Two bodyguards were still guarding the door; they were the same two who had returned with Song Ting and Qi Zhou earlier.

Upon seeing Chu Huaixu, he bowed to him respectfully.

Chu Huaixu's gaze lightly fell on the two of them, and he said coldly, "Where are they?"

The two guards exchanged a glance, and the taller one asked, "May I ask who you are referring to, young master?"

"Hmph." Chu Huaixu walked past them and left. "Keep pretending. Like master, like dog."

The two bodyguards remained expressionless, following closely behind him.

Chu Huaixu turned his head: "What are you doing following me?"

"Please forgive me, young master, this was my duty."

Chu Huaixu's brows furrowed with cold frost: "A bunch of bastards."

Inside the room, without Song Ting saying a word, Qi Zhou knew what he wanted to ask:

"Xiao Jiu and Xiao Shi have secretly escorted the Ghost-Faced Doctor back to the capital. Rest assured, sir."

"The master was unconscious for a day and a night, and Young Master Huaiyue stayed by his side without leaving for a moment. He even treated the master's injuries."

Song Ting suddenly raised her head, her face showing a hint of bewilderment and astonishment, which in an instant turned into ecstasy.

He looked at his bound hands, then at Qi Zhou, and said uncertainly, "Say it again..."

Qi Zhou then repeated what he had just said.

Song Ting lowered her head, but her back was very straight. Because of the lowered head, the bone at the back of her neck protruded even more, and her back was thin.

It's hard to believe that the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who stirred up the turmoil of the Dayan Dynasty, would have such a vulnerable and disheveled side.

"Young Master is unaware of the Ghost-Faced Physician's matter. He has probed him several times, but I have not informed him."

No wonder I was being sarcastic towards him earlier; I was just in a bad mood.

Huaixu is so cute.

Song Ting covered her face and chuckled softly, "Then he must be very angry."

"Who says otherwise? They even pointed an adult's sword at Qi Zhou." Xiao Wu felt a chill run down his spine when he talked about it.

That ancestor had a terrible temper; he was genuinely afraid that the other party might recklessly stab Qi Zhou with a sword.

Upon hearing this, Song immediately became anxious: "Is he alright?"

Xiao Wu: "..."

Qi Zhou: "..."

Who exactly is the person being pointed at with the sword?

The adults' hearts have practically drifted from Chang'an to the southern border.

Song Ting probably realized that his words had gone too far, so he cleared his throat and gave the two of them a series of orders:

"Send Fifteen and Sixteen to catch up; the Ghost-Faced Doctor must not be allowed to make a mistake."

"Bring me a Pearl-Repelling Pill."

The Bizhu Dan can numb a person's pain sensation for a short time without affecting their mobility, making it one of the medicines that the Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards) always carry with them when carrying out missions.

However, this is a potent drug and should not be used lightly unless absolutely necessary, because the pain will intensify after the drug wears off, making one wish for death.

Xiao Wu hesitated: "My lord..."

"Go get it," Song Ting urged.

Xiao Wu was about to say something more when Qi Zhou stopped him with a look.

Xiao Wu had no choice but to say, "Yes."

A moment later, the back door was pushed open again. Because her back was in so much pain, Song Ting had no choice but to change to a prone position.

Hearing the commotion, he assumed that Xiao Wu had returned and casually instructed, "Don't let Huaiyue know about this."

Xiao Wu didn't respond, but the footsteps gradually approached, and what first caught Song Ting's eye was a bright red hem of clothing.

He paused, then abruptly looked up, meeting Chu Huaixu's captivating, almond-shaped eyes with their hooked ends:

"What is it that you are hiding from me, sir?"

"Is it something Your Excellency did, leaving the Empress Dowager and all the concubines behind? Or is it about Your Excellency taking the Pearl-Repelling Pill?"

"Or perhaps you have some other unspeakable secret?"

Song Ting: "..."

Song Ting: "…………"

Normally, he would have recognized that the footsteps did not belong to Xiao Wu the moment Chu Huaixu pushed the door open and entered.

Everyone's footsteps have their own unique characteristics, especially those who practice martial arts.

But this time, he was distracted and didn't recognize him. All his vigilance and precautions became meaningless when he encountered this person.

"Why doesn't Your Excellency speak? Can't you come up with an excuse to fool me?" Chu Huaixu asked.

"No." Song Ting grasped his hand, her thumb resting on the protruding wrist bone, gently stroking it.

She stared intently at the man in front of her.

The resolute figure in his dream made him feel as if his internal organs were being torn apart. Even though he knew it was fake, he was still filled with lingering fear.

Only when I actually touch this person and confirm that they are safe and sound in front of me do I feel less empty inside.

"I'll tell you about yesterday's events after the prayer ceremony, but I don't want you to know about taking the medicine," Song Ting explained.

Chu Huaixu glanced at him, a half-smile on his face, and let out a soft "humph".

"Is my master afraid that I will take advantage of your misfortune and kill you?"

This person is unhappy again.

Over this period of time, Song Ting had figured out a pattern: whenever Huai Xu was very unhappy, he would refer to himself as "slave" in front of him.

It was a deliberate act of self-deprecation to stab Song Ting in the heart, to make him feel pain and regret.

What an adorable little temper!

It truly pained Song Ting; each sound felt like a sharp blade cutting into her body, drawing blood with every blow.

Song Ting turned her face and gently kissed the man's wrist bone.

He had been caressing this inch of skin for so long that a faint red had already crept onto it.

"No," he said in a hoarse voice, "it's because I was afraid you'd worry."

"You're talking nonsense!" These words somehow provoked Chu Huaixu, who, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, abruptly pulled his hand back.

Her beautiful phoenix eyes glared angrily at Song Ting, and even her voice became sharp, "I'd be happy if you were really dead!"

There were two very obvious bluish-gray patches under his eyes, which were from staying up all night to protect him.

The thought of this filled Song Ting's heart with a mix of heartache and joy.

He thought that perhaps, to some extent, the young master still cared about him. Even though Huai Xu was very fierce now, he still felt satisfied and happy.

"Yes, I'm sorry." Glancing at Chu Huaixu's expression, he readily admitted his mistake, "I'm sorry I didn't die this time, young master."

As a result, Chu Huaixu became even more displeased, glaring at him and sneering:

"Well done, Lord Song, you've really made something of yourself now, even mocking me. You truly deserve to be the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, second only to the Emperor."

Song Ting: "..."

In all honesty, Song Ting swears that he really didn't mean it that way. He just wanted to go along with the man's wishes and make him happy.

It means absolutely, positively, to satirize Huaixu.

Judging from Huaixu's expression, he clearly didn't want to hear his explanation; any further words would only make him angrier.

Song sighed inwardly, then grasped that hand again and kissed it through the back of her hand.

When he spoke again, his tone was clearly ingratiating:

"It was the puppy's fault, young master, please don't be angry."

"Please give the medicine to the puppy, young master. The puppy is in pain."