The Tyrant’s Drama Queen Empress

CHAPTER 40: Surviving the Wilderness

　　The moment Shen Ling’s foot missed its step, her mind went blank at the realization that she was about to fall straight into the river. She barely had time to panic before Xie Yuanxun grabbed her arm. Just as she was about to feel relieved that she’d been saved, he lost his balance too and toppled toward the water with her.

　　In the end, the two of them tumbled in together, gulping down water as they were swept a long way downstream.

　　Anyone who falls into water instinctively struggles. It’s survival instinct. Shen Ling was no exception.

　　Her arms and legs flailed wildly beneath the surface. At the same time, she clung tightly to Xie Yuanxun beside her. In moments like this, even a floating straw felt like a lifeline. She opened her mouth and choked out, “S-save me… glub glub…” Only for a splash of river water to rush in and fill it.

　　With desperate hope, she looked at Xie Yuanxun. He had rushed over to save her, so he must be able to pull her ashore too, right?

　　And then she saw it. His eyes were tightly shut as his body slowly sank beneath the water.

　　Shen Ling, “……”

　　—What the hell! He he he he he already passed out? Wait, if he’s unconscious, how are we supposed to get to shore? Is he seriously this useless?

　　Startled by Xie Yuanxun’s sudden “collapse,” Shen Ling’s panic was strangely shocked into calm. She forced herself to relax, and once she did, her body naturally began to float upward.

　　When she felt his fingers loosening around her arm, Shen Ling dove down instead, wrapping her arms around him. She pressed her lips to his to give him air, then kicked hard with both legs. Thank goodness she hadn’t completely forgotten how to swim.

　　—Carrying an unconscious person isn’t even that hard. This is pretty easy. Am I secretly amazing at swimming or what?

　　Once the immediate fear of drowning faded, she finally had the chance to look around. She had assumed Senior Eunuch Feng and the guards were still nearby. But when she lifted her head, all she saw were towering trees lining both banks. The mountains layered endlessly in the distance. They had already drifted far, far away.

　　Shen Ling, “……”

　　—ಥ⁠‿⁠ಥ Senior Eunuch Feng, hurry up and save us!

　　What she was grateful for was that the river had no whirlpools or jagged rocks hidden beneath the surface. If there had been, her swimming skills alone wouldn’t have been enough to save them.

　　But Shen Ling was only one person. On top of that, she was dragging along a full-grown man while fighting the current and trying to move toward the shore. She wasn’t made of iron. In the end, exhaustion overwhelmed her, and she finally lost consciousness.

　　At the very moment Shen Ling lost consciousness, Senior Eunuch Feng arrived at the riverbank with the Shadow Guards. No, “arrived” wasn’t quite right. They had been following Shen Ling and Xie Yuanxun the entire time.

　　The “unconscious” Xie Yuanxun quietly floated up the way Shen Ling had done earlier. When he saw that she had truly fainted, he smiled. She had never let go of him. She had even given him air.

　　He glanced toward where Senior Eunuch Feng was standing. Immediately, Senior Eunuch Feng flew over and lifted the two of them out of the water, carrying them safely to shore.

　　Senior Eunuch Feng took out a change of clothes. “Your Majesty, your and Her Grace’s clothes are soaked. Please change out of the wet garments, or you may catch a chill.”

　　“No need,” Xie Yuanxun said, then paused and corrected himself. “Go find two sets exactly like the ones we’re wearing now.”

　　“Yes,” Senior Eunuch Feng replied.

　　Very soon, the Shadow Guards brought the requested clothes. They were identical in style, color, and embroidery to the ones Xie Yuanxun and Shen Ling had been wearing. The only difference was that these were dry.

　　It was time to change. Xie Yuanxun picked up the garments and lifted his gaze, looking at Senior Eunuch Feng with a calm, unreadable expression.

　　Without a word, Senior Eunuch Feng and the Shadow Guards turned their backs and temporarily withdrew.

　　Xie Yuanxun held Shen Ling in his arms and began changing her clothes. Halfway through, he noticed that she seemed to have gotten tangled up in her clothing again.

　　He, “……”

　　Xie Yuanxun lowered his voice. “Feng Zhi.”

