The bloody gloom of Yuncheng hung over the Prince's residence like a heavy lead weight.

Despite her strained spirits, Xin Jiuwei continued to visit Xin Yunzhou in his room every day, talking to him, reading to him, and trying her best to maintain a facade of calm.

She dared not let her brother know about the earth-shattering changes in Yuncheng. Xin Yunzhou had just recovered from serious injuries, and his heart meridian was still injured. If he knew that his father was on the verge of death, the consequences would be unimaginable.

However, Xin Yunzhou was incredibly perceptive. He noticed the lingering worry in his sister's eyes, the paleness beneath her forced smile, and the occasional absent-minded glances out the window. He tentatively inquired about the flooding in Yuncheng, but Xin Jiuwei only said that her maternal grandparents had handled it well, and that her father was tired but otherwise unharmed. Xin Yunzhou was skeptical, but seeing his sister's noticeably thinner face and the redness in her eyes, he couldn't bring himself to press her for answers. However, his doubts and worries deepened day by day.

The warm room became the only place where Xin Jiuwei could slightly lower her guard. She spent most of her days there, reading, practicing calligraphy, and doing needlework, but often she would stare out the window in a daze, her hands unmoving from the pages of her book, her fingers frequently pricking with the needle and thread. She was waiting. Waiting for news from Yuncheng, waiting for news of her father's fate, waiting for that man... to bring her hope.

Xiao Xun still came every day. The time was unpredictable, sometimes in the afternoon, sometimes late at night. He no longer simply sat silently; sometimes he would bring a newly collected travelogue or local chronicle, placing it beside Xin Jiuwei without uttering a word. Sometimes he would watch her practice calligraphy, and when a character's structure was unstable, he would offer a gentle reminder: "This stroke could be a little heavier." His presence was like a silent mountain, silently conveying a message: He was here, and everything was under his control.

Xin Jiuwei's heart was torn apart by this anxious waiting and silent companionship. The fear of her father gnawed at her heart like a cold, venomous snake. Meanwhile, Xiao Xun's calm presence, imbued with a powerful protective force, was like a warm spring, nourishing her faltering will. Her complex feelings for him, forged in the crucible of blood and fire and driven by desperate dependence, underwent a subtle transformation. Gratitude, trust, dependence… intertwined with a deeper emotion that even she herself hadn't fully grasped.

Late that night, all was quiet. Xin Jiuwei, wide awake, sat alone by the window of the warm pavilion, gazing at the cold crescent moon in the sky. The old wound in her heart throbbed faintly, making her face grow even paler.

Light footsteps sounded outside the door, which was then pushed open. Xiao Xun walked in, bringing with him the chill of the night dew. He had clearly just returned from outside; his dark robes still seemed to carry the lingering aura of menace, and his brows furrowed with deep weariness. However, when his deep eyes saw her, they instantly locked onto her pale face.

"Why aren't you asleep yet?" His voice was deep, with a hint of barely perceptible hoarseness.

Xin Jiuwei quickly stood up: "Your Highness... I can't sleep. Is there any news from Yuncheng?" Her voice was filled with undisguised urgency and trembling.

Xiao Xun walked up to her, his gaze fixed intently on her face, as if trying to etch both her vulnerability and strength into his eyes. He remained silent for a moment before speaking slowly, his voice carrying a strange, comforting power: "You Ye's secret report."

Xin Jiuwei's heart jumped into her throat. She held her breath and stared intently at him.

“Your father’s injuries were extremely serious, but he has survived the most dangerous three days. The imperial physician used the Prince’s secret life-extending pill, and the wound has not worsened, and the high fever has subsided.” Xiao Xun’s voice was steady and clear. “Although he is still unconscious, his pulse is gradually stabilizing. As long as there is no relapse, his life… should be saved.”

"Really?!" Overwhelming joy instantly overwhelmed Xin Jiuwei! Hot tears welled up in her eyes, and her body trembled slightly with excitement. "Father... Father... he survived?" She could hardly believe her ears.

"Yes." Xiao Xun nodded affirmatively, watching the light that suddenly burst forth in her eyes, a light that seemed to dispel all his fatigue and chill. "You Ye personally guarded your father's bedside. The imperial physician said that your father's physical condition is still good, and his will to live is strong. As long as he is carefully cared for, it is only a matter of time before he wakes up."

"That's wonderful...wonderful..." Xin Jiuwei murmured to herself, tears streaming down her face—tears of joy. The enormous weight that had been pressing on her heart had finally been lifted, allowing her to catch her breath. She looked up at Xiao Xun, her eyes filled with gratitude for surviving a calamity and an indescribable dependence. "Your Highness...thank you! Thank you!" Besides thank you, she didn't know what else to say to express the overwhelming emotions she was feeling.

Xiao Xun looked at her tears, at the pure light of hope in her eyes, ignited by her father's survival. This light, more precious than any treasure, made him feel...it was all worthwhile. He reached out, his movements hesitant and awkward, but ultimately he only gently wiped away the tears rolling down her cheeks with his fingertips. The cool touch of his fingertips on her warm skin sent a slight shiver down his spine.

“No need to thank me.” His voice was deep, with an unprecedented gentleness. “This is what I… should do.” He paused, then added, his tone returning to its usual coldness, yet carrying a reassuring certainty. “As for the ‘Black Hawk’ and the mastermind behind it, I already have clues. Soon, there will be results.”

"The mastermind?" Xin Jiuwei's heart tightened suddenly as she grasped the key point in his words. "Who is it? Who wants to harm my father?" A flame of hatred instantly ignited in her eyes.

A cold glint flashed in Xiao Xun's deep eyes, but he did not answer directly: "This matter involves many things, and you don't need to know. Just wait for news. I have said that anyone who harms your loved ones will pay the price." His voice was not loud, but it carried a resolute and icy killing intent, like a vow.

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