Moonlight scattered a frost-like radiance, and wind chimes tinkled in the corridor.

Tanmoluojia stood before the stone steps, his face like the cold moon, jade eyes frigid, listening to the intermittent voices of Yuanjue and Yaoying talking inside. He closed his eyes briefly.

She was fine.

The cold gradually seeped in as he stood in the shadows where neither moonlight nor lamplight reached. He suppressed the metallic sweetness rising in his throat as his thoughts gradually calmed.

The ripples stirring in the depths of his heart slowly returned to stillness.

With a thunderous bang, the courtyard gate was forcefully struck open. A tall man, surrounded by personal guards, rushed in with furrowed brows and an anxious expression. Like a gust of wind, he swept through the front courtyard and climbed the stone steps. His worried gaze met Tanmoluojia’s eyes, and his footsteps faltered slightly.

“My Lord!” A guard ran out from the house, “Seventh Miss is alright!”

Li Zhongqian’s face was full of agitation. Averting his gaze, he strode forward while asking, “What happened? How did Mingyue Nu suddenly fall ill? Did that bastard Li Xuanzhen do something?”

The guard replied, “The Crown Prince didn’t do anything wrong. He even took a blade for Seventh Miss and was injured. We don’t know what happened, but Seventh Miss suddenly fell ill. The condition was dangerous – the Regent summoned many physicians, but none could help… Fortunately, Seventh Miss just turned the corner from danger.”

“The Regent?”

Li Zhongqian glanced at the man standing outside the door before taking large strides into the room, rushing straight to the couch.

Yaoying was listening to Yuanjue describe what happened after she fainted below the high platform when she suddenly saw his face, dark as water, and froze.

“Brother.”

She said softly, feeling somewhat guilty.

Li Zhongqian’s face was black as a pot bottom, his gaze severe as he waved his hand, indicating everyone to withdraw.

“I’m fine now,” Yaoying said quickly. “Today was just an accident.”

Li Xuanzhen had taken a blade for her. The punishment came quickly and left quickly too – she couldn’t remember anything now.

Li Zhongqian said nothing, sitting by the couch and examining her for a long while, feeling her forehead and palms.

Her forehead was still cold, but her palms were slightly warm. Her pulse was steady – he could feel the strong beats under his fingertips.

“Are you still uncomfortable?”

His heart settled back down as he asked in a hoarse voice. Having ridden hard to get here, the cold wind had left his throat feeling like scissors were cutting inside.

He would never forget that time when she fell ill – he had sought out every physician, even begged Li De. All the doctors shook their heads and sighed, telling him medicine was useless and advising him to prepare for her funeral. He had stayed by her side, calling her name, begging her to return, until she awoke.

His uncle was dead, his mother had gone mad – he only had Mingyue Nu left. If she were to leave him too, what would he have left to care about?

Yaoying shook her head and said, “Brother, I’m much better. The Regent has been taking care of me today.”

She remembered watching the song and dance performance below the platform before fainting. Tanmoluojia had been recuperating at the royal temple – she hadn’t expected to see him when she woke up, and he was wearing Sudangu’s clothes again. She was puzzled.

She had just asked him one question when he left without a word.

Yaoying was completely confused and exchanged bewildered looks with Yuanjue beside her, asking him what had happened.

Yuanjue quietly wiped away tears and told her what happened after she fainted. He also told her that after she was injured, she had remained unconscious until nightfall. During that time, her pulse had grown increasingly weak. Bisuo had summoned physicians who tried many methods – they had almost resorted to bloodletting. Tanmoluojia had been caring for her the whole time.

Yaoying was stunned for a long while.

When the assassin tried to kill her, how had Tanmoluojia appeared so timely?

Had he been near the long street too?

He rarely left the royal temple, and he was still ill. Moreover, with the religious restrictions on song and dance, why would he go to the market district?

A guess flashed through Yaoying’s mind like lightning, but she dared not be certain.

Regardless, Tanmoluojia had watched over her all day today.

On his way back, Li Zhongqian had already heard the general course of events from his guards – when Yaoying fainted, Sudangu was by her side.

He heard the assassin was from the royal court, related to palace power struggles.

