The arrowhead, covered in bits of shredded flesh, was extracted and placed on the tray. Song Jinzhao was sweating profusely, but her hand movements were quick and steady.
Beside her, Song Shixue kept a close eye on the trembling silver needles, ready to step in and stop the bleeding the moment the blood flow increased.
Knowing that the person on the bed had a remarkable identity, the two assisting medicine boys by the bed held their breath, not daring to make a single sound for fear of disturbing Song Jinzhao.
Outside the room, unable to see Yang Cenan, Yang Zhong was already jumping with anxiety. He paced back and forth at the door, causing Song Qiming and the others to glance over frequently.
"Why isn't there any sound? Pulling out an arrow should make him cry out in pain."
The smell of blood mixed with the sour stench of sweat was so foul it was nauseating.
The man suddenly rushed over, stirring up a gust of wind. Song Qiming subconsciously held his breath, his lips pressed into a thin line.
"I don't know much about medical matters, but as long as they haven't come out, it means he is still alive. If he were dead, my sister would open the door and announce it."
Saliva blocked his throat; he couldn't swallow it down or spit it out.
Yang Zhong hesitated to speak, almost grinding his back teeth to pieces.
Their tongues were more venomous than the last—no wonder they were siblings.
Lan Wenzhang's heart raced, and his legs grew weak.
He clenched his fists and leaned closer to Shi Simian. "Lord Shi, isn't the Prefect's attitude a bit inappropriate?"
Shi Simian was equally resentful of this county deputy who had brought trouble to their doorstep.
"Do you think everyone is as cowardly as you when facing the southwestern alien tribes? The Prefect has always been upright and unyielding; that man is just a personal servant."
Belittled, Lan Wenzhang said nothing, but secretly rolled his eyes at Shi Simian.
He cursed in his heart: Birds of a feather, yet he has the nerve to say such things. Shameless.
The door was opened from the inside. Seeing Song Jinzhao come out wearing a mask, Yang Zhong's heart skipped a beat. Could Song Qiming have been right?
He rushed up urgently to question Song Jinzhao, his lips trembling and his heart filled with terror.
"How is my young master?" he asked, about to barge into the room.
Song Jinzhao reached out to stop him, her tone low and serious.
"The arrowhead has been removed, but he is too heavily injured. We will have to see if he can survive the night."
Yang Zhong's mind went blank. His expression shifted rapidly before he finally grabbed Song Jinzhao's arm and pleaded, "I beg the County Princess to save my young master's life. The madam and the young lord are already dead; nothing can happen to the young master."
Song Jinzhao broke free from his grip. Seeing that he was on the verge of tears, the frustration in her heart involuntarily dissipated.
Softening her tone, she said, "This County Princess will naturally do my best."
"They are wrapping things up inside. There shouldn't be too many people. Clean yourself up first before you go in."
Yang Zhong didn't dare to leave but desperately wanted to go inside. Spotting a water well in the courtyard, he quickly ordered his subordinates to go buy some clean clothes.
Song Jinzhao took a deep breath and walked over to stand under the eaves outside the clinic. Song Qiming followed her and lowered his voice.
"Sister, what are the chances that Yang Cenan will survive the night?"
Just as Song Jinzhao was about to speak, she spotted a familiar face across the street.
As if startled, the person darted into the crowd and disappeared the next second.
Why would Huo Chong appear in Suining City?
"Sister?" Song Qiming asked in confusion.
Song Jinzhao withdrew her gaze.
"Seventy percent. But he has lost too much blood and has been unconscious for so long. I'm afraid that even if he survives, he might not wake up."
Song Qiming stared blankly, his mouth agape. Disbelievingly, he asked, "A living corpse?"
Song Jinzhao replied, "That is the worst-case scenario."
"He just mentioned a madam and a young lord. Are they Yang Cenan's wife and son?"
Song Qiming nodded with a dark expression.
"They were assassinated alongside Yang Cenan and died on the spot."
"Out of a party of thirty, only the four in that room survived."
Song Jinzhao narrowed her eyes. Thinking of Huo Chong's appearance in Suining City, could it be that Ningzhou was behind this?