　　Senior Eunuch Feng immediately appeared, still keeping his back turned. With his head lowered and a respectful tone, he said, “Your Majesty, you should dress Her Grace like this… yes, that thin sash around the waist needs to be looped back… that part doesn’t need adjusting…”

　　The moment Xie Yuanxun had sent them away, Senior Eunuch Feng had already guessed that His Majesty did not know how to change Shen Ling’s clothes. As expected, he had been summoned to guide him.

　　With Senior Eunuch Feng’s instructions, it took a full quarter of an hour for Xie Yuanxun to finally finish dressing Shen Ling. After that, he allowed Senior Eunuch Feng to assist him in changing his own clothes.

　　While helping him, Senior Eunuch Feng asked, “Your Majesty, shall we return to the Imperial Hunting Palace now?”

　　“We’re not going back,” Xie Yuanxun said after a brief pause. Then he asked, “Where exactly are we? Is there anyone nearby?”

　　Senior Eunuch Feng replied, “Not far from here is Yongning Town. It’s quite close. Occasionally, people do come to the riverbank.”

　　Xie Yuanxun thought for a moment and said, “Build a small thatched hut not far from the river. Put some plain clothes inside, along with a bit of food. Once you’re done, you may leave. Unless I summon you, do not appear.”

　　Senior Eunuch Feng, “……” Your Majesty, what exactly are you trying to do now?

　　Xie Yuanxun carried Shen Ling to a large, dry rock and laid down with her, arranging them to look as though they had simply been washed ashore by the current.

　　Behind them, Senior Eunuch Feng directed the Shadow Guards to begin building. There was a flurry of quiet knocking and hammering as they set the foundation, raised the main beams, and covered the roof with thatch. Inside, they placed simple but well-made cotton and linen clothes, along with a small supply of food.

　　Only after everything was prepared did Xie Yuanxun wave his hand for them to withdraw.

　　When Shen Ling finally woke up, her eyes weren’t even open yet before her legs instinctively kicked downward, still trying to tread water. Then she froze. Why didn’t she feel any water?

　　She opened her eyes and realized they were no longer in the river. They had already been washed up on shore. Sitting up quickly, she touched her clothes. “Dry?”

　　—How long was I out for? Did my wet clothes seriously dry on their own?

　　Shen Ling stood up, shook her head, stretched her arms, and even gave a few small hops in place, thoroughly checking her body from head to toe.   

　　Shen Ling nodded in satisfaction. Good. No injuries.

　　After checking herself over, she crouched down to examine Xie Yuanxun, who was still unconscious. She gently lifted his head and ran her hand around his scalp, feeling carefully for any wounds. Finding none, she moved on to the rest of his body, patting and pressing lightly to make sure he wasn’t hurt anywhere else.

　　Since he was still out cold, she could only rely on touch to check him. It wasn’t like she could pick him up and shake him around for a full inspection. Even if she wanted to, she didn’t have that kind of strength.

　　Muttering to herself, she said, “Is this what you call surviving in the wilderness?”

　　“Why haven’t Senior Eunuch Feng and the others shown up yet? Did the river carry us too far, and they just can’t find us for now?”

　　She sighed. “That has to be it. Looks like until someone finds us, the two of us will have to stick together to keep warm.”

　　Xie Yuanxun kept his eyes closed.

　　Shen Ling reached out and poked his face. Thinking about how he had pinched and poked her cheeks so many times before, and now that he was finally unconscious, how could she not take this chance to get a little revenge? 

　　But pinching Xie Yuanxun’s face wasn’t very satisfying. There wasn’t much flesh to grab, so Shen Ling regretfully gave up and switched to… patting his face instead.

　　She let out a silly little laugh. “Serves you right for not listening. Serves you right for not behaving.”

　　She called it patting, but “stroking” was probably more accurate. There was no way she’d actually smack him hard enough to leave his face swollen or sore. If he woke up and figured out what she’d done, that would be the end of her.

　　She brushed aside the strands of hair sticking to his forehead. “Your hairline isn’t high at all. Looks like you’re not in danger of going bald. And honestly, your hair’s even nicer than mine.”

　　Just as she pulled her hand back, her fingers grazed his skin. She froze. It felt hot.

　　Shen Ling sucked in a breath. “You’re not running a fever, are you?” She quickly placed her hand on his forehead again. “Tss!” It really was burning.

　　Her expression turned serious. “We’re stuck in the middle of nowhere. How am I supposed to bring your fever down? We were lucky enough to be washed ashore, so don’t you dare die from a fever now.” There was no cold medicine here, no hospital, no injections. In this world, even a simple chill could take someone’s life. A high fever was just as dangerous.

