The two opened the door, and the imperial guards outside, seeing that it was not the empress, exchanged glances and then placed their hands on the swords at their waists, assuming a defensive posture.

Their eyes followed the two masked, black-robed figures who appeared to be either thieves or villains.

Wu Chenxi took a step forward and stood still. His tall and straight figure enveloped Ning Qing in his shadow, like a protective eagle showing its sharp claws to the enemy while leaving its gentleness for those around it.

Wu Chenxi ripped the black cloth off her face and shouted at the Imperial Guards who were in a defensive stance, "I am the Second Princess, here to visit my father, the Emperor."

Pointing at their hands resting on their swords, she continued to berate them sternly, "What kind of attitude is this? I am, after all, a princess of a nation. Do you want to rebel?"

"Make way for me, all of you."

After saying that, he took Ning Qing's hand from behind and strode off with his long legs.

The crowd exchanged glances again. Since they hadn't heard the Empress issue an order to stop them, they couldn't really intercept them and could only watch helplessly as the two walked away hand in hand.

After returning to the palace, the two went to wash up and change clothes.

Ning Qing leaned against the bathtub wall, her fingertips gently playing with the petals floating on the water.

The other injured hand dangled off the outside of the bathtub.

The system was unusually quiet today, and Ning Qing was still getting used to it.

Ning Qing: Cat, what are you doing?

System: Host, I see Fatty Gao being chased and hiding by a group of rats in front of the light screen.

Haha, that's hilarious.

The punishment the host gave him was absolutely awesome.

Ning Qing rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on. How could she have forgotten about this?

Ning Qing: I didn't intend to punish him; I just wanted to hide it as a bargaining chip in negotiations.

Ning Qing said helplessly: Who knew that plans could not keep up with changes?

The system... has it misunderstood the host?

Come to think of it, if the empress hadn't been so love-struck and had instead been career-minded, the story would have been a completely different one.

The tall, fat man can also become a powerful bargaining chip for the host in negotiating with the Queen.

Alas! One can only lament the unpredictability of life.

Just then, there was a knock on the door, and Wu Chenxi's voice came from outside, "Qingqing, come out after you've finished bathing, I'll help you change your dressing."

Ning Qing? We just started the medication a short time ago, and they're changing it so soon? Did the medicine agree to this...?

Just then, the voice from outside the door came again, "I'm worried you might accidentally get wet while showering, so I thought I'd change it to be on the safe side."

Ning Qing: This kid probably has mind-reading abilities.

The system was startled and quickly checked before saying: He does not possess this skill.

Ningqing...

Did that silly cat actually go and check?

Ning Qingchao said to the outside, "Go to the bedroom and wait for me. I'll be there soon."

A voice came from outside the door, "No rush, take your time, I'll wait for you in the bedroom first."

Ning Qing listened as the footsteps outside gradually faded into the distance.

He soaked in the bath for a while longer before getting up, slowly putting on his robes, and striding towards the bedroom with his long legs.

The moment I stepped into the room, I saw a figure in moon-white sitting by the window, holding a book and studying it intently.

Upon hearing footsteps, she looked up at Ning Qing with a gentle smile and said, "You're back."

Ning Qing nodded slightly and headed towards the bed.

Upon seeing this, Wu Chenxi stood up, picked up the tray with the medicine bottle and white cotton strips on the table, and followed closely behind.

Ning Qing lay lazily on the bed, her injured hand resting diagonally on the outer side of the bed.

A look of heartache flashed across Wu Chenxi's face as she sat down on the bed and gently lifted Ning Qing's injured hand.