Chapter 17: The Empress's Muddled Memory - Sibling Recognition for the First Time in the Modern Era After a Millennium

"Linda, you're really awake. Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?" As soon as Xuanyuan Wuji saw Shangguan Linlang sit up from the bed, he hurriedly asked in a gentle voice.

"Where are my father and mother? Where have they gone?" Shangguan Linlang had just woken from a dream and still did not know the time nor the setting. At this moment, she was preoccupied with thoughts of her parents, so she asked in a bewildered manner, addressing the young man in front of her who seemed somewhat familiar, though she did not know when she had met him.

"Uh, I have never seen your father or mother before. Linda, are you alright? Fusu will arrive soon, so you should rest a bit more," Xuanyuan Wuji, not knowing how to answer Shangguan Linlang's question, tried to soothe her once again.

While attending to Shangguan Linlang, the CEO kept his ears perked for any sounds from outside the door. At that moment, he found himself somewhat blaming Shangguan Zifeng—how could it take so long to find someone? And really, Fusu too—his sister was lying here, what was he doing running around for no reason? At crucial times, he was unreliable, which significantly lowered the CEO's temper. Anyway, Xuanyuan Wuji had by then equated the beautiful woman in front of him with his good brother, (albeit a sibling of different parents). Don't ask why the CEO was so certain, who could resist the allure of the lady shrouded in secrets before his eyes?

"Where is this place? And who might you be?" Shangguan Linlang, her head still in a haze, suddenly asked Xuanyuan Wuji about his identity.

"This is the First Hospital of Demon City, um, that is, what you would call the Imperial Hospital. Do you understand? We have met once before, do you remember? There was a little misunderstanding between us; you accidentally injured my friend, and then came with me here to seek medical treatment. Do you have any impression of that? My name is Xuanyuan Wuji."

Knowing the special identity of the girl before him, the CEO had already adapted to Shangguan Linlang's use of archaic speech and tried to communicate with her in a way she could understand. However, the CEO was still a bit puzzled; after Shangguan Linlang regained consciousness from her coma, it seemed that her memory began to become muddled, or maybe lost. Not knowing why, he tried to gradually awaken her memory.

"Is that so? So much has happened? My head hurts terribly, and I can't quite remember at the moment," Shangguan Linlang said as she patted her head, trying to recall some events. Her mind flashed with fragmented scenes that seemed to match what the man claiming to be Xuanyuan Wuji had said, but the Empress still could not connect them coherently.

"Don't rush, and don't hurt yourself. Fusu is a divine doctor, let him check you," Xuanyuan Wuji stopped Shangguan Linlang from continuing to tap her head, speaking thus.

"Empress, you're finally awake. Thank goodness, the ancestors have blessed us. It's good to see you unharmed," Shangguan Zifeng just arrived at the doorstep dragging Nalan Fusu with him, and as soon as he saw the Empress sitting on the bed, he hurriedly dropped Nalan and went over to Shangguan Linlang's side.

"Linda, you've awakened. I am sorry for what happened before, please forgive me. Are you feeling unwell anywhere?" Upon seeing Shangguan Linlang awoken at last, Nalan Fusu was also extremely excited, then quickly ran to her side and knelt down, eager to check on her.

"Brother Qingchen, Brother Qingchen! Mother and Father didn't lie to me. When I woke up, I could really see you again! Wuhu, Brother, Brother, Linda has been looking for you for so long." Shangguan Linlang became emotional upon seeing Nalan Fusu, she leaped from the bed and threw herself into Nalan Fusu's embrace, crying softly.

The Empress's visible vulnerability and deep dependence touched Nalan Fusu greatly. He recalled the words that Shangguan Changning had said to him before he left, and he thus relaxed, attempting to accept this both familiar and strange young lady. His movements were somewhat stiff as he gently rubbed the small head in his embrace, then with a choked voice he said, "Linda, can you forgive Brother Qingchen? Perhaps Brother also lost some of his most precious memories, which is why he didn't recognize Linda. Would Linda be willing to help Brother find what he has lost?"

"Brother, be at ease. Mother and Father told Linda to retrieve the complete Brother. It was Brother protecting Linda before; from now on, Linda will protect Brother," Shangguan Linlang lifted her head from Nalan Fusu's embrace with a beaming smile.

Xuanyuan Wuji and Shangguan Zifeng were relieved to see Nalan Fusu finally coming to his senses and not further provoking the just-awakened young girl; the two men exchanged satisfied smiles. The atmosphere in the sickroom finally brightened, as everything seemed to start moving in a positive direction.