Chapter 186: Wounds

Heart clenched—
Xie would hide—act fine—Yongle wouldn't say "wounded" before Lu Ye—open admission—too serious to hide—
Ji hand—comfort—"Friction—Guards—fine—" Worry growing—
Calm her—disagree—sent Xie away first—no small scrape—
Scan—no Xie Tieyi Gao—worse—
Yongle silent—lion no joy—guess injury—Emperor unhappy—brothers inner—Prince hurt—mood foul—none speak—Jing careful—
Lion done—leave—Emperor palace—home—Lu Zhengchun asked sixty-year rite—usually face—today snort sleeves—whispers—Lu not angry—almost happy—terrifying face—
Manor hurry—Ji family wanted—shake head—"Unclear—simple—visit later—" Pause—"Don't panic now—"
Ji understood undertone—stopped—
Split—gallop Manor—Bajiao Fennel—"Master skilled—maybe plan confuse enemy—"
Shake—"Bad feeling—" Not bad—heart grabbed—want next moment at Manor—
Silent—
Carriage down—through gate—too quiet—
Usually Tang welcome soup—nobody—
Heart drop—yard—Tang pacing—worried—
"How—"
"Heavy—Doctor Gao treating—" Sigh—"Long since seen him thus—"
Push door—
Blood thick—Tieyi wringing cloth—basin shocking—Gao brow—"You—know—"
Bed—eyes closed—paper pale—lips white—upper stripped—layered arrow wounds—deep new blade—over old scar—old unhealed new deep—
Cold—point wound—unstable—"This—"
"Poisoned—" Gao cut—
Struck—
Calm—"Can cure—"
Shake—
"Mixed poisons—identify first—time—wounds won't wait—"
"Make him wait—life in your hands—no error!" Sharp—
Gao stunned—gentle facade—first commanding—like sovereign—
Tieyi stunned—smart future mistress—soft smile—weak partner—now like—late Empress Dowager—
Breath—"How many days—cure how long—"
"Seven max—half month minimum—" Defeat—"Old wounds reopened—won't reach seven—"
Quiet on bed—sleeping prince—skin hides battles—last time many old scars—
Flash—"Wait—" Other room—Jingzhe Guyu—straight dresser drawer—round thing bottle—
Dowry—Luo Tan compass—Feng Ning three Guiyuan pills—life extension dying breath—Ming Qi great physician legacy—grab bottle—back—
Gao joy—"Source—" Pill out—smell—"Guiyuan—works—ten days—"
Relief—"Ten days—maybe no antidote—"
"Cure or try—you're doctor—no can't—" Cold—
Tieyi Tang surprised—woman steady—
Not calm inside—panic useless—clear head—next step—
Gao nod—"Acupuncture—stabilize—leave—"
Look bed—heart gripped—out—Tang—"Down—alone awhile—"
Tang hesitated—"Madam care— we serve—"
Yes—gone—steps—yard—exhausted—
Sat steps—
June hot—ground cool wind—cold—
If he dies—what then—should plan future—can't think—unthinkable—
When so important—lost—rest tasteless—never honey—tasted—lost unbearable—
Footsteps—Pei Lang—sat—"Worry not—Great Li Prince—hard to kill—"
Silent—dim eyes—Pei sour—never saw her thus—always confident—over him—dungeon wondered if she'd worry—now saw—no thorns—fragile like any woman—
Near yet far—
"Go in—wind—"
"No—you're healing—rest—"
Silence—"I'll stay—"
No energy argue—mind on bed—
Gao all night—
Shen sat all night—
Hunt wait—Aunt dozed—she awake—two days no sleep—still wired—
Third cock—Gao out—steps pair—"Sat all night—"
Rub knees—"How—"
"Stable—Guiyuan good—study antidote—no disturb—" Look—"These days—your watch—"
Tang—"If ten days fail—"
Silence heavy—
"Go—" Calm—as if not husband dying—
Serious look—"Hope success—else never happy—"
Gone—
Tang Pei—"Eat rest—stable—don't fall ill—"
Nod—"Bring room—watch—message Ji—stable—not awake—don't visit—"
Pei dim—she sat bedside—left—
Guyu porridge—door closed—she Tieyi eat—"What happened—tell—"
Hesitate—
Stop—stare—"You entered—clearest—even loyal—can't hide wife—"
"No—madam—plan unclear—negotiated Emperor—Mo Yu unused—midway change—Emperor dying—ambush in Guard—Prince blocked blade—poison blade—wanted Emperor's life—"
Beads line—hunt—Yongle vs Lu—Emperor trade life topple Lu—Lu strike—Emperor suicidal resolve—
Not told Xie—or knew refusal—"plan changed"—save Emperor—this wound—
Silent at youth—proud roguish—plans in palm—lazy smile—forgot mortal—hurt—vanish—
Heart pain—"wait for me"—irony—
Guiyuan short—ten days—no cure—brow—nails palm—
Front back—if front fails—culprit tenfold pain—
……
Weiyang Palace—Yongle threw memorial—
Empress picked up—
"Lu bold—wild—" Face dark—"Flaunt before me—skin him—drink blood—"
"Outrageous—without Jingxing—" Stop—
Pain flash—"Wish I'd died—"
"Loyal brother—knew he'd refuse—hid plan—even arranged—chains for him—never his feelings—"
Barbed—Yongle furious—
"Don't rage—Jingxing unconscious—blame later—" Remind—
Eyes closed—"One brother—"
"Gao treats—no word Manor—more urgent—Lu moving—"
"Know—" Smirk—seven parts Xie—smile cold—"He moved—I live—turn on him—army?—Lu lived long—Jingxing harm—Lu nine generations bury—" Pause—"Jingxing fine—they still die—"
Empress nod—sky—sun then clouds—
Weather turning—
……
Gao estate—return—furious voice—"Longye man—said Dingjing—not physician—Defense Minister—fraud—"
Luo Tan door—haggard—dark circles—demand account—
Gao pharmacy home—near Rui Manor—unexpected Tan—
Maid apologetic—hunt morning hide—Tan slipped—saw Gao in officials—sharp on big things—confessed—
Pure doctor—borderless ok—Minister spy—Luo military—operas—heroes die to spies—liked Gao—can't accept—
Rain on rain—no time explain—Shen alone foreign husband dying—sister company—servant—"Tell her—" Pharmacy—no entry—
Expected excuse—ignored—"Explain—"
Servant—"Urgent—Prince Rui ill—needs master—"
Stunned—"Brother-in-law—what—"
"Long story—"
……
Bedhead—blink—sit—
Nap better—still closed—safe moment—still uneasy—
Rebirth smooth—past life map—never cornered—first helpless—not on her—worse—
No medicine—no antidote—three pills—all on Gao—unfamiliar—
Hand his—comfort—
Tang tea snacks—haggard—"Eat—care exhausting—"
Thanks—hesitate—"Uncle Tang—two years ago arrival—same—"
Two years—North Ming Qi Shen army—Wenhui men—wanted life—escaped—heavy wound—Gao lucky—or no Prince—
Pause—wistful bed glance—"Madam knows—first return carried in—doctors hopeless—Gao helpless—survived—miracle—"