Sheng Gu saw it all from the opposite end of the boat, where she sat facing Sheng Qianmo and Shu Nuan. Naturally, her expression became gloomy.
She wore an absent look as she put her lantern onto the lake’s surface and let it drift away alone.
“Princess is something the matter?” Ah’Bi asked. She had seen the look on Sheng Gu’s face and was about to come forward to lend a hand. Sheng Gu refused her help and slowly tried to stand up, almost falling terribly in the process.
Ah’Bi hastily supported her with an arm and then looked gravely towards Sheng Qianmo.
“Your Highness, Princess Gu is not feeling well!”
Sheng Qianmo had been playing with Shu Nuan’s soft hand. Hearing Ah’Bi’s voice, he took a look at Sheng Gu, whose complexion had only worsened. His face sank, and he let go Shu Nuan’s hand. Then he immediately went over, and asked, “What’s wrong?”
Sheng Gu had been gasping for a while now, but with Ah’Bi’s help she managed to gently shake her head.
“I think I exhausted myself by staying out too long. Fourth Uncle, why don’t I go back first?”
Sheng Qianmo didn’t answer her immediately, but instead looked back at Shu Nuan, and asked, “Do you want to continue looking around?”
Shu Nuan shook her head in response.
And thus, they had to head back even though the night had only just begun.
However, they were soon met with an accident. As the boat was about to reach the shore, Sheng Gu tried to stand up. The world spun before her eyes, and suddenly, she fell into the water.
Ah’Bi shouted, “Prince! Princess Gu fell into the water!”
Li Yuan and Li Ming took the lead in rescuing her from the lake. Fortunately, she was quickly rescued and in time. But still, Sheng Gu had lost consciousness.
Sheng Qianmo said calmly, “Go back to the palace.”
Sheng Gu had a high fever that night. She drifted in and out of consciousness for two days before she finally woke up on the third. Ah’Bi immediately sent someone to report to Sheng Courtyard.
Sheng Gu slowly rose up with Ah’Bi supporting her, and spoke in rough whisper, “I… How long have I been asleep?”
“Two and a half days, Princess. Do you feel better now?”
Sheng Gu waved her head.
Ah’Bi could not help but try resolve her grievance, “Princess, during the past two days when you were unconscious, the prince took great care of you. He came to see you everyday. He also did not pay any attention to that slave.”
Hearing this, Sheng Gu blinked her eyes and fell into thought. She looked at Ah’Bi and asked, “Is she still living in Fourth Uncle’s Courtyard?”
Ah’Bi felt displeased at the whole matter, yet replied calmly, “Princess, rest assured! She is only a slave and the Prince will soon get tired of her!”
Sheng Gu looked down, coughed for a while, and said to herself in a low voice, “I’m still useless.”
****
On the same day, Sheng Qianmo came back from the military camp to the news that Sheng Gu had woken up. He went right away to the Jade Courtyard to check on her, and to make sure that she was all right. Sheng Qianmo ordered the imperial doctor of the palace to tend to her. Afterwards, he went back to Sheng Courtyard.
The door of the bedchamber was slightly ajar and the light was on. Sheng Qianmo gently pushed the door open wider and went in. Within the room there was only quiet. Everything was clean and looked bright. As he walked in, he saw a person.
On the windowsill a few flowers, which seemed to have been recently gathered, had been placed. Shu Nuan, dressed in azure, was sitting on a chair with a book held in her small hand.
She sat with a dignified posture, looking quiet and clever. Her clear eyes scanned the pages of the open book. Upon flipping the page, her white and delicate fingers appeared from within the long sleeves. Sitting there, she continued reading.