Imperial Husband Chapter 17

Ying Yuan loosened his grip and asked instinctively.

Having grown accustomed to the deceit and intrigue in the palace, Ying Yuan truly found it hard to believe that someone would extend a helping hand after just one meeting. However, Li Jin's eyes seemed genuine.

Ying Yuan could tell that Li Jin's gaze was different from those who had deceived him before.

Li Jin stroked his chin. "Because you look much more agreeable than that Third Prince."

"..."

Ying Yuan was dumbfounded.

What kind of answer was that?

Li Jin, however, found his somewhat dazed expression lightening his own heavy mood a little. But Li Jin hid this change in emotion well, and Ying Yuan didn't notice anything unusual.

"Where do you bathe?"

Li Jin unexpectedly asked a seemingly irrelevant question.

"Ah?" Just as Ying Yuan was processing this, he was confused again by Li Jin's question.

"Where do you bathe?"

Li Jin patiently asked again.

"Over there."

Although puzzled by Li Jin's words, Ying Yuan still answered.

"Take me there." After saying this, Li Jin pulled Ying Yuan up and had him lead the way. "Later, you bathe first. Try to wash the wounds clean to prevent infection, then I'll apply some topical medicine for you."

Ying Yuan asked, confused, "Why do I need to bathe before applying medicine? And what is 'infection'?"

"It means to prevent your wounds from getting worse."

"..."

Ying Yuan still didn't understand.

"You're still young. Even if I explain, you won't understand. When you grow up and have seen more, you'll naturally understand." Li Jin shamelessly brushed Ying Yuan off without blushing.

As for the future, that could wait.

Before long, Ying Yuan led Li Jin to the place where he bathed.

Although Ying Yuan wasn't favored by Ying Zhengjing, he was still a prince after all and could occasionally be summoned by Ying Zhengjing. The eunuchs who bullied him didn't dare go too far in this aspect, but that was all they provided.

Li Jin looked Ying Yuan up and down. "Do you need me to help you wash?"

"I can do it myself, I don't need your help." Ying Yuan shot Li Jin a glare, ran inside to bathe, and remember to close the door behind him.

Seemingly afraid that Li Jin would leave, Ying Yuan finished washing quickly and soon opened the door to let Li Jin in.

"Roll up your sleeves."

"Okay."

Ying Yuan nodded obediently, rolled up his sleeves, and let Li Jin apply the medicine for him.

His eyelashes are so long.

Ying Yuan couldn't help but sneak a glance at Li Jin.

Li Jin was extremely good-looking, having inherited the best features from both Li Shiyun and Gu Rulan. One could say he was divinely handsome. Unfortunately, due to having been poisoned for years, even though the poison was now cured, Li Jin's complexion remained pale, always giving the impression that he might not live to adulthood.

While Ying Yuan was distracted, Li Jin suddenly said, "Take your clothes off."

"Ah..."

Ying Yuan snapped back to reality and stared blankly at Li Jin.

"I'll help you."

Thinking that Ying Yuan was afraid moving to take off his clothes would aggravate his injuries, Li Jin intended to help him himself.

"I can manage the wounds on my body. But what about your hand? Is it alright?"

Ying Yuan quickly stopped him.

"It's fine." Li Jin shook his head. "Some of your wounds are on your back. How will you manage those yourself? Be good."

After saying this, Li Jin walked behind Ying Yuan with the topical medicine and, in a manner that brooked no refusal, started applying it for him, not noticing that the moment his hand touched Ying Yuan's back, Ying Yuan's cheeks flushed slightly.

"I didn't expect you to be quite shy. You can do the rest yourself." After he finished applying the medicine to the wounds on Ying Yuan's back, Li Jin, amused, handed the jar of topical medicine to Ying Yuan.

At first, Li Jin hadn't noticed Ying Yuan blushing, but when he inadvertently saw Ying Yuan's reddened ears, he understood everything.

"Okay."

