Chapter 191

Chapter 191

Su Yi's eyelids fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes. Her gaze gradually cleared from its initial haze.

Looking at the familiar bed canopy above, she seemed to be recalling something when she heard, "Your Majesty, you're awake."

She moved her fingers slightly and realized her hand was being held by a large, warm hand. Su Yi instinctively looked over and suddenly burst into laughter, though it was a bit breathless.

Even as she laughed, she managed to laugh at him even while coughing, "How come... cough... you've got a... cold sore... cough..."

Though the cold sore was quite small, it was quite noticeable on his thin lips.

Kangxi: "..."

This little rascal was indeed capable of such antics. Even now, she still had the energy to laugh at him.

Seeing her awake, Kangxi's expression had barely softened before her infuriating words turned his face dark. He pursed his lips but ultimately didn't let go of her hand. Instead, he leaned over to help her sit up halfway, making her more comfortable.

His face was stern and displeased, but his actions were gentle and meticulous.

After she had calmed down, he finally said in a huff, "Even when you're sick, you're still giving orders."

"I want some water," Su Yi naturally began to order him around, seeing that Kangxi's expression wasn't too bad. She was quick to seize the opportunity.

She pursed her lips. Though her throat was a bit dry, it wasn't too uncomfortable. Her lips, however, weren't dry at all and even had a bit of moisture, not chapped from dehydration.

"You just woke up and you're already giving orders," Kangxi grumbled, but he still took the bowl of warm water that Yun Hua handed him. The bowl had a small spoon in it.

After taking it, Kangxi scooped up some warm water with the spoon and brought it to her lips. He did this quite skillfully, not spilling a drop.

After a few sips, Su Yi didn't want anymore. Before Kangxi could put the bowl down, he heard the little rascal say, "You're so good at this. Did you practice on the bedsheets and pillows?"

No wonder the bedsheets were changed. Did he spill water on them while trying to feed her when she was unconscious?

Kangxi took a deep breath and finally couldn't resist turning around to pinch her cheek. "It's because you were sweating so much," he corrected.

This little rascal had finally stopped panting but started sweating profusely. They had to change her sleeping robe twice before she felt better. She really knew how to be difficult.

Because she had been sweating so much, Kangxi worried her throat would hurt when she woke up, so he had been feeding her water with a spoon occasionally. At first, he wasn't very good at it, and she wouldn't open her mouth, so of course, the water spilled.

But after a while, he became skilled at it, though he wouldn't admit that.

Feeding her water was such a simple task; it couldn't be difficult for him.

Su Yi, her cheek pinched by Kangxi, spoke with a slight lisp, "I... know... let go!" She raised her hand to save her face. It didn't hurt, but if he kept pinching like this, her face would sag!!

This man really had no sense of refinement. He didn't understand the importance of a woman's complexion at all.

Always resorting to physical gestures. Was he even a gentleman?

Kangxi really wanted to retort, who was the one without refinement? The moment she opened her eyes, she didn't notice anything else but the cold sore on his lip!

And whose fault was that!

Kangxi, afraid he might have pinched her too hard, quickly released her. Though he hadn't used much force, Su Yi's pale, bloodless cheek still bore faint finger marks.

Seeing the obvious marks on her pale face, Kangxi averted his gaze guiltily.

Su Yi rubbed her face and, upon lowering her hand, noticed the red rash on it. She said worriedly, "I need to check the mirror." She touched her face anxiously, "The rash on my hand is so ugly. Could it be on my face too?"

Kangxi replied, "Why do you need a mirror? Your face is fine." Although he was telling the truth—the rash hadn't spread to her face, only leaving marks from his fingers—he felt a bit guilty for acting too hastily earlier.

"Hmm—?" Su Yi dragged out her tone, then reluctantly said, "Fine." She temporarily dismissed the idea.

Kangxi quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

After all, Kangxi still had a blister on his lip too. Even if she had a rash on her face, it would be a fair match between them.

Kangxi's temper almost flared up again. She really knew how to provoke him. He should have left when he noticed the blister on his lip. This little troublemaker had woken up and immediately started laughing at him without a second thought.

As if sensing his displeasure, Su Yi, who had just woken up and had been testing Kangxi's patience, leaned closer. She rested her head on his shoulder, snuggling into his embrace like a human cushion, and wrapped her arms around him affectionately, saying, "I'm so happy to see you as soon as I woke up."

She was truly skilled at provoking him, but when she softened her voice and started acting clingy, she was as endearing as a kitten.

Su Yi rubbed her face against his clothes, intending to press her advantage further, thinking, *Let's see if you can resist this.*

But then she was scratched by the golden-thread embroidered dragon on his robe, feeling as if a cat with a bowl-cut had licked her face. Su Yi frowned, instantly pulling her face away in mild disgust.

The embroidery really was scratchy. Why was he wearing such a flashy outfit today? He usually wore understated robes with subtle patterns.

