“Stay for lunch today,” The General said. “I heard you’ve been granted the title of County Princess! If you have time, chat with your grandfather for a while?”

Zhao Shijie nodded, looking at Lin Yuxin with satisfaction.

When he learned that the Emperor had bestowed upon Yuxin the title of Pingning County Princess and sent her to Beicheng, he had been both surprised and worried.

This was no small matter—he had no idea what the situation there was like.

A young girl like her, regardless of her abilities, might not be accepted by the officials in that region.

But now that the decision was made, he had no power to stop it.

He had rushed to the palace last night after hearing the news, only to find that the Emperor had no intention of changing his decree.

That was when he knew the matter was settled.

Moreover, last night he had received a letter from his daughter, which reassured him.

He had immediately selected twenty men overnight to accompany Yuxin on her journey.

“Alright,” Yuxin nodded. “Once I’m free, I’ll explain the details to Grandfather. But first, I want to visit my Second Uncle.”

After acknowledging the invitation to lunch, she bowed to her grandfather before leaving, heading straight for her Second Uncle’s courtyard.

As she entered, she saw her Second Aunt supporting her Second Uncle as he went through rehabilitation exercises.

“Second Uncle!”

Yuxin greeted him as she approached.

“Ah, Yuxin is here! Come, have a seat!”

Second Aunt was delighted to see her and quickly invited her to sit.

“Second Aunt, don’t mind me. Just focus on helping Second Uncle. How are you feeling, Uncle? Do your legs still hurt anywhere?”

Yuxin smiled and reassured her Second Aunt before turning her attention to her uncle’s condition.

“Hmm, much better now! I can even take a few steps without assistance.”

Zhao Yingfeng’s leg injury had nearly healed, lifting much of the gloom from his heart.

His refined demeanor made it hard to believe he was once a battlefield veteran.

“That’s great! Keep up with the rehabilitation, and soon you’ll be able to walk freely again.”

Yuxin then turned serious. “Uncle, sit down. I have something important to discuss with you.”

“Go ahead,” Zhao Yingfeng replied, noticing her grave expression.

With his wife’s support, he moved to sit on the bed before looking at Yuxin attentively.

“Uncle, I had planned to wait until your leg was fully healed before detoxifying you. But things have changed. The Emperor is sending me out of the capital, and I might be gone for months. I’d rather detoxify you before I leave.”

“However, your poisoning is complicated, and I can’t guarantee success. But I will do my best—I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Yuxin spoke seriously, her brows furrowed in determination.

She had spent the entire night thinking it through while preparing her medicine.

If she delayed the detoxification until she returned, who knew what damage the poison would cause in the meantime?

It could even harm her uncle’s healing legs again.

She refused to believe that, with her skills and the help of Zhi Zhi, she couldn’t resolve this poison!

Zhao Yingfeng studied her expression, secretly amused by her stubbornness.

This little girl was truly adorable.

“Yuxin, I understand. If not for you, I wouldn’t even be standing today. I trust you. No matter the outcome, I won’t blame you.”

“And besides, I believe in your abilities. You can cure me.”

Zhao Yingfeng’s voice carried deep gratitude—only he knew how much he owed Yuxin for pulling him out of his darkest days.

“You’re exaggerating, Uncle. But since you’re prepared, let’s begin!”

Yuxin, uncomfortable with the emotional gratitude, quickly redirected the conversation to the real task.

“Right now?”

Both Zhao Yingfeng and his wife, Chen Lanzhi, were taken aback by the sudden timing.

“Yes, today.” Lin Yuxin nodded firmly. “If I treat Uncle now, I’ll have two days to observe him. If anything unexpected happens, I can handle it. But if I leave the capital without doing this, things could become much more complicated.”

Poison was unpredictable—it could worsen at any time.

After a brief silence, Zhao Yingfeng finally nodded. “Alright, Yuxin. I trust you. Do what you need to.”

“Good!” Lin Yuxin breathed a sigh of relief.

She had worried he might refuse, in which case she would have had no choice but to hope he stayed safe until she returned. But now that he agreed, she could go all in.

“I’ll wait outside,” Chen Lanzhi said. “Call me if you need anything.”

She didn’t hesitate, knowing the importance of the matter.

After helping her husband lie down, she left the room and instructed the servants to inform the elders.

Yuxin stood by the bed, retrieving a set of silver needles from her robe.

Holding one between her fingers, she looked at Zhao Yingfeng solemnly.

“Uncle, I’m starting now.”

“Go ahead.”

Zhao Yingfeng smiled gently at her before closing his eyes, placing his trust entirely in her hands.

Yuxin didn’t hesitate.

She swiftly inserted the needles into key acupuncture points.

After just two needles, Zhao Yingfeng lost consciousness.

Lin Yuxin adjusted her technique, shifting from anesthesia needles to those that protected his vital meridians.

For half an hour, she continued the procedure, her forehead glistening with sweat.

Despite the effort, only about twenty needles were inserted.

“Now comes the crucial part.”

She pulled out a pill, feeding it to Zhao Yingfeng before summoning a small creature.

“Zhi Zhi!”

Why are you calling me out?

“I need your help.”

No way! You never kept your last promise to me!

“If you help me this time, I’ll fulfill it immediately!”

Hmm… Let me hear what you need first!

“My uncle has poison in his body. I’ve secured his heart meridian and gathered the toxins in one place. I need you to help me extract them.”

Lin Yuxin coaxed the little creature, her tone especially gentle—after all, she needed its help.

Their relationship was nothing like the idealized bonds between masters and spirit beasts in novels.

This one was temperamental—if provoked, it could easily throw a tantrum.

Last time, she had tossed it back into her space too casually after using its help, and in retaliation, it had destroyed her entire medicinal garden.

Fine! Let me take a look first!

“Thank you, Zhi Zhi!”

Hehe, just have my reward ready!

Although Zhi Zhi pretended to be indifferent, its tiny body trembled with excitement.