Ying Yuan took the medicine jar and held it tightly in his hand.

Li Jin suddenly stood up. "It's getting late, I should leave the palace..."

"Don't go! Didn't you say you would help me?" Upon hearing that Li Jin was leaving, Ying Yuan's pupils constricted. Without thinking, he tightly grabbed Li Jin's clothes and wouldn't let go.

"These are palace rules. It's late, I cannot stay any longer." Li Jin shook his head. "But I won't go back on my promise to you."

"You will really come to see me again?"

Hearing Li Jin mention palace rules, Ying Yuan knew Li Jin had to leave, and he had no power to stop it.

"Yes, but it will be in a few days. There are matters waiting for me to handle back at the mansion."

"You're not lying to me?"

"What do you have that's worth me lying about?"

"..."

"Be good, wait for me to return." Seeing Ying Yuan unconsciously look like an abandoned puppy, Li Jin couldn't help but ruffle Ying Yuan's hair.

And indeed, Ying Yuan's hair was exceptionally soft, so Li Jin rubbed it a few more times.

"Okay, I will wait for you."

Ying Yuan gave a solemn nod. Only then did he release his grip and watch as Li Jin departed.

"Wait."

Ying Yuan suddenly called out to Li Jin.

"What is it?" Li Jin stopped and turned to look at Ying Yuan.

"I still don't know your name."

"My name is Li Jin."

Li... Jin...

Having gotten the answer he wanted, Ying Yuan didn't try to detain Li Jin further. Instead, he silently repeated the name 'Li Jin' in his heart, as if wanting to firmly remember it.

The Prince of Dingbei's Mansion.

Li Yanshen walked into the room. "Mother, younger sister has accompanied Grandmother as she left."

Wei Shiwan nodded after hearing this. "Good. With Yan'er there, she should be able to steady your grandmother's heart, preventing her from saying things she shouldn't."

Speaking of Wei Rong, as the legitimate daughter of the Wei family, Wei Shiwan looked down on her. Wei Rong was merely one of the many concubine-born sisters of Wei Shiwan's father, and she had married an ordinary military officer who was utterly insignificant.

But one had to admit Wei Rong had good fortune. Although her husband died in battle, she had a good son and, as fate would have it, during a time of widespread war, Li Shiyun achieved great military merits and was enfeoffed as the Prince of Dingbei. Thus, Wei Rong became someone Wei Shiwan had to curry favor with.

"Mother, why didn't we see Siyuan today?"

"He wasn't feeling well, so I told him he didn't need to come."

Mentioning Li Siyuan, Wei Shiwan's expression darkened slightly.

Wei Shiwan had three children: one son, one daughter, and one shuang'er. Among them, the one she favored the least was Li Siyuan, who was a shuang'er.

Li Yanshen nodded and didn't inquire further, seeming already accustomed to Wei Shiwan's attitude towards Li Siyuan.

"Shen'er wants to ask about the matter of the Heir Apparent?"

Wei Shiwan saw through Li Yanshen's hesitation at once.

"Yes." Li Yanshen sighed. "I have failed your expectations, Mother."

"This isn't your fault." Wei Shiwan shook her head, a cold glint quickly flashing in her eyes. "It's because he has the Empress backing him."

I should have eliminated him, root and branch, back then.

Wei Shiwan was convinced that Li Jin being appointed Heir Apparent was Gu Rushuang's doing.

Li Yanshen then asked, "Mother, since the position of Heir Apparent has been taken by Li Jin, what should I do next?"

"Wait. Shen'er, you must use this opportunity to change how the Prince and your grandmother perceive you." Wei Shiwan replied unhurriedly. "As for Li Jin, with his poor health, even if he obtains the position of Heir Apparent, he won't hold it securely. Besides, even if I don't move against him, others will."

In this mansion, Wei Shiwan wasn't the only one who wanted to act against Li Jin.

Li Yanshen nodded. "Understood."