WMSG Chapter 91

Ye Yueshen woke up and stood by the bed for a while, feeling a bit dazed after just waking up, especially after staying overnight in an unfamiliar place. It was even more disorienting in the morning.

Gong Xunwu acted like an attentive servant, stepping forward to smooth out the wrinkles in Ye Yueshen’s clothes from the night before, even kneeling on the ground to pat down the hem of his robe.

“Last night, you fell asleep, and I originally wanted to take off your clothes to make you more comfortable,” Gong Xunwu said while serving him. “But after all, it’s outside, and I was worried it wouldn’t be clean, not that I was afraid you’d think I was being frivolous with you.”

Ye Yueshen ignored him. When he went outside, he saw Ye He waiting. Ye He followed Ye Yueshen a bit guiltily. Last night, he had been intimidated by Gong Xunwu and obediently went to the next room. Only after leaving did he remember that he was Ye Yueshen’s servant.

He had been worried all night, and only when he saw Ye Yueshen come out safe and sound in the morning did he breathe a sigh of relief.

Ye Yueshen went home to continue his after-nap sleep, only to be woken up by Xuě Dōng in the afternoon, followed immediately by the arrival of the Imperial Physician.

Whether it was from staying up late watching the lantern festival or from being exhausted from walking too much, Ye Yueshen had developed a fever. The Imperial Physician administered acupuncture and fed him a medicinal pill, boasting as if seeking credit, “Knowing that Young Master Yue is afraid of bitterness, this official specifically didn’t have them brew a decoction. This medicinal pill is only taken by the princesses in the palace, and now only Young Master Yue has it.”

Ye Yueshen felt a little embarrassed, feeling like he had suddenly become delicate and precious. He slightly parted his lips and used his tongue to push the medicinal pill out, spitting it onto the ground with a ‘poof’ sound.

“Brew me a decoction,” Ye Yueshen said, feeling like he was truly muddle-headed from the fever, actually throwing a tantrum.

The Imperial Physician didn’t get angry but instead chuckled. Ye Yueshen turned to look at him and realized that the Imperial Physician looked very familiar. It was Imperial Physician Ju Su, who had treated him when he was injured that day.

Ju Su took another medicinal pill and offered it to Ye Yueshen, “Be good, Young Master Yue, quickly take the pill, or do I have to ask Prince Qi to come and coax you to take it?”

Ye Yueshen was angered by him, “Get out, I don’t need you to treat me.”

“Such a childish temper, you should be the one to treat Prince Qi’s stubbornness,” Ju Su pinched Ye Yueshen’s cheek, pinched the medicinal pill and tossed it towards Ye Yueshen’s throat. Ye Yueshen choked for a moment and swallowed the pill.

Xue Dong and Ye He, who were watching from the side, were dumbfounded. Ju Su stroked his non-existent beard, “Just wait, the fever will subside in less than a quarter of an hour. Drink some ginger soup before going to bed tonight.”

Ye Yueshen didn’t like ginger soup very much. When it was brought in the evening, he didn’t touch it, using the excuse that it was too hot and setting it aside to cool, dragging it out until the servants Yun Zheng and Xia Wei forgot about it, and he didn’t remind them.

As he was vaguely falling asleep, someone pushed the door open and came in. Ye Yueshen asked who it was, but didn’t hear a reply.

Ye Yueshen had an answer in his heart. Sure enough, before long, the bed curtains were lifted, and Gong Xunwu sat at the head of his bed, holding a bowl of ginger soup, “Ginger soup is much better than medicine. Be good and drink some tonight.”

Ye Yueshen didn’t want to drink it. Gong Xunwu didn’t bother trying to persuade him, and simply took a large mouthful himself, held Ye Yueshen down, and passed it to him. Ye Yueshen’s eyes widened, losing any thought of resistance.

When Gong Xunwu went to take a second mouthful, Ye Yueshen compromised, “I’ll drink it myself, give me the bowl.”

Gong Xunwu was still a little regretful. Ye Yueshen took the bowl and gulped down the ginger soup. He glared at Gong Xunwu, feeling a bit sullen.

“Don’t be angry,” Gong Xunwu pressed him back into the blankets, pulling the brocade quilt up to his chin, “I have something to tell you. The Empress Dowager has summoned the Junzhu to enter the palace tomorrow, it’s about our matter.”

Ye Yueshen raised an eyebrow and asked him, “What matter do we have?”

Gong Xunwu didn’t say anything, even a little regretful for telling him, but if he didn’t say it, he was afraid that Ye Yueshen would be angry when he found out.

These days, Ye Yueshen neither spoke harshly to him nor took the initiative to speak to him. Sometimes Gong Xunwu felt like he had taken a step closer, and sometimes he felt like he was standing still.

At this moment, he seemed to understand that he was being completely ignored by Ye Yueshen.

Ye Yueshen turned over, not knowing if he was sleepy or simply didn’t want to see Gong Xunwu. If it were any other time, Gong Xunwu would have clung to him and coaxed him a few times, or shamelessly talked to himself.

