Chapter 291: Chapter 288 Playful BanterXiang Ying faintly sensed that there was a problem with Lover’s Sleep, but she dared not think about it too deeply.

    The consequences were more than she could bear.

    She stealthily glanced at Sang Ruoshui, who lay unconscious on the bed, and measured her words carefully, "Princess Consort Sang... ever since you returned to the palace in tears that day, you’ve been submerged in melancholy, neglecting food and drink. Our earnest pleas were fruitless, so we thought to inform you. But Princess Consort Sang refused, saying she didn’t want to trouble you all."

    Sang Yan didn’t believe that Sang Ruoshui was so considerate, so her voice turned cold as she asked, "Is that so?"

    Xiang Ying bowed and replied, "It is. Even if you gave me the greatest courage, I wouldn’t dare to deceive the Empress."

    Hearing this, Sang Yan remained skeptical.

    The Imperial Physicians had already prescribed a medicine.

    Sang Yan took the prescription, glanced at it—recognizing all warming and tonifying ingredients—then handed it to a palace maid, "Go and prepare the medicine."

    During the wait for the medicine to be prepared—

    Sang Ruoshui slowly regained consciousness.

    As she opened her eyes and saw Sang Yan, rage filled her instantly, "Why are you here? What are you doing here? You’ve come to mock me, haven’t you?"

    She screamed at Sang Yan, her voice filled with paranoid accusations, as if she was a victim of persecution.

    Sang Yan frowned, "Calm down!"

    Sang Ruoshui shrieked, her voice piercing, "How can I calm down when you’ve fallen for a mere courtesan—"

    Her voice grew hoarse with shouting, and she began coughing violently in the middle of her accusation: "Cough cough—"

    Xiang Ying hurried to support her, gently patting her back and whispering persuasively, "Lady, please restrain your anger. The Empress heard of your discomfort and immediately came. You are in her thoughts. As her only sister, her kin, how could she possibly ignore you?"

    "Liar! All liars!"

    Sang Ruoshui broke down in tears, "Sang Yan, you don’t deserve to be my sister! You treat a whore better than you treat me! Hahaha, in your heart, I’m not even worth as much as a whore!"

    At hearing this, Sang Yan understood the reason for her sister’s madness.

    Obviously, the matter between her and Luo Shan had reached Sang Ruoshui’s ears.

    Jealousy, possessiveness, and envy were not just found in lovers; they were also present among sisters and close friends.

    Like Sang Ruoshui.

    She knew Sang Yan wasn’t that good to her.

    With her pride, she didn’t even need Sang Yan’s kindness.

    But seeing that kindness directed towards someone else, she wasn’t pleased.

    "How could you treat me this way? Sang Yan, how could you do this to me?"

    With tear-filled eyes and a flushed face, she couldn’t understand why Sang Yan was treating her own flesh and blood so harshly!

    Listening to her sister’s accusations, Sang Yan didn’t offer a defense; she simply stated, "The fact that you can yell and scream shows that you’re not in too bad a shape. Just rest well. I’ll come visit you another day."

    With that, she began walking towards the exit of the palace.

    "You can’t!"

    Sang Ruoshui suddenly jumped out of bed and blocked her path, "Don’t leave! Don’t—"

    However, after lying down for too long, her legs were too weak to support her, and she collapsed on the floor.

    Trying to get up but lacking the strength, she eventually stood straight only with the help of the palace maids.

    This little episode caused Sang Yan to pause her departure. Turning to look back at her sister, she said, "What exactly are you making a fuss about? You say I’ve been good to Luo Shan, but do you know what she has been through? She was framed, endured torture at Dali Temple, but never succumbed to pressure—a woman of unyielding spirit. Despite her origins in a brothel, she possesses exceptional medical skills and the benevolent heart of a doctor, earning her a renowned reputation in Luozhou as the skilled physician of the brothel. It’s not about being good to her, but rather respecting and admiring her. I can say with a clear conscience that, Sang Ruoshui, I admire such self-possessed and unique women. Their aspirations are not confined to romance and personal gain but strive for higher pursuits. What about you?"