　　Shen Ling pulled out the handkerchief she had tucked into her clothes. “Huh? Why does this look kind of new?” She clearly remembered it having creases when she used it to wipe Xie Yuanxun’s hands earlier. She hadn’t paid much attention at the time. “Maybe it soaked in the water so long that it somehow got refreshed,” she guessed.

　　Carefully, she made her way to the riverbank. The memory of stepping into empty air earlier was still haunting her. She absolutely refused to slip again.

　　After wetting the handkerchief, she didn’t wring out the cold water. Instead, she folded it into a long strip and placed it across Xie Yuanxun’s forehead. “No ice, so this is the only way to cool you down. Cold compress first, then medicine. What can reduce a fever? Oh, right, ¹Coptis chinensis water! I’ll look around and see if there’s any Coptis chinensis nearby.”

　　In her memories, when the original host was a child in the countryside, she had fallen sick with fevers and colds but had no money. The village’s barefoot physician would simply pick some Coptis chinensis and brew it in water for her to drink.

　　Shen Ling knew exactly what Coptis chinensis looked like. And strangely enough, she had Xie Yuanxun to thank for that. For a period of time in the Palace, she had been forced to drink plenty of bitter herbal soups with Coptis chinensis added at his insistence. So she had asked Liu Zhu to bring back a plant from the Imperial Medical bureau and kept it growing in Chang Le Palace, planning that once it matured, she would make him taste it too.

　　Who would have thought that the one planted in Chang Le Palace never got the chance, but now he might end up drinking wild Coptis chinensis instead, if she could even find it.

　　Her gaze swept across the surroundings as she tried to decide which direction to search first.

　　But before she could begin hunting for fever-reducing herbs, her attention was caught by a small thatched hut not far away.

　　Shen Ling blinked. “A thatched hut?”

　　She rubbed her eyes and walked over to make sure it was real and not just her imagination.

　　It was real.

　　Shen Ling was genuinely stunned.

　　—A hut by the river? Who on earth is that brainless, building a house right next to the water? Do they have nothing better to do? Aren’t they afraid it’ll get washed away?

　　The very bored Senior Eunuch Feng and company: “……”

　　She suddenly felt that there were truly many questionable minds in this world. If the river rose even a little, wouldn’t this hut turn into an underwater grave?

　　She reached out and pushed the door. It swung open effortlessly.

　　Shen Ling, “???”

　　—They don’t even lock it? Aren’t they afraid of thieves?

　　—Ahem. Not that I’m saying I’m a thief.

　　She stepped inside. From the outside, the hut looked rough and simple. Inside… well, it matched the outside perfectly. Crude and bare. There wasn’t much furniture at all. Just a wardrobe and a bed.    

　　Shen Ling muttered, “This is probably just a temporary rest stop. No one actually lives here. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be this bare.”

　　She opened the wardrobe and found two sets of cotton and linen clothes neatly folded inside. There was also a note left behind. It explained that traveling merchants passing through Yongning Town had built this hut as a temporary shelter. They had only left yesterday, and the new clothes and food were meant for whoever might need them next. Back then, the merchants had once received help from the townspeople of Yongning Town, so this was their way of repaying the kindness.

　　Shen Ling scratched her cheek. The two outfits happened to be one male and one female set. She held them up against herself and clicked her tongue. What a coincidence. The size actually looked like it would fit perfectly.

　　She narrowed her eyes. “This isn’t some kind of White Bone Demon trap, is it?” She couldn’t help thinking about all the demons Tang Sanzang ran into on his journey, always offering food and clothes. “But I’m not Tang Sanzang. I’m probably overthinking it.”

　　She gathered the clothes and food into her arms, planning to take them when she left. Of course, she couldn’t just take them for free. Unfortunately, she didn’t have any silver on her. Suddenly, her eyes lit up. She reached up and felt around in her hair until her fingers touched a pearl hairpin. Only this one remained. The others must have fallen into the river.

　　Shen Ling left the pearl hairpin behind as payment, then carried everything back to Xie Yuanxun. She lifted the damp cloth from his forehead. The cold water in it had already turned warm from his fever.

　　“So hot!” She quickly rewet the handkerchief and placed it back on his forehead, then hurried off to search for medicine.

　　After searching for quite a while, she couldn’t find the Coptis chinensis she wanted. Instead, she found some ²houttuynia cordata growing nearby.    

