Chapter 1, The Brink of Desperation

Thus, the imperial physician added those additional herbs to the prescription for invigorating blood circulation and dispelling stasis

Tears instantly filled my eyes, and I held back, preventing them from falling.

"Go and fetch some clean water." Xu Bin spoke, not directing his words to anyone in particular, yet under the subtle pressure of his unspoken authority, before Xiang Ting could respond, Si Yin had already gone down to comply.

In that moment, Xu Bin's hands trembled slightly, nearly causing him to lose grip and throw her out.

Sternal fracture injuries and cardiopulmonary issues further lead to hemoptysis. If the heart is slightly congested, the pain is indescribable.

Complete understanding; if in a different position, Xu Bin would also act in this manner

"You understand medicine yourself, so you should know that if this wound is not properly treated, it will..." Xu Bin's deep voice already carried a hint of reproach and dissatisfaction.

Why? At this moment, she could not pay attention to the look of sorrow that flashed in his eyes; she was simply astonished. "He is aware of your medical skills, so why did he not allow you to participate in the imperial medical consultation? Those old scholars who remain in the old palace, what do they understand..."

Yes, to openly express her admiration and affection for him in front of Zhu Zhanji without any concealment is, in fact, a form of respect

Almost at the same time that these hands were wrapped, Ruo Wei stood up and walked towards the door

Although he had never seen Ruowei as a child, by the time he met her, she had already grown into a graceful young woman. However, he believed that she must have looked just like this when she was little

"Your Highness, the prince has just taken his medicine, and the imperial physician has advised against excessive talking; he needs to rest quietly." As Xiao Shanzi spoke, she welcomed Ruowei into the tent.

If the atmosphere on the micro-surface is extremely calm, at this moment she has completely lost the urgency and confusion she had just moments ago. After listening to Xu Bin's explanation, she has instead become composed. "In this case, 'Ying He Zhi Tong Decoction' can be used to calm and stabilize. Internally, 'Shun Qi Huo Xue San' combined with 'Jie Gu Dan' should be administered. Additionally, a skilled practitioner can be instructed to reconnect the bones and tendons!"

Oh? Ruowei's beautiful eyes immediately widened, "Xiangting!"

She suddenly stood up, disregarding Xu Bin's presence, and immediately rushed out of the tent

Xu Bin said lightly: "The upper and lower edges of the ribs have intercostal muscles attached. When a rib fractures at a single site, the intercostal muscles provide support, allowing the heart and lungs to remain functional. However, if there are two or more fractures affecting a larger area of the chest wall, both the anterior and posterior ends lose support, injuring the heart and lungs, leading to respiratory difficulties, and in severe cases, may result in pneumothorax or hemothorax"

"Your Highness, Master Xu is outside and wishes to see the injury on your hand," Xiang Ting said as she pushed aside the curtain and entered to deliver the message

"Your hand does not belong solely to you," Xu Bin said coldly, his expression darker than before.

"However, Your Highness. The Crown Prince has just taken his medicine and is currently resting in peace." The guard was about to say more when a person emerged from the tent, who was none other than the chief eunuch, Xiao Shanzi.

He, however, was completely unconcerned and only spoke after silently scanning her from head to toe, "Let me see the injury on your hand. If it is not treated properly, it will be useless in the future."

She initially refused, but was struck by the differing gazes of the two men. On the sickbed, Zhu Zhanji's gaze was gentle yet conveyed an unyielding determination; standing beside him, Xu Bin's expression was stern and his sharp eyes held a subtle warning.

If Wei is also lowering her head, she seems to be lost in thought.

Hastily arriving outside the grand tent of Zhu Zhanji, the guards at the entrance were about to step forward to stop her, but Ruo Wei had already taken the initiative, declaring, "I want to see His Highness, and no one shall obstruct me!"

Princess! Your Highness!" Ziyan and the palace maid attending beside her were taken aback; the young princess was always prone to unexpected situations, it was always so bewildering.

