Reborn as a Sickly Child: The Emperor's Beloved

Shen Yanyan lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, and Xiao Jingzhan's words kept echoing in her mind. Her mood became very complicated, as if she was entangled by an invisible force, making her unable to fall asleep.

She turned over, trying to find a comfortable position, but found that she couldn't get rid of the irritation in her heart no matter what she did. Xiao Jingzhan's words pierced her like a needle. She didn't know how to respond, nor did she know how she felt about him.

She sighed softly, closed her eyes, and recalled every detail of her time with Xiao Jingzhan. Their encounter, the time they spent together, and the look in his eyes when he said those words to her, everything was intertwined in her heart. She began to think about her feelings, whether she really had special feelings for Xiao Jingzhan.

She now felt that his love was a burden to her and she didn't like him, at least for now.

Her thoughts gradually became a mess. The night was getting darker and darker, but she was getting more and more awake. She knew that if she continued like this, she might not be able to sleep all night, but she seemed unable to control her thoughts.

Finally, Shen Yanyan decided not to force herself to sleep. She sat up, took the half jar of wine left on the table and flew to the roof.

However, she looked at the candlelight in the deep palace, drank the strong pear blossom wine, and still thought about Xiao Jingzhan's words. Soon, the candlelight blurred in front of her eyes. She put down the wine, leaned on the roof, and thought silently, hoping to find an answer. This night was destined to be a sleepless night for Shen Yanyan.

After Xiao Jingzhan returned to the Yangxin Palace, he walked into the study quietly. He sat quietly in the dark, motionless, as if blending into the silence around him. There was no candlelight, only the faint moonlight shining through the window onto the ground, forming patches of faint silver light.

His figure looked lonely and pensive in the moonlight, as if he was carrying the weight of the world.

As time passed, he was still immersed in his own thoughts, with a faint light flickering in his eyes, as if he was recalling every bit of the past, or thinking about how to go in the future. The night was getting darker and darker, and his figure became more and more determined in the darkness.

After a while, Eunuch Li came in and reminded: "Your Majesty, it's late at night, you should go to bed." Eunuch Li stood aside, fearing that Xiao Jingzhan would blame him. But as a servant, he must always pay attention to the health of his master. Eunuch Li felt bitter, but he didn't dare to say it.

"Go down." Xiao Jingzhan waved his hand, stood up and walked towards the bedroom.

Some things should be planned early.

The morning sun shone through the window onto the bed in Yaohua Palace, and Shen Yanyan slowly opened her eyes. She stretched, then noticed the book and gadgets she bought yesterday placed beside the bed, and her heart was filled with joy.

She sat up impatiently and happily picked up a storybook. The pattern on the cover immediately attracted her attention. She gently stroked the cover of the book, feeling its texture, and then opened the first page, immersed in the world of the story.

After breakfast, Shen Yanyan returned to her room and sat on a chair by the window, continuing to enjoy the pleasure of reading. She was deeply attracted by the plot of the storybook, sometimes laughing and sometimes showing surprise. The sun shone warmly on her, the breeze blew gently, and she was completely immersed in this happy time that belonged to her.

As time went by, Shen Yanyan forgot everything around her and focused only on the book in front of her. Her mood fluctuated with the development of the story, as if she had become the protagonist of the story. At this moment, she forgot all her worries and immersed herself in the world of words, enjoying this rare tranquility and happiness.

"Your Majesty, I heard that Concubine Lan was ill. The imperial physician went to see her yesterday and her condition was quite serious. The imperial concubine also sent some gifts." Dongxue looked at Shen Yanyan who was fascinated by her and said softly while standing in front of the window.

"Dongxue, why are you so elusive? I'm scared to death." Shen Yanyan was watching the show with great interest. Suddenly she heard Dongxue's voice and was startled.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me," Dongxue quickly pleaded.

"It's okay, it's okay. You just said that Concubine Lan was sick. What's wrong with her?" Shen Yanyan waved her hand and asked.

"I heard it's a cold, and it's quite serious. I'm afraid he won't be able to get out of bed for three to five days. The masters of each palace have sent gifts. Should we prepare some and send them over as well?" Dongxue asked again.

Shen Yanyan stood up and leaned on the soft couch next to her without even raising her eyelids. "Well, you can prepare it and send a copy over." She was relieved to leave these things to Dongxue.

"Yes, I'll go down and arrange it." Dongxue said, bowed and retreated.

At lunch time, sunlight shines through the window onto the table, illuminating the exquisite dishes.

The people in the imperial kitchen gently placed the dishes on the table and then left. Shen Yanyan looked at the sweet and sour pork ribs in front of her. The tempting color and aroma made her unable to resist picking up a piece.

Shen Yanyan was sitting at the table, just about to eat a piece of her favorite sweet and sour pork ribs, when she smelled a special smell. It was like the smell of Chinese medicine. After more than ten years in the Divine Doctor Valley, she was very familiar with various medicinal materials.

After sniffing it carefully, Shen Yanyan's lips curled up, and she understood. She wanted to see what this person was going to do.

She took a bite of the meat in her hand, and the sweet and sour taste of the sweet and sour spareribs spread in her mouth, greatly satisfying her taste buds. The corners of her mouth slightly raised, revealing a satisfied smile.