    In her eyes, Sang Ruoshui, who languished within the deep palace confines, sought only after fame and advantage, a woman so banal it was beyond commonplace.

    Even to the point of having no bottom line just for the sake of fame and gain.

    "People must respect themselves before expecting respect from others. Look at yourself now—"

    She gazed at Sang Ruoshui leaning on the palace maid, sighed, and softened her tone slightly, "Everyone has their own ambitions, Ruoshui. Do not sink further into despondency. Give some thought to what you truly ought to pursue."

    After speaking, she resumed her steps.

    Soon, she left Yuesang Palace.

    The grand entourage followed her departure.

    Sang Ruoshui stood there, gazing after her, when suddenly everything went dark, her body went limp, and she fainted once more.

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    Palace maids cried out in alarm, steadying her and helping her back onto the bed.

    Yuesang Palace was thrown into chaos.

    Far away, Sang Yan heard the disordered shouting, paused in her steps, but did not turn back.

    She never saw eye to eye with Sang Ruoshui, nor did she want to deliberately express sisterly affection, so she told Little Guizi, "Send someone to Sang Mansion and have Mrs. Sang come take care of her."

    "Yes."

    Little Guizi took the order and left.

    Basking in the warm sunlight, Sang Yan leisurely made her way back to Qingning Palace.

    Halfway there, she encountered He Ying.

    He must have also heard the news and came in a hurry, still wearing the imperial robe from the early morning court session.

    "Greetings to the Emperor—"

    Palace Attendants knelt all over the ground.

    He Ying paid them no mind, heading straight for Sang Yan, seizing her hand, "Are you alright? Why are you here?"

    His rush was not out of concern for Sang Ruoshui but for Sang Yan, lest she be wronged.

    Sang Yan grasped his intentions and said with a smile, "Don’t be so anxious. I am fine. I just went to see Sang Ruoshui. She is indeed sick, and she looked quite pitiful."

    "Pitiable people often have contemptible aspects."

    He Ying was unmoved, his words cold.

    He was cold toward everyone, except for Sang Yan.

    Sang Yan was used to this and didn’t take his words to heart, casually asking, "Do you want to go see her?"

    The question was purely superfluous.

    "I am not the Imperial Physician, what would I see her for?"

    He Ying had no such intention.

    As he had said, nobody except herself deserved his concern.

    Likewise, nobody except him deserved her concern.

    Sang Yan, unaware of his thought, teased with a smile, "The ailments of the heart require the heart’s own medicine. Since her heart is set on you, perhaps just a glance from you would be more effective than any of the Imperial Physician’s miracle drugs."

    "I only wish to be your miracle drug!"

    He Ying wrapped an arm around her shoulder, guiding her toward Qingning Palace.

    Winter had arrived.

    The trees lining the road were bare, their leaves all shed.

    However, as they passed through a plum forest, the trees were blooming with pink and red flowers, just at the right moment.

    He Ying looked, quickly pulling Sang Yan by the hand to go over.

    He broke off a branch of red plum blossoms and placed it in her hair.

    The cold fragrance of plum blossoms.

    Sang Yan thought of Luo Shan and praised with a smile, "She is like a plum blossom."

    The comment was out of the blue.

    He Ying didn’t understand, "Who? Who are you talking about?"

    Sang Yan replied, "Luo Shan. I think she is like a plum blossom. Not seeking praise for beauty, yet her pure fragrance fills the universe."

    He Ying was dismissive, "That description could apply to you, but she is not worthy of it."

    Sang Yan gave a modest smile, "You’re seeing through the lens of love."

    He Ying still didn’t understand, "What lens? What does that mean?"

    Sang Yan explained simply, "It means nothing much, just that in the eyes of a lover, everyone looks like Xishi."

    He Ying knew of Xishi and said with a laugh, "I may not have seen Xishi, but I believe you are more beautiful than she is."

    His sudden words of love.

    Hearing this, she broke off a branch of red plum, lifted his chin with the plum blossom, and said with playful mockery, "Now, let’s see, are you as handsome as Pan An?"