Chapter 122: Rescue

In the territory of Yinzhou, red and black shadows darted through the woods. Three carriages sped off in three different directions, identical in personnel, equipment, and supplies, making it impossible to distinguish the true target.

Feng Xing led his men, dodging repeated attacks from villains while steering his carriage through the forest. The other two carriages carried no envoy; they were merely decoys driven by his subordinates. This separation was intended to confuse the enemy and ensure the envoy reached the city without encountering assassins or suffering any alarm. Feng Xing had not openly refused his orders, yet he resisted the constraints placed upon him in this manner, fully aware of the burden he carried.

The woodland path was rugged and treacherous. Where the road was uneven, the carriage jolted violently. Feng Xing glanced back with concern before refocusing on his driving; he could not afford a single mistake.

"Faster, go faster! We're almost there!"

Suddenly, the horses let out a hysterical cry. The carriage screeched to a halt, swerving to one side. Feng Xing, filled with alarm, hurriedly untied the ropes and dragged the unconscious envoy from the carriage.

"What is going on?" Feng Xing scanned his surroundings, his heart pounding. Ahead lay a sheer cliff—the road had ended. He clearly remembered this route leading to the Imperial Capital, and the scenery along the way had matched his memory perfectly. It seemed someone had tampered with the path, altering the trail.

"These people are truly meticulous!" Feng Xing sighed. He hoisted the envoy onto his back, intending to slip into the woods, but he quickly retreated behind the carriage as a volley of arrows hissed through the air. He drew his blade to deflect the incoming missiles, taking cover with the envoy.

"They arrived quickly indeed!"

Listening to the sound of arrows thudding into the wood of the carriage, Feng Xing looked around in terror. What was he to do? Then, the air went silent. Feng Xing tightened his grip on his sword.

"Feng Xing, your men have been captured. I suggest you abandon this struggle and hand him over! Otherwise, you both die here, and your sister will be left as a corpse on the street!"

Enraged, Feng Xing shouted, "You lackeys, come and get me if you dare!"

The voices on the other side paused, followed by a burst of mocking laughter. Just as Feng Xing grew suspicious, he heard rhythmic footsteps approaching slowly and steadily. He blinked, his eyes bloodshot, then executed a light-footed leap, vaulting over the carriage to face them.

"A pack of thieves! You shall not pass!" Feng Xing blocked their path, his expression fierce and resolute. "If you want to move forward, you will have to step over my corpse!"

The men opposite him smiled and stepped back, clearing a path. Dozens of soldiers stood with no sign of tension, their only gravity reserved for the act of parting the way. Through the gap, a young man walked forward.

"Who would dare step over your corpse, Feng Xing?"

At the sound of a familiar voice, a youth dressed in red-lined satin robes emerged from the crowd, a look of approval and warmth on his face. Feng Xing stared at Gao Hai in utter disbelief, pinching himself to steady his nerves before finally exhaling in relief.

"So it is you, Master Gao!"

"Feng Xing, you've worked hard!" Gao Hai walked to his side and patted his shoulder. "Those men have been wiped out. Are you unharmed?"

Feng Xing shook his head and led Gao Hai to the carriage. "I am fine, though this envoy has certainly put me through a trial."

"You knocked him unconscious? That is well; it prevents him from being frightened and thinking our Northern Hua government is unstable."

"Indeed. Let us return at once."

Gao Hai nodded, watching Feng Xing with a smile. "Rest assured, we have already rescued Feng Nuan."

"Truly?" Feng Xing gripped Gao Hai's hand, tears nearly welling in his eyes. "Is she well?"

"She is safe, with the noble lady of Xihai. Have no worries! Now, wake the envoy; we must not neglect the proper courtesies."

Feng Xing smiled and reached out to rouse the envoy, but suddenly stopped. White foam was trickling from the man's lips.

"This?" Gao Hai leaned down in alarm, inspecting the envoy.

"How could this happen?" Feng Xing was stunned. He checked the man's pulse, his confusion turning to horror. "Is there a traitor in our ranks? I only gave him a sedative; how could he be poisoned?"

Gao Hai shook his head. "Impossible. Those men were handpicked by the Emperor and me."

"Then what are we to do? I took such precautions, yet they still found a way through!" Guilt and resentment surged within Feng Xing. *How did this happen? Second Prince, I held your favor in such high regard, even bringing the remains of the Late Consort Shu back to her hometown—why would you do this to me? Are you trying to drive both me and Feng Nuan to our deaths?*

Gao Hai summoned his men to move the envoy to a fresh carriage. "Let us enter the palace quickly. If the noble lady of Xihai examines him, she may be able to save him."

Feng Xing stood rooted to the spot, consumed by shame and resentment toward Liu Zhong. Seeing his distress, Gao Hai pulled him along without hesitation. "Have faith, the Emperor and I both trust you."

"But I..."

"There is no time to lose, let's go!"

