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墨書 Inktalez
Qing Wu had not been ill for quite some time. This time, however, it took her a full six or seven days to recover completely.
During this period, Huo Yun'ai always found ways to visit her. During the day, with so many people around and his own affairs being extremely busy, he came less frequently. However, the fruits and snacks from Ningxin Pavilion were never lacking. Whenever Li Zi's figure appeared at the courtyard gate, Azalea knew that His Majesty had sent something again and hurriedly ran to Qing Wu.
In the evening, after the lamps were lit and the day's busyness had mostly ended, Huo Yun'ai would come to Ningxin Pavilion to have dinner with Qing Wu. Vegetables and plain porridge were essential. Qing Wu also enjoyed them. He would encourage her to eat some eggs and meat as well, which were beneficial for her recovery.
After the meal was cleared away, Huo Yun'ai would spend some time chatting with her. He would bring over the book he intended to read, sitting by Qing Wu's bedside while taking care of her and passing the time.
Sometimes, Qing Wu felt too bored and wanted to go out for a walk.
Huo Yun'ai, however, would not allow it.
The girl was inherently weaker than others; if moving around made her condition worse, what could be done? It was better to completely eliminate the illness at once and recover fully afterward.
Qing Wu thought it was just stepping outside and nothing serious.
Huo Yun'ai insisted on consulting the imperial physician first. Upon learning that the physician advised "it is best to rest indoors away from the wind," the Young Emperor used his full authority to "force" her to stay inside and rest properly.
Feeling stifled, Qing Wu wanted to resist and argue with him.
Since she did not want anyone to see her arguing with Huo Yun'ai for fear of bringing him trouble, she chose to do so only when they were alone together.
Huo Yun'ai initially planned to persuade her earnestly. But after a moment's thought, he changed his mind and said lightly, "You can go out. Once you do that, I will take it as your agreement."
"Agree to what?" Qing Wu asked in confusion. After the initial high fever subsided, her throat had recovered about seventy or eighty percent, allowing her to speak normally.
Huo Yun'ai replied, "Naturally about what I mentioned that night."
Young Emperor leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, a slight smile playing on his lips as he lowered his gaze. "The only one who can act recklessly without regard for my wishes is My Wife. If you think there's no need to heed my advice, then go ahead."
His words struck at Qing Wu's soft spot.
If she insisted on going out, it would mean she was actively agreeing to his previous remarks.
Otherwise, she could only obediently stay in the room to recuperate.
After much contemplation, Qing Wu did not believe that someone as domineering as him would change his mind. Thus, she could only sacrifice her pawn to protect her king and, under the boy's half-smiling gaze, dejectedly crawled back into bed.
She complied so obediently without a single complaint that even Dou Mama was quite surprised.
Only Granny Lu seemed to understand, always smiling as she moved between Zhaoning Palace and Ningxin Pavilion, not asking a word more. Occasionally, she would mention to Qing Wu that while at Zhaoyuan Palace, Uncle Yu had asked about the young lady several times. She added that His Majesty had never shown such concern for anyone else; the young lady was the first.
Granny Lu had a gentle disposition and spoke slowly, making it impossible for anyone to be angry with her.
Qing Wu could only pretend to be deaf and mute, listening expressionlessly. In her heart, she scolded Huo Yun'ai a hundred times over.
—Granny Lu usually did not inquire about outside matters; once outside of Zhaoning Palace, aside from matters concerning Huo Yun'ai, she paid little attention to anything else.
Moreover, due to her discretion, she had always earned Huo Yun'ai's trust.
Now, her chattering demeanor was not typical of her. Whether she had received some hint from someone... Qing Wu felt that the answer to this question was quite obvious.
As time went on, even Dou Mama began to notice something amiss.
She had known Granny Lu for many years; how could they not understand each other's personalities?
Recalling the day Qing Wu suddenly had a fever, when she wiped Qing Wu's arms and neck to cool her down, she saw the faint pink spots on her fair neck...
Dou Mama vaguely understood where those spots came from and what had happened between the two of them. So she no longer asked further questions. However, when Doctor Luo was on duty to examine Qing Wu, she quietly requested a medicinal recipe suitable for calming the mind and added some cooling ingredients, cooking it for Qing Wu to eat.
Under everyone's care, Qing Wu did not become weaker during her illness; instead, she gained a little weight and her complexion became even rosier.
When Doctor Luo confirmed that Lord Liu was completely healthy and could go out freely as before, Huo Yun'ai finally allowed Qing Wu to wander around.
As soon as she stepped outside, the bright light warmed her body, instantly sweeping away the gloom of recent days, replaced by a lightness and joy of "returning to brightness."
