NFBE Chapter 74
Chapter 74
"Enter."
Nalan Jingwen covered Jinse's private parts with a blanket, and Jingchi entered with the doctor.
He made way for the doctor, carried the sewage out, and brought in a new basin of hot water.
When the doctor saw Jinse on the bed, she secretly gasped. She had treated many men who had been abused by their wives, but none of them looked as shocking as the one on the bed.
She subtly sized up Nalan Jingwen standing to the side. He had an extraordinary air about him, and the clothes he wore were not something ordinary people could afford. He must be a young lady from a wealthy family.
When she looked at Nalan Jingwen, Nalan Jingwen also looked over. His dark eyes were deep and intimidating, and she was so frightened that she immediately looked away. He seemed to be a person not to be trifled with.
She turned her gaze to the man on the bed, not daring to look at him for long, her face solemn as she took his pulse.
The moment the hand reached out, the man on the bed began to tremble instinctively, his whole body tensing up, but he dared not struggle, only closing his eyes and shedding tears.
Nalan Jingwen noticed this, apologized to the doctor, and then held the person in the bed in his arms, letting him bury his face in his chest. He gently patted his back to soothe his emotions, and sure enough, the tense body gradually relaxed and stopped trembling.
He was afraid of strangers touching his body, but he dared not struggle or resist because he believed he had no right to do so; playthings had no right to resist.
Nalan Jingwen saw through his vulnerability.
"continue."
The doctor glanced at her, somewhat puzzled. Judging from her appearance, she seemed to dote on this man, so why had she injured him so badly?
But this was not her business. She lowered her head and silently took Jinse's pulse, but the more she took the pulse, the more alarmed she became. Her eyes were filled with pity as she looked at Jinse.
She withdrew her hand and looked at Nalan Jingwen as if she were looking at a beast.
Ignoring her gaze, Nalan Jingwen carefully wrapped the person in his arms with the blanket and asked, "How are you?"
"This young master... has multiple whip marks and burns on his body, and his head has been severely struck. He has a hidden illness, traces of residual aphrodisiacs in his body, his hands and feet have been dislocated, and his fingers have not only been squeezed but also pierced by sharp objects..."
She spoke haltingly, mentioning injuries that were not visible to the naked eye. With each additional word she spoke, Nalan Jingwen's face grew darker.
The surrounding air pressure suddenly dropped, causing people to shiver involuntarily.
The doctor swallowed nervously, cold sweat pouring down her back, fearing that the person in front of her might beat her to death in a fit of anger.
"I will prescribe some medicine, three times a day. Do not slack off, you must rest well, and you must abstain from sexual activity for at least a month."
Nalan Jingwen looked down at the person curled up in his arms. The person had closed their eyes, their eyelashes trembled slightly, and their face was pale and bloodless. It was unclear how long they had gone without food, as their lips were cracked and dry. A trace of heartache flashed in his eyes, and he carefully hugged the person tighter.
"I understand. Go out now. Just inform the people outside about what happens next."
She hurriedly took her leave. A moment later, Jingchi came in. When he saw Nalan Jingwen holding someone, his eyes flickered, and he lowered his eyes to conceal his emotions.
“You’re here just in time. Tell the kitchen to make some porridge and have Hongyun go with the doctor to collect the medicine. She must personally brew the medicine.”
"Yes."
Rong Hengyu walked in, looked at the two people on the bed, and went over to them.
Nalan Jingwen didn't even look up, and asked, "What is it?"
He said, “Your Highness, let your servant do it. There are some things that are inconvenient for you women to do.”
Nalan Jing looked up at him after hearing this. How could Rong Hengyu, as the king's consort, do such things as serving others? But Jingchi had gone to prepare food, and she was worried about Pei Yunche's clumsy hands, so only Rong Hengyu could do it.
She remained silent for a long time before finally agreeing.
He put the person back on the bed and said, "Just call me if you need anything."
She stepped out of the room, and Pei Yunche, who was standing outside, immediately went to greet her when he saw her come out.
"Nalan Jingwen, who is he?"
What he really wanted to ask was what their relationship was, but Nalan Jingwen's actions already made it quite obvious, didn't they?
Nalan Jingwen glanced at him indifferently, but was pondering what status he should give Jinse if she were to follow her.
She had no intention of taking concubines, nor did she ever think of making them have different social statuses. They married her, but they were not her principal husbands or concubines; they were simply her husbands. She would never allow Liu Qishan to be a concubine.
But if Jinse is married with the rites due to a royal consort and given a formal status, what about Rong Hengyu? This would not only be unfair to Rong Hengyu, but also a slap in the face to the Rong family.
Marrying a courtesan would probably be something even her doting elder sister wouldn't agree to, as it would tarnish the royal family's reputation.
But... how will you know if you don't try?
Pei Yunche was getting angry when he didn't hear her reply for a while. "Are you even listening to me?"
Nalan Jing looked at him and asked, "Didn't you ask me which wild man I was going to see that time?"
Pei Yunche was puzzled at first, then his eyes widened.
"He...you?"
Nalan Jingwen nodded solemnly and continued, "However, he is not a wild man; I will marry him."
She thought Pei Yunche would make a scene and yell at her, calling her a bastard, but to her surprise, he remained silent, which was unusual for him.
After a long silence, he finally looked up and asked, "Which family's young master is he?"
Nalan Jingwen did not answer, but simply said, "His name is Jinse."
Upon hearing this, Pei Yunche merely gave her a forced smile, a hint of hurt flashing in his eyes, his brows drooping.
"It's fine... Well, I'm tired, so I'll go back to my room first. You should get some rest too."
Nalan Jingwen watched his somewhat flustered back, lost in thought.
In fact, Pei Yunche is a good man. If he could understand this, he wouldn't be so tired. Compared to her, she would rather he find a woman who truly loves him than Nalan Jingwen.
She was not his ideal woman.
"Your Highness, the porridge is ready. Hongyun will bring the medicine in a little while."
Nalan Jingwen snapped out of his daze and said, "Take it inside and give it to Wang Fu."
Jingchi remained calm and took the porridge inside. A little while later, Hongyun also brought up the medicine.
Nalan Jingwen stood outside the room for as long as the commotion inside continued, until the rain outside gradually stopped, at which point Rong Hengyu finally pushed open the door and came out.
"Your Highness, he is asleep."
Nalan Jingwen breathed a sigh of relief and nodded.
"You've worked hard, go and rest."
After saying that, he was about to go in when Rong Hengyu stopped him.
"Your Highness, he needs to rest now and cannot make any noise. If you go in, you might wake him up."
Nalan Jing paused, then pulled his foot back down.
"Understood. I will have Hongyun book another room."
Rong Hengyu stopped her once again.
"We've booked all the remaining rooms in this inn; there aren't any extra rooms."
Nalan Jingwen suddenly felt an urge to facepalm. Before he could say anything, he heard Jingchi say from the side, "Your Highness may sleep in my room. I will stay here and watch over you."
“Guard Jing has been traveling a long way and has barely slept. He should rest tonight, as we have to continue our journey early tomorrow morning.”