Xue Yinzhou looked at the black-clad person on the ground showing faint signs of awakening, his voice extremely cold, "How should we handle this?"
Lu Xiao hesitated for a moment and replied, "The Female Master seems to need him, letâs bring him back as well."
...
Shen Tang didnât know how long she had been unconscious, but when she woke up, she was already back in the sleeping quarters of the Imperial Palace.
The air was filled with the smell of medicine and faint disinfectant. She turned her head and saw several doctors and nurses beside her.
"Donât worry, Your Majestyâs health is fine, itâs just some residual nerve toxins in the blood. Weâve administered an antidote, and Your Majestyâs constitution is special, youâll recover soon... Your Majesty is awake!"
"Thatâs great! Tangtang, you finally woke up! Do you know you nearly scared me to death!" Xiao Jin rushed over, but before he could get close, he was swatted away by a tail.
Xue Yinzhou said with displeasure, "Settle down."
He walked to the bedside, leaned down, held one of Shen Tangâs hands, and gently brushed her warm cheek with his slightly cool palm.
Xue Yinzhou gazed at his partner with tenderness and worry, "Tangtang, is your body feeling better?"
Xiao Jin glared discontentedly at the snake that stole a march, tail raised in anger, but he realized he had been too rash earlier. He hurried over to ingratiate himself, saying, "Tangtang, we were so worried about you! You didnât send us many messages these days, I almost wanted to fight my way over to save you!"
Jia Lan stood at the door, his slender form tall and elegant.
He looked at Shen Tang as she awoke on the bed, his thin lips slightly pursed, hesitating as if unsure whether to approach.
To be honest, he felt a bit resentful. She had tricked him, sent him away, and ran off without a word, to such a dangerous place...
He had heard from Xiao Jin and the others that she had gone alone to the rebel armyâs base camp and even encountered their leader.
God knows what she experienced these days, whether she was in danger, whether she ate and slept well...
Before he got a response from her, Jia Lan was wracked with guilt and unease, even shutting himself in his room to cry secretly. He felt he hadnât kept her safe, hadnât cared for her, failing his duties as Beast Husband.
He hadnât slept well these past few days... no, he hadnât slept at all!
"As long as youâre back." Jia Lan, seeing Shen Tang was unharmed, finally felt relief. After saying this lightly, he turned and left.
Shen Tang saw the mermaid youthâs particularly indifferent demeanor, her heart skipped a beat, recalling her actions when leaving, she sighed inwardly:
Oh no!
This time itâs really over; I made the little prince angry.
She needs to think about how to soothe him...
Lu Xiao noticed her gaze and raised an eyebrow slightlyâlooks like the disobedient little Female Master will be busy in the future.
He withdrew his gaze, walked to the bedside, and touched her still somewhat pale cheek, his voice low and gentle, "Does your body feel any other discomfort?"
Shen Tang opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but found her throat was so hoarse she could barely make a sound, "Thirsty..."
Xiao Jin was quick on his feet and hands, promptly pouring a glass of water to feed her.
After drinking the water, Shen Tang felt like she was revived.
She glanced at the darkened sky outside the window and asked, "How long was I unconscious?"
"A little more than half a day. You havenât had water or food for so long; I made some liquid food, you should have a little to fill your stomach first." Lu Xiao brought a bowl of lean meat porridge, pulled up a chair to sit by her bedside, scooped up a spoonful, gently blew on it to cool, and fed it to her.
Shen Tang blushed, quickly taking the porridge bowl, "No need~ I can drink it myself."
But when she took the bowl, she realized she was still so weak she almost couldnât hold it steady.
Lu Xiao chuckled, feeling both amused and pained, "Donât be stubborn, Female Master, let me feed you."
The doctors and nurses in the room, seeing the harmonious relationship between the couple, smiled indulgently. Not wanting to disturb the warm moment between the Majesty and the Beast Husbands, they left as soon as they confirmed her health was no concern.
Xue Yinzhou watched them leave, then sat at the bedside, pulling Shen Tang into his arms.
Shen Tangâs body, soft and lacking strength, was perfectly supported against his chest. Lu Xiao spoon-fed her the porridge.
During those few days at the rebel armyâs stronghold, Shen Tang had been on edge every day, and the food there was terrible. She indeed hadnât eaten or slept well. After enjoying this delicious bowl of lean meat porridge, she felt warmth in both body and soul, so happy she almost cried!
Xiao Jin was startled, hurriedly reaching out to wipe her little face, "Why are you crying while eating? Did you really suffer any grievances? Iâll go fight back for you right now!"
Shen Tang quickly grabbed him, laughter and tears intertwining, "Itâs okay, itâs just... I missed you all so much, and I feel guilty for running so far without telling you..."
Her voice lowered, "Itâs all my fault for making you worry and search for so long. You must be really mad; I donât even know how to explain..."
Lu Xiao, Xiao Jin, and Xue Yinzhou exchanged a glance, silent for a moment.
Honestly, their beloved Female Master running off to such a dangerous place without a wordâhow could they not worry or be angry as Beast Husbands? But more than anything, they felt concern and fear.
Now that she returned safely and admitted her wrongdoing, their hearts quickly forgave her.
Lu Xiao said gently, "Female Master once said that everyone has their secrets, and I believe you must have your reasons for doing this."
"As long as you can ensure your safety, I will unconditionally support all your decisions."
Xiao Jin also set aside his mischievous demeanor, bending over to touch her forehead, confirming she wasnât feverish, saying earnestly, "What are you talking about? I wouldnât be mad at you."
The only frustration was that he wasnât strong enough to do the things she wanted.
If he were strong enough, he could have stormed the rebel army base, wiped out those criminals, and brought her backâno need for her to risk herself!
Xue Yinzhou looked at her deeply, his voice cold and low, "I donât blame you. But next time, can you take me with you?"
He couldnât be away from her.
Not for a day, an hour, a moment... he couldnât stand it.
Not knowing her whereabouts and safety would drive him crazy.
Heâd go mad wanting to kill, losing control completely.
Listening to the heartfelt words of the Beast Husbands, Shen Tangâs tears flowed involuntarily. The three of them quickly rushed to embrace her, almost leading to another little skirmish.
"Alright, alright! Iâm really fine now; Iâll be more careful in my decision-making. Youâve been fighting on the battlefield these days, you look so thin, please eat something and rest soon." Shen Tang looked at them with heartache.
Actually, she wasnât harmed much; after eating, her strength gradually returned.
Instead, it was the Beast Husbands who appeared bedraggled, their clothes were torn, still the ones from battle, covered in dust and dried blood, faintly revealing their injuries.
After helping treat their wounds, Shen Tang urged them to go wash up, change clothes, and rest.
Once the Beast Husbands had gone, she still felt somewhat empty inside. In her mind, she tentatively called out,
"System, are you still there?"