Du Gu Luanyue was burning with a fever and delirious. She clung tightly to Huo Wei's arm. "Don't leave me," she pleaded.
Huo Wei halted in his tracks. Then he sat back down on the stool, gently removing her hand and tucking it under the covers. "Alright, I won't leave," he soothed.
Her delicate features were flushed an unhealthy red. She tossed restlessly on the phoenix bed, throwing the covers aside. Tears streamed down her temples.
"I've been so lonely in the Northern Yan. I have no one to rely on. But I can't keep you by my side..."
Aunt Mei Jiang entered with an ice bucket. Surprised to see Huo Wei still there, she said, "Your Highness, why haven't you left with His Majesty? Let this old servant take care of Her Highness."
Huo Wei took the ice bucket and dipped a handkerchief into it. "His Majesty has decreed that I stay here to fulfill my filial duties. Not just today, but from now on, I'll come to the Fengluan Palace every day to pay my respects to Her Majesty the Queen Mother."
Aunt Mei Jiang nodded. So it was the Emperor's order. Then she noticed the rose cake on the bedside table. "Is this the cake Your Highness bought for Her Highness from outside the palace?"
Huo Wei replied calmly, "It's His Majesty's wish. I'm just acting on his behalf."
Aunt Mei Jiang didn't ask any more questions. She quietly withdrew.
At that moment, Yu Zan entered with a tray of tea. A red begonia silk flower adorned her hair, making her stand out from the other maids.
She placed the tray beside Huo Wei's elbow and offered him a cup of tea with a shy smile. "Your Highness has been taking such good care of Her Highness. You must be tired."
Huo Wei didn't even turn his head. His eyes were fixed on Du Gu Luanyue. "Hmm," he murmured.
Yu Zan held the cup of tea for a while. Her expression darkened. She walked to the bedside and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Your Highness, please have some tea," she said softly.
Huo Wei glanced at her. "Put it down and leave," he commanded coldly.
Yu Zan trembled with fear. She didn't dare to disobey. For some reason, she felt more nervous in front of Huo Wei than in front of Emperor Murong Min.
Huo Wei was a battle-hardened warrior. The cold and menacing aura around him was palpable, like a sharp blade ready to strike.
She turned around and left silently, unaware that Huo Wei's dark eyes were following her every move. A cold smile played on his lips.
The beauty on the bed was still burning with a fever. Huo Wei wrung out the handkerchief and placed it on her forehead.
He remembered once when he had a high fever in the army. His master had used the strongest liquor to cool him down.
" Aunt Mei Jiang, come in for a moment," he called out.
Aunt Mei Jiang entered. "Is Your Highness leaving the palace? This old servant will have someone escort you."
Huo Wei remained by Du Gu Luanyue's bedside, observing her condition closely. "Her fever won't go down. If it continues like this, it could be life-threatening.
Go and get the strongest liquor in the palace. Soak a silk handkerchief in it and wipe the major meridians. That should bring down her fever quickly."
Aunt Mei Jiang had never heard of such a method. "But the imperial physicians never mentioned this. Will it work?"
Huo Wei narrowed his eyes. "If you delay any longer, she could die," he snapped.
Aunt Mei Jiang fetched the liquor. Together with Yu Zan, they undressed Du Gu Luanyue and began to wipe her body with the liquor.
They repeated the process every now and then, from before dusk until midnight. Gradually, Du Gu Luanyue's fever subsided.
Huo Wei stood behind the screen. "Is she awake?" he asked.
Aunt Mei Jiang replied excitedly, "Her Highness woke up once. Now she's sleeping soundly.
This old servant thanks Your Highness for your ingenious remedy. May the heavens bless you!"
She dressed Du Gu Luanyue and covered her with the quilt. Then she left with Yu Zan.
Huo Wei thought it was time for him to leave the palace. He stood up but then walked behind the screen to take one last look at her. His eyes were dark and filled with sadness.
Before Sheng Yunqi appeared, he had thought that Du Gu Luanyue had feelings for him.
But after Sheng Yunqi's arrival, he realized that her heart belonged to someone else.
So how much of her kindness towards him, like celebrating his birthday and getting him the command of the imperial guards, was genuine?
Du Gu Luanyue turned over on the bed. Her dry throat uttered, "I'm sorry I didn't celebrate your birthday properly this year."
Huo Wei took a few steps forward. "What do you mean by not celebrating it properly?"
Du Gu Luanyue murmured with her eyes closed, "Your birthday."
Huo Wei's black eyes trembled slightly. "Du Gu Luanyue, who am I?"
A faint smile played on her pale lips. "Yunqi, stop joking. Of course I know who you are."
Huo Wei's hands behind his back tightened into fists. A burning sensation rose from his stomach.
His eyes dropped. He let out a cold laugh, mocking himself for his foolish thoughts.
He was a man born for revenge. What was he expecting?
He, Huo Wei, would never be able to obtain the things that didn't belong to him.
With that thought in mind, he turned around and left the Fengluan Palace.
The next day, after the morning court session, Emperor Murong Min came to the Fengluan Palace. Coincidentally, Du Gu Luanyue had just woken up after a night of high fever.
The first person she saw was Murong Min. He reached out and touched her forehead. "Thank goodness your fever has gone down," he said with relief.
Murong Min sighed. "You silly girl. Why did you go out to pray for me in such cold weather? Now you've made yourself sick."
Du Gu Luanyue's voice was hoarse. "Your humble servant is fine. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."
Murong Min took her hand. His eyes were still filled with worry. "You should rest more. I'll stay here with you."
Du Gu Luanyue looked at the man in front of her. She didn't expect that after a serious illness, there would still be someone by her bedside.
Life in a foreign land was not easy. The New Year was approaching. Being cared for like this made her feel a little touched.
"Alright," she replied softly.
Aunt Mei Jiang brought in a bowl of minced meat and vegetable congee. Huo Wei had left with a gloomy face, but he had still instructed that Du Gu Luanyue shouldn't just drink plain congee when she woke up. Plain congee lacked nutrition.
She should eat a light diet but also have more minced meat to recover quickly.
Eunuch Ying Xi looked hesitant. "Your Majesty, the New Year is approaching. Your affairs in the court are heavy. Do you want to..."
Murong Min's eyes were dark. He didn't answer.
Du Gu Luanyue was quick-witted. "Your Majesty, please go back. State affairs are more important. Your humble servant is already much better," she said.
Actually, what Eunuch Ying Xi wanted to ask was whether Murong Min wanted to move his memorials to the Fengluan Palace to deal with them, so that he could take care of the Queen and handle official business at the same time.
But since the Emperor didn't say anything, that was that.
Murong Min didn't stay any longer. He was about to return to the Zichen Palace when Zhao Chuyan intercepted him on the way. She pestered him to go to her palace.
Aunt Mei Jiang held up a spoon. "Your Highness, eat slowly. Is the congee delicious?"
Du Gu Luanyue had no appetite. "I don't want to eat anymore," she said.
Aunt Mei Jiang seemed to remember something. She quickly picked up the rose cake on the food tray.
"Your Highness, do you want to eat this? You like rose-flavored things the most."
Du Gu Luanyue's eyes lit up. "Yes," she said. After taking a few bites, her appetite improved. She asked,
"Who made this rose cake? It tastes exactly the same as the one Huo Wei bought from outside the palace last time."