Granted, let them in.

The man grabbed the woman's wrist with his other hand, drawing her into his embrace. One of his hands held down her flailing hands, while the other slowly channeled his inner energy into her. He curved his lips into a faint smile, his eyes clear, soft, and serene. "Shh, stop fussing. I just want to quietly accompany you for a while."

After all... he had no idea how much longer he would be able to accompany her...

Feeling the man's light and gentle breathing beside her, along with the cool yet soothing sensation of energy flowing into her abdomen, she curved her lips into a faint smile and drifted off to sleep. His embrace carried a certain comforting warmth, making it feel inexplicably like a secure and reliable haven. Oh well, considering how dedicatedly he had been taking care of her these past few days, she, Yun Qiange, would be the bigger person and let it slide for today.

At this moment, Situ Lexuan was feeling extremely distressed. If anyone asked why she was distressed, it was entirely because of Dongfang Mingxuan. Did he have any idea how expensive it was to take him out? Ever since she met him, her little treasury had been completely emptied by him. Standing under the scorching sun, she speechlessly shook her empty money pouch and sighed deeply once more.

"Why do you need Hongzhe to accompany you all to the princess's mansion?" asked a young man standing beside Situ Lexuan.

He was dressed in a blue brocade robe, secured at the waist with a matching blue jade belt, and a silver precious sword hung at his side. For convenience in practicing martial arts, his raven hair was tied back with nothing more than a fine blue ribbon. The man possessed a handsome face with thick eyebrows, a high-bridge nose, and amber-colored eyes. Every movement he made exuded a refined and scholarly demeanor, tinged with a gentle aura.

"It's all because that damn princess saved Dongfang Mingxuan the other day and got injured in the process. Mingxuan insists that he cannot rest easy and is making me take him to the princess's mansion to pay a visit. You know as well as I do that the princess is notoriously unhinged and brutally cruel. I'm afraid she might turn around and bite Mingxuan and me back. Hongzhe, your martial arts are excellent, so if anything goes wrong, you can protect us."

The man pressed his cherry-like lips together, his dark eyes dimming slightly. "She's injured? Is it serious?"

Situ Lexuan looked at her close friend with a puzzled expression. Why did Hongzhe acting a bit strange today? Uncomprehending, she replied, "Well, yes. Judging by how things looked a few days ago, it's not very optimistic."

"Is that so? Hongzhe is merely worried that he might not be of any help to Miss Lexuan," Baili Hongzhe smiled gently, his tone modest yet entirely devoid of affectation.

"How could that be? Even Her Majesty the Empress has to show deference to General Baili. If anything happens later, you simply must put in a good word for Mingxuan and me."

Baili Hongzhe nodded. As he thought of the woman in the cold palace—as aloof as the moon, shrouded in mystery and sorrow—a fleeting, brilliant flash of light crossed his obsidian-like eyes. Princess, we are going to meet again so soon.

At that moment, the sunlight was just right, and the air was filled with the chirping of birds and the fragrance of flowers. Yun Qiange had ordered her bed to be moved into the courtyard so she could lie down and bask in the sun. For some inexplicable reason, she suddenly let out a massive sneeze. Rubbing her nose, she muttered to herself, "Strange, I've already transmigrated into a person like this, could someone actually still be missing me?"

Just then, Xiangcao walked toward her from outside. "Your Highness, Situ Lexuan, the daughter of the Minister of Rites; Baili Hongzhe, the son of General Baili; and Dongfang Mingxuan, the top courtesan of Liufang Pavilion, request an audience."

"Not seeing them." She closed her eyes. What nonsense was this? She didn't know these people at all, okay?

Xiangcao nodded and turned to leave. "Dongfang Mingxuan said that if Your Highness is unwilling to see him, she should at least allow me to convey his gratitude for Your Highness saving his life."

The moment she heard Xiangcao say that, Yun Qiange felt as if she had been injected with adrenaline. Since someone was here to repay a favor, how could she possibly refuse? As the saying goes, what's free shouldn't be refused. Right now, she had nothing to her name. Fine, she decided to drop the act of being magnanimous—could they possibly be here to deliver money?

That would be wonderful; she was desperately short on cash right now. Without a moment's hesitation, she waved her hand grandly. "Granted, let them in."