anger, but how about the feeling of being clubbed? Didn’t it hurt? Fourth, Xia Jingqiu is your aunt and Yang Yingxue is your cousin. You can be disdainful in your heart, but on the surface, you can’t give others any handle against you. Do you understand?”

After hearing these words, Shen Xuanlin was silent for a moment and fell into deep thought.

Shen Ninghua sat aside and without disturbing him. She only quietly watched and wanted to see how much he could figure out. This child was stubborn. Even if he wanted to become a general in the future instead of a scholar, it was still easy for him to be framed without someone protecting him, because his shortcoming was too obvious.

After a while, Shen Xuanlin raised his head and said with a depressed expression, “Eldest Sister, I almost caused a big trouble for you. I’m sorry.”

“It doesn’t matter. You can learn from your mistakes. In the Prefectural Princess Mansion, I can protect you and you can make mistakes. But once you leave the house, you must know the boundaries by yourself.”

Shen Xuanlin bit his lip and said, “Eldest Sister, I know you’re right, but sometimes I just can’t control myself. Especially when that Yang Yingxue was rude to you, I couldn’t bear to see her being arrogant.”

Shen Ninghua was silent for a moment.

“Eldest Sister, don’t be angry with me. Master Liu Yun told me that the reason why people choose to be martial artists is that we have something that we swear to protect with our life. Therefore, martial artists, unless they die, will never retreat! Eldest Sister, you are the person I want to protect, so I will not watch you being bullied.”

Shen Ninghua’s heart trembled. For a moment, she was unable to say anything. Looking at his sincere eyes, she felt her throat tightened.

“Eldest Sister, you’re angry with me. I’m sorry to make you angry again. You can hit me. My skin is rough and I don’t feel pain at all, but I…I really can’t watch you being bullied.” Shen Xuanlin’s hands and feet were numb from panic, and he almost forgot how to speak for a moment.

Shen Ninghua suddenly raised her hand and placed it on his forehead.

The palm carried a dry warmth, which soaked from his forehead to his heart. Shen Xuanlin was frozen and dared not move.

“Xuanlin, you’re right and I was wrong. You are a martial artist, a martial artist with a true heart of protection. Therefore, you can do what you think is right in the future and I will support you.” She wanted this child to be sophisticated and tactful. That would undoubtedly make his life a lot easier, but at the same time, it would also suffocate his heart as a martial artist. That would really harm him.

He might not be able to become a powerful high-rank official in court, but he could become the sharpest blade in the emperor’s hand, winning victory wherever the emperor needed him. All she needed to do was to make sure that he wouldn’t break easily and provide him with a yardstick at the right time.

“Eldest Sister, are you really not angry?”

“Of course I’m not. Will I lie to you?” Shen Ninghua touched his forehead. His fluffy hair made her heart softened. “I won’t force you to pretend to be close to Yang Yingxue, but there are some things you still need to pay attention to. You can draw a clear demarcation between whom to hate and whom to love, but you also need to use your brain. Think more, understand?”

“Yes. Eldest Sister, I also know that I was lucky this time and I will use my brain more in the future. However, if she bullies you, I will definitely make it up for you.”

Shen Ninghua smiled and rubbed his head. “Xuanlin, in two days, I will find a buddy for you. He is about your age, so you can learn from each other.”

“Alright, as you order.”

After leaving Shen Xuanlin’s Yingyue Courtyard, Shen Ninghua slowly walked into the pavilion in the garden with a thoughtful expression.

Bai Ruo took the cloak and put it on her. “Miss, be careful of the cold. You can take your time to educate Young Master Xuanlin in the future. Don’t get angry and hurt your body.”

Shen Ninghua shook her head. “Xuanlin is very good, but my idea has always been wrong.”

“Miss…”

“I took down the Zhao family step by step and controlled the Shen family, with the hope that one day I could be free from restrictions and live at ease. Now I am a Prefectural Princess, but I have to live carefully and even refrain from holding banquets frequently, afraid of arousing others’ suspicions. If it weren’t for Shen Xuanlin’s words, I don’t know how long it will take for me to wake up. The title of the Prefectural Princess was just a windfall. It won’t be a pity if I lose it. I was just a rubble, and I don’t need to turn myself into porcelain that is fragile. Being cautious will only make my life even more suffocating.”

Shen Ninghua’s eyes were filled with resplendence, as if they absorbed all the stars in the sky.

Bai Ruo was stunned. When she restored her senses, she felt that Shen Ninghua was somewhat different, but she could not say exactly what the difference was. After looking at her for a long time, she only said one sentence, “Miss, you seem to be more beautiful than before.”

“Haha, you’ve also learned from Hong Ling how to flatter me. Alright, it’s getting late. Let’s go back and rest.” Shen Ninghua smiled happily. She had never smiled so brightly before and Bai Ruo was dumbfounded. She reacted only after Shen Ninghua had walked far away. She patted her red cheeks and ran quickly to catch up with Shen Ninghua.

