Deep within the prince's residence, a tranquil stillness, a stark reminder of the impending doom, mingled with a profound weariness. The aroma of medicine, mingled with the scent of charcoal fire, flowed quietly through the meticulously furnished warm chamber, unable to dispel the bone-chilling cold and the complex emotions permeating the air.

Xin Jiuwei felt herself sinking into a chaotic, warm current. Her consciousness, like a kite with a broken string, drifted far away at times, only to be abruptly pulled back to reality by sharp pain. The numbness in her left shoulder was like a persistent, bone-deep ailment, and the old wound in her heart, ripped open and forcibly healed, tugged at her with every weak breath, causing a dull, persistent ache. Most clearly etched were the cold, sticky feeling of Xiao Xun's blood remaining in her palm, and the scene of him falling, like a brand etched deep into her soul.

She didn't know how much time had passed before she struggled to open her heavy eyelids. Through her blurry vision, she saw the familiar canopy of the warm pavilion in Jingyuan, but the stronger smell of medicine in the air and an indescribable somber atmosphere told her that this was not Jingyuan.

"Miss! You're awake!" Xin Kui's voice, trembling with a mix of surprise and joy, rang in her ears. A haggard yet delighted face approached, her eyes red and swollen, clearly from crying many times.

Xin Jiuwei tried to speak, but her throat was dry and sore, and she could only let out a weak breath. Xin Kui immediately understood, carefully moistened her chapped lips with a damp cotton swab, and then brought her warm water, feeding her little by little with a silver spoon.

The cool water slid down her throat, bringing a faint sense of life. Xin Jiuwei's gaze gradually focused, and she saw the person behind Xin Kui—Lin Wanyi.

Lin Wanyi was still dressed in a simple blue robe, her face showing the fatigue of a long journey and intense stress, but her eyes remained clear and focused. She was sitting on a small stool by the couch, her fingers resting on Xin Jiuwei's wrist, her brows slightly furrowed.

“Miss Lin…” Xin Jiuwei’s voice was hoarse, like a broken gong.

"Don't speak." Lin Wanyi withdrew her hand, her voice carrying the calmness of a healer. "You are seriously injured. Although the poison of the 'Foot Bone Maggot' on your left shoulder has been suppressed, it has damaged your meridians and requires long-term care. Otherwise, your left arm may become weak. The old wound on your chest has been repeatedly torn open, resulting in deficiency of both qi and blood and a great loss of vitality. Right now, the most important thing is to rest and recuperate. You must not disturb your mind or exert yourself."

Xin Jiuwei nodded with difficulty, but her gaze urgently passed over Lin Wanyi and looked towards the door, her silent question clear as day.

Lin Wanyi naturally understood who she was asking, and a complex emotion flashed across her cool eyes: "Your Highness... is no longer in danger of losing your life."

Xin Jiuwei's tense nerves suddenly relaxed, as if the last bit of strength supporting her body had been drained away. She sank softly back into the soft mattress and let out a long, silent sigh. He's still alive... That's good.

“But,” Lin Wanyi’s tone shifted, becoming serious, “the Soul-Guiding Incense is overpowering, its ability to draw poison back to its source is like scraping bone and washing marrow. The extent of His Highness’s vital energy depletion far exceeds our imagination. Although the remaining poison in his body has been cleared, his foundation has been shaken. He needs extremely careful recuperation and a long period of rest to fully recover. At this moment… he is still unconscious.”

Xin Jiuwei's heart pounded again. Bone-scraping and marrow-cleansing... she couldn't imagine how he had endured those six hours. She closed her eyes, her fingertips unconsciously curling, as if she could still feel the warmth of his blood and the coldness of that poisoned dagger.

"Qi Huaiyu..." she spoke again, her voice filled with deep-seated hatred and a barely perceptible tremor.

"Locked in the deepest part of the dungeon, chained up, and guarded by special personnel." Lin Wanyi's voice turned cold. "His Highness gave a strict order before he fell unconscious: spare his life. Once His Highness wakes up... he will be dealt with accordingly." She paused, looking at the intense hatred on Xin Jiuwei's pale face, and added, "Your hatred is also His Highness's hatred. When he wakes up, the first thing he will do is to settle scores with this scoundrel."

Xin Jiuwei didn't ask any more questions, but simply closed her eyes wearily. Knowing he was still alive, knowing her enemy was already in the trap, the tension in her heart finally eased slightly. An overwhelming exhaustion washed over her like a tide, and her consciousness sank once more into chaotic darkness.

In the days that followed, Xin Jiuwei spent most of her time in a coma due to the combined effects of the medication and her injuries. When she was occasionally awake, she was listless and could only manage to drink some liquid food and herbal medicine. Lin Wanyi came every day to check her pulse and change her dressings, while Xin Kui stayed by her bedside without leaving her side, taking meticulous care of her.

The atmosphere at the Prince's residence remained somber, but the previous despair had vanished. The servants walked softly and spoke in hushed tones. Every day, You Ye would come to the warm pavilion to inquire about Xin Kui and Xin Jiuwei's condition, and then relay the information to the main courtyard.

Xin Jiuwei could sense that the guards inside and outside the warm pavilion were extremely tight, far surpassing those in the quiet garden. She felt as if she had been placed in the center of the safest yet most desolate fortress. The pain and weakness in her body made her unable to think too much, but deep in her heart, there was always a corner that lingered with the man who had shielded her from the knife and was now lying in the main courtyard not far away.

On the morning of the fifth day, Xin Jiuwei was feeling a little better. Lin Wanyi changed her dressings gently and efficiently.

“Miss Lin,” Xin Jiuwei said, looking at Lin Wanyi’s focused profile. Her voice was still weak, but much clearer. “How is your aunt…?”

Lin Wanyi paused slightly, then resumed her normal movements: "The old lady of the Marquis of Zhongyong is very fortunate; the most dangerous moment has passed. Although she is still unconscious, her pulse is gradually stabilizing. My father goes to the Marquis's residence every day to check on her, saying that with careful recuperation, there is hope for her to wake up." She paused, her voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible warmth, "Before the old lady fell into a coma, your biggest concern was you. If she knew that you are now... she would surely be gratified."

Xin Jiuwei felt a lump in her throat, and her eyes welled up with tears. Aunt... you must get better.

"And..." Xin Jiuwei hesitated for a moment, then asked in a low voice, "Your Highness... has he woken up?"

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