Chapter 15: More Humane Than She Thought

Huaining’s face was full of concern as she rushed over. Yao’s face was pale, and it took her a while to regain her composure. Finally, she came to her senses.

It was just a dream.

Huaining held her hands, her eyes slightly red, “You were injured saving me. I was so scared. It’s good that you’re alright.”

If Yao hadn’t helped her dodge the arrow, she might not be alive now.

Yao pulled at the corner of her lips, still feeling weak, “It’s good that the princess is alright.”

She turned her head to look at her shoulder. It had already been bandaged, and the bright red blood was still staining the gauze. It hurt to move.

“Of course, I’m fine. But, I was hit by an arrow from those assassins, I lost a lot of blood, and I was thrown off the horse. Luckily, Your Highness arrived in time, otherwise, I might have bled to death.”

Huaining spoke with a sense of guilt. If Yao really thought she had saved her, she would be indebted to her for life.

Yao was stunned, “Your Highness saved me?”

“Yes, Your Highness was worried that you were missing. He mobilized almost all the horses and searched the entire hunting grounds before finally finding you. The imperial physician said that if he had arrived a little later, you might have been in danger!”

Yao was a little stunned. Ling Xiao had actually saved her?

She thought he would be happy to see her gone.

Huaining continued, “Those assassins are so bold! They dared to ambush us in the hunting grounds and assassinate His Majesty. Your Highness will definitely find out who is behind this and then cut them into a thousand pieces!”

A palace maid, unable to hold back, whispered, “Princess, the imperial physician specifically instructed that the Military Marquis’s wife needs to rest.”

“Ah, yes, you’re right.”

Huaining realized her mistake and quickly changed the subject, “Rest for now, I’ll come back later.”

Yao nodded slightly, “Okay.”

Huaining had just gotten up when she came back, her expression serious, “You saved my life this time, I owe you a debt. If you need anything in the future, just ask.”

Yao smiled, “Thank you, Princess.”

“Don’t thank me for being righteous!”

Huaining reminded Yao to rest well before being urged away by the palace maids.

The tent finally became quiet. A maid brought in a bowl of medicine, “Madam, please take your medicine.”

The maid helped Yao sit up and lean against the soft cushion.

The maid held the bowl of medicine and fed her a spoonful. Yao wrinkled her nose at the bitterness, reaching for the bowl, “I’ll take it myself.”

She took the bowl and drank it down in one gulp.

The maid quickly took a handkerchief to wipe the corner of her lips and patted her back, “Madam, take it easy.”

Yao put down the bowl, “It’s still bitter.”

The maid couldn’t help but smile, “Madam, you’re still joking at this time.”

At least you’re alive, that’s a good thing.

“It’s fortunate that Your Highness arrived in time. Otherwise, if he had been delayed for another half an hour, you might have really been in trouble.”

Yao couldn’t help but ask, “Did Your Highness really send someone to look for me?”

When Huaining mentioned it earlier, she thought she was exaggerating.

After all, Huaining was very fond of Ling Xiao, so she might have been exaggerating.

“Of course, who else could have easily mobilized the imperial guards? Your Highness cares about you very much.” The maid said firmly.

Yao pursed her lips, “In this world, only my husband…”

Although she said this, she knew that Ling Xiao was different.

“Anyway, it’s good that you’re alright!”

Yao nodded slightly, “Okay.”

–

Ling Xiao returned from the palace, and Sword followed behind, “Your Highness.”

“How is she?” he asked in a low voice.

Sword reacted quickly, “The imperial physician has already treated her wound. It’s not a serious injury, so she just needs to rest for a few days. The maids sent word that she has already woken up, and the princess has been staying with her. She’s talking to her now.”

Ling Xiao’s brows furrowed slightly, his voice flat, “Ask the princess to leave.”

He was afraid that she wouldn’t be able to rest if she was constantly being disturbed.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The others saw this and also tried to stop them, “Don’t disturb her, she needs to rest.”

…

They were about to set off back to the capital. The hunting grounds were inevitably noisy, and it would be better to return to the mansion to rest peacefully.

Sword hesitated for a moment, then asked, “Your Highness, are you alright?”

Sword had been following the Military Marquis for a long time, and he had never seen him so concerned, making such meticulous arrangements.

He guessed that he probably wouldn’t be able to rest until he had personally checked on her.

Ling Xiao lowered his eyes, his expression calm, “No need.”

Then, he turned and left.

Sword was stunned. He didn’t have time to think about why, so he quickly followed his pace.

–

After Huaining left, she didn’t come back to visit again.

Yao took her medicine and managed to eat a little bit of food. Then, she lay down. The maids said that they would be leaving for the capital soon.

The next morning, with the sound of horns, they set off back to the capital.

“Madam, we’re going back to the capital. The journey will be long and tiring. The princess has ordered a carriage for you to lie down in. I’ll have the maids carry you on a stretcher.” The maid was busy packing their belongings, and she spoke quickly.

Yao propped herself up and said directly, “It’s not that serious. It’s just a shoulder injury, my legs are fine. I can ride in the carriage myself. There’s no need to be so troublesome.”

“Madam!” The maid quickly dropped her belongings and rushed over to help her.

Yao took two steps, “It’s alright, I’m fine. Don’t worry about it.”

The maid smiled, “Yes, Madam, as you wish.”

The maid quickly took a cloak and put it on Yao, then helped her up.

The carriage was already waiting outside.

It was a magnificent carriage with a luxurious canopy, twice the size of an ordinary carriage. It was made of nanmu wood and was very imposing.

Yao stopped, unable to help but ask, “This is too extravagant.”

The maid thought for a moment, “Since Madam is the Military Marquis’s wife, Your Highness hasn’t said anything about it.”

Yao bit her lip, but she didn’t say anything else. She let the maid help her into the carriage.

Just as she was about to step onto the carriage steps, Yao suddenly saw Ling Xiao standing in the distance.

The scene was very noisy, with carriages lined up at the end of the road, waiting for the nobles to leave. After all, everyone was leaving for the capital today.

Palace guards were shuttling back and forth, and nobles were getting into their carriages in pairs. The scene was bustling.

But Ling Xiao stood out. His tall figure made him stand out from the crowd, and his invisible aura made him impossible to ignore.

As soon as their eyes met, Ling Xiao withdrew his gaze and turned around.

“Your Highness.” She called out.

Ling Xiao’s footsteps paused, and he turned his head.

He was wearing a cloak, his figure as slender as a willow branch. His hair was loose, without any hairpins, and his pale face was devoid of makeup. His eyes were clear and bright.

He clenched and then released his fist, his expression calm, “What is it?”