Yu Jun had feared that if Zhou Jin suddenly arrived and saw Zhou Zhi, there might be a misunderstanding.
She’d rushed out immediately, but alas, she was still half a step too late.
Zhou Zhi was shoved to the ground. He tried to steady himself and reached out to brace against the steps nearby, but in his haste, he missed his grip and slammed into them instead.
Right at that spot was a slightly protruding piece of stone. It struck his hand, already ravaged by festering frostbite sores. In an instant, a gash was torn open, and bright red blood immediately flowed out.
Zhou Zhi’s brow furrowed in pain. Right there on the ground, he clutched his injured hand, momentarily unable to get up.
Yu Jun was stunned. Even Zhou Jin hadn’t expected this.
Instinctively, he took a step forward, then stopped. He had been angry just now, but he hadn’t meant to throw him down so hard.
“Third Highness!” It was Yu Jun’s angry rebuke. She hurriedly ran down and bent to help Zhou Zhi. Abruptly seeing blood seeping through his fingers, she couldn’t believe it: “You’re hurt?”
Zhou Zhi, however, still shook his head: “It’s… it’s nothing…” The corner of his mouth twitched as he forced a smile: “Fifth Elder Sister, don’t blame Third Highness. I was the one who didn’t stand steady…”
Yu Jun moved the hand he was using to cover the wound and immediately gasped, quickly turning her head away, unable to look.
A gash on the back of his hand, deep enough to see the bone. Coupled with his hand already covered in red, swollen frostbite sores—it was a horrifying sight.
Zhou Jin, initially still angry, especially seeing Yu Jun run out, felt both furious and somewhat guilty. But Zhou Zhi immediately admitted it was his own unsteadiness, leaving Zhou Jin no way to vent his frustration.
He hadn’t initially seen the injury on Zhou Zhi’s hand. Now seeing it clearly, he was also stunned.
It was just a casual shove—how could it cause such damage? Zhou Jin frowned: “I… I didn’t expect…”
Yu Jun, having witnessed the wound with her own eyes, felt terribly distressed. Hearing this, she turned her head and glared at him: “Third Highness, you’ve gone too far!”
Zhou Jin was dumbfounded. Facing her angry face, he wanted to defend himself but couldn’t speak.
Just then, the eunuch at his side, seeing his master taking the blame, couldn’t help but say: “Fifth Highness, it wasn’t our Highness being unreasonable. He was the one who bumped into us first… Our Highness only gave a gentle push…”
Before Yu Jun could respond, Zhou Zhi said: “It truly was like that. Earlier, I wasn’t watching where I was going and accidentally bumped into Third Highness… Fifth Elder Sister, don’t blame him. I was the one who shouldn’t have come here in the first place. I caused all this.”
His eyelids drooped, a glint of moisture flickering in his eyes. He gritted his teeth and stood up, saying: “I should go back…”
Yu Jun grabbed him firmly: “Where are you going? That wound… are you planning to go back to the Cold Palace to treat it? What useful medicine is there? In this freezing weather, if it’s neglected, do you not want this hand anymore?”
By now, Aunt Baohua and Ru Ning had also rushed out. Seeing this, they were both shocked.
Aunt Baohua’s gaze swept from Zhou Zhi to Zhou Jin. She put on a smile again: “No need to panic. Although the wound looks severe, at least it’s only a flesh wound. Third Highness also acted accidentally. The urgent matter at hand is to quickly summon an Imperial Physician to take a look.”
Zhou Jin was ordinarily a clever person. It was just that seeing Yu Jun… was like getting caught red-handed doing a bad deed—his heart had panicked.
Hearing Aunt Baohua speak like this, he immediately understood: “Going back and forth will take too long. Sheng’er, you accompany… him, to the Imperial Hospital and find Physician Shen to take a look. He’s skilled at treating external injuries.”
Aunt Baohua then said to Yu Jun: “Your Highness, this brooks no delay. Let Third Highness’s man accompany the little Highness—I guarantee it’ll be treated properly. There won’t be any problems.”
Yu Jun said: “I’ll go too.”
