Free Web NovelChapter 141: Sudden Change
“Does she interest you, crown prince?” the eunuch asked, feeling a spring of hope in his chest.
“Not at all. She’s still a kid no matter how much they’ve tried to dress her up. Why don’t you just send her back home?” Ren said, half with disgust.
“But...that would be...” the eunuch whispered in shock.
“Better yet...send all of them home...” Ren muttered darkly.
“We absolutely cannot do that, crown prince. You do understand that these women are...” the eunuch said in a panic.
“Political hostages...” Ren finished the sentence for the old man.
The eunuch bowed, unable to come up with a suitable reply to Ren’s words. No matter what the crown prince said, there was no way that offerings to the capital could be returned. It would be utterly disrespectful, and it would be an utter disgrace to the girl in question.
...
The music came to a stop, and I posed for the final ending of the dance. I cannot believe that I live through that. Somehow, I had successfully reached the end of the dance without falling on my face or slipping over my own feet. I didn’t care if Ren thought my dance was beautiful or pleasing or not, I was pleased enough with myself and the progress that I’ve made.
I looked up to see Ren smiling at me before he started applauding our dance. It seemed that he was quite pleased. Well, that’s a relief.
“It seems like you’ve done very well in your studies here in the inner court as well,” Ren commented as he stood up from his seat and approached me.
I bowed a little before smiling up at him. Ren placed his hands on my shoulders as he smiled down at me adoringly. It made me blush and my heart skip a beat. It was the first time that I started to understand why women tried so hard to study the arts. It was probably because it felt so fulfilling to please their audience with their performance. Just like how I felt so elated that I could please Ren with my dance.
“Thank you, crown prince. It’s thanks to my teacher as well,” I said before smiling a little at Jeely.
“Of course. However, I think that is about enough. From now on, I would like you to focus on your medical studies with the doctors and I will step in to teach you history and trade as well,” Ren said, his voice suddenly very cold and commanding.
I couldn’t understand his sudden change in attitude, and I looked at him with a confused look. I began to wonder if we had done something that displeased him after all.
“What about my lessons with Jeely?” I asked, not sure if I was understanding correctly. Does Ren want me to stop all lessons with Jeely? freewёbnoνel.com
“You’ve done enough. From now on, you will no longer take lessons in the inner court. I will let Auntie know of my decision as well,” Ren stated flatly.
Without another word, Ren lowered his hands from my shoulders and turned to leave. I was too stunned to say anything at that moment. It was true that I had wished to discontinue my lessons in the inner court at some point; however, I had never imagined that Ren would terminate all my lessons so suddenly like this.
...
A few days past since I danced for Ren at my palace. I haven’t seen Jeely again since then and wondered how she was doing. However, since I was busy with treating the patients, I soon forgot all about her. I spent my days at the hospital treating wounded soldiers. Somehow that had become my main mandate at the hospital.
I wasn’t sure if that was because of what I had requested or if that was merely because of the sharp rise in the number of wounded soldiers lately. According to my mentors, I have improved incredibly. I supposed that was thanks to the guidance of my mentors and the numerous chances that I’ve had to treat real cases of patients.
From basic wounds and cuts, I could now medicate and stitch up large, deep, and complex wounds. Furthermore, I learnt of many new medicines that would help numb the pain, cleanse the wound and heal the wound. Reflecting back on my learning journey, it was clear that I have come a long way. However, it was also clear that I still had a long way to go.
“Rest time. My Lady and Doctor Kai, you should go take your rest now. Don’t worry, I’ll take over with my team,” one of the senior royal doctors said as he waved us off with his hand.
Looking up from the medical kit that I was holding in my hand, I could tell from the orange light coming in from the window that the sun was about to set. Fatigue hit me immediately when I paused for rest. Before this, I was too busy to realize that I was tired.
“Let’s go, Lady Kamiya,” Doctor Kai, my mentor for the day, said.
With a slight bow to the other doctor, I followed Doctor Kai’s lead out of the room.
Doctor Kai had been my mentor for many weeks now as he took turns with some other doctors. Out of all the mentors that I’ve had, I felt like we got along the best. Perhaps, that was because he was willing to talk to me about other things non-related to work while the other doctors remained very professional towards me.
Doctor Kai is probably in his early fifties, and he mentioned that he has a daughter around my age. He seemed very happy when he spoke of her and his wife. Apparently, his daughter had gotten married around two years ago and was expecting her first child. I smiled thinking of his face when he told me that. Doctor Kai will be a grandfather very soon.
I sighed unknowingly when that thought brought me back to think about myself. It was at times like these when I was sitting still with nothing much to do that my mind would start to worry.
“Don’t worry, My Lady. The royal baby will arrive in no time,” Doctor Kai said kindly.
--To be continued...
