Upon returning to the palace, she was greeted with a flurry of concern and care. Seeing that Luo Jiu was alright, Yueying thanked the Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother of the West, almost to the point of immediately going to fulfill her vow.

"My dear Moon Shadow, how did you find me?" Luo Jiu asked curiously. They didn't even know where they had fallen, yet they found them before the assassins—that was truly impressive.

"Well, we have to thank Tuanzi for this," Yueying said, lifting up the little white cat that was lying comfortably in the basket.

"That day it was very late and none of you had returned. Tuanzi, however, came running back dejectedly. Fearing that something might have happened to you, she hurriedly went to find General Chen Ye to look for you."

Unexpectedly, they only found the horse, killed by an arrow, in the forest. Then, the general followed the clues all the way to the bottom of the cliff. "It was Tuanzi who found you in the cave."

"Tuanzi, as expected of my imperial pet. How can you be so capable?" Luo Jiu took the chubby little white cat and rubbed against it vigorously again.

"I heard that when they found His Majesty, he was with the Regent. You... have you made up?" Yueying asked with some doubt.

"Hmm...I guess so."

Luo Jiu shrugged uncomfortably, feeling extremely awkward and uncomfortable thinking about that night when Gu Muchen discovered her identity.

Knowing your biggest secret, you could say you're close now...

Luo Jiu felt a little guilty that Gu Muchen had protected her so well without any problems, while Gu Muchen, despite being seriously injured, insisted on taking over the case.

To help Gu Muchen recover better, she granted him many days off and sent a large amount of tonics to the Regent's Palace to alleviate her guilt.

Unexpectedly, at the morning court session the next day, she still saw Gu Muchen sitting in a chair with a pale face, smiling and nodding at her.

...

After the court session.

After all the ministers had left, Gu Muchen struggled to get up, walking very slowly because his wounds had not fully healed.

"Uncle, wait a moment." Luo Jiu jogged down the steps.

Gu Muchen stopped when he heard Luo Jiu's voice, turned around and said, "Xiao Jiu".

Luo Jiu supported Gu Muchen's hand, using it as a crutch, and walked forward.

"Uncle, didn't I tell you you didn't need to come? It wouldn't be good if the wound reopened. Are you trying to make me feel even more guilty?"

Gu Muchen gently rubbed Luo Jiu's nose with his hand and said:

"Your royal uncle said he would protect you. From now on, you won't have to do things you don't want to do. Your royal uncle will do his best to let you live the life a girl your age should live."

After hearing this, Luo Jiu murmured softly, "No need." But to be honest, she was still touched.

What's going on with this inexplicable feeling of fatherly love?

...

Luo Jiu helped Gu Muchen to the entrance of the main hall and into the carriage that she had previously asked Eunuch Li to prepare.

Seeing Gu Muchen go in, Luo Jiu followed him in.

"Is Xiao Jiu going back with me?" Gu Muchen asked with a smile.

Luo Jiu noticed that since returning from the bottom of the cliff, Gu Muchen had started calling her "Xiao Jiu." It seemed like their relationship had become much closer.

Luo Jiu nodded and said, "It was Young Master Rongyu who treated my uncle's illness, right? I want to go and ask him personally if my uncle's illness is serious and when he will recover."

"Looking for Rong Yu?" Gu Muchen's voice suddenly deepened. "Is it really to ask about my illness, or to see him alone?"