Chapter 99

Chapter 99: The Resolute Love of Long Yi (Part 3)

"Even if it's worth ten thousand gold per liang, she deserves to drink it," Zhu Kongyang declares, leaving the server in awe as he walks away.

Half an hour later, Leng Jiu stands in front of the Prime Minister's mansion, contemplating whether to knock. Hesitation isn't the issue; it's the uncertainty of what to say, especially if he knows his injuries are because of her.

She suddenly laughs at herself, finding it amusing that even she can be indecisive.

The gatekeeper, Xiao Qian, opens the door and joyfully greets her, "Miss Leng Jiu, are you here to see the Prime Minister? Please come in, he must be waiting for you!"

Speechless at his assumption, Leng Jiu smiles and enters, thanking him.

Xiao Qian, in his simple way, scratches his head, "Why so formal, Miss Leng Jiu?"

Leng Jiu smiles and heads to Gong Yawei's courtyard.

"Miss Leng Jiu!" Xiang Shu is also surprised to see her.

Leng Jiu nods, "Xiang Shu, how are the Prime Minister's injuries?"

Xiang Shu reassures her, "His shoulder was injured but nothing serious. He's been bandaged with the best medicines and just needs some rest. Don't worry too much, Miss Leng Jiu."

Leng Jiu nodded, "Then I'll go see him."

"Go ahead, Miss Leng Jiu! The Prime Minister just woke up, he'll be very happy to see you."

Leng Jiu walked over and pushed open the door, immediately smelling the scent of medicine. As she approached the screen, she encountered Fu Mama, who was carrying a bowl of medicine, indicating that Gong Yuxuan had just taken his medication. Fu Mama, surprised to see Leng Jiu, soon smiled warmly, "It's Miss Leng Jiu!"

Leng Jiu returned the smile politely, "Fu Mama!"

Fu Mama, impressed by her graceful and quiet demeanor, warmly urged, "Go and see the Prime Minister, he has just taken his medicine!"

"Okay!" Leng Jiu stepped aside to let Fu Mama pass, then walked around the screen towards the window. Before reaching the bed, she caught Gong Yuxuan's eyes peeking out and smiled, sitting beside the bed, "Feeling better?"

Gong Yuxuan, happy to see her, smiled softly, "It's just a minor injury! You didn't have to come out of the palace just for me."

Leng Jiu reached under the blanket to hold his hand, "What, don't want to see me?"

Gong Yuxuan panicked, shaking his head, "No, it's just that I..." he faltered, unsure what to say.

Leng Jiu, seeing his expression, smiled brightly, playfully asking, "You just took your medicine, was it bitter?"

"Not bitter!" He'd say it wasn't bitter no matter what.

Leng Jiu pretended to be cute, sniffing, "I don't believe it! I want to taste it!"

Thinking she wanted to drink his medicine, Gong Yuxuan hurriedly stopped her, knowing how bitter it was, "Don't drink medicine recklessly, it's bad for your health!"

"Who said I'm going to drink medicine?" Leng Jiu blinked, suddenly leaning closer to Gong Yuxuan, covering his lips with hers, tasting the lingering flavor of medicine in his mouth. After a lingering kiss, she pulled away, "Hmm! Not bitter at all, quite sweet!"

Gong Yuxuan, blushing furiously at the intimate gesture, was too embarrassed to speak. Meanwhile, Leng Jiu was already reaching for his clothes, causing him to panic and grab her hand, "What are you doing?"

Leng Jiu blinked innocently, "To check the wound, of course. What did you think I was doing?"

Gong Yuxuan's thoughts drifted to her words about embracing naked, causing him to blush and avoid Leng Jiu's gaze: "The wound is well bandaged, you can't see it, don't look!"

Seeing his shyness, Leng Jiu didn't insist and leaned her head on his shoulder, breathing in his scent mixed with medicine, feeling a warm comfort in her heart.

Gong Yuxuan, initially stiff, tentatively wrapped an arm around her shoulder, his smile deepening.

After a while, Leng Jiu finally asked, "Have they found the person who tried to assassinate you?"

Gong Yuxuan returned to reality: "The assailant's martial arts were too advanced for my guards. He escaped."

Leng Jiu felt even more uneasy at this answer. After a silence, Gong Yuxuan asked, surprised, "Why are you so quiet?"

Leng Jiu, buried in his chest, mumbled, "I don't know what to say."

Thinking she was worried about the assassin, Gong Yuxuan reassured her: "Don't worry! This is the Prime Minister's residence, he wouldn't dare come here. I'll make sure to have more guards with me when I go out."

But even more guards couldn't stop Long Yuli. Leng Jiu sighed inwardly but could say nothing, only nodding in agreement.

Leng Jiu stayed with Gong Yuxuan, their conversation sporadic but comfortable, finding solace in the quiet moments.

With his right shoulder injured, Gong Yuxuan couldn't use his arm, and it was awkward to use his left, so Leng Jiu fed him at lunch. He blushed deeply, feeling sweet inside, while Fu Mama occasionally peeped in, embarrassing him further.

Gong Yuxuan found the meal both blissful and tormenting. The food tasted sweet, unaware of what Leng Jiu fed him, just opening his mouth to eat, ready to swallow even poison without hesitation.

After feeding Gong Yuxuan, Leng Jiu realized her natural caregiver talent. Only after he was full did she start eating her portion, while he watched her with undisguised affection in his eyes.

In the evening, Leng Jiu took Gong Yuxuan for a walk, needing to stretch after two nights and a day of inactivity.

The weather was perfect, and Gong Yuxuan took Leng Jiu to the garden, mostly green with a few chrysanthemums and orchids, lacking peonies and other flowers.

Remembering Leng Jiu's love for flowers, Gong Yuxuan suggested, "I'll have some peonies and other flowers planted soon to brighten up the place!"

Leng Jiu shook her head, "Each place has its own beauty. I've seen enough peonies in the palace. Why repeat the same everywhere? This garden, lush and vibrant, is refreshing as it is."

Gong Yawei, hearing this, grasps her hand, feeling a sense of fulfillment from her concern. She always stands out from others.

Leng Jiu leads Gong Yawei to a pavilion, "Let's sit here in the sunshine and rest a while."

Sitting next to her, Gong Yawei admires their intertwined hands, cherishing this stolen happiness.

Leng Jiu, noticing him gazing at their hands, subtly moves her thumb over his hand. His cheeks flush at her gesture, but he doesn't pull away.