CH 26

The Urgent Request (2)

“Your Highness, Zhao Yanzhou has something urgent.” Chu Ning placed a hand on his shoulder as if to placate him.

“No, you can’t leave.” He bent down and moved closer to her face. He grabbed her hair and forced her to lift her chin. “Let him wait.”

He was barely able to tolerate Zhao Yanzhou appearing by her side on a daily basis. If not for the fact that Chu Ning saw him as a brother, he would have long kicked him out.

“Your Highness…”

Chu Ning was nervous and worried that something happened to Fang.

“Is he so important to you?” Xiao Yu’s expression darkened, and he seemed on the verge of an outburst.

Chu Ning bit her lip and looked up at him. She did not dare to insist on leaving and leaned up to kiss him.

……

With that, Xiao Yu’s anger disappeared gradually. He hugged her and started moving against her.

…

An hour later, Chu Ning put on her clothes and tied up her disheveled hair into a simple bun. Then, she opened the door and left.

This time, Xiao Yu did not stop her.

“Where is Supervisor Zhao?” she gathered her sleeves and asked.

“He is waiting there.” Cui He seemed worried and pointed to the end of a nearby corridor. Zhao Yanzhou could be seen standing there respectfully. “Madam, it seems to be about Fang. Supervisor Zhao said that he is injured and needed urgent treatment.”

Chu Ning was shocked and walked towards him quickly, “What happened to Fang?”

Zhao Yanzhou had been waiting for a long time. The moment he saw her, he said with a solemn expression, “Your Highness, shortly after I left the palace, a servant from Yong Chanfang’s residence rushed to me. He said that a few hours ago, a few fierce and strong men broke into the residence. They beat up Fang badly and escaped. Now, Fang is still unconscious and is in critical condition. They have called a healer to treat him, but the healer was unable to do much. So I decided to come here to request for you to send a Steward of Medicine to him.”

In the palace, the Imperial Physician only treated the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. The rest of the people went to the few Steward of Medicine for medical treatment. Many nobilities in the city also frequently requested for a Steward of Medicine to visit them. Although the skills of a Steward of Medicine is less than that of an Imperial Physician, they were still much better than a normal healer.

Chu Ning did not say anymore and immediately ordered Cui He to take the East Palace’s seal with her to summon a Steward of Medicine.

“Do you know who attacked him?”

Due to Fang’s identity, they could not report the incident to the officials. The Chu family did not have old enemies. Even if they did, they wouldn’t have known that Fang had returned. As she was considering this, she had already formed her own theories.

“No,” Zhao Yanzhou shook his head. At the same time, he knew what she was guessing. Other than the Crown Prince, there could be no one else.

Both of them did not speak anymore.

After a moment of silence, he suddenly stared at the side of her neck and said in a lowered voice, “The Crown Prince and you…”

He waited for more than an hour. Although he made some guesses on the reason she was delayed, he never expected this!

Although they stood half a foot apart, he could still see the love bite on her neck.

Chu Ning did not answer but looked at him quietly. It was a quiet admission.

“The Crown Prince… The whole kingdom is under a mourning period. This is a blatant disregard of custom and etiquette!” The only other time Zhao Yanzhou was this furious was when he knew about the truth behind Chu Qianyu’s death. “Ning, you… It’s all my fault. I didn’t rescue you on time. If I did, you wouldn’t be forced to marry the Crown Prince.”

He felt sorry for her and blamed himself. She had to be married to a man who had no regard for common decency.

“No, brother, this is not your fault. We had no choice then.” Chu Ning shook her head and was touched by what he said. “In the future, if I do something wrong, will you forgive me?”

Zhao Yanzhou’s eyes looked heartbroken, and he nodded without hesitation, “Why won’t I? No matter what you do, I will always be with you.”

Chu Ning was relieved. The guilt and worries that she had been suppressing for a long time eased a little. Her eyes were a little red as she said, “Everything will be well.”

Soon, Cui He led the Steward of Medicine to them. Zhao Yanzhou did not linger and immediately brought the Steward of Medicine out of the palace.

Chu Ning stood in the cold night for a while more before turning around slowly and returning to the house.

Xiao Yu looked at her red eyes with a raised eyebrow and asked, “Ning, what is the matter? What did Zhao Yanzhou say to you?”

Chu Ning resisted the anger and hatred in her heart. She gripped her hand tightly. Tears fell from her face silently as she said sorrowfully, “Your Highness, Supervisor Zhao said that… Fang… Could be dying.”

……

Xiao Yu was stunned for a moment and remembered that she was talking about the old butler she had previously found. He narrowed his eyes and asked her about the matter briefly. He looked to be in a bad mood.

…

In Amrita hall, Liu Kang conversed with another eunuch softly for a moment. He then rushed to the desk and said, “Your Majesty, someone from the Palace of Eternal Springs requested for a Steward of Medicine.”

He paused for a moment and looked at Xiao Kezhi who did not stop writing. Liu Kang then continued, “It was the Crown Princess’ personal maid who came and made the request using her seal.”

Xiao Kezhi paused his brush for a moment before he continued writing.

He only put down the brush when he finished writing his letter. He turned to Liu Kang who was still bowing to him and asked, “Is she ill?”

Liu Kang immediately understood who he was asking about and answered, “The Steward of Medicine was not called for the Crown Princess. Instead, a supervisor of the East Palace led him to Eternal Prosperity Lane.”

Eternal Prosperity Lane was near Taiji Palace and the East Palace. Many nobilities have their city residence there. From what he knew, the Crown Prince did not have a secret residence there.

So, this meant that it must be the Chu Clan.

Xiao Kezhi thought for a moment and said, “Get someone to check and find out what’s happening.”

“Understood.”