Yexuan and Rouyuan spent the next hours moving from well to well, tracing every trail of contamination. Rouyuan examined the water sources with calm precision, while Yexuan questioned soldiers, villagers, and merchants along the outskirts of Dongming City.
They worked side by side—Rouyuan analyzing symptoms and patterns, Yexuan mapping routes and movements—slowly piecing together how the outbreak began.
In silence and in shared determination, they followed each clue, each footprint, each whispered rumor, drawing closer to the truth with every step.
Wei Shensu & Yan Doudou — A Warmth Born in the Kitchen
Wei Shensu had become a suspiciously regular figure in the kitchen tent.
Every day he appeared with the same excuse, "I am only inspecting the soldiers' preventive diets."
But everyone—including the old cook—knew the real reason.
Today, he leaned forward as Doudou ladled soup into a pot.
"Your broth…" he murmured, inhaling, "…is perfectly balanced. The herbs blend like they were born to meet."
Doudou's cheeks warmed.
"You—you're exaggerating, Your Excellency."
Shensu shook his head with complete seriousness.
"I don't exaggerate. Especially when something is good… or when someone is cute."
Doudou nearly dropped the ladle.
Later, when the firewood pile ran low, he awkwardly cleared his throat.
"Should I chop the wood? Or bring more water? Or… both?"
Doudou laughed softly.
"You're a deputy general… not a kitchen helper."
He lowered his voice, "Then allow me to assist the person who feeds half the camp."
Her smile softened.
In return she handed him a warm bowl of porridge.
"It's nothing special," she shyly said.
Shensu took one bite and froze, "This… puts palace banquets to shame."
Their affection grew there—in warmth, in steam, in quiet admiration.
Bai Yunchen & Murong Qingshi — A Commander's Heart Stumbles
Murong Qingshi watched Bai Yunchen mark timber measurements, his brow furrowed in concentration.
"Why so serious?" she teased.
"You're measuring wood, not drawing battle strategy."
He didn't even look up.
"If the beams aren't reinforced, this camp collapses on all of us."
Qingshi puffed her cheeks dramatically.
"You're no fun."
Finally, he glanced at her—and unexpectedly smiled.
Later at dusk, as he tightened rope around supply crates, Qingshi approached him.
"Here," she said, slipping something into his hand.
It was a small embroidered cooling charm—gold thread, lotus pattern.
Yunchen stared, "You… made this?"
Qingshi nodded.
"It's hot during daytime. You always endure it without complaint."
His fingers closed around hers—warm, firm.
"Thank you. I'll keep it."
She looked at their joined hands, heart thumping.
"…Ge, you're still holding my hand."
He didn't let go, "I know."
Her cheeks flushed bright red.
PROOF, NOT POISON — The Investigation Tightens
Dozens of soldiers and scribes worked tirelessly.
They uncovered, traces of foreign oil residue lining the cisterns,
packing cloth coated in plant-based disinfectants used only in Eastern Sea harbors,
witness statements on late-night 'emergency shipments' and the merchant's ledger with payments to unnamed buyers.
A tavernkeeper swore, "A woman with the Zhao emblem paid the deliveryman in gold. Said to deliver the barrels at night—labeled as medicine."
A fisherman whispered, "I unloaded crates at the wrong quay. They threatened to drown me if I spoke."
The trail then led to a soldier from Eastern Sea Region Army, who was helping at the Dongming Disaster Camp.
He broke only after three hours of interrogation—"They paid me! They made me do it! I just threw what they gave me into the wells!"
When the Snow Wolf Cavalry moved to arrest him, he panicked—grabbed Rouyuan, still feverish and weak, and forced her onto a horse.
He fled toward the hill slope.
THE CHASE TO THE CLIFF
Yexuan, Bai Yunchen, and Wei Shensu mounted instantly.
The chase crushed through the forest—branches snapping, hooves hammering.
When they reached the cliff edge, rain beginning to fall.
"Don't come closer!" he shouted, tightening his grip on Rouyuan.
The ground was slippery.
Snow Wolf Cavalry seized the man—but in the struggle, Rouyuan lost balance—
She fell into the sea.
Yexuan leaped after her without hesitating.
He caught her wrist mid-air—
Then the rock beneath his boots broke.
They fell together.
THE FALL
They tumbled down the steep cliff drops straight into the sea.
Yexuan twisted mid-fall, gripping her tightly, shielding her with his own body.
They sank into the sea.
Rouyuan blacked out.
IN THE BEACH — WHEN SHE WOKE
Rouyuan's eyes fluttered open.
Yexuan lay beneath her, his arms wrapped around her waist.
"Yexuan…?" she whispered.
He groaned.
She touched his ribs—he hissed in pain.
"Don't move," she said, voice trembling.
The cold wind cut through the beach.
Drizzle soaked everything
They also wet from sea water.
Yexuan's lips were pale.
His hands freezing.
Rouyuan's heart clenched, "We need shelter."
She supported him, though her own legs shook.
They stumbled into a dark cave nearby.
Inside, the temperature dropped dangerously.
Yexuan shivered violently, "Yexuan… you'll freeze."
"Don't… worry," he whispered through chattering teeth.
Rouyuan bit her lip.
There was only one way to keep him alive.
She slowly began untying his armor and uniform, Yexuan's hand weakly caught her wrist.
"Rouyuan… what are you doing?"
"I'm saving you. Don't argue."
Then she unties his shirt, and inner layers—leaving only his pants.
He swallowed hard, "…I trust you."
Rouyuan shed her own clothes, leaving only her inner garments.
Her face burned with embarrassment, but she forced herself forward.
She pressed her body against his—
Body to body.
Warmth to cold.
His arms slowly wrapped around her waist.
"Rouyuan…" his voice trembled for another reason entirely.
"Don't think… nonsense," she whispered, cheeks hot.
"I'm just preventing you from freezing to death."
"…Then stay close," he whispered back, breath warm against her ear.
Hours passed as they clung to each other for warmth.
THE RESCUE
Bai Yunchen reached the cave first.
He stepped inside—froze—then immediately turned around.
"NO ONE enters!" he barked.
He covered the entrance with his cloak.
voice gentle, then he said, "Ah-Yuan… wake up."
Rouyuan stirred, her cheeks reddening as she realized the situation.
"Put on your clothes," Yunchen said softly, handing her his cloak.
Only after giving Rouyuan time, did he enter again, then he called for help.
"Shensu! Come in—carefully!"
Wei Shensu entered and helped dress Yexuan, who was barely conscious.
Bai Yunchen carried Rouyuan to his horse.
Wei Shensu supported Yexuan, wrapping him in two cloaks before guiding him to another horse.
They rushed both back to Dongming Disaster Camp for emergency treatment.