Chapter 64 Relapse of the Old Poison

A few more days passed, and more than a month had passed since Lou Jin left.

Just as Ye Xunyang was about to go to the General's Mansion to visit his father, a series of rapid hoofbeats suddenly came from outside the Prince's Mansion!

Weary from his journey, Shan Lan was the first to dismount, followed by a young man in a moon-white robe.

The man looked to be no more than twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. His face was so handsome it was almost intimidating. He had clear eyebrows and eyes, a high nose, and thin lips that were slightly pursed. His dark hair was tied up with a simple jade hairpin, and he exuded a cool and aloof aura.

He stood tall and walked with ease. Despite his long journey, his white clothes were spotless, as if he were an immortal descending to earth.

"Your Highness! I have accomplished my mission! This is Yu Beichen from the Divine Physician Valley, Mr. Yu!" Shan Lan bowed and reported, her tone filled with relief at completing the task and sincere admiration for this young divine physician.

Although Ye Xunyang was anxious, he was slightly taken aback when he saw how young and handsome Yu Beichen was. He quickly composed himself and stepped forward to greet him respectfully as a junior: "Ye Xunyang greets Mr. Yu! I am deeply grateful for your long journey!"

Yu Beichen's cold gaze lingered on Ye Xunyang's face for a moment. His eyes were like a deep, indifferent pool in autumn. He nodded slightly, his voice as clear and melodious as his personality: "Is Lou Yan dead?"

His tone was calm and even, as if he were asking about a trivial matter, but the overly direct form of address made Ye Xunyang's heart skip a beat.

Ye Xunyang immediately realized that the relationship between this divine doctor and the eldest prince Lou Yan was probably not just a simple personal favor.

He dared not delay and quickly replied, "Sir, His Highness the Crown Prince is currently still at Yumen Pass in the Northwest, seriously injured and unconscious. His condition is critical, and he urgently needs your skillful hands to bring him back to life!"

Upon hearing that he was seriously injured and unconscious, Yu Beichen frowned slightly but did not hesitate at all.

"Set off immediately for the Northwest."

"Please wait a moment, sir. I have already arranged for someone to escort you, Qingshan..."

Before Ye Xunyang could finish speaking, another guard practically tumbled in, his face deathly pale, clutching a bloodstained secret letter tightly in his hand!

"Your Highness! Urgent dispatch from the Northwest! The General... the General was ambushed by the enemy when he breached Langya City. He was seriously wounded, and his old poison seems to have relapsed. He is unconscious! The military physician is helpless!"

Lou Jin is seriously injured! His old poison has relapsed!

This sudden bad news struck Ye Xunyang like a bolt from the blue!

The file detailing Lou Yan's injuries fell to the ground.

One is critically injured and on the verge of death; the other's fate is unknown! Both are in the Northwest!

He couldn't stay in the capital waiting for news any longer! He had to go! Immediately!

"Shanlan!" Ye Xunyang's voice was hoarse, but it carried an unquestionable command.

"Your subordinate is here!"

"You are now in full charge of all the secret contacts in the Prince's Mansion and the capital! Closely monitor Lou Yi and 'Shadow Serpent's' movements. If there are any unusual activities, deal with them immediately without waiting for my report! I have left a letter explaining the situation at the General's Mansion; please deliver it later!"

"Also, send a message to the Empress Dowager: if the Emperor blames you, please ask her to offer some words of advice."

"Yes! Your subordinate obeys!" Shan Lan knew the responsibility was heavy and agreed without hesitation.

Ye Xunyang quickly walked to his desk, spread out the paper, and wrote a letter to his father and mother with swift, flowing strokes. He briefly explained the dramatic changes in the Northwest and asked them to take care of themselves and not to worry.

He handed the letter to Shan Lan, then turned around and looked intently at Yu Beichen and Qing Shan:

"Qingshan, muster the most elite guards!"

“Mr. Yu,” he bowed deeply to the aloof physician, “the situation is urgent, and King Jin is also in imminent danger! I implore you to accompany us, traveling day and night, to the Northwest! We will follow your instructions along the way!”

