Yechen resignedly drew the longsword, carefully wiping away the bloodstains before disposing of the man’s corpse.  

With practiced ease, he hoisted Yan Shiyao onto his back and walked over to Xuan Yanyu, handing him the sword. With lingering fear, he said, “Your Highness, fortunately, we arrived in time.”  

Otherwise, the Crown Princess… Yechen shook his head, not daring to dwell on the thought.  

Xuan Yanyu took the sword and lifted his eyelids slightly. “Investigate.”  

“Understood.” Yechen’s expression turned grave.  

This matter had to be thoroughly investigated—whoever dared to target their Crown Princess would pay!  

“Send her back and have Yejian fetch a physician,” the man said, tilting his head to glance at Yan Shiyao.  

“Your Highness, where are you going?”  

“To dine.”  

Yechen stared at Xuan Yanyu’s retreating figure, his mind struggling to catch up. Dine? Shouldn’t His Highness be staying by Miss Yan’s side?! Shouldn’t he be comforting her and reassuring her not to be afraid?! Is this really the time for a meal?!

Xuan Yanyu arrived at the dining hall and narrowed his eyes. Only Luo Xuan and Qi Qingchen were seated on the wooden chairs. He walked over and took a seat.  

“Lord Xuan, why have you come alone? Where is Miss Yan?” Luo Xuan asked with a smile.  

“Yaoyao said she wanted to stroll around and not to wait for her for dinner,” Qi Qingchen interjected.  

Xuan Yanyu raised an eyebrow.  

“Then let’s eat,” Luo Xuan instructed the maidservants waiting nearby to begin serving the dishes.  

“Where’s Yan Yuning?” Xuan Yanyu fiddled with the wooden chopsticks in his hand, asking casually.  

Luo Xuan bit her lip. “Miss Yan… vomited blood and fainted today. She’s in very weak condition.”  

She paused, lifting her gaze to Qi Qingchen. “Just now, Brother Qingchen and I discussed letting her rest in her room for a few days and eat light meals.”  

Xuan Yanyu frowned, set down his chopsticks, and stood up to leave.  

Once outside the dining hall, Xuan Yanyu halted. What did Yan Yuning have to do with him? Why was he concerned about her?  

After a long silence, the man’s tightly furrowed brows relaxed. Yaoyao is already overwhelmed—it’s only right that I check on her behalf.

“Your Highness, why are you here? Weren’t you going to dine?” Yechen, startled to see Xuan Yanyu, nearly stumbled mid-step.  

Xuan Yanyu glanced at the tray in Yechen’s hands, then took in the Taoyuan manor commoner’s attire he was wearing. His lips twitched. “What are you doing?”  

At this, Yechen felt aggrieved. “Your Highness, after escorting Miss Yan back, I happened to run into Yan Yuning sneaking around. I was about to ask what she was up to, but as soon as she saw me, she ordered me to fetch food from the dining hall for her.”  

Xuan Yanyu smirked. “And you agreed?”  

“I… of course I refused! But she threatened to call people over and accuse me of being a thief if I didn’t comply. To avoid trouble, I had no choice but to agree.”  

Xuan Yanyu chuckled. “Why not run off halfway?”  

Ye Chen straightened his back. “Your Highness, am I the kind of man who goes back on his word?”  

Xuan Yanyu extended his hand and said coolly, “Give it to me.”  

“Your Highness, I can handle it.”  

Xuan Yanyu’s lips curled into an amused smile. “Yechen.”  

A chill ran down Ye Chen’s spine. He handed over the tray. “Here, Your Highness. You go.”  

The moment the words left his mouth, he bolted.  

….

Inside the room.

Yan Yuning lay sprawled on the bed. [I wonder if Yechen is reliable. What if he ran off halfway?]

Fafa: [Master, your body is too weak right now. You shouldn’t eat anything else. The food Luo Xuan sent you is good for your health.]

[Whose fault is that?] Yan Yuning rolled onto her back and sighed as she eyed the bland meal on the round table in the distance.  

Fafa: […]

[If I weren’t on the verge of fainting after two steps, I’d have gone to the dining hall myself long ago.]

