Chapter Six: The General Assists Me

Zhou Jingxuan did not respond.

Just then, footsteps echoed outside—it was the night patrol.

“This is bad. At this hour, they conduct their routine inspection!” Zhou Jingxuan hastily grabbed Lin Zhaoyan’s wrist and led her to hide behind a pile of firewood stacked as high as a small hill. The two of them curled up, trying to remain unseen.

The curtain was lifted, and footsteps approached. One of the men circled the kitchen area but showed no intention of coming closer.

Yet Lin Zhaoyan suddenly felt a sharp pain in her chest, almost crying out, but she forced herself to remain silent.

At the same moment, Zhou Jingxuan unexpectedly let out a muffled grunt, drawing a sharp breath. “Hiss…”

The sound was faint, likely inaudible to most, but the man instantly changed direction and charged toward them.

“Who’s there!” Song Zijie drew his sword, pointing it at the firewood pile.

Zhou Jingxuan stiffened, then rose slowly with a sheepish smile. “What a coincidence to run into Vice General Song here.”

“Your Highness, this is…” Song Zijie hesitated, uncertain how to proceed. Should he pretend not to see, or follow military regulations?

Recalling Prince Zhou’s repeated orders to treat Zhou Jingxuan as an ordinary soldier with no special favors, Song Zijie steeled himself and said firmly, “Your Highness, sneaking into the kitchen late at night—according to military law—”

Before he could finish, he caught sight of Lin Zhaoyan stepping out from behind Zhou Jingxuan.

Song Zijie instinctively clamped his mouth shut, stunned.

After a long pause, his mouth twitched. “The General is here too?”

Lin Zhaoyan felt awkward and embarrassed, scratching her nose. “What a coincidence.”

Finding an ally, Zhou Jingxuan puffed up his chest like a victorious rooster, brimming with pride.

The result was that both of them were punished doubly.

Leaning against a tree with a broom in hand, Zhou Jingxuan sulked. “We were both caught together, so why does the General get to rest while I have to work?”

Lin Zhaoyan lounged leisurely by the tree root, squinting at Zhou Jingxuan. “I’m still recovering from a serious illness. To not waste Your Highness’s meticulous care, I naturally can’t overexert myself. Otherwise, if I relapse, wouldn’t Your Highness’s efforts be in vain?”

She argued convincingly, leaving Zhou Jingxuan unable to find a retort, forced to accept his fate.

Lin Zhaoyan didn’t forget to instruct him, “Hurry and sweep the floor. If Vice General Song comes back, the punishment won’t be limited to this.”

Zhou Jingxuan trudged away slowly, dedicating himself entirely to the chore.

Xia Wan approached carrying a bowl of medicine, handing it to Lin Zhaoyan. “Though the toxin hasn’t been fully neutralized, at least its spread has been temporarily contained. You won’t suddenly faint like before.”

Lin Zhaoyan accepted the medicine with a faint smile. “Thank you. If not for you, I fear I would have lost my life long ago.”

Xia Wan lowered her head, her expression conflicted. “Actually, I didn’t do much. The Thousand Mountain Herb that curbs the toxin was found by His Highness.”

“After you fainted, I pored over medical texts all night but found no cure. Then, His Highness woke up at some unknown time and handed me this herb.”

Lin Zhaoyan’s eyes widened in shock. “Zhou Jingxuan found the herb?”

After researching for half a day, Xia Wan said with some discouragement, “It is a rare herb mentioned only briefly in the medical texts, called ‘Thousand Mountain Herb,’ known for its detoxifying properties.”

“But although it’s potent, it’s not enough to completely eliminate the poison in your body. We’ll likely need to find other remedies or gradually treat it over time.”

Her words were gentle but implied that the toxin would require considerable effort to clear, and a full cure was uncertain.

Lin Zhaoyan sighed silently and softly replied, “Thank you.”

Noticing her downcast mood, Xia Wan quickly diverted the conversation. “By the way, how did you end up so close to His Highness?”

Lin Zhaoyan didn’t know either.

Zhou Jingxuan was simply too familiar too quickly.

“What is His Highness like?”

Recalling Zhou Jingxuan’s gentle coaxing of Hu Yun, Lin Zhaoyan thought perhaps this was the real Zhou Jingxuan, not the lawless prodigal the rumors portrayed.

Following Xia Wan’s gaze, Lin Zhaoyan saw Zhou Jingxuan dressed in a blue robe, his jet-black hair tied up with a white jade crown, his tall frame exuding reliability.

It was a completely different impression from the first time she met him.

“Actually, His Highness is quite decent,” Lin Zhaoyan assessed objectively.

Xia Wan thought for a moment, then nodded. “He is. I should apologize to him someday.”

“I also owe him my thanks,” Lin Zhaoyan said with concern. “How are His Highness’s injuries?”

Last night in the kitchen, Zhou Jingxuan had groaned quietly, seemingly from pain.

“His wounds are superficial and should no longer be serious. These days, he’s lively and robust, stronger than anyone else.”

Then what happened last night? Lin Zhaoyan fell into thought.

Zhou Jingxuan was hiding a secret.

While they talked, Prince Zhou approached. They quickly stood to greet him. The prince steadied Lin Zhaoyan with a gentle smile.

“How is the General’s health?”

“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. Thanks to His Highness’s help, I am much better,” Lin Zhaoyan replied, causing Prince Zhou’s smile to widen.

Yet he continued to protest, “Ah, my son is merely mischievous—a mere accident!”

Lin Zhaoyan exchanged glances with Xia Wan, who also praised Zhou Jingxuan, making Prince Zhou even happier.

“In that case, I’ll have him look for more cures. If he can help, that would be wonderful.”

With that, Prince Zhou placed his hands on his hips and called out loudly toward Zhou Jingxuan, “Zhou Jingxuan!”

The sound of his voice echoed far and wide.

“...Oh, coming,” Zhou Jingxuan replied reluctantly.

After receiving a stern admonition from Prince Zhou, Zhou Jingxuan glanced at Lin Zhaoyan.

“You’ll have to assist me,” he said.

Xia Wan frowned. “What?”

“What!” Prince Zhou spat angrily.

Lin Zhaoyan was stunned and exchanged looks with Zhou Jingxuan.

“After all, this concerns the General’s affairs. The General cannot stay uninvolved,” Zhou Jingxuan said confidently. Lin Zhaoyan thought it over briefly and nodded decisively.

“All right.”

Zhou Jingxuan naturally shoved the broom into Prince Zhou’s hands, flicking his wide sleeves. “In that case, General, come with me.”

“All right,” Lin Zhaoyan agreed, feeling inexplicably awkward.

Assist? The phrase carried a hint of rivalry.

Prince Zhou stared dumbfounded at their retreating figures, broom in hand.

“When did he become so close with the General?” Prince Zhou muttered to himself.

Xia Wan’s curiosity was piqued. “Your Highness, I’m truly impressed by His Highness’s medical skills. Did you assign someone to instruct him?”

“No,” Prince Zhou stroked his beard proudly. “I don’t even know when he acquired such abilities. He’s been keeping it all under wraps.”