But now, Ye Yueshen was sick, and he didn’t want to disturb Ye Yueshen’s rest, so he could only sit by the bed, looking at half of Ye Yueshen’s profile, his skin delicate and fair, as if glowing in the darkness.

It was common knowledge that Ye Yueshen was good-looking, but Gong Xunwu was still often amazed by this face. Every sleepless night, he imagined the wonderful feeling of touching it with his hands or lips.

He was certain that the person he loved most was Ye Yueshen, but he didn’t dare say that the person who loved Ye Yueshen the most was himself, because Ye Yueshen was so good that naturally many people would love him hopelessly.

Gong Xunwu lay down beside Ye Yueshen’s bed. He was certain that Ye Yueshen wasn’t asleep yet, but he hadn’t chased him away, not knowing if it was because he didn’t want to waste his breath or if he didn’t mind.

After a moment, Ye Yueshen suddenly spoke, “Don’t let my mother be blamed for my sake. If my mother is wronged in front of the Empress Dowager, I won’t tolerate it.”

“I know, I guarantee it won’t happen.” Gong Xunwu wanted to hug him from behind, but he didn’t dare risk angering Ye Yueshen. He said very sincerely, “Your opinion is most important. I just want to clear away all obstacles first, and then slowly win you over.”

Ye Yueshen didn’t say anything more.

The next morning, Ye Yueshen woke up early and washed up. Gong Xunwu accompanied Ye Yueshen to the main courtyard for breakfast.

No one showed surprise at seeing Gong Xunwu. Except for Marquis Ye, no one warmly welcomed him. Ye Yueshen sat beside the Junzhu like a child dependent on his mother, even putting down his chopsticks while eating and resting his head on the Junzhu’s shoulder.

The Junzhu smiled and patted his face, “You’re eating, don’t slouch.”

Gong Xunwu slowed his chewing, his eyes fixed on Ye Yueshen leaning on the Junzhu’s shoulder. He was even jealous of someone’s mother.

After breakfast, the Junzhu indeed entered the palace. Before leaving, she casually asked Ye Yueshen, “Do you want to go?”

“I want to accompany my mother,” Ye Yueshen said. He had a fever again, his cheeks slightly flushed, making him look pitiful and adorable.

The Junzhu didn’t feel at ease leaving him at home either, so she decided to bring him along. Gong Xunwu didn’t have the chance to express his opinion and followed them into the palace.

This time entering the palace wasn’t just to see the Empress Dowager. The Emperor was also at Heyun Palace. They hadn’t expected Ye Yueshen to come along. The Empress Dowager even went to greet him, “Yue’er has been running around, hasn’t he?” The Empress Dowager reached out and tested Ye Yueshen’s forehead, “He has a fever? Quickly summon the Imperial Physician.”

Even the Emperor stood up a little awkwardly. If they were meeting a candidate for Prince Qi’s consort from an ordinary noble family, the Emperor and Empress Dowager wouldn’t be so nervous. They would just sit nobly on the dragon throne or recline comfortably on the soft couch, asking a few questions in a slow tone with a casual attitude.

But Gong Xunwu happened to be fond of the Junzhu’s son, a relative by marriage and also of a different generation, making everyone uneasy.

As soon as Ye Yueshen came in, he was pulled to sit next to the Empress Dowager, who now became a gentle and loving old woman, holding Ye Yueshen’s hand and not letting go.

From the moment she entered the palace, the Junzhu’s expression had not been good. She seemed to take a deep breath and had to recognize the current situation. It was hard to say whether it was a compromise or a display of displeasure. She knelt down and saluted coldly, “This consort greets Your Majesty, this consort greets the Empress Dowager.”

Ye Yueshen felt like an explosion had occurred in his ears. He looked at the Junzhu in confusion.

Gong Xunwu breathed a sigh of relief. He knew that if he could marry Ye Yueshen, the Junzhu could no longer call the Empress Dowager ‘Mother Empress,’ nor could she call herself ‘Your subject’s son/daughter.’ At that time, she and the Empress Dowager would be of the same generation.

The Emperor closed his eyes, as if digesting this reality. After opening his eyes, he couldn’t help but glare at the culprit, Gong Xunwu.

Because of Gong Xunwu, even the Emperor was demoted in front of the Junzhu. No one would have dared to imagine such a thing a few years ago, but now the Emperor was old, and his mindset and thoughts had become broader and more tolerant.

The Empress Dowager was also a little uneasy, even a little sentimental. She had also tried her best to worry about the Junzhu, but now it was this kind of situation.

“Get up,” the Empress Dowager sighed, “Yinger, take a seat.”

The Junzhu’s eyes reddened. After sitting down, she indifferently swept her gaze over Gong Xunwu, then landed on her son’s guilty gaze, and softened again, “Is Xiao Yue uncomfortable? Does your head hurt?”

“No,” Ye Yueshen shook his head.

The Empress Dowager continued to care for Ye Yueshen for a while. After the Imperial Physician Ju Su arrived, the Emperor said to Gong Xunwu, “Take Xiao Yue to the side hall, it will be more convenient if the Imperial Physician administers acupuncture.” This meant that he wanted to send them away to talk.