He clasped Yan Si tightly, saying mournfully, "Forgive me, elder brother was in the wrong. I neglected you and did not care enough, leading to this plight."
Yan Si remained silent. RongCheng gently stroked his head again, saying, "From this day forth, I shall care for you more. Do not grieve. I shall not forsake you again, so… do not go anywhere—just remain here."
RongCheng's apology stirred a tumult within Yan Si's heart. All the grievances of the past few days abruptly flared up. He buried himself deep into His Highness's chest and began to weep—wishing only to weep thoroughly to ease his sorrow.
RongCheng reached out and stroked his cheek, soothing him softly, "Do not weep... do not weep... you must not weep..."
Meanwhile, Xiao Yi, still kneeling on the ground, strained his neck to observe the scene. Truly, his Master was more childish than himself, acting like a three-year-old child, and His Highness was no different from a mother coaxing her child.
It was baffling—RongCheng, who always exuded a majestic aura that commanded reverence from everyone in the palace, was now unbelievably gentle and tender.
At this moment, RongCheng's anger had subsided. He laid Yan Si back on the bed and pondered in silence. After some thought, he turned to Xiao Yi and commanded, "Go and invite Imperial Physician Qiong Liú Yu here."
Upon receiving the order, Xiao Yi dared not hesitate. He bowed and scrambled away, leaving Yan Si no chance to stop him. Yan Si tightly clutched RongCheng's sleeve, frowning as he asked, "Why... why must you summon him?"
Was he not an Imperial Physician himself? Why call for another?
RongCheng patted Yan Si's hand, shaking his head, "It seems even you do not know what ailment afflicts you. I shall have him examine you."
How could he not know his own ailment? It was merely that... merely that... he dared not speak, fearing His Highness would make things difficult for him.
Liú Yu, unexpectedly summoned, stared wide-eyed at RongCheng, then at Yan Si, confusion flickering in his heart.
Days ago, when the male Imperial Concubine was gravely injured, everyone had been helpless—yet this man appeared and instantly treated him. A person with such brilliant medical skill should not need his aid when ailing himself, should he?
Nevertheless, RongCheng's order was absolute, and Liú Yu dared not refuse. He sat by the bed and took Yan Si's pulse. After a long, careful examination, he sighed, "This is due to extreme physical debilitation, which has led to his current state. However..."
Hearing this, RongCheng grew slightly impatient and asked, "But what?"
How strange. With such a frail constitution, an ordinary person would have long perished, yet he remains unharmed… After pondering in silence, Liú Yu finally shook his head and said, "It is not serious. He need only focus on regaining his strength."
He then looked at Yan Si and smiled faintly, "As for how best to recuperate, I believe Your Lordship understands well. Perhaps His Highness should inquire of him."
As RongCheng's gaze fell upon him, Yan Si clenched his teeth and kept silent.
Just then, Xiao Yi suddenly recalled something and said, "Your Highness, my Master once said his stomach could not hold much, so he eats very little each day. On the days this servant urged him to eat more, he would also..."
RongCheng had witnessed this himself, yet he still did not understand what truly ailed him.
Liú Yu listened, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, "It is merely due to his weakness that he lacks appetite. Moreover, his stomach may have atrophied to a small size, which is why he experiences reflux."
Upon hearing this, RongCheng could only shake his head and sigh, asking, "In that case, how should it be treated?"
If he could not eat much, how could he regain his strength by eating so little?
"For this condition..." Liú Yu paused briefly before saying, "Let it be so..."
Having heard the instructions, RongCheng looked at Yan Si and gently stroked his head, saying, "Henceforth, you must endure a little hardship."
How could he allow his condition to remain so poor? His face now appeared almost as if skin merely clung to bone.
In the end, the thing Yan Si feared most finally came to pass. RongCheng compelled him to eat throughout the day, whether he wished to or not.
Morning, noon, and evening—he was forced to eat seven or eight times a day. Merely seeing Xiao Yi approach with food made him scowl instantly, "Again? Did I not just eat moments ago?"
His "moments ago" had been over an hour past... Though these were small meals, each portion was minuscule. Thinking thus, Xiao Yi earnestly persuaded him, "Master, please strive to regain your strength quickly. This is but a little congee... His Highness has commanded it, this servant cannot disobey."
The recent incident had taught Xiao Yi a valuable lesson: if his Master refused to obey, he must summon His Highness. That Lord, even when busy, would rush over instantly. Yet if summoned too often, His Highness would grow annoyed and reveal his fearsome temper...
However, he never vented his anger upon his Master—always upon the servants who bore the full brunt of consequence.
Xiao Yi sighed again and pleaded, "My Ancestor, my Master... I beg of you! Have mercy on this lowly servant! If His Highness grows enraged, this servant truly cannot survive."
As he spoke, he was on the verge of tears. "Master, do you truly possess no will to live? Please consider His Highness's genuine concern. He truly worries for you. Will you continue to trouble him so?"
Indeed, it was clear that his presence caused RongCheng great distress. He could not cast him aside, yet keeping him was...
It dawned on him that he himself was an immense source of trouble, causing others hardship. After a long silence, he suddenly struggled to sit up and said, "Give it to me..."
Seeing this, Xiao Yi joyfully helped him up, saying, "Let this servant assist you."
He said nothing, merely nodding his silent agreement.
From that day forward, Yan Si became more mindful. He willingly ate everything Xiao Yi offered, though in truth he relished none of it.
After nearly half a month of this regimen, he indeed began to regain his strength.