Time was running out.
Qin Man quickly gathered her essential equipment, slung a woven bamboo basket over her shoulder, and prepared to enter the mountains. Before she could leave camp, however, Su Li informed her that Princess Mo Yueyao had expressly forbidden her from going alone and had ordered Grand Preceptor Xiao Ruochen to accompany her as an escort.
Qin Man found the arrangement perfectly reasonable.
If the wilderness concealed mountain tigers or other predators, her complete lack of martial arts training would make her little more than an easy meal.
The surrounding mountain range was not especially tall, but the untamed subtropical vegetation grew densely. Venomous snakes and dangerous insects lurked throughout the humid undergrowth. Since there were no nearby villages, there were no established trails. Every step required caution.
Today, Xiao Ruochen wore a fitted black robe.
Against the backdrop of the wild forest, his tall figure appeared especially striking. His flawless features retained their usual cold elegance, carrying the distant refinement of an immortal untouched by worldly affairs.
Every time Qin Man looked at him, her modern mind silently acknowledged one undeniable fact.
The man was absurdly handsome.
“Grand Preceptor,” she teased while using a wooden staff to push aside thick weeds, “this delicate lady will have to rely entirely on your protection today.”
“Call me by my name.”
His response was as cold as ever.
Qin Man smiled.
“Of course, Grand Preceptor Xiao Ruochen.”
For a brief moment, Xiao Ruochen’s expression darkened.
Qin Man pretended not to notice.
Her full attention remained on identifying medicinal plants while Xiao Ruochen maintained constant vigilance over their surroundings. Every potential danger was eliminated before it could approach her.
The arrangement resembled a VIP traveling through hostile territory under the protection of an elite bodyguard.
The mountain contained an abundance of medicinal herbs, but the specific antiviral plants Qin Man needed remained frustratingly elusive.
Even so, she gathered basket after basket of useful ingredients.
When the basket became too heavy, Xiao Ruochen silently removed it from her shoulders and carried it himself.
Neither of them mentioned it.
They continued deeper into the forest.
Massive ancient trees blocked much of the sunlight overhead. Ferns covered the forest floor, creating ideal hiding places for venomous snakes. Their pace slowed considerably.
By the time they reached the upper slopes, the basket was overflowing.
Unfortunately, Qin Man still couldn’t determine whether any of the herbs possessed sufficient antiviral properties to combat the epidemic.
She needed stronger medicine.
But after hours of climbing, her body finally reached its limit.
Her modern physique simply wasn’t accustomed to such exertion.
The instant her footing faltered, Xiao Ruochen caught her.
One arm wrapped securely around her waist, preventing her from falling.
He guided her to the base of a giant tree and helped her sit down.
Moments later, he returned with a handful of wild fruit.
Yet before Qin Man could take any of it, a wave of violent chills swept through her body.
A pounding headache followed.
Her appetite vanished.
“Muxi.”
The concern in Xiao Ruochen’s voice was immediate.
He pressed a hand against her forehead.
His expression changed instantly.
She was burning up.
The fever was severe.
Qin Man’s thoughts felt sluggish, as though submerged in heavy fog. Yet even then, her mind remained fixed on the patients waiting below.
She tried to stand.
Her body refused.
“The pathogen has finally breached my immune system,” she said weakly. “I have a high fever.”
She forced herself to continue.
“Stay away from me. Wear your veil properly and maintain quarantine protocols.”
Xiao Ruochen ignored the suggestion entirely.
The sky was already darkening.
Remaining on an exposed trail after sunset would be dangerous.
Without another word, he bent down and lifted her into his arms.
Carrying her through the forest, he located the hollow base of an enormous ancient tree and settled her inside. After gathering firewood, he quickly built a fire.
His movements were efficient and practiced.
Clearly, wilderness survival was not unfamiliar to him.
Watching him through blurred vision, Qin Man felt profoundly relieved that he had come with her.
Had she entered the mountains alone, she likely would have collapsed hours ago.
“Ruochen…”
The word slipped naturally from her lips.
For the first time, she addressed him simply by his name.
A fierce warmth surged through Xiao Ruochen’s chest.
He concealed it perfectly.
“What do you need?” he asked.
“Take the herbs out of the basket.”
She pointed toward several plants.
“Since I’m infected, I’m the ideal test subject.”
His eyes narrowed.
Qin Man continued.
“I’ll create a trial prescription based on my symptoms. There’s a small ceramic pot in the basket. Boil these herbs in one and a half measures of water and reduce it to a concentrated dose.”
