Please Call Me Your Highness (GL) - Chapter 15

The footsteps stopped outside the cave, and Dong Xiaoning then heard the sound of rain. She realized it was pouring outside. After a moment’s thought, she cautiously crept toward the passage, the rain masking the sound of her movements.

Standing still, she shifted her gaze carefully and got a clear look at the visitor.

It was a tall, slender middle-aged woman, dressed plainly, with a kind and gentle face. Beside her sat a bamboo basket, part of a small hoe sticking out, along with some visible herbs.

She appeared to be a physician.

Dong Xiaoning’s mind raced as she weighed her options. Just as she was about to make a decision, Xiao Fu began coughing repeatedly, drawing the attention of the woman outside.

“Who’s there?” the woman called out, standing and stepping forward.

“Just passing by, sheltering from the rain,” Dong Xiaoning responded casually, quietly discarding the piece of wood she had been holding.

“Is there a patient?” the woman asked, stepping through the passageway and coming face-to-face with Dong Xiaoning—and then spotting Xiao Fu.

In that instant, Dong Xiaoning noticed a visible change in the woman’s expression.

“What’s your relationship with her?” the woman asked sternly, her tone suggesting that any unsatisfactory answer could turn the situation hostile.

“She’s my wife,” Dong Xiaoning replied instinctively, voicing the answer from her heart.

“I see.” The woman visibly relaxed and turned to examine Xiao Fu. “This is the backlash of long-term use of medication to suppress her Kunze nature and disguise herself as a Beta.”

“How do you know that?” Dong Xiaoning asked, puzzled and cautious.

“Because the medicine she used—I gave it to her,” the woman replied calmly. Having completed her examination, she turned to Dong Xiaoning. “If you’re willing to trust me, I can treat her.”

“Of course. Please, I’m grateful for your help.” Dong Xiaoning agreed at once. From the first moment she’d seen this woman, she hadn’t sensed malice. After hearing her words, she guessed that this woman might have a past connection to Xiao Fu and didn’t hesitate any longer.

“Consider yourselves lucky. Any longer and she would have been beyond saving,” the woman said as she began treating Xiao Fu. “By the way, my name is Han Congxuan.”

Hearing that name, Dong Xiaoning finally recalled—it was mentioned in the original novel as a renowned miracle doctor, though never actually appeared. In the original plot, Han Congxuan had no connection to the Fourth Princess Dong Xiaoning, but now the storyline had changed. Dong Xiaoning, however, had no time to dwell on that.

Under Han Congxuan’s treatment, Xiao Fu’s fever soon subsided, and her consciousness partially returned.

When she saw Han Congxuan, the surprise in Xiao Fu’s eyes was unmistakable. Their silent exchange didn’t escape Dong Xiaoning, but neither offered an explanation.

Dong Xiaoning took it in silently and suddenly thought of something more frightening—perhaps Xiao Fu harbored even more secrets. Could this all be punishment for her disrupting the original plotline?

As her mind spiraled through these thoughts, Dong Xiaoning unexpectedly calmed. There is no fixed script for life—for now, surviving the current ordeal was what mattered.

“She’s only temporarily fever-free,” Han Congxuan said seriously. “The fever will return again and again. It will take time to fully recover. In the meantime, what are your plans?”

“…” Dong Xiaoning didn’t answer at once. Wasn’t this essentially suggesting they should go with Han Congxuan? This question…

“I have a temporary residence nearby,” Han Congxuan offered, “If you’re willing, come with me.”

“That would be very kind—thank you.”

When the rain stopped, the three of them set off together for Han Congxuan’s temporary home, a cluster of wooden cabins at the foot of the mountain. The area was serene, with clear water and lush hills. Only a single path connected it to the outside world. In truth, it wasn’t far from the cave where Dong Xiaoning and Xiao Fu had been staying, but the dense forest and steep terrain made it feel like a world away.

The cabins had basic necessities, enough for eating and resting. After settling Xiao Fu in, Dong Xiaoning volunteered to fetch water and carried a wooden pail down to the river.

Watching Dong Xiaoning’s departing figure, Han Congxuan sat near the door. From there, she had a clear view of the path—when Dong Xiaoning returned, she would see her immediately.

“She’s the Qianyuan you chose?” Han Congxuan asked softly, glancing at Xiao Fu, who was half-lying on the wooden bed.

“More or less,” Xiao Fu replied. She seemed stable and able to speak.

“What do you mean ‘more or less’? You came to me once, asking for medicine to suppress your Kunze nature. You said you’d pay any price for it. I agreed. And you?” Han Congxuan’s tone was that of a strict elder. “I won’t stop you from seeking revenge, but seeing you like this… I can’t help but feel pity.”

“You don’t know who she is, do you?” Xiao Fu said, glancing at the door. “She is the current Fourth Princess. With the Crown Princess’s untimely death by horse fall, she is the rightful heir to the throne.”

“So that’s your plan,” Han Congxuan murmured, realization dawning in her eyes. “But how did you end up here?”

Xiao Fu briefly recounted recent events.

Han Congxuan clicked her tongue in disbelief. “That Empress Ming truly is formidable. Her own daughters can’t be trusted, but someone else’s daughter is suddenly a treasure? No wonder there are so many refugees lately. When the ones at the top behave poorly, it’s the people at the bottom who suffer the most.”

Xiao Fu gave a faint, bitter smile. “The Fourth Princess appears disheartened and weary of the world. My disguise can no longer be maintained before her. Thinking about it now… if we could simply live in peace like this, perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad.”

