Chapter 53: Holding the Moon in the Water (1) Her confession.

When riding back to the city, Lu Guanque caught a glimpse of a fork in the road behind him. Suddenly, several riders and horses rushed out, moving swiftly and silently, heading in the direction where the carriage disappeared.

The frost and dew were thick, and the sunlight was hazy. Although they were dressed in ordinary clothes, their movements were coordinated and carried a well-trained murderous aura. They were definitely not ordinary business travelers.

Lu Guanque's face was dark, his heart heavy. He had a subtle premonition. Without hesitation, he suddenly turned and ran in the direction where Meng Xuanli had disappeared.

The wind whistled in his ears, he lowered his body, and the only person on his mind was her.

Inside the carriage, Meng Xuanli leaned against the wall, closed her eyes, and suddenly remembered that Lu Guanque once said that he would never let her go in this life and would keep her imprisoned by his side forever.

At that time, she thought she would never forgive Lu Guanque in her life, but now it seems that Lu Guanque has changed, and she has changed too.

They are all developing in the direction of their better selves, and even if they don't meet in the future, they can feel comforted by forgiving and letting go of each other.

Meng Xuanli pursed her lips and smiled, when suddenly she heard the sound of several hurried horse hooves.

She left very early, and only Lu Guanque and the people in the mansion knew about it in Dongdu. Could it be Lu Guanque who rushed here now?

Meng Xuanli opened his eyes, quietly lifted a corner of the car curtain, and found several masked men fighting with the guards.

The sword flashed, blood splattered, the fighting became more and more intense, accompanied by screams, the horses were frightened, and the carriage tilted with a loud bang.

Before Meng Xuanli could react, the curtain was forcibly opened, and a blade flashing with cold light suddenly appeared before his eyes.

Meng Xuanli's pupils suddenly shrank, and almost at the same time, he suddenly crashed to the other side of the carriage. His arm was sore and he rolled under the carriage in a mess.

She propped up her upper body and was about to dodge the man's knife when the sound of hurried horse hooves gradually came.

"Ali!" It was Lu Guanque's anxious voice.

He rode his horse forward, unsheathed the long sword in his hand, and with the force of thunder, he instantly blocked the blade that was slashing towards Meng Xuanli.

The next moment, the cloak spun, and Lu Guanque protected her firmly behind him: "Don't be afraid, I'm here."

His eyes were sharp as knives, his movements swift and brutal. Meng Xuanli stared at him, stunned, as he rushed forward recklessly, the dust flying and the sound of swords clashing filled his ears.

Lu Guanque was a skilled warrior, and despite being outnumbered, he held his own. Assassins continued to fall in the glare of swords and sabers.

The situation is about to be under control.

In the distance, in the woods beside the official road, a cold and beautiful pair of eyes flashed.

Zheng Wanruo hid behind a tree, her hands tightly gripping the delicate crossbow. Her face was pale, and her lips were bloody from biting herself.

Recalling what they said before, Zheng Wanruo snorted and sneered. It was Meng Xuanli who broke his promise and it was Meng Xuanli who made her a laughing stock.

Therefore, Meng Xuanli must die.

When Zheng Wanruo clasped her fingers around the hanging knife, her eyes were involuntarily drawn to Lu Guanque.

Why is he here?

Why is he so protective of her?

Why is Meng Xuanli worthy of his protection?

Strong jealousy is like gunpowder, which can be easily ignited and can destroy everything uncontrollably.

Zheng Wanruo calmed down, aimed the crossbow in the direction, and pressed the hanging knife without hesitation.

“Whoosh!”

A crossbow arrow came through the air, as fast as a black swallow before the rain, incredibly fast, and pointed directly at Meng Xuanli's back.

Lu Guanque caught a glimpse of the cold light in the corner of his eyes, and almost instinctively, he turned around quickly, hugged Meng Xuanli in his arms, and used his back to meet the arrow filled with hatred.

A muffled sound.

The arrow lodged deep into his back.

Lu Guanque's body shook violently, and the arm holding Meng Xuanli tightened instantly, and then he was unable to let go.

