“Ye Chen, put down your sword……” Yan Yunning’s eyelids grew heavy, and her whole body swayed.

“Second Young Miss.” Qiuci caught Yan Yunning just as she was about to collapse, and shot a glare at Ye Chen. “You’ve nearly frightened the Second Young Miss into fainting.”

Yan Yunning struggled to keep her eyes open and staggered half a step, before her head drooped onto Qiuci’s shoulder.

“Second Young Miss, Second Young Miss.” Qiuci’s eyes filled with tears.

Ye Chen gave a startled shudder. Frightened, he withdrew the sword. The moment the cold blade left her neck, Mu Xi’s vision went dark. Her body swayed twice — and with a dull thud, she crumpled to the ground.

“Second Young Miss Yan?” Ye Chen hurried forward, wanting to carry her on his back.

“Ye Chen.” Ye Jian grabbed him by the arm, his voice going low. “Go find His Highness.”

Ye Chen was so anxious his face had gone red. “We should take Second Young Miss Yan to see a physician first!”

Ye Jian lowered his voice. “Find His Highness first. Second Young Miss Yan only fainted from shock — it’s not serious. If you carry her, His Highness will be angry.”

Ye Chen exhaled, muttering under his breath, “But if Second Young Miss Yan sees the physician and wakes up, His Highness won’t find out I frightened her. If I go to His Highness now, he’s definitely going to be furious.”

Ye Jian rubbed the tip of his nose. That was also a fair point.

Ye Chen looked at him, saw his expression waver, and turned to face Qiuci with an ingratiating smile. “Qiuci, don’t worry — Second Young Miss Yan will be fine.”

Qiuci fixed him with a cold glare.

Ye Jian grabbed Ye Chen by the wrist and dragged him sprinting toward Xuan Yanyu’s chamber.

“What are you doing?!” Ye Chen’s expression changed dramatically.

“Shut up.” Ye Jian didn’t break stride, hauling him along at a run.

If His Highness ever found out — given how possessive His Highness was — Ye Chen was finished.

Frightening Second Young Miss Yan into fainting was, at most, a punishment from His Highness. That was nothing serious.

……

By the time darkness had slowly settled over the sky, Yan Yunning gradually opened her eyes. Through the haze, she could see several dark figures standing by the bed.

“Awake?” Xuan Yanyu helped her sit up and, with a helpless expression, lightly flicked the tip of her nose. “Why are you still so timid?”

Yan Yunning stared at him blankly.

What was he talking about?

“Ye Chen won’t do it again — he won’t draw his sword to hurt anyone in front of you.” The man drew her into his arms and patted her gently on the back. “You have nothing to be afraid of.”

“Xuan Xixi? What are you going on about?” Yan Yunning pulled at his ear.

“Ahem.” Imperial Physician Wen cleared his throat. “Second Young Miss Yan, there is nothing seriously wrong with you. It may be that being frightened caused the fainting spell.”

He hadn’t diagnosed anything wrong with her. Since Ye Chen said he had frightened her into fainting, then that must be what happened.

Otherwise, if he said Second Young Miss Yan was fine and that the reason for the fainting was unclear, His Highness would blame him for inadequate medical skill.

And then whoever held the title of “Imperial Physician” would have to be someone else.

“Me? Fainted from fright?” Yan Yunning pointed at herself in disbelief.

Imperial Physician Wen nodded. “Second Young Miss Yan, take a few doses of a calming and nerve-soothing decoction, and you will be fully recovered.”

Yan Yunning’s expression looked close to collapse. She still had to drink medicinal broth??

“Your Highness, Second Young Miss Yan.” Ye Jian pushed open the door of the inn room and walked in carrying the medicinal decoction.

Yan Yunning imperceptibly shifted herself backward.

“Don’t move.” The arm Xuan Yanyu had around her waist tightened its hold.

Yan Yunning looked up at him with well-behaved eyes and made her request in a soft voice. “Let’s skip the medicine — I’m perfectly fine.”

“No.” The man held her with one arm while the other reached out to accept the decoction from Ye Jian.

Yan Yunning looked down, staring at the medicinal liquid giving off its unpleasant smell, her mind spinning furiously.

“Drink it, and then we’ll go eat.” The man said in a gentle, coaxing tone.

