Zhan Lan followed the direction of the Silver-faced Fox’s hand and saw two rows of guards escorting a carriage coming this way.
"Lady!" someone shouted from this direction.
The Silver-faced Fox twitched the corner of his mouth, thinking that trouble had still caught up with him!
These people seem to be from the Shadow Sect!
"Hurry up, the lady has fainted!"
The newcomer urged, "Quick!"
The procession hurried to the front, and the leader respectfully spoke to the person inside the carriage, "Sir, please help check on our lady."
A man dressed in white, draped in a black cloak, with an appearance as fair as jade, handsome features, and a naturally healthy look with rosy lips and white teeth, came down from the carriage.
After getting off the carriage, he saw Shui Zhihan being helped onto it.
The attendant behind him immediately handed him a pouch of needles.
The man stepped forward and quickly inserted needles into several acupoints on Shui Zhihan’s head; in a few breaths, Shui Zhihan slowly woke up.
Zhan Lan caught a glimpse of the man’s features; he was the doctor treating the citizens in the city.
The Silver-faced Fox urged to leave, but Zhan Lan said in a deep voice, "Wait a moment."
Seeing a good doctor now was exhilarating to her, just like seeing glistening silver amid destitution.
"What’s wrong, Lan’er?" Mu Yan asked.
"Saw a skilled doctor." Zhan Lan quietly observed the doctor.
"Do you think he could be that person..."
"Yes!" Zhan Lan had always been intuitive; she felt this person could definitely cure Mu Yan’s cold condition.
Upon waking, Shui Zhihan saw the person before her and smiled, "Thank you, Divine Doctor Jin."
Upon hearing the man’s surname, Zhan Lan was completely convinced of her intuition.
This person was Jin Tianjing.
Jin Tianjing was the junior brother of the Medical Saint, and Chu Yin’s martial uncle. Initially, she planned to use Chu Yin’s connection to contact Jin Tianjing but unexpectedly encountered him here.
"Lady, you have awoken. Today, Divine Doctor Jin came to the city to treat people, and after knowing you went out of the city to find him, we immediately sent for Divine Doctor Jin to locate you!"
"You need to be cautious with your fainting spells..."
Seeing that Mu Yan and Zhan Lan’s carriage hadn’t left, Shui Zhihan coldly scolded, "Shut up!"
The newcomer fell silent.
Feeling her demeanor slightly stern, Shui Zhihan gave a slight smile towards Jin Tianjing.
"Apologies, Divine Doctor Jin, for troubling you to make a trip."
Jin Tianjing casually replied, "It’s nothing, I was planning to leave here for elsewhere anyway."
"You’re leaving, will you come back?" Shui Zhihan anxiously inquired.
Jin Tianjing spoke steadily, aware of Shui Zhihan’s concerns.
"Lady Shui, there’s no need to worry. Your condition won’t relapse as long as you aren’t agitated. Even if it does, I have taught your family’s doctor the acupuncture methods and prescription."
"Alright, thank you, Divine Doctor Jin," Shui Zhihan said with a smile.
Jin Tianjing gave a gentle nod and returned to his carriage.
Seeing that Zhan Lan and Mu Yan’s carriage hadn’t left, Shui Zhihan coldly asked, "Why haven’t they left yet?"
Was it because they felt they hadn’t humiliated her enough?
Earlier, Zhan Lan’s anger triggered her fainting spell.
Her attendant said, "When you fainted, that woman grabbed your arm, preventing your head from hitting the frozen ground."
Shui Zhihan was stunned — Zhan Lan had actually helped her!
Her heart was once again struck by turmoil. In terms of martial skills and appearance, Zhan Lan surpassed her, and now even her demeanor seemed more magnanimous.
Shui Zhihan suddenly felt a sense of shame, realizing she had foolishly compared herself to Zhan Lan in the heat of anger.
Perhaps Zhan Lan was right; she did like to compare herself with other women because she wanted to be the most formidable woman.
Living all her life within the confines of Yuzhou, her vision was never as broad as a woman who had seen the world. Today, she understood the truth that there’s always someone better and a higher sky.
She seemed to understand why Mu Yan didn’t choose her.
She stepped off the carriage, walked to the front of Zhan Lan and Mu Yan’s carriage, and nodded, "Empress Zhan, thank you for pulling me just now, but I still want to challenge you. Three years from now, I hope you will face me with your weapon. If I lose, I, Shui Zhihan, will never covet your husband again, nor will I bother you. If you lose, please apologize for belittling me today!"
Feeling somewhat nervous, her voice trembled. In her impulsiveness, she realized what stood behind Zhan Lan was the Emperor of Dayu, and the whole of Dayu itself.
"I’ve never belittled you; it was you who first looked down on me. Since you know my status, we aren’t acquainted. Why should I put on a friendly face for you?"
Why do women make things difficult for other women? Kindness should have an edge, and there’s no need to be polite to those who disrespect you.
Shui Zhihan’s ears turned red. Damn, she was humiliated by Zhan Lan again, yet what she said seemed right!
She approached them with anger, blaming Zhan Lan out of jealousy.
"He who humiliates others will be humiliated in return. Had you addressed me as Empress Zhan or General Zhan, perhaps I would have treated you with courtesy, at least seeking a decent weapon to compete with you."
Shui Zhihan lowered her gaze. She was always proud, being the daughter of the Sect Master of the world’s number one sect and the adopted daughter of the King of Yuzhou, believing there was nothing she couldn’t obtain in Yuzhou.
The words Zhan Lan spoke today, no one had ever told her before. Why did Zhan Lan, though younger, excel in understanding human nature and knew so many truths?
She felt unwell, realizing she was less educated than Zhan Lan!
In comparison to Zhan Lan, she lost in every way, in a complete mess!
Zhan Lan surely wouldn’t accept her three-year challenge.
Because Zhan Lan must think she’s bound to lose, just like today’s bitter defeat!
Zhan Lan wouldn’t consider her a rival, surely not.
Tears welled up in her eyes, her chest tight, turning around intending to leave.
Unexpectedly, Zhan Lan’s voice came from behind, "If three years later, Lady Shui still wishes to compete with me, come to Dayu to find me, and I’ll challenge you properly."
Shui Zhihan looked back, Zhan Lan agreed!
Hope arose in her eyes, driving her to give her all for the three-year promise.
Seeing Shui Zhihan’s sudden fainting spell today, Zhan Lan also realized a truth.
Wealth, power, and fame are but fleeting clouds.
Ultimately, humans strive for a healthy body.
Zhan Lan looked in the direction of Jin Tianjing’s leaving carriage, having no desire to engage more with Shui Zhihan. Following Jin Tianjing was the urgent matter.