Without a word, he went around the folding screen and entered the inner chamber.
The guard hesitated but then realized that Princess Wenzhao was unwell and in need of care. Her attendants had just fled the city in the chaos, which explained why the regent asked about the maids.
He sought out Alanruo and requested a pot of hot water, which he then brought to the main house.
"Your Excellency," the guard said, "I just inquired with Alanruo. The fire at the post house has been extinguished, but we don't know the situation at the palace. The Imperial Guards have been going door to door, issuing warnings. The city is now under martial law, and if anyone was caught wandering will be arrested and detained."
It meant that Li Yaoying had to endure and survive the night.
..........
In the dead of night, even mentioning the idea of going out to find an attendant would likely attract the attention of the guards.
Sultan Gu nodded, taking the copper pot. "Go and find a set of clean clothes."
The guard said: "Prince Regent, there are clothes in the palace, but they are all for men."
Sultan Gu had already turned around and entered the inner room, his hoarse voice came through the screen: "Bring it here."
The guard complied, fetch some new clothes, clean beddings and towels, he then boiled a few buckets of hot water. Together with Alanruo, they carried these into the main house and placed them in the inner chamber.
Behind the folding screen, a faint lamp flickered gently.
Sultan Gu stood in front of the bed, his figure was tall and upright. The bed curtains were tightly drawn and surrounded that one couldn't see clearly the situation of Princess Wen Zhao on the bed, but her delicate and fragile figure could faintly be seen accompanied by the rhythm of her weak and labored breathing.
Alanruo couldn't help but look up at the bed, only to meet a cold piercing gaze.
Sultan Gu cast a glance at him. It felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over Alanruo's head; he shuddered and quickly averted his gaze, retreating with the guard.
The door closed from the outside.
Inside the room, Sultan Gu turned to face the bed and raised the curtains.
The dim light fell in front of the bed, where Yao Ying lay on her side, huddled and tightly clutching her arms. Her clothes were disheveled, revealing a hint of her fair skin. The inner layers of her attire were drenched with sweat, exposing her snowy complexion. Her temples were moist with sweat, and her hair clung to her cheeks, glistening damply.
Her consciousness was hazy, and she felt the brightness, blinking her dense eyelashes weakly before whispering, "General Su, I'm sorry to trouble you... It's just my old illness, it's nothing serious."
Even at this moment, her voice remained soft, gentle, dignified, and composed.
"Has the princess forgotten to take her medicine?" asked Sultan Gu.
Yao Ying shook her head on the pillow. "It's not time yet... I have calculated it ..."
She was born with a congenital deficiency and took the gel pills every month. She remembered the last time she took the pills very clearly. It was on the way to Gaochang, only ten days ago. She had been feeling dizzy and feverish tonight. She thought it was due to anxiety, only to realize it was her recurring ailment.
Sultan Gu continued, "Does the princess have any pills on her?"
Yao Ying trembled, clutching her arms tightly, and remained silent.
Sultan Gu leaned over and sat down by the bed, saying, "The princess has always been cautious; so she must be carrying her pills with her."
Yao Ying remained silent.
Sultan Gu asked, "Is the princess afraid that no one will care for her when she takes her medicine?"
Yao Ying's heart quivered, and she raised her eyes to look at Sultan Gu. Their eyes met, his deep and tranquil gaze seeming to oversee her from the clouds, as if he could see through all her thoughts.
A faint smile broke out on Yaoying's pale face, and she said softly: "It's okay, I'll just take a nap..... everything will be fine after tonight."
Sultan Gu looked down at her: "I have some knowledge of medical science princess, there is no need to hide it."
Yao Ying was taken aback.
Sultan Gu said calmly, "Although there are differences between men and women, to me, the princess is simply a patient. I am a disciple of the Buddhist temple and can take care of the princess. There is no need for the princess to be worried. Just take your medicine."
His tone was desolate, each word flowing from his mouth like a mountain spring over rocks—cold, clear, and penetrating. There was an implicit pressure, gentle yet forceful, which made it hard to catch one's breath.
Feeling distressed all over, her eyes sore, Yao Ying grimaced, grasping her arms tightly and barely managed to emit a low "Yes."
