Chapter Sixty-Three: I Want to Live

As soon as Weishao Qianyu finished speaking, Ye Shiyi escorted Feng Qingxuan out of Zhiyu Tower. Yun Ming strode forward, fiercely protective, shooting Ye Shiyi a harsh glare. “Take her to Qinglan Courtyard,” he ordered.

Feng Jinye clenched his fists in helpless frustration, torn between the only family he had left in the world and the woman he loved most.

Yun Ming was equally powerless. He followed them to Qinglan Courtyard, and only after the secret guards withdrew did he quietly ask, “Are you hurt?”

Feng Qingxuan shot him a glance but remained silent.

Yun Ming studied her closely and noticed several whip marks across her body. He sighed inwardly. “You are hurt, after all…”

He quickly fetched a remedy for bruises and sprains, tending to her wounds as he spoke, “Will you promise me, Qingxuan, not to go to Zhiyu Tower until you’re healed? Rest and recover first.”

Feng Qingxuan looked at him in a daze, leaving Yun Ming uncertain which of her personalities he was facing now. He could only sigh again.

Unexpectedly, Feng Qingxuan replied, “Alright.”

Yun Ming was greatly surprised, then laughed with relief and affectionately patted her head. “Good girl, I trust you.”

She still didn’t say a word, simply glancing at him before falling silent again.

“Qingxuan, I have to go out today. I’ll come see you tomorrow,” Yun Ming said, placing his trust in her. Since she’d promised not to go to Zhiyu Tower, he could leave without worrying.

As noon approached, he had lunch prepared and sat with her to eat before finally departing Qinglan Courtyard.

Meanwhile, Jiu Man had been pacing outside Zhiyu Tower. Even with the command token of the Prince of War’s residence, she couldn’t get in. Only after noon did she see Yun Ming approach.

“Escort me to the palace to see the Empress Dowager,” he said coldly upon seeing Jiu Man.

Jiu Man cast a lingering look at Zhiyu Tower. Once she entered the palace, there was no guarantee she’d be able to return. Yun Ming seemed to read her mind. “If you don’t go back to the palace, the only road left is death.”

Inside Zhiyu Tower, the atmosphere was tense.

Since Feng Jinye had returned with Weishao Qianyu in tow, she hadn’t spoken a single word. Even when lunch was served, Weishao Qianyu had no appetite at all.

Feng Jinye could see how deeply she was enduring the pain. His heart ached for her. He remembered that Doctor Leng left painkillers during his visit yesterday and instructed Qingxia, “Bring the medicine Doctor Leng left yesterday.”

Qingxia, seeing that Weishao Qianyu showed no intention, asked tentatively, “Miss, would you like to take it?”

Weishao Qianyu frowned slightly. “Watch over Xuechun and Dongnuan more closely. I’m fine.”

Feng Jinye rubbed his brow; she wouldn’t let him care for her.

The dishes before her were piled high with food Feng Jinye had chosen, but she didn’t touch a single bite—only sipped a few spoonfuls of soup, refusing to let Qingxia feed her, stubbornly holding the bowl herself.

Qingxia thought she didn’t seem as fine as she claimed and went to fetch the medicine anyway. At the door, she ran into Weishao Qianyu’s aunt. “Miss, your aunt is here.”

Weishao Qianyu had nearly forgotten her aunt was visiting today. By chance, the three maids were all either sick or injured, leaving only Qingxia to attend to her, so her aunt hadn’t been properly received.

Seeing her aunt, Weishao Qianyu was a bit uneasy and called out softly, “Aunt.”

Her aunt entered to find Feng Jinye serving food to her niece, which comforted her somewhat. “Seeing you today, I must ask—how did you get hurt?”

“I’ve watched you grow up since you were little and never seen you injured so badly. Your father always treasured you as if you were as fragile as glass or sugar,” her aunt said, her words clearly directed at Feng Jinye as well.

Weishao Qianyu understood the unspoken meaning. “I’ve finished eating, Aunt, please wheel me inside.”

Her aunt took the bowl from her hands and pushed her away.

Feng Jinye watched the untouched food and rice in her bowl and immediately lost all appetite himself.

“Aunt was only asking a few questions, didn’t even mention any names, and you’re already shielding her?” her aunt teased, then asked, “How exactly did you get hurt? Who was the assassin today? And who was the girl clinging to the Prince of War’s arm just now?”

Her aunt had only been away from the capital for two years, but the Prince of War’s residence had changed so much.

“It was the assassin today who hurt me. She’s Feng Jinye’s sister, Princess Xuan,” Weishao Qianyu replied frankly with a sigh.

Her aunt had seen Feng Qingxuan before. “Princess Xuan? She’s changed so much?”

Weishao Qianyu nodded.

Her aunt was shocked. “Why did she hurt you?”

“Don’t worry, Aunt. She’s just a mischievous girl—think of her as a wild princess. I only got hurt because I let my guard down. It won’t happen again,” Weishao Qianyu reassured her.

“Yes, even in ordinary families, sisters-in-law don’t always get along,” her aunt sighed, but the memory of Feng Qingxuan’s fierce declaration that morning—“Weishao Qianyu must die today”—still unsettled her.

Weishao Qianyu nodded helplessly. Her aunt then asked, “Who was that girl outside the building just now?”

She couldn’t answer and shook her head.

Seeing Qianyu troubled, her aunt comforted her, “I saw the Prince of War push them both away. Don’t take it too much to heart.”

When Qianyu remained silent, her aunt continued, “I’m planning to stay at the Weishao residence for a while.”

Weishao Qianyu looked at her thoughtfully, then nodded her agreement. “Alright.”

The palace loomed, majestic and solemn.

Yun Ming rarely entered the palace, attending banquets only once every few years, so it was clear he disliked the place.

