Azi awoke on the morning of the third day of her coma. She moved her tired and weak body, letting out a painful groan. Qinghe was awakened by her movements, stood up from the table beside her, and rushed forward excitedly, crying tears of joy: "Your Majesty! You're awake! That's wonderful, you're finally awake!"

Azi weakly tugged at the corners of her mouth, a smile in her gentle eyes: "Qinghe, how long have I been asleep?"

Qinghe quickly ran to the side and poured her a glass of warm water: "Your Majesty, you've been asleep for three days. Here, have some water first." She carefully helped Azi up and fed her some warm water.

"Qinghe, where is my grandfather?" Azi slowly looked around, only to find Qinghe alone in the room.

"Your Majesty, the old gentleman has gone to the back mountain to gather herbs. He should be back soon."

Qinghe gently placed the weak Azi back on the bed, carefully tucking her in, a rare hint of joy appearing on her face: "Your Majesty, rest assured, you are perfectly fine, but you are currently weak and the pregnancy is unstable. The old doctor said that you need to rest in bed for half a month so that both you and the baby in your womb can be healthy and safe."

Azi nodded, then reached out from under the covers and tugged at his sleeve: "Qinghe, where's Acheng? How is he? Has he woken up?"

Upon hearing this, Qinghe's smiling face stiffened slightly, then she smiled and took Azi's hand: "Your Majesty, don't worry, the Emperor is alright."

Azi noticed the unease in her eyes and became even more worried. In her haste, she tried to get up, but as soon as she exerted force, she felt a sharp pain in her lower abdomen: "Ah!"

She froze instantly, letting out a painful cry. Qinghe quickly helped her lie back on the bed, saying, "Your Majesty, you mustn't move around now!"

Azi grasped her hand in return, her eyes filled with an undeniable longing as she looked into Qinghe's. Qinghe's gaze darted away, and she stammered for a long time, unable to give a coherent answer.

"Qinghe! Tell me!" Azi's eyes were already glistening with tears. Seeing Qinghe's reaction, she thought that something bad had happened to Di Jingcheng.

"Your Majesty... His Majesty... he's... very well! He..."

"What happened to him?" Azi shouted excitedly, but she was so weak that her voice was very fragile and not as strong as when she spoke normally.

The old man lifted the curtain and entered the inner room, his face full of a kind and loving smile: "My precious granddaughter has finally woken up!"

He stepped forward and touched Azi's forehead, then checked her pulse; it was somewhat weak.

"If Azi wants to know anything, Grandpa will tell you. Qinghe, go and prepare the medicine. I'll take care of everything here."

Qinghe nodded slightly, frowned, and walked out.

The old man gently held Azi's little hand: "Azi, don't get excited. Getting emotional is not good for the child."

Azi nodded, her shoulders relaxed, and she lay peacefully in the bedding, looking at her grandfather with expectant eyes.

"Ah Zi, Di Jingcheng is injured and unconscious, but his life is not in danger."

Ah Zi's lips relaxed slightly; that's good.

"But he's no longer in our village. A few days ago, a princess from the Central Plains came to the village, saying she was Emperor Jingcheng's sister. She and Emperor Jingcheng's men took him away with her."

Upon hearing this, Azi was completely stunned. So now that they were separated, she didn't know when they would see each other again. She lay limply on the bed, staring blankly at the carved ceiling, her small mouth slightly open, her face even more translucent.

The old man held his granddaughter's soft, cold little hand in his warm, large one, trying to give her some strength. Seeing Azi's expression, he knew she was deeply affected and quietly waited for her to accept the reality.

Ah Zi remained silent for a long time, so long that the old man thought she would never speak again.

Fifteen minutes later, she finally managed to utter a painful sentence: "Grandpa, he will come back to find me."

The old man forced a smile, forcing back the tears welling in his eyes: "Yes, yes. Our Azi is not alone now. Take good care of yourself. Grandpa will be with you."

"Grandpa, thank you." Not wanting her grandfather to worry, Azi forced a smile that looked more like a grimace, but the light in her eyes visibly dimmed.

Azi was filled with fear. She worried that Di Jingcheng might not come back to find her after he woke up. He had so many women around him. Just as Chengyi had said, he was of noble status and handsome appearance, and many women would flock to him. He didn't need another one. Besides, everyone said that emperors were fickle and easily swayed by others.

She was filled with anxiety and didn't know what excuse to use to comfort herself. All she could think about was that he was gone! He was gone! He was gone!

But then she thought, he was taken away while unconscious, not of his own volition. He endured so much torture; he wouldn't just abandon her like this! Besides, he had promised to always be with her and love her! He had said that a king's word is as good as gold, and he wouldn't break his promise!

She was extremely panicked, unable to eat or sleep well, and often dreamed that Di Jingcheng had abandoned her and didn't even want their child!

She knew she shouldn't continue like this; she was pregnant, and this excessive tension would eventually endanger the baby's life. But she didn't know what to do, especially as the days passed and her anxiety intensified.

Five days passed, and Azi had become terribly haggard. Nalan Mingzhu was at a loss and cried every day. Especially since Azi was clearly in great pain herself, yet still had to comfort her mother and those around her who were worried about her, it felt as if countless needles were piercing her heart, causing her unbearable agony.

Ranlayob was extremely anxious; with his wife and daughter in such a state, he rarely smiled.

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