Chapter 609: I Dare Not Look at Yao Xu’s Face

**Chapter 609: I Couldn’t Even Bring Myself to Look at Yao Xu’s Face**

The doctor was already waiting inside.

After carefully examining Qing An, the physician then checked Zhu Yaoxu.

Qing An had scrapes on her face and hands, plus a sprained ankle, while Zhu Yaoxu only had minor scratches on her hands and no other injuries.

Both were also shaken up from the scare, so the physician prescribed herbal sedatives.

Zhu Yaoxu was in slightly better condition. Still trembling, she leaned into Madam Zhu as she recounted what happened.

“This was all my fault,” Zhu Yaoxu said with a pale face, avoiding Qing An’s gaze. “After visiting the Peach Blossom Temple with the Princess, on our way back, we saw a fox dart past. I’d heard foxes were magical creatures, so I chased after it. The Princess came with me, and we ended up at a cliff’s edge… and both of us fell.”

Madam Zhu went pale—her daughter had caused the whole thing.

For a moment, she didn’t even dare to look at Consort Wang’s expression.

But Qing An spoke softly, “It wasn’t Yao Xu’s fault. I was curious too.”

Consort Wang sighed deeply. “You two little rascals! Your curiosity nearly gave Madam Zhu and me a heart attack!”

Madam Zhu also sighed.

Qing An and Zhu Yaoxu hung their heads, too ashamed to speak.

Now wasn’t the time for scolding. Consort Wang said to Madam Zhu, “Yao Xu’s had quite a scare today. You should both go home early to rest. Take the sedative and get some proper sleep.”

Madam Zhu was touched. Despite her daughter’s mistake, Consort Wang not only refrained from blame but showed such consideration.

Wiping away tears, she rose and led Zhu Yaoxu in a bow to Consort Wang and Qing An before taking her leave.

At the doorway, Zhu Yaoxu glanced back with a complicated expression.

She spotted Yu Yongliu sitting quietly in the outer room, clearly keeping watch over the injured Qing An inside.

Zhu Yaoxu went even paler before finally turning and leaving.

After Madam Zhu and Zhu Yaoxu departed, Yu Yongliu and Xingxing also prepared to take their leave.

Consort Wang truly appreciated Yu Yongliu.

He’d risked his life going into the mountains and brought her daughter back. Just for that, Consort Wang was completely won over by this young man who might one day become her son-in-law.

“Lord Yu,” she said, “once the Prince of Ying gets back, I’ll make sure to talk him into agreeing.”

Yu Yongliu stayed calm, clasping his hands in salute. “Thank you, Consort Wang. The Princess has been through enough today, so my sister and I won’t impose any further. Let her rest well.”

Xingxing added, “Princess, I’ll come visit you in a couple of days!”

While Yu Yongliu spoke, Qing An was too shy to respond. But when Xingxing bid her farewell, Qing An’s voice immediately carried from behind the screen: “Alright! Come see me whenever you’re free.”

“Mm, I will, Princess!”

Consort Wang instructed her maid to escort Yu Yongliu and Xingxing out.

Before leaving, Yu Yongliu couldn’t resist turning back toward the screen, saying softly, “Princess, rest well and recover soon.”

From behind the screen in the inner room, Qing An listened, her face turning red, even though her foot still ached.

After Yu Yongliu and Xingxing had left, the Princess of Ying sat beside Qing An’s bed. Her fingers twitched to tap her daughter’s forehead, but seeing the lingering scratches—now standing out starkly with medicine applied—she hesitated mid-air before finally lowering her hand.

The Princess of Ying heaved a sigh. “You…”

Qing An nestled into her mother’s arms, whimpering, “Mother…”

Holding her close, the Princess asked, “What in heaven’s name happened? Yao Xu had been vague earlier, and her mother was too shaken to question properly. What possessed you to go to the Peach Blossom Temple?”

Qing An whispered, “…Yao Xu found out from Xingxing that Lord Yu had someone he liked, and she became beside herself. She couldn’t shake it off and came to me, asking me to accompany her to the temple to pray for love. I was partly involved too, so I went along.”

Here, Qing An’s face flushed.

She couldn’t bring herself to tell Yao Xu that she was the one Lord Yu loved, feeling somewhat guilty, so she accompanied Yao Xu to the temple to pray for love.

Later, when the fox appeared, Yao Xu took it for some heavenly sign sent to fulfill her wishes. She even excitedly asked Qing An if this meant she still had a shot with Yu Yongliu.

With that, she chased after the fox.

Qing An panicked, fearing Yao Xu might actually have a chance with Lord Yu, and hurried after her.

The result was both of them plunging over the cliff from the broken ledge.

Fortunately, nothing too serious happened…

Qing An shrank further into her mother’s embrace, her voice tiny: “…When Lord Yu found us and came down to rescue me, he carried me in his arms. I couldn’t bear to look at Yao Xu’s face…”

Qing An felt deeply conflicted. At her most desperate moment, Lord Yu seemed to drop from the sky to save her, filling her heart with joy.

Yet the secret she had never known how to share with her closest friend was now exposed before her.

Because of her injured foot, Lord Yu had said he’d lead her horse, but how could she have him trudging back through the dark?

Both she and Yao Xu were still shaken from the ordeal, their limbs like jelly, making it difficult to share a horse.

After only a brief hesitation, Qing An softly suggested riding together with Lord Yu.

At that moment, Yao Xu seemed so stunned a twig cracked under her foot.

Qing An wanted to explain to Yao Xu, but didn’t know how. Besides, having just narrowly escaped death, it wasn’t the right time for explanations.

So they returned like that.

Still uneasy, Qing An hesitated, but the Princess of Ying softened at the sight of her daughter’s distress and took her hand. “Ning Ning, you did nothing wrong. Under those circumstances, riding with Lord Yu was the best choice. Moreover, Lord Yu is earnestly seeking to marry you. He is a man of noble character, and his family is easy to get along with. I have no objections. In my eyes, you two are as good as engaged—what’s wrong with sharing a horse?... Besides, your safety comes first above all else.”

Touched, Qing An buried her face in her mother’s embrace. “Mother…”

The Princess of Ying laid down the law. “Don’t worry. The next time Yao Xu visits, just tell her the truth. I’m certain I can persuade your father. The sooner you clarify things with Yao Xu, the better. If she can’t move past it, then gradually distancing yourselves is fine. No need for both of you to suffer like this now.”

Hearing this, Qing An felt as though she had found her anchor. She nodded and replied, “Alright, Mother. When Yao Xu comes, I’ll tell her.”

Little did she know, in the following days of recovery, while other noble ladies visited and Xingxing came twice, Yao Xu never once showed her face.