Unable to think of any good solution, Yan Yunning took the decoction from his hands, held her breath, and tipped it back in one go.

The last drop gone, Yan Yunning pressed her lips tightly shut and fought down the urge to retch.

She reached out and gave the man holding her a push.

“What is it?” Xuan Yanyu closed his hand around hers and held it in his palm.

“Ugh……” The decoction she had just swallowed came back up in full and landed all over the man’s fine, opulent robes.

Xuan Yanyu stared at the medicine stain spreading across his robe in dismay, drawing in a sharp breath.

Yan Yunning covered her mouth, thoroughly embarrassed. “S-sorry.”

She lifted her head and stole a look at Xuan Yanyu. He was looking down at his robe, composing himself.

Yan Yunning quietly moved his hand away from her waist and edged as far from him as she could.

The atmosphere had become quite awkward. Yan Yunning glanced at Imperial Physician Wen — he was staring fixedly at the window, standing with perfect decorum, looking as though he hadn’t seen a thing of Xuan Yanyu’s sorry state. Yan Yunning’s gaze shifted to Ye Jian — he had his head bowed, eyes on the floor.

“Ahem.” Yan Yunning gave an apologetic smile. “Xuan… Xuan Xixi, perhaps you should go and change your robe?”

The man was silent for a moment, then rose without a word and left the inn.

Ye Jian quickly followed behind him, and the two of them left one after the other.

“Second Young Miss Yan, couldn’t you have vomited on the floor? Why vomit on His Highness?” Imperial Physician Wen let out a long breath. “This old man was terrified.”

He had just witnessed His Highness composing himself.

“I didn’t react in time,” Yan Yunning murmured.

“Second Young Miss Yan, this old man has tremendous respect for you — you actually vomited all over the Crown Prince.” Imperial Physician Wen stroked his beard. “Do you have any idea that this is a grave affront to the Crown Prince’s dignity?”

“Dignity be what it may……”

Yan Yunning had barely started when Imperial Physician Wen spoke again. “And another thing, Second Young Miss Yan — how could you pull His Highness’s ear? His Majesty Prince Xuan has never laid a hand on His Highness, and yet knowing His Highness’s identity, you should treat the Crown Prince with proper reverence.”

“Imperial Physician Wen, you’re wrong about that — go ahead and ask Xuan Xixi whether Prince Xuan has ever hit him before.” Yan Yunning poured herself a cup of tea and rinsed her mouth.

Imperial Physician Wen was briefly at a loss for words.

Could she really be compared to Prince Xuan?

Prince Xuan striking His Highness was perfectly appropriate — her laying hands on His Highness was a matter worth one’s head.

Yan Yunning raised her brows. “I not only pulled Xuan Xixi’s ear — I’ve also pinched his face.”

Imperial Physician Wen closed his eyes.

“And Xuan Xixi was perfectly willing.” Yan Yunning pressed her index finger to her lips, a small smile forming. “So, Imperial Physician Wen — could you please keep quiet?”

Imperial Physician Wen opened his mouth.

His Highness had probably been utterly bewitched by her.

“Where is First Young Miss Mu? Has she been seen by a physician?” Yan Yunning asked.

Imperial Physician Wen gave a huff. “Weren’t you telling me to keep quiet?”

Yan Yunning: “……”

He had quite the temper, didn’t he?

“She’s in the room next door.” Imperial Physician Wen gave two indignant huffs.

“……” Yan Yunning’s eye twitched at the corner. “I’ll go and check on her.”

……

Next door.

Mu Xi sat on the bed with a throbbing head, staring at Mu Cheng, who was weeping in front of her — and felt the pounding in her head grow worse.

“Elder Sister, I heard from First Young Miss Yan that you were injured — I was so worried.” Mu Cheng clutched her chest, her eyes gleaming with tears.

Mu Xi pinched the bridge of her nose. That troublesome woman actually went out of her way to cause her trouble!!

“Elder Sister, does it hurt?” Mu Cheng said in a small, sobbing voice. “Who hurt you? Tell Father, and he’ll send people to deal with them.”

Mu Xi leaned her head back against the headboard. It had been her own fault for speaking ill of someone behind their back — she had been injured by that person’s attendant. She had no grounds to stand on in this matter.

“Elder Sister.” Mu Cheng wept in a sweet, pitiable way. “Why aren’t you saying anything again?”