Starting in Exile: Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Lucky Little Wife

Chapter 224 Warm Concern

Under the hazy moonlight, the imperial palace of Xijing Kingdom resembled a mysterious, dreamlike castle. The moonlight, like water, quietly spilled onto the palace's glazed tiles, reflecting a cool, serene glow. Inside Jiang You'an's bedchamber, however, the atmosphere was unusually heavy, so oppressive it was almost suffocating.

Jiang Liushen and Jia Xiaoyan sat by their youngest son's bedside, their eyes fixed on him. His little face was flushed red, his brows were tightly furrowed, and he occasionally let out a painful groan. His little hands waved restlessly, as if struggling against the pain. Jia Xiaoyan held Jiang Youan's little hand tenderly, tears welling in her eyes, her voice trembling with sobs: "Baby, get well soon, it breaks my heart..."

Jiang Liushen gently put his arm around Jia Xiaoyan's shoulder, trying to offer her some comfort, but his own face was also full of worry and anxiety. "Xiaoyan, don't worry too much. The imperial physician said the baby will be fine." Although his voice was steady, the slight tremor in his tone betrayed his inner unease.

The imperial physicians busied themselves, constantly taking the young prince's pulse and changing his dressings. Every time the physicians frowned slightly, Jiang Liushen and Jia Xiaoyan's hearts clenched. How they wished this nightmare would end soon, and that their youngest son could be playing and laughing with them as usual.

Time seemed to stretch on endlessly, each second an agonizing ordeal. After what felt like an eternity, the youngest son's fever finally subsided somewhat, his complexion gradually regained some color, and his brow slowly unfurrowed. Seeing this, Jia Xiaoyan finally felt a weight lifted from her heart. She gently stroked Jiang Youan's forehead, her eyes filled with tenderness and love: "My darling, you're finally feeling better. I knew you were a strong child."

Jiang Liushen also breathed a sigh of relief. He looked at the sleeping little prince, his eyes filled with comfort. "Xiaoyan, our Youan will be alright," he said softly, as if comforting Jia Xiaoyan, or as if encouraging himself.

After a while, the young prince slowly opened his eyes. He looked at his parents, his eyes still filled with confusion and fear. "Mother, Father... I feel so bad..." His voice was weak, like a leaf gently falling.

Jia Xiaoyan quickly hugged the little prince into her arms, gently rocking him, and said tenderly, "You'an, don't be afraid, you're much better now. Your mother and father are here, they won't make you feel uncomfortable anymore."

Jiang Liushen leaned closer, gently patted Jiang Youan's head, and said with a smile, "My darling, you're a brave little man. This little illness won't defeat you at all. When you get better, Father will take you to the Imperial Garden, okay?"

Jiang Youan nodded slightly, a weak smile appearing on his lips. "Okay... I want to see the goldfish..." he said softly.

Looking at Jiang Youan's smile, Jia Xiaoyan's gloom instantly vanished. "Alright, once you're better, your mother and father will take you to see the goldfish and buy you your favorite candied hawthorns," she said gently, her eyes glistening with tears—tears of joy mixed with heartache.

Jiang Youan nestled in Jia Xiaoyan's arms, feeling his mother's warm embrace and his father's concerned gaze, and the fear in his heart gradually disappeared. His eyelids grew heavier and heavier, and soon he fell asleep again.

Jiang Liushen and Jia Xiaoyan looked at the sleeping Jiang Youan, their hearts filled with emotion. "Xiaoyan, Youan's illness this time really scared us," Jiang Liushen said softly. "We must take even better care of him from now on."

Jia Xiaoyan nodded gently, her eyes filled with determination: "Yes, I will definitely take good care of You'an. He is our precious child, and I can't let him suffer any more harm."

In the days that followed, Jiang Liushen and Jia Xiaoyan stayed by Jiang Youan's side almost constantly. They personally fed him his medicine, cooked for him, played with him, and told him stories. Under their meticulous care, Jiang Youan gradually recovered.

One day, Jiang Youan was in much better spirits. He took Jiang Liushen and Jia Xiaoyan's hands and said with a smile, "Mother, Father, I'm all better now. Let's go to the Imperial Garden to see the goldfish."

Jiang Liushen and Jia Xiaoyan looked at Jiang Youan's expectant eyes and were filled with joy. "Okay, let's go now," Jiang Liushen said with a smile.

So, the family of three, hand in hand, walked towards the Imperial Garden. Sunlight bathed them, creating a warm and happy scene. In the Imperial Garden, hundreds of flowers bloomed, their colorful blossoms swaying gently in the breeze, releasing a captivating fragrance. Little goldfish swam happily to and fro in the pond, occasionally leaping out of the water and splashing tiny droplets.

Jiang Youan saw the goldfish and ran over excitedly, a bright smile spreading across his face. "Mother, Father, look, the goldfish is so cute!" he exclaimed happily.

