Killer Queen: Tyrant, prepare to die!

This cold came without warning.

Shen Qingci had been staying up for seven or eight nights in a row—

With the implementation of the new policy, various forces are vying for power both openly and covertly.

The secret reports from Tingfeng Tower kept coming in one after another, and she hardly rested until midnight every day.

Nangong Ye tried to persuade her several times, and she would reply with "I know," but then she would be busy until late at night.

He didn't dare say much, but every night he turned the lights up brighter.

Change the tea more frequently.

I flipped through that book in the corner again and again, keeping her company.

Then, she collapsed.

That evening, she was approving a document sent from Jiangnan.

Suddenly I felt dizzy and my vision blurred.

"Qingci?" Nangong Ye looked up and saw her sway.

He rushed over almost instantly and caught her.

It was scalding hot to the touch.

"You have a fever!" His expression changed drastically. "Jinshu! Summon the imperial physician! Quickly!"

Shen Qingci wanted to say that she was fine, but she didn't even have the strength to open her mouth. She just leaned softly against his chest.

Consciousness began to fade.

-

When she felt it again, she felt as if she had been thrown into a furnace.

My whole body was burning hot, and even my bones ached.

Someone gently helped her up and brought something to her lips.

"Qingci, drink your medicine."

It was Nangong Ye's voice, very soft and gentle.

She opened her mouth groggily, and the bitter medicine flowed into her mouth.

The man suddenly stopped.

"Wait," he said softly, and then the medicine was removed.

A moment later, it was returned.

What she didn't know was—

Nangong Ye would taste each spoonful of medicine himself first to test the temperature before feeding it to her.

It's too hot; I'm afraid it will burn her.

It's too cold; I'm afraid the medicine won't be effective.

He clumsily fed him spoonful by spoonful, his lips burning red in several places, but he was completely unaware.

-

Late at night.

The imperial physician came, prescribed medicine, and said, "You have caught a cold and need to take good care of yourself."

Jinshu was supposed to keep watch at night, but he sent her off to rest.

"I'm coming," he said.

Seeing his unquestionable expression, Jinshu silently withdrew.

Nangong Ye stayed by the bedside, changing the handkerchief on her forehead again and again.

She taught me that when you have a fever, you should wipe your body with lukewarm water to lower the temperature physically.

He remembers everything.

He fetched some warm water, soaked a cloth in it, and gently wiped her palms, soles, forehead, and neck.

The movements were very gentle, as if handling a rare treasure.

Her fever kept recurring.

It subsided a little, then the fever spiked again.

Nangong Ye's heart also wavered back and forth.

He had never been so afraid before.

I wasn't this afraid when I held her in my arms in the fire back then.

She wasn't this afraid when she used herself as bait on the northern battlefield.

She wasn't this afraid when she confronted Prince Jing in court.

Because at that time, she was conscious.

She stood there, her eyes sharp, and no one could hurt her.

But now, she lies here, her face flushed red, her brows furrowed, as weak as a child.

He suddenly realized—that she could also fall down.

It turns out she wasn't made of iron.

So it turns out she... also needs someone to take care of her.

Nangong Ye held her hand, his eyes welling up with tears.

"Qingci..." he said softly, "Get well soon."

"I'll make whatever you want to eat."

"If you want me to stay away, then I'll stay away."

"You can do whatever you want."

"As long as you get better soon."

Her hands were burning hot.

He pressed his face against hers, and finally couldn't hold back his tears, which fell drop by drop onto the back of her hand.

-

The third quarter of the hour of Zi (11:45 PM).

Shen Qingci's fever finally subsided a bit.

But she began to feel uneasy.

His brows were furrowed, he was muttering something, and his head was shaking slightly, as if he were trapped in a nightmare.

"Qingci?" Nangong Ye leaned closer. "Qingci, I'm here."

Her brows furrowed even more deeply.

Suddenly, she reached out and grabbed his sleeve.

The force was astonishing.

"Don't go..."

She murmured, her voice hoarse and indistinct, yet carrying a childlike vulnerability:

"Ah Ye...don't go..."

Nangong Ye froze.

Aye.

Aye.

This name...

That's what she shouted at her wedding back then.

At that time, she was still the bright young woman from the Shen family, happily marrying him, thinking she had married for love.

She called him "A-Ye" in a soft, smiling voice.

He had agreed.

But later...

Later, he deposed her, banished her to the cold palace, and left her to fend for herself.

She never called him that again.

Never again.

"Ah Ye...don't go..."

She murmured something again, her brows furrowing even more, her knuckles turning white as she gripped his sleeve.

It felt like a dream, yet I was still afraid he would leave.

Nangong Ye's tears instantly burst forth.

He bent down and gently embraced her, as if she were the most precious treasure in the world.

"I won't leave." He choked back tears, his voice broken and incoherent. "Ah Ye won't leave... Ah Ye will never leave again..."

"Qingci...I'm sorry...I'm so sorry..."

