Nanzhi Yun, guided by the palace maids, went to Qian Xia's quarters. This time, they had truly suffered undeserved misfortune, and Nanzhi Yun felt deeply remorseful.
The palace maid had intended to announce her arrival, but Nanzhi Yun stopped her, deeming it unnecessary to make such a grand fuss.
Qian Xia was startled when she saw Nanzhi Yun; she wasn't yet confined to her bed. Strictly speaking, Yu Jingchen had shown some leniency yesterday... or perhaps it was the executioners who had been lenient, and Yu Jingchen had turned a blind eye.
"Your Ladyship?" Qian Xia was surprised. Just as she was about to curtsy, Nanzhi Yun stopped her. "No need. I just came to see you all. It was my fault yesterday that I implicated you." Nanzhi Yun looked at the punished palace maids with guilt.
"It was simply our negligence, Your Ladyship. It has nothing to do with you," Qian Xia replied.
"I've brought you some medicine. This medicine is quite effective. Try it later." Nanzhi Yun looked at the palace maid beside her, and the maid produced the medicine.
"Such good medicine, how can we possibly accept it? Your Ladyship, please rest assured, we are tough and our skin is thick. Besides, those people showed some restraint yesterday, so we are not seriously injured." Qian Xia demurred.
"You must. I've already brought it, you will use it whether you want to or not." Nanzhi Yun placed the medicine aside. Qian Xia, understanding Nanzhi Yun's intentions, found it difficult to refuse further without offending her, so she could only express her gratitude.
"Where is Jiang Ji?" Nanzhi Yun asked again. This was a women's quarters, so Jiang Ji was not housed here.
"Jiang Ji is quite seriously injured..." Qian Xia said after a moment's hesitation.
Nanzhi Yun was taken aback. Weren't they all treated the same? Why would his injuries be more severe?
Sensing Nanzhi Yun's confusion, Qian Xia quickly explained, "Yesterday, Your Ladyship's horse bolted. Jiang Ji held onto the reins without letting go, so his hands were very badly injured, and he also sustained abrasions. Later, he followed into the woods and was then beaten. His body was already frail from previous mistreatment, so it was more severe."
"Has a physician been called?" Nanzhi Yun was a little worried.
"He is merely a servant, and it was a punishment decreed by His Majesty. The medicine was given out of consideration for Your Ladyship, so there would be no specialized imperial physician. I heard he had a fever last night," Qian Xia continued.
So serious? Nanzhi Yun's heart lurched. How could this be?
"Your Ladyship, do you require this servant to fetch an imperial physician now?" the palace maid beside her asked shrewdly.
"Go and fetch one. I will go and see him as well." Nanzhi Yun had initially been hesitant due to the difference in gender and had not planned to go, but now she couldn't avoid it.
The palace maid sent someone to summon the imperial physician and then led Nanzhi Yun to Jiang Ji's living quarters.
When Nanzhi Yun entered, she didn't see anyone else. She only saw Jiang Ji sitting alone at a table, pouring water. He was also coughing incessantly. His hands were heavily bandaged, his complexion was pale, and he looked on the verge of collapse. Jiang Ji was probably malnourished, which made him appear frail and small.
Because Nanzhi Yun entered without prior announcement, Jiang Ji didn't seem to notice her. Perhaps due to his severe hand injury, the hand holding the kettle was trembling, and the kettle looked as if it would drop at any moment. Nanzhi Yun walked over and took the kettle.