Back at the Governor's Mansion, Yue Zhan hurriedly summoned Lady Han to treat Shi Lan's injuries. Once he was sure she was alright, he immediately went to interrogate the captured guards.

After several days of effort, they had made some progress, successfully removing several Turkic spies from the manor and confirming that the Turks did indeed intend to launch a surprise attack on Anxi this winter, but no one knew the specific route or the number of people involved.

In order to deal with the sneak attack, Yue Zhan was busy mobilizing troops and preparing to send troops to patrol the border.

Upon hearing this news, Shi Lan was half-sitting and half-leaning on the couch, her soul swaying as if it were about to leave her body.

Shi Lan was already used to this feeling, so she quietly closed her eyes and waited for the confusion to subside.

A series of hurried footsteps suddenly sounded, and a warm, large hand tightly grasped hers. A gentle, deep voice called out in her ear, "Lan Niang, Lan Niang, wake up."

Shi Lan's body trembled, and the previous feeling suddenly disappeared. She thought she would see that aloof and noble figure, but instead she was replaced by the face of a man with haggard eyebrows, a face full of vicissitudes, and stubble.

"...Ah Lang?"

Shi Lan was somewhat surprised and slowly got up to look at him. "What are you doing here?"

Yue Zhan stared at her for a while before reaching out and carefully touching her face. Seeing her turn away in disgust, he suddenly smiled with relief.

Shi Lan looked at him strangely. Yue Zhan got up and called out loudly to Zhu'er to fetch water for him to wash up.

Shi Lan tilted her head and looked at him with a suspicious expression.

While Yue Zhan was washing up, Zhu'er told Shi Lan that she had been unconscious for a day and a night.

Shi Lan stared wide-eyed in surprise. It felt like she had just closed her eyes and opened them again.

Yue Zhan quickly tidied himself up and looked refreshed. When he saw Shi Lan blinking at him, he flashed a bright smile, revealing his white teeth.

A bitter feeling welled up in Shi Lan's heart. Liu Weng had been successfully removed, and Yue Zhan was also fine. This meant that Anxi was very likely to remain stable. Her mission was largely completed. According to custom, she should have returned to the space. She didn't know what method he used to resist the call of the space and keep her here.

Dou'er brought over easily digestible soup noodles and other items. Yue Zhan personally moved the table to the side of the couch. If Shi Lan hadn't repeatedly said that she didn't need it, he would have already rolled up his sleeves and prepared to feed her.

Shi Lan had no appetite and only ate a little before refusing to eat any more.

Yue Zhan didn't mind at all, and directly picked up her bowl, quickly devouring all the food on the table.

Zhu'er and Dou'er cleared the table, and Yue Zhan then leaned close to her, gently taking her hand and saying softly, "Don't scare me like that again."

Shi Lan smiled but did not answer.

She really didn't have the final say on this matter; when to leave and when to stay were all decided by that high and mighty deity.

Seeing her like this, Yue Zhan involuntarily clenched his fist.

He had known for a long time that she was unusual, but he never expected that her breathing would suddenly become weak and her heartbeat would be almost non-existent, as if her soul was about to leave this place in an instant. At that moment, his heart almost shattered. If it weren't for the slight breath she was still breathing through her nose, he probably would have gone crazy immediately.

Yue Zhan, or perhaps he should be called Rong Qing, didn't really know why. At first, he just found her amusing, but gradually he felt she was more like a playmate, a source of joy who could make him laugh when he was feeling down and irritable. Then she died saving him, and he was heartbroken, developing an obsession with her without realizing it. After experiencing many people and events, he finally found her again, but he discovered that his feelings for her had changed. It seemed that it wasn't just simple liking anymore; there seemed to be something else mixed in, something that made him happy, something he couldn't control.

"Pack your things, you'll be coming with me on the inspection tour tomorrow," Yue Zhan said after a moment of silence, though he had a thousand words in his heart.

Shi Lan was somewhat surprised, but still obediently nodded.

At dawn, before the sky was fully bright, Shi Lan, her eyes still blurry, was helped into a cushioned carriage by Zhu'er. Dou'er stuffed a large bundle into the carriage and followed, along with a frustrated-looking Han Nushi.

Yue Zhan rode his tall horse to the carriage and gently knocked on the door.

Shi Lan lifted the carriage curtain and looked up at him.

In the dim light before dawn, his handsome face was bathed in a hazy glow, and his clear eyes were fixed intently on her, causing Shi Lan's heart to race uncontrollably.

Shi Lan inwardly cursed the idea that male beauty was a curse, and became extra careful with her voice when she spoke, "What is it?"

Yue Zhan's sword-like eyebrows were clear and his eyes were full of tenderness as he looked at her. "I have ordered the guards in the manor to protect the carriage. If anything happens, just tell them to do it."

Shi Lan glanced at the few people in soft armor standing not far away, with guards on either side, and nodded.

Yue Zhan added, "There is food under the table; if you are hungry, please have some."

Zhu'er opened the food box under the table, inside which were stacked steamed buns and sesame cakes.

Shi Lan nodded again.

The troops ahead had already begun to move, and soldiers rode up to signal Yue Zhan to set off.

Yue Zhan nodded, but hesitated and didn't move. Shi Lan's previous appearance had really frightened him. Now he wished he could keep her by his side and watch her at all times.

Seeing the soldiers' restless expressions, Shi Lan knew they were about to depart, and quickly said, "Alright, I understand. Go ahead and get busy. We can talk about it tonight."

Yue Zhan's eyes lit up, as if she had said something remarkable. He responded cheerfully, spurred his horse on, and galloped ahead.

The carriage began to sway slowly, and Lady Han would occasionally glance at Shi Lan.

The intense gaze forced Shi Lan to open her eyes and look at her. "Does the lady have something to say?"

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