Baixi was busy in the kitchen, preparing a delicious and nourishing meal for her mother to help replenish her weak body.

With the sound of stirring, Baixi's slender hands skillfully tossed and stir-fried the ingredients in the pot. Her hands seemed to infuse life into the food, gracefully weaving through the array of ingredients, creating an enchanting and delightful scene.

After an hour, the meal was ready.

Baixi looked at her masterpiece and couldn't help but admire herself, saying, "Baixi, your cooking skills are getting better and better."

Then, Baixi imagined what would happen if her mother didn't have her as a little cooking prodigy by her side. Would eating become a problem for her?

"Hehehe~" Baixi laughed foolishly, thinking that she had considered it very well.

Baixi filled the warm dishes and freshly cooked porridge into porcelain bowls and placed them in a thermal container, then headed towards Iris' hospital room.

...

Five minutes later, Baixi arrived at the palace hospital.

"Mother, I'm here~" Baixi's soft voice came from her lips as she pushed open the door and happily ran to Iris' side, placing the thermal container on her bedside table.

Iris opened her golden-red eyes and looked at Baixi's delicate face. She asked, "You woke up just an hour ago. How did you find out the news and prepare all this food?"

Faced with her mother's sudden inquiry, Baixi froze. After tilting her head for a few seconds, she said, "Of course, Aria told me~ Mother, the food is ready, let's start eating~"

"Don't change the subject!" Iris stared at Baixi sternly. "It takes you an hour to cook, and I woke up an hour ago. Aria just finished changing my medicine and she has been in the hospital the whole time, ready to be called upon. How could she have gone to find you and inform you of my awakening?"

"At that time, Aria was in the restroom, and I happened to be next to her, so she just let me know along the way." Baixi explained.

"Oh? That particular restroom?" Iris raised an eyebrow, and her bright eyes sparkled with sharpness.

Baixi felt a bit guilty but insisted, "From the hospital to the restroom, if you don't believe me, you can go ask Aria~"

"Very well then, I shall summon Aria to verify what you said. If you lied... hmph." Iris looked at Baixi with her iconic smile.

"No problem. I will accept whatever punishment you give me if I'm lying," Baixi confidently declared, but deep down, she wasn't very sure, because all of this information had been told to her by Grandmother.

Clearly, Baixi was gambling. She was betting that Aria would protect Grandmother, considering they had been living together for over a year and she should be aware that their relationship with Iris was not very harmonious.

Iris pressed the bedside service bell, and soon after, Aria hurriedly arrived.

"Your Majesty, is your wound bleeding again?" Aria looked worriedly at the bandage around Iris' waist.

"No," Iris gestured for her to sit down. "I want to know if you met Baixi in the restroom an hour ago and informed her of my awakening."

Upon hearing this, Aria hesitated. She looked at Baixi's profile and then at Iris' expression. After a moment, she answered, "Your Majesty, it is true."

Baixi felt a wave of joy in her heart. It seemed like she bet right.

Iris lightly tapped the bed, lowered her eyelids, and pondered for a moment before speaking again, "Which restroom did you meet Baixi in?"

When Iris asked this question, the joy in Baixi's heart instantly vanished, replaced by panic and fear.

Her palms gradually grew sweaty, her heartbeat quickened. It seemed that she was definitely going to get a severe beating from her mother, and not only that, she had also implicated Aria.

Just as Baixi was about to explain, Aria spoke up first.

"Your Majesty, I have seen Princess Baixi in the hospital restroom."

Listening to Aria's calm tone, a drop of cold sweat trickled down Baixi's forehead.

"I understand. There's nothing to worry about for now. You may leave," Iris waved her hand.

"As you command." Aria bowed to Iris and turned to leave.

After Aria left, Iris looked at Baixi and said softly, "Help me up."

"Okay." Baixi hurried forward and carefully helped Iris sit up, placing a pillow behind her back for support.

After doing all this, Baixi's heartbeat calmed down slightly.

"I wanted to come see you earlier, but when I arrived at the hospital, my stomach started hurting, so I went to the restroom. Not long after, Aria also went to the restroom and she informed me that you had awakened. You were unconscious for three days, so I decided to go back and make your favorite dishes, but you doubted me and accused me of lying. Waaah..." Baixi sobbed as she poured out her grievances.

"Alright, stop crying. It's mother's fault for doubting you. Mother should not have done that." Seeing Baixi's appearance, Iris couldn't bear it.

"Will you doubt me in the future?" Baixi looked at Iris with teary eyes.

"No, Mother will never question you."

"Hehe, let me feed you." Baixi smiled sweetly and obediently.

"Okay."

The two smiled at each other, and the atmosphere became harmonious.

Before long, Iris finished her meal and lay back in bed with Baixi's support. Baixi, on the other hand, started clearing the dishes.

"Mother, if your injuries heal, what are your plans?" Baixi suddenly asked, secretly hoping that her mother would not go to the Ruined Land continent again, so she wouldn't get hurt again.

"To continue the conquest until those barbarians surrender, and if they don't, then we'll annihilate them," Iris replied without hesitation.

"Can't we not fight? Can't we just live peacefully together?" Baixi asked.

"If you don't fight them, they will come to fight you. When that happens, you won't think the same way anymore." Iris patiently taught Baixi. "After this battle, you should also give up your playful nature and focus on your cultivation. At least, you should have the ability to stand on your own. Aria told me that Baiying practices combat skills every day, while you fool around with those zealous followers. If Baiying surpasses you in strength, I will take Baiying to fight, and you will stay in the Shuowang Empire."

"I will remember your teachings, Mother," Baixi replied in a low voice, pressing her lips together.

"I'm tired and want to rest."

"Yes, Daughter takes her leave." Baixi stood up, respectfully bowed to Iris, and left.

Once Baixi was gone, Iris closed her eyes. She could feel that someone had been by her side throughout her coma, but that person definitely couldn't be Baixi. If it were Baixi, she would definitely have taken credit.

Moreover, Baixi has been acting unusually today. In the past, if Iris questioned Baixi, the result would always be Iris misunderstanding her, and Baixi would definitely make irrational compensation demands, such as items that could help improve her strength.

But this time, Baixi surprisingly did not make any unreasonable requests. It's truly out of character. And who is the person standing beside her? Is it Aria...