　　Shen Ling pulled up a handful of houttuynia cordata roots. “Houttuynia cordata can reduce fever too. I’ll grab more so he can eat plenty. No matter what, we need to bring his fever down first.”

　　She had no other options. It was a last-ditch effort, a desperate remedy. With Senior Eunuch Feng and the others nowhere in sight and Xie Yuanxun burning up with fever, even though she knew from the hut that Yongning Town wasn’t too far, Shen Ling had never been there before. Who knew how long it would take to get him to a physician? The delay might make the fever do real damage to his brain.

　　Taking care of someone, feeding someone, keeping them alive—it was so exhausting.

　　“Senior Eunuch Feng, please come quickly,” Shen Ling muttered, her heart aching with hope.

　　She didn’t stop until both her hands were full. Holding the roots carefully, she turned to head back when her nose twitched. “Wait… I think I smell Coptis chinensis.” That bitter scent was too familiar.

　　Her eyes lit up. “Could there really be Coptis chinensis here?” Following the scent, she pushed aside some grass and found a row of crooked Coptis chinensis plants growing from the ground.

　　“Wow! So many!” she gasped, her excitement bubbling over.   

　　Shen Ling was stunned by the row of Coptis chinensis. Just counting roughly, there were almost ten plants, and they looked incredibly healthy. Wild Coptis chinensis could grow this well?

　　When had wild plants ever looked this good? Even better than the one she’d carefully grown in Chang Le Palace. That made her a little irritated. Seriously, something she’d nurtured with so much care couldn’t compare to these wild ones? That felt like a personal insult.

　　She examined them closely. There were no signs of cultivation. “So… they really are wild,” she murmured.

　　Shen Ling squatted down, grabbed a stick, and started digging. When she pulled up one of the Coptis chinensis roots, she noticed it was about the same thickness as her fingers.

　　Her lips twitched. She knew wild plants could grow well, but this? This was absurdly good. It was almost painful how perfect they were.

　　Well, good things had fallen into her hands, so they were all hers now. She dug up every single one carefully, making sure not to damage the roots. When she was done, she filled in the holes with soil. Maybe next time, even more perfect Coptis chinensis would grow here again.

　　In the shadows, one of the Shadow Guards whispered, “Her Grace has already dug up all the Coptis chinensis.”      

　　Senior Eunuch Feng said, “She won't noticed, right?”

　　Shadow Guard A replied, “No, I used old soil. You can’t even tell it was just put in the hole.”

　　Senior Eunuch Feng nodded, “Good, that’s a relief.”

　　Shen Ling washed the Coptis chinensis by the river, and then the next problem hit. How was she supposed to make Coptis chinensis water? There were no pots, no fire—she could be a clever cook all she wanted, but even she couldn’t make a meal without the basics.

　　Then an idea popped into her head. She snapped off a small piece of Coptis chinensis, planning to feed it to Xie Yuanxun directly. If she couldn’t brew it into water, chewing it should work just as well. To keep him from getting bored with just the bitter Coptis chinensis, she grabbed some houttuynia cordata as well, ready to alternate the two.

　　A bite of Coptis chinensis, a bite of houttuynia cordata, then another bite of Coptis chinensis… switching them like this would make sure Xie Yuanxun didn’t get tired of it.

　　Shen Ling beamed at herself in surprise. “Oh my god, I am seriously a genius.”

　　But her bright idea ran into trouble at the very first step.    

　　No matter if it was Coptis chinensis or houttuynia cordata, she just couldn’t get it into him. Xie Yuanxun’s mouth stayed firmly shut, and even if Shen Ling forced it open and shoved the herbs inside, he wouldn’t swallow.

　　Shen Ling scratched her head, frustrated. He won’t eat… what do I do now? Ugh, this is stressful!

　　Senior Eunuch Feng and the others were just as worried. They hadn’t realized Xie Yuanxun had a fever until they saw Shen Ling running around, using water to cool him down. Then they noticed the Coptis chinensis she had dug up, which Senior Eunuch Feng had made sure looked wild.

　　If Xie Yuanxun hadn’t forbidden them from coming out, they would have taken him straight back to the Imperial Hunting Palace by now.

　　Shen Ling muttered to herself, “I have to crush them… but how?” She raised her right hand, tapping her chin with her fingers. Then her fingertips accidentally brushed her lips…

　　Shen Ling froze. “My mouth?” Could it be that she was supposed to chew them herself?