Li Zhongqian’s mind conjured Sudangu’s scarred face as his brows furrowed tightly. “Your body is weak. Rest well.”

He stood up as he spoke.

Yaoying grabbed his sleeve: “Brother, are you going to find Li Xuanzhen?”

Li Zhongqian’s expression was icy, phoenix eyes flashing with cold light.

Yaoying wouldn’t let go: “Brother, Li Xuanzhen is seriously injured now. You won’t get anything by confronting him. I’ll handle his matter – we agreed on this.”

Li Zhongqian’s face darkened.

In Gaochang, he had promised Yaoying he wouldn’t act rashly.

“Li Xuanzhen is gloomy and strange, unfathomable. We must be wary of him…”

Li Zhongqian sat back down by the couch, hesitating to continue.

Li Xuanzhen was dark and profound. He suspected Li Xuanzhen had designs on Mingyue Nu. Even back in Chang’an, he had noticed Li Xuanzhen’s particularly vicious gaze when looking at Mingyue Nu. After Northern Rong’s great defeat, when Zhu Lvyun and Princess Yiqing disappeared, Li Xuanzhen surprisingly didn’t personally lead troops to search for Zhu Lvyun, only sending guards to gather news. The more he thought about it, the stranger it seemed. He had brought Mingyue Nu to the royal court under the pretext of a diplomatic mission, worried that Li Xuanzhen might make a move while he was away.

Unexpectedly, Li Xuanzhen had secretly followed them to the royal court and lurked near Mingyue Nu.

Although he had saved Mingyue Nu, Li Zhongqian still couldn’t let down his guard. His sense of unease had grown stronger.

During those days when Li Xuanzhen was with him in Northern Rong, they had gone through life and death together. Was his willingness to brave fire and water for Mingyue Nu just to make up for his past wrongs?

Li Zhongqian didn’t believe it.

“I’ll be careful of Li Xuanzhen…” Yaoying remembered those phoenix eyes filled with red bloodshot before she fainted, her brows slightly furrowing as she said, “Brother, I understand.”

…

After Li Zhongqian arrived, his guards surrounded the small courtyard. Bisuo, Yuanjue, and the other royal court people all withdrew.

Bisuo walked toward Tanmoluojia.

He stood in the shadows, gazing at the hazy lamplight cast on the window.

“The Princess is much better… The Princess asked about you. Why don’t you go in?”

Tanmoluojia shook his head.

In what capacity should he go in?

She had her brother’s care and loyal servants’ attendance.

He calmly said, “Have the physician check on her again.”

She had just recovered – there might be relapses.

Bisuo acknowledged and walked away, leading the physician into the room.

After checking Yaoying’s pulse, the physician clicked his tongue in amazement. Li Zhongqian, still worried, followed the physician out to ask in detail about Yaoying’s condition. The physician didn’t understand Chinese, and he didn’t know the royal court language. After much chicken-and-duck talk, Yuanjue stepped in – he had learned some Chinese from following Yaoying daily.

Soon after, Bisuo returned with another physician.

The physician spoke at length, expressing amazement, and finally said with a smile, “The Princess has no major concerns now.”

Tanmoluojia gave a soft acknowledgment and descended the stone steps, instructing Bisuo.

“Investigate which family today’s assassin came from. They’ve been in the holy city for long – they couldn’t have left no traces.”

“Have the Imperial Guard Commander meet me at the royal temple tomorrow morning.”

Bisuo acknowledged.

He gave several other instructions, which Bisuo accepted one by one.

The night grew deep.

Tanmoluojia fell silent, his collar covered in silvery moonlight, as he walked out of the courtyard.

Footsteps came from behind as Yuanjue ran up to them, panting. After paying his respects, he said, “Regent, the Princess wants to return to the royal temple.”

Tanmoluojia’s brows furrowed tightly as he said, “She’s unwell today. Let her rest here – don’t let her move about.”

Yuanjue acknowledged and said, “The Princess has a message for you.”

Tanmoluojia stopped his back to him.

“What message?”

Yuanjue said, “The Princess says it’s time for your medicine – remember to take it.”

Tanmoluojia was silent for a long while.

“How is she?”

