Yun Jinnian spoke in a heavy tone.
The poison had taken effect, but the child had not yet awakened.
She had to use a silver needle to wake him.
Although the situation was urgent, Yun Jinnian remained calm and composed, carefully administering the needle.
The child slowly came to.
"It hurts, it hurts..."
The voice was hoarse, softly making one’s heart ache.
Chu Lilan finally understood that Yun Jinnian was a doctor, and also realized Yun Jinnian’s identity.
So, this beautiful woman was Yun Jinnian, the Princess Yijia, conferred by the Emperor, her brother.
"Little Brother!" Princess Consort cried out in distress.
Yun Jinnian slowly withdrew the needle before standing up and saying, "Second lady, come and hold him!"
Mrs. Dai looked up, her face a mixture of astonishment and joy as she looked at Yun Jinnian.
"Truly, is it really possible?" she asked tentatively.
"You are his mother, you carried him for ten months and gave birth to him. It is said that there is a special bond between a mother and child, and no matter how close he is to his wet nurse, he cannot surpass you. Now, only with your sufficient love can he hold on. No one else can replace a mother’s love!"
Yun Jinnian’s voice was gentle, yet it struck Princess Consort and Mrs. Dai like a hammer.
The Princess Consort felt that Yun Jinnian was deliberately helping Mrs. Dai.
Mrs. Dai herself had an epiphany.
Indeed, she was the child’s mother; she had carried him for ten months and given birth to him. Why couldn’t she raise him by her side?
She stepped forward to embrace her son, coaxing softly, "Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid, mother is here, mother is always watching over you!"
"Mother, mother, it hurts..."
It was as if he could feel his mother’s embrace, a warmth familiar and etched into his marrow.
In those ten months of darkness, it was this soft voice, looking forward to his arrival.
The child leaned into Mrs. Dai’s embrace, "Mother, it hurts!"
"Okay, mother will blow on it to make it better, then it won’t hurt anymore!" Mrs. Dai gently blew on his eyes.
But how could she possibly blow through the thick bandages to the wound?
Yet, as the bond between mother and child was so profound, the child soon calmed down, "Sister..."
Mrs. Dai’s body stiffened.
She also resented her daughter.
A child at home, yet so cruel in her actions, what would become of her when she grew up? But she was also her child.
Even when she committed a grave mistake, Mrs. Dai could not bring herself to speak a harsh word to her.
"Sister has gone to rest, she will come to see you in a while!"
"Not sister, someone pushed her..."
These few words from the child exploded like a thunderclap out of the blue.
Not only was Mrs. Dai shocked, but even the Princess Consort was startled, and Chu Lilan was also immensely surprised.
But Yun Jinnian somewhat sighed.
This child was indeed mindful of brotherly and sisterly ties.
No matter what, his sister definitely held the hairpin and stabbed him. But the way he was speaking now would harm the maids and grannies attending him, as they might all be beaten or killed.
Indeed, those born into the royal family learn to scheme from an early age.
Even a child not yet two years old knew how to exonerate his sister and push the blame onto the maids and grannies.
Yun Jinnian didn’t know what to feel, nor was it her place to say whether what he did was right or wrong. She turned and left the room, letting the cold wind dissipate the restlessness in her heart.
"What is the Commandery Princess thinking about?"
Yun Jinnian, hearing the voice, saw it was Chu Yu.
Even from some distance away, Yun Jinnian could smell the scent of blood on him.
"Your Highness, Prince Rui!" Yun Jinnian greeted with a slight bow.
Courteous and polite.
"The Commandery Princess need not be overly formal. To speak truthfully, the Commandery Princess is my lifesaver, and I seem to have not yet formally expressed my gratitude!"
"As a doctor, saving people is part of my duty," Yun Jinnian said, catching a snowflake in her hand, watching it melt away.
It had been snowing since her return two days ago.
"Your Highness, Prince Rui!"
"The Commandery Princess may speak freely, don’t hesitate!" Chu Yu said eagerly.
Though he enjoyed her company, he disliked Yun Jinnian’s detached tone.