first step
In Mingzhou City, lights flickered in a secluded courtyard, illuminating Shen Qingyan's pale face lying on the brocade couch.
The old doctor finally withdrew his hand from taking the patient's pulse, and beads of sweat on his forehead gleamed slightly under the light.
"Reporting to Your Highness, fortunately, the arrow missed the heart meridian by a hair's breadth. It was all thanks to the miraculous medicine that protected the heart meridian in time, and Lord Shen is no longer in danger of his life. But..." He paused and looked at Ning Lingyi who was standing quietly beside him.
Ning Lingyi remained in her riding gear, having removed her soft armor. A few strands of hair fell down her neck, highlighting the outline of her jaw. Her gaze fell calmly on the layers of white cloth covering Shen Qingyan's chest, where the pale blue marks of the medicine were faintly visible.
"But it's okay to talk about it."
"This injury has damaged the lungs and caused excessive blood loss, which has severely damaged the foundation. You need to rest well, otherwise the root of the disease may remain and cause lifelong problems." The old doctor said earnestly.
"Thank you."
Ning Lingyi nodded, and the seriousness in her voice made the old doctor's heart tremble. He bowed and retreated to write the prescription.
The door closed gently, and only she and the person who had just woken up on the couch were left in the room.
Shen Qingyan's eyelashes trembled, and he opened them with great effort. His eyes were vacant for a moment before they focused with difficulty. In his field of vision was Ning Lingyi's beautiful silhouette, covered with a thin layer of frost.
"Your Highness?" He was barely breathing.
Ning Lingyi turned around immediately and took a few steps to sit down beside the couch, her movements a little faster than usual. "Don't move."
She lowered her voice very softly, her eyes fixed on his paper-pale face. His lifeless look made her heart tighten.
"The poison has been removed, and your life is safe. You can just rest and recuperate." She paused, "As for what's happening outside, I'm here for you."
Shen Qingyan's Adam's apple rolled, affecting the injured area. He coughed twice, and cold sweat dripped down his forehead.
He caught his breath, his eyes filled with deep remorse: "I am incompetent and have caused Your Highness to personally venture into danger, and even more..."
"Shen Qingyan," Ning Lingyi interrupted him, "if it weren't for your decisiveness and foresight in this critical moment, my new policy would have been wasted today at Anji Bridge."
She recalled the cold arrow that had struck her, and was still terrified. "Your life belongs to me. I want you to stay alive and recover from your injuries. Mingzhou needs to be rebuilt, and I can't do without you."
Shen Qingyan looked at her.
There was still a trace of fear in the young princess's eyes, but it was suppressed by a stronger willpower, leaving only rock-hard determination.
Bitterness, gratitude, and shame intertwined and surged, eventually settling into a deeper loyalty.
"Your Highness, I appreciate your kindness. Qingyan..." His voice was weak, but every word was clear. "I cannot repay you with my life. This body no longer belongs to Qingyan. I am willing to be the pen and sword in your hand. Even if I die nine times, I will not regret it."
Ning Lingyi's heart moved.
She was born as the daughter of a favorite concubine, and had lived a carefree life without ever taking on any responsibilities. However, today she felt a different kind of emotion.
It seemed like a talent, she instinctively knew what to say and do at the moment.
She said, "Don't worry. Whoever attacked you today will be personally crushed to dust and avenged."
Shen Qingyan closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, there was a complete understanding in his eyes: "Your Highness, I understand what happened today. I will not take chances in the future."
Ning Lingyi was silent for a moment.
For the first time, she truly felt the weight of the word "Mingzhou".
It is no longer the cold numbers on the tribute list, but the withered hands of the old woman in Xiahewa, the smell of rotten wood debris mixed with blood and mud under the Anji Bridge, and the bandage on Shen Qing's chest at this moment.
She stretched out her hand, and her fingertips gently brushed the edge of the rough quilt that Shen Qingyan was covering.
"In the past, in the palace," she said softly, as if she was talking to herself, but also as if she was talking to Shen Qingyan, "I only knew that Mingzhou was my fiefdom, and I paid tribute and taxes every year. Until I set foot on this land, saw the Anji Bridge, and saw you fall..."