Fafa: […]  

[Fafa, I just realized—why was Yechen coming out of my sister’s room?] Yan Yuning abruptly sat up, her head spinning, before collapsing weakly again.  

Fafa: [Yan Shiyao nearly had an accident. He was the one who brought her back.]

Yan Yuning crossed her legs, swinging one foot idly. [What does the book say about this?]

Knock knock. A sharp rap sounded at the door.  

Yan Yuning’s eyes brightened. “Come in.”  

When she saw Xuan Yanyu, she wrinkled her nose—she’d been expecting Yechen with her food.  

“Disappointed to see me?” The man’s lips curved into a smirk.  

“No.” The girl’s lashes curved into little crescents.  

“Oh? No?”  

That was definitely a flicker of disappointment on her face.  

The girl on the bed raised four fingers, her eyes bright and clear. “I swear, no.”  

Xuan Yanyu paused, then let out a low chuckle.  

Yan Yuning swallowed. The man’s sharp, smiling profile was striking—enough to make her heart skip a beat.  

Dressed in a black robe cinched at the waist with a sash of the same color, his attire was simple yet elegant. His ink-black hair was secured with a golden crown, and his tall frame exuded an innate nobility.  

Cough. A muffled sound escaped her, and a trickle of blood seeped from the corner of her lips.  

[Fafa, what’s happening?!]

Fafa: [Master, it’s fine! It’s good that you coughed it up.]

[You’re not lying to me, right? Why do I… feel like fainting again…?] A buzzing filled Yan Yuning’s head as her body swayed uncontrollably backward.  

Fafa: [… Master, I’m really not lying. Who knew you were this fragile?]

A surge of unease gripped Xuan Yanyu. With a loud clatter, he tossed the tray he’d hidden behind him onto the round table and caught Yan Yuning before she hit the bed.  

His fingers pressed against her slender wrist, and his brows furrowed. “How is she this weak?”  

After a brief hesitation, he bent down, scooped her into his arms, and strode out of the room.  

… 

In a corner of the courtyard, Luo Xuan glanced up and caught sight of Xuan Yanyu carrying Yan Yuning, walking hurriedly away. Her eyes narrowed slightly.  

“Nuonuo, now’s the perfect time. Take Yan Shiyao to the secret chamber.”  

Brother Qingchen is mine alone. No one can take him from me—no one!

A twisted smile played on Luo Xuan’s lips.  

“Clan Leader, why must we fear him?” Nuonuo frowned.  

Luo Xuan brushed her painted nails against her cheek. “Xuan Yanyu doesn’t seem like an ordinary man. It’s best to avoid him.”  

“Understood. Nuonuo will handle it immediately.”  

…

Xuan Yanyu carried Yan Yuning straight to the inn. He had brought the royal physician on this trip to Qilan Kingdom precisely to prepare for unforeseen circumstances.  

“Your Highness, this is…?” Physician Wen rubbed his eyes, hardly believing what he was seeing.  

Yejian’s pancake slipped from his fingers and hit the floor with a smack. He stood frozen in place.  

He and Ye Chen had grown up by His Highness’s side, yet they had never seen him carry a woman—not even the Crown Princess, whom the Xuan King had personally chosen. Whenever something happened to her, His Highness always had Yechen carry her instead.  

At most, the prince might offer an arm for support. Yejian had often worried about when the Crown Prince’s residence would finally welcome a little heir, given His Highness’s detachment. Now, he was even more concerned. Why is His Highness carrying the Crown Princess’s younger sister?

And from the looks of it, he was even having Physician Wen examine her.  

Physician Wen was the head of the Imperial Medical Bureau, serving only the Xuan King, the Queen, and the Crown Prince. Even the imperial concubines and princesses couldn’t secure his services when they fell ill.  

His Highness had been by Yan Shiyao’s side for over a year, and though she’d fallen sick before, he’d never brought her to Physician Wen.  

…Could His Highness actually be considering taking Yan Yuning as a concubine?

Well… it’s not impossible…

“Physician Wen, examine her.” Xuan Yanyu’s voice snapped Yejian out of his wild thoughts. Silently, he picked up the fallen pancake and stepped aside.