Pei Zhixuan stood outside the screen, waiting quietly.

After the maidservant from the princess's residence helped Shen Yunjiao change into a clean undergarment, she thoughtfully placed a hot water bottle in the quilt before letting Shen Yunjiao lie down in bed.

"Your Highness has caught a chill. I'll make you some ginger tea to warm you up."

"Thank you!" Shen Yunjiao smiled gratefully at her.

After the maid left, Pei Zhixuan stepped into the inner room.

Shen Yunjiao noticed that his chest was wet, probably from the water when he hugged her earlier.

"There's a set of clothes over there, why don't you go change too?" Shen Yunjiao pulled the blanket up to her chin, her almond-shaped eyes staring straight at Pei Zhixuan.

Pei Zhixuan's fingertips, which were placed at his side, twitched unconsciously.

He looked down at Shen Yunjiao and asked, "Why did you jump into the water to save someone else?"

Doesn't she know how dangerous it is to rescue someone from the water, and that she could easily lose her own life?

"If I don't jump in to save her, am I supposed to just stand by and watch your cousin drown?"

Moreover, apart from her, probably no one else present at the time had received professional swimming training as a child.

Seeing Pei Zhixuan frown and remain silent, Shen Yunjiao could only say again:

"Anyway, the person has been rescued, so I'll just rest here. You should go back."

Pei Zhixuan pursed his lips and replied after a long while, "Your face is so pale. I need to wait until the doctor has examined you and confirmed that you are alright before I send you back to your residence."

Shen Yun's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, a faint sense of irritation creeping into her heart.

To be honest, she didn't want to be alone in a room with Pei Zhixuan.

She vaguely sensed that Pei Zhixuan's attitude towards her was somewhat different from before.

Shen Yunjiao was afraid that things would develop in an uncontrollable direction.

"I don't need you to take me home. I can rest here for a bit and then go home by myself. Don't worry."

In Pei Zhixuan's eyes, Shen Yunjiao's current appearance was like that of a fragile little rabbit that had just been born in the mountains and forests, delicate and weak.

Pei Zhixuan couldn't imagine that the delicate Shen Yunjiao would actually jump into the freezing cold water to save someone.

Thinking of this, his heart softened.

He softened his tone: "Don't worry, I don't have any official business today."

Shen Yunjiao thought to herself, "Am I worried? I hate being with you."

"You should go and see Miss Fang. You brought her here and then left her all alone in a place where she doesn't know anyone, and she'll be ostracized and treated coldly. Isn't that a bit inappropriate?"

As expected, a hint of hesitation appeared in Pei Zhixuan's eyes.

Shen Yunjiao snorted inwardly, but said indifferently, "Go ahead, and check if Rong'er is feeling better."

Pei Zhixuan stood before the bed, pondered for a moment, and then asked in a low voice, "Are you really alright?"

"Your Highness, don't worry about me. Go and check on Miss Xia. She was almost bullied to tears just now."

Pei Zhixuan's eyes flickered, and he finally spoke, "Then I'll go see Ziyu."

Shen Yunjiao thought to herself, "You should leave now and stop nagging."

Just as he turned around, Pei Zhixuan turned back and said softly.

"I heard the lyrics you wrote, and they are very touching."

Shen Yunjiao was stunned, then found it particularly funny.

Pei Zhixuan is truly a philanderer, indulging in narcissism every now and then.

However, he did manage to be of some help today.

"Pei Zhixuan, thank you for today."

Upon hearing this, Pei Zhixuan replied calmly, "Of course."

After Pei Zhixuan left, Shen Yunjiao felt languid all over. She thought that since she was still waiting, she might as well close her eyes and rest.

I didn't expect to fall asleep and sleep until evening.

When she woke up, Princess Anle was sitting next to her bed.

Shen Yunjiao was almost startled. She asked blankly, "What is the princess doing here?"

Anle tucked the blanket around her: "I've been here for a while. The doctor just checked your pulse. You're fine, but..."

Xiao Anle looked like he wanted to say something but hesitated.

Shen Yunjiao: "But what?"