　　This doesn’t feel right… she didn’t want to eat Coptis chinensis, and she definitely didn’t want to eat houttuynia cordata either!

　　The thought of chewing it herself and then feeding it to Xie Yuanxun made her shiver a little.

　　Shen Ling clapped her hands. “Got it! There are stones here—I can smash them with stones.” Without another thought, she grabbed a stone and started pounding away.

　　As she smashed, she realized that both the Coptis chinensis and houttuynia cordata were starting to release their juices. Even better! She picked up a stone coated in the herbal juice, ready to carefully pour it into Xie Yuanxun’s mouth.

　　Just as her hand moved forward, Xie Yuanxun woke up. His lips twitched, and in a weak, hoarse voice he said, “What is this poison?”

　　—Poison? Poison? This is the juice I spent forever finding and smashing just to bring your fever down!

　　Shen Ling said, “Take away the poison part. It’s medicine. You have a fever, and this is medicine to bring it down.”

　　She gave a soft smile, looking at him gently. “Your Majesty, drink it.”

　　The voice in her head spoke at the same time as her own words:

　　—³Da Lang, wake up and take your medicine.

　　Xie Yuanxun leaned back and asked, “Have you drunk it before?”

　　Shen Ling shook her head. “No.”

　　He looked at her. “Then why aren’t you drinking it?”

　　Shen Ling replied, “I’m not the one with a fever, so why should I? If anyone should drink it, it’s you, the one burning up.”

　　Xie Yuanxun stared at the dark, hard-to-describe liquid, somewhere between black and green. “No, what if it’s poisonous...”

　　Shen Ling, “……”    

　　—I don’t get why you have to be so suspicious!

　　—Poison my foot! Drink it already!

　　Shen Ling didn’t even give Xie Yuanxun a chance to resist, but honestly, even if she did, he couldn’t have. Right now he was just a weak, feverish pretty boy, the kind you could practically do whatever you wanted with. Cough cough… Shen Ling’s fingers deftly pried his mouth open and poured the medicine down. She couldn’t help but tilt her head aside while doing it.

　　—It smells so bitter!

　　—If I didn’t know for sure that this was Coptis chinensis and houttuynia cordata, I might have thought it was poison too. It smells exactly like it.

　　When Xie Yuanxun finished drinking, Shen Ling wiped his mouth. “See? You drank it, and nothing happened.”

　　Xie Yuanxun just glanced at her and stayed silent.    

　　Shen Ling’s eyes flickered as she edged closer, testing the waters. “Are you mad? Don’t be mad, okay?”

　　Her hand hovered over Xie Yuanxun’s chest and gently pressed down. “I’m only doing this for your own good. You can’t just keep running a fever like this. It’s just Coptis chinensis and houttuynia cordata, no poison. Sure, I was a little rough feeding it to you, but it’s for your own good. So please, don’t mind it… don’t be mad, alright?”

　　Xie Yuanxun stared at her.

　　Shen Ling hesitated.

　　—Why aren’t you saying anything? Just one word and I can tell if you’re angry.

　　—Not a word? Even a little squeak would be fine.

　　—Really not going to say anything? Did I seriously piss you off?

　　Shen Ling sighed dryly. “Fine, I’ll apologize. I’ll make a little juice for myself and drink it right in front of you. That should be enough, right?” She decided to skip the Coptis chinensis and just use houttuynia cordata juice this time.   

　　Xie Yuanxun leaned forward, his thin lips brushing against Shen Ling’s.

　　Shen Ling, “!!!”

　　—Wait, what? You’re way too satisfied with my answer. Is this… a kiss reward?

　　Then, as Xie Yuanxun parted her lips, a wave of bitter medicine slid straight from him into Shen Ling’s mouth. Her eyes went wide, and at the corner of his eye, it looked like he was smirking, completely unbothered, forcing her to swallow the bitter juice before finally pulling away.

　　Xie Yuanxun said, “No need for you to make it again. I’ve got some here. How does it taste to you?”

　　Shen Ling, “......”

　　—Ughhhhhh…

　　Her tongue and throat burned with bitterness, so bad she felt like she might pass out. Without a second thought, she grabbed some of the food she’d brought out from the thatched hut and shoved it into her mouth, trying to fight off the lingering bitter taste.

　　—Damn it.

