Chapter 9: 第八章 无解

“It’s nothing. I just wanted to say thank you. I’m fine; I’m used to these minor injuries.” After the medicine was applied, the pain in her forehead eased considerably, but compared to the twisting agony in her heart, these minor wounds were truly negligible.

She was exhausted and only wanted to close her eyes and sleep. As for this man's identity, she could guess a thing or two even without him saying it, and she truly had no interest. Thus, regarding the shouts of the guards, she merely shrugged, indifferent.

Used to it? Zhao Yuqi froze. What did she mean, even being injured was something she was used to? This woman’s words were nothing short of shocking. No one would believe that such a delicate girl would treat such heavy injuries as a habit, and even as blood seeped out, she hadn't uttered a single groan.

Furthermore, she seemed to have little interest in his noble status.

Zhao Yuqi felt a tightness in his chest, and his grip on her tightened slightly. “Zhao Yuqi. That is my name. Don't worry, once we return to the capital, I will definitely be able to help you resolve this poison.”

He, who had always been arrogant and surrounded by admirers, was being thoroughly ignored by a woman for the first time.

As if trying to prove something, he ignored the many suspicious points regarding this woman of unknown origin, stated his name, and even made this extraordinary promise.

The unconscious Feng Feixuan was carried down from the carriage by someone. That person was none other than the Crown Prince, Zhao Yuqi, who had held her throughout the journey. At this moment, he carried Feng Feixuan straight toward his main palace chamber, with no one daring to stop him.

One must understand that the main palace chamber was the residence of the future Crown Princess—the equivalent of the main house in an ordinary family.

Upon hearing the news, the entire Crown Prince's manor was in an uproar. Various courtyards sent people to inquire about exactly who this woman in black, carried back by the Crown Prince, truly was.

The courtyard where Shu Niang and the guards were stationed was already surrounded by people, blocked so tightly that not even a drop of water could pass. However, before entering the manor, Zhao Yuqi had issued a death order: no one was allowed to reveal Feng Feixuan's origins, and violators would be killed without question.

“Zhang Zhengquan, why hasn't Imperial Physician Feng arrived yet?” Zhao Yuqi was growing increasingly agitated. He had already sent several groups of people, so why hadn't they returned?

Could this old man Feng actually be playing hard to get with him? No, he would have to go personally to drag the old fellow over.

“Your Highness, sigh, Your Highness, please calm yourself. Commander Zheng Ruofeng just sent word back that Imperial Physician Feng is still in the palace checking the Empress's pulse; he will arrive shortly.” Zhang Zhengquan was an old eunuch in his forties. Though short in stature, he had served by Zhao Yuqi's side since his birth, and his loyalty was no less than anyone else's in the manor.

“She cannot wait, do you understand? Which palace is he in? Tell Zheng Ruofeng to drag him out to this Prince immediately.” Zhao Yuqi was already enraged, and the consequences would be severe.

Zhang Zhengquan understood this better than anyone. However, he had to brace himself to advise, “Your Highness, absolutely not. We do not yet know Miss Fang's origins. If this matter reaches the palace, will the Emperor and Empress sit idly by? Think about it, if Miss Fang...”

Zhao Yuqi had only lost his composure for a moment; now, prompted by Zhang Zhengquan, he naturally understood the gravity of the consequences. He waved his hand and said, “I know. Send someone to check on the other physicians and invite them all to examine her first. Keep a close eye on Imperial Physician Feng for me. Also, do not allow anyone to disturb the sleeping quarters.”

Since entering the capital, Feng Feixuan had fallen into a coma. The poison of the Worrying Grass had flared up intensely once again, as if trying to consume her heart. She had no capacity to care about where she currently was, much less knew that Zhao Yuqi had turned the entire Crown Prince's manor upside down because of her.

She had even nearly caused a scene that reached the Imperial Palace.

Zhao Yuqi sat back by the bedside, looking at this person who remained so strong and resilient even in unconsciousness.

She lay there straight, and despite being in extreme discomfort, her limbs remained tense and unyielding, as if she were maintaining a state of high alert at every moment, ready to stand up and fight at any time. There was not a hint of a fragile, feminine posture.

What kind of life had she lived before to develop habits like those of a blood-and-iron soldier?

Zhao Yuqi's phoenix eyes suddenly focused, scrutinizing her with profound meaning. What kind of secrets were hidden within that small, delicate body? Coupled with that eerie ring, he seemed unable to extricate himself from being obsessed with every part of her.

“Mom, it hurts so much, save Xiao Xuan, Mom...” Feng Feixuan usually had very high sleep quality and never dreamed, but her current state of exhaustion-induced coma caused her thoughts to drift back to the moment before the 4C bomb exploded. She saw her mother frantically searching for her on the opposite side, screaming her name.

*Boom!* The bomb exploded. She saw her body being instantly torn apart, turning into ash.

Her mother rushed over with tears streaming down her face, screaming her name hysterically, “Xiao Xuan, Xiao Xuan...”

That painful, grieving voice surrounded her ears, piercing her soul.

“Mom, Mom...” Tears fell from the corners of Feng Feixuan's eyes, drop by drop. Those cries were so bitter that anyone hearing them would be heartbroken, and anyone seeing them would be moved.

*Mom? Does she mean Mother? Which people call their mother that?*

As if possessed, Zhao Yuqi reached out to hold her, comforting her like one would a child: “Don't be afraid, it's alright, it's alright...”

The moment Zhang Zhengquan entered with Imperial Physician Feng, he witnessed this scene. It seemed this Miss Fang of unknown origin was not simple; she could actually make the Prince, whom she had only spent half a day with, turn into a different person.

The usual laziness, indifference, and dominance on his face had vanished; he actually knew how to comfort someone tenderly? Zhang Zhengquan frowned with worry, thinking to himself that this was not a good sign. The Prince was to be a future emperor; he should be high above and detached. He must not ruin his future for a woman of unknown origins.

“Your Highness, Imperial Physician Feng has arrived.” Zhang Zhengquan’s shrill voice interrupted this seemingly warm scene.

Without changing his expression, Zhao Yuqi placed Feng Feixuan back on the bed and stood up to make room for the physician.

“I must trouble you, Imperial Physician Feng.”

“Your Highness is too polite.” Feng Ziyang was just past his prime years and had a gentle countenance. He was currently the most famous physician in the State of Jing, specializing in difficult diseases and the formulation of poisons and medicines, which was why Zhao Yuqi was so anxious to summon him.

Without further words, he set down his medicine box, walked to the bedside, and gracefully took Feng Feixuan's wrist to carefully check her pulse.

His brow furrowed deeply. After a long while, he stood up and said, “This old man is unskilled; this poison has no cure.”

“What? Imperial Physician Feng, are you joking with me? What do you mean 'no cure'? Are you not the most outstanding divine physician in all of Jing?” Zhao Yuqi stared at Feng Ziyang violently, roaring in anger.

“Your subordinate would not dare. It is only that the poison this young lady has ingested is from the Worrying Grass. This subordinate's medical skills are insufficient; I am powerless.” Feng Ziyang remained composed, not showing excessive deference simply because the other party was the Crown Prince.