Sultan Gu asked, "Where are the pills?"
Yao Ying loosened her hands and fumbled around on herself for a while, eventually finding a small jade bottle.
Sultan Gu took the bottle from her fingertips and poured out a pill. Lifting her chin with his fingers, he fed it to her.
As the pill went down, Yao Ying's body gradually warmed up.
Drenched in sweat, she had to change into dry clothes. Struggling to get up, she said, "General Su, can you please help me..."
Sultan Gu assisted her and guided her to a bucket, helping her lean against it before stepping out.
After a few footsteps, he stopped and stood in front of the door, his figure straight and upright with the folding screen behind him.
Yao Ying was unable to see outside so she disregarded her embarrassment and removed her clothes, twisting a cloth with difficulty before wiping herself.
A fire had been lit in the room, which left her feeling dizzy, weak, and struggling just to wipe herself. With Xie Qing not around and Sultan Gu being a man, she bit her tongue, forcing herself to wake up and hastily put on the nearby clothes hanging on the folding screen before turning to walk back.
As she took a step forward, her legs gave way, and she collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud.
At the door, Sultan Gu swiftly turned and walked up to the folding screen. When he reached it, he paused and said, "Princess?"
Yaoying fell to the ground, feeling pain all over her body. She gritted her teeth and tried to stand up by herself. As soon as she put her palms on the ground, she felt that the world was spinning in front of her eyes and she felt sick in her stomach. She had no choice but to agree softly.
With light footsteps, a figure swayed in front of the folding screen, and a pair of leather boots drew closer to her bit by bit.
Sultan Gu bent down and lifted Yao Ying, carrying her to the bed.
Yao Ying was exhausted and her whole body ached. She whispered "Thank you" in a low voice. Her head barely hit the pillow before her eyes closed, and her eyelashes trembled slightly.
Sultan Gu put her down, glanced at her disheveled clothes and covered the quilt over her body. He took her hand, gently rolled up her sleeves, and felt her pulse with his fingers.
She had taken the medicine, and her pulse had steadied somewhat, but she still had to endure the effects of the medicine for the night.
For someone like her, who had been taking medication for years, she would feel alternately hot and cold when the medicine dispersed. She would need to rest in bed until the effects subsided.
Sultan Gu released her hand.
Her palm was burning, slightly sweaty, yet her fingers were cold, slender, and as delicate as jade.
Sultan Gu paused for a moment, then took Yao Ying's hand and put it back under the quilt. He pulled the brocade quilt and covered it up to prevent the wind from leaking in. He pressed the corners of the quilt again with his fingers.
He rose, and the door received a few knocks. A guard brought two steaming vegetarian cakes and said, "Regent, there are only some medicinal herbs in the mansion, nothing else."
As he spoke, he stood on tiptoe and looked inside.
The screen is blocking it, so nothing can be seen.
The guard was silent for a long time, while expressing regret he said: "Regent... I have never heard of the princess falling ill... not even once."
After Princess Wenzhao came to the royal court, he was responsible for guarding the princess. From the palace to the Buddhist temple, he followed the princess. The princess was always in high spirits, appearing bright and charming. However, these past couple of days, she seemed a bit worn out, and he had simply assumed that she was tired. He never thought that she was actually sick.
Sultan Gu took the vegetarian cakes without saying a word.
The guards of the royal court, of course, would not be aware of Li Yao Ying's illness, nor would even her personal guards. The only person who might know that she needed to take medicine every month would probably be Xie Qing.
Beauty and fragility could win love and affection, but not respect and awe.
In this foreign land far away from the Central Plains, the title of Great Wei Princess is like a misty mirage, which will eventually fade away from its illusory glory. If Li Yaoying is weak and timid, even a lowly guard could betray her without hesitation.
Therefore, she dared not be timid.
She must always be calm and rational, always firm-willed, and always have clear goals, so that she can truly conquer her subordinates and gain their loyalty.
Now, her personal soldiers and the newly established caravan, are all loyal to her Li Yaoying, not the princess of Wei.
She had come a long way, enduring many hardships step by step.