He lowered his head and looked at Meng Xuanli, who looked up in shock in his arms. He wanted to say something, but when he opened his mouth, dark red blood gushed out.

The blood was like snow, splashing on Meng Xuanli's clothes.

Lu Guanque's eyes quickly blurred, and his body fell forward uncontrollably. Meng Xuanli called out his name, and almost at the same time, they both fell to the ground with a muffled sound.

The warm and sticky liquid quickly soaked Meng Xuanli's clothes. She knew that it was his blood.

In the distance, at the edge of the woods, Zheng Wanruo watched this scene unfold before her eyes. The crossbow in her hand slipped, and all her strength was drained from her, causing her to collapse to the ground.

Her face lost all color, leaving only endless fear and despair.

She didn't mean to kill him.

She didn't mean to kill him.

The person she wanted to kill was Meng Xuanli.

Not him.

After the accompanying guards dealt with the remaining assassins, they exclaimed and rushed forward, carefully moving Lu Guanque off Meng Xuanli and placing him on a stretcher.

Meng Xuanli was helped up from the ground and stared blankly at his pale face, closed eyes, and blood flowing from the corner of his lips.

Her throat choked, and she whispered tremblingly, "The arrow wound is on the right side of my heart, quite deep... Be careful not to touch the arrow."

"Go back home and quickly send for the imperial physician." Meng Xuanli's hands and feet were icy cold, and he could barely stand. He hurriedly pushed them away, "Don't worry about me, just go..."

Everyone took the order and left. Fuyao led the spare horse from the city gate. Meng Xuanli jumped on the horse without saying a word, held the reins tightly, and galloped towards the mansion.

The mansion had already received the news and the gate was opened. Uncle De and the servants looked terrified as they surrounded and carried Lu Guanque to the main courtyard.

A breeze blew, covering the bedroom with a layer of gray and cold light and shadow, and a strong smell of blood gradually spread.

Lu Guanque was carefully placed on the bed. The black crossbow arrow was stuck in his back and his clothes were soaked in blood and turned dark brown.

Meng Xuanli stood aside, watching the blood oozing from his back, his body trembling uncontrollably.

She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and ordered, "Go get some hot water, and bring a clean white cloth and scissors."

After everything was ready, Meng Xuanli walked to the bed, rolled up his sleeves, and carefully cut open the clothes around the wound with scissors to reveal the entire wound.

The arrow was rough, the wound was covered with flesh and blood, and the wound was bleeding.

There was a hint of moisture in Meng Xuanli's eyes. She bit her lip, picked up a clean white cloth, soaked it in hot water and wrung it dry, and carefully wiped the blood around his wound.

"If...if I had left earlier," she said weakly, feeling guilty, "you wouldn't have been injured so badly."

When she was considering leaving, even though she felt reluctant, Meng Xuanli remained steadfast and refused to look back. But seeing him like this, even if her heart was as hard as stone, she would still feel moved and ashamed.

She thought that her departure was the best outcome for both of them, but she didn't expect that she would indirectly push him into a fatal abyss in this way.

Did she do something wrong?

Shouldn't she leave?

Meng Xuanli's heart ached as she thought of this, and she could barely breathe. Her throat was clogged, her thoughts were frozen, but her movements remained fluid.

She changed piece after piece of white cloth, trying to press the bleeding wound, but the warm and sticky touch reminded her all the time: Lu Guanque's life was disappearing in her hands.

"Fuyao, help me press here." She used a folded cloth to press the blood vessels around the wound. "Use force, but don't touch the arrow."

She didn't know if this was the right thing to do, but she relied on the method in her memory, just like before, even though it was cold, she would save him.

The inner room was quiet, and the passage of time was filled with torment and torture. Meng Xuanli did not stop, holding her breath and concentrating, carefully tending to his wounds.

Finally, hurried footsteps were heard outside: "Doctor Yu is here!"

Doctor Yu, with his hair and beard all white, hurried in, carrying a medicine box. He paused, then stood by the bed. When he saw Lu Guanque's condition and the location of the arrow, his face immediately darkened.

He nodded, motioning Meng Xuanli to move aside. After going forward to take a closer look, his brows were furrowed so tightly that he had no idea what was going on.

