Is this cheat code from Bika? Just do it!

"Mr. Buff, take the medicine back. Add one packet to three bowls of water and boil for twenty minutes, then you can drink it. One packet is a day's dose. Boil it three times a day, and remember to take it on time." The doctor explained the method of administration in detail, afraid that Buff might not remember. His tone was serious and responsible, as if he had entrusted all his responsibility to these words.

"Okay, thank you." Luma quickly accepted the medicine and thanked the doctor gratefully. His eyes were full of sincerity and gratitude, and he was full of admiration for the doctor's medical skills and sense of responsibility.

At this moment, the doctor's gaze involuntarily fell on Link, but it was mostly fixed on the wooden box Fiora was holding behind him. He secretly wondered what new reforms the city lord had brought this time. His eyes were filled with curiosity and anticipation, like a child who had seen a mysterious gift.

Link seemed to read the doctor's mind, and he asked softly, "Have there been more people coming to see me lately?" This information had been gathered by Fiora's intelligence network, and Link knew it all too well. His eyes revealed a wisdom and composure, as if everything was under his control.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Before winter, there weren't many patients, but now, in winter, we get more than a dozen a day," the doctor reported truthfully, his tone tinged with worry. His brow furrowed slightly, concerned that the hospital's resources couldn't handle so many patients.

Link frowned slightly upon hearing this. He knew all too well that if too many people fell ill in Winterfell, it would be a serious matter. It could very well be a fatal disaster. Winterfell's medical resources were limited; an excessive number of patients could cause the medical system to collapse. He solemnly instructed, "In the future, if there's a sudden increase in patients, report it to the City Lord's Mansion in advance. We must be prepared and take preventative measures. We can't wait until the problem becomes severe before taking action; then it will be too late."

"Yes!" The doctor's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly replied. He knew the weight of the city lord's words and understood the immense responsibility he bore. He stood ramrod straight, as if promising the city lord that he would complete the mission.

“Remember, this hospital is responsible for the health of the entire city. If too many people suddenly fall ill, we must take it very seriously. Especially with contagious diseases; if they spread throughout Winterhold, the whole city will die.” Link’s expression was unusually serious. He deliberately exaggerated the severity to keep the doctors on high alert. His eyes revealed a firmness and determination, as if he were dedicated to protecting the safety of the entire Winterhold.

"Yes!" The doctor's expression turned unusually serious. He quickly took out his notebook and wrote down Link's words word for word. He knew that these words were not only a warning to him, but also an expectation and requirement for all the medical staff in the hospital. His hands trembled slightly, showing his inner tension and seriousness.

"Alright, I came here today to talk about the medicinal herbs." Link's expression softened slightly, and he calmly asked, "How many medicinal herbs do you have left?"

All the medicinal herbs in this hospital were brought from Earth by Link. To avoid becoming a mere transporter of herbs, and given the recent surge in colds, he had to pay extra attention to the stockpiles. In fact, Lydia's illness had reminded him of the importance of herbal reserves. These past few days, he had returned to Earth and even made a special trip to 'Hundred Herbs Hall' to consult on pharmacological matters, hoping to find better solutions. His eyes revealed a spirit of exploration and thirst for knowledge, as if he were searching for a cure for Winterfell.

"Lord City Lord, we don't have many medicinal herbs left," the doctor replied earnestly. There had indeed been quite a few patients these past few days, including some seriously ill patients with fevers reaching 39 degrees Celsius. Fortunately, they were brought in in time, and after a few days in the hospital, with medication and physical cooling methods, they were successfully cured. However, this had greatly accelerated the consumption of medicinal herbs, and the reserves were rapidly decreasing. A hint of anxiety crossed his face, worried that a shortage of herbs would affect the patients' treatment.

“Hmm.” Link nodded in understanding; the shortage of medicinal herbs was something he had expected. He patted the wooden box Fiora was carrying and said calmly, “There are new medicinal herbs here, prepared for those with mild colds and fevers.”