　　—You make me drink once, and I’ll make you drink for ten days straight. Not a single day less! After all, I dug up all that Coptis chinensis and houttuynia cordata!    

　　—Just you wait!

　　Xie Yuanxun gave a half-smile, half-smirk, “Whenever I take medicine, someone always tests it for me first.”

　　Shen Ling rolled her eyes behind his back, though her voice stayed sweet, “But Your Majesty, we’re not in the Palace right now. This is the middle of nowhere. Even if you wanted to follow that rule, there’s no way you could.”

　　—Where exactly do you plan to find palace staff out here to test your medicine?

　　Xie Yuanxun said casually, “Why is there no way?” His gaze locked onto Shen Ling.

　　A chill ran through Shen Ling’s heart, the kind that screams, this is not going to end well. The next words from him made that terrible feeling come true.

　　Xie Yuanxun, “I still have you. Don’t you want to come test it for me?”

　　Shen Ling, “......”

　　—I don’t want to, I absolutely do not want to! You damn bastard, did you hear me!    

　　Shen Ling sniffled, “Y-yes, Your Majesty, you have me.”

　　Xie Yuanxun was fully awake now. After Shen Ling finished giving him the medicine and they ate a little, she bundled the Coptis chinensis and other herbs together with the two cotton-linen outfits. Seeing Xie Yuanxun watching her, she explained, “I took all of this from the thatched hut, but I left a piece of jewelry behind. Consider it payment for what I took.”

　　Shen Ling helped Xie Yuanxun up from the riverbank, ready to head toward Yongning Town and wait for Senior Eunuch Feng.

　　Once they left, Senior Eunuch Feng and the Shadow Guards stepped out.

　　Senior Eunuch Feng had the Shadow Guards dismantle the thatched hut, and he placed the hairpin Shen Ling had left into a box. “Follow and protect His Majesty. I’ll head back to the Imperial Hunting Palace for a bit.”

　　The Shadow Guard replied, “Yes.”

　　......

　　“This is amazing, there’s a cave here!” Shen Xi shouted, her voice full of excitement.

　　Shen Jinxiu quickly covered her mouth and whispered, “Xi’er, quiet. If those crazed beasts hear us…”

　　Hearing his words, Shen Xi’s face paled, and she nodded shakily, “I understand, Jinxiu.”

　　Shen Jinxiu said, “You stay here and wait. I’ll go check if it’s safe.” They’d lost the main group, and with Shen Xi’s ankle twisted, he had to be on high alert while looking out for her as well.

　　Shen Xi hesitated, “It’s too dangerous for you to go alone. I’ll go with you.” Her eyes stayed fixed on his face as she spoke.

　　She was careful like that because she knew Shen Jinxiu wouldn’t agree to let her come.

　　Sure enough, he shook his head, refusing, “Xi’er, your ankle is injured. I’ll go. I’ll be careful.”

　　Shen Xi’s eyes were soft with reluctance, “Then I’ll wait here for you.”

　　Shen Jinxiu stepped lightly, checking the cave ahead. Once he was gone, Shen Xi looked down at her twisted ankle. At first she had been annoyed about hurting it, but now she realized it had earned her extra care from Jinxiu. She smiled and muttered, “Misfortune leans on fortune, fortune hides in misfortune.”

　　She smoothed back her hair, still unsure if the crazed beasts had been dealt with. Her ankle was injured because she had rushed while fleeing, and she hadn’t seen the terrifying injuries the beasts had caused—they were the last thing on her mind while escaping.

　　A noise made Shen Xi flinch and step back in fear.

　　Shen Jinxiu appeared and reassured her, “It’s me.” He came closer and, a little excited, grabbed her hand, “The cave is safe. Let’s go in and rest first.”

　　Shen Xi winced as he tugged her, her sore ankle protesting, “Ouch…”

　　Shen Jinxiu looked back, “What’s wrong?”

　　Shen Xi concealed the pained expression on her face and put on a brave yet distressed look, saying, “It's nothing, Jinxiu, my foot doesn't hurt. Let's go quickly, you seem so happy.”

　　“Foot?” Hearing Shen Xi mention her foot, Shen Jinxiu, still buzzing from finding a safe spot, finally realized she was hurt. He said apologetically, “Sorry, Xi’er. I was too anxious and didn’t think about you.”

　　Shen Xi shook her head with a gentle smile, “It’s okay. Seeing you happy makes it worth it, even if it hurts a bit.”

