"I do not fear death, nor would it matter if I died. People like us, when we die, no one will even remember us. However, my death is not important, but Jin Xuan is still young. He should have his own life. Therefore, Miss Xue, I beg you, please take Jin Xuan away!" Jin Qing said.
"Brother, don't push me away to others. You promised me you would always watch me grow up. How can you break your word?" Jin Xuan cried.
"Jin Xuan, I'm sorry. I cannot accompany you on the road ahead. Will you forgive me?" Jin Qing asked Jin Xuan word by word.
Jin Xuan shook his head, "No, Brother, don't leave me."
Jin Qing hardened his heart and stopped looking at Jin Xuan. He only stared intently at Xue Xingyue and asked, "Miss Xue, can you promise me? I will repay you in kind, even as an ox or a horse, in the next life."
Xue Xingyue looked at Jin Qing's hopeful eyes and said slowly, "Jin Qing, I never believe in talk of the afterlife. Therefore, it is best for you to take care of him yourself. I will find a way to cure your poison."
Jin Qing was taken aback, "Miss Xue..."
"Jin Qing, are you content? Content to leave like this? Have you abandoned all the burdens and dreams you once had?" Xue Xingyue asked word by word.
Jin Qing trembled all over. He lowered his gaze and said after a long while, "I am not content, but what can I do if I am not content?"
He was just an ordinary person, perhaps even less than ordinary. He had no power, no status. Even if he lived, he would only be used and manipulated.
"Jin Qing, believe me, I will give you the future you desire," Xue Xingyue said.
At this moment, Jin Qing saw the determination on the young girl's beautiful and clear face, noble and radiant. He couldn't help but believe. He believed in the girl before him; she would bring him the hope of life.
Seeing that Jin Qing no longer harbored thoughts of certain death, she left Feng Jiu to look after him and walked out with Feng Wu.
"Your Highness, where are you going?" Feng Wu asked as Xue Xingyue emerged.
"I'm going to find the Jiang family," Xue Xingyue replied.
Feng Wu was slightly stunned. She asked with some confusion, "Your Highness, what are you looking for the Jiang family for?"
"For the antidote," Xue Xingyue said.
Feng Wu was startled. "Your Highness, what does this have to do with the Jiang family?"
"Let's go!" Xue Xingyue stopped answering Feng Wu's questions.
Upon arriving at the Jiang family's courtyard, Madam Liu emerged from the Jiang family's room. Upon seeing Xue Xingyue, she quickly walked over and curtsied, "This humble subject greets Your Highness."
"Rise. How is Madam Jiang's recovery?" Xue Xingyue asked.
Madam Liu replied, "Madam Jiang's condition has recovered well."
"Good, I will go in and see her," Xue Xingyue said.
Madam Liu quickly moved aside. Xue Xingyue approached the door of Madam Jiang's room. Feng Wu beside her said, "Madam, Your Highness is here to see you."
"Come in!" Madam Jiang's voice came from within.
Feng Wu pushed open the door, and Xue Xingyue entered. At a glance, she saw Madam Jiang lying on the bed. She had indeed improved significantly since her last visit; at least her complexion was no longer so pale.
Seeing Xue Xingyue's arrival, Madam Jiang attempted to get up from the bed. Xue Xingyue stepped forward and stopped her, "Madam, please remain lying down."
"Thank you, Your Highness," Madam Jiang said.
"Feng Wu, you may leave for now," Xue Xingyue said.
Feng Wu was startled. Xue Xingyue said, "Go!"
Feng Wu withdrew.
Madam Jiang looked at Xue Xingyue before her and asked, "Does Your Highness seek this humble subject for a matter?"
"Yes, there is a matter," Xue Xingyue said directly without concealment.
Madam Jiang was slightly taken aback and asked, "I wonder what matter Your Highness seeks this humble subject for?"
"Do you know what poisons the Jiang family usually uses?" Xue Xingyue asked.
Madam Jiang's gaze faltered, and she said, "Your Highness, what are you saying? This humble subject does not understand."
"Madam Jiang, since I am asking this, I already know about the Jiang family's affairs. Your concealment is of no use. If you do not tell me, I can also ask Old Master Jiang," Xue Xingyue said, looking at Madam Jiang with clear, cold eyes.
Madam Jiang's body stiffened. She bit her lower lip and said, "This humble subject is also not entirely clear. I only know that my father once learned the art of poison making. However, although he learned it, he never used it, so I don't know what poison Your Highness is referring to?"
"Three-Day Death," Xue Xingyue said.
Madam Jiang was stunned and looked at Xue Xingyue, asking, "Your Highness, who took it?"
"Madam Jiang, you do not need to concern yourself with this. Tell me, where is the antidote?"
Hearing this, Madam Jiang shook her head, "Your Highness, it is not that I do not wish to help you, but this Three-Day Death has no antidote."
Xue Xingyue frowned slightly. Madam Jiang continued, "Your Highness, I do not need to lie to you, because you will know eventually."
"Do you know where an antidote might be found?" Xue Xingyue asked.
Madam Jiang said, "However, there is another method."
"What method?" Xue Xingyue asked.
Madam Jiang said, "Kill the person who administered the poison. Then, Three-Day Death can be cured."
Xue Xingyue trembled and looked up at Madam Jiang. Madam Jiang said, "If Your Highness does not believe me, you can ask other members of the Jiang family. This is how Three-Day Death is cured."
"And what if one takes it themselves?"
Madam Jiang shook her head, "There is no cure."
Xue Xingyue stood up and said, "Madam, recover well. We will depart for the capital in a few days."
Madam Jiang watched Xue Xingyue's retreating back and said no more.
Outside the door, Feng Wu watched Xue Xingyue emerge and asked, "Your Highness, is there a method for detoxification?"
Xue Xingyue shook her head, "No."
"Your Highness, do not worry. Perhaps think of another way," Feng Wu said.
"Let's go back!" Xue Xingyue walked towards her courtyard.
In the room, Jin Xuan had already fallen asleep. Xue Xingyue asked Feng Wu to carry Jin Xuan to another room to sleep. She walked forward and looked at Jin Qing. The black lines on his wrist had almost reached his elbow. Jin Qing saw her and smiled slightly, "Miss Xue."
Looking at Jin Qing's smile, Xue Xingyue found his smile somewhat piercing.
"Miss Xue, there is no need to trouble yourself. This poison is incurable," Jin Qing suddenly said.
Xue Xingyue trembled all over. She looked at Jin Qing, "You... you know everything?"
Jin Qing nodded. "When I stole this poison from Old Master Jiang back then, I intended to administer it to Old Master Jiang and Jiang Sifeng. I never expected to end up taking it myself. Perhaps this is my just deserts. Miss Xue, do not search for an antidote anymore, it is useless."
Xue Xingyue did not know what to say. She thought she could accomplish it, but there were some things she could not do.
"Miss Xue, I have another bottle of medicine here. After my poison takes effect, give it to Jin Xuan to drink, and he will forget me. Then he can follow you with peace of mind," Jin Qing's gaze fell upon the pillow.
Xue Xingyue reached out and fumbled through it. Indeed, there was a bottle of medicine inside.
"Miss Xue, I entrust Jin Xuan to you. I know you will take good care of Jin Xuan. I do not wish for him to be rich and noble, only that he lives his life safely."