Song Yi called out to the bed twice more, and He Wenqing slowly woke up, still somewhat dazed. He sat up, his eyes half-closed as he looked at the person in front of the bed.

It was pitch black in front of me; I could only make out a vague shadow.

Who are you?

There was no fear in He Wenqing's voice; he seemed like an ordinary old man, not facing an uninvited guest. His calmness was completely out of place with the current situation.

Shen Mingzhuang didn't know whether to say He Wenqing was carefree or foolish. He wasn't worried at all that the person coming would hurt him, and he seemed very calm. Putting herself in his shoes, if it were her, she probably would have jumped three feet high and attacked the person in front of her.

"Senior He Wen, don't be afraid. I have something to ask of you."

The kerosene lamp was lit, and the originally dark room was now bathed in a dim, yellow candlelight. Song Yi's voice was very weak, and he said helplessly to He Wenqing, "My injury..."

He Wenqing gasped, his voice urgent as he asked, "How did you get these injuries? So many teeth marks..."

Tooth marks? Shen Mingzhuang listened and suddenly wanted to go out and see what was going on. Song Yi had been bitten? No, what kind of teeth could bite someone so badly that they were covered in blood? She immediately thought of the wolf pack from last night.

"We humbly request Senior He Wen's assistance."

He Wenqing frowned as he looked at him. "I haven't rescued anyone for many years. It's no use you coming to me."

"Moreover, your injuries are too severe; ordinary medications will be of no use to you."

Shen Mingzhuang listened and then walked out.

Song Yi had no idea that there were other people in the room. He was too weak at the moment and had waited at the door for a long time before coming out. Now, a person with a steady aura suddenly appeared, and he knew that he was no match for her. Song Yi's heart sank subconsciously.

But after he saw who it was, he calmed down.

Since it's Shen Mingzhuang, there's no need to worry.

Shen Mingzhuang looked at the person in front of him, his eyes flickering slightly.

Song Yi was covered in blood, his clothes were half off, revealing half of his shoulder that was covered in blood and flesh.

The teeth marks were still very clear; the bluish-purple marks were the kind of marks that only a canine animal could make.

Were you at Qingmao Mountain last night?

Shen Mingzhuang asked Song Yi with a wary expression.

Song Yi listened, his expression faltering slightly. He quickly lowered his head, a bitter smile spreading across his lips.

He was indeed in Qingmao Mountain last night. He was originally tracking someone, but the person made a quick getaway, and he ended up being surrounded by wolves.

Last night's perilous situation, if it weren't for his superb lightness skills, he would already be a skeleton that had been completely devoured.

"yes."

Song Yi made no attempt to hide anything and directly admitted that he had been at Qingmao Mountain the previous night.

Why are you following me?

"Would you believe me if I said I was worried about your safety?"

Facing Shen Mingzhuang's questioning gaze, Song Yi answered in a hoarse voice with a hint of self-deprecation.

"Whether you believe it or not, you should already know the answer yourself, so why ask me? I think no matter how powerful you are, you can't be a match for twenty imperial guards. Do I need you to protect me? What a joke."

Shen Mingzhuang retorted sarcastically, convinced that Song Yi was lying.

If he was worried about her, he could have simply stopped her from going to Qingmao Mountain. If he truly cared for her, he wouldn't have insisted on competing with Jiang Wang after she promised him a lifetime of wealth.

She would absolutely not allow Song Yi to succeed in his goal.

Song Yi's shoulders trembled, and blood began to seep out again from his mangled shoulder.

Just as He Wenqing said, Song Yi's condition was very serious, and ordinary medicine could not save him.

Moreover, if He Wenqing knew that Song Yi was Yin Zhao's son, he probably wouldn't save him even if he were beaten to death.

She didn't want to pay attention, but Song Yi had saved her life years ago, and she had to repay that debt of gratitude. She couldn't just stand by and do nothing at this time.

She hesitated for a moment, then looked at He Wenqing and said thoughtfully, "Grandpa He Wenqing, he is a friend of mine. Could you please do me a favor and help him get treatment first?"

Upon hearing this, He Wenqing glanced at the two of them with a flicker in his eyes. This injury was actually not a problem for him. He only said that because he didn't want to cause trouble. He just didn't expect this little girl to personally plead for this person.

The fact that he could follow them silently without them noticing shows that he has some real skills. If he really did escape from the wolf pack, it proves that he does indeed have some ability.

"Alright, I'll give you that face then."

As He Wenqing spoke, he went to the copper basin to wash his hands and took out antiseptic and hemostatic medicine from his bag. Song Yi's irregularly torn wound was too bloody. Shen Mingzhuang felt a tightness in her chest. She turned around and went to the window, opened it, and wanted to let the bloody smell in the room dissipate and let her breathe some fresh air.

Song Yi's gaze remained fixed on Shen Mingzhuang. Even when He Wenqing used a needle to sew up his torn skin, he still didn't look away, as if it were something he couldn't bear to part with, or a treasure coveted by someone, which would be snatched away the moment he looked away.

He Wenqing was also young once, and someone who was tormented by love and romance when he was young. How could he not see the tender feelings in this young master's eyes?

Considering Shen Mingzhuang's deep affection for the emperor, and the young master's fervent love for Shen Mingzhuang, this is truly a difficult situation!

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!