"Guard the clinic strictly. Tonight, no one is allowed to enter except our own people," Song Jinzhao instructed Song Qiming in a deep voice.
Song Qiming asked, "Sister, do you think those assassins will come to Suining City?"
Song Jinzhao whispered into Song Qiming's ear, "Huo Chong was right across the street just now. They might have already infiltrated the city."
Song Qiming's expression drastically changed. The hairs on his body stood on end as he vigilantly scanned their surroundings.
"They targeted Yang Cenan. Are they trying to start a war again?"
The imperial court had only just finished mediating. If it happened again, the entire Southwest Province would be plunged into unrest.
Song Jinzhao said, "Being assassinated in Suining City is far more serious than dying of illness. Besides the yamen runners, I'll have Lan Xi lead a few guards to lie in ambush nearby."
After changing clothes and returning to the clinic, the yamen runners were already in position at the entrance.
Yang Zhong and the others had no objections to this; they were also afraid that the assassins would come back to finish the job if they found out Yang Cenan was still alive.
For safety's sake, Song Shixue had Heye hang a wooden sign indicating the clinic was closed at the door, and the main gate was half-closed.
Song Qiming brought Lan Wenzhang to the government office for a detailed interrogation.
"How did they find you?"
"Did you encounter any more assassins on your way to Suining City?"
Lan Wenzhang furrowed his brows in distress, feeling extremely frustrated.
"I also find it baffling. You must know that the foreign tribes of the Southwest have never paid any attention to us, and we have absolutely no dealings with the Yang family of Panzhou."
"But yesterday at noon, Yang Cenan suddenly arrived at the county office seeking help. Before falling unconscious, he specifically asked for the County Princess. With a blade at my neck, I had no choice but to bring him here."
"Worried about further pursuit from assassins, I brought a hundred yamen runners. Fortunately, the journey here was relatively peaceful, and we didn't encounter any assassins."
Throughout the entire night, Song Jinzhao and Song Shixue stayed at the clinic, taking turns to keep watch and checking on him every half hour.
Whenever a high fever spiked, it was quickly brought down. The wound felt burning hot, and his body convulsed and trembled unconsciously. They even had to administer anesthesia twice during the process.
After enduring a chaotic and exhausting night, everyone was physically and mentally drained by daybreak.
Looking at Song Shixue, who was constantly yawning, Song Jinzhao said tenderly, "Go back and get some sleep first. Now we just have to wait for him to wake up."
Song Shixue covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes barely able to stay open.
"Sister, I'm not that sleepy. You go back, I'll stay here."
Song Jinzhao wiped away a tear at the corner of her eye.
"Your eyes are watering and you still say you're not sleepy. Be good."
Song Shixue's head felt heavy, and she let out another yawn. "Then I'll bring lunch over at noon."
Song Jinzhao nodded and watched her leave.
For the next four hours, Yang Cenan remained unconscious.
Seeing Song Jinzhao come in to check on him, Yang Zhong, who was sitting on the floor, looked up and asked, his eyes completely bloodshot.
"County Princess, when will my young master wake up?"
After taking his pulse, Song Jinzhao gently pulled back Yang Cenan's eyelids to examine his pupils.
"The patient has been unconscious for too long and lost a lot of blood. The lack of blood and oxygen to his brain has definitely caused some damage."
Seeing Yang Zhong's expression freeze, Song Jinzhao shifted her tone.
"However, the patient has a strong physique. From the looks of it, the chances of him waking up are still very high. We just need to wait a little longer."
He should wake up, but whether there would be any lingering aftereffects was unknown.
In the house across from the clinic, Lan Xi stared through the window at that familiar face for a full quarter of an hour.
Seeing him leave, he instructed the guard waiting nearby, "Follow him quietly, don't be discovered."
"Yes."
The guard, dressed in extremely ordinary gray cloth garments, walked out. It was a style worn by three out of every ten people on the street.
Lan Xi calmly walked into the clinic. After finding Song Jinzhao, the two went to the small room used for brewing medicine.
"Huo Chong was watching from outside for a quarter of an hour just now, and then he left."
Song Jinzhao asked, "Was there anyone else?"
Lan Xi shook his head. "Only him. I have already sent someone to follow him."
Placing the herbal medicine into the pot to soak, Song Jinzhao's voice sounded very calm.
"Just keep an eye on him, don't make a move. Offending either side won't do us any good."
Lan Xi bowed his head. "Understood."