With a crisp "click," the cat-eared girl gently opened the wooden box, revealing many small burlap sacks, each about half the size of a palm. These sacks were filled with medicinal herbs—the kind available in this era. Although the variety was limited, they were all carefully selected and proportioned. The burlap sacks were rough in texture, yet they exuded a rustic charm.

Link's planned large medicinal herb garden hasn't even started yet; construction won't begin until next spring. In the dead of winter, it's difficult for medicinal seeds to germinate. Therefore, he can only utilize existing resources to meet the hospital's needs as much as possible. His eyes revealed a mixture of helplessness and anticipation—helplessness at the current limitations, and anticipation for the completion of the large medicinal herb garden.

"What's this?" The doctor was a little confused. He looked at the packets of medicinal herbs, his mind filled with doubt. Had these already been measured? Didn't they need to be weighed again? His brows furrowed slightly, his eyes revealing confusion and bewilderment.

"This is a cold medicine packet. For mild colds, just take one packet, dissolve it in hot water, and drink it several times a day; it should cure the cold," Link explained calmly. This cold medicine packet was an improved version of a traditional Chinese medicine formula from Earth, containing honeysuckle, dandelion, and houttuynia cordata—herbs with heat-clearing and detoxifying properties. Some minor colds and fevers could be cured with these herbs. His face wore a confident and proud expression, as if he were showcasing his masterpiece.

The medicinal herbs won in the lottery could then be used on patients with severe colds. This way, as long as Link persevered until he could harvest them from the large herb garden, he wouldn't need to rely on the lottery-winning herbs anymore. He planned that once the large herb garden was built, he could cultivate these herbs on a large scale to meet the medical needs of Winterfell City and even the entire region. His eyes revealed a grand ambition and ideal, as if he saw a future with abundant medical resources.

Dandelions, houttuynia cordata, and other medicinal herbs are grown in greenhouses. Although the quantity is not large, it is enough to supply Winterfell for the time being. After all, not the entire city is sick, so the current reserves are sufficient. A relieved smile appeared on the doctor's face, as if he had seen a glimmer of hope.

"Yes, I understand," the doctor said with a sudden realization. He hadn't expected the city lord to be so thoughtful and considerate, even preparing a cold medicine kit. This deepened his admiration for Link. His eyes were filled with respect and gratitude, and he was full of praise for Link's wisdom and sense of responsibility.

“But if someone doesn’t get better after taking these medicine packets, they should switch to the herbs in those cabinets,” Link instructed. He knew that everyone’s constitution and condition were different, so generalizations couldn’t be made. For patients with more severe conditions, more effective herbs would be needed. His tone was serious and responsible, as if emphasizing an important principle.

"Yes." The doctor nodded in understanding and carefully noted it down in his notebook. He knew that these details were matters of life and death for the patient, and could not be taken lightly. His hand gripped the pen tightly, as if grasping a responsibility.

This cold medicine packet is one of Link's experiments. If it works well, he plans to sell the surplus herbs to other cities after the large herb garden is established next year. He plans to further develop his technology so that he can decoct the herbs, add special plant starch, and make cold medicine granules. This would not only be convenient for patients but also increase the utilization rate and added value of the herbs. His eyes revealed an innovative and enterprising spirit, as if he were pioneering a new field.

Thinking of these bright future prospects, Link's heart was filled with anticipation and motivation. He knew that the road ahead was long, but as long as he persevered, he would surely achieve his dreams and goals. A firm belief shone on his face, as if telling himself that no matter how great the difficulties, he would forge ahead.

227. The other side

The vast Sahara Steppe, like a giant emerald carpet, seamlessly blends into the southeastern part of the Kingdom of England. This steppe is so expansive that even the three Kingdoms of England combined appear small in comparison. On this vibrant and wild land live numerous nomadic peoples, existing in tribal forms, each possessing a unique culture and traditions, scattered like stars across the steppe.