She selected several roots and leaves and handed them to him.
“What are the chances this works?” he asked.
“Eighty percent.”
Xiao Ruochen’s expression immediately darkened.
“The risk is too high.”
“I forbid it.”
Qin Man almost laughed despite her fever.
“That’s not how medicine works.”
“The entire delegation is depending on a cure. Besides, I need treatment regardless.”
Unable to refute her logic, Xiao Ruochen reluctantly prepared the decoction.
When it was finished, he poured the dark liquid into a wooden bowl.
Before allowing Qin Man to drink it, however, he sampled it himself.
Twice.
Then he waited several minutes, carefully monitoring his own condition for signs of toxicity.
Only after confirming it was safe did he approach her.
“The medicine is ready.”
He crouched beside her.
“I need to remove your veil.”
Qin Man was barely conscious and offered no objection.
Gently, he untied the silk covering from her face.
Then he froze.
Completely.
The woman lying before him possessed flawless jade-like skin.
No cosmetics.
No scar.
No disfigurement.
Nothing.
The hideous scar that had defined Qin Muxi’s reputation throughout the capital was gone.
Entirely.
Xiao Ruochen had never cared about the scar itself.
What angered him had always been the suffering she endured because of it.
Yet now, seeing her true face revealed beneath the firelight, even his breath caught.
She was breathtaking.
A weak groan escaped her lips.
The sound shattered his trance.
He lifted the bowl and attempted to feed her.
But her condition was too poor.
The medicine spilled from the corner of her mouth.
Xiao Ruochen stared at her for a long moment.
Then his eyes darkened.
Without hesitation, he drank a mouthful of the medicine himself.
Lowering his head, he pressed his lips to hers.
Carefully.
Gently.
He transferred the medicine directly into her mouth.
Again.
And again.
Until every last drop had been administered.
By the time the bowl was empty, the iron self-control that had governed his entire life was hanging by a thread.
Yet he still couldn’t let her go.
Holding her close, he inhaled the faint fragrance lingering on her skin.
For the first time in his life, Xiao Ruochen felt truly close to losing control.
Meanwhile, trapped within a fever dream, Qin Man felt as though she were drifting alone across a frozen ocean.
Then warmth found her.
Strong arms wrapped around her.
Instinctively, she clung to them.
Desperately.
As though afraid of being abandoned to the darkness again.
Xiao Ruochen finally forced himself to regain some measure of restraint.
He touched her forehead.
The fever was falling.
The medicine was working.
A tremendous weight lifted from his heart.
Night deepened.
Stars glittered above the forest canopy.
The fire crackled softly nearby.
Hours later, Qin Man slowly opened her eyes.
Her thoughts were clear again.
Immediately, she realized she was resting against Xiao Ruochen’s chest.
His arms remained securely wrapped around her.
Apparently, he had fallen asleep while holding her.
The sight stirred genuine gratitude within her heart.
He had saved her life.
But just as quickly, reason reasserted itself.
She was not truly part of this world.
One day, if she found a way home, she would leave.
Allowing herself to become emotionally entangled now would only create pain later.
The slight shift in her breathing woke him instantly.
His hand immediately touched her forehead.
Normal temperature.
Relief flashed through his eyes.
“Ruochen,” Qin Man said softly, “the treatment worked. The remedy is effective.”
His expression hardened.
“You are never allowed to test medicine on yourself like that again.”
Though his words sounded severe, the tenderness beneath them was impossible to miss.
Then his gaze drifted toward her face.
“The scar…” he said quietly.
“You healed it yourself?”
“Yes.”
There was no point hiding it anymore.
“The treatment was completed shortly after I returned to the capital.”
A brief silence followed.
Then he asked casually:
“Does Mo Xuan know?”
“No.”
“I’ve deliberately kept it hidden.”
A rare smile appeared in Xiao Ruochen’s eyes.
“An excellent decision.”
“Let’s keep it that way.”
Qin Man nearly rolled her eyes.
Why did that sound suspiciously personal?
“We should return to camp,” she said. “Mo Xuan and the others are still sick.”
“It’s too dangerous to travel through the mountains at night.”
His arms tightened slightly around her.
“We leave at dawn.”
Then his gaze settled on her face.
Serious.
Steady.
Unwavering.
The firelight reflected in his dark eyes.
“Muxi.”
His voice was low.
“My feelings for you are real.”
He held her gaze without retreating.
“Allow me to stay by your side.”
His expression carried none of his usual coldness now.
Only sincerity.
“Give me the chance to protect you for the rest of your life.”
“Stay with me.”