Just as she was leaning softly against him, about to whisper sweet nothings, Kangxi waited with a stern expression to see how this little troublemaker planned to charm him. But, to his surprise, she changed her expression in an instant.

Kangxi, who had dressed up in a luxurious and regal outfit specifically for the ceremony today, thought, *This is infuriating.*

Nevertheless, he pulled her closer, adjusting her posture so her face wouldn't touch the scratchy golden embroidery. "So delicate," he remarked.

Though he said that, he was still anticipating what she would say next.

Su Yi, magnanimously ignoring his comment about her being delicate, lazily asked, "Where's Qinxin?"

That girl Qinxin was always by her side. Why wasn't she here now?

Su Yi glanced around but didn't see her. Instead, she noticed Yun Hua standing quietly nearby.

Kangxi, who had been waiting expectantly, was disappointed when she changed the subject to ask about her maid.

"She's watching over the medicine being prepared," Kangxi said calmly, glancing at Yun Hua. "Go check if the medicine is ready."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Yun Hua bowed and left.

"Do I really have to take medicine? Can't I just use ointment?" Su Yi groaned, her head already aching at the thought. The medicine was so bitter. She pouted, burying her face in Kangxi's shoulder, clearly resistant to the idea.

This was the worst part. Even the smell of certain things could trigger her asthma. Locust flower scrambled eggs used to be so delicious—fragrant and sweet. Now she couldn't even stand the smell. It was so frustrating. Su Yi irritably picked at her nails, but before she could get far, Kangxi took her hand in his.

"Don't be childish. How will you get better without medicine?" Kangxi said gently, stroking the back of her hand. The red marks from the rash hadn't faded even after applying ointment, and they looked unsightly.

His expression darkened. It felt like the delicate flower he had been carefully nurturing had been carelessly watered and was now wilting.

"Hmph," Su Yi grumbled, clearly unwilling. She was already feeling tired, her energy drained, and her mood quickly soured.

"Be good. Once you take the medicine, you'll feel better soon, and you'll be beautiful again," Kangxi whispered, kissing her forehead. He knew how much she cared about her appearance and how upset she must be about the rash.

Kangxi, who had been waiting for her to comfort him earlier, now softened his expression, seeing how unwell she was. He gently coaxed her instead.

*Get well soon,* Kangxi silently wished in his heart.

It wasn't that the red rashes made her less beautiful, but seeing her in such a sickly state made Kangxi feel suffocated and distressed. This unfamiliar and overwhelming feeling took him by surprise until a palace maid cautiously reminded him of the blister at the corner of his mouth.

Startled, Kangxi felt a strong urge to flee, thinking that if he couldn't see her, perhaps he wouldn't feel so troubled.

But seeing her dazed and scratching her skin uncontrollably, leaving marks with her nails, Kangxi couldn't leave. He had the servants restrain her restless hands and sat beside her, slowly applying ointment. After applying the ointment, he stayed by her side, fanning her hands with a small fan. The cool ointment and the gentle breeze from the fan finally soothed her, and she stopped scratching. Only then did Kangxi finally relax.

If she really scratched her skin and left scars, this little troublemaker would be upset and cause a fuss for a long time, and he would be the one to comfort her.

When Su Yi's eyes began to droop with sleepiness, Kangxi promptly asked if the medicine was ready.

Soon after, Qinxin came around the screen with the medicine, walking steadily but with a slight limp.

Bowing her head even lower, she spoke timidly, "Your Majesty, Empress, the medicine is just right to drink now." Though her knees were no longer numb, they still ached faintly, but Qinxin dared not let it show on her face.

The Empress had come down with a cough, and the Emperor was furious. All the servants in Yonghe Palace were punished for failing to take proper care of the Empress, and Qinxin was made to kneel beside the medicine as it was being prepared. Servants from Qianqing Palace came to take over their busy tasks.

Qinxin knew she had messed up. If she hadn't accidentally broken the court beads, the Empress wouldn't have suddenly developed a cough.

When the Emperor found out it was her who had broken the beads, his gaze was icy cold. While kneeling beside the medicine, Qinxin was still shaken, thinking for a moment that she was doomed.

It wasn't until Yun Hua came over and said, "The medicine is almost ready, you can get up now. Later, go and deliver the medicine to the Empress," that Qinxin realized it was because the Empress was used to having her by her side. The Emperor had spared her harsher punishment out of consideration for the Empress. Understanding this, her tense nerves relaxed slightly, and she felt weak, almost collapsing to the side.

Yun Hua reached out to support her, "Sister Qinxin, your knees must be numb. Let me massage them for you."

Qinxin initially thought to refuse, but then realized that Yun Hua's concern wasn't just out of kindness. If her knees were numb and she didn't massage them, it would be obvious when she delivered the medicine, so she didn't refuse.

"Thank you," Qinxin said, her gaze at Yun Hua somewhat complicated.

Yun Hua looked up and smiled, appearing as usual, "Sister Qinxin, no need to be so polite."