Later that evening Shen Li burned with a high fever. Rou-ya fed her water and tried to cool her down with a damp towel but it was to no avail. Shen Li refused to wake up. This had never happened before; no matter how serious the injury, Shen Li was always conscious and clear-headed. This unconscious Shen Li left Rou-ya worried beyond belief.

She didn’t know what to do. There were two immortals in the residence she could ask for help. It was inappropriate to disturb Immortal High G.o.d Xing Zhi in the middle of the night. On the other hand Fu Rongjun was Shen Li’s fiancé. Rou-ya reasoned it was appropriate to seek help from him considering their relations.h.i.+p.

She rushed over to his courtyard[notes] and banged on his door. It was no use though. Even after knocking for several minutes, no one came out. A now frantic Rou-ya had no choice but to find Immortal High G.o.d.

...

Xing Zhi touched Shen Li’s cheeks. They were red and hot to the touch. He immediately sat down by her bedside and felt the pulse on her hand. The strange reading made him furrow his brow.

“Immortal High G.o.d…will my master be OK?”

“It is but a fever.” Xing Zhi released Shen Li’s hand. “Are there any medicinal components in the residence?”

Rou-ya shook her head. “Master never gets sick. Us demon people rarely get sick. Medicinal plants don’t grow well here because the miasma is so dense so they are rarely ever found at market.”

Xing Zhi muttered some words under his breath as he placed a hand on Shen Li’s forehead. Immediately white light flashed between his palm and her skin. Even though Shen Li was still in a daze she appeared more comfortable.

He left his palm resting on her forehead and absentmindedly moved his fingers in her hair, slightly grazing the hairline, making a mess of it in one direction, then smoothing it back down in the other.

Rou-ya stared closely for a moment. She only relaxed once she saw Shen Li breathing more evenly and her complexion improving. It was only then that the worry in Rou-ya’s heart lightened.

Now that she felt better, she was in a mood to complain. “What kind of husband is my master getting? Almost married and he stays out all night. Not around when needed either. If Immortal High G.o.d hadn’t been here, who knows how bad master’s condition could have gotten?”

Xing Zhi didn’t say anything but his hand fell from her forehead to her cheeks. He rubbed the slightly hot skin with his fingers.

“Yesterday he started so much trouble, ruining master’s good name. Then this morning he was trying to find General Mo Fang about a jade pendant. Who knows if he’s looking for General Mo Fang right now!”

Rou-ya was really dissatisfied with Fu Rongjun, but afraid of overstepping her bounds, she didn’t dare voice it in front of Shen Li. In front of Xing Zhi however she felt free to complain to her heart’s content.

“Highness will have to go to the Heavenly realm after marrying. She won’t have anyone to rely on up there. Who will defend her if she is wronged? Highness is so stubborn, she won’t complain to the Demon Emperor. If something happens…”

The more Rou-ya thought about it the sadder she became. Her eyes turned red and she began tearing up. “Who will be there to sympathize with her?”

“Hm.” Xing Zhi whispered unconsciously. “Who would?” These words made him consider his actions and he couldn’t help but lower his eyes. Gazing at her sleeping face, he ran his fingertips over the bridge of her nose and the hollows of her cheeks, before pulling his hand back.

“It’s not a problem.” He pulled his fingers away and remained quietly by her bedside for some time before getting up.

Distressed, Rou-ya looked at him with red-rimmed eyes. “Immortal High G.o.d is leaving?”

“I will not be far. I will be in the courtyard should you need me.” Xing Zhi left without a backward glance.

Rou-ya looked at Shen Li then at Xing Zhi’s retreating back. She muttered herself. “How’s that for you? Highness hasn’t even woken up yet and Immortal High G.o.d leaves. He couldn’t stay a little longer? The immortals in heaven are so detached and heartless.”

Detached and heartless huh?

Xing Zhi stood in the courtyard looking at his hand. He could still feel the residual heat from her body on his skin. The scorching heat burned its way to his heart. Xing Zhi wanted to disperse it but there was no where to send it. Rays of light radiated from his fingertips with nowhere to go. The feeling of being burned remained.

How could he know…

Rou-ya soaked a towel in water, then after wringing it out carefully placed it on Shen Li’s forehead. Rou-ya muttered to herself as she attended to Shen Li. “Oh Highness! If you really can’t escape marriage, if you really must go to the Heavenly realm, Highness must be careful of those immortal G.o.ds. Just look at those two here. Both are no good.”

“This lord knows.” Shen Li’s voice was hoa.r.s.e but audible.

Rou-ya was surprised. “Highness is awake? Is Highness uncomfortable anywhere?”

Shen Li slowly opened her eyes but her gaze was not fixed on Rou-ya. She repeated the same three words, “This lord knows.”

The immortal G.o.ds were naturally heartless.