Chapter 2: 第１章 君墨萧的宠溺(上）

It was mid-winter, and the Prince Yongling Mansion was draped in a layer of silver, looking magnificent. As the cold wind howled, the entire mansion appeared devoid of human presence. Clad in a purple robe, Jun Moxiao stood before the doors, staring blankly at the drifting snowflakes. Even in this freezing winter, he stood perfectly upright, exuding an aura of proud arrogance.

Ahead, several maidservants approached timidly, carrying a bowl of steaming medicinal soup. Fearing that the cold might affect its temperature and taste, they had not only kept it atop a warming stove but were even shielding it closely with their own bodies.

"Your Highness..." A maidservant bowed respectfully, preparing to report, but Jun Moxiao raised his hand in a sharp gesture for her to stop.

"The Princess has just fallen asleep!" Jun Moxiao emphasized in a low tone, a register he would never use in his daily life.

Recently, Xia Zibing had been suffering from frequent morning sickness; she had no appetite for anything and her temperament had not been good. Jun Moxiao had been heartbroken by this, exhausting every possible method to help her. This time, he had finally managed to coax her to sleep. Fearing he might wake her, he did not dare stay in the room, yet he was afraid that if he walked away, Bing'er might call for him once she woke. Thus, for the sake of safety, he had remained standing at the door.

"But Your Highness, the imperial physician said the Princess's condition is somewhat unstable. She must take fetal stabilization medicine to ensure the safety of the unborn little Prince," the maidservant continued in a low, hushed voice, not daring to let even a hint of cheerfulness slip into her tone.

Jun Moxiao fell into thought for a moment. Staring at the maidservant's conflicted expression, he found himself unable to make a decision for a time. After a long while, he took the medicine from her hands and tucked it against his chest, commanding in a deep voice, "Go get some bamboo charcoal!"

The maidservant dazed for a moment, watching Jun Moxiao protect the warming stove in his hands, even using his own robes to shield it for fear that the stove might suddenly go out. Suddenly, the moved feeling in her heart became indescribable.

"Go, quickly!" Jun Moxiao frowned in his leisure, clearly showing a hint of impatience.

"Yes!" The maidservant responded timidly. However, an inexplicable fire of jealousy burned wildly within her heart. Why was the Princess so blessed? Why was it only the Princess who encountered such a considerate, powerful, and influential man like the Prince?

How could the maidservant not know? Even with an iron body, standing at the door for several hours while protecting medicinal soup to ensure it stayed warm was no easy task. The Prince had been pampered since childhood; when had he ever done such a thing?

Inside the room, the warm pavilion was fragrant. A faint scent of lotus seeds wafted through the entire space. Jun Moxiao knew that Bing'er loved the scent of lotus seeds, and that it was beneficial to the health and stability of the fetus. He supervised this every day at set times, forbidding anyone from wiping their hands. Even this room was one that very few people were allowed to enter. Jun Moxiao never left it for even half a step. Compared to the outside, the inside was indeed worlds apart.

Red gauze trailed on the floor, and within the hibiscus curtains, Xia Zibing's petite body lay quietly. A sweet smile hung at the corners of her mouth. She had slept very beautifully this sleep. Upon waking, a trace of color finally returned to her gaunt face.

"Xiao..." Xia Zibing looked around in a slight panic. For some reason, she could have accepted his absence during the previous period of time, but recently, even if Jun Moxiao left for just a moment, she would feel uneasy. And just now when she was asleep, Xiao had clearly promised her that he would stay by her side. But now...

"Xiao, where are you..." Xia Zibing sat up in bed and hurriedly scrambled out of it. Just as she was at a loss, the door suddenly opened.

"Bing'er!" Jun Moxiao's figure instantly appeared before Xia Zibing.

As if she had recovered a lost treasure, Xia Zibing rushed toward him regardless of everything. She seemed to have forgotten that at this moment, she was barefoot and her hair was disheveled, a far cry from the dignified Princess.

Helpless, Jun Moxiao quickened his pace, using one arm to embrace the out-of-control Xia Zibing. "I was afraid of disturbing your sleep, so I guarded you outside the door. Don't worry, I won't leave you." He patted her back with one hand, hoping to soothe her mood.

However, because he had stood outside for too long, and because he was currently holding the medicinal soup with his other hand, his left hand could not help but tremble slightly.

Xia Zibing quickly noticed the discomfort. Controlling her emotions, she pulled away from Jun Moxiao's embrace. When her gaze shifted to Jun Moxiao's right hand, she couldn't help but knit her brows, asking worriedly, "What's wrong?"

Jun Moxiao let out a long breath and forced a relaxed smile. "It's nothing! Bing'er, it's time for your medicine." He looked at Xia Zibing with a hint of seriousness, indicating that this must be drunk.

When the lid of the medicinal soup was opened, Jun Moxiao clearly smelled a scent that was very discordant with the fragrance in the room. He immediately couldn't help but feel dissatisfied. "Xiao, no! I'm afraid it's bitter."

She pouted her lips, strongly protesting against that wretched medicine having to enter her mouth.

Jun Moxiao placed the medicine on the table and turned to look at Xia Zibing, who was once again acting spoiled, being cute, and offering all sorts of pleas for mercy. He was instantly rendered speechless.

"You don't have to drink it then!" Jun Moxiao suddenly looked at Xia Zibing with great generosity, but then, he picked up the steaming bowl of medicinal soup. "I'll drink it for you."