Jiang Liushen and Jia Xiaoyan looked at Jiang Youan with happiness and contentment in their hearts. They went to Jiang Youan's side, fed the goldfish with him, and listened to him share his little thoughts and discoveries.

"Father, when I grow up, I want to be like you and protect everyone," Jiang Youan suddenly said, his eyes filled with determination.

Jiang Liushen was deeply moved upon hearing this. He gently picked up Jiang Youan and said with a smile, "Good, Youan will definitely grow up to be a responsible man."

Jia Xiaoyan smiled and said, "You'an, you must remember that no matter what difficulties you encounter, your mother and father will always be by your side to support you."

Sunlight streamed through the carved window lattices, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow on the floor, making Jiang Youan's bedroom bright and cozy. But at this moment, a small "contest" was unfolding within the bedroom.

Jia Xiaoyan carefully walked to the bedside with a bowl of dark, murky medicine, a gentle smile on her face, and said softly, "You'an, it's time to drink your medicine. You'll get better faster if you drink it."

As soon as Jiang Youan saw the bowl of medicine, his little brows furrowed instantly. He shook his head like a rattle drum and said in a tearful voice, "Mother, I won't drink it. The medicine is too bitter." He pursed his little lips tightly and gripped the quilt tightly with both hands, as if the bowl of medicine was some kind of monstrous flood.

Jiang Liushen sat by the bed and patiently persuaded, "You'an, good medicine tastes bitter but is good for the illness. After you take the medicine, you can go to the Imperial Garden to play with the goldfish, just like before, and you can ride horses and shoot arrows with your brother."

A hint of hesitation flashed in Jiang Youan's eyes, but when he thought of the bitter taste of the medicine, he firmly refused: "No, I don't want to drink it. I'd rather not go out to play than drink medicine." As he spoke, he shrank his little head into the blanket, leaving only his round eyes showing resistance.

Jia Xiaoyan sat down on the edge of the bed with a pained expression, gently stroking Jiang Youan's head and coaxing, "Youan, be good. After you drink your medicine, Mother will give you some sweet candied fruit, okay?"

Jiang Youan poked his head out from under the covers, sobbing as he said, "Candied fruit won't do either, and the medicine is too bitter, I can't drink it." His eyes were red, and tears were welling up in them, making him look pitiful.

Seeing this, Jiang Liushen had a sudden inspiration and said, "You'an, didn't you want to be a brave little man? Drinking the medicine is a test for you. Only a brave child can overcome illness and be like a great hero."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Youan shifted slightly, seemingly tempted but still somewhat afraid: "I'm afraid... the medicine will be too bitter."

Jia Xiaoyan put the medicine bowl aside, took out a candied fruit from her bosom, and handed it to Jiang Youan's lips: "Here, eat a candied fruit first, so the medicine won't be so bitter later."

Jiang Youan hesitated for a moment, then opened his mouth and ate the candied fruit.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Jia Xiaoyan picked up the medicine bowl and urged again, "You'an, just drink one sip, just one sip, and I'll give you lots and lots of candied fruit after you finish it."

Jiang Youan bit his lip, hesitated for a while, and finally mustered up his courage, took the medicine bowl, closed his eyes tightly, and quickly drank a mouthful. "Cough cough..." He choked on the medicine and coughed, his little face turning red.

Jia Xiaoyan quickly patted his back and said with concern, "Drink slowly, drink slowly." As she spoke, she handed him a candied fruit.

Jiang Youan ate the candied fruit and calmed himself down. Looking at the remaining half bowl of medicine, he started to back down again: "Mother, I can't drink anymore, I really can't drink anymore."

Jiang Liushen held Jiang Youan's small hand and encouraged him, "Youan, you've been very brave. Just a few more sips and there'll be only a little left. Think about it, when you get better, your father will take you to see a variety show. It'll be so much fun!"

Jiang Youan's eyes lit up when he heard this, but after looking at the medicine bowl again, he still hesitated.

Jia Xiaoyan continued to coax, "You'an, be good. After you finish this bowl of medicine, your mother will make you your favorite pastries, okay?"

Tempted by the delicious food, Jiang Youan drank a few more sips, but in the end he really couldn't drink anymore. He pushed the medicine bowl away and said, "Mother, I really can't drink anymore, sob sob..." As he spoke, tears streamed down his face again.

Jia Xiaoyan felt sorry for him and couldn't bear to force him anymore. She put down the medicine bowl and gently hugged Jiang Youan: "Okay, okay, I won't drink it anymore. Youan has been very brave."

Jiang Liushen also comforted him, "It's okay, we'll try again later. If You'an doesn't want to drink, don't force him."

Jiang Youan leaned against Jia Xiaoyan's chest and sobbed, "Mother, it's not that I'm not brave, it's just that the medicine is really too bitter."

Jia Xiaoyan said gently, "Your mother knows that You'an is the bravest child. Let you rest for a while, and then we'll think of a solution, okay?"

Jiang Youan nodded gently, gradually calming down in Jia Xiaoyan's arms.