Chapter 69: Coming in Person
"Fool, I’m still your cousin sister no matter what," Zheng Nianru said as she caressed the youth’s soft hair, her voice carrying a hint of sorrow.
Perhaps, Zheng Haoyuan’s future disposition would be greatly influenced by these experiences. Noble Consort Wen’s domineering tyranny had been far too harsh, and with Zheng Haoyuan being sensitive and fond of depending on others, he slowly became the absurdly bloodthirsty man he was later known to be.
"Fu Gong, these wounds are on you, and no one else is in pain because of them. If you don’t rest up properly, you’re just hurting yourself. Foolish, isn’t it?" Zheng Nianru said as she applied the medicine to the wounds, and she could feel the youth’s skin tense up from the pain.
Zheng Nianru lowered her head and gently blew on the injury, the coolness startling Zheng Haoyuan into awareness. The tautness of his skin seemed to relax in an instant, as he buried his head, wishing he were the patch of skin on his back, that most fortunate patch.
But then he thought, it was his back, his wound, and in an instant, the warm sensation suffused his entire body from his heart, reddening his cheeks, as he buried his face in the pillow, too shy to look up.
"Commandery Princess, let me help," said Fu Dong, feeling that it must be tiring for the princess to bend over like this.
Zheng Nianru nodded, and the youth looked up hastily, glaring threateningly at Cang Er.
Cang Er shivered all over but dared not keep silent.
"Sister Fu Dong, could you help hurry along the medicinal broth for me?"
Fu Dong looked up and saw the frail and pitiable Cang Er, feeling an additional pang of sympathy. Serving a master who was unloved by his parents and had a volatile temper, and with Ho Sheng being ill, Cang Er truly deserved pity.
"Alright, where is it? Lead the way, and I’ll have a look," said Fu Dong as she picked up the clothes from the floor to toss to a Palace Attendant. Cang Er quickly grabbed them with gratitude and led Fu Dong out.