"Doctor Yu, how is he?" Meng Xuanli asked anxiously.

Doctor Yu withdrew his hand, shook his head, and sighed, "The arrow wound is extremely deep and in a dangerous position, damaging the meridians. Moreover..."

He paused, then pointed at the wound. "The arrowhead is actually poisoned. The person who shot it must be ruthless and cruel."

"poison?"

Meng Xuanli's legs went weak and she almost fell down. Fortunately, Fuyao next to her was quick to catch her in time.

"Yes." Doctor Yu said sternly, "This poison is quite potent and has already spread through the bloodstream."

"The Duke has lost excessive blood, and the poison has invaded his body, severely damaging his vitality. I'm afraid he's in grave danger and won't survive the night."

"Can't make it through tonight?"

Meng Xuanli repeated in a low voice, looking at the dying Lu Guanque. Despair was like a wave, instantly knocking her to the shore.

The next moment, she broke free from Fuyao's support and knelt in front of Doctor Yu with a plop.

Meng Xuanli grabbed the hem of his official robe, raised his face, and tears burst out.

"Doctor Yu, please, save him, please think of a way! No matter what, save him! He can't die...can't..." She spoke incoherently, leaving only the most sincere plea in her heart.

Doctor Yu was startled and quickly bent down to help her up: "Madam, please get up quickly! I can't bear it!"

"If you don't agree, I won't get up." Meng Xuanli rarely lost his temper. "Please, Imperial Physician, you must have a solution, right?"

Doctor Yu saw her grief-stricken expression, glanced at the person on the bed, and sighed heavily: "If we had the 'Qingling Jiedu Powder' secret recipe from Guangde Hall in Yanjing, it might be able to temporarily suppress the toxicity and buy some time."

"Guangdetang's medicine uses exquisite ingredients and unique preparation methods. It is best at detoxifying and prolonging life, but..."

He paused, "But Guangdetang is far away in Yanjing. The medicine there is worth a fortune and hard to come by. Now that the Duke is in this state, I'm afraid he can't wait."

Guangde Hall in Yanjing?

Meng Xuanli was kneeling on the ground. When he heard these words, his whole body was instantly shocked, as if he was split apart by the deep meaning behind the words.

She remembered.

When she left Yanjing, Mr. Chen gave her a medicine bottle, saying that she would need it in the future and asked her to keep it in case of emergency.

She thought it was just an ordinary medicine and didn't take it seriously. After returning to Dongdu, she put the bottle away and almost forgot about it.

"Guangdetang, Mr. Chen, medicine..." Meng Xuanli muttered to himself, hope suddenly rising in his eyes.

She stood up from the ground without hesitation, regardless of the dust on her skirt or the blood on her hands, and turned around and ran out the door.

"Madam, where are you going?" Fu Yao shouted in panic from behind.

Meng Xuanli did not answer, but ran quickly to Chengju, rushed into the inner room, and began to search for the rarely used jewelry box on the bottom shelf of the dressing table.

Her hands were shaking so badly that she could barely hold anything. She scrambled through the pearls and earrings in the box until her fingertips finally touched a cold medicine bottle.

Meng Xuanli clutched the medicine bottle tightly, as if it were a lifeline. She took a deep breath and returned to her bedroom in the main courtyard.

"Doctor! Medicine! Do you think this is it?" She panted and handed the medicine bottle to Doctor Yu.

Doctor Yu took the medicine bottle doubtfully, pulled out the cork, put it close to his nose, sniffed it gently, then carefully poured out a dark brown pill and examined it carefully in his palm.

In a moment, surprise and understanding flashed in his eyes.

"Yes! It's this medicine!" Doctor Yu said with a hint of excitement. "This quality is undoubtedly the work of Mr. Chen from Guangde Hall. Where did Madam get it from?"

"Don't worry about that for now." Meng Xuanli urged urgently, "Hurry, give him the medicine."

Doctor Yu did not ask any more questions and quickly signaled his servants to help. He carefully fed the pill to Lu Guanque and washed it down with warm water.