In recent years, the Sahara Steppe has welcomed a group of special "residents"—mostly orc tribes. The arrival of these tribes has made the situation on the steppe increasingly complex and tense. Conflict, like a dark cloud, frequently hangs over the land. The cause of these conflicts is mostly the struggle for fertile grasslands, ensuring that sheep and horses have enough grazing land. On this dog-eat-dog steppe, the grasslands are the lifeline, the foundation for the survival and development of the tribes.

On this vast, turbulent plain, Elsa, the eldest princess of the Brutu Orc Kingdom, shone like a dazzling star, radiating a unique brilliance. With her wisdom and courage, she established a massive orc tribe. This tribe, numbering thirty thousand, ranked among the top thirty largest in the entire Sahara. This tribe was like a formidable fortress, standing firm against the turbulent landscape.

Entering Elsa's tribe, the first thing that catches the eye is a continuous stretch of houses. These houses are round, and their unique shape complements the natural environment of the grassland. In the very center of the tribe, there is a particularly eye-catching house, more than twice the size of the others—that is Elsa's residence. This house is not only enormous but also exquisitely decorated, showcasing the noble status of its owner.

Inside the house, Elsa sat quietly by the fire, warming herself. Her golden eyes, however, seemed somewhat vacant as she stared blankly at the flickering flames. She had been in this position for half an hour, as if lost in deep thought.

Her thoughts drifted back to the past. She was already twenty-two years old, and as the eldest princess of the Brutus Orc Kingdom, she had been conquering far and wide for eight years. In those eight years, she had experienced countless battles and challenges. She had fought against the mysterious and powerful elves of the Forest of Life—a contest of wisdom and magic; she had battled the agile and ferocious bird-orcs of the Rocky Mountains—a duel of speed and strength; and she had fought fiercely against the humans—a conflict of race and interests.

However, fate played a cruel joke on her. In the end, the Brutus Orc Kingdom was destroyed, mercilessly swallowed by that damned natural disaster. It was an unprecedented catastrophe; mountains collapsed, the earth cracked, floods raged, and the entire kingdom was reduced to ruins in an instant. Her two years of hard work were all destroyed in an instant. She often wondered if everything she had done in those two years was in vain? Was she utterly incapable of changing the kingdom's fate?

The Brutus Orc Kingdom was destroyed by a devastating catastrophe, tearing apart all orc families, including her own. Her father, Bella's father, and many nobles refused to leave their once glorious land. They vowed to try to save the kingdom and fight the disaster to the end. However, in the end, they had to ask Elsa and the others to leave. This departure lasted five years. Five years is enough time to change many things, and it transformed her from a naive princess into a capable tribal leader.

Elsa is twenty-two years old this year. Four years ago, she arrived on the Sahara Steppe. Despite being a newcomer, she quickly established herself in this unfamiliar land thanks to her charisma and intelligence. In just four years, she commanded a large tribe of thirty thousand orcs. Her reputation was so great that tribes within a radius of dozens of kilometers dared not underestimate her. The tribal chiefs would show reverence when mentioning Elsa.

"Your Highness, lunch is ready." At that moment, a maid carefully entered carrying a tray and called out softly. Her voice was gentle and soothing, as if afraid of disturbing Elsa's thoughts.

"Hmm." Elsa's lion ears twitched slightly, as if startled by the maid's voice. She slowly turned her head, glanced at the large pieces of meat on the tray, and couldn't help but sigh, saying, "Lamb again?" Her tone carried a hint of helplessness and weariness.

“Yes, it’s a sheep that was just slaughtered this morning,” the maid replied softly, her eyes filled with respect and obedience.

"Slaughtering sheep again?" Elsa's golden eyebrows furrowed slightly, and a dignified expression appeared on her face. She said, "Didn't we just slaughter a batch of sheep the day before yesterday?" There was a hint of displeasure in her voice, clearly indicating her dissatisfaction with the frequent slaughter of sheep.

