"Has the imperial physician been summoned?"

Yin Jiuxiao's voice was eerily calm; only he knew that his heart was aching as if it were being squeezed tightly.

"It was a suicide soldier named Azi. The imperial physician examined her and found it was just a common arrow wound, but..."

Before Yin Yi could finish speaking, the inkstone on the table was suddenly swept to the ground.

Yin Yi looked down at the ink splattered on his boots and heard the sound of the dragon robe whistling through the air. His Majesty suddenly stood up and was about to leave.

"Prepare the carriage."

"No, let's go to the storeroom first and get that box of antidotes."

But Yin Jiuxiao soon stopped and suddenly changed his mind.

When Yin Yi returned with the brocade box, he saw Yin Jiuxiao pacing back and forth, his knuckles white from gripping it so tightly.

"Never mind."

"You personally deliver it to her and tell her how to use the medicine."

Upon seeing Yin Yi return, Yin Jiuxiao changed his mind. He slowly sat back down in his chair, hesitated for a long time, and finally asked Yin Yi to deliver the medicine.

Yin Yi bowed and agreed. As he turned to leave, he caught a glimpse out of the corner of his eye that His Majesty was unconsciously rubbing his thumb against the crookedly stitched bright yellow sachet at his waist.

"Wait, give me the medicine first, you may leave now."

Seeing that the person was about to leave, Yin Jiuxiao immediately stood up and reached out his hand.

"……yes."

Yin Yi didn't understand, but she did as instructed anyway.

*

Moonlight streamed through the window, casting a silvery frost across the bed.

As Zi Xi lay weakly on the bed, cursing under her breath, she suddenly heard a strange noise outside the window.

"who?"

She immediately forced herself to reach for the dagger under her pillow.

"It is I..."

Dressed in a black robe, Yin Jiuxiao was already standing by the screen, the moonlight tracing the lines of his taut jaw.

His gaze fell on Zi Xi's half-exposed shoulder, where a glaring red stain seeped through the snow-white gauze.

"His Majesty's visit late at night..."

Zi Xi hurriedly pulled up her clothes, but Yin Jiuxiao grabbed her wrist.

"Don't move."

"Eat this, a secret medicine from Nanzhao, which can cure all poisons. Also, this ointment will not leave scars after application."

His voice was terribly hoarse as he took out a gilded box from his sleeve.

Zi Xi obediently swallowed the pill with water. Just as she was thinking about applying the ointment herself, Yin Jiuxiao stopped her.

"If it's inconvenient for you, I'll help you."

The ointment felt cool, but Yin Jiuxiao's fingertips were surprisingly hot.

Zi Xi held her breath, watching his trembling eyelashes as he lowered his eyes, and suddenly noticed that the hem of his black robe was stained with night dew.

Could this person have lingered outside the courtyard for a long time before coming in?

Good heavens, if it really was some deadly poison, her body would have been cold by the time he arrived!

"With your arrogant and ignorant nature, if you dare to rush ahead again..."

"I will send you to the Cold Palace to be a cleaning maid."

Yin Jiuxiao suddenly withdrew his strength, causing Zi Xi to hiss softly in pain.

Zi Xi blinked: "It's just sweeping, what's there to be afraid of?"

"Besides, would His Majesty be willing to let his subordinates leave you?"

Yin Jiuxiao was stunned when he heard these words.

Yin Jiuxiao's ears turned red, and he suddenly stood up: "How dare you!"

"You mere assassin, why would I hesitate to let you leave?!"

Even so, I still gently placed the plaster box next to her pillow.

As if finding an excuse, Yin Jiuxiao immediately walked to the window: "You insolent person! I don't want to listen to your nonsense anymore! I'm leaving!"

"Your Majesty, do you carry the calming incense I gave you with you at all times?"

Zi Xi suddenly called out to him, holding up the sachet that had accidentally fallen to the side of the bed.

Under the moonlight, Yin Jiuxiao's back stiffened for a moment. He snatched back the sachet and leaped away in a hasty retreat.