Seeing the dark wound on Lu Guanque's back, Doctor Yu, with the assistance of Meng Xuanli, quietly pulled out the arrowhead and the arrow body.

The room fell into dead silence again. In the darkness, everyone held their breath.

Time passed by little by little, and Lu Guanque's breathing was still weak.

Imperial Physician Yu stepped forward to take her pulse, his brow furrowed. He withdrew his hand, looked at the anxious Meng Xuanli, shook his head, and said gravely, "Madam, the medicine is appropriate. It can protect the heart meridians and slow the spread of the poison. But..."

His "but" made Meng Xuanli's heart instantly rise to his throat.

"However, the Duke's injuries are too severe and he has lost too much blood. This medicine can only temporarily protect him and keep him alive."

Doctor Yu sighed, "As for whether he can make it... from now on, it all depends on his fate and destiny."

Fate? Fortune?

Meng Xuanli listened in a daze, then looked back at Lu Guanque. Light and shadow fell on his sleeping face, flickering, like hope lurking beneath despair. But now, she looked at despair, unable to find hope.

With mixed feelings, she walked to the bed, slowly sat on the footstool, reached out, and gently held his cold hand.

This time, she did not shed tears, but just held him quietly and stubbornly, as if she wanted to pass all the warmth of her body to him.

Meng Xuanli didn't know if he could hear her, but he lowered his voice and said word by word, "Lu Guanque, you still haven't paid me back for what you owe me."

"If you leave like this, I will never come back in my next life, the next life, or the next life after that."

"You can't leave me like this."

The room was dark, with only her faint voice flickering, like the butterfly in Liang Zhu, lingering on the white grave, searching for the soul of her lover.

Imperial Physician Yu would come to check the patient's pulse every hour. Every time he did so, he would frown and shake his head silently.

The window was closed, the sky was slightly bright, and light and shadows quietly came in and shone on the ground, just like the relationship between them, which seemed clearer after experiencing life and death.

The inner room was well-fired, yet Meng Xuanli exuded a chill. Maintaining the same posture for so long, her body grew stiff and numb, yet her mind, amidst the intense grief, gradually regained consciousness.

She can't mess around now.

If Lu Guanque were to get into trouble, it would cause a stir in this mansion, and even in the court. However... the most urgent matter was that poisoned arrow.

Meng Xuanli gently placed his hand back under the covers, moving carefully, fearing to disturb him. After a moment's pause, she held onto the edge of the bed and carefully stood up.

Her knees were numb and she staggered for a moment before she could barely stand.

"Fuyao." Her voice was hoarse and her tone was calm.

Fuyao, who had been waiting outside the door, immediately pushed it open and walked in. Seeing Meng Xuanli's expression, she couldn't help but said worriedly, "Madam..."

"Listen carefully," Meng Xuanli interrupted her, each word clear. "Immediately block the news that the Duke is seriously injured."

"Just tell everyone that the Duke's old injury has relapsed and he needs to rest. This place is closed to visitors. Then, take my name card and go to the palace and the Ministry of War to ask for leave. The reason is as above. Be careful with your words so as not to arouse any suspicion."

Fuyao's expression was stern, and she immediately understood: "Yes, I understand."

"Everyone in the palace, including those at the city gate yesterday, is strictly ordered to keep their mouths shut. If anyone leaks any information, no matter who it is, they will be severely punished."

After making these arrangements, Meng Xuanli took a few slow steps forward. "Also, you must personally bring someone you trust to the Zheng residence. No matter what means you use, you must 'invite' Zheng Wanruo here."

"Remember, be secretive and don't let the old general know."

A fierce look flashed in Fuyao's eyes: "Madam, do you suspect Miss Zheng?"

"It's not suspicion." Meng Xuanli said in a low voice, "It's certainty."

Fuyao didn't ask any more questions and left.

Meng Xuanli walked to the corridor and saw the bright sunlight, which actually seemed a bit annoying.

She sighed, and suddenly remembered his reluctant eyes when they parted at the city gate yesterday, the look on his face as he galloped towards her on horseback, and the moment when he used his body to block the arrow for her without hesitation.

