Match made in clown heaven

Hua Jing groaned as she stirred from sleep, her entire body aching as if she had been trampled by a thousand horses.

Every muscle in her body protested as she attempted to move, a deep soreness settling in her bones.

She let out a slow exhale, her brows knitting together as she opened her eyes. The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft golden glow across the room, but even that did little to ease the discomfort spreading through her limbs.

For a moment, she lay there, contemplating whether she should just sink back into the bedding and pretend that the world did not exist.

But then—

"My lady, you're awake."

A familiar voice reached her ears.

She sluggishly turned her head and found Xia Lin standing beside her, a basin of water in hand.

The girl had a look of barely concealed concern on her face, though she quickly masked it with her usual cheerfulness.