Pale morning light rippled through the room as the charcoal brazier crackled softly.

Su Dangu hadn’t yet awakened.

His Yaksha mask lay beside the bed.

Yao Ying gently pulled back the covers and knelt before Su Dangu, leaning close to examine his face.

The scars crisscrossed his face, looking like burn marks.

Yao Ying held her breath nervously, leaning forward.

Just one reach of her hand and she could touch the scars on Su Dangu’s face, confirming whether this fierce, frightening face was real or not.

She carefully extended her hand.

But instead of touching Su Dangu’s face, she picked up a carelessly folded Persian blanket at the foot of the bed.

She had been restless all night, constantly kicking off the covers while the medicine took effect. Su Dangu had repeatedly laid this thin blanket over her legs—not too heavy to make her uncomfortable, but enough to keep her from catching cold.

Yao Ying smiled, shaking out the blanket and gently covering Su Dangu with it, moving carefully to avoid waking him.

Throughout their journey, he had maintained vigilance day and night—who knew how many hours of sleep he got each day?

After watching Su Dangu for a while, Yao Ying withdrew her gaze and quietly got out of bed.

Whether his face was real or false didn’t matter to her.

The clothes she had changed out of had been cleared away. On the long table sat two bowls of cold vegetable soup with bread—the broth had congealed, the soggy bread pieces swollen white after soaking all night.

Yao Ying, carrying her shoes and socks, walked barefoot on the carpet to the outer room. She gathered her hair, put on her socks and shoes, and tied the leather straps. Once pampered and spoiled, with three or four maids just to do her hair, she could now skillfully arrange her hair herself in both women’s and men’s styles.

A rustling of footsteps came from outside, followed by a knock at the door.

Yao Ying opened it.

The guard stood outside respectfully, his gaze falling to the threshold where he saw a pair of delicate deerskin boots not meant for men. He froze for a moment before looking up.

Yao Ying stood gracefully at the door, hair bound up, wearing the pearl-patterned half-sleeved lapeled brocade robe he had found last night, with a belt at her waist and a dagger at her side. Her skin was snow-white, her features elegant. She smiled at him, though her face was pale.

The guard came to his senses and asked softly, “Is the Princess feeling better?”

Yao Ying nodded, saying, “General Su hasn’t awakened yet. Is there urgent business to report? If it’s not pressing, please wait another half hour.”

The guard scratched his head, saying, “It’s nothing urgent. Last night the Regent ordered Alanruo to get medicine, but he couldn’t go out due to martial law. This morning he took the prescription out but was turned back by the city patrol—the city is still under lockdown.”

Something stirred in Yao Ying’s mind. She stepped over the threshold, closed the door, and asked to see the prescription.

The guard brought it to her. She took it and examined it carefully. The prescription was written in two versions, one in the Hu language and one in Sanskrit. She could understand some Hu language—the medicines listed were exactly what was needed to ease the effects of her medicine.

This prescription was written for her.

Yao Ying was lost in thought for a moment before looking at the prescription again.

Su Dangu’s handwriting was stern and dignified, his strokes forceful, the energy penetrating through the paper—like the man himself, powerful and fierce.

She had seen Dharmārāga’s writing in the temple—clear and elegant, dignified yet ethereal, graceful as a startled swan, flowing like a swimming dragon. Whether in Sanskrit, Hu language, or Chinese characters, it was always beautiful, like the man himself, seeming like an immortal ready to ride the wind home.

Yao Ying shook her head with a smile, driving away the suspicions that had flashed through her confused mind the night before.

She had many guesses, but that one was the most far-fetched.

“This prescription was written for me,” Yao Ying returned it to the guard, saying, “We don’t know what’s happening at the palace now. Don’t let Alanruo risk going out—I’m much better and don’t need medicine.”

The guard quickly glanced at her face. Though still weak, with a feeble voice, her manner was composed, her eyes bright, not looking ill at all. Remembering how she could barely walk the night before, he privately admired her but didn’t agree.

Yao Ying asked about the inn situation.

The guard detailed the previous night’s events, finally saying, “There’s no word from Yuanjue and the others who left the city. But please don’t worry, Princess—Xie Qing and the others got out safely. Alanruo has learned that today’s martial law was ordered by the palace and has nothing to do with the inn. The market officials don’t know the Northern Rong prince was in Gaochang; they think those who died at the inn were fighting over merchant goods.”

Knowing Xie Qing’s group had safely evacuated the inn, Yao Ying felt relieved.

Learning she was awake, Alanruo brought her a large bowl of thoroughly stewed meat soup.

The clear-boiled soup had a strong gamey smell. Yao Ying had little appetite, but after last night’s ordeal, her limbs were weak and needed strengthening. She forced herself to take a few bites, feeling nauseated as the meat soup hit her stomach.

She picked up her spoon to continue eating when footsteps sounded at the door, and a figure stood backlit in the entrance, its shadow falling over her and her soup.

Yao Ying, holding her silver spoon, looked up at the person in the doorway.

Su Dangu stood on the steps, looking down at her, wearing the yaksha mask again. His tall, straight figure, tight belt at the waist, and narrow-sleeved robe outlined his lean form like a drawn bow, every movement filled with potential energy.

“I’m sorry to have troubled General Su last night…” Yao Ying said, gesturing to the large pot of meat soup on the table. “Would the General like to join me for breakfast?”

Su Dangu remained silent.

Yao Ying sat up straight, ladled him a bowl of soup, took some flatbread, and set them on the empty table.

Outside, boots struck the ground as the guard ran from the other end of the corridor, reaching Su Dangu’s side to whisper something.

Su Dangu turned and left.