Yu Beichen's cool gaze fell on Ye Xunyang's young face, which was filled with anxiety and determination. He seemed unsurprised by Ye Xunyang's sudden decision and simply nodded: "Agreed."

There were no further questions, no moment's delay.

In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, everything was ready.

After leaving the capital, the group began a rapid march, traveling day and night.

Aside from necessary watering and resting for the horses, the road hardly stopped; the scenery on both sides of the official road rushed past, and the wind whistled in our ears.

Ye Xunyang was extremely anxious, wishing he could sprout wings and fly to Lou Jin's side immediately.

Yu Beichen seemed to have no objection to this pace of travel. He was an excellent rider, sitting upright on his horse, his white clothes still neat and his expression still aloof, as if he were not heading to a battlefield filled with smoke and fire, but rather taking a leisurely stroll.

That evening, after a quick meal of dry rations and a change of horses at a post station, the group set off again.

The cool moonlight spilled onto the official road, casting a hazy glow.

Perhaps the silence of the journey over the past few days had been somewhat oppressive, for the usually taciturn healer suddenly spoke, his clear voice ringing out in the night.

"The last time I saw Lou Jin was three years ago, when he was first poisoned."

Ye Xunyang suddenly turned to look at him, his eyes filled with astonishment.

He had never heard Lou Jin mention that Yu Beichen had treated him three years ago.

Yu Beichen seemed not to need his answer and continued calmly, as if stating a fact unrelated to himself: "At that time, although he was critically ill and in unbearable pain, the unwillingness and arrogance between his brows did not diminish in the slightest."

He paused, his gaze seemingly sweeping over Ye Xunyang's tense profile. "He's completely different from the King Jin who would write 'Willingly, but destined to be without the throne' to protect someone."

Ye Xunyang's heart clenched. It was a letter Lou Jin had left for the Empress Dowager! Yu Beichen actually knew about it?

Yu Beichen ignored his shock, his tone remaining calm yet carrying a sharp insight into the world: "Don't look at me like that. I am from the same clan as the Empress Dowager. But what could have caused Lou Jin to change so drastically, besides a deep and unforgettable love, is something else I can't think of."

His gaze fell on Ye Xunyang again, his clear, cold eyes seeming to see through people's hearts in the moonlight: "The expression on your face all the way was not like the worry of an ordinary subordinate for his commander, nor was it like... the affection between ordinary men. It was a deep concern for the other person as if he were his own life."

Ye Xunyang's cheeks flushed slightly, but he did not avoid Yu Beichen's gaze.

Now that things have come to this, he no longer needs to hide anything. Facing the night wind, his voice is firm: "Sir, you have a discerning eye. The prince and I are truly in love, husband and wife as one. He has given me everything, and I am willing to go through fire and water for him."

Upon hearing this, Yu Beichen did not show the slightest surprise or disdain. He simply gave a faint "hmm," as if any unconventional behavior in the world was no different from the withering and flourishing of ordinary flowers and plants in his eyes.

“Deep affection is short-lived, and extreme strength leads to humiliation.” He suddenly said this, his tone elusive, “However, to have someone treat me with such devotion, whether long or short, is enough to make this life worthwhile.”

His words carried a transcendent clarity, and Ye Xunyang suddenly recalled his reaction to the eldest prince, Lou Yan, and seemed to understand something in his heart.

"Sir..." Ye Xunyang couldn't help but speak, "You and His Highness the Crown Prince..."

Yu Beichen abruptly pulled on the reins, interrupting Ye Xunyang. He stared ahead, his profile appearing even colder and more aloof in the moonlight.

"Hurry up, get there as soon as possible, maybe we can save two lives."

He was clearly unwilling to talk more about his past with Lou Yan, and brought the topic back to reality.

Ye Xunyang wisely refrained from asking further questions, and instead squeezed the horse's belly hard, causing the horse to neigh and accelerate once more.