"Your Highness, the kills from the day before yesterday have already been distributed." The maid bowed her head and replied softly, her voice tinged with apology.

In tribes, collective sheep slaughter is a common practice. After slaughtering the sheep, the meat is distributed according to contribution. Older orcs and younger orcs, due to their weaker physical strength and relatively smaller contribution to the tribe, receive less meat; while knights and strong male orcs, as guardians of the tribe, need to maintain strong fighting power to defend against attacks from other tribes, so they receive more meat.

"Tell everyone to eat sparingly; winter is still a long way off." Elsa sighed and slowly sat down in the main seat. A hint of worry was in her eyes; she knew that food reserves were crucial during this long winter.

"Yes, I'll inform them right away," the maid said respectfully, quickly placing the lunch on the tray. It was a piece of mutton, about the size of an adult's palm, boiled in salt water, and looked somewhat coarse. Next to it was a cup of goat's milk, emitting a faint muttony smell.

Elsa stared at the mutton on the plate, its pungent smell causing her some displeasure. She didn't particularly like the smell, but she couldn't refuse to eat it. After all, in the dead of winter, there were hardly any green vegetables to eat on the entire Sahara. In fact, life on the Sahara was now all about slaughtering sheep for meat. Eating anything green was a luxury, unless one had to dig for grass roots in the snow.

Elsa tossed her long, golden hair, which shimmered brilliantly under the light. She picked up a small knife from the plate, carefully cut off a small piece of mutton, then opened her mouth, revealing a small, sharp tooth, and put the mutton in, chewing slowly. The mutton was a bit rough in texture and not particularly flavorful, but she still managed to swallow it.

"Isn't there some frozen vegetables left? Bring some over," Elsa said, looking up, her voice tinged with helplessness. She was finding it hard to swallow; after eating so much meat, she was almost sick of it. Mainly, the meat just didn't taste good; without any seasoning, it was incredibly bland.

In the tribe, resources were extremely scarce, and everything had to be used sparingly. Wood couldn't be used for fire, or rather, only Elsa could use wood; everyone else had to use dried sheep and horse dung. The dung emitted a pungent odor when burning, but it was the only option for warmth and cooking in the cold winter.

“Yes.” The maid hesitated for a moment, then immediately replied and stepped outside. She swept away a layer of snow, revealing wooden planks inside. It was a cave dwelling used to store food, such as the frozen vegetables Elsa had mentioned. These frozen vegetables were wild greens, like dandelions and violets; everyone had picked some on the day it snowed and stored them all here.

After these days of consumption, there weren't many wild vegetables left. The maid carefully went downstairs and brought back two dandelions that looked like they had been dehydrated. These dandelions no longer looked fresh and tender as before, but they had become shriveled and withered. However, blanching them in boiling water and then mixing them into mutton broth and mutton would still make a decent dish.

"How much frozen vegetables are left?" Elsa asked as she ate the frozen vegetables her maid had brought her, picked up a piece of meat and stuffed it into her mouth. "How many more days can I eat like this?" A hint of worry was in her eyes. She knew that these frozen vegetables were her only hope for improving her meals.

"Your Highness, there's only enough for nine days," the maid whispered. The amount she referred to was just one serving of frozen vegetables per day. In this cold winter, frozen vegetables were a precious ingredient, and no one wanted to eat more than that.

Elsa's hand, which was holding the frozen vegetables, froze. She silently put them down and picked up a piece of mutton, stuffing it into her mouth. She thought to herself, "I'll save these frozen vegetables for tonight." In this winter of scarcity, every bite of food seemed especially precious.

"Have them carefully skin those sheepskins, and see if any merchants from the Kingdom of England want to buy them next year," Elsa instructed. Her entire tribe had only two kinds of animals: sheep and horses, with sheep being the most numerous. In the first month of winter, they slaughtered many sheep, then froze the meat in the snow, and used the sheepskins to make houses or clothes.

