"The Crown Prince's pulse remains as fine as a silk thread. The medicine administered these past few days has temporarily stabilized his heart meridian, but there has been no improvement. Fortunately, the wound shows no signs of festering, yet its healing is extremely slow. At this rate, it's uncertain how many more days he can hold on."
"Indeed, judging by the pulse, three days would likely be the limit."
"Alas, despite all our efforts, we still cannot save his life. The Crown Prince is only twenty years old—to perish so young is truly pitiful..."
"Setting that aside, the crucial point is that if the Crown Prince cannot be saved, it will inevitably provoke conflict between Northern Wei and Great Zhou. When that happens, I fear the people in the border cities of both nations will suffer immensely."
"Exactly, but now even Ninth Miss seems to have run out of ideas..."
With a sharp rustle, the tent flap was thrown open as Qin Guan entered. The several imperial physicians who had been discussing immediately straightened their expressions. The Head of the Imperial Hospital stepped forward and said, "Ninth Miss, the Crown Prince's pulse shows no signs of strengthening. We fear he can hold on for at most three more days."
Qin Guan nodded. "I'm aware of that. I've considered it as well, which is why I've decided to change His Highness's prescription starting today." As she spoke, Tuoba Wu entered through the tent entrance, holding a bowl of medicine in her hands.
Seeing the medicine bowl, the three physicians exchanged glances. Just from the scent, they could tell it was vastly different from the previous prescription.
This time, however, Qin Guan seemed intent on changing the medicine on her own—she hadn't written down the prescription nor informed them about it. As Tuoba Wu stepped forward to administer the medicine, the three physicians immediately retreated to make space. While Tuoba Wu fed the medicine, the three observed the liquid's color and sniffed its aroma. They could identify a few ingredients from the scent, but the complete formula remained elusive.
Such practice would never be permitted in the Imperial Hospital, where all prescriptions must be disclosed. However, Qin Guan was not part of the Imperial Hospital and thus wasn't bound by its rules. Seeing both Qin Guan and Tuoba Wu present, the three physicians withdrew from the tent.
"I couldn't decipher the full prescription just now, but it felt completely different from the previous one."
"Indeed. These past few days, Ninth Miss had the medicine apprentices prepare and decoct the medicine, but today she personally decocted and delivered it."
"Do you think it might be some secret family recipe?"
Their expressions shifted slightly. Qin Guan's actions clearly indicated she didn't want to reveal the formula—it very well could be some life-saving secret prescription. Medical practitioners each have their own specialties and unique expertise. Remembering Qin Guan's exceptional medical skills, the three grew curious about the prescription. One of them suggested, "Head of the Imperial Hospital, shall we visit the medicine room?"
The Head pondered for a moment, hesitated several times, but ultimately nodded in agreement.
Upon reaching the medicine room, they indeed found the pot Qin Guan had used to decoct the medicine. The medicinal broth had been completely poured out, leaving only the dregs inside. After examining them back and forth twice, their faces showed puzzlement.
"I've truly never seen this prescription before. Moreover, it contains black false hellebore and figwort, which are mutually inhibiting."
"Right, and there's stinking ferula too—no wonder the medicine had such a pungent odor."
"This prescription... if we didn't know it was from Ninth Miss, we might have thought it was concocted by someone with no knowledge of medicinal principles. Can it really be effective? Or am I just ignorant?"
"I don't know either. Enough now, let's not scrutinize further. It wouldn't look good if someone saw us."The chief physician felt it was inappropriate to linger and soon rose to lead the two others out. Though doubts lingered in their minds, all three suppressed their suspicions for the time being, adopting a wait-and-see attitude toward whether the medicine would have any effect on Tuoba Hong.
Meanwhile, Tuoba Wu held Tuoba Hong's hand and continued recounting memories from the past.
"Crown Prince, do you remember? When I was five, shortly after Mother Consort passed away, I was terrified every night. It was you, Crown Prince, who pleaded with the Empress to let me live with you. I stayed with you for two years, until you were appointed Crown Prince and moved to the Eastern Palace. Only then did I live alone again. Crown Prince, you often said my temperament was ill-suited for an imperial family. You scolded me for never listening—whether it was Father King or you, I always went against the Path. Crown Prince, when you wake up, I’ll obey every word you say. I’ll do whatever you ask and never trouble you again. You’ve been asleep for two days now, Crown Prince... counting the time on the mountain, it’s been four days."
Tuoba Wu spoke slowly, word by word, afraid Tuoba Hong might not hear her clearly. Yet after she finished, Tuoba Hong showed no reaction. Tuoba Wu sighed and unconsciously tightened her grip on his hand.