Zhou Jin’s expression changed. Just as Baohua was about to dissuade her, Zhou Zhi said: “Fifth Elder Sister, last time, out of delirium from my illness, I nearly hurt you. Coming here today was originally to apologize. Who knew I’d only cause more trouble? It’s error upon error. If you insist on personally accompanying me, I’d rather lose this hand than go.”
Hearing these thoughtful, considerate words, the little bit of aversion Yu Jun had felt toward Zhou Zhi vanished completely. She only felt that such a pure, kind youth, repeatedly suffering unfair bullying, was truly… deeply wronged.
Especially recalling the few words he’d said inside before leaving… His heart must surely hold much bitterness, only with no one to tell.
Yu Jun’s eyes couldn’t help but redden. Looking at him, she said: “Fine, you go on your own. Later… I’ll come see you.”
Earlier, Zhou Jin’s expression had eased a little upon hearing Zhou Zhi refuse to let Yu Jun accompany him. But hearing this last sentence, he turned his head to look at Yu Jun.
Zhou Zhi shook his head: “I only ask that Fifth Elder Sister take care of herself. Don’t worry about someone like me—that alone would lessen my guilt.” After finishing, he inclined his body slightly towards Zhou Jin: “Third Highness, I’ve troubled you. My apologies.”
Zhou Jin was completely speechless, only giving a grunt. Suddenly noticing Yu Jun seemed to be looking at him sideways, he added: “Alright, I’m not blaming you. Today wasn’t intentional either… Go get your wound treated. We’ll talk more later.”
Sheng’er rushed forward and half-supported Zhou Zhi. Aunt Baohua also signaled Little Shunzi with her eyes. Little Shunzi followed them as they went ahead.
Zhou Jin watched them leave. Somehow, he finally breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. He turned his head to look at Yu Jun.
Yu Jun, however, had entered the palace without a word.
Aunt Baohua smiled invitingly: “It’s cold outside. Won’t Third Highness come inside and sit for a while?”
Zhou Jin felt disheartened, somewhat sheepishly: “Fifth Sister doesn’t welcome me. I truly came at a bad time…”
Aunt Baohua laughed: “Third Highness is speaking in anger again. You grew up with our Highness. Don’t you know her temperament? Most cold on the outside, but warm within. Seeing the little Highness so pitiful, naturally she was moved to compassion. But such an outsider, after all—no matter what, it can’t compare to the bond built growing up together.”
Zhou Jin, hearing these comforting words, felt the dark clouds in his heart disperse somewhat. He said: “Aunt, you’re the one who understands me. I was beaten so badly I couldn’t even walk, yet my heart kept thinking of Fifth Sister. Only today could I finally get out of bed and rush over to see Little Five. Who knew I’d run into him of all people? Who do I have to reason with?”
Aunt Baohua said: “Exactly. Our Highness, being in the Empress’s quarters earlier, didn’t know about it. Only when the Eldest Princess and Second Highness came just now did she hear about your matter. She was worried sick, too. And just at that moment, Your Highness came—isn’t that a meeting of minds?”
Zhou Jin’s eyes lit up: “Truly?”
“What is there to lie about?” Aunt Baohua smiled. “Well, come inside quickly and sit for a while. Have some hot tea. That tea you mentioned last time—the Highness has instructed us to save it especially for you.”
Zhou Jin’s face broke into a smile.
The eunuch Ying’er supported Zhou Jin as he slowly entered the palace. He saw Yu Jun sitting inside on the heated kang, doing embroidery.
Zhou Jin observed her expression, knowing she was still angry. Deliberately limping heavily, he said: “Ah, it hurts so much. Just now, with all that rushing, I wonder if my wound has split open.”
Aunt Baohua caught his meaning: “That would be terrible! Quickly call an Imperial Physician to take a look too… Third Highness really should rest and recover longer before going out. If you’ve aggravated your injury by coming to the Jade Splendor Palace, wouldn’t the fault be our Highness’s?”
Zhou Jin said: “It’s my own foolishness, asking for trouble. No one asked me to come. They probably wish they could sweep me out the door… Might as well let me die of the pain.”
