An Ning carefully cleaned Xiao Luming’s wounds and bandaged them.

"Don’t get them wet for the next couple of days," An Ning instructed, "You’ve hurt your right hand, and can’t help your father with reviewing memorials. You don’t need to go to Qiankun Hall for the next few days; I’ll accompany your father."

"Yes," Xiao Luming replied respectfully, then asked, "Mother, do you think I’m interrupting you and Father?"

He asked very earnestly.

An Ning smiled helplessly, "Mother simply thinks your health is more important."

"Ping Gonggong has told me several times that since Mother returned to the palace, your relationship with Father has greatly improved," Xiao Luming stated bluntly.

An Ning’s eyes flickered slightly.

Lin Zichan’s gaze seemed to tighten too.

"I’m not jealous. I hope Mother and Father can be together harmoniously," Xiao Luming quickly said, "Moreover, I hope Mother and Father can give us more brothers and sisters."

"Luming," An Ning suddenly asked seriously, "Do you like the life you have now?"

Xiao Luming was slightly taken aback.

Then he answered honestly, "I do. I hope our family can be together, forever together. I don’t want you and Youyou to leave us again. During that period, I was truly unhappy. I kept thinking about you and Youyou."

An Ning gently patted Xiao Luming’s head, "Alright, Mother understands. From now on, our family won’t be apart again. Mother will not leave again."

"Mm," Xiao Luming rarely smiled.

He doesn’t usually like to smile.

At this moment, he was genuinely happy.

An Ning pondered.

Perhaps with age, after experiencing too much parting and death, one doesn’t remain as self-centered.

She would no longer live solely for herself.

"I won’t disturb Mother anymore; I’ll retire first," Xiao Luming said, rising from the couch and bowing.

Actually, he was thinking of how Lin Zichan was injured while saving him and Mother, and he needed to take Lin Zichan to clean his wounds.

"Mm," An Ning nodded.

Xiao Luming turned and departed.

Lin Zichan followed behind.

An Ning watched their backs, her gaze initially on Luming but then suddenly shifted to Lin Zichan, noticing the damp marks on his back.

It was that moment she suddenly remembered that Lin Zichan had shielded her by using his back against the tiles.

The tiles shattered and might have cut into his body.

An Ning instantly diverted her gaze.

Even as a person of the apocalypse who should treat all equally, she currently lives within a monarchy and, as Empress, cannot treat everyone equally.

Lin Zichan’s duty was to protect Luming and her.

Even if injured, it was deemed appropriate.

...

Xiao Luming took Lin Zichan back to his bedchamber.

As soon as he entered the hall, Xiao Luming ordered, "Summon the Imperial Physician for the Crown Prince."

"Yes," the Palace Attendant quickly obeyed.

Xiao Luming turned to Lin Zichan, "Take off your shirt so the Crown Prince can see."

Lin Zichan’s eyes flickered. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"As the Crown Prince’s personal guard, your duty is to protect the Crown Prince’s safety, so your health is naturally important," Xiao Luming explained.

He spoke earnestly.

After he spoke, his small face inexplicably reddened.

Xiao Luming didn’t know why, but every time he looked into Lin Zichan’s eyes, he felt a bit embarrassed.

Clearly, he is the ruler, and Lin Zichan is the minister.

Lin Zichan’s gaze made him uncomfortable.

He never felt this way around Xiao Wu, even though Lin Zichan was a subordinate of Xiao Wu.

Just as Xiao Luming was feeling awkward.

Lin Zichan untied his clothes, removing his outer and white inner garments.

He turned around.

Turning around allowed Xiao Luming to clearly see his back.

The white inner garment he had taken off was stained completely red; there were several ghastly slashes across his back, and nearly the entire back was bruised, making it quite terrifying.

Xiao Luming was shocked.

He never thought Lin Zichan was so severely injured.

He assumed it was merely a bruise or scrape.

At this moment, Xiao Luming was even taken aback, thinking that although Lin Zichan was so seriously hurt, he never uttered a single groan, and was almost punished with twenty strokes by Mother.

"Doesn’t it hurt?" Xiao Luming couldn’t help but ask.

Lin Zichan slightly shook his head, "No."

Xiao Luming knew that Lin Zichan was just not admitting it.

He turned around, with a trace of irritation, and asked the Palace Attendant, "Hasn’t the Imperial Physician arrived yet?!"

"Your Highness, this servant will urge them again," the Palace Attendant quickly responded respectfully.