"She seems cuter than you." Xu Bin did not speak when the young princess Zhu Jinxin, running in the garden and covered in sweat, suddenly dashed into his arms. He was truly taken aback; it was a miniature version of Ruo Wei. Extremely adorable, exceedingly beautiful, like a fairy emerging from a sea of flowers

If Wei gently lifted his chin with her hand, as if playfully prying open his mouth in the boudoir, indeed, there was a trace of blood on his teeth

Therefore, Zhu Zhanji has always been aware.

Your Highness! The hurried entrance of Xiang Ting broke the tranquility and thoughts between the two. The imperial physician conducted a joint diagnosis, prescribed "Yinghe Pain Relief Decoction," and added Xianhecao, Xueyu Charcoal, and Lotus Root Sections, as well as prescribed "Jiuzhen Preservation Decoction." Physician Wang set the prince's bones.

With beautiful eyes that sparkle like stars, gently arched willow-like eyebrows, delicate lips resembling budding flowers, and long eyelashes that flutter, it is hard to express how captivating she is, along with the faintly visible dimples that bring to mind her childhood innocence.

Quickly go to the prince's tent and see what the imperial physicians have said and how they are treating him, and make sure to record everything in detail and report back to me promptly. Ruo Wei instructed anxiously, as Zhan Ji had ordered the eunuchs and guards beside him to prevent her from entering the tent again to disturb them. She naturally understood the good intentions behind Zhu Zhan Ji's actions, but this only made her feel like an ant on a hot pan, growing increasingly anxious as she waited.

He, after waking up, did not take long to let me out. The imperial physicians are currently in consultation. Although I cannot know the details, I should be able to grasp the general situation. Xu Bin's expression was cold and gloomy; at this moment, the pain in his heart was no less than that of Zhu Zhanji on the sickbed. The woman he loved was so close, yet all her attention was focused on that person. Today, when he saw her originally delicate hands, which used to play the piano and pluck flowers, now digging in the dirt and filth like a shovel on the ruins, his heart ached unbearably. He had always been so proud, believing that the woman he loved was near, yet all her spirit was devoted to that person. Today, when he saw her hands, which once played the strings and adjusted the makeup, now digging in the mud, he felt an indescribable pain. He had never thought that when she made a choice between him and Zhu Zhanji, he would lose. But today, he truly realized that he had lost. Those hands, like a curse, were deeply imprinted in his mind, causing his heart, as hard as iron, to convulse in pain.

I am fine. I just returned, and the imperial physician has already bandaged him up. How is Your Highness's injury?" Ruo Wei was anxious and restless. After Zhu Zhanji was carried back, she had been closely attending to him along with the other imperial physicians. However, unexpectedly, when Zhu Zhanji woke up, he actually asked her to leave first and return to the tent of Princess Changde, Zhu Jinxin, to rest.

If Wei listened, her face would suddenly brighten and then darken. She silently pondered, "Why add Herba Cistanches, Charcoal from Blood Residue, and Lotus Root Nodes? 'Nine Treasures Soup' is aimed at addressing the deficiency of both qi and blood... What is the reasoning behind this?"

She is her daughter

Xiangting responded and entered, "Master!"

Entering the inner chamber, I saw Zhu Zhanji lying flat on the bed, his complexion pale, as if he had become much more haggard, which made my heart feel even more despondent. Just as I approached the head of the bed, Zhu Zhanji opened his eyes, his words weak and tinged with a hint of reproach: "Didn’t I tell you to rest well? Why have you come back again?"

Thus, Zhu Zhanji's pride did not allow him to calmly surrender himself to his rival for healing

Gently holding Ruo Wei's hand, I wiped away the dirt hidden in the damaged areas with clean water. After allowing it to air dry naturally, I applied the ointment I had brought with me, and then wrapped it in a clean piece of cloth. Only then was the task considered complete

Everything that just happened feels like a tremendous upheaval, leaving her still somewhat stunned.

