The pain, so intense it penetrated to the bone, finally made Ziwei cry out.

After this incident, the already precarious relationship between Xiao Yanzi and Ziwei completely broke down, Ziwei and Erkang had a total falling out, and the Emperor also developed deep suspicions about Ziwei.

The barely conscious thought in his mind completely dissipated, and he became more cautious. However, because of the White Lotus Sect matter, he was prepared to investigate thoroughly, so he did not deal with Ziwei for the time being, but he also tacitly approved of the methods others used to deal with Ziwei.

As for how Chen Nian knew martial arts, they no longer wanted to find out; they just wanted her to be safe.

While Shen Nian was unconscious, somehow the group completely broke off relations, preventing Ziwei from doing anything drastic to fight them to the death. The truth about the real and fake princesses was kept secret.

...

"hiss--"

The scene outside was intense. After a while, the effects of the drug on Chen Nian, who had been sleeping inside, wore off. Chen Nian, who was sensitive to pain, was awakened by the pain and instinctively cried out.

"Young one—"

Hearing the sound, Yongxuan, who was staring out the window lost in thought, was pulled back to reality and hurriedly went to the bedside.

Looking at the pale-faced person, whose eyes were full of regret and self-blame, when Shen Nian wanted to get up, he bent down and helped Shen Nian up to lean against the bedside table.

"I'm leaving now, junior sister."

Seeing that Chen Nian had woken up, Xiao Jian breathed a sigh of relief. He could tell that Chen Nian and Yong Xuan had something to say, so he said goodbye.

He had to change his plans. The most important thing now was to go back to the valley and talk to his master about his junior sister's situation. As for investigating the case and finding relatives, he could put those aside for now.

The most important thing is to resolve the junior sister's matter first.

"Yes, thank you very much this time, senior brother."

The pain in his body made Chen Nian tremble slightly, and a thin layer of sweat appeared on his forehead. He responded in a trembling voice.

After thanking Xiao Jian for checking his injuries, he realized that Xiao Jian had bandaged him up, seeing the familiar knots on his body.

Thank you, Xiao Jian. He helped us deal with the White Lotus Sect members. If it weren't for Xiao Jian, things would have been even more difficult for us this time.

Many came toward her, and if Xiao Jian hadn't taken care of some of them for her, she probably wouldn't have lasted that long.

Xiao Jian flew from the high building towards her, and was the closest he got to her at the time. Despite still harboring hatred for the emperor, he joined the battle to help.

"Junior Sister, there's no need for such formalities between us. I'll be leaving now."

Hearing Shen Nian's polite words, Xiao Jian gave a helpless smile.

"Well, I won't see you off, Senior Brother."

Wait until the person leaves.

"Now you know my situation? You regret it?"

Chen Nian looked up at Yong Xuan standing by the bed, hiding the self-reproach in her eyes. She paused, trying to calm the soreness in her throat, and asked with a smile, her tone light and cheerful.

It was as if she wasn't the one with health problems.

"Youyou... I'm sorry, it's all your brother's fault..."

Looking at the smile on Shen Nian's face, Yong Xuan felt as if his heart was being squeezed tightly, making him feel suffocated.

It's all his fault. If only he hadn't abandoned Youyou and stayed with her, if only his martial arts skills had been higher and he hadn't been surrounded by the enemy and had his tendons crippled, he wouldn't have had to leave Youyou. If only he had run faster and called for reinforcements, his father and mother wouldn't have left.

But he forgot that he was only seven years old at the time...

...

"I forgive you, brother—"

Chen Nian finally uttered the title he hadn't used in over ten years.

Actually, she had forgiven him long ago, but she just couldn't get over that hurdle in her heart.

But thinking back to today, seeing Yongxuan desperately fighting the people in front of him, trying to rush to her side, that moment...

She seemed to see herself as a child, abandoned alone in the palace. Yongxuan overcame numerous obstacles to reach her side and took her away with him, while her childhood self was not abandoned.

She suddenly felt that the knot in her heart had been untied and the hurdle had been overcome.

She didn't have much time left and didn't want to argue with him anymore.

"Young one—"

...