Feng Xing sighed, mounted his horse, and let a single tear fall into the wind. *The Emperor trusts me so, yet I abandoned the righteous path to aid a villain. Second Prince, I have repaid your favor. From this day forward, I serve only the Emperor!*

With that, they and their escort sped into the city. With General He’s men guarding the perimeter, the conspirators could not succeed and soon dispersed. Upon returning to the palace, Feng Xing and Gao Hai secretly took the envoy to Liu Li’s bedchamber and summoned He Yu.

When He Yu arrived, she found the three men staring at the strangely dressed man, their faces etched with worry.

"Is this the envoy? Is he truly that important?"

He Yu approached swiftly, examining the man before checking his pulse.

"Lady, what is the diagnosis?"

"It is indeed poisoning, but not an intentional one. He has consumed incompatible foods. The envoy must be unfamiliar with Central Plains ingredients and ate too many things that clash."

Liu Li let out a breath of relief. "That is a relief. As long as he is alive, all is well!"

Feng Xing heard this and felt a weight lift, though he remained full of apology. "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I was ignorant of the nature of his food and failed to caution the envoy. In Yinzhou, he ate many street snacks and consumed a great deal of food from the taverns..."

"It is of no consequence. Bringing him back safely is a great service. Furthermore, Gao Hai tells me you refused to hand him over even under threat; that is a significant merit. How could I blame you?"

"Indeed, Feng Xing is loyal and selfless! If I were in his position, with my family held hostage, I cannot guarantee I would have served as well!"

Feng Xing shook his head, confessing quietly, "In truth, I did waver, but I could not bear to fail the common people. It was Master Gao’s timely intervention that prevented any evil thoughts from taking root. However, Your Majesty rescued my sister—for that, I owe you a debt of gratitude!"

Liu Li smiled and looked toward He Yu. "It is the merit of Lady He Yu. You should thank her."

Feng Xing turned to He Yu, bowing formally. "Many thanks for your great kindness, Lady. I shall never forget that you saved her life!"

He Yu quickly helped him up, a surge of guilt and sorrow rising within her, though she dared not speak of it yet. "It is merely an act of kindness, General. Do not take it to heart. Let me finish treating the envoy, and then I will take you to see Feng Nuan."

The moment of trepidation had finally arrived.

As they entered the courtyard of Jianqiu Pavilion, He Yu stopped. *How am I to tell him?* Feng Nuan was on the second floor, but He Yu did not want Feng Xing to see her current state. She wanted to stall, hoping Feng Nuan would take the medicine and her symptoms would stabilize before they met.

"My Lady, why do you stop?"

He Yu took a deep breath, turned slowly, and looked at Feng Xing with a guilty expression. "General, there is something I must tell you."

"Please, speak, my Lady!" Seeing her expression, Feng Xing grew tense. *Could it be they didn't find her?*

"Feng Nuan... she has been poisoned. She longs to see you. When you see her, please try to fulfill her wishes, but avoid any great joy or sorrow, lest her emotions aggravate her condition!"

Feng Xing’s heart tightened as if pierced by thousands of needles. "What poison? Your medical skills are superb—can she be saved? If you need any rare herbs, just name them, and I will obtain them!"

"Are you familiar with Gu poison?" He Yu paused, looking toward the pavilion. "Gu poison can be treated, but one must understand the method of the poisoner; it is not ordinary toxin. The assailant’s methods are extreme, and the source is unknown. It seems intended to take Feng Nuan’s life directly. If she hadn't been saved this morning, she would have..."

Feng Xing stood stunned, his face full of sorrow and pain. "Is Feng Nuan upstairs?"

He Yu nodded and stepped aside. "Go and see her."

He Yu dared not enter, sitting instead in the courtyard, racking her brain for a way to save the girl. *Master, if you were here, would you have a way?* She understood Liu Li and Feng Xing; after this, they would trust each other more, but they would also be deeply burdened by Feng Nuan’s illness. She did not want to see Liu Li suffer, nor did she want him to seek help from the Second Prince or the Empress Dowager. She had to find a way to help Feng Nuan survive this trial.

Ordinary Gu could be purged by drawing out the insect or using blood-flesh remedies, but this curse was cast with such strange technique that no trace of the parasite could be found.

*Master, forgive me, but I am about to break my oath! No matter what happens, she faces danger, so I must try! The medical ethics and principles you taught me—this time, I must view them differently. Such an exquisite case, such a rare opportunity—I have no choice but to act!*

Challenging, incurable diseases were the challenges He Yu loved most. Her master had always told her never to give up on any opportunity to explore new knowledge or discover a new ailment. To He Yu, common illnesses were dull; she had always labored to study the most bizarre and difficult maladies.

"No matter who cast this poison, I will save her, and I will break this curse!" He Yu sighed, then took the token Liu Li had given her and headed toward the Imperial Pharmacy.