Qi Yu leaned forward. Yun Xi subconsciously shrank back. A look of embarrassment flashed across his face, and he explained gently,
"I'll help you sit up."
Yun Xi nodded in understanding and felt a bit embarrassed about her over - reaction just now.
With Yun Xi's approval, Qi Yu carefully avoided Yun Xi's wound and helped her lean against the head of the bed. Then he went out and came back with a bowl of milky fish soup. He scooped up some soup with a spoon, blew on it gently, and brought it to Yun Xi's lips. Smiling, he said,
"You must be hungry after not eating for two days. I caught the fish myself. It's good for your recovery. Drink it while it's hot."
After getting along for these two days, Qi Yu had gradually learned how to take care of a patient. So he no longer relied on others but preferred to do everything himself.
Yun Xi stared blankly at the fish soup in Qi Yu's hand. Meeting his gentle star - like eyes, she still didn't open her mouth.
For some reason, she suddenly remembered the words Qi Yu had said to her in the carriage that day, "If you die, I won't live either."
Those words had shocked her too much. Even though she wanted to pretend not to know Qi Yu's feelings, she still felt a bit awkward in her heart.
Therefore, to prevent Qi Yu from having any unnecessary thoughts, she had to cut through the Gordian Knot and draw a clear line between them!
"I'll do it myself."
Yun Xi's voice was hoarse. She took the spoon from Qi Yu's hand painfully. Her rejecting attitude made Qi Yu's eyes dim. But like a gentleman, he didn't want to force her. He compromised and said,
"Okay. I'll hold the bowl for you in case your right hand can't exert much strength."
He made it impossible for Yun Xi to refuse within a reasonable range, so she had to accept his kindness.
However, just as Yun Xi finished drinking the fish soup, she suddenly heard a series of knocks on the courtyard gate. Then the farmer went out to open the door, and several people dressed like government runners walked in.
The two of them saw the situation outside through the window. A look of joy flashed across Qi Yu's face. He said to Yun Xi,
"Surely the local magistrate received the news and sent people to pick us up. You lie down and rest. I'll be back soon."
"Don't go out yet!"
Yun Xi grabbed Qi Yu's sleeve. She stared warily at the government runners outside the window and vaguely felt that something was wrong.
Since they were here to pick them up, they were all holding knives in their hands. And after entering the door, instead of looking for people in a hurry, they first bolted the courtyard gate.
"It's okay. I sent the message through the village head and didn't expose my real identity."
Understanding Yun Xi's concerns, Qi Yu comforted her.
Since Yun Xi had been in a coma, he wanted to change her to a better environment immediately. So he had pretended to be another nobleman's son and asked the village head to contact the nearest county magistrate.
He thought that even if the county magistrate was not sure, he would send people to check. Then when they reached a safe place, he would reveal his identity.
However, Yun Xi was not very optimistic about Qi Yu's explanation. She said cautiously,
"Wait a bit longer."
She endured the sharp pain and quickly got out of bed despite Qi Yu's obstruction. Her eyes were fixed on the group of people outside the courtyard.
Seeing Yun Xi so vigilant, Qi Yu followed her advice. Just as he was about to tell Yun Xi to put on her shoes to avoid catching a cold, he suddenly heard a scream in the courtyard. The farmer who was walking in front of the group was suddenly stabbed to death by the person behind him. Blood spattered everywhere!
The faces of the two of them turned pale instantly. And the farmer's wife, who rushed out upon hearing the sound, was also instantly killed by the enemy's knife before she could even shout for help!
Seeing those people rushing towards the house, Qi Yu immediately hugged the stunned Yun Xi and lowered her body to avoid being seen through the window.
Then he quickly scanned the furnishings in the room and found a raised wooden board on the floor. He pulled it hard, raising a lot of dust. Underneath was a one - square - meter cellar with two jars and a bag of chaff in it.
Without much thought, Qi Yu immediately moved the things out and made room for Yun Xi to curl up in. Then he quickly covered the wooden board to hide the traces and whispered quickly,
"Hide inside and don't make a sound!"
If only one of them could survive, he would surely give the chance to her!
"He's inside!"
Before Yun Xi could say a word, a chaotic sound of footsteps rushed into the room. Qi Yu, however, flipped out of the window and fled into the yard!
As the heir to the throne, Qi Yu had practiced martial arts since childhood. So it was not easy for those people to catch up with him quickly. And Qi Yu deliberately fled towards the distant mountains to draw them away.
Yun Xi curled up in the narrow cellar. She felt that the pain in her chest and abdomen was almost unbearable, and cold sweat kept breaking out on her body. But she still gritted her teeth and didn't dare to make the slightest sound.
Through the cracks in the floor, she saw two people rummaging around in the room. She even unconsciously held her breath.
She knew that if she was discovered, she would surely die!
"Damn it! They said there were two people. Where's the woman? She can't just disappear into thin air!"
One of them cursed, and the other echoed,
"She must be hiding somewhere in this house. We'll just wait here. Starve her for a few days, and she'll surely come out!"
Because their leader had ordered them early on that they must not let anyone go, whether it was a man or a woman! Otherwise, they would be in big trouble! So they had been running around a lot these days just to report back.
They had to get their revenge from these people!
Hearing their conversation, Yun Xi's heart sank. She immediately realized that she was also the target of these people.
However, at the moment, she couldn't figure out who dared to take the life of the crown prince! And what was her relationship with this? Why were they trying to kill her too!
The air in the closed space was very thin. Coupled with the sharp pain in her body, Yun Xi couldn't think at all. Her head was dizzy, and soon she fell into a coma again.
Suddenly, a strange sound woke Yun Xi from her dream. It was already dark. All she could see was darkness. There was a furry feeling by her feet, which made her shiver.
She bit her lips tightly and, suppressing her fear, looked down at her feet. She saw a pair of small eyes twinkling in the darkness.
After looking at her, the next moment, it suddenly ran towards her line of sight!
"Ah!"
Unable to hide her fear any longer, Yun Xi instinctively let out a scream! The scream scared away the rat in the cellar but attracted the green - clothed guards on duty.
Hearing the approaching footsteps, Yun Xi's face instantly turned pale. She stopped screaming, but it was already too late.
The room suddenly brightened up. Two green - clothed men walked in with knives in their hands.
"Damn it! The person was really hiding in this room. We've been waiting in vain for so long!"
Saying that, the man stabbed the floor hard!
Since they had heard the sound coming from under the floor, they realized that they had overlooked this place during the day.
Looking at the sharp knife less than an inch away from her, Yun Xi's pupils shrank, and her heart jumped into her throat. In this one - square - meter space, it was difficult for her to move, let alone avoid the enemy's attack!
Seeing the sinister smiles on the two men's faces as they both raised their swords to stab at her, Yun Xi closed her eyes in despair. At that moment, Qi Rong's face clearly appeared in her mind, making her feel both pain and hatred.
Thinking that this life might end and they might never meet again, Yun Xi couldn't help but cry out recklessly according to her true feelings,
"Qi Rong! I hate you!!"