Houses on the Sahara Steppe are mostly constructed with wooden frames, stitched together with sheepskins. This is how most tribes build their houses, and the Elsa tribe's houses are no exception. However, the Elsa houses have several layers of sheepskin stitched together, making them much warmer. These houses are finished before winter arrives. In the following days, sheep are slaughtered, and the sheepskins are piled up in the snow. If human merchants come next spring, they can sell them for some copper coins. After all, sheepskins become worthless after winter, and it will be difficult to sell them then.

In the Sahara, over 90% of the population relies on herding, primarily raising horses and sheep. It could be said that 30% of the warhorses of this era came from the Sahara. These horses are strong and agile, formidable weapons in war. The sheep are sold far and wide; their meat is delicious, and their fur is soft, making them highly sought after. However, all of this requires merchants for transportation, and Elsa's tribe, being an orc tribe, receives far too few merchants each year to buy horses and sheep.

No, it should be said that few merchants dared to come. Those who did come were small merchants, and they didn't buy much. These small merchants often had limited resources and couldn't handle large-scale transactions. Furthermore, the orc tribes were often perceived as barbaric and violent, which deterred many merchants. This was one of the factors limiting the tribe's development.

"Sigh..." Elsa sighed as she ate. They were no longer afraid of going hungry; they just wanted to improve their lives, but they had no way to do so. Looking at the snowy scenery outside the window, she felt a deep sense of helplessness. She knew that for the tribe to live a better life, they needed to engage in more communication and trade with the outside world.

"..." Elsa looked down at the mutton on the plate, smacked her lips, then turned to the maid and calmly asked, "Is the tribe running out of salt?" A hint of worry was in her eyes. Salt is an essential seasoning in life and an important substance for maintaining the normal functioning of the body.

"Yes," the maid nodded and said softly, "We're already using it sparingly." There was a hint of helplessness in her voice. She knew the importance of salt, but the tribe was indeed running low on it.

“We can do without anything, but not without salt.” Elsa pulled a burlap sack to wipe her hands; salt was a major problem for her tribe. She knew the importance of salt; without it, everyone would lack energy and suffer health problems. In her first year on the Sahara, she had learned the hard way about the lack of salt during the winter because she hadn’t prepared for it.

During the winter, the lack of salt left everyone weak and vulnerable, and they were then attacked by other tribes. Although they ultimately repelled the enemy, they suffered heavy losses. Many warriors were wounded or even killed in the battle. From then on, she deeply understood the importance of salt.

"Your Highness," the maid whispered, her voice tinged with worry, "that traveling merchant said something terrible happened in Yancheng. It was attacked by pirates, and many salt fields were destroyed. Production won't resume until next year." The incident in Yancheng had affected the salt supply across the entire grassland.

"What did the other traveling merchants say?" Elsa frowned and said coldly, "They said they were willing to pay 50% more for the salt." There was a hint of determination in her voice; she was willing to pay a higher price for the salt.

"This..." The maid hesitated for a moment, and only spoke after being glared at by Elsa, "They want three times the price." Her voice grew softer and softer, as if afraid of angering Elsa.

"What? Three times the price?" Elsa stood up abruptly, her lion tail swishing behind her, her golden eyes glaring. "Those damned humans, how could they be so greedy?" Her voice was filled with anger; she hadn't expected those traveling merchants to be so outrageous.

"Yes, they want three times the price, and then trade it for warhorses," the maid said slowly, a hint of helplessness in her voice. Those traveling merchants had clearly seen the needs of the Elsa tribe and wanted to make a quick buck.

"Impossible, don't even think about it." Elsa waved her hand and snorted coldly, "Those traveling merchants, we won't do business with them anymore." Her voice was full of determination; she wouldn't let those greedy traveling merchants succeed.

