Zhao Yi suddenly stumbled, almost falling to the ground. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself, and slowly approached, each step feeling as heavy as a thousand pounds.
His gaze was fixed on Zhu Sanniang's lifeless face, and his heart was filled with indescribable regret and self-reproach.
He crouched down and gazed at Zhu Sanniang's face. Her face was covered with fine beads of sweat, and the hair on her forehead was soaked with sweat and stuck to her forehead.
Zhao Yi stretched out his trembling hand, his fingertips gently touching Zhu San Niang's cold hand. The touch was like ice in winter, penetrating straight to his heart.
A tear glistened in his eyes, his heart filled with endless self-blame and regret. If it weren't for him, how could she have become like this?
"Sheng'er...it's my fault for not protecting you well." Zhao Yi's voice was low and hoarse, filled with deep self-reproach.
He bent down and gently pressed his forehead against the back of Zhu San Niang's hand, tears silently sliding down and dripping onto her hand.
Seeing this, the surrounding attendants and imperial physicians all lowered their heads and remained silent, creating a suffocatingly oppressive atmosphere.
“Sheng’er, I regret it so much. If I had known it would turn out like this, I shouldn’t have let you go. Even if you resent me, blame me, I would still keep you by my side.” Zhao Yi said to himself, his eyes red.
"Your Majesty, it's late. You...you should go and rest. This old servant will wait here. You're injured too!" Li An whispered to him.
“No.” Zhao Yi slowly shook his head. “Li An, I’m afraid… afraid that if I close my eyes, I won’t be able to see Sheng’er again.”
In the middle of the night, Zhu Sanniang suddenly felt a chill run through her body.
Chaoyang County is known for its year-round spring-like climate, neither too hot nor too cold, so she shouldn't be feeling cold. Even after the maid brought several quilts and lit charcoal in the room, she was still shivering.
"Everyone, step back!" Zhao Yi ordered coldly.
Ang Lee waved his hand, leading everyone inside the room outside.
The palace doors creaked shut.
Inside, the charcoal fire roared, and the heatwave contrasted sharply with the warm spring weather outside, making this small space feel like the height of summer.
At this moment, Zhao Yi disregarded his own safety and took off his outer clothes, middle clothes, and even inner clothes one by one, leaving only his underwear. He hugged Zhu Sanniang tightly and tried to dispel the chill around her with his body heat.
Sweat slid down his resolute chin, dripping onto the mattress on the couch, disappearing instantly, leaving only mottled marks.
"Cold...cold..." Zhu San Niang's groans gradually weakened.
Behind him, Zhao Yi's face was flushed from the high temperature and anxiety, and the arrow wound on his shoulder reopened due to the movement.
After some time, I don't know how much time had passed, but occasionally I heard the chirping of early birds outside the window.
He didn't know what time it was, only that this night felt exceptionally unbearable. He recalled the night he married Qin Sheng; the night seemed particularly short, and dawn broke especially quickly.
As the first rays of sunlight pierced through the clouds and gently streamed into the room, Zhu San Niang finally slowly awoke from her nightmare.
She opened her eyes to a strange sight: in the warm firelight, a shirtless man was holding her tightly, sweat dripping down his muscular chest, forming glistening streaks.
The scene was so sudden that she couldn't help but gasp and instinctively pushed Zhao Yi away with both hands.
Zhao Yi, caught off guard, tumbled off the couch and onto the floor.
Zhu Sanniang huddled in the corner of the bed, her face filled with terror as she questioned, "Who...who are you? Why are you here?"
"Hiss—" The next moment, she gasped. She instinctively looked at her chest and murmured, "When did I get such a serious injury? Who...who am I?"
Seeing this, Zhao Yi quickly took a few steps forward, wanting to get closer but afraid of frightening her, so he stopped and explained in the gentlest voice possible, "Third Sister, don't be afraid, it's me, your Brother Yi. Last night you suddenly felt cold all over, and no matter how many blankets you added or how hot the charcoal fire burned, it didn't get better, so I..."
His words carried a hint of helplessness and self-blame, but even more so, concern for Zhu Sanniang. He worried that her overly tense movements might have reopened her wounds.
"You lecherous scoundrel!" Zhu Sanniang cursed, clutching the quilt and demanding, "What is your relationship with me?"
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