The Chef's Immortal

Chapter Four

The Prince left the tent the following morning at dawn.  To his surprise, his bedroll was already put away and the fire was roaring in the fire pit.  He looked around to find that a chunk of fatty boar meat and bones were placed on a stone beside the fire with a pot sitting next to it, waiting to be put to use.  Shunyuan walked up from the stream carrying a pail of water.

"Your Highness," he said, bowing his head slightly.  "I believe I've prepared everything you require this morning, but if I missed something please let me know."

"Thank you, Shunyuan.  This is most helpful."  The Prince set to work cooking the Princess's boar broth.  

After preparing a quick brother, the Prince returned to Nusa's tent and placed his hand on her forehead.  Finally, the fever broke.  He could relax a little.  The Prince sat blowing the broth, waiting for it to cool enough to feed Nusa.  The Princess stirred.  Afraid she would return to a state of panic, Yinxiang quickly set the broth on her bedside table and reached for her hand.  Nusa opened her heavy eyelids and managed to turn her head just enough to look around the almost empty tent, confused.

"Where are we?" she croaked.

"We're deep in the hills, we brought you here to keep you safe.  Your brother is here and Ruolan, but they're still sleeping.  It's quite early."

"My brother?  Bohai is here?"

The Prince tried to recall the names of the Khan's sons but didn't seem to remember a Bohai.  "Um, no.  Chuluun.  I don't recall meeting this Bohai.  He must have been away from the encampment."

"Oh, um, right.  Bohai's not here.  Chuluun, huh?  I don't remember him.  13th Prince, could I trouble you for some water?" Her words seemed to come out almost strangled.

"Uh, yeah, sure.  Give me a moment."

The Prince hurried to the tea set across the room and filled a cup with tepid water.  "Princess, this is the best I can do at the moment.  I'll have Ruolan make some honey tea for you later.  Oh, and here," he pointed to the broth.  "We need to get this down you as soon as possible as well.  You'll need to get your strength back.  Do you think you can sit up?"

The Princess nodded her head and struggled her weak body into a sitting position.  She was in no condition to argue with the 13th Prince.  She just moved, obediently.  Her entire body ached, all the way into her bones.  Had she been hit by a runaway cart, or what?  She gulped down the water, then sipped the warm broth slowly, savoring the aroma of wild game.  The Prince sat a few feet away from her watching closely.  He couldn't ascertain as to which Princess had awoken from the fever.  Was he dealing with the kind, gentle Princess he initially met or the rude, feisty Princess he seemed to be waiting for?

"Do you truly have no memory, Princess?" he asked cautiously.

"Oh, I have a memory, Prince.  Just not the memory you wish for."

"What does that mean?"

"It's the same as I explained to you before, you wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"Why don't you try me?"

She laughed, "Did I just happen to encounter the one and only open-minded Qing Dynasty Prince?"

He smiled, "It doesn't hurt to talk about it."

"Yes, but can you handle it?"

He harrumphed, "I'll try my best."

"Okay, here goes.  I am Princess Nusa of the Chagatai, but I am also Bai Lanying from the year 2020."  She watched the Prince's face as she spoke, but was surprised when a look of understanding dawned.