309 Dont Abandon I (1/2)

”Continue.”

The Imperial Physician raised his head. It was a single word, but it weighed so heavy on his heart. ”Your Highness, this woman—”

Yu Zhen's features darkened. ”My Wangfei.”

The Imperial Physician readily nodded and opened his mouth but then paused. What? The Crown Prince's Wangfei? As in… the Crown Princess of Hanjian?

His half-closed eyes widened a fraction. This woman was the Emperor of Wuyi's daughter?! How did she end up in such a horrific state?

When a dark aura loomed over him, the Imperial Physician quickly cleared his throat. The Crown Prince's presence was bloodthirsty. He felt like the Crown Prince could reach for his throat at any moment.

The Imperial Physician struggled to speak with the overwhelming pressure placed on him. He bowed his head.

”My apologies, Your Highness,” he stated. ”It is with deepest regret that I inform you that the Princess of Wuyi is hanging on by a thread.”

A long pause ensued.

No one spoke. No one moved.

Finally, the shuffle of clothes could be heard. Lu Tianbi had stepped forward. This was unfortunate news, but it was better than what she had initially anticipated. So long as she wasn't dead… wasn't this still great news?

”Will she heal?” Lu Tianbi spoke up.

Her eyes wandered towards Yu Zhen whose face was turned from her. She didn't need to see his expression to know what he was feeling inside. A somber shadow was looming over his broad figure. His fingers were tightly clenched into a fist. His jaw ticked.

”With proper care, I dare say it is possible, Lady Lu,” the Imperial Physician said. ”Her pulse is very faint right now, but there is still a beat.”

The Imperial Physician's attention shifted to the pale woman on the bed. ”The first step is to get her a change of clothes and then warm her up gradually.”

Lu Tianbi let out a shaky sigh of relief. She slowly approached the bed, but kept her gaze on the silent Yu Zhen. He hadn't said anything for a while now. It was expected of him to behave this way, but she thought he'd at least show some reaction.

”Do not give her a warm bath for the sudden change in temperature would shock her system. Place something warm near her stomach, underneath her arms, and even her neck to restore heat to her body slowly,” he added on.

The Imperial Physician's gaze wandered to the Crown Prince. It was then that he realized the Crown Prince's eyes never left the woman and he had been watching her all these while.

His brows were furrowed together. Each time she drew in a slow, shallow breath, the Crown Prince's gaze would widen a bit. It was almost as if he was anticipating for her eyes to open anytime.

”The Princess should be regaining her consciousness within the night, or around tomorrow morning, Lady Lu,” the Imperial Physician stated to Lu Tianbi. ”If not, please call for me immediately. I can always be found within the palace.”

”And the medicine?” Yu Zhen demanded.

”As of now, Your Highness, I will not prescribe any. It's dangerous to feed her when unconscious.”

”Thank you, Doctor,” Lu Tianbi replied. She jolted when Yu Zhen brushed past her, but he didn't even cast her a glance. His attention had always been on the Princess.

”That will be all,” she added on. ”You're excused.”

The Imperial Physician nodded his head and bowed before her before turning to the Crown Prince. He dipped deeply. Then, he quietly left the room.

”Your Highness,” Lu Tianbi addressed. ”There was a hot bath that was drawn for the Princess. Since the doctor advised against it, perhaps you could use it instead. You're shivering.”

Lu Tianbi frowned when he ignored her. The Commander reached a hand out and gently pushed the wet hair away from the Princess's forehead.

Lu Tianbi did her best to not reprimand him. The bed of the Crown Prince was held in high regard for it was blessed by the Monks of the High Temples. Whoever slept upon it was supposed to be blessed and prosperous for generations to come. It was a tradition in Hanjian that the bed of the Crown Prince was blessed.

And for the Commander to soil it with water and dirt… She had no words for the offense.

”Your Highness,” she called out. Her eyes grew wide when he abruptly flung the blankets off of the Princess.

”Wait!” she gasped when he began to take off the first layer of wet clothes. She rushed forward and grabbed his wrist.

”I know the Imperial Physician advised to change her into dry clothes, but please let the maidservants handle it,” Lu Tianbi murmured.

Yu Zhen finally steered his somber gaze away from Xueyue to Lu Tianbi. ”I'm looking for wounds,” he grunted.

”O-oh,” Lu Tianbi murmured. 'How silly of me,' she thought to herself. The Crown Prince had more decency than to just strip Princess Li like that. She sighed in relief again.

”How are you feeling, Commander?” Lu Tianbi asked in a quiet voice.

”Don't whisper around me,” Hu Dengxiao spoke up as he approached the two of them. He was barely near the bed when the Commander abruptly stood up.