173 You Have Me Now
In the new room, the dragon and phoenix candles were slowly burning. On the table were various fruits and snacks that symbolized auspiciousness, a pot of wine, and two wine glasses. The wine was supposed to be drunk when they entered the bridal chamber.
However, Yu Niaoniao was sick. She was still sleeping soundly, so she definitely could not drink. Xiao Juan reached out and touched Yu Xuanxian’s forehead. It was still very hot.
He summoned the physician.
The physician suggested, “We still have to let her continue drinking the medicine. Let’s observe for the night. If the princess’s condition doesn’t improve tomorrow, I’ll think of another way.”
Xiao Juan was not very satisfied with this outcome.
“I can only watch her get sick?”
The doctor said a few methods to help reduce the fever, such as wiping the palm with white wine or applying cold medicine to the forehead.
Xiao Juan noted them down and the physician took his leave.
Xiao Juan ordered someone to bring cold water and white wine.
He personally applied the wet handkerchief to Yu Niaoniao’s forehead and found another handkerchief to wet the white wine.
He held Yu Niaoniao’s small hand in one hand and held the handkerchief in the other. He carefully wiped her palm.
After wiping one hand, he switched to the other. He did this repeatedly.
The wet handkerchief on Yu Niaoniao’s forehead had to be changed often.
Xiao Juan guarded her for the entire night.
It was almost dawn when the heat finally subsided and Xiao Juan’s heart could finally rest.
Granny Xiu Yan advised, “You haven’t slept all night. You must be tired. Go and sleep. We’ll take care of this place.”
Taking care of the patient was indeed a very tiring job. Xiao Juan stood up and said hoarsely.
“I’ll go next door to rest. Call me if you need anything.”
Granny Xiu Yan sent Duke Lang away.
She walked to the bed and tucked Yu Niaoniao in. She sighed inwardly.
A good wedding night was over.
The two of them slept separately, let alone in the bridal chamber.
Fortunately, Yu Niaoniao’s condition improved.
Granny Xiu Yan comforted herself. There was still a long way to go. The duke and princess were very young. There was no need to rush.
… .
Yu Niaoniao slept very uneasily.
She dreamed of many people, including her mother, Madam Xie, her stepfather, Feng Lianghan, Shen Junzhi, her grandfather, and her grandmother’s family…
In the fire, Madam Xie did her best to push her out the ventilation window.
Madam Xie cried and called her to leave quickly.
But she didn’t want to leave.
She did not want to be separated from her mother.
Tears and fire consumed the world. Everything blurred.
But the grief of being separated by life and death lingered.
Vaguely, she heard someone take her hand.
The man spoke in her ear, over and over.
“Don’t cry. It’s all in the past. You have me now. I’ll always be with you.”
Yu Niaoniao did not know who that person was.
She moved only instinctively toward the man, snuggling into him, almost greedily absorbing the warmth of his body.
The heart-wrenching grief was gradually dispelled by warmth.
She quickly fell into a deep sleep.
When she woke, the dragon and phoenix candles had burned out. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a golden glow over the new house.
“Miss, you’re awake!”
Dang Gui quickly ran to the bed, her eyes filled with surprise.
Yu Niaoniao placed her hand on the bed frame and sat up with difficulty. “How long have I been sleeping?”
Dang Gui helped her sit down and picked up a soft pillow to stuff behind her.
“You’ve been sleeping since noon yesterday.”
Yu Niaoniao looked around. The room was filled with joyous red.
She asked where the Prince of Lang was.
Dang Gui said, “His Highness guarded you all night last night. He’s sleeping now.”
Actually, there were servants who could do the night watch for him. There was no need for Duke Lang to do it himself, but he was worried about Yu Niaoniao and insisted on watching her personally by the bed.
Thinking of this, Dang Gui could not help but purse her lips and smile. It seemed that Duke Lang really loved her Miss!
Yu Niaoniao was surprised. “He guarded me all night?”
Dang Gui nodded. “That’s right. You had a fever yesterday and even had nightmares. You looked very sick. Your Highness was worried. He stayed by your bed the entire night and only left at dawn.”
Yu Niaoniao recalled the person she had spoken to in her dream. It was probably Duke Lang.
She did not expect him to be so considerate in private when he usually looked cold like a big ice cube.
Dang Gui turned around and was about to leave when Yu Niaoniao asked her where she was going.
Dang Gui answered truthfully, “His Highness said that if you wake up, we have to inform him immediately.”
Yu Niaoniao said, “He’s been tired all night. Let him sleep more. Don’t disturb him for the time being.”
Dang Gui thought about it and retracted her steps.
She brought over a bowl of dark medicinal soup.
“The doctor said you have to drink this bowl of medicine when you wake up.”
Yu Niaoniao looked disgusted. This medicine was obviously very bitter.
She secretly regretted it.
If she had known that she had to drink medicine, she would have let Dang Gui disturb Duke Lang’s rest.
Dang Gui handed the medicine bowl to her and urged, “Drink it while it’s hot.”
Yu Niaoniao did not want to drink.
Dang Gui said, “If you don’t drink medicine, you won’t be able to recover. If you don’t recover, you won’t be able to eat good food. In the future, you can only eat white porridge every day. White porridge for breakfast, white porridge for lunch, white porridge for dinner, and …”
Yu Niaoniao felt her scalp tingle. She quickly took the medicine bowl and drank the medicine in one gulp with the determination of a warrior.
This medicine was really bitter! She stuck out her tongue and made a face like she wanted to throw up.
Dang Gui hurriedly stuffed a preserved fruit into her mouth. The fruit diluted the bitterness and Yu Niaoniao felt a little better.
She held out her small hand. “Give me more preserved fruit.”
Dang Gui placed the box of candied plums in her hand and reminded her, “I’ll bring you breakfast. Don’t eat too many candied plums, in case you can’t eat breakfast later.”
Yu Niaoniao stuffed a handful of candied plums into her mouth and her cheeks puffed up.
She replied vaguely, “Yes, yes, I know.”
It didn’t take long for Dang Gui to return.
Today’s breakfast was raw fish porridge.
The chef of the LangJun Imperial Palace was very good. The fish slices were smooth and tender, and the porridge was fragrant and soft. Coupled with two refreshing dishes, it could be said to be just right.
Yu Niaoniao hugged her bowl and ate with relish.
At this moment, Xiao Juan walked in.
Dang Gui hurriedly bowed.
“Greetings, Your Highness.”
Yu Niaoniao wanted to get off the bed, but Xiao Juan pressed her back down.
“Stay put. We’re family. There’s no need for formalities.”
He said this very naturally. He really did not treat Yu Niaoniao as an outsider.
Yu Niaoniao sat back down.
She smiled sweetly at the man, her voice clear and pleasant.
“Have you had breakfast?”
Xiao Juan said no.
Yu Niaoniao asked Dang Gui to add a set of cutlery and asked the kitchen to make more food.
They sat facing each other at the table, basking in the warm sunlight and enjoying a hot breakfast.