I seem to have returned to the Evil Doctor Valley, by the banks of the Creek of Doubt, that dense cluster of sea buckthorn trees.

  As the layer upon layer of mist-like fog dispersed, everything gradually became clear, and I saw him once again, wearing a pale green robe, standing tall and upright.

  Winter sunshine passes through the swaying shadow of the sea peach blossoms, warmly stroking his eyebrows and eyes. He suddenly turns around, his gaze fixed on me.

  I wanted to get closer, but I couldn't move at all. We stared at each other for a long time, and he finally walked towards me slowly.

  Fog, heavy and layered, enveloped everything, I struggled to find his figure, but vaguely saw that the dark blue shirt had transformed into a white feather armor on "Thieving Jade Horse", the person casually hooked up the corner of his mouth, his eyes gleaming cold as stars.

  He came closer and closer, slowly extending his hand towards me. I hesitated for a moment before stretching out my own hand in his direction. But in the blink of an eye, a long arrow shot through the air, and then a bright red gushed from his chest. Suddenly, the shadows of thousands of soldiers appeared behind him, waving swords and falling down, only to get back up again, covered in wounds, fighting on...

  I want to scream, but my voice is stuck in my throat, it's so painful.

  I tightly wrapped my arms around my shoulders, but I couldn't stop trembling, and the chill spreading from the bottom of my heart was even more uncontrollable.

  I saw him on horseback, one hand pressing the wound, and the curved beautiful lips still had a careless smile. He looked at me, moved his lips extremely slowly, as if speaking to me, but the wind was too loud, I couldn't hear.

  Holding his breath, he strained even harder to distinguish, and finally heard a voice coming intermittently.

  "Tell me clearly... what's going on..."

  That voice was familiar, with an overtone of anger that wasn't his. I felt a bit puzzled, but then heard the voice continue to ring out...

  "Nan Chongyao, tell me clearly, did you intentionally leave my sister in Ye City to lure out the rebel Dongshi?!"

  "If Your Highness didn't have absolute confidence in rescuing the princess, he wouldn't do it." Another calm voice sounded, seemingly Qin Zhao.

  "Absolute grasp? My sister almost died at the hands of Dong Laoze! The daughter of my Murong family, whom I cherished and protected with care, traveled thousands of miles to this desolate north for you, Third Highness. She sang a clear song on the eve of battle to help you attack the city. What did you give her in return? On your wedding night, you left her alone in an empty chamber. Even when she returned home, she was still alone. And now, you've let her be injured, lying in bed unconscious for a whole day and night, and she still hasn't woken up yet!"

  I struggled to open my eyelids, wanting to prop myself up, but ultimately couldn't. The wounds on the back of my neck and palms had received good care, and were now wrapped in pure white gauze. However, my entire body felt as weak as a rag doll, with every part screaming in pain.

  My voice was weak and hoarse, even I myself was startled, but it still made the person outside the door take immediate action, rapid footsteps hastily rushed towards my room.

  The first to push the door and come in was Yan, his face couldn't hide the surprise and concern, he knelt down beside my bed, grasped my hand and said: "Second sister, you've finally woken up! Is there anywhere that feels uncomfortable?"

  His sudden grip on the injured palm caused a surge of pain, and I tried my best to suppress my slight tremble, smiling faintly at him as I shook my head.

  A pair of slender yet powerful hands reached out in time, Nan Chengyao sat down at the head of my bed, helped me sit up and lean against his chest, and imperceptibly grasped my wrist to gently bring out my injured hand.

  Although he didn't do it on purpose, Yu Yi was so clever that she immediately reacted after a moment of stunned silence. Her expression suddenly became self-reproachful and anxious: "Second sister, did I just hurt you? Are you okay?"

  My throat was dry and aching abnormally, I couldn't open my mouth, so I could only smile and shake my head at him.

  Nan Chengyao took the water cup from the bedside table and fed me himself. Due to the long time without a drop of water, my body had reached its limit. At this moment, when my lips touched the warm water, I was a bit greedy and drank it all in one gulp, like a refreshing elixir.

  I downed three cups in a row, only then did the pain in my throat ease up a bit. I looked up to see that Lin had already turned his face away, as if he couldn't bear to look at me anymore. It was only then that I felt Nan Xiangyao's left arm around my waist tighten slightly, but he still didn't say anything. He used his free right hand to refill a cup with warm water and brought it to my lips.

  Although my throat is still uncomfortable, I couldn't drink anymore. I slightly shook my head and softly said: "Thank you, Your Highness, I feel much better."

  It's okay, although the voice is a bit hoarse, it hasn't reached an ear-piercing level.

  He quietly looked at me, but didn't say anything in the end. He raised his hand and tidied up the disheveled hair on my forehead.

  "Your Highness, the military doctor has arrived."

  Qin Zhao's voice came from behind the screen, as a rule, he was not allowed to enter. To be strict, even if Yan is my own brother, he cannot enter my bedroom, but this little demon king, once his temper flares up, no one can persuade him, and he won't care about these trivial matters. Fortunately, Nan Xiangyao didn't say anything.

  After Dai Nan Cheng Yao responded, two military doctors walked in and began the long process of diagnosis and treatment through observation, listening, questioning, and palpation.

  I suddenly recalled that since I left the Evil Doctor Valley, it's been too long since I've been a patient. Whenever my body didn't feel comfortable, I would always treat myself with medicine. Now, being so pampered, I'm actually not used to it at all.

  Thinking of this, I couldn't help but reveal a faint smile. Nan Chengyao stretched out his hand to stroke my long hair and whispered in my ear: "The princess's medical skills are excellent, it's just that 'doctors can't cure themselves', let them take a look, if the prescription is not right, just follow your own mind and do as you please."

  I felt a bit embarrassed, first because I didn't expect him to see through what I was thinking, and secondly because I wasn't arrogant enough to think that way. As a military doctor, he is naturally the best in the medical field, and among civilians, there are also hidden dragons and crouching tigers. I've only been following Su Xiu for a few years, and I wouldn't dare look down on others like that.

  I opened my mouth to speak, but was hesitant with the doctor still by my side and it wasn't easy to explain anything. Fortunately, Nan Xiangyao's previous words were whispered in my ear, so I could only secretly hope that they hadn't heard.

  Nan Chengyao looked at me with a slightly awkward expression, his slender fingers brushing against my pale cheeks that had turned white due to embarrassment. He slowly smiled, and this was the first smile I saw from him since his triumphant return.

  "Your Highness, logically, the three princesses' injuries are only superficial and shouldn't have caused them to be unconscious for so long. Now that they've woken up, it should mean there's no major issue...". The military doctor speaking had a hint of doubt on his face as he exchanged glances with another person before continuing: "However, the princesses' pulse is still weak and unstable, and we can't determine why for now. We'll have to wait until we return to the capital and consult with our colleagues at the Imperial Hospital to diagnose and treat them properly. For now, the princess needs to focus on recuperating and not worry about anything..."

  He paused for a moment and then hesitantly spoke again, only saying one short sentence: "...Remember to pay attention to your diet and don't think too much."

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