In a room without daylight, they had no idea how long the madness lasted. Only when they were utterly exhausted did they sink into deep sleep.
The next day, Xie Yu was awakened by the sound of suppressed coughing.
Shen Changyin was curled up in her arms, burning hot all over, yet her face was deathly pale. The tip of her nose was red, her breathing scorching.
"Damn it…" Xie Yu cursed under her breath and immediately got up.
The underground was cold—had Shen Changyin fallen ill?
"Shen Changyin, get up a little. Lift your arm a bit…"
Xie Yu hurriedly dressed her. Shen Changyin was still very sleepy, eyes half-closed, yet obediently let herself be taken care of.
Xie Yu quickly got her settled and led her out of the underground. Only then did she realize it was already the afternoon of the next day.
She brought Shen Changyin back to the Princess's residence, immediately summoned a military physician, and ordered the kitchen to boil hot ginger soup.
Brown sugar was added to the ginger soup. Shen Changyin lay on the bed, leaning against Xie Yu's chest, coaxed into drinking a few mouthfuls.
She didn't like the spicy taste. After just a couple of sips, she frowned, and Xie Yu had to coax her again.
After finally getting her to drink a small bowl, the military physician arrived. After checking her pulse, she quickly prescribed medicine.
The maid sent to retrieve the little lion-patterned cat from the tavern also returned, saying the kitten had fallen ill too, running a fever.
The military physician casually prescribed medicine for the cat as well.
Xie Yu stared in disbelief.
"You're a veterinarian too?"
The physician waved a hand coolly.
"I know a little."
Unfortunately, the ginger soup and the first few doses of medicine couldn't stop the aggressive cold.
By nightfall, Shen Changyin's condition worsened. The fever wouldn't go down, and she was completely dazed.
Xie Yu fed the little lion cat its medicine, then returned to Shen Changyin's bedside with another bowl. Carrying a big bag of candied fruit, she alternated between threats and coaxing before finally getting her to finish the medicine.
Afterward, Shen Changyin leaned against the pillows, a folded cool towel resting on her forehead. Even her lips were pale.
Yet her cheeks were flushed an unhealthy red from the fever, the tip of her nose bright red as well. Her brows were tightly knit as she endured the bitterness of the medicine.
She looked exactly like the kitten after taking its medicine.
Holding the empty bowl, Xie Yu looked at her rare, fragile state and felt her heart soften.
She couldn't help leaning down, wanting to kiss her slightly dry, fever-heated lips.
Shen Changyin weakly raised a hand to block her, voice hoarse.
"It's a cold… aren't you afraid of catching it?"
Xie Yu didn't care at all. She pressed a firm kiss to her lips.
"I'm strong. I won't get infected."
The next day, she fell ill too.
A cold.
The two of them lay side by side on the wide bed, each holding a bowl of thick, pitch-black, bitter medicine.
The military physician stood at the doorway, looking at them with a cold sneer.
"You really had to be lovey-dovey at this exact moment? If you don't pass on a cold, does it mean your feelings aren't real?"
Xie Yu swallowed the last mouthful of medicine and shrugged.
"Worth it."
She kissed Shen Changyin's cheek again.
"Your Highness!" the physician snapped from the doorway, unable to hold back.
"Have you forgotten the pain already?! Your cold isn't even healed and you dare do this!"
Xie Yu looked back at her righteously, eyes sparkling.
"I've already caught it anyway. I can't get double sick—if I don't kiss her, wouldn't that be a loss?"
Shen Changyin, feverish and half-conscious, instinctively nestled closer into Xie Yu's arms.
The physician had no way to deal with them and left angrily.
Xie Yu was young and healthy. After a few doses of medicine, her fever subsided and her energy returned.
Shen Changyin, however, worsened again and again. Her coughing deepened, her complexion grew paler by the day, her body thinned noticeably, and she spent longer and longer in unconscious sleep.
The ease vanished from Xie Yu's face. Every day she watched anxiously as the physician took Shen Changyin's pulse.
"No." After another diagnosis, the physician shook her head gravely.
"Lady Shen's body is weak. She sleeps little and dreams often. Without proper rest, she can't fight off the illness. If this drags on, it'll only get worse."
Xie Yu frowned.
"Then what should we do?"
After thinking, the physician said,
"I have two herbal formulas. One induces deep sleep. The other wakes a person from it."
"We can let Lady Shen fall into deep sleep. Each day she only needs to wake for one hour to handle essential affairs."
Shen Changyin, exhausted and haggard, shook her head.
"One hour isn't enough."
Xie Yu answered without hesitation.
"It's enough."
She looked at Shen Changyin almost threateningly.
Seeing the determination in her eyes, Shen Changyin finally closed her eyes tiredly, silently agreeing.
The physician still needed time to prepare the herbs. It was decided the treatment would begin in two days.
On the day the medicine was to be used, Xie Yu finished handling affairs at the Eastern Palace and rode back home.
The streets were bustling with people. Stalls lined the road, vendors calling endlessly.
Yet a large crowd surrounded one particular stall.
