"Your Highness, where are you going?"
Two men quickly caught up. Yang Cheng put on his mask and tried to dissuade him:
"Your Highness, you have an order from the Emperor. You can't leave Lingchuan at will. If the Emperor finds out, he will issue a decree to punish you!"
"As for Miss Yun Xi, I'll immediately send someone to rescue her. You don't have to go there in person!"
The project of building dikes and embankments in Lingchuan was about to start in a few days, and Emperor Qi Hong had also sent other officials to supervise the work. Once someone with ill - intent got hold of a handle, it might be detrimental to his master!
The closer they got to their goal, the more carefully they had to tread each step. They must not make a single mistake.
In the face of Yang Cheng's dissuasion, Qi Rong snorted coldly, his voice menacing:
"Let's talk about the punishment when it comes."
His head wasn't something anyone could chop off. But if he was asked to ignore his woman, it was like telling him to go to hell!
Qi Rong narrowed his cold eyes slightly, his expression bloodthirsty:
Those who dared to hurt his woman had better clean their necks. Otherwise, he would never give them an easy death!
Looking at that extremely terrifying face, Yang Cheng couldn't help swallowing hard. The face under his mask had turned completely pale.
He had never seen his master so angry. It seemed that Longchang was going to be even more lively, and the ground would tremble!
On the other side, in the silent mountain forest, suddenly it started to pour. Qi Yu hunched his back and tightly protected Yun Xi in his arms. Despite the rain soaking his clothes and the vines by his feet cutting his legs, he walked in a hurry without a moment's delay.
He had to take advantage of the night to avoid the pursuit of the men in blue and head upstream. Because Yun Xi was seriously injured and needed urgent treatment. Every moment of delay put her in more danger!
Finally, Qi Yu got out of the mountain forest. Seeing a few dim lights at the foot of the mountain, he was extremely excited. He said to Yun Xi in his arms:
"Yun Xi, wait. You'll feel better soon."
Saying so, he carefully hugged Yun Xi tightly and rushed down the mountain quickly. But because of the rain, the ridges of the fields were slippery. Qi Yu didn't step firmly and immediately staggered.
In a hurry, Qi Yu suddenly lay back, using his body to cushion Yun Xi. But he still heard Yun Xi let out a painful groan.
"Yun Xi, are you okay?"
Qi Yu asked anxiously, but all he got in reply was Yun Xi's painful face and her continued silence.
Qi Yu climbed out of the field covered in mud, holding Yun Xi in his arms. He felt extremely self - reproachful.
At this moment, he was extremely anxious, but he didn't dare to speed up rashly. He couldn't help but envy his Seventh Uncle for his excellent lightness skills. Even when carrying a person, he could walk as if on flat ground!
Just like this, Qi Yu walked with heavy steps for a long time. Finally, he came to a farmer's door and knocked on it hard.
In the torrential night rain, the farmer was wearing a straw raincoat. When he saw the two disheveled people in front of his door, he originally wanted to refuse. But when he saw the jade pendant Qi Yu handed over, his expression suddenly changed. He warmly invited the two in.
Soon, the farmer's wife found relatively clean clothes for the two of them. She personally helped Yun Xi change into them and settled her in the best room.
Under the dim oil lamp, the couple couldn't take their eyes off the two's outstanding looks. The man was handsome and the woman was beautiful, with fair and delicate skin. It was obvious that they were not from ordinary families!
The man secretly weighed the jade pendant in his hand, looking overjoyed. Were they going to get rich this time?!
Qi Yu didn't care about the couple's hospitality. He just said that they were siblings visiting relatives but were attacked by mountain bandits on the way and his sister was unfortunately injured.
He begged them to help find a doctor. He promised to reward them handsomely afterwards!
The man naturally coveted the "handsome reward" Qi Yu mentioned, but when he heard about finding a doctor, he couldn't help looking embarrassed:
"Sir, you may not know. Our place is far from the town and extremely poor. There isn't a single doctor for miles around. When the villagers get injured, they either go up the mountain to find some herbs by themselves or just bear it. It's even hard to find a ox - cart to go to the town."
Hearing the man's words, Qi Yu's heart almost instantly sank to the bottom.
By the dim light, he looked at Yun Xi's blushing cheeks and stroked her burning forehead. His heart ached as if being cut by a knife.
At this time, the farmer's wife came in with a water basin and said to Qi Yu:
"Sir, apply some ice to your sister's forehead. Maybe she'll feel better."
"Okay, thank you."
Qi Yu immediately nodded and took the water basin from the farmer's wife. But the next moment, he stood there stunned, only to realize that he had never taken care of anyone before and didn't know how to start.
The farmer's wife seemed to notice his embarrassment. She smiled kindly and said:
"Let me do it."
Saying so, she took the water basin from Qi Yu and placed it on the wooden shelf beside. She soaked a handkerchief, wrung it out, and then placed it on Yun Xi's forehead.
Qi Yu's eyes were fixed on Yun Xi's face. He felt that he couldn't just sit there waiting for death. He stood up and said to the farmer:
"May I ask where I can pick some herbs here, such as Angelica Sinensis and Notoginseng, which can promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis?"
He had traveled and studied for several years and had read some medical books. He knew that Yun Xi had a rib injury. The most urgent thing was to let her recuperate in peace.
If he couldn't find a doctor for the time being, he could only go and find some herbs that could promote blood circulation, remove stasis, soften hardness and reduce swelling to boil for Yun Xi to take.
Hearing the wind and rain outside, beating against the window, the farmer looked really embarrassed:
"Sir, can't you go after the rain stops tomorrow?"
Not to mention that it was dark and slippery now and it was hard to tell people from ghosts, let alone distinguish the herbs!
However, hearing the farmer's words, Qi Yu's expression was firm and unwavering. He clasped his fists and said to the farmer:
"I'll trouble you, brother!"
If the farmer knew that the Crown Prince was condescending and calling him "brother", he would probably be scared awake even in his dreams!
But now, since he had taken the jade pendant, although he was reluctant, he still accompanied Qi Yu up the back mountain. Fortunately, he was familiar with that place and had a better chance of finding the herbs.
When the two came back again, it was already a few hours later. The farmer was shivering with cold and told his wife to make him some ginger soup. Qi Yu, however, was beaming with joy.
Fortunately, he hadn't given up. He had finally picked some herbs for Yun Xi. He didn't even notice that the wound on his arm had been soaked white by the rain and was oozing blood.
Two days later, Yun Xi slowly woke up. Looking at the strange adobe house in front of her, the memories in her mind gradually welled up.
"You're awake. Does your wound still hurt badly?"
A gentle voice came from beside her. Yun Xi was startled.
She subconsciously wanted to get up, but found that her right abdomen hurt badly and her throat was so dry that she couldn't speak.
"Don't move. Be careful not to pull your wound." Qi Yu gently comforted her.
Meeting Yun Xi's confused eyes, he patiently explained what had happened in the past two days. Afraid that she would worry, he continued:
"Don't worry. Those people didn't find our whereabouts and didn't chase us."
"I managed to contact the local officials this morning. I believe they will come to pick us up soon."