Song Xilan arched an eyebrow. "Oh? Did sothing like that really happen?"
Kong Qing said, "Your Highness, you should go have a look. Master Chen’s arm is still injured. I’m afraid he’s in for a rough ti!"
Kong Qing was perceptive and good at reading people. She had long since noticed that the Princess Consort disliked Song Lianhe.
’But then again, what normal woman would like such a peerless beauty?’
She sighed again as she spoke. "Master Chen has always been diligent and honest here at the Prince Mansion. He’s never made a mistake or been punished. But now, because of Doctor Song..."
"Silence! Doctor Song is my lifesaver. If you dare spout any more nonsense, you can go receive your punishnt!"
Song Xilan scolded her loudly, and Kong Qing imdiately admitted her mistake. "Your Highness is right to reprimand . This servant wouldn’t dare do it again..."
Song Lianhe was busy trying to save the Five-split yellow gentian and paid no mind to what the two were saying.
Seeing her fair hands moving among the porcelain shards, Zhou Junlin couldn’t help but frown. "Go find another flowerpot."
"Yes, sir!"
When Gu Ha brought the flowerpot, Zhou Junlin, without a word, lifted the hem of his robes and squatted down. He took the dicinal herb from her hands and began planting it himself, occasionally asking Song Lianhe, "Like this?"
"Yes... and it needs a little more water."
"Gu Ha!"
"My Prince, the water is here!"
Gu Ha knew this was the herb the Prince had dug up himself last night. It was extrely precious, so he was very attentive and didn’t dare to be slow.
Song Xilan stared, dumbfounded, at the master and servant. When her gaze fell upon Song Lianhe again, it was filled with hostility!
’What kind of Gu did she use on him? How could she make Zhou Junlin do sothing like this for her?!’
"Your Highness!"
Kong Qing was both angry and anxious. She lowered her voice and said, "This Song Lianhe is far too audacious!"
Song Xilan narrowed her eyes, then suddenly offered a gentle, faint smile. "What is this treasure? To make even the Prince so anxious?"
Zhou Junlin took the handkerchief Gu Ha offered, wiped his hands, and looked back at her. "This is called the Five-split yellow gentian. Doctor Song says it’s a special herb for treating snake venom. You still have so residual poison in your system, and this herb is needed for it."
Song Xilan was taken aback. She hadn’t expected him to be doing this for her...
A wave of warmth instantly spread through her heart, and even the sight of Song Lianhe wasn’t as grating anymore.
It was true she disliked Song Lianhe, but she couldn’t deny her dical expertise. She had even saved her life at a critical mont. Song Xilan asked herself, if their roles were reversed and she knew she had to save her mortal enemy, she wasn’t sure she could have done it.
Seeing how anxious Song Lianhe was about the Five-split yellow gentian, she decided not to pursue the matter.
She turned back to the driver and said, "Master Chen, Doctor Song’s herb was prepared for . Please, Master Chen, let this matter go."
By treating the servants with such courtesy, she had won many hearts in the Prince Mansion. Master Chen, enduring his pain, said to her repeatedly, "Your Highness, you are too kind to this servant!"
She then smiled at Song Lianhe and said, "Doctor Song, please don’t be angry anymore. On behalf of Master Chen, I apologize to you~"
Song Xilan was gentle and knew how to handle the bigger picture. With such a wife, Zhou Junlin’s heart should have been content.
But his gaze drifted unconsciously back to Song Lianhe. She seed completely unconcerned, turning around to carry the potted plant onto the carriage. It was as if, in her eyes, being practical was better than wasting ti on pleasantries.
"Does Doctor Song... not like ?"
Zhou Junlin retracted his gaze. "Why do you say that?"
"She’s never as warm to as she is to you, my Prince." As Song Xilan said this, she gently raised her eyes to gauge his reaction.