“Yes!” the maid replied. She knew Elsa’s temperament; once she made a decision, it was difficult to change it.

"Damn it," Elsa gritted her teeth, then slumped down, pressing her slender fingers to her forehead. The salt problem was a serious matter; without salt, everyone was completely powerless. She knew that if the salt issue wasn't resolved quickly, the tribe's fighting strength would be severely affected.

"Your Highness," the maid reported, her voice tinged with worry, "we have too many draft horses and lambs. If no one buys them next spring, there won't be enough grass for them to eat." Draft horses and lambs are vital assets to the tribe, but if they cannot be sold in time, it will cause significant trouble.

"This..." Elsa paused, her hand pressed against her forehead. This was yet another piece of bad news: they had enough production, but no market. She knew this was a problem that urgently needed to be solved; if they couldn't find a market in time, the tribe's economic development would be hindered.

The sheep and draft horses currently kept in captivity are being fed hay. A month before winter, hay is prepared, but sheep and draft horses won't grow fat on it; it only ensures they don't starve. The lambs cannot be eaten, as this is crucial for the Elsa tribe's food supply next year. If there are too few lambs, by May or June next year, there will be a shortage of sheep, leading to food shortages for the tribe.

But there are too many lambs and draft horses now, and it's definitely hard to kill them. So the only option is to sell some next spring to restore the ecological balance of the grassland. The problem is that nobody's buying them. The human merchants all go to other human tribes to buy sheep and draft horses, but they refuse to come to Elsa's tribe.

"Your Highness, shall we expand the pastures again next year?" the maid asked in a deep voice. She could only think of one solution: to wage war, conquer several tribes, and seize their pastures, thus providing grazing land for the sheep and horses. A resolute glint appeared in her eyes; she was willing to sacrifice everything for the tribe's development.

"..." Elsa closed her eyes in thought. War could only solve the immediate predicament; it couldn't be a long-term solution. The fundamental reason was to trade with merchants, exchanging sheep and draft horses for money—no, for supplies such as salt, linen, ironware, and ceramics... She knew that only through trade could the tribe truly develop.

"Have any other big merchants come to the Sahara recently?" Elsa asked casually, deciding to take the initiative and find a solution to the problem.

"No, merchants don't want to come out in winter," the maid replied, a hint of helplessness in her voice. The cold and heavy snow of winter discouraged many merchants from going out to do business.

Elsa remained silent. She truly needed a wealthy merchant to buy her sheep and draft horses. As for warhorses, she wouldn't sell them; her tribe didn't have many. Of course, she would sell some if they were valuable. However, humans held a deep-seated prejudice against orcs, treating them as if they were afraid of being robbed if they came to her tribe. In their minds, orc tribes were often symbols of barbarity and violence, which made them extremely hesitant to trade with them.

"Spread the word that our tribe has plenty of sheep and draft horses, and if anyone wants to buy, we can offer a 20% discount," Elsa said calmly. She had no other choice. The neighboring kingdom of Yingluo was their largest market, and if the humans didn't come to her tribe to buy sheep and horses, they would simply pile up. She knew that only by lowering prices could she attract merchants to trade.

"Yes." The maid nodded. She knew that Elsa's decision was for the development of the tribe, and she would do her best to carry it out.

"Hoo..." Elsa let out a soft sigh, waving her hand to dismiss the maid. She needed some peace and quiet. She sat in a chair, gazing at the snowy landscape outside the window, her mind filled with countless thoughts. She knew the tribe faced many difficulties and challenges, but she would not give up; she would lead the tribe to a brighter future.

The maid bowed, tidied the table, and left. Elsa was left alone in the room, sitting quietly, contemplating the tribe's future. How she would lead the tribe to prosperity on this vast grassland, full of opportunities and challenges, was a pressing question.

228. Charge

At dawn, the biting wind howled wildly outside like a raging beast. The howling sound seemed to break through all obstacles and relentlessly penetrate every corner.