"Now I understand what kind of Mingzhou my father has given me. Your blood is the first cut that pierces the root of this disease."
She raised her eyes and looked at Shen Qingyan, "Now that the bones are exposed, we should remove them. I wonder if Mr. Shen is willing to continue to bear the heavy burden of Mingzhou?"
"That's what I wish for, Your Highness." Shen Qingyan replied, his voice weak but as strong as iron.
"Mr. Chen, I'll leave Mingzhou to you." Ning Lingyi said solemnly.
At this moment, the clear voice of the guard outside the door broke the heavy atmosphere in the room: "Your Highness, Prince Tuoba Hong of Beishuo requests to see you."
Ning Lingyi frowned, and the aura around her instantly subsided.
She stood up straight and resumed the demeanor of a cool and reserved princess.
"Please ask him to wait outside."
The door was pushed open, and Tuoba Hong's tall figure stood at the door, his black cloak almost blending into the twilight.
He did not step into the inner room immediately. Instead, he looked around the room. Ning Lingyi was sitting beside the couch, only a few inches away from Shen Qingyan, her fingertips even lingering on the corner of the quilt.
He finally stepped in, his eyes fixed on Ning Lingyi sharply: "Your Highness, as my Tuoba Hong's unmarried princess, it seems against the rules to be alone in a room with a minister so late at night, doesn't it?"
His voice was not loud, but it echoed clearly in the quiet room, carrying the straightforward possessiveness unique to grassland men.
Ning Lingyi slowly stood up and met his scrutinizing gaze. "Your Highness, you are mistaken. Chief Secretary Shen is an official of mine, and he was seriously injured while protecting my new policies. It is only natural for me to visit my injured official. How can the distinction between monarch and subject be confused with the private affairs of men and women?"
"Lord and subject?" Tuoba Hong's lips curled into a cold arc as he took a step forward. "In my Beishuo, women should observe their duties as women. How could you be so disrespectful of your reputation and get so close to other men? Even if you were to visit, it should be done behind a curtain, with palace maids serving you."
Shen Qingyan struggled on the couch and wanted to speak, but was stopped by Ning Lingyi's eyes.
"Reputation?" Ning Lingyi's voice turned cold. "I have acted with a clear conscience. Mr. Shen was seriously injured for the people of Mingzhou. It would be unethical of me to abandon him just to avoid suspicion. If the prince insists on applying the rules of the grassland to the etiquette of the Southern Dynasty, I will not obey your order!"
She stood with her back straight and looked at Tuoba Hong without fear.
The air in the room seemed to freeze, and even the aroma of medicine could not suppress the tense atmosphere between the two people.
Tuoba Hong stared at Ning Lingyi's stubborn face. The frankness and persistence in her eyes were completely different from those of the grassland women he was familiar with.
Just as he was about to speak again.
Outside the yard, the sound of hurried horse hooves suddenly rang out.
A clear, resonant voice pierced the courtyard walls: "I, General Pan Hao, have been ordered by Your Majesty to lead a hundred men from the Capital Guard to protect Her Royal Highness the Princess! Is Her Royal Highness safe?"
Before the last word was uttered, a silver figure appeared at the door like a gust of wind, blocking the dark twilight outside.
The person who came was Pan Hao, Ning Lingyi's childhood playmate.
He was dressed in a dazzling Ming Guang armor, and the armor plates shone coldly under the light, making his figure stand tall and straight like a sharp sword drawn from its sheath.
He was probably in his early twenties, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes. His handsome face looked tired from a long journey, but it could not hide the worry that was almost overflowing from his bright eyes.
At this moment, all his attention was focused on Ning Lingyi, as if there was no one else in the world.
I had heard from the capital that she had gone to the dangerous place of Mingzhou. She had traveled all the way at lightning speed, under the stars and moon, wishing she could have wings! It was not until this moment, seeing her standing before me unharmed, that my heart finally settled down.
"Your Highness!" Pan Hao saluted with his fists clasped, his movements neat and clear. His gaze remained fixed on Ning Lingyi, his undisguised concern, like a warm current, instantly dispelling the biting chill in the room.
