Two days later, the Emperor set off for the spring hunt with his entourage on tow . The citizen of Da Cheng lined up on the street as they watched the procession walked by . The soldiers were holding their weapons and flag . A few musicians were hitting the drum . The royalties and high ranked officials carriage pa.s.sed by in different shape and sizes . The young maiden on the street was excited to catch a glimpse of one of the princes inside .

General Jiang Xiao Xian rode his horse towards the Crown Princess' carriage . He nodded to the escort guards around the princess carriage before he moved closer to the window . "Your Highness," he spoke softly . "Are you well?"

"I am," the princess answered behind the curtains . "What's the matter?"

"His Majesty wanted to know if you're well enough to continue traveling to the hunting ground," the young general said . "If you're tired, we can take a quick break . "

"That's not necessary . It won't be good to make our guests to delay this trip," Princess Lingchen said . "How much longer till we arrived?"

Jiang Xiao Xian looked at the sky before he answered, "At this speed, we should be arriving at the hunting ground before dusk . "

"Very well . Tell His Majesty not to worry much . Mingyue is here to look after me," the princess said .

Jiang Xiao Xian bowed . Then he rode towards the Emperor's carriage and continued to guard around His Majesty's carriage .

The group arrived at the hunting ground a few hours later, earlier than the general had expected . The soldiers and servants who came much earlier had set up tents for the royalties to rest . The Emperor, Empress, and the Crown Princess' tent were set up in an area separately with the seven princes . The officials' tents were set up in another location .

The Emperor and Empress arrived surrounded by the military guards . Everyone quickly surrounded the royalties and bowed to welcome them . The officials from the Ministry of Rites stepped forward to conduct an opening ceremony for the spring hunt . Once the ritual concluded, the Emperor permitted the others to return to their tent and rest . The Spring Hunt will begin tomorrow morning .

When Princess Lingchen headed straight to her tent to rest, the imperial cooks had already prepared a meal for her . However, Ah Zhen instructed the servant to serve the food later as the princess needed to rest .

Princess Lingchen went straight to her sleeping chamber with Mingyue trailing behind her . The Princess changed her wardrobe into a lighter dress and leaned on her bed . Then, she extended her hand and let Mingyue took her pulse and examined her condition . Mingyue then performed the usual acupuncture and moxibustion procedure on her .

Jiang Mingyue took out the pills that her grandfather had prepared and handed one to the Princess . Mingyue gaze immediately softened as she watched the princess swallowed the medicine . As the physician who stayed by the princess' side, she had seen how the princess had to bear the pain with each treatment . "You're doing well . It seemed that grandfather's new prescription is effective," Mingyue commented after a while .

Princess Lingchen smiled weakly . The new prescription might be potent, but the poison in her body stayed . Unless if they found the missing ingredients, it seemed that she had to be careful all the time or suffer from the pain .

"Are you tired, Your Highness?" Mingyue asked .

The Crown Princess shook her head . "I've been sitting in the carriage doing nothing but sleep; how can I be tired?"

"I'll ask Ah Zhen to serve the meal now . Then, you should go and rest earlier . Tomorrow, you still have to join the Spring Hunt . " Mingyue watched the Princess nodded and turned to find the princess' maidservant, Ah Zhen .

"Mingyue . "

Mingyue paused and turned around . "Hmm?"

"You don't have to stay with me tonight," Princess Lingchen said . "Ying Yi can stay by my side . You should find your husband . It has been a while since you last saw him, right?"

"Your Highness, you don't have to worry about this," Mingyue said . "Your health is my primary concern . "

"I know," the Princess smiled . "But there's not much for you to do anyway since I will be resting early . " Princess Lingchen took Mingyue's hand in hers and continued, "Just go and see him for a while . It will be bad for me if your husband holds a grudge against me . "

Mingyue chuckled at the princess' teasing . After a few seconds pa.s.sed, Mingyue nodded . "Alright . "