The Heroine Fell Deeply For Her [Quick Transmigration] 121

Chapter 121: Taken Home by the Princess Part 9

Meanwhile, the imperial physicians were trying to revive the young emperor with acupuncture. Seeing the long silver needles in their hands, Chongxi groaned and fainted again.

Imperial Physician: “…”

Before they could figure out what to do with the emperor, another summons came from the Princess Regent’s residence.

Imperial Physician Xu, holding a silver needle, asked, “Is the Princess Regent also injured?”

What kind of day is this? Did the Bureau of Astronomy forget to consult the imperial calendar before letting the emperor and princess out?

A court lady said anxiously, “The princess’s summons is urgent, which physician will accompany me?”

The Princess Regent’s personal physician was too old to travel to the imperial retreat, so they had to choose another one.

The other physicians said, “Physician Xu, you should go, lest His Majesty wakes up and blames you.”

After all, the emperor had just fainted upon seeing Physician Xu’s needles.

Physician Xu put away his needles and, with his medical kit and apprentice, went to the princess’s residence.

In the princess’s bedchamber, maids brought clean water to wash Tao Ning’s wounds.

Cui Hong, worried the other maids wouldn’t be able to handle such injuries, personally cleaned the wounds.

The bowstring was thin and strong, even capable of strangling someone. Tao Ning, to kill the tiger, had fired multiple arrows, even three at once, the bowstring cutting deep into her flesh.

If they examined the bow now, it would surely be stained with her blood.

The maids watching from the side couldn’t bear the sight. Not just the deep cuts, but even the bloodstains on her hand were alarming.

Tao Ning sat at the table, her hand resting on the surface, watching Cui Hong’s movements.

Didn’t she feel any pain?

Water splashed as Cui Hong took a clean handkerchief from a maid, about to wipe the blood from Tao Ning’s thumb when she heard a soft hiss.

Tao Ning’s brows furrowed slightly, her lips pale: “It hurts a little.”

Cui Hong lightened her touch: “How about now?”

Tao Ning’s frown remained, but she said considerately, “Thank you, Grand Historian Cui, it’s a bit better.”

Qin Yang, emerging from behind the screen after changing her clothes, couldn’t bear to watch. She grabbed Tao Ning’s wrist, covering her eyes with her other hand: “Don’t look if it hurts, just focus on the task at hand.”

A strong scent of sandalwood enveloped Tao Ning, a warm, soft hand covering her eyes, and she immediately fell silent.

Cui Hong quickly finished cleaning the wounds.

Now it was Qin Yang who frowned. As a princess, she had lived a privileged life, rarely injured, but that didn’t mean she hadn’t seen injured people before. Even the most gruesome sights couldn’t faze her.

Looking at the pale wounds, Qin Yang looked away, then noticing the blood-stained basin, her frown deepened.

When Physician Xu arrived, panting and sweating, he saw the princess and the Grand Historian, one standing, one sitting, the princess covering a young woman’s eyes, Cui Hong busy tending to her wounds.

On his way here, Physician Xu had learned that the person he was treating had saved the emperor and was highly valued by the princess.

She must be seriously injured, requiring two people to attend to her.

As he hurried in, Qin Yang said, “No need for formalities, quickly treat her.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Physician Xu stepped forward and looked: “…”

The injuries weren’t light, but they weren’t so severe that the princess needed to personally attend to them.

He had been startled, expecting something much worse.

The most concerning thing for a patient wasn’t a doctor’s rambling, but their sudden silence.

Qin Yang, seeing his strange expression, removed her hand and asked, “What? Is it difficult to treat?”

Physician Xu quickly said, “Not at all, just some cuts from a bowstring. Apply the medicine, avoid contact with water, and be careful not to reopen the wounds.”

This answer didn’t satisfy Qin Yang: “Can’t they be completely healed?”

Physician Xu pondered for a moment: “Such deep wounds, we can only try to minimize the scarring. With proper care, they might not leave any marks.”

Qin Yang frowned slightly, looking at Tao Ning’s hand: “How long for a full recovery?”

Physician Xu replied respectfully, “About ten days to half a month.”

Qin Yang: “Too long.”

Physician Xu understood: “I heard the Princess Regent’s residence possesses a bottle of Jade Renewal Ointment. With that, the wounds will heal within three days, without any scarring.”