Huo Yun'ai knew that she had been feeling miserable indoors these past few days, so he specifically told her that there was no need to go to Zhaoyuan Palace today; he would handle the government affairs himself. Soon after, he sent Li Zi to find Qing Wu and inform her that the flowers in the Imperial Garden were gradually blooming, suggesting they go enjoy them.
Qing Wu had not left the house these past few days to avoid the wind. Therefore, when the windows were closed for ventilation, she could move back and forth between several connected rooms.
With several days of sunshine, the sun became even more intense. Even indoors, she could feel the warmth of spring and had already planned to visit the Imperial Garden. Hearing this news now was naturally agreeable to her.
Listening to the birds chirping and feeling the gentle breeze, Qing Wu's mood gradually calmed down as she slowed her pace, no longer as anxious as before.
Azalea followed behind with a basket of fruits—those fruits were brought by Li Zi during his visit to Ningxin Pavilion. Since Huo Yun'ai anticipated that Qing Wu would not refuse the suggestion to go to the Imperial Garden, he specifically instructed him to deliver these items to her.
Azalea was quite surprised and pointed at the basket, asking Li Zi, "Why are you sending more? The ones delivered earlier haven't been finished yet. If you send more, those piled up will start to spoil."
Li Zi smiled as he placed what he was holding on a nearby table and said, "These fruits just arrived from the south; they're very fresh. I doubt many people here have seen them. His Majesty thought that Lady Liu likes fruits, so he had these brought for Lord Liu."
He turned to Qing Wu and said, "Your Majesty, this item has a unique fragrance, with a soft and smooth texture, and an overwhelming aroma. However, it is quite different from the usual way of eating fruits."
As he spoke, he lifted the cloth covering the basket in front of him.
Inside was something shaped like a crescent moon, thick and full, with a color that was yellow tinged with red—clearly, it was a mango.
Since arriving here, Qing Wu had not seen this item. Now that she saw it, she was naturally delighted.
Li Zi intended to explain how to eat it to Qing Wu. Remembering Qing Wu's joyful expression upon seeing the fruit earlier, he hesitated and asked, "Do you know what it is? Do you know how to eat it?"
Qing Wu thought for a moment. When people around her used to eat this fruit, they either peeled it directly and ate it bite by bite or peeled it and cut it along the pit. However, later everyone learned that the proper way was to wash it first, then cut it in half along the pit, and then make several cuts in the flesh of each half. This way, one could hold the skin and eat the already cut pieces of flesh directly.
She explained this method in detail. Li Zi smiled and sighed, "This fruit was sent from the south. At first, we didn't know how to eat it either. We had to specifically ask the person who brought it here before we understood. I didn't expect you already knew."
With that, he said no more and left the basket behind for Azalea.
Li Zi initially intended to leave but turned back when he reached the entrance of Ningxin Pavilion. He hurried back to Qing Wu.
Azalea had become familiar with him over these days and said, "You were just about to leave; why are you back? Let me tell you, since this fruit was given to the lady, it absolutely cannot be taken back."
Li Zi laughed and replied, "Who would dare take it back? If Lord Liu's matters aren't resolved, Your Majesty will definitely be angry with me."
After saying this, he approached Qing Wu and said, "This fruit is hard to preserve; only two baskets were sent from the south. As soon as Your Majesty saw it and tasted a bit, she knew you would definitely like it. So she ordered that both baskets be kept aside for you. Now only these few have been sent because this fruit is very warming and shouldn't be eaten too much every day."
Azalea softly remarked, "Your Majesty treats you exceptionally well."
"Who isn't?" Li Zi laughed in agreement, not daring to linger any longer for fear of delaying matters concerning Zhaoyuan Palace. After bowing to Qing Wu, he quickly walked away.
Qing Wu glanced in the direction of Zhaoyuan Palace and sighed quietly, saying, "Let's go."
Azalea hurriedly responded with an "Oh," and followed behind Qing Wu as they headed outside.
Qing Wu really liked the natural sweetness of mangoes. Unfortunately, they were fruits that only grew in extremely hot regions, making them rare in the north. Now that she had managed to get a few, she was quite happy. After some thought, she decided that it would be even better to enjoy the sweet fruit while taking a stroll in the Imperial Garden and admiring the early spring scenery. So she asked Azalea to carry them over.
As they walked halfway, the entrance to the Imperial Garden was already visible from a distance, and Qing Wu felt delighted. Her steps quickened as she eagerly made her way toward it.
Just a few steps later, a delicate laugh suddenly came from beside her.
"Oh my, how do I smell mangoes? Lord Liu is truly fortunate to have such rare things in such abundance."
The voice sounded somewhat familiar.
Qing Wu hadn't intended to respond to her. After a moment's thought, she suddenly realized something. She paused her steps and turned her head to look at the newcomer.
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