"Is my Crown Prince not going to last three days?" Tuoba Wu didn’t turn around, her voice trembling with tears. "I overheard earlier... I feel his hand growing colder."
Qin Guan stepped forward. "I’ve changed the prescription today. We’ll see if it has any effect after two days of dosage."
Tuoba Wu took a deep breath. "By saying that, do you mean there’s little hope?"
Qin Guan pondered briefly. "I can’t guarantee anything, but I will try every method I know and spare no effort. If even my utmost efforts fail, few in this world could save him."
Though Qin Guan’s tone was calm and steady, her words carried an air of authority. Tuoba Wu turned to glance at her with red-rimmed eyes, the corners of her lips quirking slightly. Her expression, caught between tears and a smile, prompted a faint curve on Qin Guan’s lips. After examining Tuoba Hong’s injuries once more, Qin Guan felt somewhat reassured.
Tuoba Wu asked again, "When will the heir apparent return? Will he bring good news?"
Qin Guan thought for a moment and answered truthfully, "I’m afraid it won’t be easy. The Crown Prince is of noble status—the assassin is surely no ordinary person. Moreover, the attack was ruthless, likely planned long in advance. It won’t be simple for His Highness Yan Chi to uncover the truth."
Tuoba Wu looked at her. "Do you lack confidence in him too?"
Qin Guan chuckled wryly. "This isn’t about confidence. If it were that straightforward, it would be for the best."
Tuoba Wu studied Qin Guan intently before finally turning away and saying, "I saw it that night."
Qin Guan raised an eyebrow, momentarily confused. "What?"
Tuoba Wu whispered, "I saw you and the heir apparent returning together from outside the camp."
As soon as these words left her mouth, Qin Guan’s cheeks flushed as if scorched by fire. She froze, speechless, but Tuoba Wu continued, "That’s why I sought you out the next day—to see what skills you truly possessed."
Qin Guan smiled bitterly. Her guess had been correct: Tuoba Wu’s interest was because of Yan Chi.
"Then I must have disappointed you. I have no remarkable skills."Tuoba Wu shook her head, "No, you managed to kill Treading Snow—something others couldn't have done without suffering more severe injuries."
Treading Snow naturally referred to that white horse. Qin Guan said, "It's not about more severe injuries—it's about dying."
Tuoba Wu hung her head even lower. "I'm sorry. I've played this kind of trick many times in Northern Wei, but I forgot—Northern Wei people are skilled in riding and archery, while women in Great Zhou are mostly delicate as water."
Qin Guan shook her head. Tuoba Wu continued, "I saw the Crown Prince once two years ago in a Northern Wei border city. He led the Northwest Frontier Army to help Northern Wei fight the Rong invaders. Since then, he became an obsession in my heart. I came here just to see him. I thought he remembered me, but I never expected he didn't recall me at all. Not only that, he showed no warmth toward me, a Northern Wei princess. I almost started to suspect he preferred men."
Yan Chi favoring men? Qin Guan couldn't help but laugh.
"But later I realized he could also be gentle with women he liked—it's just that the person wasn't me, and couldn't be me... At first, I didn't know what skills you possessed, but after watching you treat my Crown Prince brother, I understood. Your temperament isn't that of an ordinary noble lady of Great Zhou."
First expressing her unrequited obsession with Yan Chi, then praising Qin Guan—Qin Guan looked at Tuoba Wu's slender back, unsure whether to maintain a cold expression or smile. After a moment, she heard Tuoba Wu sigh deeply. "If only I were skilled in medicine like you... If back then I'd worn women's attire, mastered healing, and treated soldiers and the Crown Prince on the battlefield, perhaps he would have remembered and admired me..."
Tuoba Wu's voice grew faint, exceptionally pitiful, and her words carried a childlike naivety. Qin Guan chuckled, "Do you think when he first saw me, I was treating someone's injuries?"
Tuoba Wu turned, her eyes wide as she stared at Qin Guan. "Wasn't that the case?"
Qin Guan's lips curved into a high smile. "No. When he first saw me, I was sharply criticizing someone. Later, I wasn't treating injuries either—I was doing something else."
"What were you doing?"
Tuoba Wu was curious, but Qin Guan had no intention of revealing it. "You wouldn't want to know."
Tuoba Wu frowned. "Then why did you two meet in private like that? Your statuses are well-matched. You're favored by the Empress Dowager—if you'd made it clear, couldn't you have sought an imperial marriage decree?"
