Chapter 62: Don’t Cry Anymore

“Your Grace, you have not yet recovered. If—”

“It doesn’t matter,” the woman replied, gently shaking her head. “It’s just a meal, not a matter of life and death.”

As she spoke, she actually managed a smile, though it was tinged with helplessness, so much so that Qingluo could hardly bear to look.

“Your Grace, if you truly feel unwell, perhaps—”

“No need.” At last, under Qiao Qingyun’s insistence, she allowed Qingluo to finish her toilette.

When the door was pushed open, the radiant Qiao Qingyun reappeared before Zhong Shi and Hong Ying.

“Your Grace!” Hong Ying exclaimed in surprise, while Zhong Shi stood rooted to the spot, staring at Qiao Qingyun as if afraid she might disappear.

“You two remain here. I will return later.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Watching Qiao Qingyun leave, the siblings were left standing, at a loss.

“Brother, do you think Her Grace has completely recovered?”

“I don’t know,” Zhong Shi answered honestly. The memory of Qiao Qingyun’s brush with death, and his absence at her side, brought him unexpected regret.

Qiao Qingyun made her way to the front hall, where she saw Yuan Zaichun pacing anxiously in the main hall. This surprised her—how could the Crown Prince be so unsettled?

“Your servant greets the Crown Prince.”

She was about to kneel, but he waved his hand, excusing her from the formalities.

“No need.”

Qiao Qingyun took him at his word and did not kneel, simply standing silently at his side. The air grew tense, almost frozen.

Yuan Zaichun looked at Qiao Qingyun, feeling a vague irritation. He had already softened his stance, invited her to dine—why was she still so contrary?

“Are you feeling better?” Yuan Zaichun finally broke the silence.

“I am much improved. Thank you, Your Highness.”

“Good. Sit and eat.”

He gestured for her to take a seat, but she merely glanced at the dishes laid before her, sitting without touching her chopsticks.

Yuan Zaichun noticed Qiao Qingyun’s refusal to eat and glanced around at the many onlookers. Shouldn’t they continue their usual performance? Since they had made an agreement, shouldn’t they see it through? Why—

His discomfort grew, yet he still asked, “Does nothing suit your taste?”

“I cannot eat it.”

Her words struck back at him. This Crown Prince was spoiled; if he truly wished to harm her, he could. Otherwise, he ought not speak carelessly.

Look at what was served: seafood, spicy dishes, and oily foods, all things that would overwhelm her.

She scoffed inwardly—was this a meal, or an attempt at poisoning?

“Qiao Qingyun, I have already made concessions. Do not mistake kindness for weakness!” Yuan Zaichun scowled, his voice darkening.

Seeing this, Qingluo hurriedly knelt. “Your Highness, Her Grace’s internal organs are injured. Seafood, spicy, and oily foods will only worsen her condition, causing her old illness to return.”

Yuan Zaichun was momentarily silenced, looking at the dishes—indeed, they were all things Qiao Qingyun once enjoyed, but could no longer eat.

“Remove these. Prepare something else.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The servants were bewildered. When had the Crown Prince ever concerned himself with another’s feelings? Apart from Bu Shenglian, this was the first time they had seen him so ruffled for anyone.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Qiao Qingyun replied coolly, her gaze elsewhere.

Seeing the tension between Yuan Zaichun and Qiao Qingyun, Liu Fu sensed that something needed to be said. Clearing his throat, he ordered, “You all may leave.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Liu Fu tugged Qingluo along, taking her out with him.

With the others gone, Yuan Zaichun frowned. “What are you sulking about?”

“I dare not sulk.”

“Dare not? I think you do! I have already sought reconciliation, and we are partners—there’s no need for ill will.”

“Oh, so Your Highness remembers we are partners?”

Qiao Qingyun laughed coldly, turning to face him.

“What do you mean by that?”

The man was startled, not quite understanding.

“What do I mean? I opened a medical clinic so that, should anything befall Your Highness’s men in the future, they would have a place to recover and heal.”

“But Your Highness, unable to distinguish right from wrong, severely injured me, nearly costing me my life. If you truly find me disagreeable, grant me a letter of divorce and I shall leave.”

This was not the first time Qiao Qingyun had asked for a divorce, which greatly annoyed Yuan Zaichun. Yet hearing about the clinic—

“You mean the clinic was established for me?”

“Why else would I spend hundreds of taels, using all the consultation fees given to me by Young Master Fengke? Out of boredom?”

Her words silenced Yuan Zaichun again.

Thinking it over, it seemed plausible. No wonder Fengke had remarked on his luck in finding such a crown princess.

With this, the pieces fell into place.

“Why did you not tell me?”

Guilt crept into Yuan Zaichun’s voice, making him less confident.

“How could I have told Your Highness? You tried to force me, then injured me, never even giving me a chance to explain. What could I do?”

As she spoke, Qiao Qingyun’s tears streamed down her face, though she secretly peeked at Yuan Zaichun.

In truth, her so-called internal injury was due to the original owner; she had been hurt, and Yuan Zaichun’s push had merely caused the old wound to flare up.

So, it was not entirely Yuan Zaichun’s fault.

But Qiao Qingyun was not the original owner, not one to act without purpose. What mattered most now was teaching Yuan Zaichun the meaning of compassion.

Only then could she hope for a better future.

“Don’t cry.”

Yuan Zaichun was at a loss, unsettled by Qiao Qingyun’s sudden tears. He had never learned how to comfort a woman, for most sought any means to reach his bed.

Qiao Qingyun, however, was entirely different, as if desperate to keep her distance.

Perhaps it was because both Yuan Rou and the Empress had been won over by Qiao Qingyun that Yuan Zaichun’s attention to her had increased.

The more he focused on her, the more her image haunted his mind.

These past days, he tried to think only of Bu Shenglian, yet Qiao Qingyun’s presence lingered, leaving him vexed.

“Just because you are the Crown Prince, does that give you leave to bully others?”