If Wei quietly sat by his bedside, reaching out to touch his forehead, which was slightly warm, and then carefully observed the color of his lips

Yes. The Xiangting hurriedly withdrew

"Hurry, let him in." Ruo Wei immediately stood up

What? If Wei turned around and met his gaze, she said clearly.

No, nor will it.

Thus, she instinctively regarded Xu Bin as that lifeline, "What has happened to him, after all?"

The grand and magnificent halls of the old palace in Nanjing no longer shine with brilliance, and many of the beautiful glazed tiles have already been lost. While it cannot be described as mere ruins, it has certainly become much more desolate and bleak.

Xu Bin smiled faintly, meeting Ruo Wei's gaze, "Studying medicine, you always possess a certain spirit, yet your foundation is indeed quite lacking"

I just saw your daughter in the garden

"My father often says, 'With such beauty, what kind of handsome gentleman will be able to marry Xin'er in the future?" She tilted her head and stared at Xu Bin with a mischievous smile, "You are quite handsome too. Handsomer than my father, so I might as well marry you." After saying this, she actually leaned on Xu Bin's shoulder and gave him a peck on the cheek.

Why did Zhu Zhanji want her to come out? At this moment, he should know how anxious he is, wishing he could take her place. How could he stand aside, indifferent and uninformed? ... To keep this hidden, could it be ...? ... Her face was pale to the point of being frightening. Yes, she was terrified by the voice that lingered deep within her heart.

Xiner?" Ruo Wei was momentarily taken aback

Now, a series of military tents have been erected in the open space between the halls, and within one of the more spacious tents, Ruo Wei sits quietly on a carved yellow pear stool, lost in thought.

Immersed in his thoughts, a faint smile appeared at the corners of Xu Bin's lips

The most terrifying internal injury unexpectedly led to coughing up blood

Xu Bin is well aware of why Zhu Zhanji does not want him to stay by his side; it is because he does not wish to bear this sentiment. It seems that he has never deliberately hidden his feelings for Ruo Wei, especially in front of Zhu Zhanji. His pride does not allow him to cautiously appear as if he is peering at someone else's treasures.

A faint sense of melancholy arises from the depths of my heart

Only her daughter was more straightforward than she was. She actually nestled in Xu Bin's arms during their first meeting, refusing to come down no matter how the maids and attendants tried to coax her. Her bright eyes darted around on his face, and she even reached out her small hand to touch his face repeatedly in front of everyone. Then, pouting her little mouth, she pointed at the maid beside her and said, "Ziyan, I found him; I want to marry him"

When those blood-stained, gruesome hands appeared before him, he visibly changed color, the veins on his forehead throbbed faintly, as if he wanted to say something, but ultimately held back.

Fortunately! Xu Bin said, disregarding the etiquette between ruler and subject as well as the distinctions between men and women, he reached out and gently pressed her down onto the couch, untying the cloth that bound her hands, layer by layer, with slow and careful movements

Thus, she stepped back, but her heart was in turmoil, unable to find peace.

I am fine. Ruowei's thoughts were not at all on her own hands; just now, the imperial physician had come and only performed a simple treatment. Firstly, the physician did not dare to carefully tend to her hands; secondly, she herself was not in the mood for it.

Still as graceful and handsome, still as calm as the wind, he stepped into the tent, walking step by step until he stood before Ruowei and unexpectedly performed a bow. Is this a gesture of respect between ruler and subject

He is not good, very bad. If you go over now, you can only make things worse! Xu Bin furrowed her brow slightly, sitting on the couch, and without any hesitation, picked up a cup of cold tea from the table and took a sip; that tea was the one she had previously consumed.

There is no problem, the imperial physicians have all examined her, and she will be fine after a few days of rest. Zhu Zhanji spoke calmly, clearly trying to comfort her

Although it is a military tent, it still features separate areas for the hall and the sleeping quarters, one bright and one dim, and does not feel cramped. The furnishings are comprehensive, and it can be considered spacious.

Xiangting immediately called for Siyin and Siqi to step back, and then replaced them with two cups of hot tea