Xiao Anle said cautiously, "The doctor said that you have a lot of cold in your body, and I'm afraid it will be difficult for you to have children in the future."

"The doctor also asked if you had any serious illness when you were a child?"

Shen Yunjiao frowned. It seemed she could only ask Granny Lin about this matter when she got back.

As for not being able to have children—then she won't have any. Anyway, she never thought about getting married here, and she's happier being single.

Shen Yunjiao noticed a lingering worry in Xiao Anle's eyes and knew that she was worried about her.

"It's alright, Princess. I'm perfectly fine, aren't I?" Shen Yunjiao smiled easily.

"Then regarding having children..." Xiao Anle said worriedly, "I'm afraid that the Duke's mansion might make things difficult for you regarding having offspring in the future."

"No, it won't happen." Shen Yunjiao was about to tell her that she was going to get a divorce anyway.

But looking at Xiao Anle, this gentle and quiet girl, she suddenly changed her mind.

What if Xiao Anle finds out that Pei Zhixuan has no feelings for her, and this gives her a reason to continue liking Pei Zhixuan?

In the original text, Xiao Anle secretly liked Pei Zhixuan, but never expressed it until she met Wen Zisong, a rising star in the Ministry of Works, and the two fell in love at first sight.

The princess in the story has a much happier ending than many others.

Shen Yunjiao did not want the princess's fate to change because of her.

“Pei Zhixuan treats me very well, he won’t divorce me because of this.”

Xiao Anle lowered his eyes: "I know, the young master is not that kind of person."

"Madam, should I knock on the door for you?" A servant's voice suddenly came from outside the door.

Suddenly, the half-closed door was opened.

But then she saw Madam Zhang, who had made things difficult for her this morning, walk in with the servants. When she saw her and Xiao Anle, a moment of guilt flashed across her face.

Shen Yunjiao narrowed her eyes slightly.

Madam Zhang probably overheard the entire conversation between the princess and her.

Madam Zhang's heart pounded wildly under Shen Yunjiao's gaze.

She glanced behind her and deliberately exclaimed, "The servant who led me here didn't even announce my arrival. I had no idea the princess was talking to the crown princess inside. Crown princess, are you feeling better now?"

To be honest, her acting was pretty good, Shen Yunjiao thought to herself.

But she didn't want to expose Madam Zhang. Instead, she slowly sat up and thanked her, "Thank you for your concern, Madam. I'm much better now."

"The Crown Princess is truly blessed." Upon hearing this, Madam Zhang assumed that Shen Yunjiao believed what she had just said, and her tone immediately became natural.

Seeing that Madam Zhang was still standing there and refused to leave, Xiao Anle raised her eyes and gestured to her maid.

The maid Jin Gui immediately smiled and said to Madam Zhang, "Madam, the Zhang family's carriage should be arriving at the door soon."

These words were a clear indication that they were being asked to leave, so Madam Zhang didn't linger. After bowing and saying goodbye, she slowly departed.

After watching her leave, Xiao Anle turned to Shen Yunjiao and asked, "Do you have some kind of grudge against her?"

After a long pause, Shen Yunjiao said, "I only met her today. Maybe she wants to stand up for Pei Zhixuan."

When Xiao Anle heard Shen Yunjiao mention the Crown Prince, his expression became slightly unnatural, but it quickly disappeared.

Shen Yunjiao added, "It's also possible that she just doesn't like me. There are plenty of people in the capital who don't like me."

Xiao Anle was extremely surprised and didn't know what to say to comfort him.

After thinking for a moment, she held Shen Yunjiao's hand earnestly: "You are not only talented, but also brave and kind. I think from today onwards, no one will dare to speak ill of you."

"I don't care what others think. It's my life, and I'll live it however I feel comfortable." Shen Yunjiao smiled sweetly at Xiao Anle. "I hope the princess can always follow her heart."

Xiao Anle said gently, "Then I'll have to learn more from you in the future."

Shen Yunjiao smiled too. She didn't have many playmates in the Dayong Dynasty, but she got along well with the princess. Making more friends was always a good thing.