Chapter Thirty-One: Crying and Begging for Mercy

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Yin Jiaojiao truly stopped moving. Taking the opportunity, Xiao Yuanchi applied the medicine; the powdered herbs quickly dissolved on the wound. Yin Jiaojiao gasped again, clearly about to cry out in pain.

Then, a kiss finally landed on her lips, swallowing that cry of pain whole.

Even in her fainted state, Yin Jiaojiao remained insatiable. One kiss was not enough. As soon as they parted, her arms and legs entwined around him, pushing her body into his embrace.

Their nights together were often like this: at first, he took the lead, but soon Yin Jiaojiao found her delight, making a ruckus day and night, insatiable like a snake swallowing an elephant. More often than not, she was the first to give in, crying and begging for mercy. When she woke the next day, she wouldn’t reflect but instead blamed him for not cherishing her properly.

Fortunately, the medicine was mostly applied by then.

Xiao Yuanchi suppressed his temper, holding the nape of her neck firmly, scolding, “Behave yourself!”

...

When Su Zhengqing led Doctor Dong inside, Yin Jiaojiao had already been dressed and laid upon the couch.

“I did not wish to trouble you, but my wife was attacked, her life in peril. I only trust your medical skill, sir,” Xiao Yuanchi cupped his fist in respect, his tone humble. “Thank you for your effort.”

Doctor Dong, with his white beard and brows, showed no fear at the prince’s formal salute and merely smiled lightly.

“Prince, as agreed, your favor with me is limited to three uses, and this is the third. I hear the esteemed madam was not struck on a vital spot, and an ordinary physician might handle it. Are you certain you want me?”

Xiao Yuanchi answered decisively, “I am certain.”

Without further words, Doctor Dong and his young apprentice stepped forward to treat her.

Su Zhengqing took the chance to reassure, “Your Highness, with Elder Dong here, the princess will surely be fine. You need not worry.”

Xiao Yuanchi said nothing, though his complexion improved considerably.

“How is it outside?”

“The Crown Prince and Crown Princess, along with their guests, have already departed. Consort Shu and Concubine Jie are also returning to the palace. But…” Su Zhengqing hesitated, “The county lady refuses to rest. She wants to see you.”

Xiao Yuanchi frowned slightly. “Tell her her health is the priority. The rest need not concern her.”

“I have said so, but the county lady… still insists on seeing you.” Su Zhengqing was troubled. “Consort Shu is also outside. She refused to leave without seeing you.”

Xiao Yuanchi sneered coldly and drew aside the curtain.

As soon as he stepped out, Consort Shu was the first to approach.

“Yuanchi, how is Jiaojiao? Who is this Doctor Dong? Is he reliable? Minister Ji is a national medical expert from the Imperial Hospital—you need not look so far.”

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“Doctor Dong is a wandering healer I met by chance in the northern territories a couple of years ago. His skill is excellent. He is attending to her now. I do not yet know the condition.” Xiao Yuanchi glanced at Minister Ji beside Gu Xuezhi. “Minister Ji must still care for Xuezhi. He cannot be distracted.”

Upon hearing this, Xuezhi raised her pale, paper-white face. “Then, Your Highness, are you well?”

Xiao Yuanchi’s voice softened. “I am well. But you—why do you linger here? It is proper to go back, take your antidotes, and rest.”

Gu Xuezhi lowered her head. “If the princess is still in danger, Xuezhi has no heart to take medicine.”

“Why must it be so?” Consort Shu said, “Do you mean if something happens to her, you will die with her?”

“Xuezhi is willing to die with her!” Gu Xuezhi covered her face and wept. “If that commotion hadn’t happened just now, the princess wouldn’t have suffered this calamity. Xuezhi saw it all. The prince dealt with the assassin effortlessly and did not need the princess to risk herself. It must be because of Xuezhi that she was so distressed and lost control. It is Xuezhi’s fault!”

At first glance, this seemed like sorrowful confession, but on closer inspection, it implied that Yin Jiaojiao was reckless and brought this upon herself.