The old paper windows trembled and creaked in the fierce wind, sounding like the painful groans of a weathered old man. The sound was sharp and piercing, like someone scraping hard metal with long fingernails, each sound drilling straight into the ear, disturbing the peace and shattering Link's sweet dream.

"Really..." Link sighed helplessly, slowly opening his slightly tired eyes. His gaze was somewhat vacant as he stared blankly at the dilapidated ceiling, its mottled marks resembling mysterious runes left by time. He couldn't help but complain inwardly, "This cold wind is so inconsiderate; it won't even let me sleep in."

These days, Link had been constantly busy and rarely wanted to sleep in a little longer in the early morning, but the annoying wind wouldn't let him go. His body was still immersed in the afterglow of his dreams, and his limbs felt heavy, as if they were bound by invisible shackles.

"Click!" Just then, a soft sound broke the silence inside the room. The old wooden door was slowly pushed open a crack, like a shy girl cautiously peeking out from behind a small gap at the world inside.

Henrietta's small head, like a startled fawn, slowly squeezed through the crack in the door. Her brown eyes, like two deep gems, sparkled with a lively light, and at this moment, she looked towards the bedside with a hint of curiosity and shyness.

That glance met Link's dark eyes. Those dark eyes, like the brightest stars in the night sky, were deep and mysterious, as if they held endless stories.

"..." Henrietta blinked in confusion, her long eyelashes fluttering gently like butterfly wings. Her mind was filled with questions. Why was Lord Link up so early today? According to her plan, with the snow falling today, Lord Link would definitely sleep in.

These days, Link is always surrounded by other people. Either Luca is there like a loyal guardian, always by Link's side, or Yukikaze comes like a gust of wind, monopolizing Link's sleep for days on end. This has prevented Henrietta from having the chance to carry out her little plan.

This morning, she got up early and looked out the window at the snowflakes falling gently, like a group of white fairies dancing in the air. She was delighted, knowing that in this kind of weather, Lord Link would definitely stay in bed and sleep in. So, with her ulterior motive, she hurried over, only to find that Link was already awake.

"Come in." Link saw Henrietta, a lazy smile playing on his lips, and waved, his voice still slightly hoarse from not being fully awake.

"Why are you awake so early?" Link asked with concern, a hint of doubt in his eyes. Last night, he had been playing cards with Henrietta, Bernice, and the others, having a great time. Later, Catherine, Darlene, and Eliza joined them, and with so many people, the game became more and more exciting, and before they knew it, it was around two in the morning.

"Lord Link." Henrietta blushed slightly, a faint blush rising on her fair cheeks like the brilliant sunset. She gently pushed open the door and stepped inside, her steps hesitant, somewhat afraid to meet Link's gaze. After all, she had come with a special purpose, and she couldn't help feeling a little shy and nervous.

"What's wrong? Are you sick?" Link raised an eyebrow at Henrietta's unusual expression, his eyes full of concern. He looked at Henrietta strangely, then slowly moved his body, gently lifted a corner of the blanket, patted the bed, and said softly, his voice as gentle as a spring breeze, "You're dressed too lightly, come and lie down for a bit."

At this moment, Henrietta was wearing a thin nightgown, the flimsy fabric offering no protection against the biting cold. Although she wore a military overcoat, it was barely enough to keep her warm in the fierce wind. Link could clearly see Henrietta's trembling body, like a leaf drifting in the cold wind.

"Huh?" Henrietta froze, her brown eyes staring blankly at Link, as if frozen in place. The blush on her cheeks deepened, like a ripe apple, tempting one to take a bite. She slowly lowered her head, like a child who had done something wrong, and moved step by step to the bedside.

"Aren't you cold?" Link shook his head helplessly, feeling a pang of heartache. He reached out and gently tugged at Henrietta's arm. Her arm was icy cold, like a piece of cold jade. With a slight pull, Link managed to get Henrietta onto the bed.

