The Sickly Beauty Substitute Called It Quits

Speechless, Shen Yu could only stare at Shang JunLin. Recently he’d noticed that Shang JunLin liked to ask him for a “reward” whenever he found an opportunity.

No, rather than a reward, it was more accurate to call it a request for intimacy. Shang JunLin didn’t ask for anything in particular. It was just a way to get Shen Yu to take the initiative.

Shen Yu released the hand that was on Shang JunLin’s forehead and slowly lowered it. “What kind of reward does Your Majesty want?”

“Ah Yu could take the initiative to kiss this emperor,” Shang JunLin suggested with a bit of demureness. Of course he wanted more than a kiss, but he also knew if he teased Shen Yu too much he’d get nothing at all.

“Or you can let this emperor kiss you.”

“Your Majesty wants to do more than that, right?” Shen Yu glanced at him skeptically, knowing the outcome.

“Naturally, if Ah Yu is willing to do more, this emperor would be more than happy to oblige.” The hand on Shen Yu’s waist slid lower with a clear suggestion.

Shen Yu pressed the man’s hand before it could descend any further. “That’s clearly what Your Majesty wants. Why does it sound like it’s all for me?”

Shang JunLin pulled back the person who was about to escape from his arms. He rested his head on Shen Yu’s shoulder. “Does Ah Yu not want to?” he asked in a low voice. “This emperor thinks of Ah Yu all the time. Does Ah Yu think of me?”

“Your Majesty…” Shen Yu’s breath became unsteady. “Let go of me…”

“Ah Yu obviously likes it too…” The rest of his words were lost in a sudden kiss.

The flames of the candles flickered, casting two interwoven shadows on the floor. Every so often, a soft murmur dissipated in the air.

Finally, Shang JunLin was satisfied with his reward, while Shen Yu reclined drowsily on the couch.

It was getting late. For a long time Shen Yu had been taking medicine to help him sleep, and it was past the time he usually went to bed. He was already dozing off.

Shang JunLin didn’t disturb him. He called for hot water to help Shen Yu wash, then carried him to bed. He pressed a kiss to the younger man’s forehead. “Go to sleep.”

Shen Yu grabbed the sleeve of the man who was about to leave. “Your Majesty isn’t going to rest?” 

“This emperor will return after changing my clothes. You can sleep first,” Shang JunLin coaxed in a soft voice.

Shen Yu hazily realized that Shang JunLin was still wearing his court dress and released his hand. Still resisting the lingering sleepiness, he continued to look at Shang JunLin.

Shang JunLin’s heart immediately softened. He quickly changed his clothes, pulled back the quilt, and took Shen Yu in his arms. He patted him on the back. “Sleep now, I’m here.”

With his eyelids getting heavier and heavier, Shen Yu couldn’t resist any longer. He closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

Shang JunLin looked at the peaceful sleeping face of the man in his arms, and his eyes darkened.

He recalled what Imperial Physician Gu said to him earlier in the day. Shen Yu’s illness appeared to be caused by congenital weakness, but there was a hidden secret underneath it. To put it plainly, Shen Yu’s current physical condition had probably been inflicted on him by someone.

The anger in Shang JunLin’s chest couldn’t stop roiling. Shen Yu’s congenital weakness was innate; nothing could change that. But he never thought an intentionally inflicted ailment was beneath it.

His Ah Yu, who endured so much suffering from childhood, had probably been targeted!

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Every time this thought crossed his mind, he couldn’t hold back the cruel thoughts that surged through him.

As if sensing something amiss, Shen Yu moved uneasily in the man’s arms. Shang JunLin restrained his breathing, hugged the person closer, and kissed his forehead soothingly.

Shen Yu nestled into a more comfortable position and became still again.

It was a dreamless night.

When he woke up, it was already light outside, and the familiar scent around him was gone. He thought Shang JunLin must have gone to court. He rubbed his cheek on the pillow and slowly sat up.

Mu Xi, who was keeping watch in the next room, heard the movement and asked from outside, “Young master, are you awake?” 

“Mm.”

When she heard him reply, Mu Xi came in with fresh clothes and helped Shen Yu dress.

