Mo Yu and Mo Yuan’s hearts, which had been suspended in anxiety, finally settled at this moment. The cloak had already caught fire, and Xiao Huayong swiftly threw it into the forest. The group rushed out to a safe distance, only stopping once they were certain they wouldn’t be surrounded by the flames.

Shen Xihe turned her head to ask Xiao Huayong, who was lying on her back, “Are you all right?”

“I haven’t been injured, Youyou, don’t worry,” Xiao Huayong reassured Shen Xihe, though his voice was noticeably hoarse, suggesting his throat had been affected.

“Were you burned?” This was what concerned Shen Xihe the most.

“No,” Xiao Huayong answered decisively.

Shen Xihe didn’t waste any time, immediately whipping the reins to leave this dangerous place – every moment they lingered brought additional risk.

When they returned to Tingzhou, the battle there had already concluded – or rather, it had shifted location. Shen Yun’an had led his forces in pursuit of the Tujue army, determined this time to chase them to the Khan’s tent before stopping.

Upon reaching the Provincial Governor’s mansion, they secretly entered the room where Xiao Huayong’s body double was lying. Zhenzhu was already waiting there. Shen Xihe commanded, “Quick, examine His Highness’s condition.”

Zhenzhu dared not delay, as Xiao Huayong had already lost consciousness. She observed her mistress, who maintained an outwardly composed expression with tightly pressed lips, but noticed Shen Xihe’s whitened knuckles from her tightly clenched fingers. Understanding that her mistress was at the edge of extreme restraint and self-control, she anxiously began checking Xiao Huayong’s pulse.

Xiao Huayong’s external injuries weren’t severe and only needed basic treatment, but he had exhausted his strength completely, reaching a state of depletion. Fortunately, his tendons and meridians weren’t damaged, however… the toxins seemed to be spreading again.

“Axi, quickly apply acupuncture to His Highness.” Fortunately, Shen Xihe had brought Sui Axi with her. Zhenzhu quickly moved aside, “I’ll guide you, insert the needles at Zhongfu, Tianxi, Zhourong…”

While Zhenzhu instructed, Sui Axi swiftly and precisely inserted the needles. After completing the acupuncture, Sui Axi checked Xiao Huayong’s pulse herself. Her expression grew serious as she met Shen Xihe’s intense gaze. Looking at her usually immaculate mistress, whose dress hem was now soiled and hair slightly disheveled, having not left to freshen up since bringing Xiao Huayong in, Sui Axi understood Shen Xihe’s deep concern.

How could Sui Axi not understand the worry in Shen Xihe’s heart? She had to report truthfully: “Crown Princess, the toxins in His Highness’s body show signs of spreading again. I have managed to suppress them once more, but like a fierce beast that has escaped its cage once, it will become easier for it to break free again. Originally, the strange poison in His Highness’s body could have been suppressed for three to five years without issue, but now I fear it can only be contained for at most three years…”

Xiao Huayong’s extreme exertion had weakened his internal organs, allowing the poison to take advantage and inflict further damage to his vital energy.

Though her face paled slightly, Shen Xihe’s voice remained steady: “I understand. Treat His Highness’s wounds. I’ll go freshen up.”

As Shen Xihe left the room, she encountered Xie Yunhuai hurrying over.

Xie Yunhuai had secretly followed after Shen Xihe arrived in Tingzhou, later taking lodging at an inn in the city.

“I’ll go check on the Crown Prince.” They exchanged nods in greeting. Xie Yunhuai had noticed Shen Xihe’s disheveled state from afar, so he continued without stopping.

Shen Xihe didn’t linger either. She quickly bathed and changed clothes, then returned to Xiao Huayong’s room. By this time, Xiao Huayong had regained consciousness, though this time his weakness wasn’t an act but genuine.

“Youyou, I’m hungry…” Before Shen Xihe could speak, Xiao Huayong seemed to take the initiative.

Xie Yunhuai had already left, and only their people remained in the room. Xiao Huayong never minded showing his vulnerable side and acting spoiled with Shen Xihe in front of Zhenzhu and Sui Axi.

At such times, Zhenzhu and the others would always withdraw discretely, and this time was no exception.

“What would you like to eat?” Shen Xihe’s voice unconsciously softened.

Xiao Huayong raised an eyebrow, his smile growing brighter: “Wontons.”

“Rest for a while, and they’ll be ready when you wake,” Shen Xihe said as she tucked his blanket more securely around him, then looked at him directly.

Understanding her intent, Xiao Huayong obediently closed his eyes. Shen Xihe sat for a moment longer before rising to leave. As soon as she left, Xiao Huayong opened his eyes, filled with an intense happiness that couldn’t be concealed.

Xie Yunhuai had already informed him of his current condition. Whether it was three to five years or at most three years, it made little difference to him. Within three years, he was determined to rid himself of this strange poison.

He had finally managed to gradually win her heart and trust and hadn’t yet had enough of her love. How could he bear to leave this mortal world that had finally given him something to cherish?

Shen Xihe didn’t treat him with guilt or excessive caution. Her gentleness wasn’t because she learned of his condition, but because they had gone through difficulties together. His expression relaxed as he slowly closed his eyes, his mind filled with images of her rushing back to save him. He couldn’t help but smile as he drifted off to sleep.

When Xiao Huayong woke again, not only were Shen Xihe’s wontons ready, but the medicine prescribed by Xie Yunhuai had also been prepared.

Both bowls were steaming as they were placed before him. Xiao Huayong initially reached for the medicine bowl, intending to drink it in one go, but Shen Xihe stopped him: “You’ve been fighting with Xiao Changtai from last night until today without a drop of water. How can you take medicine on an empty stomach? Eat something first to line your stomach.”

Though Shen Xihe’s reasoning was sound, the Crown Prince, now being pampered by his Crown Princess, couldn’t help being a bit spoiled: “I thought to get the bitter part over with first, but if I eat the wontons now, won’t the medicine taste even more bitter afterward?”

“Have two wontons first, then take the medicine, and finish the rest after,” Shen Xihe offered a solution.

But the Crown Prince wouldn’t accept it: “If I start eating Youyou’s wontons, I’m afraid I won’t be able to stop.”

Seeing his undisguised spoiled behavior, Shen Xihe could only stand up: “You eat first, then take your medicine, and I’ll make you something sweet afterward.”

“Youyou treat me so well,” Xiao Huayong got his way, his smile as sweet as honey.

Shen Xihe shook her head helplessly and returned to the kitchen.

Tian Yuan stood at the doorway, watching Shen Xihe walk away with an expression of disbelief. Since when had their Crown Prince, a man of iron will, needed sweet treats after taking medicine?

He seemed to have forgotten how in the past, to suppress the poison in his body, he had swallowed all manner of bitter and foul medicines without even blinking.

The Crown Prince, who was enjoying his meal, caught sight of Tian Yuan’s constipated expression: “If you’re having digestive problems, I can have Zhenzhu prepare some medicine for you.”

Tian Yuan startled, quickly smoothing his expression into a proper smile, and stepped forward with a bow, taking a document from his robes and presenting it to Xiao Huayong with both hands: “Your Highness, Pei Zhan has departed.”

Xiao Huayong glanced at it but didn’t take it. He recognized at a glance that this document bore the Imperial seal.

Without receiving an Imperial decree from His Majesty, even if only verbal, Pei Zhan would have worried about a trap and absolutely wouldn’t have led people to deal with “Xiao Juezong.”

His Majesty understood this point as well, which is why he would certainly have given Pei Zhan an Imperial decree.