But Zhou Junlin just smiled and said instinctively, "Lan’er, you’re overthinking it. Doctor Song just seems difficult to get along with on the surface, but she’s actually a very warm-hearted person."
Song Xilan bead. "Oh? The Prince seems to know her quite well."
Zhou Junlin rely glanced at her, his expression impassive, and said nothing.
Song Xilan faltered. ’Careless,’ she chided herself inwardly.
She knew that Zhou Junlin disliked it most when won fought for his affection. It was precisely her understanding, gentle, and magnanimous nature that had caught his eye.
’When I think about how he’ll ascend the throne one day and, for my sake, refuse to take other consorts for his harem, I feel content.’
She quickly feigned a laugh and said coaxingly, "I can’t tell you how happy I am that you think that way, my Prince! After all, Doctor Song is my lifesaver. I was just worried you would bla her!"
"Rest assured, I know what I’m doing."
Zhou Junlin lowered his eyes and led her by the hand into the carriage.
Song Lianhe finished moving everything into a carriage, filling it completely. But it was fine. After the commotion just now, no one dared to approach and criticize her, so she had it all to herself.
Just as she was about to jump onto the carriage, her gaze suddenly fell to her feet.
It was a Willow Leaf Dart.
She bent to pick it up before getting on the carriage. Looking down at the blade, she felt the cool tal against her palm, yet a warmth like a spring breeze swept through her chest.
She lifted the window curtain and leaned there, looking outside.
Upstairs, Xuan i and the Shadow Guard instantly ducked behind the window.
The Shadow Guard said, "Master, they’re leaving."
Zhou Cangyan had his arms crossed, coldly eyeing Chun Hua, who kept trying to snuggle up to his chest. Annoyed, he pushed the falcon away again.
He slowly rose to his feet. "We should get going as well."
Xuan i said, "Xuan Qi is on standby. According to the original plan, you will depart first, Master. I will follow with our n in three days."
"Mm."
Zhou Cangyan turned and left the private room.
Just as Xuan i was about to follow, the Shadow Guard grabbed him. "Don’t you think... the Master seems to be in a real hurry!"
Xuan i shot him a glare, pushed him away, and imdiately followed after their master.
"SCREECH!"
At that critical mont, Chun Hua let out a loud cry in response.
"You think so too, right?!"
"SCREECH!"
The Shadow Guard picked up Chun Hua. Man and falcon gazed at each other, a silent understanding passing between them.
——
The convoy of carriages moved forward. Song Lianhe, who suffered from motion sickness, had prepared so dicine for herself and spent the entire journey in a drowsy state.
The convoy ca to a halt.
Soone ca over and knocked twice on the carriage door. "Ti to eat!"
’Eat?’
Song Lianhe’s eyes were heavy with sleep, but at the ntion of food, her stomach imdiately started to rumble.
They had been traveling for two days. If they were fast, it would be another four days to Ling’an.
Her head drooping, she found a large tree to lean against.
’In this lifeti, I never want to ride in a carriage again!’
She had been abducted once before, but she had been drugged then, so it wasn’t too agonizing. But after several days of being jolted around, she had grown thinner.
Over there, the maids and older female servants were cooking, while the drivers and guards gathered in their own groups to chat.
Because Master Chen had been injured on her account, everyone had subconsciously ostracized her. No one wanted to sit with her, and just calling her for a al was considered the extent of their kindness.
Song Lianhe didn’t care. It’s not like she was trying to beco their wife or sister. ’Who’s ostracizing whom is still up for debate!’
A waterskin suddenly appeared in front of her.
She weakly lifted her eyes.
Gu Ha frowned impatiently. "You drinking or not?"
"Yes!"
She quickly took it, pulled out the stopper, and took a large gulp.
Gu Ha had spotted her from a distance, sitting all alone, her face frighteningly pale. Although he found this woman annoying for always scaring him before... she did look rather pitiful.
’Who am I, Gu Ha?’
’Would I really hold a grudge against a woman?’
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