"Physician Jiang, how is Her Highness?" Ah Zhen asked with worry.

Mingyue smiled at the Princess' maidservant so that she would worry less. "The poison in her body has been calmed. Her Highness should regain her conscious soon."

Ah Zhen heaved a sigh in relief at hearing the good news. She turned around to the table and poured a cup of hot tea. "Physician Jiang, you should have some tea. I will ask the others to bring in some refreshment."

Mingyue walked towards the table and spoke, "Ah Zhen wait up."

Ah Zhen turned. "Yes."

Mingyue thought about the Princess' irregular pulse and decided to inquire something from the maidservant. "When Princess Lingchen went to see His Majesty, did she encountered anything unusual on the way back to the palace?"

Hearing the question, the maidservant pondered upon it. After a while, she spoke, "There was nothing unusual. But we did meet with His Highness Prince Jing." Ah Zhen frowned as something flashed across her mind.

"Don't worry too much," Jiang Mingyue said when she noticed the change on Ah Zhen's expression. "I just needed to understand why the poison in the Princess' body acted up."

Ah Zhen studied the physician's expression. Noticing that there was nothing unusual, Ah Zhen excused herself and continue her task.

Not long after, Princess Lingchen woke up. Her lips curved into a weak smile when her gaze fell on her cousin's face.

"You're awake." Mingyue went to the side table and poured some water for the princess. She helped the princess to sit up and said, "Drink."

Princess Lingchen drank the water obediently and felt her strength returned just a little bit. "Sorry that I worried you."

"I warned you to be careful and not to expose yourself under the cold wind. And don't tire yourself too much." Jiang Mingyue shook her head and sighed.

The Princess choose not to say anything and smiled. She knew that her cousin would scold her if she came up with an excuse. She stayed quiet and still when Mingyue took her hand and placed her fingers on her wrist.

Looking at Mingyue's expression, Princess Lingchen could guess that the poison in her body has stopped acting up. She looked around and noticed the candles were lit on. "How long have I been unconscious?"

"It's almost dawn." Mingyue hinted.

There was a trace of guilt in the Princess' gaze. She knew that Mingyue had stayed with her the whole night. "Then, my parents..."

"Ah Zhen helped to keep your condition a secret. The Emperor and Empress did not know anything about the flare-up." Mingyue said. "You were lucky that you made it back to your palace before you pa.s.sed out. Or else… I don't know what will happen."