She's skilled in medicine, martial arts, and even understands animal language—the abandoned dau

Hearing Danzeng's words, Chu Zhiyi still had doubts in his heart, but he nodded slightly on the surface. "In that case, I thank the King of Nanrong on behalf of Man'er. However, Man'er is currently recuperating and it is inconvenient for her to receive guests. Prince Danzeng, please leave the medicinal herbs here."

Danzeng looked troubled. “Your Highness, I am an old acquaintance of Doctor Ding. She saved my life. I am really worried about her being so seriously injured. I just want to see her with my own eyes and make sure she is alright before I can return in peace. I hope Your Highness will grant my request.”

Chu Zhiyi frowned, his eyes showing displeasure. "Prince Danzeng, I have already said that Man'er is recuperating and it is inconvenient for her to receive guests. As the envoy of Nanrong, you should know etiquette and not make things difficult for me."

Seeing Chu Zhiyi's resolute attitude, Danzeng was unwilling but dared not force the issue, so he could only say helplessly, "Since that's the case, then I will leave the medicinal herbs behind. Please make sure Your Highness conveys my concern to Doctor Ding."

Chu Zhiyi responded and then gestured for his men to take the medicinal herbs, preparing to send Danzeng and the others away.

Meanwhile, Shen Man, inside her tent, felt somewhat uneasy.

She didn't know who the Southern Rong people were, and worried that her injury might reignite a war between the two countries. She was also preoccupied with trade between the two nations, planning to make good use of the rouge worm to build her own commercial empire.

When Chu Zhiyi returned to his tent after seeing off the Southern Rong envoy, he saw Shen Man sitting on the bed in a daze.

He walked gently to the bedside and asked softly, "Man'er, what are you thinking about?"

Shen Man looked up at Chu Zhiyi, a hint of worry in her eyes, "Your Highness, who did the King of Nanrong send? How did you finish your talks so quickly?"

Chu Zhiyi sat down by the bed and replied, "It was Prince Danzeng of the Southern Rong. He kept saying he wanted to visit you and even brought a lot of medicinal herbs. However, I felt that he had ulterior motives, so I didn't let him come to see you."

Upon hearing this, Shen Man felt speechless. "Your Highness, my interaction with Prince Danzeng was merely due to my previous act of saving him. I do not wish to cause further turmoil in the relationship between our two countries because of me, nor do I wish to delay trade between our two nations."

I had originally planned to study the cochineal insects properly once my injuries healed. If I could successfully extract the pigment, it would boost trade between our two countries, which would be beneficial to the people of both nations.

Chu Zhiyi looked at Shen Man, feeling a little jealous, but he also understood that she was concerned about important matters, so he said, "Man'er, the most important thing now is to focus on recovering from your injuries. I will report to Father Emperor as soon as possible regarding the trade between the two countries."

Shen Man nodded slightly, "Your Highness, after much thought, I still feel that it is inconvenient for a woman like me to stay in this military camp. I want to go home."

Upon hearing that Shen Man wanted to go home, Chu Zhiyi's expression immediately changed. "Man'er, your injuries haven't healed yet. It's too dangerous for you to go back now. Not only will the bumpy journey worsen your injuries, but what if you encounter bad people along the way? How can I let you go back alone?"

Shen Man sighed softly, "Your Highness, I know you mean well, but it's not appropriate for me to be in this military camp. I don't want to cause you any more trouble or distress because of me. Besides, I am a doctor myself, and I can treat my own injuries. My mother is waiting for me at home, and I really can't rest easy about her."

“Man’er, if you are worried about your mother at home, I can send someone to tell her that you have things to do in the military camp, so that she can rest assured.”

Shen Man shook her head. "Your Highness, I have a weaving workshop at home. It's already spring, and there are many things to do there. I really can't afford to delay."

Chu Zhiyi frowned, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Man'er, if you really want to leave, I won't force you. But at least wait until I've arranged everything and ensured your safety. I will select the most elite guards to escort you and prepare enough travel expenses and medicine for you."

“No need. Wanfeng and I know this road very well. It knows how to take care of me,” Shen Man insisted.

"Man'er, are you angry with me because of what happened yesterday?" Chu Zhiyi murmured, feeling a sense of defeat.

"Your Highness, I've already said that we should pretend that matter never happened and there's no need to bring it up again." Shen Man said, becoming somewhat impatient.

Just as the two were locked in a stalemate, another commotion arose outside the tent.

Chu Zhiyi got up and went out to check. He saw a group of soldiers surrounding a person who was struggling and shouting, "I need to see Doctor Ding! I have urgent business with her!"

As Chu Zhiyi approached, he saw a young man dressed in plain clothes, whose eyes revealed a stubbornness and eagerness.

He was puzzled. Who was this young man? Why did he want to see Shen Man? So he asked, "Who are you? Why do you want to see Doctor Ding?"

The boy raised his head, looked at Chu Zhiyi and said, "I am Doctor Ding's friend in Xiaoyao Village. My name is Shuan'er. Her mother has suddenly fallen seriously ill and she needs to go back quickly."

Chu Zhiyi was wary. He didn't know if the boy was telling the truth, but judging from his appearance, he didn't seem to be lying.

He thought for a moment and said, "You wait here while I go and tell Doctor Ding."

Chu Zhiyi returned to his tent and told Shen Man about it. When Shen Man heard that it was Shuan'er, she was startled and quickly said, "Your Highness, please let him in. He is a friend I trust."

Chu Zhiyi nodded, turned around and led Shuan'er into the tent. As soon as Shuan'er saw Shen Man, his eyes reddened. "Man'er, how did you get hurt? Your mother has been sick for several days and is waiting for you to come home!"

Upon hearing that her mother was ill, Shen Man was extremely anxious and immediately set off to return to the village.

Chu Zhiyi frowned, wanting to dissuade him but unable to find the words.

"Shuan'er, how did you get here?" Shen Man suddenly asked.

"It was your big bird that brought me here. I was so scared the whole way that I didn't dare to move, afraid it would throw me off!"

"You came on a horned eagle, that's wonderful!" Shen Man was overjoyed to hear this, as riding on the back of a horned eagle was much more stable than riding on a horse.

After saying goodbye to Chu Zhiyi, Shen Man and Shuan'er rode on the horned eagle and returned to Xiaoyao Village.

The eagle soared into the sky, and Shen Man sat atop its back, her heart filled with anxiety, her thoughts already drifting back to Xiaoyao Village. She was deeply worried about her mother's condition and longed to return home immediately. Shuan'er clung tightly to Shen Man's clothes beside her; though he too was afraid of the high altitude, he was even more concerned about Shen Man's injuries.

"Man'er, does your wound still hurt? You must hold on," Shuan'er asked with concern.

Shen Man shook her head. "I'm fine. I just want to see my mother as soon as possible." Her gaze was fixed on the distance, trying to find the outline of Xiaoyao Village in the clouds.

In the military camp, Chu Zhiyi stood gazing in the direction the horned eagle had gone, for a long time.

His heart was filled with worry and reluctance. On the one hand, he was worried that Shen Man's injuries would worsen on the way, and on the other hand, he was afraid that Shen Man would leave him if he went.