As dawn broke, a few lingering stars were still embedded in the pale blue sky.

After Yan An got up and washed up, she went to Uncle Xiao's room, where Mo Zichen and Xu Nianxia were standing.

When Xu Nianxia saw Yan An arrive, she stepped forward to thank him with clasped hands, but unexpectedly Yan An caught her hand and took her pulse.

"Yes, the recovery is going well. With a little more rest, you can have the surgery."

Turning around, Yan An looked at Uncle Xiao and caught a glimpse of their tightly clasped hands. A smile appeared on Yan An's lips; it seemed that the two of them had good news from yesterday.

“An’an will be our sister from now on, so there’s no need to be so polite.”

Mo Zichen gently squeezed Xu Nianxia's hand, hoping she could relax a bit. After all, Yan An wasn't a stingy person, and it was just a small favor for her.

“I understand. An’an is a good girl and she’s very much to my liking. I will definitely treat her like my own sister in the future.”

"Greetings, Miss."

After a night of exhaustion, Uncle Xiao was resting with his eyes closed when he heard Yan An arrive. He opened his eyes and greeted him.

"Uncle Xiao, let me take your pulse."

Yan An placed his hand on Uncle Xiao's pulse. "He's recovering quite well. Qian Feng, help Uncle Xiao to bed. I'll check the wound again. If there's nothing wrong, we'll set off in a bit."

"Alright, Miss."

Even though the Southern Territory has become much more prosperous, it still can't compare to the capital.

Yan An examined Uncle Xiao's leg wound repeatedly. "Uncle Xiao, the leg wound is healing well. You can start rehabilitation training now."

Yan An turned to look at Mo Zichen, "Brother Zichen, Uncle Xiao's leg wound has healed. He can start rehabilitation training in a few days. Let's get ready to set off."

"Alright, Qianfeng, go pack your things. We'll head back to the capital in about an incense stick's time."

Before an incense stick had burned, a voice announced, "Master, everything is ready. We can depart now."

"Alright, let's go!"

A gentle breeze caressed her forehead, and Mo Zichen calmly took Xu Nianxia's hand, their fingers intertwined.

"Once we're cured, we'll go home!"

Xu Nianxia and Mo Zichen exchanged a smile. "Okay, let's go home!"

Seeing the two so affectionate, Yan An, though unaware of what had happened, felt that the outcome was ultimately good.

The group set off for the capital in a horse-drawn carriage.

...

Inside Liu Xuening's room in the Prince Xiao's mansion, clothes were scattered all over the floor. Yue Zhixiao had already left, and Liu Xuening was still lying on the bed, fast asleep.

"Hiss..." Liu Xuening gently turned her body, causing her wounds to ache.

After last night's fierce battle, Liu Xuening's body was covered in bruises. She gently touched her wounds, smiling on the outside but crying inside.

Liu Xuening stared wide-eyed in disbelief, but her gaze was unfocused.

At this moment, Liu Xuening's maid, Cheng'er, knocked on the door and entered. "Princess Consort, let me help you wash up and have your meal."

Liu Xuening shook her head frantically. Her voice was hoarse, her thoughts were in disarray, and she opened her mouth but couldn't utter a single word.

"Princess Consort, what's wrong?"

Cheng'er had been with Liu Xuening since she was a child and could be considered Ruyi's maid. Seeing Liu Xuening in this state, she was very worried.

"I...I'm fine, you...you can go down now." Liu Xuening stammered, not wanting Cheng'er to see this side of her.

"If Your Highness needs anything, please call me."

After Cheng'er left, Liu Xuening turned around, and the tears she had been holding back streamed down her face, her whole body trembling uncontrollably.

Liu Xuening simply put on a nightgown, intending to get up and wash away the filth covering her body, but she fell heavily to the ground the moment she got out of bed.

"Cough..." Liu Xuening spat out a mouthful of blood onto the ground.

"Princess Consort!" Cheng'er heard the commotion outside and immediately pushed open the door to come in. "Princess Consort, what's wrong? Why are you vomiting blood?"

"I am fine!"

Cheng'er slowly helped Liu Xuening up from the ground. "Ouch..." She accidentally aggravated Liu Xuening's wound.

Cheng'er seemed to understand something and immediately rolled up Liu Xuening's sleeves.

The bruises and welts were immediately exposed. "Princess Consort, did the Prince do all this?"

Seeing that Liu Xuening remained silent, Cheng'er got up to leave. "No, this servant must go and tell the master. He will definitely stand up for the concubine."

How could Liu Youlin possibly help her? Liu Youlin is already in dire straits himself. Besides, Liu Youlin and Yue Zhixiao are now in the same boat. How could he risk everything for her and Yue Zhixiao?

Liu Xuening grabbed Cheng'er, "Don't go! Don't go!"

"Princess Consort, how can you endure this with all your wounds covered in wounds!"

Normally, Liu Xuening treats Cheng'er quite well, and she will reward her with something good. In this world, Liu Xuening is like a second parent to Cheng'er, and Cheng'er has long regarded Liu Xuening as family.

"I'm fine, just help me to bed to rest."

“But…” Cheng’er wanted to say something more, but seeing Liu Xuening’s pale face, she swallowed her words.

Liu Xuening lay curled up on the bed, saying nothing, her eyes empty and lifeless. Cheng'er felt very sorry for her young mistress when she saw her like this.

"Princess Consort, this servant will go and fetch a doctor for you."

Liu Xuening neither agreed nor denied, and just lay there.

A moment later, Cheng'er led in a doctor. "Princess Consort, the doctor has been summoned."

After the doctor took Liu Xuening's pulse, he reported, "Your pulse is normal, and you are in good health."

Upon hearing this, Cheng'er couldn't stand still. "Impossible!"

Cheng'er tugged at Liu Xuening's sleeve. "Doctor, look at these wounds, how could the Consort be in such good health?"

The doctor was immediately stunned upon seeing it. "This is impossible!"

The doctor took Liu Xuening's pulse again, and the conclusion was the same as before.

"The concubine's pulse is indeed normal. I will prescribe some medicine to remove blood stasis for her. She should also avoid overexertion these days."

Seeing that Liu Xuening did not respond, Cheng'er placed a silver ingot in the doctor's hand, "Alright, thank you, doctor. I hope you will keep this a secret."

"I understand."

The doctor left Prince Xiao's residence with his medicine chest, glancing at the signboard before leaving. "It seems Prince Xiao isn't as bad as the rumors say."

After applying the medicine to Liu Xuening, Cheng'er prepared some food and then left the room.