Chapter 125: Another Man Lying in the Princess's Bed

"He is still just a child; what reputation could possibly be at stake? Besides, his father gave his life for the Prince and the estate. If I were to fuss over such empty titles, I would be less than human. You need not worry. This Luo Jing Pavilion is vast; I can stay in the side chamber just as easily." Su Jingluo waved her hand dismissively, her manner generous and open.

Su Jingluo’s magnanimity left the fifteen guards feeling somewhat ashamed. Finding nothing more to say, they exchanged worried glances with 10009 before vanishing into the morning mist.

Su Jingluo sat by 10009’s bedside. He was still in pain, his young face deathly pale.

"Have you not been resting well these past few days?" Exhaustion severe enough to make one collapse suggested he had been through a grueling ordeal.

10009 lowered his head in embarrassment. It seemed it was true. Poor rest was detrimental to healing, but given the pain, he likely couldn't sleep. Su Jingluo produced a Tranquility Beetle and placed it on his wrist.

"This will help you get a good night's sleep. Rest is vital for your recovery." As the beetle changed color, 10009’s eyes drifted shut. Su Jingluo did not dare to leave; if he were to develop a fever, it would signal a complication, perhaps an infection or hidden injury. She kept watch by his bedside, frequently checking his forehead to monitor his condition. Eventually, the exhaustion of the past few days caught up with her, and she drifted off to sleep without realizing it.

When she finally stirred awake, 10009 was already stirring, looking at her with a complex mix of gratitude and guilt.

"Oh, how did I fall asleep?" In truth, Su Jingluo’s sleep had been restless; the position was uncomfortable, and she had been preoccupied with thoughts of 10009. Curiously, 10009 seemed to have developed a slight immunity to the Tranquility Beetle, as he had woken up after only a short time.

Opening her eyes, Su Jingluo immediately touched his forehead—no fever. She checked his leg again. The original owner of this body must have been formidable; the formula for the ointment was truly remarkable. 10009’s leg was barely swollen, and the skin, which had previously been black, had faded significantly in color, indicating that his circulation had largely been restored. It left Su Jingluo filled with curiosity about the Spirit Medicine Palace and the girl who had inhabited this body before her.

"What are you doing?" Suddenly, Zhuo Yue'an’s voice rang out from behind her. She turned to see Zhuo Yue'an, Xiao Jingxuan, Rui Huan, and A-Lan standing there. Yun Bai, unable to squeeze in, was craning his neck from the doorway.

Seeing 10009 lying in Su Jingluo’s private bed, Zhuo Yue'an shot a quick glance at Xiao Jingxuan’s livid face and immediately took the offensive.

"How can you be so improper, child? Get down at once!" Zhuo Yue'an emphasized the word 'child' heavily as he marched toward the bed, intending to pull 10009 off. 10009 moved to comply, attempting to rise.

"Why are you shouting?" Su Jingluo quickly blocked Zhuo Yue'an’s path, then turned to press 10009 back down. "You, stay still."

"He is injured. In matters of urgency, his treatment takes precedence; he had to be tended to in my room." Su Jingluo explained hurriedly, catching the look of terror in 10009’s eyes—he looked like a mouse cornered by a cat.

"Injured or not, even if he were dying, he cannot be this brazen!" Zhuo Yue'an spoke harshly while keeping a close watch on Xiao Jingxuan’s expression. He hoped that by being the one to voice the cruelest words, he might appease the Prince and prevent him from making things difficult for 10009. He had never realized it before, but he now saw that when it came to Su Jingluo, Xiao Jingxuan was nothing more than a spirit of vinegar, pickled through and through.