The entire hall was stunned into silence.
The Emperor and the Princess Dowager hastily retreated, supporting the Empress Dowager.
The palace guards surged forward, only to witness Yan Zheng seize a sword from one of them and behead the Marquis of Pingjing!
His face was expressionless, blood dripping steadily from the blade onto the floor...
"Marquis of Anning? How dare you commit murder in the imperial court!" Chancellor Gu roared, snapping out of his shock.
Empress Dowager Su let out a heart-wrenching wail: "Nantian! My nephew!"
The head of Su Nantian rolled several times before stopping at Cao Yang’s feet.
Cao Yang’s gaze flickered toward the figure being punished outside the hall. With a hardened resolve, he spoke up: "Your Majesty! The criminal Su Nantian has been executed. I beg Your Majesty to pardon Marquis of Anning for his impropriety before the throne!"
The remaining ministers, already inclined to aid the Yan family, seized the moment and knelt in unison: "We beg Your Majesty to pardon Marquis of Anning for his impropriety before the throne!"
The Emperor stared at the Marquis of Pingjing’s head—eyes wide in disbelief even in death.
His heart heavy, he waved a hand. "Take it away."
With that, Yan Zheng’s crime of killing a man before the throne was overlooked.
Just then, an official entered to report: "Your Majesty, the ten lashes have been administered. As for the Marchioness of Anning—"
Before he could finish, a loud thud echoed.
Amid the torrential rain, the slender yet resilient figure finally collapsed, crashing onto the drenched ground.
Yan Zheng propelled his wheelchair forward, but another figure was faster: "No need for the Marquis of Anning to trouble himself!"
Chu Huaishan flung these icy words before rushing into the rain. Yan Zheng froze, an indescribable bitterness swelling in his chest.
Indeed, with the divorce finalized, what right did he have to approach her now?
Yet he couldn’t stop himself from moving closer, standing beside her in the storm.
Chu Huaishan carefully lifted her. Her back was already stained red, and under the relentless rain, she trembled visibly. Still, she forced herself to lift her head, offering a smile more painful than tears.
"Father... it doesn’t hurt..."
Chu Huaishan’s heart twisted. He could feel her shuddering breaths.
"Foolish child! Did you think keeping silent like this wouldn’t break your father’s heart?"
Chu Ruoyan was in too much pain to speak. Yin Shun, the Emperor’s attendant, hurried over with an umbrella: "Duke Chu, please bring the March—no, bring Lady Chu inside at once!"
At the palace entrance, the Emperor and the Princess Dowager watched the scene unfold.
Their apparent concern was nothing but hypocrisy—after all, this suffering was their doing.
The Yan family’s quest for justice was righteous, yet because it involved the Marquis of Pingjing, the imperial family had dragged their feet, and now his daughter bore the consequences...
Chu Huaishan had served loyally all his life, but in this moment, resentment flared: "No need for Your Excellency’s concern. My daughter is gravely ill. This old subject will take her home for treatment. Kindly inform His Majesty on my behalf!"
Yin Shun hesitated, then forced a smile. "Of course, Lady Chu’s health comes first. His Majesty will surely understand—"
Before he could finish, Chu Huaishan scooped his daughter into his arms and strode toward the palace gates.
Cradled against her father’s chest, Chu Ruoyan faintly smiled at his words.
This beating hadn’t been in vain...
The ruthlessness of the imperial family had been laid bare tonight.
If even the illustrious Yan family, with three generations of high ministers, struggled to obtain justice, how long before her father—steadfast in his loyalty—was sacrificed by such rulers?
Her gaze drifted, searching for that familiar figure.
Through the downpour, Yan Zheng stood just steps away.
Rain blurred his face, leaving only the stark furrow of his brows, sharp as mountain ridges.
He seemed poised to step forward, yet held back, his entire being radiating desolation...
What sorrowed him so?
Was it grief for her?
"Yan..."
Chu Ruoyan reached out, longing to smooth those knitted brows.
But her father carried her further away, and her consciousness dimmed...
BOOM!
A thunderclap shattered the sky. Overwhelmed, she succumbed to darkness.
......
"Water—hot water!"
"Where are the towels?"
"Be gentle! Don’t wake the young mistress!"
Inside the Bodhi Courtyard of Duke Chu’s residence, Yulu directed the servants in hushed urgency while Chu Huaishan sat rigidly by the bed, refusing to leave.
"My lord, Chief Physician Zhang has arrived!"
Lady Jiang the Younger ushered in the imperial physician. The moment Chief Physician Zhang took Chu Ruoyan’s pulse, his expression darkened. "How... how can Lady Chu’s pulse be so erratic?"
Lady Jiang stiffened. Chu Huaishan’s voice was steel: "Speak plainly."
The physician checked again, disbelief etched on his face. "Her pulse indicates severe depletion and cold stagnation—typical of chronic illness. Yet it’s as though some miraculous remedy temporarily suppressed the internal chill..."
Chu Huaishan nodded slowly. "Your skill is unmatched. My daughter contracted a cold affliction in the womb. She barely survived until age six, when Divine Physician Wen treated her, barely prolonging her life."
"Divine Physician Wen?" Chief Physician Zhang paled. "You mean Wen Changyan, the legendary healer of the previous dynasty?"
Chu Huaishan frowned. "Her mother arranged it. I know little of the man."
"What medicine did he prescribe?"
"Something called ‘Tranquil Repose Pills.’ Yulu, fetch them for Chief Physician Zhang."
Yulu hurriedly produced a small box. "Only five or six left!"
The physician sniffed the pills. "Indeed, Wen Changyan’s work—bold ingredients, perilously potent..."
Chu Huaishan’s unease grew. "Chief Physician, what does this mean?"
With a heavy sigh, the man replied, "I regret to say Lady Chu’s condition is irreversible. By rights, she shouldn’t have survived past six. These Tranquil Repose Pills—brewed from venomous vipers, crimson scorpions, centipedes, and toads—counteracted the cold with toxicity. A desperate measure."
Yulu trembled. Poisonous creatures? Had her mistress been ingesting venom all these years?
Chu Huaishan swayed; Lady Jiang steadied him.
He waved her off. "Is there no cure?"
Instead of answering, Chief Physician Zhang turned to Yulu. "Has Lady Chu missed doses recently?"
Tears welled in Yulu’s eyes. "Yes! With the pills running low, she’s taken them only once every two months this past year... She’s grown weaker because of it."
The physician exhaled deeply. "Then it’s as I feared. These pills demand unbroken use. Each skipped dose allows the cold affliction to resurge. Combined with today’s flogging, the storm, and these compounding injuries... I’m afraid her condition is now beyond mortal aid."
CRASH.
Chu Huaishan’s teacup shattered on the floor.
He shot to his feet. "Chu Zhong! Summon Chu Wei at once! Have they found Divine Physician Wen or not?"
Chu Zhong bowed hastily, but Chief Physician Zhang interjected, "My lord, spare the effort. Wen Changyan suffered premature aging—each day for him equaled three for others. Thirty years have passed for him already. He’s likely long returned to dust..."
