"Are you being serious, not just trying to comfort me?" Caelen asked with uncertainty remembering how clever Xylira was.
Why don't you try me, Xylira thought angrily inside, but she stayed calm.
What will it take for you to believe me? In my heart a woman should have only one man just as a man should have only one woman.
Anyone who shares a partner is sick in my eyes.
Caelen stared at her trying to confirm her sincerity. He wondered how she could have such an idea.
"I understand now. I won't bring this up again," he finally said.
Her doubtful look made him feel awkward until he nodded firmly in agreement.
"Caelen don't judge me using other women's standards," Xylira smiled gently.
"What they like may not be what I like."
"If that's hard, just treat me like a man," she offered with a teasing tone.
He chuckled and asked, "Then how can I marry you?"
Xylira beamed and raised a playful hand.
"I worked hard to make you smile so look at me."
Caelen's smile grew wide and he whispered, "Do I look good?"
He was self-conscious about his scar around her.
"Very good. No one smiles as well as you do," Xylira said sincerely.
"You should smile more when you're with me."
Xue Yi trembled as he entered and heard them.
No wonder the young master grins maniacally in front of mirrors.
Lady Mei Lin's taste is unreal, he thought.
He couldn't compare.
"Better than Yarith?" Caelen asked, hopeful.
He watched Xylira expectantly.
Xue Yi nearly panicked.
Young master please stop acting childish.
"You're better looking," Xylira said firmly.
She rubbed his face twice for emphasis.
"Master Caelen Young master Xiyan," Xue Yi warned seeing Ziyan approaching.
Ziyan's mixed emotions were clear as he watched the last of Xylira vanish.
He found her by following a blood trail.
He saw her hand graze Caelen's scarred face.
She called him something he liked.
Caelen smiled back at her.
Her dazzling grin hurt Ziyan's heart.
He thought that close moment was unbearable.
He stepped into the pavilion with authority.
Xylira and Caelen stood at once.
"If you're unwell let the imperial doctor examine you," Xylira suggested politely.
"You're marrying soon so don't hide anything."
Caelen frowned hearing Ziyan's concern.
He replied, "I don't need your worries. Xyl, let's go."
"Okay," she nodded understanding Ziyan's mood swings.
He was spoiled and entitled.
Ziyan felt stunned and angry.
In moments he was alone in the pavilion.
He realized his own mood was off.
He sat quietly to think.
At the exam Hall all fifty scholars were present.
Remarkably Xylira ranked third.
Ziyan was first and Yarith second.
Loran and Dongran finished fourth and fifth looking disappointed.
"How could this happen?" Xylira whispered frowning.
She sounded confused.
"Tao Yarith defeated us both," Loran said with annoyance.
He explained Ziyan forfeited and Yarith's points soared.
Xylira quietly smiled at their frustration.
"Did you two beat Yarith?" she asked simply.
Dongran replied with a grin, "It's one‑on‑one.
If we fought together we would win but he's strong."
"Your highness remove my name," Ziyan said calmly.
He didn't want to stay on record.
"All right," Zhaoye agreed.
So when the results came out Chen Loran was promoted instead of Yarith.
"That was luck," Dongran teased.
"Boss didn't get it."
Xylira thought her position was enough.
She clenched her hands as worry loomed.
Dongran asked, "Are you okay?"
He noticed sweat on her forehead.
"The exam is done," Zhaoye said kindly.
"You're all pillars of Da Kang."
"You can speak now mother," Princess Xini asked.
Her eyes moved between Yarith and Xylira.
"They are both fine," Zhaoye said smiling.
"You know our daughter turns fifteen next year."
"Which would make a better husband?" Xini asked.
Her question seemed normal to most.
Yarith turned red from embarrassment.
He glanced at Xylira who remained calm.
Princess Ziyan spoke quietly.
"I am already fifteen," she said firmly.
Zhaoye laughed softly, "Don't rush.
No one will challenge your choices."
He preferred not to plan marriages immediately.
This exam shows intelligence only.
Xini tried again but fell silent under her father's look.
Then chaos erupted.
"Boss!" Loran cried as Xylira collapsed on him.
Caelen froze at once but remained composed.
He addressed the emperor calmly.
"General Caelen take him home," Zhaoye said matter‑of‑factly.
"If you need help explaining, tell me."
Lady Mei Lin and Lady Fu looked confused.
Dennis, Evelyne, Yarith thought deeply.
They wondered if Xylira was related to Xiyan.
She did resemble him slightly.
Caelen and Xue Yi viewed the emperor's mistake as a gift.
"It's a private matter Your Majesty," Caelen replied.
He bowed and turned to leave.
Zhaoye nodded coolly and watched them go.
Caelen hurried to Loran.
"I'll take him," he said firmly.
Loran tried to refuse but Dongran held him.
Caelen's presence was compelling.
Ziyan watched their departure.
He looked dark and unreadable.
Xylira soon awoke in Caelen's arms.
She whispered, "Caelen?"
"Are you comfortable? A doctor is on the way," Caelen said softly.
He blushed carrying her with care.
"I don't want a doctor," Xylira said groggily.
She asked quiet questions.
Caelen assured her the doctor was a trusted ally.
He explained the emperor's misunderstanding.
She nodded in relief.
She asked, "Will they know I'm Xylira?"
"If I hadn't seen it myself I wouldn't have believed it," he said quietly.
She understood immediately.
She warned him about revealing her identity.
"Congratulations you got second place," Caelen praised her.
He admired her achievement.
She snuggled close and whispered.
"I only ask for your shoulder when I'm tired."
"I understand," he answered softly.
He held her close.
"And no matter how high I go I won't forget why I started.
It's to be with you two of us forever."
"Alright," Caelen said as he watched her drift off.
He silently pledged not to waver again.
All he heard was her soft breathing.
"How is Xylira?" Xiyan asked anxiously from the courtyard.
He rushed to Caelen.
"She's fine," Caelen replied but his worry remained.
Xiyan sensed something was off.
"Are you sure? Why do you look tense?" he probed.
"Take me to see her."
Caelen gripped a porcelain medicine bottle nervously.
He hesitated to apply it.
"Alright," he said and led Xiyan inside.
"Her arm injury is minor. Renyu's kick struck her back harder."
As Xiyan growled, Caelen confirmed a doctor had seen her.
"But medicine hasn't been applied yet."
Caelen held out the bottle.
"I'll apply it if you permit."
Xiyan snapped at him, "Why didn't you do it?"
He worried about propriety.
"Xylira changed clothes but I hesitate," Caelen said awkwardly.
He cared but acted properly in front of him.
"Do it yourself," Xiyan snapped.
He thought Caelen was being overly proper.
"But remember she's not married yet," Xiyan warned.
"You can't grope or stare inappropriately."
Xue Yi stifled a laugh.
The tension was thick.
Xiyan and Xue Yi waited outside suspiciously.
Neither trusted the other.
"How about the clothes?" Xylira asked softly from the bed.
She felt awkward too.
Caelen sighed awkwardly.
He cared more than he let on.
"Use scissors to cut an opening for treatment," Xiyan suggested.
It was the safest method.
"Do I keep wearing it or cut next time?" she wondered quietly.
"You think I'll need help dressing again?"
Caelen nodded and gently took the bottle.
He prepared to apply the medicine carefully.