Even women who travel through time can become prime ministers and nobles.

Chapter 509 Unspeakable Feelings

Shi Wanxia's hands were very cold, so Shen Yanzhou wrapped his own hands tightly around hers, trying to give her some warmth.

She looked at him, a warm feeling rising in her heart, and the pain in her chest seemed to ease a little.

She slowly closed her eyes and, with him by her side, gradually fell asleep.

But she didn't sleep well. Her dreams were filled with the tragic state of Chuzhou, the torture Cui Zhihao endured, the biting cold wind, and the poisonous palms of the secret guards.

She woke up from nightmares time and time again, and each time she woke up, she would see Shen Yanzhou sitting by the bed, holding her hand, his eyes full of worry.

Meanwhile, Choi Ji-ho finally woke up on the afternoon of the third day.

When he woke up, his high fever had subsided somewhat, but his body was still in great pain.

He tried to move, but the pain from the wound on his arm made him gasp and his vision go black.

"Lord Cui, you're awake?"

The eunuch standing guard by the bed rushed forward, saying, "Don't move. The imperial physician said your bones are badly injured and will dislocate if you move."

Choi Ji-ho nodded, his voice weak: "Where...where is Lady Shi? How is she?"

"Lord Shi has woken up,"

The eunuch quickly said, "But her internal organs are badly injured and she has been poisoned. She needs acupuncture and medicine every day, and it hurts terribly. His Highness the Crown Prince has been with her the whole time."

Choi Ji-ho breathed a sigh of relief, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

He knew that Shi Wanxia was so strong that she would definitely pull through.

Just then, Physician Li walked in. Seeing that Cui Zhihao had woken up, a look of relief appeared on his face: "Lord Cui, you've finally woken up! Let this old minister take your pulse."

Physician Li took Cui Zhihao's pulse and examined his wounds, his expression still grave: "Lord Cui, your high fever has subsided, which is good news. However, your bone injury is too severe. This old minister has put a splint on you, and you will be unable to move for the next three months, and will have to lie in bed."

"Moreover, the burn on your chest has become infected. I need to clean the wound for you, which may be a little painful."

Cui Zhihao nodded: "Physician, please treat me. I can endure it."

The process of cleaning the wound was even more painful than applying medicine in the evening.

Physician Li was to use a knife to scrape away the festering flesh and then apply new medicine.

With each scrape, Choi Ji-ho's body would tremble violently, and cold sweat would pour down like rain, soaking his clothes.

He was biting a stick, which was deformed from his bite, but he didn't make a sound. He just kept his eyes tightly closed, and the veins on his forehead were bulging.

The eunuch standing by was terrified and couldn't help but turn his face away. He had never seen such a patient person before—anyone else would have been crying out in pain long ago.

Finally, the wound was cleaned. Physician Li wiped his sweat and said to Cui Zhihao, "Lord Cui, you're all better now. You need to rest and avoid any further stimulation or exertion."

"I will come to change your dressing every day. Don't worry, as long as you take good care of yourself, you will get better someday."

Cui Zhihao nodded, closed his eyes, and said wearily, "Thank you, Physician Li."

After Physician Li left, Cui Zhihao lay on the bed, looking at the beams on the roof of the palace, his heart filled with emotion.

He recalled his days in prison, the tortures he endured, the way Shi Wanxia and Lin Yiyu risked their lives to save him, and the Crown Prince's eagerness to bring them back to the capital at top speed...

He knew that his life was bought with the lives of his brothers.

He cannot fall, he cannot let them down.

Even if he could no longer ride horses and shoot arrows, even if he would be left with scars for the rest of his life, he would still live well, continue to serve Cang Ling, and continue to protect those he wanted to protect.

However, the healing process will likely take a very long time.

The sunlight streamed through the window and fell on him, but it did nothing to dispel his pain and exhaustion.

He closed his eyes, letting himself drift into a state between sleep and wakefulness, hoping that when he woke up next time, Shi Wanxia and Lin Yiyu would be better, and that these painful days would pass quickly.

Days passed, but the smell of medicine in the side hall never dissipated.

Shi Wanxia's injuries gradually improved, and she no longer coughed up blood as before, but the pain in her chest still followed her like a shadow.

Every morning, Physician Li would come to give her acupuncture to expel the poison. The pain of the silver needles piercing the acupoints made her break out in a cold sweat every time, but she still gritted her teeth and persevered.

Shen Yanzhou came to keep her company almost every day. Sometimes he would read her memorials, sometimes he would tell her interesting stories about the capital, and sometimes he would just sit by the bed, hold her wrist, and quietly watch her.

That day, Shen Yanzhou came to keep her company again.

He sat on the edge of the bed, peeled an apple for her, cut it into small pieces, and fed it to her with a toothpick.

"Little sister Wanxia, ​​how are you feeling today?" he asked softly, his eyes full of tenderness.

Shi Wanxia took a bite of the apple and nodded: "Much better, I'm not coughing up blood as much anymore."

"Where is Brother Cui? How is he doing after he woke up?"

"He's much better now,"

Shen Yanzhou said with a smile, "I went to see him yesterday, and he talked to me about things in Chuzhou. He seemed to be in much better spirits than before."

"But his bones are badly injured, so he can't sit up and can only lie down."

Shi Wanxia breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good. What about Lin Yiyu? How's his arm?"

"Lin Yiyu recovered the fastest,"

Shen Yanzhou said, "His arm has been unsplinded and he can move it a little, but he still can't exert any force."

“Yesterday he told me that once he recovered from his injury, he wanted to go to Chuzhou to see the people.”

Shi Wanxia smiled, a hint of longing flashing in her eyes: "When I recover, I also want to go to Chuzhou to take a look."

“The people there are so kind; we cannot let them suffer the pain of war any longer.”

Shen Yanzhou nodded: "Okay, I'll go with you when you're better."

Shi Wanxia's heart skipped a beat, and a blush rose to her cheeks.

She lowered her head, not daring to look Shen Yanzhou in the eye, and could only eat the apple in small bites.

Looking at her shy appearance, Shen Yanzhou felt a ripple in his heart.

He had known Wanxia for so long, and this was the first time he had seen her like this—before, she always seemed strong and decisive, like a little sun, always full of energy.

But now, lying in her hospital bed, as delicate as a flower that needs to be cared for, she still couldn't hide the light in her eyes.

He had fallen in love with her long ago, from the first time she suggested "lightening taxes and levies" in court, from the first time she shot that fox in the hunting grounds, from the first time she smiled and said to him outside Chuzhou City, "Your Highness, don't panic"...

He just hadn't dared to say it, and since she and Huai'an were in love, he was afraid that his feelings would cause her trouble, and that she would distance herself from him because of his status.

But now, seeing her lying in the hospital bed, enduring so much pain, he suddenly felt that some things could not wait any longer.

"Late summer,"

Shen Yanzhou's voice turned somewhat serious, "Once you're better, I want to tell you something."

Shi Wanxia looked up at him, puzzled. "Your Highness, what is it?"