Cupid's Assistant

Chapter 71

Zhao Ying and Chen Yang were once again in the carriage, heading to the closest city to find a doctor to check on Zhao Ying's ankle. When Fu Zhong helped Zhao Ying into the carriage, Zhang Yuz was about to lend a hand, but Fu Zhong immediately shot him a cold glare. At first, Zhang Yuz didn't care and continued to try to help, but Zhao Ying saw Fu Zhong's grim face.

"Yuz, I'm alright. There's no need for your help. His highness can manage," Zhao Ying said, trying to ease the situation.

"Ying!" Zhang Yu said, trying to argue back, and gave Fu Zhong the side eye.

Fu Zhong also gave the side eye to Zhang Yuz, "Shouldn't a servant show some respect to his master? Saying her name carelessly," Fu Zhong said, as he could no longer stand him being friendly with her.

"You-," Zhang Yuz flared up.

"Don't you dare talk back to his highness," Jiu Jun said. Zhao Ying saw that the situation was escalating.

"Um, Crown Prince Fu Zhong, please excuse my royal guard. I apologize for his behavior, but since we grew up together, we are quite familiar with each other and tend to call each other by our names. Please don't mind it. If your highness dislikes it, we won't do it in front of your highness but when we are alone," Zhao Ying said, looking up at Fu Zhong.

"When you two are alone," Fu Zhong's voice became low, and his eyebrow twitched.

"Ah, I didn't mean it that way," Zhao Ying said, lowering her head in embarrassment.

Fu Zhong noticed Zhao Ying's pink cheeks.

"Good," Fu Zhong said, setting her in the carriage. Zhao Ying still felt his stare and cautiously glanced up at him. She instantly caught his gaze.

"Um... don't worry," she said softly to him.

"Mmm," he softly whispered into her ear as he leaned down to her.

"Um," Zhao Ying lowered her head even more in shyness, feeling her face burn up as she sensed him leaning in closer.

"Is something the matter?" Fu Zhong softly said to her as a small smile appeared on his face. He didn't know what compelled him, but he had the urge to tease her. His first impression of her was a basic well-mannered princess, as if she were doing her duty and nothing more. However, her willingness to speak up or help dispute situations showed him that she wasn't a sheltered noble princess, but seeing her composed face crumble and become flustered made it enticing.

"No," she said, looking up and meeting his gaze.

Zhang Yuz clenched his fist as he watched their interaction and felt he was invisible to them.

_______

They arrived in the city and headed to an inn. Zhang Yuz didn't trust leaving Zhao Ying by herself with the likes of them, so Jiu Jun went out to find a doctor to check on Zhao Ying's ankle. Fu Zhong had finished paying for the rooms and went out to bring Zhao Ying from the carriage to the inn. He ignored Zhang Yuz's presence and got on the carriage. He pushed the curtain aside.

"Ready to go," he said, looking at Zhao Ying.

"Ah, yes." Zhao Ying said, looking up at him. Fu Zhong bent down and picked up Zhao Ying in his arms, carrying her in princess-style again.

"I can walk by myself. It doesn't hurt that much," Zhao Ying said, composed, looking up at Fu Zhong.

Fu Zhong glanced at Zhao Ying, "You want to limp all the way to the room?"

"Well, I don't want to be an inconvenience to your highness," Zhao Ying said.

"It doesn't," Fu Zhong said, short and brief.

"Mmm," Zhao Ying responded, lowering her head and leaning her head against his chest.

Zhang Yuz wanted to bark at Fu Zhong again, but he had no right to.

Once Fu Zhong brushed by Zhang Yuz, he coldly said, "Shouldn't you go and see if you can get a new horse for yourself unless you want to walk the whole time?"

Zhang Yuz clenched his fist and gritted his teeth, "I will, your highness," as he watched Fu Zhong carry Zhao Ying into the inn.

Once they arrived at the room where Zhao Ying would be spending the night, the doctor arrived with Jiu Jun. The doctor examined her and said it was a minor sprain and she needed to rest her ankle. He provided some ointment to apply to her ankle before he left.

"Here, your highness, let me apply the medicine on your ankle since you didn't bring any maid with you," Xiaodan said, stepping up and moving towards her. She tried to move past He Jingy and Fu Zhong, but before she could pass He Jingy, he tried to stop her.

"What? Do you want someone else to touch her highness?" Xiaodan said, acting innocent.

Fu Zhong soon spoke, "I will do it," as he saw how He Jingy was still cautious with the storyteller, which made him cautious as well, and he also didn't like the idea of having someone else touch Zhao Ying.

"Oh. Yes, your highness, I will leave it to you then." Xiaodan said, stepping back before she showed her sparkling eyes to He Jingy. "We will head on out and leave you two, your highness," Xiaodan said with a bright smile. It signaled everyone in the room to leave.

Once everyone was out of the room, Xiaodan and Chen Yang were about to head to their room when a hand grabbed Xiaodan's upper arm.

"Come here, you." He Jingy said, dragging her away.

"Xiaodan!" Chen Yang said, worried as she wanted to follow them. Xiaodan looked back and quickly said, "Chen Yang, I'm alright. Don't worry, you go on ahead to the room. I'll be there soon..."