After lunch, she sat in the pavilion drinking tea. After a while, she felt very itchy all over. Gradually, some red rashes appeared on her face and hands. Xia Zhu, who was next to her, looked at the rash on Shen Yanyan's face and said in surprise: "Your Majesty, what's wrong with you? I'll go and call the imperial physician." After Xia Zhu finished speaking, she ran out of Yaohua Palace without waiting for Shen Yanyan to speak.

Shen Yanyan tried hard to endure the itch on her body, wondering who had drugged her. She had a rash just after Concubine Lan fell ill. Was it a coincidence or did someone do it on purpose? And why? The drug was just an ordinary one and she would recover in a few days at most. What did the other party want?

After a while, Xia Zhu hurriedly walked into the pavilion with a royal doctor.

"Your subject, Lu Rongsheng, greets Concubine Yan." The imperial physician knelt down and saluted.

"No need to be so polite. Doctor Lu, come here and take a look at me. What's wrong with me?" Shen Yanyan said in a panicked tone.

The imperial physician calmly and attentively diagnosed Shen Yanyan, carefully observing her symptoms, touching her skin through the handkerchief, feeling her pulse, and then nodding slightly.

"Your Majesty, don't worry. It's just a simple rash. Your Majesty must have eaten something or touched something you don't normally touch, such as flowers." The doctor's voice was a little comforting. He wrote out a Chinese medicine prescription and instructed: "Take it on time every day, and you will be cured in four or five days." Xia Zhu took the prescription, and a big stone in his heart finally fell to the ground.

"I ate the same food as usual, and I didn't come into contact with any flowers or anything." Shen Yanyan answered seriously.

"May I check your Majesty's meal today?"

"After I finished eating, the Imperial Kitchen cleaned up the dishes. It's been a long time now, so I guess the dishes and chopsticks have been washed." Shen Yanyan suddenly realized. Yes, it took her most of the day to have an attack, and now the dishes and chopsticks have been washed, so it's hard to find who drugged her. It seems like they were targeting her on purpose.

"I think your symptoms are caused by eating something irritating that caused the rashes. If you take the medicine I prescribed for you for a few days, the rash will fade away. Please rest assured." Doctor Lu comforted Shen Yanyan.

Shen Yanyan's face gradually regained some color. She looked at the imperial physician gratefully, "Well, thank you, Imperial Physician Lu. Xia Zhu, please see Imperial Physician Lu off."

Xia Zhu took the order and sent Doctor Lu out of Yaohua Palace.

Soon, the news of Shen Yanyan's rash spread like wildfire, reaching every corner. After hearing the news, the imperial concubine and the ladies of the various palaces expressed their concern for her.

The imperial concubine personally selected precious medicinal herbs and exquisite supplements and sent them to Shen Yanyan's bedroom. The ladies of each palace also presented their carefully prepared gifts, including silk brocade, jewelry, and homemade cakes.

Suddenly, Shen Yanyan's bedroom became very lively. The palace maids were busy taking gifts one by one and carefully placing them neatly.

Xiao Jingzhan sat on the dragon chair, frowning slightly, thinking about Shen Yanyan's condition. He originally planned to visit her in person, but what happened last night lingered in his mind, making him hesitate.

Finally, he decided to send Eunuch Li to deliver the best medicine to Shen Yanyan. He told Eunuch Li in detail how to use the medicine and what to pay attention to, and his eyes revealed his concern for Shen Yanyan.

Eunuch Li took the order and went to Shen Yanyan's bedroom with the emperor's reward. He carefully handed the medicine to Shen Yanyan and conveyed the emperor's greetings. Shen Yanyan took the medicine and felt a complex emotion in her heart. She was grateful for his concern, but she was confused and awkward about what happened last night.

"Thank His Majesty for me," Shen Yanyan took the medicine and said to Eunuch Li.

When Eunuch Li saw that she only said this one sentence, he wanted to say something but didn't open his mouth, and then he withdrew.

As night fell, the lights in the palace gradually went out, and Xiao Jingzhan ended a busy day of government affairs. Eunuch Li carefully held the wooden sign and walked towards his bedroom. The wooden sign was engraved with the names of the concubines in the harem. Tonight, the emperor would choose one of them to sleep with him.

Emperor Xiao Jingzhan sat on the dragon bed, and Eunuch Li respectfully handed him the wooden sign. He looked at the wooden sign, carefully examining the name on it, with a hint of fatigue and helplessness in his eyes. These people were enjoying this.

Xiao Jingzhan thought for a moment, and finally his finger gently fell on one of the names. Eunuch Li understood and immediately stepped down to convey the order. The selected Concubine Jiang was both happy and nervous when she learned that she would serve the emperor in the bedchamber. She dressed up carefully and, with the help of the palace maids, welcomed Xiao Jingzhan's arrival.

In the bedroom, candlelight flickered, and Concubine Jiang quietly waited for His Majesty's arrival. When His Majesty stepped into the bedroom, Concubine Jiang's eyes moved slightly, but she still kept a smile on her face. Concubine Jiang walked to His Majesty with her eyebrows lowered, bowed, and sat gently beside the emperor.

The night gradually deepened. The emperor and his concubine spent a good night together. Although this night might be just a brief moment in the palace life, for the concubine, this was her chance to be favored by the emperor. And for the emperor, this might just be an ordinary choice among his many nights.