Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Sheng Zhaoning came down with a high fever.

In her dreams, scattered fragments surfaced, scenes from the past flashing by like a revolving lantern.

She didn’t know how long she slept. When she hazily awoke, a weary, hoarse yet delighted voice sounded by her ear.

“Miss Sheng, you’re awake?”

Sheng Zhaoning looked toward the bedside, her vision blurring for a few moments before gradually clearing.

“Young General Chi,” she said hoarsely.

Seeing she had finally regained consciousness, Chi Yu’s anxious heart finally settled. He helped her sit up, ignoring her uncomfortable dodging, firmly tucked the blanket around her, and stared at her, asking:

“Is there anywhere else you’re uncomfortable?”

Sheng Zhaoning saw that her mask had been removed at some point without her knowing, and suddenly felt a bit unaccustomed.

She shook her head. “No.”

Chi Yu breathed a sigh of relief, reached out to feel her forehead and check the temperature. “It seems the fever has gone down a little.”

Sheng Zhaoning was very uncomfortable with others getting close. She frowned and said coldly, “Thank you for your concern, Young General Chi. I will be sure to visit and express my gratitude another day.”

Her tone was stiff, tinged with displeasure.

The meaning of her words was clearly an eviction order.

Chi Yu withdrew his hand and was silent for a moment. “I’m sorry, I was too forward.”

Sheng Zhaoning said nothing, simply picked up the mask and put it back on.

Watching her face become obscured once more, Chi Yu felt a heavy weight in his heart.

He and Wei Yi had grown up together at the border, so naturally he had known her early on.

Back then, she was fair and soft, timidly following behind Wei Yi, with bright, lively eyes, a sweet and lovely smile, very beautiful.

Later, she suddenly disappeared. Wei Yi made a huge fuss searching for her, and he too was deeply worried.

Unexpectedly, when he next heard news of her, it was Wei Yi with a cold face, his fingers tightly clutching a wine cup, eyes reddened, telling him: “She is Shadow Ten.”

At that moment, Chi Yu could hardly believe his ears.

He thought, no wonder Wei Yi was especially harsh to that Shadow Guard called Shadow Ten.

Wei Yi was holding back a grievance; he disliked, or perhaps loathed, the current her.

No matter who saw the present Sheng Zhaoning, they couldn’t associate her with that once obedient and soft little girl.

Chi Yu was also angry that she had become so cold-blooded and cruel, but beyond anger, what he felt more was heartache.

The Shadow Guard selection was fraught with danger, with both physical and psychological training and trials being extremely rigorous. The slightest carelessness could mean death under inhuman torture.

How much suffering had she endured to crawl out alive from that hellish place?

Chi Yu sighed, took out a small porcelain bottle from his bosom. “This is medicine I brought back from Mobei, very effective for internal injuries.”

Sheng Zhaoning still had no expression. She said indifferently, “This item is too precious. I am unworthy. Please take it back, Young General Chi.”

Chi Yu recalled her swollen legs and the many scars on her body, and his voice became more insistent. “If you keep going like this, you’ll eventually fall ill.”

“That is none of the Young General’s concern.”

A hint of hurt entered Chi Yu’s voice. “Must there be such distance between us?”

Sheng Zhaoning looked at him steadily. “Are we supposed to be close?”

Chi Yu seemed unable to believe she would say such a thing.

“To you, am I really nothing more than an unrelated stranger?”

Sheng Zhaoning was silent for a moment, then said, “Shadow Guards have no kin or friends.”

Chi Yu gave a bitter, sorrowful smile.

“You really are… utterly loyal.”

With that, he stood up, turned, and walked away.

But at that moment, Sheng Zhaoning spoke: “Young General Chi.”

Chi Yu’s steps halted; he stopped.

Sheng Zhaoning looked at the porcelain bottle on the table and said, “Your medicine.”

Chi Yu clenched his fists tightly. “Throw it away.”

When he reached the door, Chi Yu stopped and said, “Whenever you grow tired of this life, I can take you away.”

He had hoped for a response from her.

But behind him, there was only silence.

This-was Sheng Zhaoning’s answer.

Chi Yu sighed, turned, and vanished into the thick night.

No one noticed the figure outside the window, who flicked their sleeves and left under the cover of night.

It was a full month later before Sheng Zhaoning’s body was completely healed.

Recently, the border had been frequently reporting unusual activity. Prince Zhenbei dispatched several Shadow Guards to scout for information. She was specially permitted to remain in Liangzhou, tasked only with protecting Wei Yi’s safety.

Since the engagement was set, the Chi Family and the Wei Clan had become even closer in their dealings.

Many neighboring forces, hearing the news, had already moved to pledge allegiance to Prince Zhenbei.

The Northern Border was now completely under Prince Zhenbei’s control.

“Shadow Ten Guard, His Highness the Heir summons you.”

The one who delivered the message was a young maidservant serving Wei Yi. She looked at her with timid, shrinking eyes.

Sheng Zhaoning had been staying in the Shadow Pavilion to recover from her injuries and had not gone out for a long time.

Hearing this, her figure stiffened. After a long moment, she nodded, picked up her personal sword and hung it at her waist, then followed the young maidservant to the Northern Garden.

At the entrance, the maidservant barely stopped her steps and hesitantly spoke: “His Highness orders that you wait here first, and only enter when summoned.”

Shadow Guards were notorious, so the maidservant was very polite to her. During the conversation, she deliberately kept her distance. After saying that, she didn’t dare raise her head, hastily gave a bow, and fled as if escaping.

In an instant, the vast courtyard was left with only her.

Liangzhou was prone to wind and snow, and December was the coldest month.

Sheng Zhaoning stood under a bare apricot tree, waiting outside the door, staring at that tightly shut gate. She waited for two full hours.

Not until dusk, when the sky was darkening, did a graceful, slender figure carrying a pipa walk into the courtyard. Passing by her, she stirred a fragrant breeze. Led by a maid, she headed straight toward that closed door.

“Miss Yunyan, please follow me.”

The woman holding the pipa responded softly, “Alright.”

As they passed by Sheng Zhaoning, the two figures intersected. Sheng Zhaoning glanced sideways and met the other’s gaze as she also turned to look.

The woman had a lovely face but was wearing thin clothes, shivering in the cold wind.

She apparently did not expect to come face-to-face with a ferocious and terrifying mask. She was clearly startled, her face turning pale, and she unconsciously stepped back two paces.

The maid dared not say much. Seeing the figure frozen there, she was extremely anxious.

Why did this person have to stand right in front of the fearsome demon?

The maid’s voice trembled as she reminded, “Miss Yunyan, please hurry along.”

Only then did Yunyan come back to her senses. She swallowed and quickly walked away.

The maid pushed open the door and welcomed her inside.

Moments later, a few candles were lit inside. The melodious sound of the pipa arose, accompanied by the woman’s laughter, clearly ringing in her ears.

Sheng Zhaoning’s originally puzzled feelings suddenly became clear at this moment.

Perhaps, without knowing it, she had once again offended Wei Yi.