After provoking the holy maiden of Miao territory, she was infected with a love curse.

By now.

Jiawan had absolutely no choice.

If she dared to refuse the conditions proposed by Zhao Huining, Jiawan was certain that Zhao Huining would never allow her to send the medicine needed for Yin Huaixi's serious illness into the prison.

"It's alright, Ah Shui. If you haven't made up your mind yet, I'll send someone over right away..."

Before Jiawan could finish speaking about calling a doctor to treat Yin Huaixi, she interrupted Zhao Huining with worry and fear.

"I'll sleep with you."

"Ah Ning, but you have to keep your word."

"You can't skimp on the medicinal herbs you give Yin Huaixi..."

For Jia Wan, spending one night with Zhao Huining was nothing out of the ordinary.

In Fengming Mountain, and in this vast Princess's mansion, how often did the two of them sleep in the same bed?

Seeing Jia Wan's anxious and seemingly reneging attitude, Zhao Huining raised an eyebrow.

"Ah Shui, am I really such an untrustworthy person in your eyes?"

"That's really heartbreaking."

Jiawan has never liked to admit defeat or say nice things.

But now that things have come to a critical point, she knows she doesn't have enough strength to fight back, and being stubborn is just a waste of time.

She lowered her eyes: "Ah Ning, it's precisely because I trust you that I agreed to your request."

With her head held high, Jiawan possessed her own unique pride.

"If it were anyone else, I definitely wouldn't bother to agree."

These words made it sound as if her trust in Zhao Huining was something extraordinary.

Unfortunately, Zhao Huining was quite susceptible to this.

Holding the prescription, she said to the servant guarding the door, "Go and get the herbs according to the dosage written on this prescription. Remember, there can be no mistakes."

"Otherwise, I will hold you responsible."

The servant accepted the prescription with both hands, behaving with utmost respect, not even daring to glance at it.

"Yes, Your Highness."

"I'll send someone to get the medicine right away."

He quickly scanned the list of herbs on the prescription, but before the servant could even leave, a troubled look appeared on his face.

Jiawan could tell at a glance that he had something to say but dared not utter a word.

So he took the initiative to speak: "What's wrong? Do you have any objections to the prescription I wrote?"

"Don't hesitate, just say it."

I know this girl is His Highness's darling.

The servant quickly bent down, his fingers holding the prescription, and forced a smile that was at least somewhat presentable.

"Miss, Your Highness."

"These are some of the more precious medicinal herbs; they can only be found in Your Highness's medicine shop. I don't have the key to the shop's storeroom..."

So that's what happened.

Jiawan originally wanted to just ask this person to get the key, but when she was about to say it, she remembered that the servant's master was Zhao Huining.

Jiawan gently touched Zhao Huining's waist with her elbow and winked at him.

Zhao Huining, who immediately understood what Jia Wan meant, smiled and said to the servant, "It's alright, just go and get the key from the person in charge, and tell them it's my order."

"If he wants to be right, he can just come to me."

Having received His Highness's promise, the servant withdrew.

He walked for quite a while before daring to wipe the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.

"Wen Yuan, where are you going instead of staying at the pharmacy?"

Holding scissors, the man was carefully tending to the flowers in the courtyard when he saw Song Wenyuan rushing out, and he was momentarily puzzled.

"Don't even mention it."

"The woman Your Highness cherishes insists on some rare medicinal herbs, which we don't have in stock. I'll have to go to the estate to get them."

Holding the cut branches in one hand, the man muttered, "Your Highness really dotes on that woman. Whatever she wants, Your Highness will find for her—things that fly in the sky, run on the ground, or swim in the sea."

Song Wenyuan: "Who says otherwise? You all need to be more careful. Don't be fooled by His Highness locking her in her room every few days; it's because he's afraid she'll run away. That's why His Highness does it."

"If you foolishly provoke them, even the Heavenly King himself couldn't save you."

...

into the night.

The cold enveloped the two of them.

The bitter medicine was fed to him, but Yin Huaixi's fever persisted.

Little Tooth, though listless, forced himself to stay by Sang Che's side, refusing to rest.

"Little Tooth, be a good boy."

Seeing that Xiaoya was about to slip away again, Sang Che scolded her and stopped her.

"You don't need to go. The medicinal effects of this herb have worn off... Huaixi can no longer consume it."

"I believe Ah Shui will come back."

Little Tooth heard its master's command and obediently retreated.

Sang Che held Yin Huaixi, whose body was burning hot, with great concern.

First it was cold, then it was hot.

How could Huai Xi's already frail and riddled-with-holes body withstand such a strain?

"Ah Che... is that you?"

With her mind a jumbled mess, Yin Huaixi opened her blurry eyes and could only make out a familiar silhouette.

Even with her nasal passages blocked, the alluring scent emanating from Sang Che seemed to seep into Yin Huaixi's very bones.

Hearing Yin Huaixi constantly reminiscing about her and her sister's past, Sang Che naturally prayed in her heart that the person lying in her arms would occasionally call out her name.

With his fingers tightly wrapped around Yin Huaixi's lower back, Sang Che moved closer to Yin Huaixi, and she softly replied, "It's me."

Yin Huaixi said weakly, "A-Che... I'm fine... You don't need to beg His Highness because of me..."

The two were locked in a fierce battle.

Yin Huaixi understood Sang Che's pride and arrogance best. If Sang Che really bowed down and apologized to Zhao Huining because of her...

Then, Sang Che will probably be humiliated again...

This is a situation that Yin Huaixi absolutely did not want to see.

She was the one who wanted to come with Sang Che.

Then Sang Che had no obligation to protect her. Yin Huaixi thought that, given Zhao Huining's temperament, Zhao Huining wouldn't let her die in this dark and hopeless dungeon.

Meeting Yin Huaixi's reddened eyes, Sang Che couldn't help but press his thumb against them and gently rub them.

A light, comforting kiss landed on Yin Huaixi's cheek, bringing a cool sensation that inexplicably made Yin Huaixi feel much better.

How strange... Is this also due to the influence of the Gu worms?

Why did she inexplicably begin to feel attached to Sang Che's actions?

With her gaze fixed on Sang Che's face, Yin Huaixi was momentarily stunned, forgetting to withdraw her gaze that shouldn't have extended there.

"Huaixi, I know you're in a lot of pain right now... Can you bear it?"

"If you can't tolerate it, you... can taste my blood first..."

Sang Che rolled up her sleeve, revealing her pale wrist. Only then did Yin Huaixi see that there were still unhealed wounds on Sang Che's wrist.

A thought flashed through her mind, and Yin Huaixi reached out and grabbed Sang Che's wrist. She was sick and almost exhausted, but she didn't know where she got the strength from, and she pressed Sang Che down into the orange-yellow straw pile.

The dry straw creaked.

Sang Che wiped her cheek with the collar of her clothes, looking at Yin Huaixi with utter confusion, not understanding what was wrong with Yin Huaixi.

Yin Huaixi buried her wrists deep in the straw, gripping it tightly. Her eyes were serious, and she had no intention of letting go of Sang Che.

"Ah Che, tell me."

"How did you get that injury on your hand?!"

Yin Huaixi's persistent questioning made Sang Che guess what she was worried about.

Her eyes were full of affection, like peach blossoms in spring.

Sang Che smiled: "Huai Xi, are you asking this because you're worried about me?"

Yin Huaixi was most annoyed by Sang Che's completely indifferent attitude towards his own body.

She was annoyed: "Yes..."

"I'm such an idiot... I shouldn't have worried about a madman like you!"