　　Shen Jinxiu whispered softly, “Xi’er…”

　　A blush spread across Shen Xi’s cheeks as she lowered her gaze shyly, though she kept sneaking glances at him. Every time their eyes met and caught his faint smile, she felt even more flustered.

　　Shen Jinxiu wrapped his arm around her waist and lifted her up. Shen Xi let out a startled “Ah!” She seemed to realize holding her like this might not be proper and pressed her hands against his shoulders. “Put me down! If someone sees us like this, what would we do?”

　　Shen Jinxiu’s eyes narrowed slightly. “No one will see, and even if they do, they’d just think I’m taking care of you because you’re hurt.”

　　Once inside the cave, Shen Jinxiu set her down. Shen Xi bit her lip, and when he noticed, he asked, “Does your foot hurt?”   

　　Shen Xi whispered, “No…”

　　Shen Jinxiu crouched down and picked up her foot. “Don’t tell me you’re fine. Let me massage it for you, okay, Xi’er?”

　　Shen Xi’s fingers tightened slightly as she murmured, “Okay.”

　　Shen Jinxiu lifted her skirt and took off her socks, revealing Shen Xi's fair and beautiful feet. Shen Jinxiu subconsciously reached out and touched her calf. Shen Xi saw Shen Jinxiu's action and smiled subtly.

　　Pretending not to notice, she asked, “How is it? Is the injury on my foot serious?”

　　Snapping back to focus, Shen Jinxiu’s hand moved down from her leg to her foot. “Does this hurt?”

　　Shen Xi let out a soft cry, “It hurts a lot, don’t touch there, Jinxiu.” Her voice at that moment sounded impossibly endearing, and Shen Jinxiu’s gaze darkened.    

　　Shen Jinxiu’s fingers kept pressing, and Shen Xi cried out in pain, flinging herself into his arms, shy and hesitant, eyes brimming with tears. He couldn’t help but bend down and kiss her. When his hand moved to undo the ties of her clothing, Shen Xi suddenly snapped back to her senses and pushed him away with all her strength. “No, not now…”

　　Shen Jinxiu frowned. Anyone would be annoyed if their mood was interrupted like that.

　　Feeling his displeasure, Shen Xi hurried to explain, “Jinxiu, I want to give myself to you on our wedding day. Not now…”

　　She didn’t understand politics or state affairs, but she understood men. Especially Shen Jinxiu. After living with him for so many years, she knew his temperament, habits, and likes and dislikes. That was why she had managed to capture his heart so quickly.

　　Men had base instincts. If she gave in too soon, he wouldn’t treasure her. Shen Xi had measured their relationship carefully, knowing exactly how far to let things go.

　　Shen Jinxiu took a deep breath, restraining his desire for her. He looked at her deeply. “I’ll wait for that day. Sit here for now. I’ll go outside and see if I can find something to eat.”

　　Shen Xi nodded. “Okay.” She watched his back, feigning reluctance to let him go.

　　Shen Jinxiu turned back and saw the scene. A satisfied smile spread across his face, and the irritation from earlier, when Shen Xi had interrupted him, vanished instantly.

　　Shen Xi smiled too.

　　She pulled her socks back on, and when her hand brushed her calf, she remembered Shen Jinxiu’s touch and felt her cheeks warm. After all, he had actually touched her.

　　She glanced around the cave. It wasn’t very big and a little dim. Being alone in there made her a bit uneasy. Shen Xi got up, about to step outside, when her pupils suddenly contracted. She spotted a hand resting on a large rock to her left. Her face went pale. She lifted her foot, ready to dash out, but stopped herself. Maybe this person had also hidden here to escape the frenzied beasts.

　　No matter who the hand belonged to, Shen Xi realized it could work to her advantage. If it was a man, he was probably an official. If it was a woman, likely an official’s family member. With a little maneuvering, she could gain a reputation as the one who saved them.

　　With that thought, Shen Xi had to go check.

　　But when she saw the person, her eyes went wide. “Why… why isn’t it what I expected?”   

　　The person was unconscious, but he wasn’t an official, and definitely not a family member of one. He was an assassin dressed all in black, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

　　Shen Xi stumbled back in panic, just as Shen Jinxiu returned. She shouted, “Jinxiu, come quickly! There’s someone here!”

