Jiang Ji looked over, a little dazed, and upon seeing it was Nan Zhiyun, he seemed a bit disoriented, as if he couldn't believe his eyes.
But—
"Your Ladyship?" Jiang Ji quickly came to his senses. Before Nan Zhiyun could say anything, he directly knelt on the ground.
Nan Zhiyun hadn't expected such a strong reaction from him. What was going on? Nan Zhiyun instinctively reached out to help him up, but then felt it was improper and withdrew her hand.
"Why the grand gesture? Get up," Nan Zhiyun always felt that Jiang Ji's adherence to rules was a bit too much.
"Thank you, Noble Consort Shu." Jiang Ji stood up and then stood there with his head bowed in silence. The atmosphere felt a bit awkward.
"Um, I heard you were ill, so I came to see you." Nan Zhiyun was approachable, even referring to herself as "I."
"Thank you, Noble Consort Shu, for your kindness. However, this servant's status is lowly, and the Noble Consort's status is noble. This servant truly cannot bear such concern from Your Ladyship." Jiang Ji spoke these words without even lifting his head.
"Why do I feel like you're a bit afraid of me? Didn't I tell you last time? People are not inherently high or low in status." Nan Zhiyun walked over and placed the kettle down, pouring a cup of water.
"You want some water, don't you?" Nan Zhiyun asked, clearly pouring it for Jiang Ji.
Jiang Ji hadn't expected her to pour water for him. His eyes were deep, and he lowered his head even further.
"This servant is humbled," Jiang Ji's tone was faint.
"What's there to be humbled about? Here you go." Nan Zhiyun said, picking up the water herself and offering it to him.
Father said to treat everyone with a normal attitude, without distinction of high or low status, especially those who are kind to oneself. One should have gratitude and compassion.
According to her father, one should understand right and wrong. She could retaliate against those who bullied her, but she should be even more devoted to those who were good to her.
However, just as Nan Zhiyun lifted the cup, she realized something was wrong. The water was clearly cold.
"The water has gone cold. How can you drink it?" Nan Zhiyun withdrew her hand and carefully touched it. It was indeed cold.
"You can't drink this water. Didn't you say you had a fever last night? Why are you still drinking cold water?" Nan Zhiyun placed the water back on the table.
Jiang Ji said nothing, standing there with his head bowed. Nan Zhiyun glanced at the palace maids beside her: "Go fetch a pot of hot water."
"Yes." The palace maids replied.
"Your Ladyship… this servant is just a subordinate…" Jiang Ji hadn't finished speaking.
"Oh, why are you thinking so much? Didn't I say before? I don't really treat you as subordinates. Don't belittle yourselves." Nan Zhiyun could sometimes be willful, perhaps because she didn't understand many things and had a simple heart. But she was genuinely good to those around her.
"I've just called for the imperial physician. We'll have him examine you shortly," Nan Zhiyun continued, then found a place to sit down.
"You sit too. Don't be so formal." Nan Zhiyun said, though she felt it was futile. As expected, Jiang Ji didn't move at all.
"This servant prefers to stand." Jiang Ji said. See, here it comes again.
"Fine, as you wish." Nan Zhiyun didn't insist.