Chapter 11: The Imperial Palace

"Thank you!"

Yu Sha nervously fidgeted with the corner of her clothes. Having grown up in the Green Sea Forest, this was her first time accompanying her brother to the Empire for business, and she never expected to encounter such a situation. Thinking back on the peril she'd just faced, the young girl felt immense gratitude toward Xu Feng. If not for him, she would have been seized by that audacious baron.

Xu Feng was also observing the girl before him. Elves truly were the gods' masterpieces. People often said that even the most beautiful girls couldn't withstand close scrutiny, but this proverb clearly didn't apply to the elven race. Even from up close, Xu Feng couldn't find a single flaw on her face, as if she had been meticulously carved by an artist.

Beautiful was the only word. Moreover, she exuded a faint fragrance—not perfume, but the natural scent of flowers and grass.

So beautiful... Without thinking, Xu Feng leaned closer...

"Ah!"

The girl's soft cry snapped Xu Feng back to reality. His face flushed, and he quickly returned to his seat, apologizing, "I'm sorry. You're just too beautiful. I couldn't help myself."

A bright blush spread across the elf girl's face. Xu Feng's honesty and straightforwardness left a deep and favorable impression on her. He wasn't putting on airs or pretending to be a saint; he could openly praise her beauty while still maintaining self-control. After his slip-up, he immediately apologized, acting polite and gracious. Even though he had almost... kissed her just now, Yu Sha found that she wasn't angry at all.

The girl shook her head, her face still red. "It's fine."

"By the way, what's your name?"

"Yu Sha."

A pretty name. The young man silently repeated it twice. "I'm Xu Feng. Nice to meet you."

The girl seemed a little shy. Compared to humans, elves were a shyer race. However, Xu Feng's quick wit and easy chatter soon eased the awkward atmosphere.

"Oh, right, Brother Xu Feng... are you really a doctor? Can you cure the princess?"

"Well..." Xu Feng's expression instantly fell. As if he could! He leaned close to the girl's ear and whispered, "Little one, I lied to them. I was just buying time, looking for a chance to slip away."

The elf's eyes widened in shock. Lying? Heavens, that's deceiving the emperor! This human brother was truly bold.

Xu Feng gently pulled back the curtain and glanced outside. The clatter of iron-shod hooves echoed around them; the carriage was surrounded by fully armed cavalry. Damn it, that earl seemed to have anticipated his plan.

"What should we do?" the elf leaned closer.

"Little one, it looks like this time, I'm the one dragging you down."

The girl shook her head with a smile. She knew the situation was dire, but for some reason, Yu Sha didn't feel afraid. Even though she had just met this human youth, being by his side gave her a strange sense of security.

At this point, the plan to escape midway had fallen through. For now, Xu Feng was fresh out of ideas and could only take things one step at a time.

About half an hour later, the procession arrived at the imperial palace.

"You two, please step down."

As the center of imperial power, everyone except His Majesty the Emperor and a select few granted special permission had to dismount or step down from their carriages here as a sign of respect for the royal family.

Xu Feng jumped off the carriage and then reached out to help Yu Sha down. He turned to survey the surroundings—what a magnificent imperial city!

Imposing and grand, clearly the work of a top-tier architect. The outer walls were constructed from massive bluestone, incredibly sturdy and further reinforced by mages. On the battlements, there were powerful bows, crossbows, and even a few long-lost magical weapons...

Passing through the city gate, the majestic imperial palace came into view—red bricks, yellow tiles, and white marble railings. Following behind the earl, the two stepped into the Empire's palace.

"Little one, don't be afraid!"

For Yu Sha, who had grown up in the forest, today's experiences were far too intense. The young girl's eyes held a lingering fear. Xu Feng sighed softly and gently took her hand.

Warm as jade, soft and boneless—an elf's hand was so delicate. But at this moment, Xu Feng had no intention of teasing the girl. This intimate gesture was meant to help alleviate her fear, and it indeed had a good effect. The fear in Yu Sha's eyes lessened considerably...

Along the way, many palace maids pointed and whispered about the two. Since Her Highness the Princess fell ill, countless renowned physicians had been summoned, but never one so young.

Could he really do it? The earl himself had no confidence at all.

"Royt, is this the doctor you've brought for my daughter?" Looking down at Xu Feng, the Empire's emperor, Baphia XV, was filled with doubt.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Beads of sweat dotted the earl's forehead. With things having come to this, he could only help exaggerate Xu Feng's credentials, claiming his master was a reclusive medical sage and that this youth was a genius, and so on...

The emperor frowned, his expression a mix of belief and skepticism. But there was no time now to verify everything one by one. Aelia's condition grew worse by the day, and they could no longer afford to delay. For now... let him try.

"Very well, follow me." Baphia XV sighed. At this moment, he was no longer the Empire's emperor but a father worried about his daughter.

Like forcing a duck onto a perch—with things having come to this, what could Xu Feng do? He had no choice but to follow the emperor forward.

The Princess's Bedchamber

Contrary to Xu Feng's expectations, the place wasn't opulent but rather fresh and elegant.

"Your Majesty!"

Two maidservants bowed respectfully. Baphia XV walked straight in. By the ivory bed stood several women dressed in clerical attire—they were priests from the church. However, even Your Holiness the Pope had been helpless against the princess's illness. All they could do was use prayers and light blessings to prolong her life.

But this was merely a stopgap measure. They urgently needed to find a skilled physician who could cure this strange disease.

On the ivory bed lay a young woman with delicate features. Though she was of pure human bloodline, this heaven-sent beauty was in no way inferior to an elf. Breathtaking was the best description.

Lips like pearls, skin like ice and jade—seeing this princess for the first time delivered a powerful visual impact. Hers was a fresh, heart-stirring beauty...

Yet, the torment of illness had robbed her of her healthy glow. Her skin showed an unhealthy pallor. Princess Ailiya had been unconscious for seventeen days.

Was beauty truly fated to suffer?

"Xu Feng, show us your healing arts. If you can cure my daughter, I will grant you a rich reward. Otherwise..."

The emperor didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear. The previous "quacks" who had attempted to treat the princess had been beheaded by the imperial guards.