The night after the cliff, after the fever, after the storm of fear—
Yexuan's fever finally broke.
A cold cloth lay on his brow, damp and slipping down his temple.
His eyelashes fluttered, then he blinked awake, disoriented.
The first thing he saw was Rouyuan's silhouette sitting beside him, hair loose, exhausted but watching over him with a calm warmth she didn't feel.
A few paces behind, members of the Snow Wolf Cavalry stood guard, their armor dim in lamplight.
Rouyuan leaned forward, her voice soft. "You did it."
Yexuan's lips curved faintly. "…We did it."
She shook her head, smiling tiredly—but he interrupted himself with a second correction, brighter despite his weakness, "We… and some very stubborn students."
Rouyuan laughed under her breath.
Around them, the medical encampment hummed in the early dawn.
The cries of patients had softened.
The tents no longer smelled like fear but like herbs and broth.
In the kitchen tent, Doudou's porridge bubbled steadily.
Sacred Lotus students wiped their foreheads and continued their rounds.
It was a fragile peace—a victory earned in sweat, blood, fever, and courage.
Outside the camp, the empire's political tides churned.
Accusations rose. Evidence shifted. Men bargained in the shadows.
But that night, Rouyuan finally slept, guarded by loyal soldiers and gentle hands.
Those who loved her allowed themselves the small comfort of believing that this one day—however costly—had been won honestly for the people.
The Return To Wuzhen
When the storm of the outbreak subsided, they finally journeyed home.
But the empire had changed again.
As soon as they stepped into Wuzhen, they learned a second calamity followed the typhoon—flooding, which ravaged trade ports in the Eastern Sea Region.
Yan Doudou rushed home eagerly, hoping to tell her father everything about Dongming City—the patients they saved, her first battlefield kitchen, all the beautiful little moments.
But the courtyard was empty.
Her father was gone.
A servant, trembling, told her, "The Jinyiwei Guard came. Master has been arrested—corruption… embezzlement… unauthorized sale of Imperial Treasury goods…"
Doudou froze.
Then she ran—straight to the Embroidered Uniform Guard prison, screaming her father's name.
But the guards blocked her.
"No entry. Orders from above."
She cried helplessly, beating the cold iron bars.
Just then, Deputy General Wei Shensu arrived.
He had come to verify reports of the arrest.
When he saw Doudou sobbing, shoulders trembling uncontrollably, his face changed.
"Doudou… what are you doing here?"
"My father—! He didn't do it! He would never—never—!"
Her voice broke.
Shensu didn't hesitate.
He pulled her into his arms.
"Shh… I'm here. I'll help you. Don't cry."
He walked her away gently and took her straight to Marquis Bai's residence.
At The Bai Resident
The moment they entered the courtyard, Doudou ran and threw herself into Bai Rouyuan's arms.
Rouyuan, shocked, held her tightly.
"Doudou? What happened? Tell me."
Wen Xianyi and Xiaoya came running, equally confused.
Before Shensu could speak, Bai Yanyu hurried into the hall—he had just returned from the palace.
Seeing Doudou, his expression softened.
"I know why you're here."
He looked at everyone gravely, "Yan Bingyun has been accused of corruption… but the Crown Prince believes the evidence was forged."
Doudou sobbed harder.
"Father would never steal! He never touched a coin that wasn't his!"
Rouyuan stroked her back gently, "We believe you."
Bai Yunchen entered next, face serious.
He turned to Shensu. "Come. Let's go to the Crown Prince."
Shensu gently set Doudou down.
"Stay here. Your friends will be here for you."
He looked at Rouyuan. "…Please take care of her."
Rouyuan nodded.
At The Crown Prince's Palace
Bai Yunchen, Bai Yanyu, and Wei Shensu strode straight into the Crown Prince's study.
Inside were, Crown Prince Murong Yunqing, Fourth Prince Murong Yunxi, Duke Lin Changyu and Prince Murong Yexuan, who looked pale but recovered enough to work.
Documents, sealed reports, and ledgers were scattered across the table.
Yexuan looked up.
"Did you come here regarding Prime Minister Yan Bingyun…?"
"Yes," Bai Yunchen said.
"He's innocent. We need to help him."
The Crown Prince nodded.
"We expected you. Join us—we're setting a trap for the real culprits."
The Letter From Rouyuan
Upon arriving home, Yexuan received a small, folded letter.
It had Rouyuan's handwriting.
'Your Highness Yexuan,
Please investigate Minister Yan's case.
Doudou is devastated, and I cannot bear to see her suffer for a crime her father did not commit.
I believe he has been framed—please uncover the truth.'
– Rouyuan
Yexuan closed the letter gently.
"…I will."
His voice was soft, resolute.
Back At the Bai Residence
When Bai Yunchen returned home late that night, he found Murong Qingshi already there sitting beside the sleeping Doudou, stroking her hair.
Qingshi looked up at Yunchen.
"She shouldn't be alone tonight," she whispered.
Yunchen nodded, "You should stay. All of you… keep Doudou company."
Qingshi smiled faintly.
"Of course."
Yunchen lingered a moment longer than necessary, eyes softening.
Then he turned and closed the door gently, while inside, three young women sat together, surrounding Doudou with quiet warmth.