Chapter 483: Grumpy Morning
Her dream was just a few fragmented images. She seemed to see a sky full of yellow sand and hear shouts coming from the distant horizon.
Shadowy figures moved about, but she couldn’t make out any of their faces.
Some faces seemed familiar, but most were strange to her.
Faintly, the scent of blood seemed to permeate the air.
Ye Chutang tried to see more clearly, but she found her feet were rooted to the spot, unable to take even a single step forward.
The shouting grew more urgent, and closer.
Ye Chutang gazed in the direction of the sound, and a figure suddenly leaped out from the chaos.
Just as she was about to see the person’s face, she startled awake.
In the dead of night, there was only the sound of soft breathing. Everything seemed to be submerged in the darkness, indistinct.
Ye Chutang glanced at the Little Bun snuggled in her arms, sleeping sweetly.
As if sensing something, she hugged Ye Chutang’s arm and gently nuzzled her with her soft little face.
Ye Chutang let out a soft breath and tucked the blanket around her, but her mind kept replaying everything from the dream.
Unfortunately, no matter how she tried to recall it, she couldn’t see it any more clearly.
After trying fruitlessly, Ye Chutang finally gave up, but she couldn’t shake the doubt in her heart.
’This was no ordinary dream.’
’It concerned the future, a premonition of the unknown.’
She was certain it was a scene that would happen at some point in the future, but... where was it? And who were those people?
And the muffled shouts that kept echoing in her ears—who were they coming from?
Ye Chutang rarely had such vague dreams where she couldn’t even make out a single face.
’What on earth could this portend?’
「...」
After waking up, Ye Chutang couldn’t fall back asleep.
She lay with her eyes open until dawn, and for once, there were faint dark circles under her eyes.
First thing in the morning, Xiao Wu noticed that her big sister seemed to be in a bad mood. After a closer look, she understood—her sister hadn’t slept well.
Sure enough, as soon as Ye Chutang got into the carriage, she leaned back and closed her eyes to rest.
Xiao Wu sat obediently across from her, quietly flipping through a picture book.
Ye Chutang had drawn it for her by hand. There were many more at home, each no bigger than the palm of her hand. Every page had only a few words, but they told many wonderful stories.
In truth, Xiao Wu already knew quite a few characters, but Ye Chutang had been busy lately. Worried that her sister would be bored all by herself, she had specially prepared these for her entertainment.
Xiao Wu was so quiet that even the sound of her turning the pages was barely audible, afraid of disturbing her big sister’s nap.
However, there was always someone tactless who insisted on walking right into the line of fire.
Just as they reached the palace gates, the carriage was stopped.
"Second Miss Ye?"
A rather familiar female voice came from outside.
Xiao Wu blinked. ’That sounds like... Princess Yuhe?’
Sure enough, the voice continued, "I wonder if I might take up a quarter of an hour of your time? I have something important to discuss with you."
The little eunuch driving the carriage naturally recognized her. He hesitated for a moment, then turned back and asked, "Second Miss Ye, what do you think?"
His duty was to escort Ye Chutang, but there was still time. A quarter of an hour wouldn’t cause a delay.
Even though Xiao Chengxuan was now locked up, Consort Ru was still in the palace. And with Xiao Lansi present as well, they didn’t dare to be too offensive.
Ye Chutang wasn’t actually asleep.
’Who could possibly sleep peacefully in a carriage rocking and swaying the whole way?’
’Especially when you have to wake up at the crack of dawn just to go to work. No one would be happy about that.’
So, upon hearing that voice, the irritation in Ye Chutang’s heart grew heavier.
She hadn’t had much interaction with this Princess Yuhe, but this wasn’t the first time the princess had cornered her.
Ye Chutang opened her eyes, her face devoid of expression.
She lifted the curtain and saw Xiao Lansi standing before her.
She was dressed in palace attire, wearing a fox-fur cloak and holding a hand warmer. The tip of her nose and her cheeks were red, as if she had been waiting here for a long time.
"Does the Princess have some urgent business?" Ye Chutang asked.
Xiao Lansi had indeed been waiting here for a very long time.
She had been standing here since the sky was barely light, and now her legs were numb and stiff.
She gave an embarrassed smile. Perhaps because of the cold, her face was taut, and the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.
"I know Miss Ye must attend to my father, the Emperor, and cannot be delayed, so I’ll be brief."
She breathed out a puff of warm air and looked at Ye Chutang with a hopeful expression, yet seemed to find it difficult to speak:
"My mother has been unwell these past two days. The Imperial Physicians have given her medicine, but it hasn’t been effective. I was wondering if Second Miss Ye could possibly take a look?"
Ye Chutang came back to her senses, feeling that this request was utterly absurd.
"The Princess means... you want me to treat Consort Ru?"
’Is she serious?’
Xiao Chengxuan bore undeniable responsibility for Ye Zheng’s death. It would be no exaggeration to call their families enemies, and yet today, they were actually asking her to treat Consort Ru?
’Do I look like too much of a pushover, or does Consort Ru want to test how tough she is?’
"Yes."
Xiao Lansi seemed to realize how inappropriate this was, and her expression became embarrassed and troubled.
"Originally... originally, we wouldn’t have dared to disturb you so rashly, but seeing my mother tormented by her illness, I truly can’t bear it. I can only hope that Second Miss Ye, with a Healer’s benevolent heart, will take a look at my mother. Just for a little while, whenever Second Miss Ye is free. We would be endlessly grateful."
Xiao Lansi’s words were spoken with heartfelt sincerity.
For a princess of her status to wait here so long in the cold and personally make such a request—her attitude was indeed impeccable, leaving no room for criticism.
A gust of wind blew past, and Xiao Wu shrank back, pulling her neck in.
’This tactic might work on others, but not on my sister.’
’Especially... a sleep-deprived sister.’
Sure enough, in the next moment, Ye Chutang spoke calmly.
"Please go back, Princess. I’m afraid I cannot grant your request."
Xiao Lansi hadn’t expected Ye Chutang to refuse so bluntly and was left speechless.
"I-it won’t take much of your time, just—"
"If the Imperial Physicians from the Imperial Hospital can’t cure her, then it must be an illness that requires a great deal of energy. I am very sympathetic to Consort Ru’s situation, but His Majesty’s health is poor, and I am already overwhelmed dealing with it. I have no extra time or energy for anything else," Ye Chutang said.
"Your Highness should find someone more capable."