My heart was kneaded repeatedly by invisible hands, and it hurt so much that it almost lost its shape.

About an hour later, in the side hall, Zheng Wanruo was "invited" in by two expressionless maids. Her hair was slightly disheveled, and her expression was filled with uncertainty.

The moment Zheng Wanruo saw Meng Xuanli, she immediately resumed her arrogant attitude: "Meng Xuanli, what do you mean by this? How dare you have someone kidnap me?"

Zheng Wanruo struggled for a moment: "If my father knew..."

"Ms. Zheng, don't be anxious."

Meng Xuanli interrupted her, her voice as ethereal as frost. She slowly walked over to Zheng Wanruo.

Meng Xuanli was taller than Zheng Wanruo. At this moment, he looked down at her. There was no anger or resentment in his eyes, only almost cold judgment.

Zheng Wanruo swallowed and couldn't help but avoid the gaze.

"Yesterday, a poisoned crossbow arrow was spotted on the official road outside the city," Meng Xuanli said slowly. "You were the one who released it."

It's not a question, it's a straightforward statement.

Zheng Wanruo's pupils lit up slightly, and she immediately retorted, "You're talking nonsense. What crossbow? I don't know anything. Don't spit blood on me."

"You don't know?" Meng Xuanli said calmly, "Do you need to bring that special crossbow? Or, call the maid who followed you out of the city?"

"Oh no, that maid is in my hands now."

Zheng Wanruo's body trembled, her eyes a little panicked. She hadn't expected Meng Xuanli to move so quickly and so ruthlessly.

"So what if it's me?" Zheng Wanruo simply raised her head, her eyes filled with hatred. "I didn't mean to kill him at all. I wanted to kill you."

"You admitted it." Meng Xuanli didn't expect her to admit it so quickly, which was a bit unexpected.

"If it weren't for you, how could he have set his eyes on a family like the Meng family? If it weren't for you, how could he have ignored me? It's all because of you!"

Her voice was shrill with excitement, crying, and full of malice.

Meng Xuanli looked at her quietly, his face expressionless: "So, you're going to kill me?"

"Yes! You were the one who broke your promise first! You lied to me!"

When Lu Guanque was mentioned, Zheng Wanruo's thoughts were in turmoil, and her eyes were frantic. "Why did you do that? Why did you get him? I've waited for him for so many years, who are you? A latecomer, why did you take him away? You deserve to die!"

Zheng Wanruo gasped, crying and laughing at the same time: "But I didn't expect... I didn't expect that he would take the blame for you. He clearly, clearly could have ignored you."

"Why would he save you? Why?!"

At the end of her speech, Zheng Wanruo burst into tears, her voice filled with hatred for Meng Xuanli and confusion about why Lu Guanque saved people.

Meng Xuanli felt a pity for her as she watched her like this. Her face was stern, and she spoke in a low voice, "Considering your father's many years of fighting for the imperial court, and considering your infatuation with the wrong people, I won't kill you."

Zheng Wanruo looked up at her, her eyes full of disbelief.

"But from today on," Meng Xuanli said word by word, "you must stay in the Zheng Mansion and not step out of the gate. I will send someone to 'guard' you."

"If you dare to disobey, I will immediately report the evidence of your assassination to the court. You know better than me that assassinating an official is tantamount to treason. What awaits you then is the inner prison."

Zheng Wanruo shuddered when she heard about the inner prison. That was the place where concubines, royal family members, and families of important officials who committed crimes were imprisoned. Few people who went in could come out alive, and even if they did, they would be neither human nor ghost.

Zheng Wanruo's face turned pale, her lips trembling, and she sneered, "How dare you! My father is a great warrior! Even the princess wouldn't dare say such words to me!"

"Your father can't protect you." Meng Xuanli's eyes were sharp. "The evidence is irrefutable and in plain sight. Is General Zheng's lifelong reputation going to be ruined by a daughter like you? What's more—"

Meng Xuanli quietly stepped forward, almost touching her earlobe, and said softly, "If Lu Guanque died..."

"I will let you watch with your own eyes everything you cherish turn into ashes bit by bit before your eyes." Her tone was slow and she did not grit her teeth.

