Last night's rain had left the morning air fresh and cool. But inside her room, Xiao Zhi didn't feel refreshed at all.
Her skin was still burned and itched. She shifted restlessly under the cover, scratching her arms even though she knew it would only make things worse. The ointment the imperial doctor had given her smelled sharp and bitter, but it hadn't helped at all. It felt useless, like something made just to shut her up.
She groaned and pressed her palms against her eyes. "If this keeps up, I'll scratch myself bald."
A soft knock came at the door.
"Come in," she mumbled, pulling the blanket up to her chin.
The door slid open, and she froze.
Ruhan.
He filled the doorway with effortless poise, the morning light outlining his tall frame. Gone was the fancy attire from yesterday. Today, he only wore a simple dark robe trimmed with white thread. Simple yet striking. The sunlight behind him made him look impossibly confident, like someone who never lost.
Why does he have to look so good even in plain clothes? she cursed silently.
He bowed slightly. "Princess."
Her tone sharpened. "What are you doing here?"
Ruhan's smile was faint but polite. "Just checking on your condition. You don't look well."
"Oh, thank you for noticing," Xiao Zhi said dryly. "The doctor says I'm doomed. Apparently, I'll live out my days looking like an old witch."
He chuckled quietly. "I see your sense of humor is still intact. That's a good sign."
"Wonderful," she muttered. "Maybe I'll start a comedy show for the dying."
Ruhan's expression didn't change, but a knowing glint lingered in his eyes. He began to stroll slowly around her chamber, hands clasped behind his back, his gaze lingering on her furniture, the delicate porcelain vases, the carved wooden screens.
Xiao Zhi frowned. "What are you doing? Taking inventory? Planning to redecorate?"
"Just observing," he said smoothly. "Hua's taste is elegant. Even your chambers are arranged with quiet precision." He paused by the window, brushing his fingers along the carved frame. "Beautiful, but fragile."
She arched a brow. "Meaning?"
He turned to face her. "Everything fragile breaks easily."
The calm way he said it sent a chill down her spine. She forced a laugh. "You really love your dramatic one-liners, Envoy."
Instead of answering, he pulled something from his sleeve, a small ceramic vial, and placed it gently on the edge of her bed.
"For your rash," he said. "A Tughril remedy. We survive harsher climates, poisonous plants, and venomous creatures. This will help the itch."
She stared at the vial, then at him. How did he know the rash bothered her so much?
"Why are you… helping me?"
Ruhan smiled faintly. "Think of it as goodwill between nations." He paused. "After all, you are soon to be the princess of my kingdom."
Without another word, he turned and walked away.
"Hey, I'm no longer—" Before she could finish, the door closed. Xiao Zhi grumbled, sitting frozen, staring at the vial. Her instincts screamed: suspicious.
Ruhan wasn't someone who helped freely, especially not her. There had to be a catch.
Still, the itching was unbearable. Desperation outweighed suspicion. She hesitated a bit before finally dabbing a tiny bit of the ointment onto her hand. She waited, expecting pain, burning, or numbness. Nothing.
A minute later, a cool relief spread across her skin. The irritation eased.
Her eyes widened. "It… actually works?"
Within moments, she was rubbing it over her arms and neck. Wherever it touched, the burning faded.
She sighed, half laughing, half groaning. "Finally…"
Then her smile faltered. Ruhan never did anything without a reason. Why now?
***
Meanwhile, in another chamber, Lian Yue sipped sweet pear tea, though her expression was tense. Her fingers tapped impatiently against the cup.
Her maid, Qinghe, entered and bowed. "Your Highness, we checked the city as you ordered. There's no plague. No sickness anywhere."
Lian Yue's smile turned sharp. "So my dear sister lied."
Before Qinghe could reply, another maid rushed in, "Princess! I overheard something from Princess Lian Zhi's room. The rash… it's from poison. She pretended to be sick to avoid marriage!"
Lian Yue slammed her hand on the table, knocking over her teacup. "Poison? That shameless girl!"
She rose abruptly, pacing. "She dares to deceive everyone?!" Her voice shook with fury, "She thinks she's clever, but this time, I'll make her pay."
