The night was thick, the moon and stars scarce, with faint scents and fleeting shadows.
"Truly a good season for murder and plunder," Yu Liu sighed.
Ling Yao glanced back at her, and Yu Liu grinned sheepishly.
Ling Yao led her party to intercept Song Beiting at Chengwu Gate just as he was about to depart.
A thousand Imperial Guards stood in formation, their torches reflecting on young, solemn faces, radiating killing intent.
Emperor Mingde stood at the front, his gaze sharp and cold. "Imperial Sister, you must not interfere in this matter. The order was mine. If there is blame, it falls upon me."
"Blaming you or blaming me, is it not the fault of the Imperial family? Do you believe that if you slaughter people tonight, the news will spread throughout Jing Country tomorrow? Not only will the people's hearts be unsettled, but you will also be branded a foolish ruler."
How could Emperor Mingde not know that such actions were the lowest of the low? But there was no other way now. Those people in the suburbs had begun to break out again, even threatening. The guards had no choice but to kill a few of the most vocal ones to temporarily subdue them. The next time, it was estimated they wouldn't be able to suppress them.
If people were allowed to escape, chaos would ensue, and the entire capital would be plunged into crisis.
"Imperial Brother, the antidote has been prepared. Tomorrow, it can be delivered to the patients."
"What did you say?"
Emperor Mingde was surprised. He had just inquired at the Imperial Hospital, and there had been no progress. Otherwise, he wouldn't have acted this way.
Ling Yao nodded. "It's true. It was just prepared."
She looked at the thousand Imperial Guards radiating killing intent below and said, "Withdraw the people! Send word to the suburbs and tell the commoners to wait patiently until tomorrow."
The torchlight illuminated her face. She was calm, resolute, and showed no hint of jest.
Behind her followed Yu Liu, Ruan Ji, and several guards, all with composed expressions, forming a stark contrast to the grim and imposing thousand Imperial Guards.
Has the problem truly been solved?
Song Beiting's heart stirred, and he blurted out, "Princess, did you use divine power?"
Ling Yao looked at him, her gaze obscure and unreadable. She shook her head. "No, it's a prescription from Qing He."
"If that is true, then the matter is resolved." Emperor Mingde's expression brightened. He announced loudly, "Wen Tang, personally lead men to the outskirts of the capital and ensure the people are appeased."
Song Beiting was about to respond when Ling Yao interrupted him.
"No need! Commander Song, guard the Imperial Palace well. Ruan Ji, you go!"
Ruan Ji stepped forward and knelt on one knee. "Your subject will not disgrace His Majesty. The divine maiden's command is to reassure the people to wait until tomorrow for the medicine."
Song Beiting's handsome face paled, and he stared blankly at Ling Yao.
She handed a bottle of pills to Ruan Ji. "If the people do not trust, pick a few to take it for them. Tell them that the palace is rushing to produce it, and everyone will have an antidote tomorrow."
"Yes, Princess!"
Ruan Ji took the bottle and left with a troop of guards.
"Imperial Brother, Linglong is at Fengque Tower preparing the medicine. I will return now."
After speaking, Ling Yao left with Yu Liu.
Song Beiting watched her retreating figure being swallowed by the night, his fingertips trembling, a chill pervading his entire being.
She did not trust him.
Was it because of his father?
Emperor Mingde looked at Song Beiting with concern. He also felt Ling Yao had gone too far. Since Xiao Shan had left, she had become increasingly assertive. He didn't mind, but treating Wen Tang like this, wasn't it a bit ungrateful?
The Prime Minister's actions were indeed punishable, but what wrong had Wen Tang committed?
He had already broken ties with the Prime Minister's mansion, established his own household, and his beloved wife of over ten years had been snatched away. His heart was already bitter enough.
Every day, watching the woman he loved being affectionate with another, if it were him, who knew what crazy things he might do? Yet Wen Tang had swallowed this bitterness.
Now, his Imperial Sister was stabbing him in the back. Did she have any conscience?
"Wen Tang, perhaps Imperial Sister has other considerations, it's not..."
Emperor Mingde couldn't continue. Wen Tang wasn't foolish; such comforting words were useless. He couldn't bear to look at his expression.
In the past, he might have concealed it somewhat in front of him. Tonight, perhaps he was too hurt to even hear what he was saying.
His expression was vacant.
Alas!
Love is the most hurtful thing, hurting people invisibly.
Upon returning to Fengque Tower, Ling Yao and Qu Linglong went to their room to prepare the antidote for over a thousand people. Even a small amount required a large bowl of blood.
"Princess, tell me immediately if you feel unwell. Although the blood volume does not exceed the human limit, everyone's physical condition is different," Qu Linglong cautioned again as she watched the blood slowly flow.
Ling Yao's veins were very thin, and the flow was too slow. She didn't feel anything yet.
"Mm, I know."
After the time it took for an incense stick to burn, a bowl was finally filled. Qu Linglong quickly bandaged her and checked her complexion. Her face was pale, and her pulse was slightly rapid.
Fortunately.
"Princess, drink a bowl of blood-replenishing soup and go rest quickly. I will handle the rest with Yu Shan."
"Mm," Ling Yao nodded and left the room.
Yu Liu stepped forward to support her. They walked along the corridor, about thirty meters from the sleeping quarters.
Halfway there, Ling Yao suddenly gripped Yu Liu's hand tightly.
Her steps grew slower.
"Princess!" Yu Liu cried out softly.
The princess's body was so cold, as if wrapped in ice beneath her clothes!
"Don't make a sound! Hurry back to the room!" She bit her pale lips, feeling the heat within her body draining away.
She had miscalculated after all.
Regardless of whether she used her will, she had saved people. Saving people would incur backlash.
Nearly a thousand people, defying the heavens, would she die?
Yu Liu almost carried her into the room. By the time they reached the room, Ling Yao's lips were so cold she couldn't speak.
She felt her limbs stiffen, and a layer of frost appeared on her brow.
Yu Liu's hands trembled as she wiped away the frost from Ling Yao's brow. The cold was more biting than an ice pick, piercing straight through her skin.
"Princess, don't be afraid. Your maid will be back shortly."
Yu Liu covered Ling Yao with a thick quilt, gritted her teeth, and ran out.
Ling Yao didn't know what she was going to do. In fact, her mind could no longer think.
It was so cold!
Instinctively, she began to grope around her.
"Ah, Ye... Ah Shan."
Where had he gone? Why wasn't he here?
She wanted to cry, but perhaps the water in her body had frozen, and not a single tear could fall.
No matter when, do not harm yourself.
Who had said that?
She couldn't remember.
I'm sorry! She felt like she couldn't hold on any longer.
When Yu Liu ran in carrying a ceramic pot, she was so frightened she almost knelt on the ground.
The person on the bed was motionless. Her eyebrows, eyelashes, and lips were all stained with frost and snow. If she didn't know it was the princess, she would have thought it was an ice sculpture!
"Princess, the blood is here. It's the General's blood. Drink it quickly. Your maid will help you up, Princess!"
Yu Liu cried as she tried to help Ling Yao up, but the person was as stiff as stone. She dared not move further.
Could she still live?
"It's okay, it's okay. The Princess is a divine maiden, it's okay."
Yu Liu slapped herself to force herself to calm down. She poured a bowl of blood from the ceramic pot. Although the blood had been kept in an ice cellar, it had not frozen and even had a faint warmth.
This gave Yu Liu more confidence. Holding a soup spoon, she pried open Ling Yao's stiff lips and poured it in little by little.