From horseback, Xie Yu saw a daoist selling talismans, eloquently pitching them:
"Perfect for family or friends—sincerity makes them effective!"
Xie Yu never believed in such things. She even mocked inwardly that the daoist's sales pitch wasn't half as good as hers, and urged her horse forward.
Then a loud shout came from behind:
"No illness, no disaster! Keeps you safe—protects you from sickness!"
Xie Yu pulled the reins and took a deep breath.
She dismounted, squeezed into the crowd, tossed down money.
"A protection talisman. The most expensive one."
The daoist beamed, took the money, and placed a yellow paper talisman into her hand.
Xie Yu clenched it and returned to the princess's residence.
The atmosphere there was heavy. The physician stood by the bed holding freshly brewed medicine.
Old Jin held a bowl of talisman water and a willow branch, preparing to sprinkle it to "ward off illness."
Shen Changyin leaned against the bed. Though weak, her brows still carried their usual aloof chill as she rubbed her temple.
"…No need. I don't believe in that."
Xie Yu quickly sat by the bed and, without drawing attention, slipped the small talisman—still carrying the scent of the marketplace—quietly into the bedding beneath Shen Changyin.
She looked up and followed Shen Changyin's words, her tone calm and soothing.
"Mm, neither of us believes in it. Don't sprinkle it. Or… don't sprinkle it in the bedroom. Just do a round in the courtyard."
Old Jin looked at her, then at Shen Changyin, answered softly, and carried the talisman water out.
Shen Changyin took the medicine from the physician and looked at Xie Yu.
"While I'm asleep, you're not allowed to like anyone else."
Xie Yu nodded solemnly.
"I hate all of humanity—except you."
As a member of humanity, the physician rolled her eyes.
After Shen Changyin finished the medicine, she fell into a deep drug-induced sleep. From then on, she was only awake for one hour each day.
During that hour, Xie Yu personally watched as Zhu Ting, Old Jin, and other trusted aides lined up, presenting urgent documents and military matters. She watched Shen Changyin force herself to endure, issuing decisions rapidly in a hoarse voice—still clear and organized, yet unable to hide the crushing exhaustion and the way her strength was being drained away.
After only three to five days, Xie Yu could no longer endure it.
That evening, she moved a chair and sat directly at the entrance of the main hall, intercepting the subordinates waiting for Shen Changyin's "awake hour."
"This road is blocked by me. No one gets through."
She waved her hand.
"No one is allowed to disturb Shen Changyin's rest anymore."
The subordinates held their documents, faces full of worry.
"But… but we really don't dare make decisions on our own…"
Xie Yu, who hated working more than anything in the world, sighed and held out her hand.
"Fine, fine. Give them here. I'll work for her."
Old Jin and Zhu Ting were the first to beam with delight. They stuffed the documents into Xie Yu's hands and left happily.
The rest followed, placing their papers into her arms as well.
From that day on, Xie Yu's writing desk was moved into Shen Changyin's bedroom.
During the day, she handled her own affairs at the Eastern Palace. At night, she returned here, reviewing the files that should have been handled by Shen Changyin, issuing orders under lamplight.
Her decision-making style was completely different from Shen Changyin's, yet she managed to steady the situation.
She handled the complicated aftermath of the Jiangnan Navy, rejected unreasonable demands from officials trying to take advantage of Shen Changyin's illness, coordinated the defensive transition between the Mighty Martial Army and the Special Operations Battalion… nothing was too small.
Amid the overwhelming workload, she matured rapidly. Even Jiang Fang, when she occasionally came looking for her, would click her tongue in amazement.
The civil and military officials at court also began to see her differently. The number of those supporting her noticeably increased.
When exhaustion overtook her, she would nap at the desk, or simply lean against the bedframe, keeping vigil as Shen Changyin slept deeply.
When maids or the military physician brought medicine in, they often saw this scene. Xie Yu would suddenly jolt awake, letting out a huge yawn, nodding drowsily.
When urged to rest properly in the next room, she would only wave her hand, her voice heavy with fatigue.
"It's fine… I'll keep watch."
One day, before leaving, the physician suddenly sighed softly.
"Who would have thought—you two really look like a proper married couple now."
Xie Yu froze at the words.
Only then did she remember that her marriage to Shen Changyin had originally been nothing more than a political alliance.
After the physician left, the room was filled only with the crackling of candlelight and Shen Changyin's steady breathing.
Xie Yu looked at her quietly.
This was the first time she had watched Shen Changyin sleep for so long, so clearly, without defenses.
In her memory, Shen Changyin always woke earlier and slept later than she did.
It seemed that only she had ever slept carelessly before Shen Changyin, while Shen Changyin had always been the one remaining awake in the darkness.
She sighed, and inexplicably thought back to the day of their wedding.
As a political marriage, it hadn't been bad. But now that they were truly together, she couldn't help feeling it should be more ceremonial.
After all, even their engagement had been terribly hasty.
The thought flickered through her mind. She reached out, her fingertips brushing Shen Changyin's cool cheek, feeling the vulnerability of her sleep.
Her voice was soft, as if afraid of disturbing a dream.
