When Shen Zhiyi woke up the next day, she found herself being held tightly in Duan Xingzhi's arms.

His hands, feet, and lower abdomen were all wrapped up with his thighs and hands, making them warm and cozy.

"woke up?"

He woke up almost the instant she opened her eyes.

"Hmm..." Shen Zhiyi moved and pulled her foot out from between his legs.

"Call the maid in to help you wash up, and I'll go make you some brown sugar water." Duan Xingzhi got up briskly and dressed himself in no time.

Before Shen Zhiyi could respond, she heard footsteps outside the door.

When she looked up again, Duan Xingzhi, who had been standing by the bed, had vanished.

She stared at the empty window and clicked her tongue.

This person...

How could they just leave like that, without even making a sound?

Xiangru pushed open the door and entered, looking in the direction she was looking with some curiosity. "What are you looking at, Miss?"

"Hey, why is the window open?"

She walked over and closed the door, then turned back to Shen Zhiyi and said, "Miss has just gotten up, don't catch a cold."

"Hmm." Shen Zhiyi snapped out of her reverie, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Prepare the water."

She knew he was concerned about her reputation as an unmarried woman.

Even though Xiangru was one of his own, a maid who had grown up with her since childhood, he still considered her in this way.

Her hands and feet still carried his warm warmth.

My heart started to warm up too.

For the rest of the day, Duan Xingzhi carried Shen Zhiyi wherever she went.

She was both amused and exasperated.

"Duan Xingzhi, I'm not disabled, you don't need to do this."

"Why don't you use it?" Duan Xingzhi asked seriously as he carefully placed her on the soft couch. "Ayi herself said that she can't get cold or be overworked."

"You are currently menstruating and cannot swim."

"Since we can't leave the valley, we might as well take this time to recuperate properly so that we won't be too tired on the way to the capital in a few days."

Fortunately, the day of the valley's opening has not yet arrived, so even if the Assassin's Guild members came, they would not be able to enter the village.

Only he could cross that underground river.

Shen Zhiyi was forced to rest.

Duan Xingzhi was quite busy.

He used his internal energy to leave the valley again, and when he returned to the medicine hall, he brought back several more boxes.

"What are these?" Shen Zhiyi asked curiously as she sat up from the couch.

Duan Xingzhi pulled out a stack of silver notes from inside, walked to the bedside, knelt down in front of her, and patiently explained, "These are for the villagers."

"Our departure from the valley will definitely cause them trouble."

“I’ve thought about it. If the Third Prince’s men find Fuling Valley, they might also target the villagers.”

"So during this time, I will work with everyone to dig a secret passage, build a secret room, and set up some traps at the entrance of the village."

"If someone does come looking for us, we should set up the traps first, so that everyone can hide in the secret room for the time being."

"These silver notes are used to prepare food rations for the villagers and to compensate them."

He placed the banknotes into her hand.

"It's just that I'm sorry to trouble Ayi, that she has to suffer along with me while I'm working so hard." He touched her face and said with heartache, "Just stay in bed and don't go anywhere, so you don't feel uncomfortable."

Shen Zhiyi was stunned upon hearing this. "Weren't you the one who used to be the least concerned about other people's lives?"

"Why are you suddenly worried about the villagers?"

Duan Xingzhi stared at her intently.

Her eyes seemed to hold a vast, deep ocean, almost drowning her.

"Whether those people live or die is none of my business." He paused slightly, then said slowly, "But you do care."

"So, I will guard it for you."

His tone was calm, as if he were stating something extremely simple.

Shen Zhiyi's heart skipped a beat.

My cheeks also felt hot.

"Duan Xingzhi..." She clutched a thick wad of silver notes, curled her fingertips, and lowered her eyelashes, saying, "Why are you so good to me?"

"In the end, we were just forced into marriage to break down our barriers of empathy."

"Not only that." Duan Xingzhi gently pinched her chin, forcing her to look up and meet his gaze.

Each word was clear and resolute: "Ayi, my feelings for you have never been more than this."

No one in this world can force him to do anything.

If he doesn't want to do it, he will risk his life rather than compromise.

Duan Xingzhi lowered his body, cupped her face in his hands, and looked into his deep eyes, which were filled with boundless tenderness, like an abyss that could draw her in.

The warm breath brushed against her lips, bringing a tingling sensation.

I want to marry you.

"It was voluntary, heartfelt, and even eagerly anticipated."

Shen Zhiyi was startled by his words, her red lips parted as she watched him drag over the boxes.

"These are all the dowry I prepared for you."

"I only brought this much because of the short notice and to be polite."

"Will Ayi blame me?"

Shen Zhiyi stared at the gold and silver jewelry inside; each item looked priceless.

She was at a loss for words.

"Duan Xingzhi, just how much wealth do you have?" She weighed the silver notes in her hand again and couldn't help but ask, "So much money, and you just throw it away like that."

"And these too, each one could be worth a fortune, and you call this 'just a little'?"

He is also very strong.

Despite dragging so many heavy objects, he was still able to swim freely.

If all that energy were put into her, what would become of her?

As Shen Zhiyi pondered, a blush rose to her cheeks.

I feel like I need to prepare some herbal medicine for myself...

Seeing her surprised expression, Duan Xingzhi smiled slightly and said, "I don't know either."

"I haven't counted them."

"However, no matter how much it is, it will all be yours in the future."

Some people's lives are very valuable.

But he was busy with his mission, and he hardly touched the bounty money.

Now it's all good, she'll spend the money for him.

Shen Zhiyi: ...

Duan Xingzhi leaned down, looking at her with a kind of impatient eagerness, like a starving beast eyeing its plump prey, and said in a low voice:

"Shall we get married before leaving the valley?"