Yun Jinnian was startled, "Your Highness, this isn’t appropriate!"
"What’s inappropriate about it? You treated me and prescribed medicine without asking for anything in return, so my actions can be considered as returning the favor. Please, take a seat. You’re already not in the best of health, and you’ve just recovered from an illness; you can’t afford to catch a cold!"
Chu Yu made a solid argument, leaving Yun Jinnian with no choice but to sit down.
Chu Yu might have been naturally warm, for when Yun Jinnian sat beside him, she didn’t feel cold at all. Chu Yu had already rolled up his sleeves, revealing his wrist on the stone table, ready for Yun Jinnian to take his pulse.
Chu Yu’s wrist was very warm, while Yun Jinnian’s fingertips were ice-cold.
When they touched Chu Yu’s wrist, both were startled—one out of embarrassment and the other out of surprise.
Chu Yu had not expected Yun Jinnian’s hands to be so cold, like a faintly frozen popsicle in the bitter winter.
"Don’t you carry around a hand warmer when you go out?"
Yun Jinnian chuckled, "Nowadays, it’s early February, springtime. Who would walk around with a hand warmer!"
Fearing that saying too much might provoke his anger, leading him to scold Yun Jinnian a few times.
In the end, he just couldn’t bear to do so!
Seeing that Chu Yu remained silent, Yun Jinnian seriously took his pulse, "The poison has been cleared, but you’ve been injured, so you must watch your diet, and don’t exert yourself. You should rest properly to avoid lingering health issues. It might not seem obvious when you’re young, but once you’re older, the problems will emerge!" Yun Jinnian said softly.
She always seemed to talk a bit more to Chu Yu.
And she was a bit more earnest too.
"Hmm, I understand. Look at the people around me, with their martial arts proficiency, there’s no need for me to take action!"
Yun Jinnian nodded, "In a few days, I’m going to Songshan Academy to study medicine with Master. If you need anything, come find me there!"
Chu Yu watched Yun Jinnian for a long time before finally responding, "Okay!"
Actually, for someone like Yun Jinnian, there was no need to study further, but she seemed to have her plans.
"Your Highness, could I ask a favor of you?" After hesitating for a while, Yun Jinnian finally spoke up.
"I wish to meet with the Abbot Master alone, but as someone of no significance, I fear he won’t agree to see me!"
Yun Jinnian said, a trace of nervousness in her voice.
After all, this was her secret.
"Don’t worry, that old baldy Wuxin will definitely meet you tomorrow. You should head back and rest early!"
Yun Jinnian was elated, "Thank you, Your Highness!"
Chu Yu left first, and the guiding monk quickly came over. Yun Jinnian stood up, carrying the lantern back to the Zen monastery.
Several times she felt someone behind her, but when she looked back, besides the pressing darkness, there was nothing else.
Upon arriving at the monastery, upon seeing Bai Que standing at the courtyard entrance, Yun Jinnian pursed her lips, "Sister Bai Que!"
According to age and seniority, Yun Jinnian should’ve called Bai Que ’Auntie’.
But Bai Que insisted that Yun Jinnian call her ’Sister’.
"Back already? Are you cold?" Bai Que didn’t ask where Yun Jinnian had been. She handed Yun Jinnian a hot soup container and led her into the monastery.
"Madam has awoken!" Bai Que reminded her before turning to fetch water for Yun Jinnian to wash her face and soak her feet.
Yun Jinnian entered the room to find Mrs. Han sitting on the bed-stove, wrapped in her clothes, smiling at Yun Jinnian.
Yun Jinnian was somewhat anxious.
Fearing that Mrs. Han would ask too many questions, she didn’t know how to respond!
"Come here, come up on the bed-stove and warm up!" Mrs. Han patted the spot beside her.
She didn’t intend to lecture or scold Yun Jinnian. She cherished her own daughter, and anyway, she knew a thing or two about what Yun Jinnian was like.
Yun Jinnian moved forward, sitting beside Mrs. Han, and wrapped her arms around her mother’s arm, "Mother, I don’t know how to tell you, I..."