Han Congxuan let out a cold laugh. “When did you become so naïve? She is the Fourth Princess. In her position, there are only two outcomes—either she becomes Crown Princess and ascends the throne, or she dies without a grave. Now, the two of you are like stray dogs. Are you hoping to fake your deaths and escape this fate?”

Xiao Fu’s expression turned more bitter. Back then, all they had thought about was escape. They hadn’t planned beyond that. It had been a miscalculation… and selfishness on her part.

A bl00d feud, years of planning—how could she simply give it all up?

“She doesn’t know about you yet?” Han Congxuan asked.

“No,” Xiao Fu replied.

“And when you tell her, do you plan to bind her to you with your Kunze identity?”

“Perhaps…”

“When a Qianyuan and Kunze are together, there’s always a period of irrationality. But looking at you now, it’s obvious—you’ve given her your heart. You plan to use genuine feelings to test hers? Aren’t you afraid of losing everything?”

Han Congxuan noticed Dong Xiaoning’s return. She was carrying a water bucket, her posture slightly unsteady. After the rain, the mountain path was muddy and treacherous. Clearly, Dong Xiaoning wasn’t used to such labor.

Obviously not someone accustomed to rough tasks.

“My mind is a mess… I just want to leave it to fate,” Xiao Fu murmured, her eyes filled with a quiet anguish.

Footsteps approached outside.

Dong Xiaoning first brought the water to the kitchen, then returned to find Han Congxuan occupied with preparing herbs. Xiao Fu lay alone on the bed, drained of all energy, a sight that tugged at Dong Xiaoning’s heart.

“You’ll be better soon,” Dong Xiaoning said softly in comfort.

“Mm.” Xiao Fu responded faintly and lay down to rest.

Dong Xiaoning watched her fall asleep, her mind restless. After a while, she stood and stepped outside.

Around the wooden cabin, herbs had been cleverly arranged to ward off insects and snakes, providing a sense of safety. Dong Xiaoning didn’t know much about these things, but she remembered this detail from the original novel’s description of the miracle doctor Han Congxuan.

It was said Han Congxuan was highly skilled in treating fertility issues—a prized ability in a time when Kunze were expected to bear many children to continue the lineage. Yet Han Congxuan lived humbly among commoners, rarely seen even by the nobility.

Dong Xiaoning thought again of Xiao Fu’s condition. She didn’t know what long-term suppression of Kunze instincts might do. While the immediate crisis had passed, what about when Xiao Fu gave birth someday? Would it become life-threatening?

For Xiao Fu’s sake, she needed a way to reach Han Congxuan at any time.

Thinking this, Dong Xiaoning gave a wry smile. If she were still the powerful Fourth Princess, the woman destined to inherit the throne, protecting Xiao Fu would be no issue. But now, she had chosen the life of a commoner—uncertain and dangerous. Had they not encountered Han Congxuan, Xiao Fu might already be dead.

That powerlessness pierced her deeply, and she wished to avoid the issue altogether. Yet the more she avoided it, the clearer the memories became—especially the look exchanged between Han Congxuan and Xiao Fu.

She had fetched water earlier to give the two a chance to speak privately. Dong Xiaoning hadn’t planned to eavesdrop; when she returned, she had hoped Xiao Fu would explain. But Xiao Fu hadn’t. Nor had Han Congxuan.

Trust is hard to build, easy to shatter. Dong Xiaoning hadn’t yet reached the point of broken trust—but she remained a passive observer.

Pacing, Dong Xiaoning realized her anxiety must be written on her face. Forcing herself to calm down, she casually walked to the adjacent room.

The door was open. Han Congxuan was grinding herbs.

“She needs plenty of rest now. But as for Kunze instincts…” Han Congxuan trailed off, then looked toward Dong Xiaoning standing in the doorway. “All medicine carries some poison, but this ‘antidote’ from a Qianyuan comes with fewer side effects.”

Dong Xiaoning knew exactly what that meant. She simply nodded in understanding.

“You seem troubled. Do you want to ask me something?” Han Congxuan continued slicing herbs, speaking as if this conversation were incidental.

“You knew Xiao Fu before?” Dong Xiaoning finally asked, carefully choosing her words. She could no longer bear the torment of uncertainty and decided to confront it head-on.

“Yes.” Han Congxuan didn’t even look up, her tone flat and steady.

“Then… her past?” Dong Xiaoning’s voice trembled slightly, her heart tangled with doubt once more.

“I don’t know much.” This time, Han Congxuan raised her eyes and looked directly at Dong Xiaoning. “That child… she’s pitiful. I hope you’ll treat her well.”

Dong Xiaoning suddenly didn’t know what to say.

“This place is just a temporary hut for gathering herbs—crude and lacking key ingredients. I need to go into town. If all goes well, I’ll return tomorrow. If there’s anything you need, I can bring it back.”

Xiangbang Prefecture wasn’t far. Dong Xiaoning understood and had no requests, but she did ask Xiao Fu.

“I’ll likely spend the night in town and return early if possible,” Han Congxuan said before departing quickly along the sole path to the outside world.

Dong Xiaoning glanced at the sky, estimating the distance. With Han Congxuan’s pace, she should reach the city before nightfall. Turning back, she went to prepare dinner.

Though simple, the cabin’s kitchen was far better equipped than their previous cave. With the ingredients Han Congxuan left, Dong Xiaoning managed a warm, satisfying meal.

After nightfall, just as Han Congxuan predicted, Xiao Fu developed another fever.

Dong Xiaoning stayed at her side, only managing some rest in the latter half of the night. Then she was startled awake by the cry of a strange mountain bird. Opening her eyes, she saw dawn breaking.

Yawning, she suddenly jolted upright.

In the silence of the mountain forest, the sound of galloping hooves echoed—rapid and dense.