"My mother agreed with me. She also said you're a good girl. She told me not to miss the chance. I didn't expect that in the end, I still missed it. Such an excellent girl like you ultimately doesn't belong to me. But I still like you so much."

  He paused for a moment, then continued: "When I was studying medicine in the deep mountains, as soon as I stopped my heart would uncontrollably think of you, forcing me to desperately study medical skills, just thinking about finishing quickly and going down the mountain to see you."

  "I learned all the medical skills taught by Master earlier than ordinary people by more than a decade. Then I hurried back. It wasn't until I heard from my mother that you had already entered the palace, been conferred as a concubine by the Emperor and become his 'woman'..."

  As soon as he thought that she was the "woman" of that most noble emperor, he painfully closed his eyes. This life, he feared that he would not be able to contend with him. He could not surpass that emperor.

  "Shen Ge, I'm afraid we're not meant to be. You've been mistaken about people since you were young. You shouldn't have liked me. My sister is the one who's most suitable for you."

  Yan Xijun said lightly. She lowered her eyelids and couldn't see her expression.

  "Matters of the heart are things that can't be helped. Once you love, you love. I love you. From when we were young until now and into the future. My feelings for you will remain forever."

  He thought deeply and no longer hesitated. He made a bold confession. If he didn't say these words, he feared that the suppressed emotions would become unbearable for him. He was afraid that one day he would do something irrational.

  Yan Xijun let out a deep sigh. She had also fallen in love with someone else. It was only natural to understand his feelings. Other people's hearts couldn't be stopped. The only way was to control one's own emotions.

  "Shen Ge, I've always treated you as a brother. I'm unable to accept your feelings. So it's better if you don't love the wrong person again." Yan Xijun said heartlessly. This lifetime, she would never fall in love with him. Because her heart already belonged to someone else.

  Although Shen Si Jue had long expected this outcome, he still couldn't bear it. His heart ached to the point of being unable to breathe. He forced a sorrowful smile: "I understand. Don't worry. My love won't interfere with you in any way. You get some rest early today. I'll come see you again tomorrow."

  Shen Si Jue finished speaking, shouldered the medicine box, didn't even open his oil-paper umbrella, and rushed directly into the heavy rain.

  Yan Xijun gazed at the tall figure disappearing into the rain curtain. She slumped to the floor, hugging her knees. She didn't regret refusing him. She believed he was a clever person and would soon come around.

  "Master." As soon as she pushed open the door, she saw her master sitting on the ground with his knees drawn up in a dejected manner. The scene shocked her. She hurried over and knelt beside him, asking anxiously: "Master, what's wrong?"

  "I'm fine." Yan Xijun waved her hand weakly and said, "When will this rain stop?"

  Xue Lian stared at her master in confusion. What did her master's inexplicable words mean?

  Alas. The master asks what to answer, right? Xue Lian looked up at the gray and hazy sky and hesitantly said: "Maybe it will be tomorrow."

  "Oh, I'm tired. I want to rest. You go to the pharmacy and get some medicine back to brew. Call me when it's done." Yan Xijun instructed. She had already figured it out. She wanted to take good care of her body in preparation for leaving the palace.

  Everything in the palace has nothing to do with me anymore.

  Let's just forget about it. Let's forget all these unpleasant things.

  "Good. Master. You should have thought of that two days ago." Xuelian happily supported her up. It's a good thing the master has come to his senses.

  The days are still long, the master is still young, and what will happen in the future is unknown. The only way is to keep a low profile and take good care of yourself, live a good life, this is Xue Lian's true thoughts.

  Lying back on the bed, closing her eyes, she couldn't forget what she had just said she would forget. Yan Xijun opened her eyes in distress.

  Can't these unpleasant things really be forgotten?

  The next day

  Shen Si Jue visits Gan Quan Palace every day to take Yan Xi Jun's pulse. Under his medicinal treatment, Yan Xi Jun recovers quickly in just a few days. The first type of residual poison in her body is slowly cleared out. However, the second type of poison is more severe and the antidote is harder to concoct, making it not so easy to eliminate.

  They both never mention what happened that day. They are smart people. Maybe this is the only way to avoid awkwardness between them.

  It's fine. The relationship seems to have returned to what it was like when we were young. Yan Xijun watched as he smiled and walked away, her heart finally at ease after all these days of anxiety.

  "Master, the weather is quite good today. Why don't we go out for a walk?" Xue Lian suggested with a smile. Shen Yuyi's medical skills were indeed superb. Master's body was recovering quickly. In a few more days, he should be able to recover to his previous state, right?

  Xue Lian's heart ached as she gazed at her master's emaciated body. Alas, after this unexpected event, her master's body had suddenly become so thin. In the future, they must take good care to nourish him back to health.

  Yan Xijun gazed at the bright and sunny sky, outside the window were lush trees and clusters of flowers. She was in a good mood today, so she accepted Xue Lian's suggestion. "Alright, let's go to the Imperial Flower Garden for a stroll."

  Walking in the imperial garden filled with all kinds of fragrances, Yan Xikun comfortably exhaled a breath. She used to dislike flowers and thought they were more arrogant than humans. Now she inexplicably likes them very much. Flowers are the most beautiful plants in the world.

  "Master, look at the roses over there, they're blooming beautifully! Let's go take a look!" Xuelian pointed to the row of roses and exclaimed excitedly.

  "Alright, alright. These 'flowers' actually don't suit you well." Yan Xijun rarely joked around. She reached out and plucked a jasmine flower, pinning it on Xue Lian instead. Looking at her, she said: "Delicate flowers match beautiful people. A perfect match indeed."

  Xue Lian's face turned red with shame and she lowered her head. "Master."

  "Hehe." Yan Xijun smiled and said: "Xue Lian, actually you look very pretty too. It's just that you don't like to dress up. I'll give you some accessories when we get back. In the palace, one should dress more elegantly."

  "These days have been tough on you. You've taken good care of me with all your heart. I appreciate your kindness and will do my best to repay you."

  "My lord." Xuelian said emotionally: "My lord is good to me, so I am good to my lord."

  "Xue Lian, I have something to say to you today. If I say anything, don't mind it. But I hope you can also answer me honestly. Okay?" Yan Xi Jun looked at her and said.

  "Some things need to be clarified at this time. Only in this way can she go and arrange for future matters."

  "Master, you ask. Whatever you ask, I'll tell you as long as I know." A thread of unease rose in Xue Lian's heart, but she still looked at the master with an open and honest expression.

  "I know you're a person sent by the Queen's sister. Are you still loyal to the Queen's sister now?" Yan Xijun asked, fiddling with the flower in her hand.

  As for Master knowing her identity, Xue Lian wasn't surprised at all. She thought for a moment and said: "Master, I currently only pledge my loyalty to you."

  "Hmm." Yanshen Jun was satisfied with Xuelian's answer. She also knew in her heart that these days, Xuelian had not done anything to betray her, let alone reveal secrets.