Thousand Miles of Bright Moonlight - Chapter 154.3
Inside the room, Sultan Gu turned back toward the bed and lifted the curtains.
In the faint light, Yaoying lay curled up on the pillow, her arms wrapped tightly around herself, her small frame huddled into a tiny ball. Her collar had come undone, revealing a hint of fair skin. The innermost layer of her clothes was soaked through with sweat, clinging to her snow-pale skin. Even her hair was damp and clung to her cheeks in dark, wet strands.
Sensing the light, she slowly opened her eyes, her long lashes trembling. Her voice, though weak, remained soft and composed, “Forgive me for troubling the General… This is an old illness, it’s nothing serious.”
Even in such a state, her voice was gentle and calm, her bearing dignified and serene.
“Did the Princess forget to take her medicine?” Sultan Gu asked.
Yaoying shook her head weakly on the pillow. “Not yet time… I calculated carefully…”
She had been born frail and needed to take Condensed Dew Pills every month. She remembered clearly the last time she took them. It had been on the way to Gaochang, only ten days ago. Tonight, she’d felt lightheaded and feverish. She had thought it was just nerves, never imagining it was a relapse of her old ailment.
Sultan Gu continued, “Does the Princess have the medicine on her?”
Yaoying clutched her arms tightly, her body trembling, remaining silent.
Sultan Gu sat down by the bed and said, “The Princess is always cautious. I believe you must have the pills with you.”
She still didn’t respond.
Sultan Gu asked gently, “Are you worried that no one will tend to you after you take the medicine?”
Yaoying’s heart gave a faint quiver. She lifted her heavy eyelids and looked at him.
Their eyes met. His gaze was dark and serene, as if gazing down from the clouds; piercing straight through her every thought.
A faint, pale smile bloomed on Yaoying’s face. In a whisper, she said, “It’s fine. If I sleep through the night, I’ll be fine… I just need to get through tonight.”
Sultan Gu looked down at her. “I know a little about medicine. You needn’t pretend.”
Yaoying was startled.
Sultan Gu’s voice remained calm, “Though there are distinctions between men and women, to me, the Princess is simply a patient. I am a disciple of the Buddha, I can tend to you without impropriety. You needn’t force yourself. Take the medicine.”
His tone was cool and measured. Each word, each syllable, clear and icy, like a hidden spring flowing over cold stones; Gentle, yet with the weight of a thousand pounds, leaving one breathless.
Yaoying felt miserable all over, her eyes stung faintly. She clutched her arms tighter and gave a soft “Mm.”
Sultan Gu asked, “Where is the pill?”
Yaoying loosened her grip, trembling as she fumbled around her clothes, finally finding a small jade bottle.
Sultan Gu took the bottle from her fingers, poured out a pill, lifted her chin, and fed it to her.
The pill slid down her throat, and warmth slowly spread through her.
Her clothes were soaked; she needed to change. Struggling to sit up, she murmured,
“General… please help me up…”
Sultan Gu helped her rise and supported her to the wooden tub, letting her lean there to steady herself before turning and leaving the room.
His footsteps soon stopped, he stood at the door, his back to the screen, posture straight.
Yaoying, unable to see outside, had no time for shyness. She stripped off her clothes and wrung out a cloth with effort to wipe herself down.
The brazier in the room burned steadily, but she still felt dizzy, her limbs weak and heavy. Even the simple task of wiping herself down left her gasping for breath. Now Xie Qing wasn’t around and Sultan Gu was a man… she bit the tip of her tongue to clear her head and quickly donned the clean clothes left on the screen next to her.
She turned to walk back.
But the moment she stepped forward, her legs gave way and she fell to the ground.
A muffled thud echoed.
Sultan Gu immediately turned around. Reaching the screen, he paused. “Princess?”
Yaoying lay sprawled on the floor, pain shooting through her body. Gritting her teeth, she tried to push herself up, but as soon as her palms touched the ground, the world spun around her and she felt nauseous. Powerless, she could only whisper a yes.
Footsteps approached and a shadow darkened the screen. A pair of black leather boots drew closer, step by step.
Sultan Gu bent down, lifted Yaoying into his arms, and carried her back to the bed.
Exhausted and sore all over, Yaoying murmured a soft thanks. The moment her head touched the pillow, her eyes fluttered shut, lashes quivering faintly.
Sultan Gu laid her down. His gaze flicked over her dishevelled collar. He tugged the bedding over her slender form, lifted her hand to gently pushed back her sleeve, and took her pulse.
The medicine was working. Her pulse had become more stable, but she would still need to endure the process of the drug dispersing tonight.
Those who relied on medicine long-term often suffered alternating chills and fevers when the medicine was dispersing. Rest was essential for them and once the effects passed, she would recover.
Sultan Gu released Yaoying’s hand.
Her palm was feverishly warm, faintly damp with sweat, yet her fingers were ice-cold, slender as scallion roots, jade-like smooth and delicate.
He paused for a moment, then tucked her hand back beneath the blanket, pulling the covers snug. To keep out any draughts, he pressed down on the quilt’s edges.
He rose and lowered the bedcurtain.
At that moment, a few knocks sounded at the door. The guard brought in two steaming bowls of vegetarian soup noodles and said, “Regent… the residence only has injury medicine. There are no other remedies.”
As he spoke, he tiptoed, trying to peer inside.
The screen blocked his view and he saw nothing. The guard stood silent for a while, then said in frustration, “Regent… I’ve never heard of the Princess falling ill, not even once…”
Since the Princess Wenzhao had arrived at the Royal Court, he had been responsible for her safety. From the palace to the Buddhist temple, he had accompanied her all along. She had always been spirited and radiant. Only in the past couple of days had she seemed a little weary. He’d assumed she was just tired, he had never imagined that the princess was ill.
Sultan Gu took the vegetarian soup bowls silently.
Of course the royal guards of the grassland would never have known of Li Yaoying’s illness. Even her personal guards were unaware.
The only person who knew she required monthly medicine was likely only Xie Qing.
Beauty and frailty could win sympathy and affection, but they could not command respect.
Here, in this foreign land far away from the Central Plains, the title of “Princess of Great Wei” was like a sea market with a calm scenery—illusory, destined to fade. If Li Yaoying showed the slightest weakness or timidity, even a lowly guard might betray her without hesitation.
Thus, she dared not falter. She had to remain forever calm and rational, forever steadfast in will and forever clear in her goals. Only then could she truly command heand win their loyalty.
Now, her personal guards, the newly established caravan, every one of them had pledged allegiance to Li Yaoying, instead of the Princess of Wei.
She had come this far through sheer perseverance, every step of her journey carved from hardship.