In another courtyard of the yamen, Dugu Luanyue's complexion had returned to a healthy glow. Huo Wei's rescue had been timely and thorough.
She was fine, save for a minor injury on her instep. There was no other discomfort.
Aunt Mei Jiang had prepared a table full of dishes. As she served the rice, she asked with concern, "So, did the eldest young master of the Sheng family say anything about your imperial father and mother?"
After Dugu Luanyue threw back the quilt, she picked up the jade hairpin beside the pillow and neatly coiled up her hair. Then she slowly got out of bed. "No. I was bitten by the snake before he could say anything."
Aunt Mei Jiang turned her head and asked, "Oh, right! This old servant is a bit confused. When you were bitten by the snake, wasn't the eldest young master right there? How come it was the Prince of Yuzhang who saved you?"
At this question, Dugu Luanyue silently lowered her head. After a while, she said, "Yun Qi went to call the doctor."
Aunt Mei Jiang was an impatient person. She immediately said, "This old servant wants to know why it wasn't the eldest young master who sucked out the snake venom for you?"
Dugu Luanyue sat down at the round table. Her mood was complicated, even a bit bitter. She pursed her lips and said, "Because... because Yun Qi has a cleanliness fetish, or maybe he didn't know how to save me..."
When she was bitten by the snake, her body quickly turned cold, and she collapsed in the pavilion. There were some things she didn't know how to put into words.
Aunt Mei Jiang murmured to herself, "What's the big deal about a cleanliness fetish? Saving a life should be the top priority! Alas, the eldest young master of the Sheng family is so high - born. I guess he didn't know how to save you."
She picked a big piece of braised beef brisket and put it into Dugu Luanyue's bowl. The beef was stewed to a soft and fragrant perfection. Then she continued to murmur, "Alas, the Prince of Yuzhang really surprised this old servant today. He really acts like a man. That straightforward and valiant nature is quite refreshing."
Looking at the beef brisket in the bowl, Dugu Luanyue couldn't help but think of Huo Wei. Didn't Huo Wei love beef the most?
After what Aunt Mei Jiang had said, her heart fluttered again. She felt that she owed Huo Wei more and more.
When Huo Wei's lips touched her instep today, she had been extremely embarrassed, but Huo Wei had remained calm, not minding that it was a foot, and had saved her life.
"Yes, Huo Wei kept scolding me today. He said that if there had been any more delay, he could have just prepared a coffin for me. He may be sharp - tongued, but he still saved me and didn't mind at all."
Her mood began to turn heavy. Hearing what Huo Wei had said about her yesterday, she shouldn't have cared, but she had still been preoccupied for most of the day.
Dugu Luanyue knew that there could never be a future between her and Huo Wei, so she had always been reluctant to get too involved.
She wasn't afraid of being heart - broken. She was afraid that Huo Wei would go crazy. That man was often reckless. Once he was determined, if things went wrong, there might be a huge upheaval.
But today's incident had made her view Sheng Yunqi and Huo Wei differently.
Dugu Luanyue had no appetite looking at the table full of dishes. She asked doubtfully, "Aunt, do you think there's any difference in my feelings for Yun Qi and Huo Wei?"
Aunt Mei Jiang tilted her head and thought for a while. "This old servant spent the first half of her life on the battlefield and then protected you in the Southern Chu's harem. I've hardly had any contact with men. The man I've seen the most is your imperial father. His bad temper is really a bit like that of the Prince of Yuzhang. He's so straightforward. You can see and feel his true nature. This old servant likes this kind of person. His likes and dislikes are very obvious. And although the Prince of Yuzhang is sharp - tongued, he still saved you. This deserves praise. It's just that he scolded you so many times. His temper is really bad. He lacks the tenderness towards women."
Dugu Luanyue asked, "What about Yun Qi? You've watched him grow up since he was a child."
Aunt Mei Jiang rolled her eyes and thought for a long time. "The eldest young master of the Sheng family is more like a standard imperial consort. He comes from a noble family, knows etiquette, is gentle and polite, and has always taken good care of you. He can also help you handle the court affairs. There's nothing wrong with him. The Prince of Yuzhang, on the other hand, seems to have many flaws. He scolds people, is fierce, and is full of thorns..."
As she thought about it, Aunt Mei Jiang became more and more confused. "Oh, it's so annoying. This old servant really doesn't understand men. But if I had to choose, I'd choose the Prince of Yuzhang."
Dugu Luanyue smiled with her eyes curved like twinkling stars. "Aunt, you've always praised Yun Qi but disliked Huo Wei. Why did you choose the Prince of Yuzhang?"
Aunt Mei Jiang said seriously, "Noble etiquette and gentle demeanor are worthless in real life. When it comes to living, the ability to detoxify, the high - level martial arts to save people, and the ability to get you out of the cold palace are all real benefits. So this old servant chooses the Prince of Yuzhang. At most, you'll have some quarrels, but it's better than losing your life because no one saves you."
Dugu Luanyue moved the jade chopsticks in her hand but then put them back on the table. There was a complex and unclear look in her charming jade - like eyes. "But it seems that I'll never have the chance to choose in this lifetime. Right now, it's still unknown whether I can even return to Southern Chu alive."
She shook her head helplessly. The safety of Southern Chu came first. She was the crown princess first and Dugu Luanyue second. The country came first, and personal matters came second. This was the most important thing engraved in her mind.
"Aunt, make a portion of braised beef brisket for Huo Wei later."
She said softly and didn't touch any of the dishes on the table.
Outside, Shen Guilan said, "Your Majesty the Queen, this subject has come to check if the residual venom in your body has been cleared. May I come in?"
Dugu Luanyue replied, "Please come in, Military Advisor Shen."
Shen Guilan felt her pulse and examined her wound. "There's no problem. The Prince of Yuzhang did a good job. He used to march in the wild all year round and often got injured, bitten by wild animals, snakes, insects, rats, and ants. He's used to it, so he naturally knows how to treat injuries. Your Majesty the Queen can rest assured."
Dugu Luanyue nodded. "I really have to thank the Prince of Yuzhang today. Later, I'll ask Aunt Mei Jiang to prepare a table of dishes and send them to the prince as a token of my gratitude."
Shen Guilan smiled. "There's no need. He's poisoned and is lying in bed shivering with cold. But he won't die. Your Majesty doesn't need to worry about him."
Dugu Luanyue's expression turned serious. "How did he get poisoned? Is it serious? Has he taken the antidote?"
Shen Guilan said, "The antidote is only effective after a meal. He's not having dinner now. I don't know what crazy thing he's up to. Alas, this subject is too lazy to care. Let him continue to shiver in bed. But this subject was ordered by the Prince of Yuzhang to come and feel your pulse again. He's half - dead but insisted that this subject come to check on you. This subject has been saying that you must be fine. Now, it turns out that you're really okay. This subject has to go and take care of the fumigation."
After Shen Guilan left with the medicine box, Dugu Luanyue limped up to get dressed. She said anxiously, "Aunt, get the brocade box to pack up the dishes on this table. Since I haven't touched any of them, we'll take them all to Huo Wei."
Aunt Mei Jiang asked, "How many sets of chopsticks and bowls?"
Dugu Luanyue immediately replied, "Two sets."
The mistress and the maid carried the food box and went to Huo Wei's room. Meng Tan opened the door for the queen outside.
Dugu Luanyue carried the food box in alone. She lifted the bed curtain, held a bowl, and said with a gentle smile, "Huo Wei, do you want some braised beef brisket?"