In the next instant, Chu Ruoyin tilted her delicate neck—
and threw herself toward the blade in Feng Ping's hand—
Murong Jin's heart shattered. He grabbed the jade pendant at his waist and hurled it forward.
Bang!
The pendant struck Feng Ping's wrist, forcing his grip to loosen—but it was too late.
The blade sliced a deep gash across the woman's throat, blood instantly staining the man's vision crimson.
"Ruoyin!!"
Prince Qin roared, lunging forward to kick Feng Ping away. His large hand swept out, pulling her frail body tightly into his arms.
"Ruoyin! It's alright, you won't die!"
He muttered feverishly, pressing his hands desperately against her wound.
But the blood kept surging like broken beads, dyeing his eyes a furious red.
"My lady—Heavens!" Bihe rushed over, collapsing at the sight.
Feng Ping scrambled up, his face twisted with malice. "Little bitch! You'd rather die than help your own father? Serves you right—Aaaahhh!!"
A bloodcurdling scream tore from his throat as Changhua drew his sword and severed Feng Ping's arm in one stroke.
Feng Ping writhed in agony, but Changhua didn't spare him a glance, swiftly leading a horse forward.
"Your Highness, Chief Physician Zhang is at the camp, but Lady Chu's injuries are too severe—she won't survive the journey..."
Before he could finish, Prince Qin was already mounting with the woman in his arms.
One hand gripped the reins, the other pressed against her wound. His legs urged the horse into a frenzied gallop. Chu Ruoyin whimpered, her face growing paler.
"Ruoyin, hold on. You won't die. I forbid it!"
Never in his life had Murong Jin felt such desperation—he wished for wings to fly straight to Chief Physician Zhang.
Yet the woman in his arms lifted her head, a faint smile on her bloodless lips. "You... saved me twice... This time... I fear it's hopeless..."
Since breaking off their engagement, she had never spoken to him so gently.
But Murong Jin would have gladly endured her coldest scorn a hundredfold rather than pay this price.
"Don't speak nonsense! You will live!!"
Gritting his teeth, he urged the horse faster.
Chu Ruoyin gazed at his profile and smiled weakly. "This... isn't so bad..."
All her life, she had envied others—
her elder sister for their father's love, her younger sister for their mother's affection, and recently, even Feng Ying, who had a man waiting devotedly for her without lifting a finger.
Now, as she lay dying in the arms of someone who once loved her...
Could this fleeting embrace count as having possessed something, however briefly?
She nestled closer, her vision blurring...
Murong Jin's heart tore apart. As he spurred the horse, he shouted hoarsely, "Ruoyin! Listen to me—think of Duke Chu! Think of your mother! Even for their sake, you must hold on! And Jiang Huaian—yes, weren't you going back to Yangzhou with him? Please... survive. Go back with him, alright?"
At this, she murmured faintly, "Cousin Huaian..."
Prince Qin's chest tightened as if struck by a hammer. So Jiang Huaian alone could stir her will to live?
But there was no time for bitterness. Choking back his anguish, he pressed on, "Yes—Jiang Huaian! If you live, I swear I'll escort you both to Yangzhou myself. I'll even... acknowledge you as my sworn sister. Let me send you off as your elder brother, so the Jiang family will never dare mistreat you. Is that acceptable?"
Chu Ruoyin's consciousness wavered, catching only fragments—"brother," "Huaian."
Her lips parted in a weak "Yes." Murong Jin stiffened, then clenched his jaw. "Good. I understand."
Main tent.
The Emperor was discussing Feng Family's fate with Yan Zheng when Prince Qin burst in, cradling a woman and bellowing, "Chief Physician Zhang! Zhang Defang—come save her!!"
The Emperor startled. Yan Zheng glanced at the figure in his arms and darkened. "Meng Yang!"
The latter rushed to fetch help.
Meanwhile, Chu Huaishan charged forward, wrenching his daughter from Murong Jin's grasp. "Ruoyin! Ruoyin?! What happened? Don't frighten your father!"
But the girl was unconscious, unresponsive.
Thankfully, Meng Yang soon returned with Chief Physician Zhang, who immediately began examining her.
The onlookers held their breath—until the physician sighed gravely. "This old man is powerless. Lady Chu's wound is fatal, and she's lost too much blood. If this continues, she'll end up like Minister Cao..."
Cao Yang!
The name sent a collective shudder through the room.
Everyone knew Cao Yang had lain comatose for months after An Sheng's ambush.
The thought of this delicate girl sharing his fate—
Chu Huaishan staggered back two steps. Yan Zheng steadied him.
Prince Qin seized Chief Physician Zhang's collar. "Save her! If she dies, you'll follow!!"
His face was savage. The Emperor barked, "Ninth Brother, control yourself! Physician Zhang, surely there's hope?"
The physician nodded hastily, but Murong Jin snarled, "A half-dead existence like Cao Yang's—is that what you call living?!"
Silence fell.
Even the Emperor winced at Cao Yang's mention.
Then Chief Physician Zhang brightened. "Wait—there's one person! If anyone can help, it's him!"
Murong Jin's eyes blazed. "Who? Speak!"
Instead of answering, the physician looked to Yan Zheng, who nodded. "To Duke of Chu's Mansion first."
Duke of Chu's Mansion.
Qin Yiru arrived, unimpressed. "You dragged me here for this? Three needles at Tian Shu, Qu Chi, and Xue Hai points, two more along the Spleen Meridian—done!"
Chief Physician Zhang gasped in realization and followed the instructions.
Soon, Chu Ruoyin moaned weakly, her breathing steadying.
Chu Huaishan exhaled in relief. Lady Jiang the Younger and Chu Ruoyan nearly wept with joy.
"Honestly, you physicians must think with your feet. Cao Yang's brain was bruised—this girl just nicked her neck! How could that fog her mind? Wasting my nap time!" Qin Yiru grumbled. Chu Ruoyan forced a smile. "Of course, who else but you could've solved this, revered Elder?"
The old man huffed, then added, "Tell the lass next time she wants to die, aim lower—hit the fatal point on the neck. Don't—"
He broke off under Murong Jin's murderous glare, a rare moment of caution for the fearless healer.
Prince Qin knelt beside the bed, gazing at her with aching tenderness.
Then he stood and strode out.
Lady Jiang the Younger called after him, "Your Highness, where are you going?"
Murong Jin didn't turn back. "To the Jiang Family."
If Jiang Huaian was her lifeline in despair—
If only Jiang Huaian could make her fight to live—
Then he would ensure she woke to his face.
Her survival was all that mattered.
