Having lived in the palace for so many years, she certainly knew that the dragon throne was fraught with thorns and every step was arduous.

When the late emperor was in charge of the government, he passed away within a year, at the young age of just over thirty.

Lu Xingjian could certainly help her solve many problems, but it would also bring him a lot of trouble.

For example, the "kneeling punishment at Jinshui Bridge" for all civil and military officials was a stern warning to Chief Minister Li.

However, so many people have been offended.

If it's just to help her resolve the "Xiao bodyguard" issue, the price is far too high.

When faced with a situation, some things become difficult to say.

Lu Xingjian didn't say anything more, he just tucked the blanket around her.

"Focus on recovering. I'll take care of everything else."

Su Wanwan looked at the neatly pressed corners of the blanket and did not pull them apart.

...

When the carriage stopped, Su Wanwan looked at the familiar red walls and golden tiles, and felt utterly overwhelmed:

"I want to go back to the Duke of Wei's mansion."

Struggling to sit up, he pulled on his injured leg, and the pain made his whole body tremble.

Lu Xingjian pursed his lips slightly and frowned, saying, "Take care of your injuries first."

He ignored the sedan chair, picked her up and got off the carriage, and carried her through doors and houses until he finally put her on the bed.

Su Wanwan nestled in his arms, carefully examining the surrounding buildings and furnishings. When she realized that this was Xiaoyuan, where she had stayed a while ago, her tense body relaxed slightly.

The imperial physician came over again to examine her wound.

As requested by Lu Xingjian, a new pain-relieving medicine was applied, and a more exquisite and lightweight splint was installed.

"Try to stay in bed and rest as much as possible to avoid developing any chronic illness."

"How long do you need to rest?" Lu Xingjian asked.

The imperial physician's words sank their hearts: "It will take at least two months, and at most three months. In the later stages, you will need to strengthen your exercise to promote recovery."

Su Wanwan looked at Lu Xingjian with red eyes; she couldn't stay here forever.

Lu Xingjian ignored her, and instead frowned as he continued to ask the imperial physician:

How often should the dressing be changed?

"Once a day before the wound heals, once every two days after it heals."

Lu Xingjian's expression darkened slightly: "Fine."

After the imperial physician left, Su Wanwan reached out and tugged at Lu Xingjian's sleeve:

"I can't stay here to recover."

She said she would cut off all ties with him in the morning, but ended up staying at his place tonight.

He's so smart, he'll definitely think she's playing hard to get, using a self-inflicted injury to stick with him.

Lu Xingjian turned around, his gaze first falling on his sleeve.

He watched as her two slender, fair fingers grasped his sleeve.

His gaze slowly moved again, and their eyes met.

In an instant, Lu Xingjian was the first to turn his gaze away, replying with only one word:

"Um."

Su Wanwan breathed a slight sigh of relief.

She and he had done bad things together in the secluded palace of the West Garden.

There's no one to restrain us here, making it easy to cross the line again.

She is still the widowed daughter-in-law of the Xu family, and her reputation cannot be ruined, so she must avoid him.

Lu Xingjian's expression was indifferent, revealing a sense of detachment:

"If you want to go back to the Duke of Wei's mansion or the Earl of Changning's mansion, it's up to you. But the murderer who harmed you hasn't been found yet. If you're sure you don't want to take your health seriously, I won't stop you."

"Think about where you want to go, and I'll have someone arrange it."

His tone was calm.

Su Wanwan felt a little embarrassed.

The other person has completely lost any romantic feelings for her, making her seem like she can't let go of the relationship.

She hesitated for a moment, then finally said:

"I'll leave after I finish the birthday celebration tomorrow. I'll take my leave tonight."

Lu Xingjian gave a curt "hmm" and gestured for Yan Rong and He Ying to come in and serve him.

After dinner, Su Wanwan asked the maids to prepare a bath.

The anesthetic in my leg gradually took effect, and the pain in the injury lessened considerably.

She hadn't showered yesterday, and after two days of travel and bloodstains, she felt sticky and wanted to take a shower.

Yan Rong and He Ying were terrified and refused repeatedly:

"Young lady, your leg is still injured, you can't get it wet!"

Su Wanwan was unusually stubborn: "It must be washed."

Otherwise, I would feel like I'm living a life worse than death, and I wouldn't be able to get through the night.

After much deliberation, Yan Rong went to consult the imperial physician: "Is it safe to take a bath in this condition?"

Before long, Lu Xingjian arrived with his men.

The clean room was carefully decorated.

Su Wanwan bit her lip, her eyes darting around, not daring to look at him.

It's just taking a shower, is it necessary to bother him?

After the bathroom was set up, Lu Xingjian walked to the bedside, glanced at her, and then picked her up.

"If you feel unwell, just say so."

Su Wanwan's heart pounded like thunder, and she lowered her head, clutching the clothes around her neck.

What are they trying to do?

She recalled fragmented images of him helping her take a bath after she got drunk that day, and she felt flustered and embarrassed.

She felt as if his hands, which were supporting her body, were burning hot, like charcoal, almost scorching her.

Lu Xingjian's expression was normal. He carefully carried her through the doorway of the washroom and placed her on a chair with a round back.

The injured leg was propped up on a slightly higher, soft tatami mat, which made it less uncomfortable and less likely to get wet.

He bent down to look at her: "Be careful not to fall. As long as your injured leg doesn't get wet, you'll be fine."

Su Wanwan tried her best to appear calm, gave a soft "Mmm," and then said, "Thank you for your help."

She looked up at him as she spoke.

Lu Xingjian turned his gaze away, checked the washroom again to make sure no accidental injury would occur, then instructed Yan Rong and He Ying to take good care of him before leaving.

Su Wanwan takes her time and is very careful when taking a bath.

From childhood, her skin was carefully cared for with specially made medicines, resulting in smooth and flawless skin.

An hour had passed by the time the whole process was completed.

The bathroom was filled with steam, and her little face was rosy and tender, exuding a charming and delicate aura from the inside out.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!