In Changci Palace, the Empress Dowager sat in full ceremonial dress, exuding authority, staring steadily at Yun Ming as if she hadn’t expected him to come.

“Aunt,” Yun Ming called her—he couldn’t remember how many years it had been since he last addressed the Empress Dowager as “Aunt.”

She regarded him coldly. “Why have you come?”

“I’ll cooperate,” Yun Ming replied.

The Empress Dowager eyed him with suspicion. She knew his temperament well. Even when she had arranged his marriage to Luo Yanqing, he had been as calm as ever.

That he had come in person today surprised her, so she asked, “Is it for Feng Jinye? Or for Weishao Qianyu?”

Yun Ming raised his brows with a faint smile. “Naturally, for Jinye and Qingxuan.”

Her probing yielded nothing. If Yun Ming were here for Weishao Qianyu, he wouldn’t agree to exchange her for the antidote.

But it made little difference. The most important thing was to get Weishao Qianyu back to the Weishao residence—only then could all plans commence. Otherwise, nothing could proceed.

“Why should I believe you?” the Empress Dowager still harbored doubts. Her plans were closely tied to Yun Ming, but she couldn’t fathom his sudden willingness to cooperate.

“I want to live,” Yun Ming said.

The Empress Dowager faltered—his words pierced straight to her heart.

The poison in his body was her doing!

To control Feng Jinye, she had used only poison, with no antidote. She’d thought that with Jinye’s abilities, he’d eventually find the cure, but hadn’t accounted for Weishao Qianyu’s interference…

The Empress Dowager gathered her thoughts and said coldly, “If the Medicine Palace of Xiyan hadn’t been destroyed a year ago, you and the Emperor would still be alive and well.”

“If you hadn’t poisoned me, I’d be living just fine too,” Yun Ming retorted.

She was momentarily at a loss for words, but Yun Ming pressed on. “If it hadn’t been for General Weishao twelve years ago outside the capital, the Emperor would have died long ago!”

Back then, Weishao Zhantian had saved the then-uncrowned Emperor outside the city. Now the Empress Dowager was repaying that debt by demanding the savior’s daughter in exchange for the antidote.

She never imagined her own nephew would turn out like this. Smiling inwardly, she thought: as expected of someone from the Yun family of the Marquis of Xibo—clear-sighted and sharp-minded.

The new moon hung like a crescent, stars scattered across the sky.

The Prince of War’s residence was unusually peaceful of late, even Feng Qingxuan’s split personalities causing no trouble.

Nearly ten days had passed. Weishao Qianyu had not exchanged a single word with Feng Jinye, nor had she seen him even once since her aunt’s departure.

Right now, Feng Jinye stood outside the door as Qingxia gently closed it. “Your Highness, please go back. My lady won’t see you.”

Qingxia returned to Weishao Qianyu’s side, sighing. “Miss, it’s time to change your bandages.”

“What are you sighing about?” Weishao Qianyu asked irritably.

Qingxia ground herbs as she muttered, “I’m always the one shutting the door in the Prince’s face. I’m afraid he’ll hold a grudge.”

In truth, Dongnuan had talked her into it. Their lady would eventually forgive the Prince, so why not do it sooner? That way, their mistress would be happier, and they wouldn’t have to feel so conflicted.

“Miss, His Highness comes every day. I feel awkward closing the door on him each time. Why don’t you do it next time?” Qingxia ventured.

Weishao Qianyu was hardly unaware of her maids’ thoughts. “A hundred days for muscles and bones to heal. It’s only been ten—do you already not care about me?”

“Alright, then I’ll dress your wounds for a hundred days,” Qingxia replied at once, changing her tune.

Lately, as Weishao Qianyu recovered, she’d grown less willing to apply the medicine.

She paused, then thought of a compromise. “If you see any secret guards outside, send for Imperial Physician Leng.”

She wanted to ask if she could boil the medicine she applied daily and use it for soaking baths.

A knock came at the door.

Weishao Qianyu looked up—it was Yun Ming. Could it be that Feng Jinye had sent him as a mediator?

“Qingxia, help me outside to the courtyard,” Weishao Qianyu said, rising and donning a light cloak.

The night was as cold as water, the wind brisk.

She recalled what Consort Liu had said—that Yun Ming might not survive another winter. She forced a light tone, “What brings you here so late?”

“You really are stubborn. How long has it been, and you won’t even let him see you?” Yun Ming smiled, speaking a word for Feng Jinye.

“How is Qingxuan lately?” Weishao Qianyu guessed that Feng Qingxuan’s recent calm was Yun Ming’s doing.

Yun Ming understood her character well and felt a deep guilt toward her, yet not a single word of apology passed between them. “She’s still recovering from her wounds. She promised me she wouldn’t go to Zhiyu Tower until healed.”

Weishao Qianyu raised an eyebrow. “Are you here to remind me she’ll be well soon?”

Yun Ming shook his head and finally said, “Qianyu, I want you to return to the Weishao General’s residence.”

She smiled serenely at this, replying, “Alright.”

A bitter pang struck Yun Ming’s heart. The answer was exactly as he had anticipated, yet that only deepened his remorse.

“What about Qingxuan?” she asked.

“She has Jinye and Huangfu,” Yun Ming replied evenly. “Shouldn’t you be more concerned about Jinye?”

She smiled. “Perhaps it’s the same—he has Qingxuan, Huangfu, and you.”

“Is there something I don’t know?” she pressed.

She had her suspicions. Her recovery had just begun, and already Yun Ming was here, which was unlike him.

Again, Yun Ming shook his head.

At that moment, Weishao Qianyu was grateful to Yun Ming. He had come in person, so Feng Jinye would not; he spoke, so Feng Jinye would not have to.