In the past, when Gu Xuezhi spoke like this, Consort Shu thought little of it—just childish sulking among girls. But now, with Yin Jiaojiao swallowing her grievances while fearing for Xiao Yuanchi’s life, even if she was to blame, Consort Shu felt uneasy.

She scowled, about to reprimand her.

“I will not let her die, and you will not be at fault.” Xiao Yuanchi said coolly. “Xuezhi, you know manners and reason. You should understand when to stop, yes?”

Gu Xuezhi’s sorrowful cries abruptly ceased. In all these years, Xiao Yuanchi had never reprimanded her so directly. Even if there was still some protection implied, it was insufficient.

Gu Jieyu was also displeased.

“Prince Qin, Xuezhi only worries about you and your princess. She has a kind heart and tends to blame herself more than others. Why must you speak so?”

Xiao Yuanchi curled a cold smile.

“Concubine Jieyu, you have been in the palace many years without a son, yet you cause arrogant and unruly troubles in the harem, making His Majesty worry. ‘Knowing when to stop’ applies to you even more.”

“You!” Gu Jieyu was stunned. “How dare you lecture me?”

Gu Xuezhi’s face shifted as she hurriedly pulled her back. “Auntie, the prince doesn’t mean that.”

Xiao Yuanchi replied coldly, “Truth is harsh to hear, and medicine tastes bitter. If you refuse to listen, there’s nothing I can do. I only hope the old General Gu’s renown will protect the Gu family for a lifetime.”

Consort Shu was dumbfounded. After a long pause, she said, “Yuanchi, do not speak such strange words.” She took Gu Xuezhi’s hand. “Your aunt and I will return to the palace immediately. You stay in the residence and rest well. Jiaojiao is blessed and will be fine. Don’t overthink. I have prepared a birthday gift for you—when you feel better in a few days, remember to go see it.”

Gu Xuezhi gave a muffled reply.

Consort Shu added, “Yuanchi, there is a doctor attending Jiaojiao here. You should send Xuezhi back. She also suffered much today.”

Xiao Yuanchi’s hand behind his back clenched, then relaxed.

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He said, “Very well.”

...

On the way back to the Eastern Palace, Yin Ruyu was already struggling to hold on. She leaned against Xiao Yuanxi’s chest, gasping for air several times. Fortunately, there was medicine at hand in the carriage. After taking a pill, she felt somewhat better.

Xiao Yuanxi sighed. “Even the renowned national medical experts have seen her, yet she grows worse?”

“The doctors can treat illness but not fate. This must be mine,” Yin Ruyu smiled faintly. “Your Highness, did you enjoy the spectacle at Prince Qin’s residence just now?”

“Noise without order—not much.” Xiao Yuanxi adjusted his collar. “Ruyu, do you pity your cousin?”

“Love and separation, desire unmet, hatred and union—the greatest suffering of the world. She has experienced it all at such a young age. As a fellow woman, I can’t help but empathize.” Yin Ruyu sighed. “The Yin daughters are never lucky.”

“Sounds like you are unhappy married into the Eastern Palace?”

Yin Ruyu slowly raised her eyes. “Your Highness, my days are numbered. You need not continue to pretend with me. This time you came to the banquet under my name to stir up trouble. Have you achieved your goal?”

“It’s just the beginning. Whether it succeeds remains to be seen.”

“Your Highness’s wisdom is divine. Nothing you desire fails. I have but one request.”

Xiao Yuanxi looked at her gently. “Speak, Ruyu.”

“For the sake of my impending sacrifice for your ideals, please, when all is done, send Yin Jiaojiao to see me.”

Xiao Yuanxi’s ever-present smile faded.

Yin Ruyu knew she had struck a hidden nerve, but she no longer cared.

“During my years in the Eastern Palace, I have not been idle with sickness alone. I have heard rumors—before, I doubted their truth. But today, I see you are more devoted than I thought.”

“Ruyu, you speak too much.”

“When my cousin was stabbed by a sword just now, Your Highness, I was right beside you. You may fool yourself, but not my eyes. Of course, I know to you, women are but toys to be discarded at will. No matter how much you are moved, they remain toys. So I dared to ask my cousin to join me in...”

Yin Ruyu could not hold back and coughed lightly. “Go to hell.”