Chapter 12

Chapter 12

“Your Majesty, regarding last night’s incident, I have sent men to search.”

“Investigate everyone he met recently. Tighten the checks at all city gates and find him at all costs.”

“Understood…”

The voices gradually faded, leaving only a few indistinct murmurs.

Sheng Zhaoning moved slightly, then couldn’t help coughing. Her throat was so dry that even swallowing felt like a knife cutting.

The conversation stopped abruptly.

Soon, footsteps approached from a distance. She looked up as if sensing something, and her eyes met Wei Yi’s dark, deep gaze.

“Awake?”

He walked to the bedside, bent down to touch her forehead, and found her fever had subsided somewhat. He helped her sit up, poured a cup of water, and held it to her lips, feeding her small sips.

Once her throat was moistened, the dry pain eased considerably.

Wei Yi set the cup down and gazed at her silently.

Sheng Zhaoning saw the hidden scrutiny in his eyes. Her fingers twitched, but she said nothing.

“Zhou Wei has escaped,” he said suddenly.

Sheng Zhaoning knew he was probing. She raised her head and asked, “When did that happen?”

“Yesterday.”

“How did he escape?”

“You don’t know?”

Sheng Zhaoning sighed. “I don’t even know where he was locked up. There’s no need to suspect me.”

Wei Yi stared into her eyes as if trying to see right through her.

After a long moment, he said, “You’d better not let me find out this has anything to do with you.”

Sheng Zhaoning remained silent.

Wei Yi ordered the maid to bring the medicine and watched her drink it. The more he looked, the more he noticed how terribly thin she’d become lately. She was so wasted away in her clothes that she seemed hollow, so pale and frail a gust of wind might blow her away.

Then he recalled what the Imperial Physician had said earlier that day.

“Miss Sheng has pent-up frustration in her heart, and deficiency in both the chest and spleen. We are already seeing symptoms like loss of appetite, drowsiness, and fatigue. If this continues, the sickness born of the mind will accumulate and become an illness, likely becoming a serious concern.”

Wei Yi felt a suffocating tightness in his chest. He didn’t want to watch Sheng Zhaoning languish day by day, listless and spiritless, as if she were withering away with each passing day.

After a moment’s thought, he said, “When you’re healed, I’ll take you out for a walk.”

Sheng Zhaoning’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, her half-lowered gaze tinged with mockery.

Was this her reward for being “obedient”?

He had stolen her freedom, and now he was returning it as a prize or favor, expecting her to be grateful and cherish this right that had originally been hers with docile submission.

How laughable.

She suppressed the emotions in her eyes and said coolly, “All right.”

Wei Yi curved his lips. He rubbed her face, feeling that today Sheng Zhaoning was especially compliant. A corner of his heart suddenly softened.

He loosened his robes and lay down beside Sheng Zhaoning, looking exhausted.

He’d barely slept in the past two days and was now utterly spent.

Wei Yi habitually wrapped his arms around Sheng Zhaoning. For some reason, with her by his side, he felt inexplicably at ease.

He nuzzled her hair with his chin, closed his eyes, and fell into a deep sleep.

Beside him, Sheng Zhaoning’s gaze remained fixed in the air.

Cold and empty.

The next morning, early.

After the morning court session, Wei Yi returned to find the Imperial Physician changing Sheng Zhaoning’s dressings.

The wound was still hideous and showed no sign of improvement.

Sheng Zhaoning’s body was weak, and her wounds always took a long time to begin healing. Every time Wei Yi saw her frail state, he’d be filled with a pent-up rage, though he didn’t know exactly what he was angry about.

Under his watchful eye, the Imperial Physician changed the dressing at the fastest speed of his life, then fled with his medical kit as if escaping.

Wei Yi’s brow was full of gloom, and he sat by the bedside with a sullen face, not speaking.

Outside, the red plum blossoms were in full bloom. A palace maid had picked a branch this morning and placed it in a vase; the color was just right.

Sheng Zhaoning gazed at that plum blossom branch, her gaze softening rarely. “I want some water.”

She said to Wei Yi.

Wei Yi raised his eyebrows, looking at her with some surprise.

Being ordered around by Sheng Zhaoning like this, not only did he not get angry, but the gloom on his brow was swept away, and he curved his lips in a good mood.

Without a word, he actually got up and poured a cup of water for Sheng Zhaoning.

This time, it was Sheng Zhaoning who was a bit surprised.

When did he become so easy to talk to?

She took the cup of water Wei Yi handed over, took a small sip; it was slightly warm, just the right temperature.

“Drink it all,” Wei Yi said displeasedly.

“…”

Sheng Zhaoning had only said it casually, not feeling very thirsty, but under Wei Yi’s dangerous gaze, she still lifted the teacup and drained it in one gulp.

Only then did Wei Yi ease his expression with satisfaction.

“Regarding Chi Wan, do you have anything to say?” Wei Yi asked, seemingly casually.

He sat beside her, his hand resting idly on her belly, avoiding the wound area, his fingers unconsciously stroking the edge of the bandage.

Sheng Zhaoning didn’t understand his meaning.

Wei Yi’s fingers tightened slightly, but he still didn’t say it directly, instead veering: “Are you satisfied with her punishment?”

He hadn’t forgotten the “affectionate” look in Sheng Zhaoning’s eyes when Chi Yu proposed a severe punishment.

At that time, seeing Sheng Zhaoning covered in blood and nearly fainting had truly infuriated him. But when he saw her indifferent expression toward him, Wei Yi couldn’t help but vent his anger on her.

The reason he had punished so lightly was also out of momentary anger, wanting to force her to react.

If Sheng Zhaoning was dissatisfied with this, he wouldn’t mind imposing a heavier punishment, to vent her anger for her.

At this moment, Sheng Zhaoning still didn’t know that her momentary moved expression had been deemed “affectionate” by Wei Yi. She just looked at him, seeming to finally understand what he meant.

“His Majesty’s judgment, I naturally have nothing to say.”

Wei Yi caught her sarcasm, pinched her face neither lightly nor heavily, and said with a hidden threat, “Speak nicely.”

Sheng Zhaoning sighed. “She hates me, so she hit me. What’s there to care about?”

After all, she is Chi Yu’s sister.

Consider it… repaying his kindness.

Wei Yi was clearly dissatisfied with this answer. He sneered softly, “How generous of you.”

Sheng Zhaoning had long been accustomed to his moodiness. Hearing this, she just coolly retracted her gaze and didn’t respond.

The atmosphere in the room turned somewhat strained.

Today Wei Yi had returned very early, perhaps having rushed back specifically to have breakfast with her.

Actually, she really disliked eating with him.

Sheng Zhaoning had a very poor appetite; she wouldn’t feel hungry even if she ate nothing all day, and often felt full after a few bites.

But every time Wei Yi saw her put down her chopsticks after a few bites, his eyes turned chillingly cold, enough to drip water. After a few sarcastic remarks, he would randomly pick food from here and there and pile her plate high, forcing her to finish it.

Every time she was forced to eat, it was like torture. Even when her stomach was uncomfortably bloated, she still forced herself to stuff food into her mouth, often feeling nauseated from overeating.

Yet Wei Yi actually believed that if she ate more, she would gain a little weight and improve her health.

The truth was, when he wasn’t there was when Sheng Zhaoning felt the best.