Shen Yu bowed his head and straightened his sleeves. Last night was the deepest he’d slept since he’d dreamed about the King of Yue. When he considered the difference from the previous day, he could only think of one thing that could account for it.

Could doing that really help you sleep?

Shen Yu couldn’t help but wonder.

After he finished washing up, Mu Xi told the kitchen staff to serve breakfast. They were all Shen Yu’s favorite dishes. Maybe because he was so well-rested, he ate half a bowl more than usual.

After breakfast, Imperial Physician Gu came in to check Shen Yu’s pulse. Due to the abnormal state of his pulse last time, Imperial Physician Gu had been visiting almost every day.

“The noble monarch’s pulse is back to normal. You’re no longer in danger.” In accordance with Shang JunLin’s order, Imperial Physician Gu didn’t say anything about the secret behind Shen Yu’s illness.

Shen Yu remembered what he’d noticed earlier and decided to consult a professional. “Imperial Physician Gu, compared with the last few days, I slept extremely well last night. I wanted to ask you if the sleeping medicine is responsible or if there could be some other reason?”

Imperial Physician Gu was certain about the effects of the medicine he’d prescribed. “It’s reasonable to expect that the medicine prescribed by this minister will have an effect when it’s taken. Did the noble monarch do anything different yesterday?” 

“Not really. The only thing that wasn’t exactly the same might be that I carried on a bit with His Majesty. Does Imperial Physician Gu think there could be any connection?”

As Shen Yu’s words fell, Mu Xi blushed. She knew His Majesty sent for hot water last night. Also, when His Majesty left this morning he gave specific orders not to disturb the noble monarch’s rest. She’d been in the palace for several months and knew exactly what that meant.

Imperial Physician Gu froze for a moment, then considered what Shen Yu meant by “carried on with His Majesty”. After a moment he said, “That could be part of the reason. After one has vented some energy, it becomes easier to fall into a deep sleep.”

Shen Yu blinked. “So such a thing is possible.” Who would have thought that when Shang JunLin messed around with him last night, it accidentally had such good effects.

Before Imperial Physician Gu left, he adjusted his prescription according to the current state of Shen Yu’s pulse.

Shortly after the doctor left Yuzhang Palace, Meng Gonggong, who was waiting for him outside, greeted him. “His Majesty mustn’t be kept waiting. Imperial Physician Gu, please come with this slave.”

Imperial Physician Gu was used to being summoned by the emperor after he left Yuzhang Palace. He straightened his clothes and followed Meng Gonggong.

Shang JunLin looked up from a pile of memorials awaiting approval and looked at Imperial Physician Gu. “How is the noble monarch’s condition?” 

“Replying to Your Majesty, the noble monarch is in good health. His pulse has now returned to normal.”

Shang JunLin was concerned about the conjecture Imperial Physician Gu had shared previously about Shen Yu’s illness. “Did you find the reason for the change in the noble monarch’s pulse?” 

Imperial Physician Gu: “The change is too subtle. If this minister wasn’t so familiar with the noble monarch’s pulse, I might not have noticed anything. Over the past few days this minister has seen the noble monarch’s pulse return to normal little by little. This minister begs forgiveness for my incompetence. I’m unable to determine the reason for the time being.”

Shang JunLin: “Regarding what you said last time, that his illness was not a case of congenital weakness…”

Imperial Physician Gu: “That was just a guess by this minister. If it’s indeed not congenital, that might actually be a good thing. There are very few examples where congenital deficiency has been cured. If there’s an underlying, hidden reason, and the cause can be identified, this minister would be much more confident about finding a cure for the noble monarch.”

Shang JunLin: “Thank you for continuing to investigate, Imperial Physician Gu.”

“It’s this minister’s duty. Your Majesty needn’t thank me.” Imperial Physician Gu thought of what Shen Yu said just now. He hesitated, then said, “The noble monarch asked this minister about something today, but this minister hasn’t reached a conclusion yet. Your Majesty may wish to pay attention.” After saying this, he recounted the conversation with Shen Yu in Yuzhang Palace.

Shang JunLin: “This emperor was worried about harming Ah Yu’s health and didn’t dare to do too much. Is Imperial Physician Gu suggesting it might be helpful?”

Imperial Physician Gu: “The noble monarch has recuperated well. As long as excess is avoided, there’s no problem.”