Qin Guan smiled wryly. "It's not that simple."
Seeing Tuoba Wu about to ask more, Qin Guan lifted her chin. "Keep talking to him. He can hear you."
Tuoba Wu pressed her lips together and refrained from further questions, turning instead to reminisce about the past.
Qin Guan stood listening nearby, realizing that Tuoba Wu's background was somewhat pitiable—almost like Yan Sui's, having lost her mother at a young age. However, girls and boys were fundamentally different. In imperial families, the throne was mostly inherited by males. If a woman lost power, she might merely live a poorer life, but it wouldn't be fatal. For princes, it was entirely different!
Thinking of Yan Sui, Qin Guan's heart grew heavy. These days, the tent was cramped, leaving no real opportunity for her and Yan Sui to be alone. Yan Sui hadn't brought up matters related to his mother again. Once they returned to the palace, chances would likely be even scarcer.After administering the new medicine, Qin Guan insisted on staying in Tuoba Hong's tent for an entire day. Just as she had anticipated, it wasn't until nightfall that Yan Chi returned with his men from Mount Wei. Tuoba Wu was deeply concerned about the situation. Seeing Yan Chi enter the main tent, she hurriedly followed him inside. Qin Guan waited outside for a full half-hour before Yan Chi finally emerged.
Spotting Qin Guan, Yan Chi said directly, "Come with me."
Qin Guan nodded and followed Yan Chi to the strategy tent. Noticing Tuoba Wu still trailing behind, Yan Chi frowned at the entrance.
Tuoba Wu also furrowed her brow. "What's the matter?! This concerns my Crown Prince brother. Can't I follow?"
Yan Chi's gaze turned cold. "We will inform Your Highness when there are results."
Tuoba Wu said angrily, "Waiting for results? Who knows when we'll get any—" As she spoke, she looked at Qin Guan with a pleading expression. Qin Guan sighed inwardly. Although Tuoba Wu had improved lately, her obsession with Yan Chi couldn't be resolved quickly. Moreover, her involvement would only hinder the investigation.
Qin Guan had no choice but to advise, "Your Highness, please remain calm. There's nothing you can assist with at the moment. Why don't you return to watch over His Highness the Crown Prince instead?"
Tuoba Wu hadn't expected Qin Guan to side against her. Pouting, she shot an angry glare at Yan Chi and a wounded look at Qin Guan before turning and storming off.
Qin Guan shook her head with a slight smile and entered the main tent with Yan Chi.
Inside, Bai Feng had already laid out the retrieved maps on the table. As soon as Yan Chi entered, he reported, "We've traced nearly every team's route. About forty squads encountered each other and can provide mutual verification."
Yan Chi unfolded a map and circled a spot in red. "This is where Tuoba Hong was attacked. Ultimately, only about five teams approached this area around the Hour of the Goat that afternoon."
Qin Guan quickly asked, "Was Liu Yun's team among them?"
Yan Chi's expression turned grave as he nodded. "He was included. Besides his team, there were two squads led by the heir apparent of Huai'an Marquis and his cousin, another led by the heir apparent of Wu'an Marquis, and one commanded by the youngest son of the Left Cavalry General."
"These squads were the closest to the incident site—reachable within the time it takes two incense sticks to burn. Based on the routes confirmed by other teams, none could have made it to the scene and back by the Hour of the Monkey."
Qin Guan frowned. "So Liu Yun is highly suspect?"
Yan Chi nodded again. "Yes, increasingly so. How has Tuoba Hong been these past two days?"
Qin Guan replied promptly, "We can only maintain his vital energy flow. His wounds are healing slowly, and his overall condition remains poor. We just changed to new medicine today. If it shows improvement, good. If not... the situation will become critical."
Yan Chi's eyes darkened—this meant they couldn't rely on Tuoba Hong waking up on his own!
Remembering something, Qin Guan pulled a paper from her sleeve. "I discovered this bruise pattern on Tuoba Hong's body. The marks appear to be from blunt force—possibly a weapon, fist, or kick—but the pattern is somewhat peculiar. Take a look—"Yan Chi took the blueprint and frowned upon seeing it. "This pattern is indeed peculiar."
"If it was struck with a fist, it must have been wearing some kind of iron gauntlet, likely with a distinctive decorative shape that left imprints on Tuoba Hong's body. His body has been immobile these past two days, so I haven't been able to examine more wounds. We'll have to wait until the bleeding stops to properly inspect additional areas."
Yan Chi nodded. "Alright, for now I'll focus on interrogating Liu Yun, since he lied after all."
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