She spun toward the door. "Let's go. We're going to see Father."
***
Across the palace, Shen Han sat alone in his quarters, turning a small wooden carving over in his hands. A rabbit, its edges worn smooth. Lian Zhi had made it for him years ago, when she still laughed easily and scolded him for every mistake.
He could still hear her teasing voice: "Don't lose it, Shen Han. If you do, I'll never forgive you."
He smiled faintly, then sighed. The girl he remembered felt like someone from another life.
The Lian Zhi of now was sharper, stronger… more dangerous. He wasn't sure if that made him proud or terrified.
Still, his heart was firm. No matter how she changed, I'll protect her. Even if it means standing against the world.
He rose and went to her chambers.
When he entered, Xiao Zhi quickly pulled the blanket up to her chin. "Don't look! I'm hideous."
Shen Han raised an eyebrow. "You've looked worse."
Her eyes widened. "Excuse me?"
He chuckled softly, pulling the blanket down. "I'm kidding. You're still beautiful to me."
Her cheeks flushed red. "You're ridiculous."
He handed her the wooden rabbit. "Do you remember this?"
Xiao Zhi froze. Panic prickled her chest. What is this? She didn't read this in the novel.
She forced a weak smile. "Of course. It's… been a while."
"You loved this," he said quietly. "You yelled at me once for dropping it."
"I—uh… I was young. I don't remember everything clearly."
His gaze searched her face. "You really don't, huh?"
Her throat tightened. "But I remember what it meant. It means I treasure you too."
His expression softened. He placed the carving on her table. "Then let it protect you. Rest, Princess. Tomorrow, the envoy leaves. After that… all of this will be over."
He turned to leave. Xiao Zhi let out a shaky sigh. That was close.
***
That afternoon, the imperial hall shook with raised voices.
Lian Yue knelt before the emperor. "Father, I must report the truth. Lian Zhi faked her illness. She took poison to avoid marriage."
The emperor's face darkened. "What nonsense is this?"
"It's true! Summon the imperial doctor if you don't believe me."
"But the imperial doctor confirmed the illness."
"He lied! Lian Zhi must have colluded with him." She reasoned, "She dares deceive you. Deceiving the emperor is a capital crime!"
"But the envoy leaves tomorrow. Even if she is faking it, she's still unfit to be a bride." The emperor knew he could not present an ugly princess to Tughril.
"But Father—"
"Silence!" He slammed his hand on the throne. "You will still take her place."
Lian Yue went pale. "What? But you promised me I could marry Shen Han!"
"Enough! Guards!"
Two guards appeared instantly. "Return Princess Lian Yue to her quarters. She leaves with the Tughrils at noon."
"Father! Please!" Her cries echoed as they dragged her away.
***
Back in her room, the door slammed shut. Lian Yue stood trembling with rage.
"How dare he! How dare she!"
She swept her arm across the table, sending teacups shattering to the floor. Then she noticed it. A small vial on her vanity, beside a folded note.
Use this. It will help you.
Her breath quickened, suspicion mixing with desperation. Slowly, her lips curved into a bitter smile. "Fine. If this can save me… so be it."
She drank it. Moments later, her vision blurred. Her knees buckled. Darkness claimed her.
***
Dawn broke.
Piercing screams could be heard from two sides of the palace, jolting the maids from their morning routines.
The maids at Lian Yue's quarter rushed into the princess's room and froze in shock.
Their mistress lay sprawled on the bed, her skin covered in angry, swollen rashes that made her almost unrecognizable. Her arms and face were blotched red, and her usual beauty was buried beneath the hideous marks. A low gasp escaped one of the maids, and another stumbled backward, clutching her skirts.
"Princess… what happened?!" one whispered, voice trembling.
Meanwhile across the palace, Xiao Zhi stood before her mirror. Her hands were shaking as she brought them up to her face. Her reflection stared back at her, smooth, clear, flawless. No sign of the rash remained. No rashes, no swelling, nothing.
She traced her cheek with a trembling finger, half-afraid this is not a dream. Her lips parted in disbelief, and a soft cry escaped her throat.
"It's… gone. The rash is gone."