Shang JunLin: “The ointment that Imperial Physician Gu sent to Ah Yu last time isn’t bad. You should make more of it.”

Imperial Physician Gu: “…This minister will obey.”

After hearing that Shen Yu was doing so well, Shang JunLin was in a good mood. He bestowed several rewards on Imperial Physician Gu and ordered Meng Gonggong to escort him home.

Imperial Physician Gu returned home to his mansion in a carriage from the palace. Behind it was a series of rewards following in a line. People in the street stopped to watch.

When Gu Huai heard the commotion, he went outside and saw Imperial Physician Gu climbing down from the distinctive palace carriage, followed by several treasure wagons.

“Is that…”

“It’s a reward from His Majesty,” Imperial Physician Gu said as he got out of the carriage. He turned to Meng Gonggong and said, “Thank you for your trouble.”

“Not at all. Imperial Physician Gu fully deserves it.”

After the palace servants departed, Gu Huai helped sort through the rewards. “Gege, you’re really amazing. You received so many gifts again.”

“It’s all thanks to the kindness of His Majesty and the noble monarch.” Some of the things were awarded by Shang JunLin, while others came from Yuzhang Palace. Since they knew about Imperial Physician Gu’s interests, most of the things would be useful to him.

“Is the noble monarch’s condition better?”

“It’s no longer serious.” Imperial Physician Gu ruffled the boy’s head. “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”

After sorting through everything, Imperial Physician Gu took out the ingredients for making the ointment, intending to make another batch. His Majesty’s harem contained only one person, the noble monarch, but that didn’t necessarily mean the required amount would be small.

As far as the ointment was concerned, he’d learned the recipe after he first entered the imperial hospital. At the time Gu Huai was seriously ill and needed medicine with a lot of expensive herbs. In order to get the money to heal him, Imperial Physician Gu took on a lot of outside work. The owner of the pharmacy he usually patronized helped him a great deal. When the shop owner heard he was short of money, he told Imperial Physician Gu about the ointment as a quick way to make money.

That turned out to be true, especially ones that had an aphrodisiac effect. They sold extremely well. Later, when he wasn’t as short of money, he stopped making it as often. Mainly because he was a little embarrassed and didn’t want the child at home to know what he was doing. At the time, the pharmacy owner helped him sell the ointment. He kept his own name out of it as much as possible.

As for the ointment he gave Shen Yu, that was because of Shen Yu’s delicate physical condition. Imperial Physician Gu was responsible for Shen Yu’s health and intended to do his utmost. His Majesty appeared to have a vigorous appetite, and it wasn’t easy for a man’s body to receive intercourse. The noble monarch’s body wasn’t strong. If he was frequently injured because of marital matters, it would inevitably have a big impact on his health.

Today His Majesty brought it up…. Imperial Physician Gu remembered the amount that was delivered to Yuzhang Palace last time. It wasn’t that much, but it wasn’t a little either. Should he give His Majesty a vague reminder to let the noble monarch get more rest?

Imperial Physician Gu sighed. He was just a doctor who treated patients. Why did he have to worry about the bedroom affairs of His Majesty?

He poured the freshly boiled ointment into a tray to let it cool. Imperial Physician Gu took out some previously prepared flower extract and mixed it in. He was so engrossed in preparing the medicine that he didn’t notice Gu Huai enter the room.

Gu Huai was deeply interested in everything related to Imperial Physician Gu. Seeing a neatly arranged row of jars of transparent cream, he picked up one of them and walked up behind Imperial Physician Gu. “Gege, what’s this?”

Startled by the sudden words, Imperial Physician Gu lost his grip on the vial he was holding. Thanks to Gu Huai’s quick eyes and quicker hands, it didn’t fall to the ground.

“When did you come in?” Imperial Physician Gu calmed himself down, then turned around and saw Gu Huai holding the half-finished ointment. The younger man’s eyes were full of curiosity.

The doctor’s face blushed scarlet.

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The author has something to say:

Imperial Physician Gu: Please help, what should I do if my child catches me making XXX items at home?

TL Notes:

accidentally had such good effects – 歪打正着 – hit the mark by a fluke; but harvest exactly what one wishes; do sth. unintentionally; score a lucky hit

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