The next morning, a maid in Cuizhu Pavilion came to report. Xia Jingqiu said that the medicine was so expensive that she couldn’t keep taking medicinal ingredients from Shen Ninghua’s private warehouse. She wanted to let the maid buy medicine from pharmacies on the street.

Shen Ninghua’s eyes did not even roll. She directly waved her hand and agreed. “Well, since she thinks so, let her buy medicine from the street.”

Hong Ling pursed her lips as she listened. Xia Jingqiu just wanted to send out the news of Yang Yingxue’s illness. Why must she make such a farce?

After having her breakfast, Shen Ninghua put on her makeup and walked towards Cuizhu Pavilion.

“Aunt, how is my cousin? Did she get any better?”

Xia Jingqiu’s face was full of fatigue and worry. “Ninghua, you’re here. Yingxue is fine. When I gave birth to her, my body was weak, so she had remained weak ever since her birth. A slight chill could make her catch a cold. It shouldn’t matter if taken care of.”

“So my cousin has been in poor health since she was born. She needs to be taken good care of.” Shen Ninghua glanced at Yang Yingxue, who seemed to be asleep on the bed, with a worried expression on her face. “I heard that Doctor Chen has a prescription for treating congenital weakness. I’ll send someone to get it later. I should be able to copy it back so that I can help recuperate my cousin’s body in the future.”

“Doctor Chen? Do you mean Doctor Chen from the Imperial Health Institute?” Xia Jingqiu was shocked.

“Exactly. Aunt, don’t worry. Doctor Chen and I are familiar. It won’t be a problem if I want a prescription for treating congenital weakness from him.” Shen Ninghua smiled, but the light in her eyes seemed cold.

“No, there’s no need.” Xia Jingqiu hurriedly stopped her. She hoped that Yang Yingxue could marry into the royal family and fly up to the top branches. The most important thing the royal family considered when choosing a daughter-in-law was whether she was healthy or not. If this incident left behind a reputation of Yang Yingxue being innately weak, it would be impossible for her to marry into the royal family.

“Ninghua, Yingxue only needs recuperation. It’s not that serious. Didn’t you get Doctor Zhang yesterday to help diagnose her? It’s better not to bother Doctor Chen. Otherwise, this favor won’t be easy to repay.”

Shen Ninghua smiled and said, “Your words are reasonable, but is cousin’s body really fine?”

“Yes, it doesn’t matter.” Xia Jingqiu said with certainty.

“Alright, then I’ll leave first. If you need anything, just let the servants come and tell me.”

“Alright, alright.” After sending Shen Ninghua off, Xia Jingqiu hurriedly warned her trusted subordinate. “Go buy the medicine. Just tell them that Miss is uncomfortable because this is her first time living in the capital. Don’t mention anything in the mansion, understand?”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

When there was no one else in the room, Yang Yingxue, who had been pretending to be asleep in the bed, opened her eyes and looked at Xia Jingqiu worriedly. “Mother, did Shen Ninghua find something? I always felt that something was unusual with her. She seemed to be beating around the bush.”

Xia Jingqiu pondered for a long time and shook her head. “Maybe not. Perhaps we worry too much. Yingxue, the capital is not like Jiangnan and we don’t know much about many things, so we need to be patient. Lack of forbearance in small matters upsets great plans. For the future, we have to endure it no matter how hard it is.”

Yang Yingxue nodded, and her eyes flashed with jealousy. In the end, she suppressed her anger and said, “Yes, I understand. Mother, will the Second Prince really come to see me?”

“You are Prefectural Princess Zhaohua’s cousin, and you have also met with the Second Prince. If he receives the news, he will definitely show some etiquette. Furthermore, even if he doesn’t come, can’t we find a way to invite him over? Don’t worry, I have already planned everything for you. Just wait.”

Hearing Xia Jingqiu’s words, Yang Yingxue was relieved. She pulled up the blanket to block the brilliant smile on her face and her eyes were filled with anticipation. “Yes. Thank you, mother.”

In less than two days, Baili Anning brought a few guards and came to Shen Ninghua’s mansion. As soon as she entered, she picked up some dessert and ate.

Seeing that she was in a hurry to eat, Shen Ninghua hurriedly handed over a cup of tea to her and said, “Did they cut off your food supply in the Palace?”

“Who do you think I’m doing this for?” Baili Anning took a sip of tea and swallowed the dessert in her mouth. “I received news early this morning. I just ate a mouthful of food and directly ran out to deliver the news to you.”

“Huh? What news is so important?”

“My Second Brother heard that your cousin is ill, and he wants to come to see her. He should be here in a while.”

Shen Ninghua was not too surprised. “Yes, I already expected it.”

Baili Anning was a little curious. “How did you know?”

Just as Shen Ninghua was about to speak, a guard ran in from the door in panic and said to Baili Anning. “Your Highness, there’s news from the Prefectural Prince De’s Mansion. Prefectural Princess De is seriously ill. It is likely that…that she…”

Prefectural Princess De? The Second Princess Zhou!