Repeatedly broken branches

Everyone was talking about how the young general Zhou Tingxi couldn't swim.

Some people say it's normal that they're unfamiliar with water because they grew up in the desert.

Some say that Zhou Tingxi is naturally afraid of water and has fallen into the water several times since he was a child, almost losing his life.

Xiao Mu sat on the couch with her legs crossed, eating watermelon. "Hmph, Zhou Tingxi is so heartless. Xiao Mu went through so much trouble to save him twice, and he didn't even acknowledge it. Two or three days have passed and he hasn't come to see her at all."

It must be Ye Wanwan taking care of and comforting him. How amazing! The two of them, one is his best friend and the other is his fiancé, don't they want to come and see him?

The little spoon brought a message: "Princess, the prince consort has a persistent high fever, and his household has sent someone to ask you to go and take a look!"

This week, Tingxi is supposed to be a young general, yet he's so frail. She, a girl, fell into the water and was perfectly fine, but he got a high fever that wouldn't go down. What does he want? Does he want her to take care of him? Isn't Ye Wanwan there? Why is he dragging her along to be a third wheel?

"No, I'm not going. I'm not a royal physician!"

Xiao Shao hesitated, "But when the prince consort was unconscious, he called out your name..."

What, my name?

After thinking about it, she decided against it. If Zhou Tingxi burned to death like this, the mission would fail and she wouldn't be able to go back. She originally planned to complete the mission in two or three months and then go back. She couldn't let him die like this because of this.

"Go, go, go to the Prince Consort's residence."

Xing Xiaomu brought a bunch of food with her, hoping she would take care of him. He thought she was just going through the motions and would only help when necessary.

However, when they arrived at Zhou Tingxi's room, there were five imperial physicians standing in a row. The one in the lead, who looked a bit more mature, reported his condition to Xia Yunzhi, saying that it was caused by dampness or water entering his body and him choking on too much water, resulting in a persistent high fever.

Xiao Mu listened attentively to the imperial physician's words, then took out a piece of dried meat from the snack basket next to her, waved it in front of him, and said, "Want some?"

The imperial physician waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "I dare not."

Xiao Mu glanced at him, bit into the jerky, tore off a piece, chewed it, and asked indistinctly, "He... won't die, will he?"

The imperial physician wiped his sweat. "Of course, this is just a common cold with high fever. It will get better as long as you take the medicine."

"Then why did you call me here?"

Unhappy, very unhappy.

After the imperial physician left, Xiao Mu ignored the dirt on the ground and leaned against Zhou Tingxi's bedside, eating dried fruit and candied fruit... It would be great if there was some fruit wine or something, preferably peach blossom wine, as these would be a perfect match with dried fruit.

"Water...water."

Zhou Tingxi's hand hung down beside Xiao Mu, groping haphazardly in the air before finally resting on her shoulder.

"What?" Xiao Mu wiped her hands and impatiently shook off Zhou Tingxi's hand.

Zhou Tingxi's lips were so dry. He murmured to himself, "Mother, I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

"Who are you calling 'mother'?" Xiao Mu was a little angry. She stood up, pointed at Zhou Tingxi's nose, and scolded, "What kind of relatives are you calling 'mother'? Who is your mother?"

Zhou Tingxi's eyes were closed, his eyelashes trembled, and fine sweat kept pouring from his forehead... He deserved to be in pain.

But why does Xiao Mu's heart clench when she sees him like this?

It must be the original owner's consciousness at work. The male lead treated her like that, yet she still felt pity for him. If you're going to be a saint, don't let your emotions get involved. She doesn't want to be sad for someone like him.

Xiao Mu pounded her chest, feeling a tightness in her chest. "Please, Xia Yunzhi, don't come out again."

"water."

"What do I owe you?" Xiao Mu scolded as she poured him water. She helped Zhou Tingxi up, and after he drank the water, he felt like he had come back to life.

Is it her mother, or Ye Wanwan?

None of them, it was actually that annoying woman, Xia Yunzhi…

She was actually taking care of me?

