Shen Yunjiao struggled to get out of bed. She staggered to the door and was about to go out when she saw several palace maids walking by in the corridor.

Startled, Shen Yunjiao quickly closed the door.

After a while, she peeked through the crack in the door and, seeing that no one was outside, went out.

Shen Yunjiao had no idea what kind of palace this was; she only had one thought in her mind—to escape.

The person who drugged her must have wanted to ruin her reputation and destroy her innocence. If she doesn't escape now, the consequences of being caught later are unimaginable.

Thinking of this, Shen Yunjiao quickened her pace, her body temperature rose higher and higher, and even her slender neck gradually turned red.

Shen Yunjiao rushed to the door in a panic. After struggling to open it, she found two people standing outside.

By this time, the fire within her body had almost consumed her consciousness. Sweat poured down her forehead, and she could no longer distinguish between what was real and what was illusory in her vision.

Xiao Huaijin saw that the woman's fair cheeks were flushed with a drunken blush, and her lips were even redder, like a blooming hibiscus, making her even more beautiful and dazzling.

Her clothes were disheveled, and her snow-white skin was now flushed red, making her look extremely charming and alluring.

Fearing that others might see their intimate moments, Xiao Huaijin simply pulled her into his arms with his long arm.

Shen Yunjiao was suddenly forced into a warm embrace filled with the scent of medicine. Her remaining consciousness made her struggle violently, when suddenly a familiar voice came from above her head: "Don't be afraid."

Xiao Huaijin.

Thank goodness it was him.

As if grasping at a straw, Shen Yunjiao grabbed Xiao Huaijin's collar and pleaded in a low voice, "I'm so thirsty, can I have some water?"

"Okay, I'll take you to a safe place."

Xiao Huaijin looked at Shen Yunjiao, whose legs were already weak and who was completely dizzy, frowned and said to the two people beside him, "Nanfeng, go and see who else is inside, and Zhuye, go and invite Physician Liang over."

—

Shen Yunjiao couldn't tell where she was or who was holding her.

All I know is that after a dizzying moment, I was gently placed on a soft bed.

Subconsciously, she felt that the person holding her had a safe and reliable aura, but an unbearable heat swept over her like a tide.

Her face flushed, and she couldn't help but let out a low whimper. She felt the cool and comfortable fabric of the person holding her, so she couldn't help but press herself tightly against him.

As soon as Xiao Huaijin put Shen Yunjiao down, she hugged him tightly again.

Shen Yunjiao pressed her face against his neck, her lips unconsciously brushing against a cool patch of skin. As if a thirsty traveler in the desert had found a spring of sweet water, she immediately rubbed against it several times without restraint, her hot breath spraying onto it continuously.

Upon feeling her clingy touch, Xiao Huaijin's body tensed instantly, and the hands on either side of Shen Yunjiao on the bed tightened as well.

Shen Yunjiao realized that there seemed to be a large block of ice in front of her. She was both thirsty and hot and just wanted to hug the whole block of ice to her chest.

But the large ice block seemed to be moving further and further away from her. Shen Yunjiao panicked and hurriedly grabbed the ice block's arm, her voice incredibly soft, with a very weak sob in it: "Don't go..."

Xiao Huaijin originally wanted to stand up to get some water for Shen Yunjiao, but he paused when he heard this. Unexpectedly, the next second Shen Yunjiao pressed herself against him, wriggling in his arms like a slippery little fish, trying to find some comfort.

Even if Xiao Huaijin was slow to notice, he noticed Shen Yunjiao's unusual behavior. His hand landed on Shen Yunjiao's waist, and even through several layers of clothing, he could feel the graceful curve of her waist and the burning heat emanating from her body.

It was so hot that his fingertips were slightly warm.

Shen Yunjiao has been drugged. What will she do if I don't get there in time?

Xiao Huaijin felt a sudden wave of fear wash over him.

At this moment, Zhu Ye also brought the imperial physician to the East Palace. When he saw Shen Yunjiao sitting in Xiao Huaijin's arms, he immediately lowered his head and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, Imperial Physician Liang has arrived."

After saying that, he quickly left the inner room.

Unlike other imperial physicians who treated Xiao Huaijin with the utmost respect, Liang An calmly walked up to Xiao Huaijin and clicked his tongue, saying, "Where did you get this little beauty from? I've never seen her in the palace before. How dare you bring her in from outside the palace? Aren't you afraid the Empress Dowager will be angry if she finds out?"

Xiao Huaijin ignored Liang An's barrage of questions and coldly said, "Stop talking nonsense, come and take a look, then get out."

Seeing that he seemed genuinely interested in the beautiful woman in front of him, Liang An paused for a moment, then said "Oh," and muttered under his breath, "She was cuter when she was little."

He reached out his hand to the unconscious Shen Yunjiao, but before he could touch her fair wrist, it was slapped hard away.

Liang An hissed in pain and pulled his hand back: "Xiao Huaijin, why did you hit me? How can I examine her if I don't take her pulse?"

Xiao Huaijin had also subconsciously slapped Liang An's hand away.

Seeing Shen Yunjiao's wrist being touched by someone else, a strong possessive desire suddenly welled up in his heart.

He looked down at the woman nestled in his arms, her flushed cheeks rubbing against him, and his Adam's apple bobbed: "Then hurry up."

Only then did Liang An feel at ease placing his hand on Shen Yunjiao's wrist and successfully taking her pulse.

After a moment, he withdrew his hand, and after hesitating several times, he dared to speak: "Who drugged her? This drug is too strong. She must have just taken it not long ago. Could it be that you drugged her? You're too audacious."

Xiao Huaijin's eyes were icy cold, and a gloomy feeling slowly accumulated in his heart: "I didn't administer this medicine."

"Now tell me, how do you counteract this medicine?" Xiao Huaijin looked at Liang An.

"The drug is so potent that I cannot concoct an antidote in a short time."

Liang An's gaze fell on that exquisitely beautiful face, which was flushed due to the effects of the drug, making her even more stunning.

Liang Ancai blushed and his heart raced after just one glance.

Xiao Huaijin's expression changed, and he suddenly pulled up the quilt beside the bed to completely cover Shen Yunjiao's entire body.

After coughing a few times, Liang An said, "If the effects of this medicine don't wear off, she won't make it through the night. There are two options right now. One is to throw this woman into the bathtub, then take enough ice from the ice cellar and put it in the tub before putting her in. However, this method is really harmful to her health, especially for a woman."

Xiao Huaijin's eyes flickered, and he asked calmly, "What about the other method?"

“Another method is simple: just find someone to help her counteract the effects of the drug—I see there’s one right here, isn’t there? Or should I reluctantly help the young lady?” Liang An said with a grin.

As expected, Xiao Huaijin's face darkened. "Get out of here!"

"Fine, then get out. Why be so fierce?" Liang An cursed as he got up and patted his trouser leg, but still kindly advised Xiao Huaijin, "Take it easy."

After saying that, he tactfully left the room.