“Jade Renewal, I do have some.” Qin Yang’s frown relaxed, finally remembering the ointment bestowed upon her by the late emperor.

It was incredibly precious and rare, even the palace had very little. In her haste, she had forgotten about it, only remembering after Physician Xu’s reminder.

Tao Ning had also heard of this ointment. The princess had used it when she was first injured, but it hadn’t worked.

The scar on the princess’s forehead remained a dark purple mark, marring her beauty, impossible to conceal even with makeup.

This was because the poison Xie Baiyi applied to the tiger’s claws was a secret medicine from the previous dynasty, called “Thousand Crimson Blooms.” Anyone poisoned by it would have a permanent mark, and unfortunately, the princess’s scar was in a prominent location.

It was said that even cutting away the flesh and skin wouldn’t remove the mark, as the poison seeped into the bone marrow, staining even the bones a dark purple.

Only Xie Baiyi had the antidote, and the imperial physicians were helpless, even the Jade Renewal Ointment couldn’t completely heal the princess.

When the princess was imprisoned, suffering from the recurring effects of the poison, Xie Baiyi had used the antidote as bait, promising to give it to her if she stopped being stubborn.

But the princess only cursed him, saying, “My face may be flawed, but my conscience is clear. You may look perfect, but your heart is filled with filth. Take your medicine and get out!”

Xie Baiyi, angered, left, and from then on, the food sent to the Cold Palace was either spoiled or cold.

A hand on Tao Ning’s shoulder brought her back to reality.

Qin Yang said, “It takes a day to travel from the capital to the retreat by fast horse. Cui Hong, send word back to the capital and have them deliver the Jade Renewal Ointment.”

Cui Hong: “I’ll attend to it immediately.”

Qin Yang looked at Tao Ning, her tone gentle: “You’ll have to endure it for a day, I’ve already sent for the ointment.”

Physician Xu bowed, leaving the prescribed medicine and taking his leave. Compared to the emperor, who fainted at the sight of needles, he preferred serving the princess.

After all, the princess wouldn’t deduct his salary for pricking her with a needle.

Those in power had many ways of bestowing rewards and favors, easily earning the recipient’s gratitude.

Tao Ning suddenly understood why the princess had succeeded in her coup and why Xie Baiyi was so wary of her, even offering her the position of Empress.

Tao Ning feigned gratitude: “Thank you, Your Highness, but this is too precious, I’m unworthy.”

Qin Yang glanced at her hand: “Medicine is meant to be used. Rest well, and after His Majesty recovers in a few days, you’ll return to the capital with me.”

Before she could finish, someone arrived, requesting an audience with the princess.

Qin Yang could only say, “Rest well.”

With that, she left with Cui Hong and the other maids, leaving two behind to attend to Tao Ning.

The Princess Regent, with her authority, was always busy. The emperor was still unconscious, and even if he woke up, he would only be a figurehead, the state affairs handled by the princess.

She changed into a different outfit and went straight to the study without returning to her bedchamber.

520 sighed: [Look at you, already enjoying the treatment of a favored subject.]

Using sleep as an excuse, Tao Ning asked the two maids to leave. They said the princess had instructed them to stay, so they compromised, waiting outside the door, ready for any commands.

Not long after, a maid knocked on the door, bringing clean clothes.

Tao Ning declined their assistance again, changing herself and lying back in bed, staring at the ceiling for a while: “This isn’t right.”

520: [What isn’t right?]

Tao Ning clasped her hands, closing her eyes, actually talking to the system in her mind: “A cleaning maid suddenly becoming a sharpshooter, these hands don’t look like they’ve ever held a weapon, why didn’t the princess ask any questions? Isn’t she worried I have ulterior motives?”

This question stunned 520.

It hadn’t considered this. Thinking back on the princess’s words and actions, she hadn’t shown any suspicion, seemingly grateful for Tao Ning saving her life.

There were two possibilities: either Qin Yang was still suspicious but waiting for Tao Ning to reveal herself, or she truly believed Tao Ning was innocent and planned to take her back to the capital, perhaps even promoting her.

But Qin Yang didn’t seem like a naive person.

520: [That makes sense, but why didn’t she ask? Maybe she trusts you completely?]

