Hu Yuanpan was a veteran of two reigns. Xie Yizhi was frail and sickly as a child. During the reign of the late emperor, Hu Yuanpan often visited the Prince's residence to take care of his health. He practically watched Xie Yizhi grow up.

When Xie Yizhi was fifteen, the late emperor passed away, and the northern deserts invaded. He was ordered by the Empress Dowager to lead a thousand cavalrymen to fight.

On a snowy winter day, Judge Hu rode his horse to see him off, escorting him all the way to the border.

As they parted, Judge Hu patted Xie Yizhi on the shoulder, his voice hoarse yet firm, "Fight if you can win, run if you can't. As long as you're alive, you can always fight again!"

On the battlefield, never act with tyrannical bravery. Remember to learn from Liu Bang; the ability to bend and stretch is the key to success!

Xie Yizhi smiled upon hearing this, took out a copy of "Ancient Book on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation" from his pocket, casually tossed it to Hu Yuanpan, waved to the thin but vigorous old man, and spurred his horse to gallop away.

For five years in the northern desert, Hu Yuanpan, across thousands of miles, entrusted a caravan carrying dried ginger to deliver to him the capital's specialties: candied fruit, sugar cakes, fried beans, and medicine for bruises and sprains that he had personally prepared.

Despite being far apart, the two cared for each other like close friends.

In Judge Hu's eyes, Xie Yizhi had always been a noble, self-possessed, calm and composed person.

However, at this moment, as he carefully examined Xie Yizhi, wearing his official hat askew, he caught a glimpse of worry in Xie's eyes that was easily missed by others.

Dingdang had grown up with Jiang Luoluo since childhood and had not been exposed to many rules and etiquette. When she saw the imperial physician arrive, she only hoped that her young lady would recover soon, so she hurriedly led Xie Yizhi and his party into the courtyard.

Hu, the physician, asked Jiang Luoluo a few questions about her symptoms through the bed curtains. Then he took out a thin cotton handkerchief from his medicine box and wanted to put it on her fair wrist to take her pulse.

"Old Hu, be more accurate." Xie Yizhi stepped forward coldly and snatched the cotton handkerchief. "If you can't accurately feel the pulse through the handkerchief, and the medicine isn't right, wouldn't that just make Miss Jiang suffer for a few more days?"

Judge Hu chuckled and nodded, "These rules were requested by the ladies and noblewomen. I didn't expect you to be so perceptive."

After taking his pulse for a moment, he withdrew his hand, stroked his gray beard, and said in a deep voice, "Overworked, weak and chilled."

After taking one dose of the medicine and sweating it out, the headache and joint pain will be relieved. Take it for two more days, and Jiang Yatou will be fine.

Upon hearing Hu Yuanpan's words, Xie Yizhi felt a mix of emotions, though he didn't know why.

When he saw Jiang Luoluo intently observing the young men at the banquet, he felt a strange, unfamiliar feeling, a bittersweet one.

If he had asked Mo Yang to call Jiang Luoluo later, wouldn't Jiang Luoluo have changed her clothes and avoided catching a cold from the cold wind?

Jiang Luoluo slightly opened her eyes and weakly thanked Judge Hu.

Hu, the Imperial Physician, laughed heartily, stroking his beard and teasing, "Jiang girl, you should rest well. Someone specially went to the Imperial Hospital to invite me here, how could I dare not come?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Luoluo turned to look at the dark figure standing upright beside the bed and said softly, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Xie Yizhi leaned forward slightly, looking at her pale face through the bed curtains, a hint of heartache unconsciously appearing in his eyes.

He parted his thin lips slightly and gently instructed, "Miss Jiang caught a cold because of me. What I did was nothing more than a trivial matter. Please rest well these next few days."

Dingdang was about to go out to get medicine when Xie Yizhi stopped her.

He pointed to the food box on the table and said in a calm tone, "Taking medicine on an empty stomach is not good. You should serve your young lady something first."

After saying that, he took the prescription and strode out of the room, instructing Mo Feng, "Go and get the medicine quickly, decoct it in the pharmacy and then bring it here."

Mo Feng accepted the order and left. Hu Yuanpan glanced at Mo Yang outside the door, winked, and silently asked, "What's wrong with your prince?"

Mo Yang also winked and pointed to the left side of his heart, but could only point to his own prince.

With a look of sudden realization, Judge Hu, carrying his medicine box, took two steps forward and walked up to Xie Yizhi.

He nudged Xie Yizhi with his elbow and said, "You're walking a tightrope these days. Now that you've dragged Jiang into this, can you protect her? You'd better think this through!"

Xie Yizhi glanced at Judge Hu and said indifferently, "No need for you to trouble yourself!"

Upon hearing this, Judge Hu's face lit up with excitement, indicating that there was definitely hope.

He used to think this kid was abnormal, and he didn't even think much of Princess Anrou, who was known as the most talented woman in the capital.

Unexpectedly, his destiny lay here!

*

Dingdang picked up the food box from the table and exclaimed with delight, "Miss, it's pickled mustard greens, red bean and pork porridge from Zuiyuelou."

Jiang Luoluo rubbed her throbbing head, sat up straight, and Dingdang scooped up a spoonful and brought it to Jiang Luoluo's lips.

Jiang Luoluo took the spoon and bowl from her and said with a helpless smile, "Your young lady has only caught a cold, it's not a serious injury, I can handle it myself."

Jiang Luoluo couldn't help but smile. In the past, she would have to go out to the clinic even when she had a cold. During her lunch break, she would write a prescription, get an IV drip in her office, and then continue to see patients in the afternoon. Back then, she was really living the life of a beast of burden. It was nothing like the book, where she was served by maids in front of and behind her.

Dingdang was a little disappointed that her young lady didn't have to be served like this, but Jiang Luoluo immediately comforted her, "Dingdang, eat with us too, there will be more things for you to do later."

Upon hearing this, Dingdang's round face immediately lit up with a smile. "Miss is right. Only when you're full can you do more things."

Dingdang slurped up a few mouthfuls of meat porridge, then gave Jiang Luoluo a sly smile, "Miss, this Prince Yi is much better than Gu Boyuan. I think Prince Yi is the kindest person to you, apart from Master, Madam and Young Master."

Jiang Luoluo doesn't deny the flutter and warmth in her heart, but Xie Yizhi's ending in the book is also bad, and Jiang Luoluo wants to live on, she wants to protect her parents, older brother and Dingdang.

Moreover, Xie Yizhi and his deceased beloved princess had a child.

Whether Xie Yizhi's current behavior towards her was out of protection as an ally or an attempt to extract information from her, she dared not gamble, much less place all her hopes on one person.

Therefore, Jiang Luoluo would rather uproot this budding affection in her heart and not think about romantic love, but only pursue her grand ambitions.

Jiang Luoluo said with a serious expression, "These words should not be said again in the future. His Highness Prince Yi and I are merely allies, each taking what we need."

Dingdang stuck out her tongue and replied softly, "Miss, I understand."

Outside the door, Mo Feng gently knocked on the door, carrying the brewed medicine. Ding Dang came out to thank him and then came in with the medicine.

The aroma of medicine grew stronger, and the room became warm and cozy. After drinking the medicine in one gulp, Jiang Luoluo fell into a drowsy sleep. Dingdang then found another quilt and covered Jiang Luoluo with it.