As dawn approached, the princess finally stirred.
Her eyelids fluttered. A soft groan escaped her lips. Her hand moved weakly, reaching up to touch her forehead.
Xian Tiandi opened his eyes and observed her carefully, ready to intervene if she panicked.
Princess Yue Lianhua's eyes opened slowly. They were unfocused at first, confused. Then awareness returned, and with it, memory.
She sat up abruptly, immediately regretting the sudden movement as pain shot through her body. She gasped and clutched her injured shoulder.
"Don't move too quickly," Xian Tiandi advised calmly. "Your injuries need time to heal."
The princess's head snapped toward him. Recognition dawned in her eyes. "You. You're the one who saved me."
"I'm Xian Tiandi," he introduced himself with a slight nod. "You're currently in my carriage, traveling with my group. You've been unconscious for several hours."
"Where are we?" she asked, her voice still weak but gaining strength. "Where are the assassins?"