He repeated it over and over, tears wetting her temples.

He remembered how she had endured those years in the cold palace.

He remembered how she struggled to survive amidst poison and scheming while pregnant with Bao'er.

He remembered the scene in the fire, when she held her newborn baby and looked at him with those cold, hateful eyes.

What was she thinking at that time?

Are you also thinking – Ah Ye, why didn't you come to save me?

Are you also thinking – Ah Ye, do you really not want me anymore?

"I'm sorry..." he sobbed uncontrollably, "I'm sorry...it's all my fault...I'm such a jerk..."

"From now on... I won't go anywhere..."

"I'll stay by your side... I'll stay by my baby's side..."

"lifetime……"

Shen Qingci's brows gradually relaxed.

She loosened her grip on his sleeve, but didn't let go.

It felt like I could finally relax.

Nangong Ye held her like that, without moving.

Until the sky began to lighten with the first hint of dawn.

Until her fever completely subsided.

She fell into a deep sleep, her breathing steady.

He gently released her, put her arm back under the covers, and tucked the blanket in.

He looked at her peaceful sleeping face.

The morning light shone through the window paper, casting a soft glow on her face.

Her eyelashes were long, and her lips were still somewhat pale, but no longer burning red.

He reached out and gently stroked her cheek.

"Qingci," he said softly, his voice hoarse yet gentle, "when you're better..."

"I'll make you plum blossom cakes every day."

"I'll accompany you to review memorials every day."

"Every day..."

He paused, his eyes reddening again:

"I hear you call me... Ah Ye every day."

Outside the window, the morning light gradually brightens.

Birds were chirping and chattering on the branches.

A new day has begun.

-

When Shen Qingci woke up, it was already noon.

The room was filled with sunlight.

She lay on her bed, covered with a thick brocade quilt, with a dry handkerchief draped over her forehead.

Jinshu, who was by the bedside, saw her open her eyes and rushed over in surprise:

"Your Majesty! You're awake!"

Shen Qingci blinked, her throat so dry it felt like it was on fire: "Water..."

Jinshu quickly poured some warm water and helped her drink it slowly.

"Your Highness, you scared me to death!" Jinshu said, her eyes red-rimmed.

"His Majesty had such a high fever last night, he stayed by his bedside all night without closing his eyes!"

Shen Qingci paused.

"Where is he?"

"His Majesty just went to the side hall to change his clothes. You don't know, last night His Majesty..."

Jinshu kept talking, describing how Nangong Ye personally fed her the medicine, how he wiped her body again and again, and how he held her and cried...

Shen Qingci listened without saying a word.

He simply looked down at his hands.

My hands are clean.

But she remembered—

In her dream, she grabbed someone's sleeve.

That person did not break free.

That person hugged her and kept saying "I'm sorry".

That person called her "Qingci" in a hoarse voice.

That person...

She raised her hand, looking at her still pale fingertips.

Suddenly, I noticed a thin silver ring on my ring finger.

It's very fine and simple, yet it's polished to an exceptionally smooth finish.

This is not hers.

Jinshu also saw it and exclaimed in surprise, "Eh? Your Highness, this ring... we didn't have it last night!"

Shen Qingci looked at the ring.

On the inside of the silver ring are two small characters engraved.

She held it up to the light.

"Aye"

My eyes suddenly felt hot.

Soft footsteps could be heard outside the door.

Then stop.

It seemed someone was hesitating at the door, afraid to come in.

Shen Qingci did not look up.

He spoke softly, his voice still a little hoarse:

"Come in."

The door opened.

Nangong Ye stood at the door, having changed into a clean set of dark-colored casual clothes, but his eyes were red and swollen, with bloodshot veins in them.

He looked at her cautiously:

Are you feeling better?

Shen Qingci looked at him.

Looking at his red and swollen eyes, his tired face, and the worry and anticipation that were almost overflowing in his eyes.

Then, she looked down at the ring on her finger.

"This," she said softly, "when did you put it on?"

Nangong Ye was stunned for a moment, feeling somewhat embarrassed:

"Last night...while you were asleep."

"I've wanted to...I've wanted to put this on you for a long time. I made it myself, it's not very nice, please don't mind..."

"I was afraid you wouldn't wear it when you're awake, so..."

Shen Qingci remained silent.

She simply reached out her hand and looked at the ring.

Looked for a long time.

Then, she looked up.

He looked at Nangong Ye.

"Ah Ye".

She called out softly.

Nangong Ye was startled.

Tears welled up again.

He rushed over, knelt beside the bed, took her hand, and tears streamed down his face.

"Qingci...Qingci..."

"I'm here...I'm here..."

"From now on... from now on, if you call me, I'll be there..."

Shen Qingci watched him cry like a child.

The last vestiges of ice in my heart have completely melted into spring water.

She gently grasped his hand in return.

"Okay," she said. "I understand."

Outside the window, the sun is shining brightly.

A gentle spring breeze blows for miles.