Chapter 34: It Hurts So Much

Chapter 34: It Hurts So Much

A month ago, when she saw him and knew he had someone else, her heart would ache as if cut by a knife.

Even half a month ago, when she saw him and thought about everything he had done, her heart still felt bitter.

But now, seeing him again—thin, with bloodshot eyes, his face contorted in pain yet bearing it silently—she actually felt a sense of relief.

"Princess, you, why are you here?" Shangguan Jinghong asked tremulously. Without waiting for Xiaoyao's response, he immediately added, "I'm fine; it's just an injury to my leg. I didn't want to worry you and Ruo Xi, so I stayed here in the separate courtyard. I'm really fine, Yue'er, don't worry. Your husband will be better soon!"

"How serious is the injury? Let me take a look!" Xiaoyao walked over to lift the blanket.

"No, no need!" Shangguan Jinghong immediately moved further into the bed, and this movement caused him immense pain, turning his face ashen.

"No!" Beside him, Hu Shi also rushed forward to stop her, standing at the bedside and saying, "Princess, you're of noble birth and shouldn't see such injuries. Hong'er's wound is on her thigh, quite large and bloody. Seeing it might frighten you."

"Perhaps I should take care of your husband these few days, or let Dong Ju do it," Xiaoyao suggested.

"No, no need!" Hu Shi quickly shook her head. "Princess, you've just given birth, and the little countyess needs someone to look after her. You should focus on taking care of her and yourself. Don't worry about us here. We're all family, so there's no need for formalities."

"Since your husband is injured so badly, I'll have Wen Xu come and check on him!" Xiaoyao said, stepping closer.

"No, no, really, it's not necessary, Yue'er. Your husband is fine; don't worry!" Shangguan Jinghong, seeing Xiaoyao approach, instinctively moved further into the bed. "Ow..."

His cry of pain made Hu Shi stumble.

Hu Shi had replaced the white cloth on her face with a bandage that only revealed her eyes. Those eyes were dark and panicked, making her look like a venomous toad that hadn't slept all night.

"Your husband, what happened? Where exactly is the injury? Doctor! Dong Ju, hurry and get Wen Xu from the palace!" Xiaoyao turned and ordered.

"No, no, it's nothing, really. It's just a flesh wound, a burn. It looks terrible, but I'm fine, Yue'er. I'm just worried you might find me repulsive after seeing the wound!" Shangguan Jinghong spoke through tears of pain.

Xiaoyao had reached out to lift the blanket but, seeing Shangguan Jinghong's pained expression and the sweat dripping down his forehead, she sighed deeply and straightened up.

"Husband, rest assured, I won't find you ugly," Xiaoyao said.

『That scoundrel father is badly hurt!』 Baby Ruo Xi sniffed, feeling much better: 『Hmm, even though he’s injured, why are there spicy seeds in the medicine? Wouldn’t touching the wound make it hurt even more?』

Hearing her daughter's thoughts, Xiaoyao was even more certain that the Imperial Hospital must have tampered with the medicine.

Spicy seeds are a type of herb used specifically to constrict blood vessels.

When wounds become infected, after removing the necrotic tissue, these spicy seeds can be applied to stimulate the wound, causing nearby blood vessels to instantly die off, preventing further bleeding and inflammation.

However, using them on fresh wounds would cause excruciating pain.

Seeing Shangguan Jinghong's condition, Hu Shi realized that the medicine intended for her wound had been used on him instead.

Perfect, perfect, let him suffer!

"Princess, please go back. The little countyess must be hungry. Take good care of her these days. I'll look after Hong'er," Hu Shi hurriedly said.

"All right, then I'll leave it to you, Mother-in-law!" Xiaoyao said, walking away while adding, "If your husband's condition worsens, please seek help from the imperial physicians."

"Yes, yes, we will. Thank you for your concern, Princess!" Hu Shi responded immediately.

As Xiaoyao left the separate courtyard, she saw someone from the Ministry of Personnel's residence approaching.

"Greetings, Princess!" Xu Ruzhen's father, the Minister of Personnel, came to fetch his daughter and bowed upon seeing the princess.

"Xu Ruzhen cannot leave!" Xiaoyao said calmly.

"Princess, but..." The minister looked at Xiaoyao and shook his head. "My daughter is stubborn and willful. With recent events in the general's residence, I thought it best to bring her home for a while to..."

"Mother-in-law is injured, and it's inconvenient for me. Shouldn't Xu Ruzhen stay here to care for her mother-in-law? If a daughter-in-law doesn't take care of her sick mother-in-law, wouldn't people talk? Minister Xu, is this how you educate your children?" Xiaoyao asked.

"Uh..."

The minister had not anticipated this.

Previously, Hu Shi had not been injured, and the princess had never interfered in household matters. She usually read books or painted, or wallowed in self-pity, never asking about other affairs.

She even neglected her own son, so why would she meddle in others' affairs?

The minister had heard from his daughter that the princess had changed, and since yesterday, he had a bad feeling, fearing for his daughter's safety.

So he wanted to take her back quickly to discuss their next steps.

"What, Minister Xu, do you think I'm wrong?" Xiaoyao asked coldly.

"Princess... you are absolutely right. I was too concerned about my daughter and overlooked this matter. It's my fault. I'll speak to her and ensure she takes good care of the old lady!" the minister hurriedly replied.

The Princess Royal's influence with the emperor and empress was well known, and the minister dared not defy her. He rushed to Qinglian Garden to discuss returning the treasures his daughter had taken from the residence, knowing that the consequences could be severe.

Xiaoyao returned to Mozhu Garden with Lady Jin and Dong Ju, feeling very pleased.

"Let's brew some flower tea." Xiaoyao said.

"Sure, but don't add too many ingredients. You're still breastfeeding!" Lady Jin reminded her.

In the general's residence, it was truly a tale of two extremes.

In Mozhu Garden, the air was filled with fragrance. Dong Ju was picking osmanthus flowers in the courtyard with several maidservants, planning to make osmanthus cakes for the princess.

Dong Ju also brewed tea with the flowers, filling the small courtyard with a sweet aroma.

Baby Ruo Xi, having returned from the front courtyard and taken a nap, woke up to the scent, held by her mother, and looking at the scene in the courtyard, felt content with life.

Meanwhile, on the other side, cries of agony echoed.

"Mother, it's no good, it's no good, why is it so painful, more painful than any wound!" Shangguan Jinghong gripped the edge of the bed, his eyes bloodshot: "Mother, please get a doctor, have a doctor come over!"