Zheng Wanruo turned her head and looked at Meng Xuanli's eyes. They were not as gentle as usual, but a kind of determination she had never seen before. She instantly believed that if Lu Guanque really died, Meng Xuanli would definitely do what he said.

Zheng Wanruo's legs went limp and she collapsed to the ground with a thud, trembling all over and falling into boundless fear.

Meng Xuanli stopped looking at her and waved to the nanny beside him. He said calmly, "Send Miss Zheng back home. Don't let her die."

After finishing all the things, it was already very late at night. Meng Xuanli looked at the guard standing in the shadows, raised his hand and pushed open the bedroom door.

The smell of blood and medicine in the room had not yet dissipated. The candlelight was slightly brighter by the maid, barely enough to dispel the darkness.

Imperial Physician Yu went to rest for a while, leaving an apprentice waiting in the outer room. Only Meng Xuanli and Lu Guanque on the bed were left in the inner room.

She walked to the bedside, stopped, and looked at him quietly. His face looked even uglier than during the day, his breathing was weak, and he was so quiet that it made her uneasy.

She stared for a long time, and then slowly sat down on the footstool until her legs could no longer support her.

Meng Xuanli reached out, avoiding the area where the medicine was applied, and gently grasped his uninjured hand. His hand had distinct joints, but the palm was soft and without any strength.

Meng Xuanli lowered her head and gently placed her cheek against his palm. The moment their skin touched, her nose felt sore and her eyes instantly reddened.

But she did not shed tears, she just maintained this posture, feeling the faint warmth in his palm.

Meng Xuanli looked at the faint light and said softly, "Lu Guanque... I'll take charge today and handle everything."

She seemed to be talking to herself, but also like she was chatting: "Also, I locked Zheng Wanruo up and didn't allow her to go out again. I scared her, saying that if you die, I will never let her go..."

She paused, trying to calm herself down: "I know you may think I've changed and become cruel."

Meng Xuanli's voice was a little tired. "But Lu Guanque, I have no choice. You're lying here, unaware of anything... I can't let chaos happen outside, nor can I let the people who hurt you have an easy time."

She rubbed his palm, her eyes fixed on his face, as if trying to pull his soul back through words. But his soul was as ethereal as the breeze, which she could feel but not grasp.

"Actually, when you wanted to give me the divorce papers, I felt... sad." She finally revealed the secret she had been hiding. "I didn't show it, did I?"

"I even said 'thank you' to you... I acted very calm and relaxed."

Meng Xuanli laughed self-deprecatingly, a little bitterly. "I told myself I must leave you. No matter what you say, I must leave cleanly and without looking back."

"Because I always felt that between you and myself, I had to choose myself. I was afraid of changing for you, afraid of losing myself for you, afraid of becoming no longer myself."

Meng Xuanli choked up and said, "I don't want to become so humble and pitiful again, like... my mother was back then."

This was the first time she mentioned the deepest shadows and fears in her past to others.

"So, when you hurt me, I built a wall, pushed you away, and locked myself in. I thought that way I would be safe and no longer in pain."

Her voice was filled with confusion and pain: "I even feel that leaving you is the only way to save myself."

"But..." She choked, "But when you are willing to throw away your pride, your worries, your life, and use your body to block that arrow..."

"Lu Guanque, the wall in my heart has broken."

Meng Xuanli raised his head, and tears finally slid down silently, one drop, two drops, falling hotly into his palm, and then quickly turning cold.

"It was shattered completely, completely." She tried to make each word clear. "I saw you fall, saw you bleed so much for me... I suddenly realized that dignity and safety are no longer important in the face of losing you."

"I regret it... Lu Guanque, I regret saying I want to leave you, I regret taking that so-called forgiveness too seriously, and I regret not telling you earlier."

She gently shook his hand: "Lu Guanque, do you hear me? I choose you, I won't leave. As long as you wake up, we will never be separated again, okay?"

The inner room was still quiet, with only her low and suppressed sobs.

She didn't know if he could hear her, or if he would wake up, but she just held his hand stubbornly before she collapsed from exhaustion.