Zhou Tingxi opened his eyes again. It was Xia Yunzhi. Why was she here?

"Princess..." Zhou Tingxi said weakly, "What are you doing here?"

Xiao Mu put him down and said sarcastically, "Didn't Ye Wanwan disappoint you by staying here with you? Sorry, she didn't come. In fact, I was the one who pulled you out of the pool!"

Zhou Tingxi's eyebrows furrowed, then he coughed. "Thank you, Princess, for saving me. Are you alright, Princess?"

"Of course I'm fine. I'm as strong as an ox, unlike you, who's supposed to be a general. How come you're like a wilted chicken as soon as you fall into the water?"

Zhou Tingxi's eyes darkened, a cold glint flashing in them. He glared at Xiao Mu and scoffed, "This humble subject grew up in the desert since childhood. Unlike the princess, who has been to Jiangnan and is familiar with water, I apologize for making a fool of myself."

Xiao Mu grabbed Zhou Tingxi's wrist and said softly, "Oh, Tingxi, I was just saying that out of anger. I was angry that you were so careless and fell into the water. What would I do if you died?"

Damn it, Xiao Mu turned her head and made a gagging face, "You might as well just die already."

Xiao Muxing turned her eyes slightly, looked at Zhou Tingxi in a flattering manner, took his arm, and smiled gently, "It's good that you're awake~ We can talk about other things later. Anyway, we'll be husband and wife from now on, so we'll have plenty of time to talk about it slowly."

Princess Zhou Tingxi's gaze swept over Xiao Mu, and her beaming smile softened his heart. He swallowed back the words, "Why don't we annul the engagement?"

"Hmm?" Xiao Mu looked up at him, her eyes clear as water, with a hint of suspicion in them. What was Zhou Tingxi trying to do with only half a sentence?

Zhou Tingxi's Adam's apple bobbed, and he stammered, "N-nothing...it's nothing."

Xiao Mu wanted to play with him some more, so she came up with a plan. "Ouch~" Xiao Mu held her forehead and leaned weakly against Zhou Tingxi's chest. She then covered her chest, her delicate eyebrows furrowed, and said in a coquettish voice, "Perhaps I've caught a cold too. My chest feels stuffy and my body feels cold~" After saying that, she crawled into Zhou Tingxi's quilt and kicked herself onto the couch.

Zhou Tingxi was squeezed into a corner and cleverly pulled the blanket over. Unexpectedly, Xiao Mu shamelessly pressed herself against Zhou Tingxi's chest, feeling the rise and fall of his heartbeat on her face. She laughed wildly inside.

Zhou Tingxi swallowed hard, feeling his mouth dry and his heart burning with a raging fire. His blood was surging and his eyes flashed with a hint of malice. Why couldn't he hate Xia Yunzhi anymore?

Xiao Mu still wouldn't let him off the hook. Grabbing Zhou Tingxi's collar, she straddled him, sitting on his lower abdomen. She lay on his chest, her fingertips tracing down from his Adam's apple. Zhou Tingxi's breathing became rapid. Xiao Mu smiled softly and said sweetly, "Tingxi, I like you so much~ Can you only be good to me from now on?"

Zhou Tingxi lowered his eyes, gazing at Xia Yunzhi with a dreamy look. His face flushed, and he blurted out, "Okay..."

Xiao Mu chuckled to herself, "Hehe, my scheme has succeeded. This princess is heading home now."

Xiao Mu climbed off Zhou Tingxi and leaned against the bed, covering her mouth to suppress her laughter.

Zhou Tingxi then realized he had been tricked. He stared at her coldly, while Xiao Mu innocently stuck out her tongue, blinked, and said coquettishly, "This princess is leaving now. You don't need to see me off."

After saying that, she picked up her shoes and ran away from Zhou Tingxi's room.

Strangely, Zhou Tingxi didn't feel angry at all. Recalling how Xia Yunzhi had been lying on top of him, so shy and soft, he couldn't help but blush again.

Damn.

Xiao Mu put on her shoes and jumped around outside, laughing loudly. Zhou Tingxi, you're so easily charmed.