Yao Ying watched his retreating figure, shrugged, and continued eating.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Su Dangu finished talking with the guard and returned to the hall. Yao Ying had finished breakfast and returned to her room. Bowls and plates sat on the long table, with a plate inverted over the soup bowl.

The guard lifted the plate—the soup was still hot, steam rising in wisps, the flatbread propped by the charcoal brazier staying crisp and soft.

“The Princess is so thoughtful,” the guard said with a smile.

Su Dangu said nothing.

Back in her room, Yao Ying found the bed neat—Alanruo must have come in to clean. Still feeling dizzy, she lay down to rest for a while, dozing briefly until light knocking came at the door.

She rubbed her eyes, got up to open the door, and met a cool gaze.

“General Su? Is there news from Ah Qing and the others?”

Su Dangu didn’t answer but entered directly. Yao Ying followed. He glanced at the sitting couch; understanding, she obediently sat down to wait for him to speak. He sat as well and extended his hand, not wearing his usual leather gloves.

Yao Ying looked confused.

Su Dangu’s gaze fell to her wrist.

Yao Ying froze, looked down at her wrist, then back up at him. After a silent moment, she suddenly understood, pushed up her sleeve to reveal her frost-white wrist, and extended it to Su Dangu.

Su Dangu lowered his eyes to check her pulse: “How many times has the Princess delayed taking her medicine?”

Yao Ying quickly replied, “I usually take medicine once a month. Including this time, I’ve probably delayed by a few days three or four times.”

That was in the Northern Rong camp—afraid Haidu Aling would discover her weakness and deliberately torment her, she hadn’t dared show any signs, only taking medicine when he was away. Once he had returned just after she took the medicine; she had been so nervous, forcing herself to appear normal while soaked in sweat.

Su Dangu continued, “Was the medicine’s effect always like last night?”

His voice was cold, carrying an inescapable authority. Yao Ying had always been afraid of doctors and answered honestly: “About the same, but not as bad as last night.”

Su Dangu remained silent, two fingers on Yao Ying’s wrist as he thought.

Yao Ying couldn’t help asking, “General Su, for years I’ve been fine as long as I take the medicine on time. Why did it come early this time?”

Su Dangu withdrew his fingers, “The Princess was born delicate and weak. Many days of travel and exhaustion, plus anxiety in your heart, led to blood deficiency, causing the early onset.”

Yao Ying made a sound of agreement. Worried about Li Zhongqian acting rashly and getting into trouble, she was anxious to return to the Central Plains to reunite with him. Not wanting to burden her guards, she ignored her discomfort and pushed on. This early onset was probably because she had been too exhausted these past days.

Su Dangu said, “In the future, if the Princess feels unwell, you must take the medicine immediately, without delay.”

Too many delays could develop into a serious condition.

Yao Ying came back to herself, nodded, and said apologetically, “I’ll remember. I’m sorry to have troubled the General this time.”

Su Dangu looked down at her.

She knelt on the couch, head slightly bowed, her hair black and lustrous, cheeks snow-white, eyelashes trembling, looking somewhat uneasy.

Born to be pampered and cherished, raised in silk and brocade, this graceful princess shouldn’t have ended up wandering in foreign lands.

Su Dangu stood up.

Yao Ying stood as well, walking him to the door.

Su Dangu turned, saying, “When the Princess feels unwell, simply tell me truthfully. There’s no need to hide it or force yourself, and especially no delaying medicine.”

Yao Ying felt warmth in her heart and responded, “Thank you for the reminder, General. I’ll remember.”

An hour later, the guard appeared at Yao Ying’s door with a steaming bowl of medicine.

“Alanruo took advantage of lighter security to get all the herbs and just finished brewing this. Please drink it while it’s hot, Princess. The Regent says your condition hasn’t fully recovered and you need to take this medicine.”

Yao Ying was stunned. Taking the medicine, she said, “Please tell the Regent I’m fine, and Alanruo shouldn’t risk himself anymore.”

They weren’t out of danger yet, and she didn’t want to cause Su Dangu trouble because of her.

The guard smiled, saying, “Princess is ill and shouldn’t worry about these things—just focus on getting better. Alanruo has been in Gaochang for many years; just going out for medicine won’t be a problem!”

He paused, thought for a moment, and looked at Yao Ying.

“Princess, in the days after we left the royal court, General Ashina conveyed the King’s orders to us. The King said that on this journey to Gaochang, we should all follow the Regent’s instructions. Also, our task is to protect the Princess’s safety—we needn’t concern ourselves with other matters.”

Yao Ying froze for a moment.

The guard grinned, somewhat embarrassed: “The Princess fell ill because we didn’t take good enough care. You must focus on recovery.”

Otherwise, how would they explain to the King when they returned?

Yao Ying held the hot medicine bowl, lost in thought for a moment before smiling, thanking the guard, and returning to her room to drink the medicine.

That afternoon, the city’s martial law loosened slightly. Alanruo went out to gather information, while the guard went to another meeting place as instructed by Su Dangu.

Yao Ying asked the guard to visit the marketplace—she and Xie Qing’s group had agreed that if they got separated, they would send messages through the marketplace.

At night, the guard and Alanruo returned to the courtyard one after another.

The guard hadn’t come back alone—he had met Yuanjue at the other meeting place, and they returned together.

Yao Ying immediately went to see Yuanjue.

Yuanjue was injured, his face bloodless, one arm hanging limply at his waist. Entering the room, he first bowed to Su Dangu and said softly, “Regent, King Yuchi didn’t break his word—the ambushers that night weren’t targeting us.”

“Those men were Princess Yina’s guards.”