"Rest well… wake up soon."
The days slipped by quietly in weary guarding and waiting.
Until one day, Xie Yu returned from reorganizing military affairs at the northern camp.
As soon as she stepped into the courtyard, she saw many people gathered there, the atmosphere strange, all staring toward the room.
Her heart jumped violently. Cold sweat broke out in her palms. She hurried through the crowd and nearly collided with the physician, who was walking out of the bedroom with a broad smile.
"Your Highness!" the physician said joyfully. "Lady Shen woke up on her own! Without the awakening medicine! This is an excellent sign—her body has almost recovered!"
The weight hanging over Xie Yu's heart crashed down at once. A genuine smile, the truest in days, spread across her face.
At the same time, overwhelming exhaustion surged through her limbs like a tide.
She let out a long, long breath and nodded.
"That's good."
However, a trace of hesitation crept onto the physician's face.
"However…"
Xie Yu's heart leapt back into her throat.
"However what?"
"Don't worry, don't worry," the physician hurried to reassure her. "It's just that the medicine's side effects were a bit strong. Medicines that act on the brain can be like that."
"Lady Shen has lost her memory. But I've seen this before—the memory will gradually return after some time."
Temporary amnesia?
Xie Yu relaxed. As long as her body was fine and recovery was possible, that was enough.
"She lost her memory?" she repeated.
The corner of her mouth slowly lifted.
Amnesia… meant the Shen Changyin before her would be without all the deep scheming, the ruthless methods, the heavy past. Only the most authentic, perhaps even slightly naive version would remain?
It meant that the woman who had once suppressed her so thoroughly was now at her mercy?!
The corners of Xie Yu's lips curved upward uncontrollably as a mischievous idea quickly took shape.
A rare opportunity!
Even if you're my girlfriend and my wife, I won't show mercy!
She tossed out a quick "Got it" and dashed into the bedroom.
"Shen Changyin!" Xie Yu's voice rang out, loud and full of accusation.
"You heartless woman! When we divorced, you promised to leave with nothing and give all the property to me! Where's the silver? The shops? The land deeds? Pay up!"
Shen Changyin leaned against soft pillows on the bed. Her face was still pale from illness, but her eyes were exceptionally clear.
She looked at Xie Yu quietly.
"I didn't lose my memory."
"She lied to you."
The smug grin on Xie Yu's face froze instantly.
"I love you!" she blurted in desperate self-rescue, then bolted out the door, her voice echoing explosively through the courtyard:
"Zhang Changge! Villain! I'll kill you!"
Zhang Changge was the physician's name.
Chaos erupted outside.
After quite a while, Xie Yu returned, hair disheveled, and sat sullenly by Shen Changyin's bed.
Shen Changyin remained quiet. Their hands found each other silently.
Xie Yu began giving a brief report on the changes in the capital over the past few days and the operations of the forces under her command.
Shen Changyin listened calmly, nodding occasionally to show understanding.
Xie Yu lifted her teacup and drank deeply to soothe her dry throat, looking at the faint bit of color finally returning to Shen Changyin's face.
"So I adjusted the organizational structure of the Mighty Martial Army. It'll make tracking soldiers easier, and help integrate the Jiangnan Navy later… Oh right—you're not busy ten days from now, are you?"
Shen Changyin blinked, slightly startled.
"Is there something happening?"
Xie Yu nodded.
"Keep that day open. There's a ceremony I need you to attend."
When they had become engaged, it had been in the Hall of Diligent Governance. She had been a prisoner; Shen Changyin had been the rebel leader. The engagement had been officiated by an imperial attendant holding the empress's decree, with the corpses of daoists lying nearby.
It hadn't been beautiful. It certainly hadn't been perfect.
She wanted to propose to Shen Changyin properly.
—
Author's Note:
Honestly, Little Xie is the type of girlfriend perfectly suited for marriage and home.
Her view of relationships is almost frighteningly healthy. Once she confirms a relationship, her self-discipline becomes extremely high, and she is extraordinarily reliable.
In some ways, once she falls in love, she becomes what people call "love-brained." She knows this herself, which is why she was extremely cautious in the early stages with Little Shen.
After all, their first meeting had been very dangerous.
Little Shen actually had an innate advantage. At first glance, Little Xie already thought she was beautiful. If Little Shen had approached her under an ordinary identity, the difficulty level of winning her over would have been zero.
But Little Xie's personality isn't entirely healthy either—she has her own flaws.
She sets extremely high moral standards for herself, but almost none for others. For Little Shen, she is completely tolerant.
She would never use private torture for revenge in her lifetime—but if Little Shen does, she doesn't care at all.
At the same time, she is rigid only about the specific moral codes she has chosen for herself, and indifferent to other personal ethics.
How to put it… she's like a very intense self-disciplined paladin.
—
T/N: If you're enjoying this translation, feel free to check out my Patreon. If you're unable to support financially, you can still subscribe for free and receive chapters two hours earlier, along with updates and announcements. Paid tiers offer early access and daily chapters.
Thank you so much for reading!
patreon.com/Baenz