“The Princess is much better. She says this condition of hers comes on severely but isn’t serious – she asks you not to worry. Just now servants brought food, and the Princess ate.”

“Stay and look after her. Don’t go out with her. If there’s any urgent matter, send word by messenger bird.”

Tanmoluojia gave this instruction before striding away.

Yuanjue acknowledged and returned to Yaoying’s room, saying, “The Regent has returned to the royal temple.”

Yaoying murmured, “He just left?”

She knew he wouldn’t stay, but she thought he would at least come to speak with her before leaving.

Yuanjue nodded and said, “The Regent said you’re weak and shouldn’t get up today. General Ashina will look after him.”

Yaoying was lost in thought for a moment before summoning her guard and instructing, “Brother will return to the embassy tomorrow. He has important matters these days and shouldn’t go elsewhere… Watch over him, and if he conflicts with Li Xuanzhen, you must stop him.”

The guard acknowledged.

“How is Li Xuanzhen? Are his injuries severe?”

The guard replied, “Very severe, not just from the blade he took for you today… His Highness the Crown Prince had other wounds. When he rushed from Shazhou and Yizhou to Gaochang, he was already injured. Old wounds hadn’t healed before new ones were added – barely any good flesh left on his back. The Crown Prince wanted to see you, but the Regent had people stop him. The Crown Prince fell unconscious.”

“Why did the Crown Prince suddenly appear in the royal court? Are his guards in the city?”

“Yes, I’ve brought them over. They say…”

“Say what?”

“They say His Highness came for the Princess. As soon as you left Gaochang, His Highness followed right after – no one could stop him.”

Yaoying frowned.

Back then, when Li Xuanzhen came with Li Zhongqian to save her, she was surprised, but that was all. She didn’t want any other entanglements with him.

Last time when Li Xuanzhen was severely injured and stayed in her camp, traveling back to Shazhou together, she hadn’t spoken a single word to him, hadn’t even glanced his way. When he left, she didn’t see him off.

Afterward, the Western Army and Liangzhou Army inevitably exchanged letters. Among the official documents were often his letters – almost every letter asked about her. She ignored them all.

She had thought there would be no more interaction between them.

When Gaochang was besieged, he ignored his subordinates’ objections and rushed a thousand li, appearing outside the city with only two thousand troops – practically suicide.

He was already seriously wounded in Shazhou. If not for Li Zhongqian and Mo Biduo joining him against Haidu Aling, he would have had no chance of victory.

At the time, Yaoying thought Li Xuanzhen was quite loyal to his allies.

But an ally wouldn’t secretly follow her to the royal court and step forward when she was in danger, taking that blade for her.

Was Li Xuanzhen trying to make amends?

Yaoying said flatly, “When the Crown Prince wakes, report to me.”

At this point, they could never return to when they first met. She didn’t care what he was thinking, didn’t need his remorse – she just wanted to stay far away from him.

After giving instructions, Yaoying lay down to rest, but perhaps having slept too much during the day, she tossed and turned sleeplessly.

At midnight, she got up, walked barefoot to the window, and pulled it open a crack to look outside.

The corridor was empty, with whistling wind and a ground full of silvery moonlight.

He wasn’t there.

Yaoying waited a while, then shook her head with a self-deprecating smile and turned back to the couch.

He was so busy, of course, he wouldn’t come.

He must have used his spiritual power when saving her today. She wondered if he had taken his medicine on time. Tonight she wasn’t by his side – would he be alright alone?

Yaoying turned over, her sleeve falling to reveal the cool, smooth prayer beads on her arm.

She removed the beads, held them in her hand, and closed her eyes to sleep.

…

At the royal temple.

Bisuo stood guard outside the felt curtain, his expression grave.

In the quiet night came a series of hurried footsteps as Bamir rushed over, clutching the physician’s collar.

The physician had just returned from Yaoying’s place before being summoned to the royal temple. Standing before the curtain, he took several deep breaths before lifting it.

Inside, several candles burned brightly, making it as bright as day. Someone lay on the couch, candlelight falling on his face – his complexion like golden paper, eyes tightly shut, looking haggard.

The physician’s expression changed slightly: “He was fine just now…”

Bisuo anxiously said, “He became like this after returning, dispersed his power, and couldn’t even walk.”