Tao Ning wasn’t sure of Qin Yang’s feelings towards her or their connection. Honestly, if it were her, she would also be suspicious.

The princess had killed many people to consolidate her power, and many wanted her dead, she shouldn’t trust someone so easily.

Tao Ning opened her eyes, no longer dwelling on this matter, and said, “Since the mission is complete, let’s go.”

She was met with silence, then a weak, slightly embarrassed electronic voice: [Sorry, host, we can’t leave yet.]

Tao Ning didn’t understand: “Can’t leave? Why? Didn’t you say we could return to the original world after completing the mission?”

You should ask yourself that.

Briefly summarizing Tao Ning’s previous actions, 520 said faintly, [Because I was afraid of not being able to fulfill your requests, I set up a program, and I forgot to disable it just now, I was too shocked.]

Now it was Tao Ning’s turn to sound faint: “I heard you.”

520 was puzzled: [Heard what?]

Tao Ning pointed out bluntly, “I heard you think I’m fickle, falling in love with everyone I meet.”

520 paused, protesting, [I didn’t!]

Tao Ning, calm and direct, pointed out again, “You hesitated for three seconds before answering, hesitation means affirmation.”

520: […]

Tao Ning: [Silence also means affirmation.]

520 typed three letters: [QAQ]

Ah, sensitive young girls.

Against her will, Tao Ning’s already massive debt increased further, and she had to deal with the princess’s suspicions, the public’s scrutiny, and live in this world until old age.

These conditions were quite exciting.

Tao Ning sat up abruptly, seeing the sun setting outside, the sky ablaze with golden light.

She could imagine the chaos that would ensue when news of the emperor’s fright reached the capital.

As the lamps were lit, Tao Ning couldn’t lie down any longer and got out of bed.

520 asked, [It’s late, where are you going?]

Tao Ning tidied her hair, trying to look more presentable: “Since we’re here, let’s make the best of it. Instead of waiting for the princess to figure things out, it’s better to confess proactively.”

This sounded like her adult self.

The study was brightly lit. Qin Yang, as expected, hadn’t gone to rest, the current situation not allowing her to.

Memorials from the capital were spread out on the table before her, and a secret report from her confidant lay beside them.

A figure stood in the room, bowing and reporting: “Your Highness, according to the personnel records of the imperial retreat, maid An Ning arrived eight years ago with a group of criminals. Steward Tang was in charge at the time, the others were sent to the laundry service, and An Ning has been a cleaning maid ever since, never leaving the retreat.”

Qin Yang leaned against the armrest, rubbing her temples with two fingers, her eyes widening slightly upon hearing this: “Eight years in the retreat, hiding in plain sight.”

Who would have thought a criminal’s descendant, after being taken away, wouldn’t flee to a faraway place, but instead stay in the retreat near the capital, such audacity.

She had been too busy to investigate this matter, only remembering to ask about it tonight.

The subordinate continued, “I found out that the person who arranged her transfer was Li Fang from the Ministry of Works, specializing in river management, rarely returning to the capital. He was a close friend of Lord An, they even passed the imperial examination in the same year…”

After reporting everything, the subordinate left the study.

Not long after, someone announced that An Ning requested an audience with the princess.

Qin Yang glanced at the water clock, noticing it was getting late, wondering why she was here instead of resting.

Putting down her brush, Qin Yang smiled: “Why are you here?”

Tao Ning curtsied, then stood up and said dejectedly, “Your Highness, I’m here to file a complaint.”

Qin Yang was amused: “A complaint? Who bullied you?” She was truly curious.

Tao Ning organized her thoughts: “I’ve been a palace maid in this retreat since I was young, and whenever I was bullied, no one stood up for me. They all said I was a criminal’s descendant, that I had to endure any treatment, no medicine when sick, no burial after death. These past few days, after meeting Your Highness, I finally understand what it means to have someone’s protection.”

After playing the sympathy card, Tao Ning continued, “Your Highness must also know that we, as servants, only deal with brooms and dustpans, never weapons. Strangely, after being hit on the head, I suddenly became skilled in martial arts.”

520 had been waiting to hear how Tao Ning would explain… no, confess, but it hadn’t expected this!

Who would believe this?!

And it could already see the beginnings of her future self’s glib tongue, indeed, people didn’t change overnight.

Where was the cautious young lady who asked if it was a demon?