　　Shen Jinxiu’s eyes widened. “Someone?” He stepped closer and saw the black-clad figure. He nudged the man with his foot—still unconscious. He bent down and picked up the sword lying nearby. The hilt was engraved with the character ‘Shadow’. Shen Jinxiu narrowed his eyes. ‘Shadow’? Could this person be from the Shadow Guard? Thinking about the chaos during the hunt, a premonition stirred in him. This man could be useful.

　　Shen Jinxiu searched the assassin briefly and found a small vial containing a single pill. It looked like a life-saving medicine the man carried with him. If he really was from the Shadow Guard, he would probably hide poison in his teeth, not just leave it lying around. Shen Jinxiu fed the pill into the unconscious man’s mouth.

　　Seeing this, Shen Xi realized he was trying to save him. She cautioned, “We should stand back, or if he wakes up, he might misunderstand and think we mean him harm.”

　　Shen Jinxiu nodded. “You’re right. We should keep our distance.” A wise man doesn’t stand beneath a crumbling wall, especially when facing someone who might be from the Shadow Guard.   

　　The man in black’s eyes darted around, and suddenly he opened them. One hand went for his sword, but it found nothing. As he tried to sit up, he spat a mouthful of blood.

　　Shen Xi warned, “Don’t move. You’re still injured.”

　　The black-clad man looked at them. “You saved me?”

　　Shen Jinxiu handed the sword back to him. “I saved you. I fed you the pill you were carrying.”

　　The man carefully took the sword, his gaze appraising Shen Jinxiu. Returning a weapon to someone dangerous like him was a gesture of trust. “This pill is just to keep me alive. Even if I take it, I probably won’t survive. It’s rare to meet a gentleman like you before dying.”

　　Shen Jinxiu asked, “Who are you?”

　　The man in black spoke plainly. “Who do you think I am? At this point, there’s nothing left to hide. I’m an assassin, also part of the Shadow Guard. Unfortunately, my leader is dead, and so are all my comrades. Only I am left, barely clinging to life here.”

　　The words carried a lot of meaning. Assassin? Shadow Guard? Leader? Shen Jinxiu’s mind raced. Whoever they had tried to kill must have been Emperor Xie Yuanxun, or else so many people wouldn’t have died.

　　Shen Jinxiu thought about getting this man back to Xue Yunshi. He didn’t believe that the people trying to assassinate Xie Yuanxun would bring their entire force. Some would surely survive, enough for Xue Yunshi to bring these hidden powers under his control.

　　So when the soldiers arrived, Shen Jinxiu said, “Stay hidden here. Later, I’ll send someone to get you.” He left with Shen Xi.    

　　Once they reached the edge of the forest, Shen Jinxiu left Shen Xi behind. “Xi’er, Father and Mother are over there. Go be with them. I have something I need to take care of, so I can’t stay with you.”

　　Shen Xi nodded. “Go ahead. I won’t get in the way of what you need to do.”

　　Shen Jinxiu turned and headed off. He needed to find Xue Yunshi and report what had happened with the man in black.

________________

Glossary:

¹Coptis chinensis (Huanglian)

A highly bitter medicinal herb widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. It is valued for its heat-clearing and toxin-removing effects, commonly used to treat fever, inflammation, digestive issues, and infections. Because of its intense bitterness, it is often associated with harsh but effective remedies.

²Houttuynia cordata

A medicinal herb commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. Known for its detoxifying and anti-inflammatory properties, it is often used to reduce swelling, clear heat from the body, and treat infections. The plant has heart-shaped leaves and a strong, distinctive smell.

³“Da Lang” (大郎) is an old-style form of address used in historical / costume Chinese settings.

It basically means:

👉 “Eldest young master”

👉 or “First son / eldest man of the household.”

In ancient times, families often called sons by birth order instead of their names.

So:

Da Lang = eldest son

Er Lang = second son

San Lang = third son

When a woman calls a man “Da Lang,” the feeling depends on context, but usually it sounds:

☘️ intimate

☘️ domestic

☘️ slightly wifely or caretaker-like

☘️ soft and familiar rather than formal

So in that line:

> “Da Lang, wake up and take your medicine.”

It carries the vibe of someone taking care of her own man, almost like a wife coaxing her husband to drink medicine. Very nurturing. Very household energy.

Not royal etiquette.

More like: 

“Hey, my dear stubborn patient, drink your meds.”

Which makes the scene low-key funny and intimate, especially if she says it instinctively in her head. 😌

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