Chapter 196 (1/2)

Chapter 196: Lasting Sorrow

Nan Xun hurriedly picked Jun Huang up and rushed toward the manor. One of his shadow guards followed after him with the wheelchair in tow, but he ended up losing track of Nan Xun because he was moving too quickly.

Nan Xun brought Jun Huang back to his manor and sent for a doctor. The doctor did not dare to treat this job lightly. He followed the servant to the manor. When he entered the room, Jun Huang was curling into herself with her fingers clutching at her knees as if that would stop the pain.

”Please let go, gentleman Feng,” said the doctor.

Jun Huang looked up at the doctor, then turned to Nan Xun. She tightened her jaw before letting go of her knees. The doctor took the opportunity to check over her. Nan Xun could only stand by and watch. What he wouldn't give to be a medical expert himself.

”How is it?” Nan Xun asked as soon as the doctor finished checking Jun Huang.

”It's simply a case of body being affected by the cold chill. The p.r.i.c.kling pain comes from the joints. He'll feel better once I let out the tainted blood from his knees.” The doctor opened his medical kit and took out a silver needle.

Jun Huang had been through countless tortures, but this time, the pain came from within her bones and joints, which made it unbearable. She squeezed her eyes shut and tried to distract herself from the pain. When the needle buried into her knee, she was relieved. The pain was slowly fading.

Nan Xun stared at Jun Huang's knees without blinking. In and out the needle went, leaving several puncture wounds to let out the tainted blood. Afterwards, the doctor applied a medicine to stop the bleeding. That was the end of the treatment.

Jun Huang had recovered her composure, and her tense muscles finally relaxed. She let out a long breath and opened her eyes. Her face was still pale, but her knees felt a lot better. She sat up with Nan Xun help and smiled at the doctor. ”Thank you.”

”You're welcome. I'll prescribe you some medicine. The gentleman will be able to recover after taking it.” The doctor sorted through his medical kit for his writing brush and ink to write down the prescription. Nan Xun was worried that something might go wrong again. He stayed by Jun Huang's side.

Once the doctor finished writing, Nan Xun made sure to ask the doctor what possible side effects he should expect. Then he ordered a servant to retrieve the ingredients for the medicine.

Jun Huang was moved by his attentiveness, but she didn't let it show. It wasn't long until she fell asleep leaning against the bed frame. She was exhausted.

Nan Xun came back into the room after walking the doctor out. Jun Huang was sound asleep with a peaceful expression. He gingerly helped her lie down and tucked her in before leaving.

After days of resting, Jun Huang was feeling much better. She was satisfied with her life in Nan Xun's manor. Her collapse had made Nan Xun even more protective of her. He didn't let Jun Huang read the records made by the House of Heavenly Friends as he had before. He was worried that she would exhaust herself and fell ill again. Instead, he read through the records for her in his study even though it went against his nature as a general. He had to shoulder some of the burden to prevent Jun Huang from pus.h.i.+ng herself.

It was the day of Wan'er's wedding. Jun Huang woke up at the crack of dawn and went through her morning routine. She stared at her reflection in the bronze mirror. A young man with white teeth and red lips stared back at her. She touched her hollowed cheek. She was starting to forget how she looked as a woman. She spent a long time in men's clothes. Today, there seemed to be a masculine edge to herself, which she wasn't averse to. Sometimes, she hoped that she was a real man. Then things would have been a lot less complicated.

Hearing that Jun Huang had woken up, Nan Xun hurried to her room. He frowned at her as she stared at the mirror. ”What's wrong?”

Jun Huang broke out of her trance and turned to him. ”Nothing.” She pulled her lips into a faint smile and lowered her eyes. ”I'm just wondering if I look ready for Princess Wan'er's wedding.”

Nan Xun knew that Jun Huang wasn't telling the truth. She had attended Qi Chen's wedding twice. She must know how to dress herself for the occasion. If Jun Huang didn't want to tell him, however, he wasn't going to force her to open up. Everyone had their secrets.

”Of course you're ready,” Nan Xun said with a laugh, trying to lighten up the mood. ”It's no secret that you're handsome. You look like you're going to steal Wan'er away from Zhang Yuan at the wedding.”

Jun Huang chuckled and smiled at him. ”Your Highness is too kind.”

”Are you going out now?”

Jun Huang nodded. Her knees were wobbling again. She let out a long breath and got on the wheelchair after some struggle. She looked up at Nan Xun. ”I was going to go myself, but you're awake now. If you have the time, can you take me to the princess manor?”

Nan Xun didn't know what Jun Huang was going to do, but he nodded anyway. As a princess, Wan'er had moved into the princess manor to avoid troubles before the wedding. She would wait for Zhang Yuan to lead her out of the manor.