Chapter 121: Looking for A Cure

Jun Huang nodded. “Thank you for the reminder, doctor. This gentleman will keep that in mind.”

In truth, she didn’t pay that much attention to the doctor’s words. She was only humoring him.

Once she was left alone in her room, Jun Huang let out a long breath. Her arms gave out and she barely stopped herself from hitting the bed frame. The conversation earlier had used up all her strength. She lay back on the bed and covered herself with the blanket.

After the time for an incense stick to burn, she finally recovered enough to get off the bed. She put on an outer robe and got to her feet, but her legs started to wobble after only a few steps. She was ill after all. She supported her weight against the wall and sat down on a stool.

That was what Little Girl saw when she returned to the room. She frowned and walked up to Jun Huang. “How can the gentleman care so little about your own health? Why did you get off the bed even in this state? The doctor has said that you must rest!”

Jun Huang looked up at Little Girl. She was just in need for a helper. She asked Little Girl to retrieve her medical supplies from the other room. Forcing herself to fight against the overwhelming drowsiness, Jun Huang opened the bag full of silver needles of different lengths and picked one that was as long as her middle finger. She jabbed at her left wrist, her movement far from gentle.

Again and again, she put holes all along her arm. It was a horrifying sight. Jun Huang held her breath and let the waste energy in her body circle through her system before breathing it out. With her eyes narrowed, she pulled out the needle. The tip was drenched in black blood. Crimson droplets started to seep out of the holes she had put in her arm.

It was painful even for her. Sweat broke out of her forehead. She carefully controlled her breathing. She took the silk handkerchief Little Girl handed her and wiped away the crimson blood, but then black blood started to ooze out. Little Girl widened her eyes, unable to form a complete sentence.

Jun Huang let the blood stream down her arm until the bleeding stopped on its own. She let out a relieved sigh. When She turned around, Little Girl was right next to her. Jun Huang had been too hasty and therefore hadn’t asked Little Girl to leave the room. Jun Huang didn’t know how she should explain her condition to Little Girl.

As if she was able to tell what Jun Huang’s concerns were, Little Girl muttered, “This girl will not tell a soul about what I’ve seen. The gentleman can rest easy.” She turned to leave. Jun Huang stopped her when she was at the door. Little Girl looked back at her questioningly, awaiting her order.

“Send a messenger to Prince Chen Manor and tell the crown prince I have caught a cold. Tell him that I can neither take guests or leave my place. Send someone else to tell Nan Xun that I am well.”

Little Girl startled. She thought that Jun Huang had lost consciousness, but Jun Huang had been awake the whole time! Little Girl hurriedly ran out of the room and passed on Jun Huang’s orders.

Nan Xun was worried when he heard that Jun Huang had collapsed, but before he could leave his manor, Jun Huang’s messenger arrived. The messenger relaxed when he saw that Nan Xun was still in his manor. “What a coincidence, Your Highness. Gentleman Feng has woken up. He said that he is feeling well, and that there is no need for Your Highness to check on him.”

Nan Xun wasn’t sure if Jun Huang had truly recovered, or if those were simply words of comfort. He debated if he should visit anyway, but he decided against it.she wondered. But she couldn’t dwell on it. She had to purposefully wield her words like weapons to deter him.

“I know what I’m doing. There’s no need for you to worry.”

“I – ”

“Nan Xun!” Jun Huang cut him off. She placed the book on the bedside table and met his gaze. “Don’t you think you have been prying into my business too much lately? You and I are merely allies. There is no reason for you to be this nosy. Your Highness is kind, but your kindness is too much of a burden to me.”

Nan Xun never knew that Jun Huang was capable of such cruelty. Her voice was so cold it was as if they had always been enemies. He felt his heart clench at her words.

“You – you’re too stubborn for your own good!” Nan Xun’s expression darkened. In his rage, he stormed away, slamming the door shut after him. The bright moon only served to stoke his ire. He vaulted over the wall, disappearing into the night.

Jun Huang lost all her strength and flopped down to her bed, breathing heavily. She knew what she had said was hurtful, but she didn’t want Nan Xun to waste his time on her. He deserved someone he could build a life with.

She had knocked off the book she placed on the bedside table when she lay down, but she didn’t care. Slowly, she closed her eyes, seeking the warmth Nan Xun had left behind.

But what was gone was gone. There was only a cold and empty void in his place.