That night, Shen Yuewei didn't know how she got through it. Holding Xiao Chengjing's cold hand, her voice went from choked sobs to hoarseness, from recounting the past to incoherent speech, and finally to only low, repeated calls: "Xiao Chengjing... wake up... please..."

As dawn approached, a sliver of pale light shone through the window. Imperial Physician Zhang took the pulse again, his tightly furrowed brows finally relaxing slightly: "The pulse is weak, but it's stabilizing! Your Highness... Your Highness has pulled through! As long as the wound doesn't worsen and the fever subsides, his life is no longer in danger!"

Shen Yuewei's tense nerves suddenly relaxed, and a huge feeling of exhaustion and despair instantly swept over her body. She almost collapsed to the ground, but was supported by Chun Tao who was quick-witted and agile.

In the days that followed, Shen Yuewei practically lived in this secluded residence. Although Xiao Chengjing was out of immediate danger, his injuries were severe, and he suffered from recurring high fevers, spending most of his time in a daze. Despite being six months pregnant, Shen Yuewei personally stayed by his bedside.

The most difficult time was whenever Imperial Physician Zhang brought over the thick, dark herbal medicine. Xiao Chengjing, unconscious, clenched his teeth, making it extremely difficult to feed him. Shen Yuewei would then use a small silver spoon to carefully pry open his lips, gently pouring the warm medicine in. The medicine was bitter, and even in his unconscious state, he would subconsciously furrow his brow in resistance.

"Be good, drink your medicine... you'll get better if you drink it..." Shen Yuewei's voice carried a gentleness and coaxing that she herself didn't realize, like coaxing a disobedient child. Sometimes, she would dip her fingertips in a little warm water and gently moisten his chapped lips.

While delirious with high fever, he called out intermittently, "Yuewei...don't go...account books...protect them..." "Mother...be careful...Xiang..." These fragmented words pieced together his still taut nerves even in his coma—his concern for her, his unfinished official duties, and his deep worry for his mother far away in the capital.

Shen Yuewei listened, her heart clenching. She wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief soaked in warm water, and whispered in his ear, "I'm here... the accounts are fine... Miss Lin will keep an eye on things with Mother... you can focus on recovering..." Her comforting words miraculously eased his furrowed brows.

Three days later, Xiao Chengjing's high fever finally subsided, and he regained consciousness. The moment he opened his eyes, he saw Shen Yuewei's profile as she rested by the bedside. The soft morning light outlined her slightly tired yet still beautiful features, her long eyelashes casting a small shadow beneath her eyes. One of her hands was still gently resting on his wrist.

Xiao Chengjing's heart was instantly filled with an unprecedented, swelling, and tender emotion. Those vague sensations he had experienced while unconscious—the warm touch, the gentle comfort, the sweetness of the clear water after the bitter medicine, and the whispers lingering in his ear… it turned out they were not dreams.

He tried to move, but a tearing pain shot through his chest, and he groaned.

Shen Yuewei immediately woke up, her eyes still filled with lingering sleepiness and deep worry: "Your Highness! You're awake? How are you feeling? Is your wound hurting badly? Imperial Physician Zhang!" She asked in a series of questions, subconsciously reaching out to grasp his hand as he tried to raise it.

Her hand was warm and soft, carrying a soothing power. Looking at her anxious face and feeling the warmth of her palm, Xiao Chengjing felt the pain lessen somewhat. He didn't pull his hand away; instead, he used his fingertips to gently, tentatively, and with a hint of longing, caress the back of her hand.

"It's alright..." His voice was hoarse and dry, but his gaze was fixed on her, filled with a profound sense of relief after surviving a disaster and an indescribable dependence. "You... have been here all this time?"

Shen Yuewei felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze and tried to pull her hand away, but he grasped it lightly, with a firm grip that left no room for escape. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she softly hummed in agreement: "Your Highness is unconscious, and I... am worried about you."

The simple words "I can't let go of my worries" brought a faint, yet genuine, smile to Xiao Chengjing's pale face. He stopped speaking, simply holding her hand, closing his eyes, as if drawing strength from it to keep living.

Imperial Physician Zhang came in to examine him and confirmed that he was out of danger and only needed to rest. Shen Yuewei tried to pull her hand away to get some water, but he gripped her sleeve even tighter.

"Don't go..." His voice was very soft, carrying the weakness of someone recovering from serious injuries and a hint of...coquettishness.

Shen Yuewei's heart felt as if it had been gently tickled by a feather, both soft and itchy. Helpless, she could only use her other hand to take the water glass from his hand that was holding her sleeve and carefully feed him to his lips. He obediently drank, but his gaze never left her face.

This silent dependence and intimacy flowed quietly in the room filled with the scent of medicine, more moving than a thousand words. The aloofness and indifference of her past life seemed to have been completely shattered by this life-or-death ordeal. Looking at his pale yet focused eyes, Shen Yuewei felt for the first time so clearly that this strong and domineering man could also be so vulnerable... and need her in front of her.