Chapter 39 - 37: Do You Care About Him?

Yun Ran glanced at the two white jade bottles, one with a black cap and the other white, both made of jade, with just their packaging appearing quite valuable. As for the medicine inside... Nangong Jue smiled slightly and explained to her: "This renowned physician I had sought for a long time without success, and it was only by chance during the Jiangnan relief efforts that I found him. After several visits, I finally obtained this medicine." "The white bottle is for external application and the black one for internal use. The external application should be used at night; after cleaning the skin, use a cloth to apply heat to the affected area for a while, then evenly apply the ointment. The internal medicine should be taken before breakfast in the morning." After speaking, he handed the two white jade bottles to Yun Ran, "It’s up to Wanyue now!" Yun Ran did not take them, "This medicine sounds quite precious. Since the Crown Prince is so concerned about King Qin, why not give it to him yourself?" Nangong Jue sighed softly, a trace of sadness appearing on his face. "The Ninth Prince went to the battlefield at the age of eleven, experiencing the bitter cold of the border and the dangers of battle. He endured much suffering." "Now, reduced to this state, he is inevitably isolated, sensitive, fragile, and insecure." "Regarding his leg, it’s somewhat inappropriate for others to attend to such matters. After thinking it over, Wanyue, you are the most suitable choice." Yun Ran furrowed her brows, pondering momentarily. Such a once bright and dazzling individual has now fallen into the dust, where even a casual word from others can potentially hurt him. "The Crown Prince is indeed considerate. In that case, I will thank you on behalf of the Prince." Seeing her finally accept the white jade bottles, Nangong Jue also breathed a sigh of relief and softly reminded her, "Wanyue, when you apply the medicine for the Ninth Prince, be sure not to mention that it was given by me." Yun Ran rubbed the jade bottle with her fingertips, faintly able to detect a subtle fragrance despite the barrier of the bottle. Hearing this, she raised an eyebrow and looked at him, "Why is that?" Nangong Jue sighed lightly, a few traces of melancholy in his expression. "Because of the matter involving the Imperial Concubine back then, the Ninth Prince holds deep misunderstandings and resentments against the Empress and me. If he knows this medicine is from me, he will certainly refuse to take it." Yun Ran looked at him without speaking. Although she is not of royal blood, she has heard many royal secrets and palace intrigues. Like the Princes vying for the throne, the concubines competing for favor, which one isn’t filled with bloody storms and treacherous plots? Since he is the Crown Prince, didn’t Nangong Mo’s mother get defeated in the struggle for favor against the Empress? But rumor has it that Nangong Mo’s biological mother passed away many years ago. Could it be related to the struggle for favor? Did she die because she failed in palace battles? Her thoughts turned repeatedly, but Yun Ran’s face remained calm and composed, untroubled, "The Crown Prince is truly meticulous." Nangong Jue looked up at the vast floating clouds in the sky, his voice somewhat ethereal. "As long as the Ninth Prince can recover soon and stand up again, I’m willing to do anything." Yun Ran stood silently beside him, watching him. This Crown Prince, surrounded by an aura, gentlemanly as an orchid, noble and elegant, sunny yet melancholic, does not seem like a treacherous and wicked person. But, she felt she couldn’t see through this man. Nangong Jue suddenly turned around and met Yun Ran’s gaze unexpectedly. "Oh, right, today at the Taihe Palace, I encountered Ding’an Marquis complaining to the Emperor about the Princely Heir. Did he not harm you?" The worry between his brows didn’t seem to be feigned, Yun Ran nonchalantly looked away at the scenery. "Now that I am the Princess, someone is protecting me. Should I fear him? But his father going to complain, will the Emperor punish Nangong Mo?" Nangong Jue looked at her intently for a while, answering her question with another, "Are you very concerned about the Ninth Prince?" Before Yun Ran could answer, he chuckled lightly to himself, "You naturally should care for him. Wanyue, don’t worry too much, I will plead with Father to be lenient." Yun Ran: "..." So, Nangong Mo will be punished? After exchanging a few more polite words with Nangong Jue, Yun Ran excused herself and left, and Nangong Jue watched as her figure disappeared into the distance, then turned and left as well. Nangong Mo wheeled himself out from the corner, watching the direction the two left, squinting his dark eyes slightly, deep in thought about something. Feng Xuan stood behind Nangong Mo, his face full of grave contemplation and pensiveness. The Princess accepted the Crown Prince’s medicine...