Then, he reached out and gently pulled off the military overcoat she was wearing, his movements soft and natural, before covering her with a warm blanket. The blanket, still warm from Link's body, exuded a faint, cozy scent.

"..." Henrietta suddenly slipped into the warm bed, and the huge temperature difference made her shiver, goosebumps rising on her skin. Her petite body trembled slightly in the blankets, like a frightened little rabbit.

"What's wrong? Are you cold?" Link felt Henrietta shivering, and his heart tightened. He reached out and gently pulled Henrietta into his arms, his movements tender yet firm. He said softly, "It's snowing today, and the wind is howling outside. You went out wearing so little. What if you get sick?"

"I, I..." Henrietta stammered, her cheeks flushed crimson, the blush spreading all the way to her neck like a blooming red rose. A rosy hue crept onto her neck, like the clouds at sunset. She inhaled the faint, pleasant scent emanating from Link, a unique and comforting aroma. She felt the strong, warm beating of Link's heart, like the most beautiful melody in the world.

At this moment, Henrietta's mind went blank, as if she were in a dream world. This was the first time she had been held like this by Lord Link, and in bed no less. This intimate contact made her think of many indecent scenes, and she felt both shy and expectant.

"What? Aren't you afraid of getting sick? What if you get a serious illness and need injections?" Link's lips curled up into a mischievous smile as he whispered in a slightly threatening tone, "An injection in the butt, you know."

"Huh?" Henrietta heard this and her eyes widened. She shook her head repeatedly, her voice filled with panic, and cried out, "I don't want to! I'm not sick!"

After saying that, Henrietta subconsciously covered her bottom, as if Link was really going to give her a shot right away. Her adorable appearance made Link burst out laughing.

"If you don't want to get a shot, then you should keep warm and wear more clothes," Link gently instructed, his eyes full of care.

"Okay, I understand." Henrietta nodded obediently, looking like a well-behaved schoolchild. Getting injections was one of her biggest fears; every time she thought about the feeling of the cold needle piercing her skin, she couldn't help but shiver.

"You came so early? Is something the matter?" Link gently stroked Henrietta's fluffy fox ears, the soft touch sending a shiver through him.

"I, I..." Henrietta opened her mouth slightly, wanting to say something, but hesitated. Her eyes flickered, as if she was thinking about how to start the conversation.

"What? Is it a shadow puppet show?" Link raised an eyebrow, a gentle smile on his face, and said softly, "Shadow puppet shows don't start that early. We'll have to wait a little longer; the trial performance won't begin until ten o'clock."

It turned out that the shadow puppet show had already been rehearsed. The performers were carefully selected from Xiyang City; they all had some basic acting skills. After several days of training with Link, everyone had mastered the performance techniques. Today was the day of the performance, and it was only around seven in the morning, two hours before the show started.

"No, no." Henrietta blushed and shook her head slightly, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible, barely audible, as she said, "Lord Link, do you really like small breasts?"

"Huh? Henrietta, what did you say? I didn't hear you clearly, speak louder." Link turned his head and brought his face close to Henrietta's, his warm breath brushing against her face.

"Uh..." Link gazed at Henrietta's blushing face, her brown eyes glistening with moisture, like ripples spreading across a clear lake. She gave off a pitiful, endearing aura, making one want to protect her.

"..." Link wasn't a novice anymore. Anyone who wasn't an idiot would understand what to do based on Henrietta's appearance. He also somewhat understood Henrietta's purpose in coming here, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.

"Mmm..." Henrietta's body trembled slightly, her petite frame quivering gently in Link's arms. She opened her tightly closed eyes slightly, stealing a glance at Link, but upon seeing his gentle gaze, she quickly closed them again, like a frightened little bird.

"Ta Tata..."

Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside, accompanied by Luca's puzzled voice, "Why is Lord Link's door open?"