She had brushed with death, yet the first words out of her mouth upon waking were, "I'm hungry." Prince Yan gently brushed aside a stray lock of hair from Shen Wei's forehead, his eyes brimming with unconcealed tenderness. "Take your medicine first, then you can eat."
"Your Highness, the medicine should be drunk while it's still warm," Cai Ping said, presenting a bowl of freshly brewed, steaming herbal concoction.
Prince Yan took it upon himself to feed Shen Wei the medicine, spoonful by spoonful. The brew was unbearably bitter, and Shen Wei's face scrunched up in distaste. After a few sips, she could hardly swallow any more and feigned drowsiness, hoping to escape the ordeal.
"Be good and finish it," Prince Yan chided, showing no leniency as he tipped the remaining half-bowl into her mouth.
The bitterness made Shen Wei want to retch.
Prince Yan stayed by her side a while longer, until summoned by the Eastern Palace to attend to court affairs.
