CFSSIR

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Shen Qingyao limped into the inn supported by Cui Qiao. As soon as they entered, Hong Yun, who was waiting inside, was shocked. She rushed over, exclaiming in concern and confusion, "Madam! How did you get injured just going out? Is it serious? Does it hurt?"

Supporting herself on one foot, grimacing, Shen Qingyao nodded weakly after a pause, "Of course it hurts! Don't stand there, go find a doctor for me."

It was then that Hong Yun realized the severity, nodding rapidly before hurrying off to find help. Cui Qiao helplessly watched them, thinking how both were equally worrisome. She sighed softly and assisted Shen Qingyao into the room.

"Oh? Miss, what happened to your hand?"

Once Shen Qingyao was seated, Cuiqiao brought water and a cloth to clean her. When she lifted the sleeve, she noticed a sudden red swelling on the inside of Shen Qingyao's right wrist. Cui Qiao was startled; it hadn't been there just a while ago!

Shen Qingyao now noticed it too, feeling perplexed. She recalled the sudden pain when Princess An'yu had grabbed her on the carriage, but it didn't make sense-she had quickly freed herself and checked her arm, which had only shown some redness from the grip, nothing more.

"Oh, it's nothing. Probably got bitten by some insect accidentally," Shen Qingyao murmured, lowering her gaze and quietly covering the somewhat terrifying swelling. She smiled and reassured Cui Qiao, whose face had turned pale, "It's alright, don't look so worried! The doctor will be here soon, and he can take a look and bring some ointment."

With no other option, Cui Qiao nodded, sighing. Seeing her Miss so nonchalant, she couldn't help but worry how Young Master would react when he returned.

But what surprised them both was that after Cui Qiao finished changing Shen Qingyao's clothes and they checked her wrist again, the swelling had inexplicably subsided. All that remained was a faint red dot. By the time Cui Qiao returned with water, even that dot had disappeared. Shen Qingyao's wrist was now clear and unmarked, as if the earlier swelling had been an illusion.

Shen Qingyao was astonished, and they exchanged bewildered looks, finding the situation both amusing and confusing.

"Nevertheless, it's good that it's gone," Shen Qingyao laughed again, feeling somewhat relieved.

After a while, Hong Yun returned, finally catching her breath. Shen Qingyao sat on the edge of the bed, craning her neck to look outside. Instead of the doctor, she saw the grave expression of Lu Zhao hurrying back.

She was somewhat surprised; it was still early, so why was Lu Zhao back already? His serious expression and the way his eyes immediately fell on her ankle made Shen Qingyao realize he must have heard about today's incident already, sparing her the need to explain again.

Seeing that she was sitting there fine and apparently not in too much discomfort, Lu Zhao relaxed slightly, though his expression remained grim. He strode over and suddenly sighed, kneeling in front of her, staring at her visibly swollen ankle. He murmured, "How did you get hurt again when I was not around for just a day?"

His tone held helplessness, tenderness, and a hint of self-blame. He should have been there with her.

Shen Qingyao pursed her lips, feeling somewhat guilty now that he didn't blame her. She reached out slowly, pulling him to sit beside her. She wrapped her arms around his waist and whispered softly, "I didn't mean to get hurt. It happened so suddenly, I couldn't react..."

Her voice carried a trace of grievance.

Lu Zhao gently patted her and softly said, "I know." The carriage accident wasn't caused by her, and she was an innocent victim of it. Spraining her ankle was a misfortune, but it was the best possible outcome considering the circumstances. He felt a lingering fear, thinking about what could have happened if the situation had been more severe and no one had been there to save her in time. His thoughts halted at this, and he dared not delve further. He just lifted his hand to gently rub the back of her head, "Does your ankle still hurt?"