Chapter 54: Lady Luck Smiles
Chapter 54: Lady Luck Smiles
Despite his runny nose, which ruined his aristocratic demeanor, Feng Xuanrui remained in high spirits as he happily munched on the dried fruit snacks that his sister passed to him.
Gulp!
The snacks his sister gave him always tasted extra sweet!
Feng Xuanrui refused to leave Si Si's side for an entire day. Doctor Liu, fearing mutual infection, suggested that he find another room to play in.
But Feng Xuanrui stubbornly refused to budge. "No way! I won't leave my sister!"
"No one can separate me from my sister!"
......
Seeing the little crybaby's tears, no one dared to persuade him further.
Left with no choice, Doctor Liu instructed Qing Shan and Qing Shui to keep a close eye on the children and administer medicine promptly if any changes occurred, to prevent discomfort later on.
Si Si had been ill for a day, and her temperature fluctuated during that time.
When her temperature dropped, the little girl happily played the game of skipping rope with Feng Xuanrui.
However, as her temperature rose again, she suddenly tilted her head and lay down on the bed, refusing to move another inch.
By evening, Si Si's temperature finally stabilized.
But no one could predict whether it would fluctuate again during the night.
Doctor Liu asked Di Jiao and Di Yu to take turns keeping watch over the children.
Although Qing Shui was young, Doctor Liu didn't ask him to join them.
However, given his older age, Doctor Liu requested that Qing Shan also keep an eye on the children, instructing him to call for help immediately if he noticed any unusual changes.
They all understood that high fever could cause serious harm.
Thus, they solemnly acknowledged the task at hand.
In the evening, after Si Si had eaten her dinner and taken her medicine, she fell into a deep sleep.
Although she hadn't heard a bedtime story yet, the system felt incredibly sorry for her being ill all day.
So, at that moment, there was no way they would wake her up for a story.
The purpose of tucking her in was to let the little girl have a good night's rest and sweet dreams.
So, the system softly whispered, "Good night," to Si Si before quietly leaving the room.
Si Si slept soundly and peacefully throughout the night without any recurrence of the fever.
The next morning, although her complexion wasn't at its best, she exuded vigor and had bright, sparkling eyes.
Upon entering the room, Doctor Liu saw that the little girl was already playing the skipping rope game with Feng Xuanrui. He smiled and said, "It seems she's recovered."
As he spoke, he reached out to feel Si Si's forehead and pulse.
Finding everything normal, Doctor Liu heaved a sigh of relief. "It's all good now. For breakfast, there's mountain yam porridge to nourish the spleen and stomach, along with bean paste buns—a sweet and delicious treat."
Si Si had eaten sparingly the previous day, and now she was feeling hungry.
Hearing Doctor Liu's words, she couldn't help but swallow her saliva in anticipation.
In the past, Si Si would always swallow her saliva secretly.
Because if her aunt saw it, she would beat her.
And if her cousins noticed, they would mock her with laughter.
Although Si Si didn't understand the concept of shame,
she did feel distressed by the isolation and ridicule she often faced.
However, the Si Si of the present was beginning to dare to take small steps forward.
Swallowing her saliva was not a big deal.
She wouldn't get beaten or scolded for it.
Si Si felt that her life nowadays was truly wonderful!
It felt so good that it was almost like a dream.
But a quick pinch on her thigh...
Ouch!
It hurt a little.
So, it wasn't a dream.
With these thoughts in mind, Si Si broke into a wide smile.
The smile of a child is always so pure and adorable.
Doctor Liu gently patted Si Si's head and proceeded to help her change into fresh clothes.
After a day of fever, Si Si's body had become a bit unkempt, and the odor was less than pleasant.
However, Doctor Liu didn't plan to give her a bath just yet, thinking it would be better to wait until she had fully recovered.
What if they aggravated her condition and she fell ill again?
After helping the children change into fresh clothes and tending to their morning routines, Doctor Liu led them to breakfast.
Upon hearing that Si Si had recovered, Prince Qing made a special trip to see her.
Si Si no longer feared this stern and fierce uncle of hers.
When she saw him, she obediently called out, "Uncle Prince Qing."
Her brother had told her to address him as such.
However, Si Si was still a bit hesitant, so she added an extra character to the title.
Le Le had told her that this was a polite way of addressing him.
After breakfast, everyone began packing up, ready to depart.
Si Si and Feng Xuanrui walked hand in hand toward the carriage. Just as they were about to board, they noticed one of Prince Qing's attendants hurrying back, his face somber as he spoke: "My lord, I'm afraid we won't be able to take the previous route."
Puzzled, Prince Qing furrowed his brows and asked, "What happened?"
The attendant gave a complex glance to Si Si, who was standing at a distance, exuding a battlefield aura that startled the little girl.
Si Si shrunk behind Feng Xuanrui, peeking out with only half of her small head.
Feng Xuanrui sensed his sister's fear and puffed out his little belly, stepping forward to block her. He even tucked his empty hand into his waist, confronting the attendant on the other side.
The attendant glanced at him, feeling a bit helpless due to the child's misunderstanding.
However, he didn't know how to interact with children, so he eventually averted his gaze and simply explained the situation to Prince Qing: "The road leading to Shuiqiao Town has two small mountains that collapsed by more than half. Yesterday, numerous rolling stones fell and injured many traveling merchants. Now, the medical halls in this small town and Shuiqiao Town are filled with injured traders."
At this point, the attendant glanced at Si Si once more, then quickly looked away as he continued, "Those who were injured are still fortunate. More than twenty people were crushed to death."
Emphasizing the last part, the attendant added, "It happened in the morning, and the situation turned perilous very suddenly."
Who could have anticipated that the mountains would collapse after a brief period of rainfall, and even after the rain had stopped?
When the attendant first heard this news, he couldn't help but feel a chill down his spine.
He thought to himself that if it weren't for Si Si suddenly falling ill yesterday, they might have been among those caught in the path of the falling rocks.
After all, the timing of the mountain collapse coincided with their planned departure.
Even if they hadn't been crushed to death, they would likely have been injured.
Upon hearing this, Prince Qing let out a soft hiss, his brows knitting even tighter.
He understood the attendant's intention in emphasizing certain details.
If not for Si Si's sudden illness...
As this realization sank in, Prince Qing felt a chill running down his spine.
Prince Qing thought to himself that he didn't mind the dangers for himself.
Those who had experienced the battlefield often had a nonchalant attitude toward life and death.
However, they had a child with them on this trip!
Although King Qi longed for a daughter to the point of envy, it didn't mean that he didn't cherish his son, Feng Xuanrui.
If something happened to Feng Xuanrui under his watch...
Prince Qing dared not imagine the guilt he would carry for the rest of his life, nor the reproach he would face from King Qi.
With these thoughts in mind, Prince Qing turned his head, his eyes reflecting a mix of complexity and gratitude as he looked at Si Si.
Si Si had been curious about what they were discussing and had quietly poked out half of her head to listen in.
But when she saw the fierce-looking Prince Qing staring at her, she was so startled that she immediately shrunk back behind Feng Xuanrui.
(Second update at 7 PM)
(End of Chapter)
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