At that moment, the tightly closed side room door swung open. Led by Hua Bolin, the Hua family sons, all dressed in sapphire blue robes, filed out in an orderly procession.
They silently fell into formation behind Gu Yanxi, resembling a bridal escort. Though they only followed a few steps and uttered no words, their heartfelt intentions were fully conveyed.
Gu Yanxi carried his bride into the central hall. Lord Wei, the Minister of Rites who was serving as the ceremonial officiant today, loudly announced: "The auspicious hour has arrived. The newlyweds shall perform the matrimonial rites. First bow to heaven and earth."
Gu Yanxi bowed toward the doorway while holding his bride.
"Second bow to the elders."
Gu Yanxi turned and bowed toward his grandmother and the Emperor on the left, and toward Old Master Hua along with Hua Pingyu and his wife on the right.
The traditional spousal bow was naturally impossible. Wei Rongwen reacted quickly and immediately declared: "The couple shall embrace."
Gu Yanxi, who had always disliked the overly slick Wei Rongwen, now viewed him somewhat differently. All officials possessed some degree of slickness - self-preservation being their instinctual response to trouble. Yet sometimes, this very quality proved necessary.
"The rites are completed!"
The wedding guests all bowed in unison, intending to offer congratulations, yet none could utter the customary well-wishes.
But Gu Yanxi smiled - a heartfull, genuine smile of pure joy. Having longed for this moment for so long, how could he not rejoice? A Zhi was merely asleep. When she awoke to discover she had become a married woman, he wondered what expression she would wear.
No matter. After she awakened, he would arrange the formal three letters and six etiquettes, making up for all that was missing from this ceremony. He would bring her back to his Heir Apparent Residence in a grand ten-carrier Sedan Chair.
Holding his bride carefully, Gu Yanxi solemnly returned the guests' bows. "Thank you all for attending. On another day—"
"BANG!"
Everyone turned to look, freezing in astonishment.
The figure standing there - clad in soft armor, with disheveled hair and covered in travel dust - who could it be but Shaoyao! Did this count as... returning to the capital without imperial summons?
Shaoyao swept in like the wind, immediately attempting to snatch the bride from Yan Ge's arms. Gu Yanxi naturally resisted. Yu Lao had said A Zhi's body was extremely weak - how could it withstand such rough handling? Moreover, Shaoyao was covered in grime - what if she worsened A Zhi's condition!
By the time others reacted, the two had already exchanged several moves. The Grand Empress Dowager felt both amused and profoundly sorrowful. She refrained from immediate intervention - the Emperor was a decisive ruler, assisted by court ministers externally and guided by the Grand Tutor internally. His governance grew increasingly methodical, eliminating her need to offer guidance. As someone with half her body already in the grave, how much longer could she maintain power and influence? Better to relinquish control early - granting the Emperor peace of mind, stabilizing court ministers, and preserving her final threads of familial affection.
Being royalty was difficult. Being a royal daughter-in-law was difficult. Being the royal matriarch was most difficult of all. No one understood these bittersweet realities better than she.
True to form, the Emperor intervened. Rising, he approached and stopped Shaoyao. "We summoned you back to treat the Grand Tutor's illness. Why are you resorting to physical confrontation?"
Shaoyao glanced at him, ultimately restraining her temper. For a commanding general to return to the capital without imperial decree constituted a grave offense. Yet the Emperor's public statement effectively covered the matter - such protection was rare among royalty, and she naturally appreciated the favor.
Gu Yanxi carefully adjusted his hold on A Zhi, speaking over his shoulder: "Go wash yourself first and change your clothes."Shaoyao pressed her lips together, turned, and walked out the door. A quick-handed maid had already fetched water and swiftly carried it into the side room.
Not wanting A Zhi's current state to be seen by others, Gu Yanxi bowed once more to the elders in the main hall before carrying her back into the room. Though his expression remained calm, his heart was filled with unease. He had called Shaoyao back—while her experience might not match Yu Lao's, her boldness and innate talent in this field were rare. Yu Lao himself had once admitted that his own talent fell short of Shaoyao's. She was his only hope now.
Hearing familiar footsteps, Gu Yanxi didn't look up as he detailed A Zhi's recent condition, even reciting every word of the prescription Yu Lao had used.
Even with mental preparation, Shaoyao trembled inwardly. "Golden needles... were the golden needles used?"
"Yes." Gu Yanxi stood and moved aside. "It's up to you now."
Shaoyao took a deep breath and sat down without delay, closing her eyes to take the pulse.
During her rushed journey back day and night, she had imagined many possible conditions Hua Hua might be in and prepared corresponding prescriptions for each. But this situation was beyond her expectations—for a moment, she even felt... there was no prescription to use.
The pulse was almost imperceptible, a sign of exhaustion like a lamp burning out its last drop of oil.
"Why?" Shaoyao looked up, her expression bleak. "When I needed her, Hua Hua was my support. When you needed her, she eased all your worries. When the Hua family needed her, she became their shelter. When Little Six needed her, she was his protector. But when she needs us, none of us can help her! This world is unfair—they say 'with great power comes great responsibility,' but whose business is her ability? Must she sacrifice her own life to fill the gap? If the Great Qing collapsed and everyone lived in misery, would she finally be able to endure alongside them?"
Gu Yanxi didn't stop her from speaking these near-treasonous words, for he had asked the same questions in his heart. But no one could answer him, just as no one could answer Shaoyao now.
Covering her face for a moment, Shaoyao stood and walked out. "I'm going to find my master."
Yu Lao was waiting for her. "You've seen her?"
Shaoyao slumped over the table, motionless and silent.
Yu Lao sighed. This disciple had always been clear in her likes and dislikes, and her closeness to the young lady went without saying—it was evident in how childlike she acted in her presence.
"Is there no other way?"
"The biggest problem now is that she shows no response to the outside world. Her consciousness seems to have sunk into slumber. If she could react even slightly, her body would instinctively begin to heal."
Shaoyao jerked her head up, her eyes blazing with intensity. "No response?"
Unsure what this audacious disciple was planning, Yu Lao replied cautiously, "She's been unconscious for days. I've bled her several times during this period, and she hasn't shown the slightest reaction..."
Before he could finish, Shaoyao dashed out. The method was wrong!
What use was bleeding Hua Hua? When had she ever spared herself? Even if you cut flesh from her body, she might not cry out in pain!
But if you bled someone she cared about, cut the flesh of those she loved—let's see if she could remain asleep!
The guests who hadn't yet left saw Shaoyao whirl back inside like a gust of wind, then retreat even faster, standing under the corridor and beckoning to Bao Xia."Go tell Hua Hua that I died at the front... no, not that." Shaoyao paced back and forth several times, his madness completely unrestrained. "Go tell Hua Hua that I returned to the capital without an imperial decree, and the Emperor wants to behead me. Yes, that's it. Hua Hua will definitely get angry at the Emperor—she'll wake up."
"..." The Emperor felt somewhat wronged.
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