"I am late in protecting you, Your Highness, and I am sorry that you were frightened!" He naturally stepped sideways and stood in front of Ning Lingyi, protecting her behind him, and looked at Tuoba Hong vigilantly.
"Pan Hao!" A hint of genuine surprise flashed in Ning Lingyi's eyes, and the tense shoulders finally relaxed the moment she saw this familiar figure.
Looking at his dusty but still heroic face, the pure concern in his eyes warmed her heart.
"I'm fine, I'm glad you're here." There was a hint of relief in her tone.
Upon hearing this, Pan Hao's worry faded slightly, and then a deeper determination appeared in his eyes. "When I heard that Your Highness was personally visiting Mingzhou, I immediately requested permission from His Majesty and rushed here day and night! I am relieved that Your Highness is safe."
His words were direct and passionate, with the sincerity unique to military commanders.
Tuoba Hong watched this scene coldly.
The young general from the Southern Dynasty who suddenly broke in was wearing shiny silver armor and was full of vigor. The look he gave Ning Lingyi was like that of a loyal hound guarding its master, which made the unhappiness in his heart surge again.
Isn’t it enough to see Shen Tanhua lying on a sickbed, dying but with a focused gaze?
Now here comes General Pan, who is sunny and eager to protect his master?
Tuoba Hong's gaze was like that of a ferocious beast sizing up the young beast that had intruded into his territory, and he looked down upon it with a condescending gaze: "Huh, Jingji Guard?"
His voice was low, and his eyes swept across the armored guards standing solemnly outside the courtyard. When he returned to Pan Hao, his eyes were scrutinizing. "It seems that the important task of protecting the emperor must be entrusted to the young general."
Pan Hao met the scrutinizing gaze, his back straight, his right hand on the sword at his waist: "It is my duty, even if it means death! The Jingji Guards are here to protect Your Highness and wipe out all the villains!"
"Oh?" Tuoba Hong raised his eyebrows slightly, his tone amused, "Young General, you've just arrived, and you already know who the villain is and where he came from? Is it just out of passion?"
Pan Hao didn't flinch, his eyes sharp. "The Jingji Guard has its own rules for handling cases. Prince Tuoba is a guest from afar, so just watch the ceremony with peace of mind. No need to worry!"
"Watch the ceremony peacefully?" Tuoba Hong chuckled. "I'm afraid the young general may be willing but incapable, allowing some villains to continue to act freely and disturb Your Highness's peace and quiet."
Pan Hao was about to refute again when Ning Lingyi's voice rang out, carrying an unquestionable majesty: "Enough."
She turned to Tuoba Hong, and the anger she had just felt for his unreasonable attack had been suppressed, leaving only a businesslike distance: "Prince Tuoba, if there is nothing else, please return. Chen Changshi needs to rest."
She nodded slightly, "As for your assistance, I'll take note of it."
Then, she turned her gaze to Pan Hao, her smile becoming more genuine. "General Pan, you've had a hard time on this journey. Go down and settle the troops first. I'll discuss the latest developments in Mingzhou with you later."
"I obey your command!" Pan Hao clasped his fists and accepted the order. He looked at Ning Lingyi deeply, confirming that she was fine, then turned around and strode away, his armor clanging.
Tuoba Hong looked at Pan Hao's departing back, then looked at Shen Qingyan who was resting with his eyes closed on the couch, and finally his gaze fell back on Ning Lingyi's calm profile.
The dusk was deep, soaking through the city walls. She stood alone in front of the steps, with the mountains and valleys in her mind already formed.
This pearl of the Southern Dynasty was more eye-catching and more troublesome than he had imagined.
He said no more, looked at Ning Lingyi deeply, raised his black cloak, turned around and disappeared into the deepening night.
The room returned to silence, with only the crackling of the charcoal fire as the only sound.
Ning Lingyi's mind was clear.
Now I have a sharp sword. By tomorrow morning, I will burn all the ashes and there will be a new state.
She, Ning Lingyi, finally took the first step.
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