Chen Da Chang looked back at the two crane spirits with their fluffy feathers. “They haven’t reached the transformation stage yet.” This meant they couldn’t take human form—how could they apply medicine to her with just pointed beaks and two legs?

Yu Hai Zhen was frustrated.

Finally, Chen Da Chang added another comment: “They’re also male.”

Yu Hai Zhen: “…”

So, in the end, it was still Chen Da Chang who applied the medicine.

The thought of a grown man staring at her bare back made her so embarrassed that her entire body felt hot, but at that moment, a cooling sensation spread across her back, bringing rare comfort to her tortured body.

Vitality! This medicine contained powerful vitality.

“Your medicine is quite good,” she remained objective and fair, “What’s the main ingredient?” Anyone who could produce such medicine was no ordinary person and deserved her respect.

“Blood tree pollen.”

Yu Hai Zhen raised her eyebrows, somewhat surprised. Waiting for a blood tree to flower required at least five hundred years, and it had to grow in places rarely visited by humans. The value of such an ingredient was immeasurable. “I won’t take advantage of you. After my wounds heal, I’ll pay you three red spirit stones as medical compensation.”

Chen Da Chang initially wanted to say it wasn’t necessary. The Queen had treated him well and allowed him to use any medicine she had given him without counting the cost. But he wasn’t sure what Feng Miao Jun’s purpose was in seeking Yu Hai Zhen, and what if the Queen needed this favor? So, instead of what he meant to say, he replied: “I also fed you two medicinal pills earlier, which should prevent your condition from worsening for seven days.”

Yu Hai Zhen’s breathing paused for a moment, her face heating up with embarrassment. She had offered to pay him for his medical services, and she had underpaid!

“Six pieces!” Her gaze turned somewhat unfriendly, “Is that enough?”

Chen Da Chang couldn’t see her expression and responded vaguely. The medicine had been applied, so he turned her over to face upward and adjusted her front garments. Throughout this process, Yu Hai Zhen’s neck turned red, though it wasn’t easily noticeable due to her altered skin color.

Yu Hai Zhen took his response as agreement and inwardly sighed with relief. Since he was willing to accept her payment, things would be easier. She said without any courtesy: “Now, please turn around and stop staring at me!”

Chen Da Chang uttered a sound of acknowledgment, grabbed his precious sword, stood up, and walked outside. He had been contemplating how to contact the Queen and hadn’t been staring at her, but since this wasn’t something he could easily explain, he simply accepted the accusation.

Yu Hai Zhen’s voice immediately came from behind: “Where are you going?” Had he become angry from embarrassment?

Under normal circumstances, she wouldn’t care about such a minor figure, but now both she and Hu Tian had serious injuries and needed someone to look after them.

“Finding something to eat,” Chen Da Chang stopped but didn’t turn around.

Yu Hai Zhen wanted to say she had fasting pills—one pill could keep her full for ten days—but Chen Da Chang naturally continued: “You’ve been seriously injured for many days and need animal protein to recuperate.”

She was immediately at a loss for words. With a flash of movement, Chen Da Chang returned and woke up the crane spirit that was sleeping in the corner. “Big Black, stand guard, and don’t let her get carried away by wild beasts.” At this time, State Preceptor Yu could not protect herself.

Big Black? Yu Hai Zhen looked strangely at the snow-white crane spirit. What a peculiar name.

After Chen Da Chang left, Yu Hai Zhen silently contemplated her thoughts for a while, but due to her severe injuries, she soon fell into a deep sleep again.

She was awakened by the aroma of food.

The first thing Yu Hai Zhen saw when she opened her eyes was a large pot suspended over a fire. The lid was bouncing happily, and the fragrant smell spread throughout with the steam.

Judging from the scent, the food in the pot must be ready. Her stomach growled right on cue.

The sound wasn’t loud, but the young man resting by the fire immediately opened his eyes and looked at her. Yu Hai Zhen instinctively avoided his gaze—it was too embarrassing; she had never lost her dignity like this before!

Chen Da Chang’s expression remained normal as if he hadn’t noticed her discomfort: “Awake?”

Yu Hai Zhen bit her lip and nodded, quickly changing the subject: “Rabbit meat?”

Only meat would smell so fragrant and familiar.

“No,” Chen Da Chang smiled, revealing his teeth, and pulled out two things from behind him—or more accurately, two animals. They had white fur with black spots, shaped like rats but with small ears and a pair of large front teeth protruding. In terms of size, these creatures were much more robust than rats, almost as big as a house cat. “I had intended to catch some wild rabbits, but happened to find a nest of these creatures.”

They had long tails trailing behind them, which Chen Da Chang had tied together in a knot.

Yu Hai Zhen was slightly taken aback: “Bamboo rats?”

She recognized these as rodents that grew in mountainous areas, feeding on bamboo and plant stems, hence their name. These creatures generally didn’t grow in severely cold regions, but the black and white bamboo rats were a local variety. They needed to fatten up in autumn to successfully survive the winter. Unfortunately, they had the misfortune of having their nest discovered by Chen Da Chang, and their meat would now benefit humans.

“Yes,” Chen Da Chang swung the bamboo rats toward her, and the creatures responded with appropriate squeaks. “I’ve made meat porridge. Would you like some?”

Since Yu Hai Zhen had first met him, Chen Da Chang had maintained a serious expression. Now, with his bright smile, his slightly dark skin made his teeth appear whiter, giving him a youthful vigor and cheerfulness.

Only then did Yu Hai Zhen notice that his features were quite regular, especially his bright and spirited eyes.

She nodded slightly: “Give me a bowl.”

Chen Da Chang shrugged, lowering his head to hide the disappointment on his face. He had rescued her first, yet this female State Preceptor was imperiously giving orders. He wasn’t made of wood—how could he not be irritated? He had specifically brought the bamboo rats to show Yu Hai Zhen because he’d heard that young women were afraid of rats, hoping to startle her and make her uncomfortable for once.

Who knew she would accept it calmly, without showing any sign of aversion?

This attempt at mischief had failed.

Chen Da Chang casually threw the two bamboo rats behind him. Not all spirits preferred cooked food. As the crane spirits picked up their meal, he washed his hands, ladled a bowl of porridge, and walked over to Yu Hai Zhen.

Then, he encountered a problem.

Her shoulder bone hadn’t healed, so she couldn’t raise her right arm, but with both hands tied together, she couldn’t hold the bowl herself.

“Untie me, I’ll eat by myself,” she wiggled her fingers. “Don’t worry, I won’t attack you.”

Her fingers were slender, yet the pads were round and full, causing Chen Da Chang to lower his head for a look before shaking his head: “I’ll feed you.” The person before him had been the State Preceptor of Xi Kingdom; no matter how downfallen she was now, she couldn’t be underestimated. He wouldn’t take the risk.

He carefully tested the temperature of the bowl before scooping a spoonful and bringing it to her lips.

Yu Hai Zhen glared at him, refusing to open her mouth.

“Without food, you won’t last long,” he stated objectively. “We’ll probably have to stay here for a few more days.”

As if responding to his words, her stomach growled again.

The two locked eyes and Chen Da Chang blinked.

Even her body was betraying her. Yu Hai Zhen was mortified, wishing there was a hole in the ground she could dive into. How pitiful that someone who had lived gloriously all her life had never been so humiliated before.