Xiao Xun's words, "fellow traveler," were like a boulder thrown into a lake, creating ripples that lingered for a long time. Xin Jiuwei's days recuperating in the warm pavilion became more than just physical rest; they became a period of emotional turmoil and reflection.

Under Lin Wanyi's meticulous care and Xin Kui's attentive attention, her physical injuries slowly but steadily improved. The numbness in her left shoulder, caused by the "tarsal worm," gradually lessened. Although her left arm was still somewhat weak, her daily activities were no longer significantly affected. The old wound in her chest remained her biggest burden, but the dull, persistent pain seemed to be overshadowed by a more complex and surging emotion, no longer constantly occupying her entire mind.

Xiao Xun would come to the warm pavilion every day. The time was unpredictable; sometimes it was in the bright afternoon sun, sometimes in the deep twilight of the evening. He was still thin, his face still pale from recovering from a serious illness, but the unsteadiness in his steps had gradually faded, replaced by a calm and restrained strength. Each time he came, he carried a faint scent of medicine and the cool, inky aroma of pine needles. He would sit on the soft chair opposite Xin Jiuwei, maintaining a distance that seemed like an invisible boundary.

He remained taciturn. Most of the time, he would simply inquire about her injuries, listen to Lin Wanyi or Xin Kui report on her recovery, and then fall into long silences. He no longer mentioned the "contract," no longer scrutinized her with a critical gaze; his unfathomable eyes held a calmness Xin Jiuwei had never seen before, and an indescribable focus. He often just sat quietly, his gaze fixed on her, or looking out at the desolate courtyard, as if pondering something, or perhaps simply keeping her company.

Xin Jiuwei initially felt lost in this silence. She would lower her eyelashes, pretending to be focused on the book in her hands, or fiddling with the edge of the blanket, trying to ignore that intensely noticeable gaze. Her heart would race uncontrollably, and her cheeks would flush slightly. The shock and subsequent confusion brought by the phrase "fellow traveler" left her feeling flustered and helpless when facing Xiao Xun.

"Have you been taking your medicine on time?" One afternoon, Xiao Xun looked at the bowl of medicine that was half full beside her and spoke softly, breaking the silence. His voice was deep, slightly hoarse from his illness, but no longer weak as before.

Xin Jiuwei was frowning at the bowl of dark, bitter-smelling medicine when she heard this. She paused for a moment, then nodded subconsciously, "Mm."

"It'll taste even worse when it's cold." Xiao Xun's gaze swept over the medicine bowl, his tone calm and even, yet carrying an undeniable air of authority. "While it's hot."

Helpless, Xin Jiuwei had no choice but to pick up the medicine bowl, hold her breath, and gulp down the rest of the medicine in one go. The bitter taste shot straight to the top of her head, making her involuntarily furrow her brows.

"Here you go." A hand with distinct knuckles and a slightly pale appearance handed over a small dish of candied fruit. It was a top-quality golden thread jujube, crystal clear and exuding an enticing sweet aroma.

Xin Jiuwei looked up in surprise, meeting Xiao Xun's calm and unwavering gaze. He looked at her as if handing her candied fruit was the most natural thing in the world.

“…Thank you, Your Highness.” Xin Jiuwei hesitated for a moment, then reached out and picked up a jujube, putting it in her mouth. The rich sweetness melted on her tongue, instantly easing the bitterness in her throat and bringing a comforting warmth.

Xiao Xun didn't speak again, but simply withdrew his hand and turned his gaze back to the window. Silence fell again in the warm pavilion, but the air seemed less stagnant. Xin Jiuwei held a jujube in her mouth, the sweetness spreading through her mouth, and a strange, faint warmth quietly flowed through her heart.

Another evening fell, and dusk deepened. Xiao Xun returned after finishing his official duties, carrying with him the scent of ink and charcoal fire. Xin Jiuwei was leaning against a pillow, flipping through a geographical treatise from a previous dynasty by candlelight, trying to distract herself from the dull pain in her chest.

"What are you looking at?" Xiao Xun asked casually as he sat down opposite her.

Xin Jiuwei closed the book and showed him the cover: "A Study of Mountains and Rivers in the Tribute of Yu, something to flip through when you have some free time." Her voice was very soft.

Xiao Xun's gaze fell on the book cover, a barely perceptible ripple passing through his deep eyes: "The map of the northern border is most detailed in the appendix of the third volume of this book. The Black Stone Ridge and Iron Wall Pass, which your brother Xin Yunzhou guards, are both marked."

Xin Jiuwei's heart skipped a beat. He actually knew what she was looking at, and even knew she cared about the Northern Territory? Was it a coincidence? Or... had he noticed that she often read books about the Northern Territory?

"Your Highness... are you very familiar with the Northern Border?" she asked tentatively.

Xiao Xun picked up the hot tea that You Ye had just served him, gently blowing away the foam with elegant composure. "In my early years… I served in the army." His voice was calm, as if he were recounting a trivial matter, but beneath that calmness, Xin Jiuwei keenly sensed a deliberately concealed aura of iron and blood. She remembered Qin Lang mentioning that Xiao Xun held immense prestige in the army, and that it wasn't solely due to his princely status.

"Black Stone Ridge is a treacherous terrain, easy to defend and difficult to attack. Iron Wall Pass guards the choke point, a strategic location fought over by military strategists." Xiao Xun took a sip of tea and continued, his voice low and calm, as if recounting an ancient tale, "Winter is bitterly cold, water freezes instantly. Summer is scorching hot, sandstorms obscure the sun. The soldiers guarding the border... have it tough."

Xin Jiuwei listened quietly. This was probably the longest sentence Xiao Xun had ever spoken to her. There were no flowery words, no deliberate sentimentality, just a straightforward description of the hardships of the northern border. But she could sense from his calm tone his understanding of that land and those soldiers, and... a subtle, almost imperceptible respect. He was telling her that he understood her brother's situation, and understood her worries.

"Brother... said in his letter that everything is fine," Xin Jiuwei said softly, her voice carrying a hint of tenderness. She knew her brother only reported good news, but with Xiao Xun's words, the worry in her heart seemed to have found a place to rest.

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