Although Yu Jun held her embroidery frame, her ears had long since caught their conversation. She knew Zhou Jin was exaggerating, but after all, she worried.
With a sigh, Yu Jun set down her frame and looked at Zhou Jin: “Who’s trying to sweep you out the door? Since when has this palace of mine had anyone so bold?”
Seeing her finally respond, Zhou Jin drew closer: “Far in the distance, right before my very eyes. Besides the one in front of me, who else would dare?”
Yu Jun held back, then finally said: “It’s not that I’m giving you attitude. It’s just… you saw the little Highness’s injury yourself. Earlier, when Eldest Princess and Second Brother were here, they mentioned you went to the Palace of Eternal Harmony and caused a huge scene. We even said your temper has grown more rash. Now, you’ve accidentally injured the little Highness again. Ah… aren’t you thinking about others—can’t you at least think about your own reputation?”
Zhou Jin had initially been laughing and joking. Hearing these heartfelt, sincere words, he realized that Yu Jun’s anger wasn’t solely because of Zhou Zhi. A warmth, like a heated stove, filled his heart. He felt much more soothed.
Settling himself slowly on the edge of the heated kang, Zhou Jin said: “Why does Second Brother tell you everything?”
Yu Jun said: “If he doesn’t tell me, I’ll find out from someone else anyway. Better he tells me clearly. I know you did it for me, but that’s not the only way to solve things. You have to make such a huge, earth-shaking commotion that even Consort De suffers alongside you. If you won’t think of anything else, at least think of your Imperial Mother.”
Zhou Jin slowly lowered his head: “I know I was wrong. I won’t do this ever again.”
He rarely took the initiative to admit fault like this.
Yu Jun lowered her gaze.
The two sat facing each other in silence.
Aunt Baohua personally served the tea, smiling: “Last time, there wasn’t a chance to savor it properly. This time, Your Highness, please enjoy it thoroughly.”
Zhou Jin accepted it. Baohua added to Yu Jun: “Third Highness’s injury hasn’t fully healed yet, and Your Highness’s health also needs recuperation. Thinking carefully, all of this was sparked by the little Highness. For him to come and apologize shows he understands propriety, but if this causes unhappiness between you two, what’s the point? Better to just laugh it off.”
Yu Jun glanced at her: “I know you favor him. Why don’t you just go serve in his palace?”
Aunt Baohua laughed: “I am Your Highness’s close attendant. My intentions are naturally Your Highness’s intentions.”
Yu Jun picked up her embroidery frame again: “Hmph, who cares.”
Zhou Jin lifted the teacup. Before even drinking, just the aroma struck his senses.
He couldn’t help but raise his eyes to look at Yu Jun across from him. The snow outside made the window paper exceptionally white, like fine xuan paper delineated with warp and weft threads. Yu Jun’s head was bowed, utterly different from her usual charming, spirited self—now exceptionally gentle and demure, elegant and lovely. Her slender, jade-like hand guided the needle and thread. What a living, vivid portrait of a winter-snow boudoir scene.
Zhou Jin stared without blinking, taking a shallow sip of tea. He found it sweet and soothing. He couldn’t help but smile: “Truly excellent. My taste is never wrong.”
Yu Jun’s hand paused. She raised her eyelids to look at him, then suddenly asked: “Did you sneak out again? Does the Palace of Cloud Construction know?”
Zhou Jin said: “This time, it was reported and approved. Rest assured.”
“What’s there for me to be un-assured about?”
“I know that because of my illness last time, you suffered unjustly. I was originally afraid that if my Imperial Mother saw your cape, it would bring trouble to you, so I purposely took it off. I never imagined that in trying to avoid suspicion, I’d only create an even bigger rift. Therefore, this time, I simply explained everything clearly to my Imperial Mother. I said I want to see you, and no one can stop me.”
Yu Jun didn’t know whether to laugh or cry: “You just act willfully, don’t you? So, getting beaten with the board has only made you more defiant…”
“I’m not being willful, I’ve just thought things through. Let them say whatever they want,” Zhou Jin set down his teacup and leaned closer: “Little Five, can we go back to how it was before?”