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

Chapter 412 Awakening

Shi Wanxia was awakened by a slight but clear stinging pain.

The pain felt like an extremely fine silver needle gently pricking her arm, instantly dispelling the heavy drowsiness that permeated the depths of her consciousness.

With difficulty, she lifted her heavy eyelids, and the first thing that caught her eye was a plain-colored carriage curtain embroidered with delicate orchid patterns, swaying gently.

A faint scent of medicine and a delicate aroma of incense lingered around my nose, mixed with the smooth, bumpy feeling unique to the carriage as it moved.

As her gaze slowly focused, she realized that she was leaning against a soft brocade cushion, and not far from her, several beautiful young women were standing gracefully.

They were dressed in matching lake-blue dresses, their hair neatly styled in buns, their eyes showing concern and curiosity as they whispered among themselves.

Upon seeing her awake, they all stopped talking at the same time, their faces showing a hint of joy.

"The girl is awake!"

One of the older-looking maids called out softly, her voice filled with relief.

Shi Wanxia's mind was still a little muddled. She remembered that she had been helping to distribute medicine and reinforce the dikes at a refugee resettlement site outside Chuzhou City. The fatigue from the past few days, coupled with the cold she had caught, caused her to suddenly lose consciousness yesterday afternoon.

It must have been these girls who saved me.

Overwhelmed with gratitude, she struggled to sit up and express her thanks.

However, my body felt as heavy as if it were filled with lead. As soon as I slightly raised my upper body, a strong dizziness struck me, and my limbs and bones felt weak and sore.

She gasped in surprise, and her body involuntarily fell backward.

"Be careful girl!"

"Quick, help her up!"

The two maids beside her reacted quickly, reaching out their hands to support her as she was about to fall, their movements gentle and swift.

"The young lady has just woken up and is still weak. She should not push herself."

The maid, who was supporting her left shoulder, gently advised her, and carefully helped her back onto the brocade cushion. She also thoughtfully added a soft pillow behind her back so that she could lean back more comfortably.

Shi Wanxia breathed a sigh of relief, a blush rising on her pale face, and said softly, "Thank you... thank you, ladies."

She composed herself and looked back into the carriage. Only then did she notice a woman sitting by the window, surrounded by several maids.

The woman wore a moon-white dress with silver thread embroidery on the collar and cuffs, which made her skin look as white as snow and her temperament gentle and quiet.

She wore only a simple jade hairpin in her hair, and her makeup was light, yet it could not hide her pure and refined beauty.

At this moment, she was quietly looking at him, her eyes calm, with a hint of scrutiny, but without any malice.

"Young lady, did you save me?"

Shi Wanxia asked softly, secretly observing the woman's clothes and demeanor, realizing she was no ordinary girl.

The woman nodded slightly, her voice as gentle as a clear spring: "You're too kind, young lady. It was nothing at all."

“We happened to be passing by and saw that the young lady had fainted by the river and had no one to take care of her. So we took the liberty of inviting her into the carriage. Please forgive us.”

Her voice was very pleasant, and her manners and speech revealed her good upbringing.

Shi Wanxia was even more grateful and was about to thank her again when her gaze fell on a jade pendant tied around the woman's waist. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck her.

The style of this jade pendant... and the woman's appearance and demeanor... she seems to have heard of it somewhere, or seen a portrait of it?

"The girl is..."

Shi Wanxia hesitated before speaking, her brows furrowing as she tried to search for the relevant information in her chaotic memories.

Just then, the woman's personal maidservant whispered a reminder: "Miss, this is Miss Wang, the eldest daughter of the Langya Wang family."

"Miss Wang...the Wang family of Langya!"

As Shi Wanxia murmured the name, a vague impression in her mind instantly became clear.

She remembered! This Miss Wang, isn't she... isn't she the fiancée of Young Master Cui Yu'an?

The news had already spread throughout the capital that the marriage between the Cui and Wang families was a match made in heaven.

But... Shi Wanxia was filled with doubts.

Cui Yu'an's fiancée? What are they doing here?

This is Chuzhou, a place far from the capital, a place of war and chaos. How could a pampered young lady from a noble family end up in such a place and happen to save me?

Before her questions had even subsided, a familiar male voice came from outside the carriage, tinged with urgency and inquiry: "Miss Wang, has that young lady woken up? May I come in and take a look?"

It's Cui Yu'an's voice!

Shi Wanxia's heart skipped a beat. It really was him! He was here too!

Upon hearing the voice, Wang Jinqian's expression remained unchanged; she merely gave a gentle nod to her personal maid beside her.

The maid immediately understood, turned around and quietly lifted the carriage curtain, saying to the outside, "Young master, please come in. Miss Shi has just woken up."

Before the words were finished, a figure dressed in a blue robe walked in, bending down.

It was Cui Yu'an. He must have rushed here, for there was a little sweat on his forehead and his hair was a bit messy, but this did not affect his handsome appearance at all; on the contrary, it added a touch of vibrant energy.

As soon as Cui Yu'an entered the carriage, his gaze swept over eagerly, and when he saw Shi Wanxia leaning against the brocade cushion with her eyes already open.

A surprised smile instantly bloomed on his face, and his previously slightly anxious eyes brightened.

"Miss Shi, you're awake! That's wonderful!"

He strode forward, his voice filled with genuine joy.

"How are you feeling? Is there anything else that's bothering you?"

"Are you still dizzy? Do you have any energy?"

The series of questions clearly showed his concern.

Seeing Cui Yu'an's smiling face and concerned tone, Shi Wanxia felt a warmth in her heart, and her previous doubts and unease seemed to dissipate considerably.

With the gentle support of her maid, she adjusted her posture slightly, trying to make herself look more energetic.

"Thank you for your concern, Young Master Cui."

She gave Cui Yu'an a gentle smile, her voice still a little weak, but filled with genuine warmth.

"Thank you for saving me, Miss Wang. I'm fine now, just a little weak."

She paused for a moment, then voiced her question: "Speaking of which, I must ask you both, what brings you to this place? It's far from the capital, and it's a time of great turmoil..."

Cui Yu'an's smile faded slightly, and his tone became more serious: "Miss Shi, you may not know this, but it was an urgent message from my third uncle."

He explained, "The war in Chuzhou is intense, there are many refugees, and food and medicine are extremely scarce. My third uncle's letter was earnest, hoping that the capital could provide support as soon as possible."

"Jinqian and I... Miss Wang was just preparing for our trip when she received the letter. She immediately allocated a batch of food and medicine and rushed over day and night to provide support."

The third uncle he mentioned, Cui Zhihao, is the official currently in charge of logistics and pacification affairs in Chuzhou, and also a respected elder of the Cui family in the court.

It turned out to be the case.

Upon hearing this, Shi Wanxia felt a surge of warmth in her heart, and a relieved smile appeared on her face.

Having spent these days in Chuzhou, she knows best the current predicament: food and medicine are exactly what Chuzhou urgently needs right now.

The arrival of Cui Yu'an and Wang Jinqian with supplies at this time was undoubtedly a timely help.

"So that's it..."

Shi Wanxia said sincerely, "That's wonderful! Chuzhou is indeed in dire need of these things right now. Countless people and soldiers are waiting for life-saving food and medicine."

"You two have generously helped Chuzhou out of its dire straits, and countless people will be grateful for your kindness."