The physician shook his head sighing, took out his medicine box, retrieved a set of silver needles, washed his hands, and began acupuncture on Tanmoluojia.

Half an hour later, the physician was drenched in sweat, and Tanmoluojia’s complexion had recovered slightly. He opened his eyes, his gaze falling on the physician’s face.

“How much longer?”

He asked, his voice barely a whisper.

The physician respectfully answered, “My King, you’ll be better soon.”

Tanmoluojia shook his head, the dense silver needles on his bare body trembling slightly like flickering silver scales.

“I’m asking you, how much longer?”

He asked again, his voice weak but maintaining a dignified presence.

Bisuo by the couch shuddered.

The physician’s needle trembled, and he dared not look up as he said softly, “My King was improving these past few days. If this continues, perhaps a few years…”

With a tiny ding, the needle in his hand fell to the ground.

The physician trembled and knelt.

The room fell silent, dead as still water.

Tanmoluojia’s expression remained unchanged as his eyes gazed at the flickering candlelight. He said quietly, “Continue.”

He had known this – the water mang grass could only buy a few years.

The physician sighed inwardly, mixed with admiration and pity, got up, and continued the acupuncture.

A bead of sweat rolled down Tanmoluojia’s cheek as he half-reclined against the pillow and asked, “Have people been sent to investigate?”

Bisuo snapped back to attention and quickly said, “Yes, the Captain is personally leading the search. There shouldn’t be any more of their accomplices in the city.”

He made a sound of acknowledgment. “Remember to add more guards.”

Too many people wanted to kill Sudangu. If they all vented their hatred on her, no number of personal guards would be enough.

Bisuo clasped his hands: “Don’t worry, those sent are all close guards. The Princess’s guards can’t distinguish royal court people, but the close guards often deal with them and react faster.”

Tanmoluojia nodded slightly.

The physician’s needle pricked between his fingers.

The fingers are connected to the heart – his arm muscles trembled, but he only slightly furrowed his brows, as if feeling no pain.

If she were here, she would surely look at him with a worried expression, talk to him, and try everything to distract him. When his brows furrowed, hers would furrow lightly too.

He was used to it and didn’t feel the pain.

But when she looked at him with those concerned eyes, the pain seemed to become more acute.

…

The next morning, Li Zhongqian came to see Yaoying as soon as he got up.

Yaoying had risen earlier, changed clothes, eaten something, and spun in a big circle before him, her complexion rosy and voice strong: “Brother, I’m better.”

Li Zhongqian was still worried and made her drink several bowls of tonic. Only after the house physician checked her pulse and said she was indeed fine did he feel somewhat relieved. He instructed the guards to watch the severely injured Li Xuanzhen before hurriedly leaving.

“I’ll return after finishing my business. Be careful.”

“I know.”

Yaoying watched him leave, then called Yuanjue to bring a brush, ink, and paper, sitting at the desk to write a letter.

A guard reported: “Princess, the Crown Prince is awake.”

Yaoying put down her brush.

Li Xuanzhen had thick bandages wrapped around his shoulder, waist, chest, thigh, and arm as he lay on the couch, his face deathly pale.

As the guards escorted Yaoying into the room, his dim phoenix eyes immediately lit up with sparks, like bright flames bursting from burnt ashes, his gloomy gaze fixed intently on her face.

Yaoying frowned, gesturing for others to leave, and glanced at the couch.

The copper basin was full of bloody water, with a large bundle of blood-soaked bandages beside the couch.

She raised her eyes to meet Li Xuanzhen’s gaze.

“Why did you save me?”

Her tone was flat.

Li Xuanzhen’s lips twitched as he struggled to sit up, leaning back.

“Because I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

Yaoying’s face showed no expression.

Li Xuanzhen covered his knife wound, his mouth twitching: “Seventh Miss, do you still hate me?”

No matter what he did, she remained cold.

Yaoying shook her head, meeting Li Xuanzhen’s gaze, and said, “Li Xuanzhen, I just want to stay far away from you.”

Li Xuanzhen felt as if he’d fallen into an ice cellar, his hands and feet turning cold.

She despised him to such an extent that she didn’t even want to hate him.