Chарtеr 22 (6/17)
Еldеr Хuе said, "Thеrе is оnе mоre matter. Sinсе Yun Weishan hаs alreаdу lеft, а nеw mаrriage sеlection must be arrangеd fоr yоur sucсеssiоn сerеmоnу. Тhе Blаde Mastеr сannоt be without a wifе or heirs."
Gоng Ziyu found it diffiсult tо ассерt: "Elder Хuе, this..."
Eldеr Yuе suddеnly sрokе uр: "Let it be sеt fivе daуs from now. Five dаys from now, whеn thе fivе stars аlign and the sun and mооn сonvеrgе, it will bе аn аusрiciоus sign..."
Аs evеryоne was sрeаking, а trеmendоus ехрlosion suddenlу sounded from outside, аnd dust and small stonеs rained dоwn from аbоve.
Аll wore expressions of shock. Moments later, a Yellow Jade Guard hurried in to report.
"Reporting to the Elders and the Blade Master, there has been an explosion in Lady Gong Zishang's research laboratory."
The atmosphere turned somber, and everyone was ordered to wait outside the medical hall.
Gong Ziyu looked at Jin Fan, who seemed to have lost his soul. Jin Fan leaned against the door, dazed. He subconsciously raised his own hand, seeing his sleeve covered in scorch marks and his hand riddled with wounds.
Gong Ziyu urged Jin Fan, "Go and get bandaged first."
Jin Fan shook his head, murmuring, "When I held her just now, I could barely feel her breathing... She..." This man of iron will now had reddened eyes, tears pooling within them, trembling like a child, his hands shaking involuntarily. His inner anguish was palpable.
Gong Ziyu patted his back, comforting him and also himself: "They say those who are carefree are blessed with great fortune and long life. Sister Zishang will surely be alright."
They waited until nightfall when Elder Yue finally opened the door of the medical hall.
Jin Fan immediately rushed into the room, leaning over Gong Zishang's bedside. Gong Zishang's entire body was wrapped in bandages, as if buried in white snow, showing no signs of waking.
Jin Fan half-knelt by the bed, wanting to reach out but not daring to touch her, unable to resist softly calling, "Lady..."
Gong Ziyu quietly asked Elder Yue, "How is she?"
Elder Yue's expression darkened: "The lady is very clever. During the explosion, she drenched herself with water and wrapped her head in cloth, so there are few skin burns. However, the successive explosions caused violent impacts, resulting in varying degrees of concussion to her head, heart, and lungs, which is why she is unconscious. External wounds have been treated with flesh-regenerating ointment, and her heart and lungs have been protected with silver needles. But... when she will wake up, or if she will wake up at all... depends on her fate..."
"Is there no other way?"
Elder Yue sighed and shook his head: "Afterwards, I will come daily to apply acupuncture and regulate her heart meridian. As for you all, you can also talk to her more..."
After hearing Elder Yue's words, Jin Fan finally let his voice out: "Lady, can you hear me?" As he spoke, his eyes turned completely red, a tear falling onto Gong Zishang's hand.
Seeing this scene, Gong Ziyu couldn't help but freeze. It was the first time he had ever seen Jin Fan shed tears. It seemed this wooden man also possessed a tender heart beneath his chivalrous exterior. Thinking this, his own nose tingled with emotion. Then, he and Elder Yue silently withdrew, closing the door behind them, leaving Jin Fan and Gong Zishang alone together.Jin Fan said painfully, "There are some words I've thought about for a long time but never dared to speak to you. You kept asking me, every day... It's not that I didn't want to, I just didn't dare... From the day I became a Green Jade Guard, my only purpose has been to protect Gong Ziyu. Even life and death are not my own to decide... I had no right to accept your feelings... But now... I regret it. If only I had spoken my heart earlier, how much better it would have been..."
Gong Ziyu returned to Yu Manor, his spirits low. He sat alone in his room, waiting for the truth about the laboratory explosion.
Elder Yue pushed the door open and entered. "The open flames at the ruins have been extinguished, but the place is a mess. The Elders Council is still investigating the wreckage, and Gong Shangjue has also gone there..."
"A sudden fire and explosion are highly suspicious. Have any unusual findings been uncovered?"
"Several servants were questioned. They all said they saw Gong Yuanzhi arguing with Gong Zishang before the incident."
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