Upon leaving Fengyi Palace, Yun Shu lifted a hand to her lips and coughed softly.
Ting Xue, who had been waiting outside, quickly stepped forward and helped adjust her cloak.
"Your Highness, if you're feeling cold, why don't we rest in one of the nearby halls? This servant will return at once to fetch a thicker cloak for you."
"That won't be necessary."
Yun Shu shook her head.
"Let us return directly."
On the way back, Yun Shu walked noticeably faster than when she'd arrived. Even so, by the time they reached Fengyang Palace, the sky had already turned dark.
"This time of year, the days end far too quickly."
A casual voice rang out from the side. Yun Shu paused just as she was about to remove her cloak and turned in surprise to see Yun Chuhuan.
"You're still here?"
"Well, Fifth Sister, your palace is just too comfortable. I accidentally lingered longer than I meant to!"
Earlier that afternoon, after Yun Shu had been summoned to Fengyi Palace, Yun Chuhuan, curious to experience the 'earth dragon' heating system for himself, had gleefully brought a few attendants and made his way over.
Outside, the world was frozen and bitter. But the moment he stepped inside, it was as if he had entered another realm. Just a single doorway separated the icy wind from springlike warmth.
The contrast was so striking that Yun Chuhuan ended up lounging on a soft couch in a side hall and falling blissfully asleep.
In winter, night descends early. By the time he woke, the sky outside was pitch black and the cold wind howled anew. He had no desire to step back into it.
Sidling up to Yun Shu, he gave a sheepish, flattering smile.
"Fifth Sister, look how dark it's gotten. Why don't I just stay the night here?"
He wants to stay over?
Well… that wasn't really a problem.
After all, Fengyang Palace had no shortage of rooms. And with him here, a few carefully chosen words might just make their way into that cheap Imperial Father's ear more naturally.
This thought flashed quickly through Yun Shu's mind. Her expression remained composed as she lifted her hand to cover another light cough.
"As you like. Just don't forget to send word to Yaohua Palace so Noble Consort Liu is informed."
"I'll have Xiao Anzi report to my Consort Mother at once!"
Yun Chuhuan was pleasantly surprised that she had agreed so easily. Still, remembering to put on a show of concern, he glanced at her again.
"But Fifth Sister, why are you coughing? You seemed fine earlier today at the Upper Academy Hall."
"Perhaps because I stood outside Fengyi Palace for a while when visiting the Empress Mother earlier."
Yun Shu pressed her fingers to one temple, her expression weary.
"I've a bit of a headache. I won't be taking dinner tonight. If you're hungry, have someone fetch what you want from the small kitchen. I'm going to sleep first."
"You're skipping dinner? Should we summon the Imperial Physician?"
Yun Chuhuan followed behind her, muttering under his breath.
"The Empress Mother is truly frightening. Thank heavens I didn't go with you today."
…
With her back turned to him, Yun Shu couldn't help the slight curl at the corner of her lips, though she gave no reply to his comment. Her voice was low and composed.
"No need. A night's rest will suffice."
"Oh, then I won't disturb Fifth Sister's rest!"
Having said all he needed to, Yun Chuhuan watched her retreat into the main hall before gleefully turning to his attendant.
"For dinner tonight, I want crispy chicken legs, sweet-and-sour pork, deep-fried ribs, and…"
He rattled off every delicious new dish he'd ever eaten at Yun Shu's residence. Still not satisfied, he added brightly,
"And anything else that's new or different—bring me a serving of that too!"
Normally, whenever Yun Shu was present, she would nag about wasting food and insist that two people couldn't possibly finish so many dishes.
But tonight, the rare opportunity had fallen into his lap. He fully intended to eat to his heart's content.
Heh… Too bad Fifth Sister won't be getting any of it!
Unaware that his "ill" sister was nowhere near bedridden, Yun Chuhuan went on proudly daydreaming. Meanwhile, the very same Yun Shu he imagined lying weakly in bed, devoid of appetite, had already happily shifted her consciousness into her villa.
In her left hand was a chilled glass of Coke. In her right, a towering cheeseburger packed to bursting.
Sprawled on a cloud-soft beanbag, she stared up at the oversized projection screen, her toes wiggling in delight.
A rare and proper excuse to skip class! It had been ages since she'd pulled an all-nighter.
Reveling in the freedom, Yun Shu gamed and snacked her way through the night until after three in the morning. At last, she began to feel the pull of sleep and curled up in her star-ceilinged luxury bedroom to drift off in peace.
Meanwhile, back in the real world, Ting Xue tiptoed quietly into the Fifth Princess's sleeping chambers to wake her as usual.
"Your Highness… it's time to rise… If you don't get up now, you'll be late for the Upper Academy Hall. Your Highness?"
She called several times, but Yun Shu showed no signs of stirring.
Ting Xue, growing uneasy, reached out and gently nudged her through the blankets.
"Your Highness, it's time to wake."
Still no response.
Now truly alarmed, Ting Xue's expression changed. She quickly reached out to check Yun Shu's forehead.
No fever.
In fact, her skin was noticeably cooler than it should have been.
"Someone! Summon the Imperial Physician at once!"
Her panicked cry shattered the stillness of Fengyang Palace. Lamps were lit across the compound, burning brightly in the early dawn.
Even Yun Chuhuan, who had just risen from bed, heard the commotion. He kicked off the boot Xiao Anzi had just fitted onto his foot with a scowl.
"What's going on with the palace staff here? So noisy this early in the morning!"
"It seems the Fifth Princess has fallen ill," Xiao Anzi answered. Having just returned from outside, he had overheard the gossip. "They've already sent for the Imperial Physician, but he hasn't arrived yet."
"She's really ill?"
Yun Chuhuan blinked.
"Didn't she say a night's rest would be enough?"
"This servant cannot say."
Once Xiao Anzi had retrieved the boot and helped him finish dressing, he assisted Yun Chuhuan with washing up and a light breakfast before picking up the study case.
"Your Highness, Fengyang Palace is a fair distance from the Upper Academy Hall. We should depart soon."
"Depart? Depart where?"
Yun Chuhuan flung out his sleeve with righteous indignation.
"Fifth Sister is too ill to attend class. How could We possibly have the heart to go study alone? Go inform Grand Preceptor Ye that the Fifth Princess is unwell. This prince is deeply concerned and must stay behind to care for her. We will not be attending the Upper Study Hall for the next few days."
Xiao Anzi: …
Deeply concerned. Personally tending to her.
Does His Highness even believe that himself?
"What are you staring at? Move!"
Seeing through Xiao Anzi's silence, Yun Chuhuan grew embarrassed and angry, giving him a swift kick.
"Are you asking for a beating?"
"...This servant will go at once!"
Xiao Anzi dropped the study case and bolted.