The air inside the clinic seemed to freeze.
Lu Jingze knelt on one knee in front of the bed, holding Wang Xiuxiu's burning hot hands tightly.
An ominous bluish-purple tinge had appeared on her fingertips, the dark color spreading upwards along her slender fingers like a venomous water snake.
"Your Highness..." the old physician's voice trembled, "This scorpion stinger is exceptionally poisonous. Once it comes into contact with blood and then enters the body, its toxicity doubles. The poison in Her Majesty's body is consuming her heart meridian, and I can only temporarily seal the major acupoints in her heart meridian."
The veins on the back of Lu Jingze's hand bulged, and a bolt of lightning struck outside the window, illuminating his pale face.
Amidst the thunderous roar, the urgent sound of a gong could be heard in the distance—a signal that the dam was in dire need of repairs.
"Jingze..." Wang Xiuxiu suddenly opened her eyes, her pupils already dilated, but she still tried to sit up.
"Go...to the dam..." A trickle of black blood slid from the corner of her mouth, spreading into an eerie flower pattern on her pristine white clothes. "Downstream...the people..."
Lu Jingze grabbed her shoulder, but it was burning hot to the touch.
Wang Xiuxiu's body temperature was alarmingly high; her undershirt was soaked with sweat and clung tightly to her thin back.
The guard, soaked to the bone, rushed in. Rainwater pooled on the blue bricks as he knelt. "Your Highness," he cried, "the water level at the East Sluice Gate has risen dramatically! If we don't retake the dam and repair it immediately, it will surely breach within two hours!"
Lu Jingze felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave.
Downstream of the Peizhou Dam are seven towns and hundreds of thousands of people...
Meanwhile, Wang Xiuxiu in his arms was breathing weaker and weaker, each breath seeming to exhaust all her strength.
Wang Xiuxiu's icy fingers suddenly touched his cheek.
Her fingertips trembled, yet she turned his face with unusual determination, forcing him to look directly at her: "To the dam... Mr. Liu is poisoned... the construction site is leaderless... only you can stabilize the situation!"
"No!" Lu Jingze tightened his arms abruptly, as if that could stop life from draining from her body. "The poison you've been given..."
A violent cough interrupted him, and dark red blood splattered onto Lu Jingze's robes.
The old doctor rushed over to administer acupuncture. The silver needles made a faint hissing sound as they pierced Wang Xiuxiu's neck, as if piercing something decaying: "This poison is burning your internal organs! The renowned physician Chen of Mingzhou's medical guild has cured this poison before. We must set off immediately! Any further delay will allow the poison to attack your heart; even a celestial being couldn't save you!"
Wang Xiuxiu gripped Lu Jingze's wrist tightly, her nails digging almost into his flesh: "Promise me...go to the dam..."
Her breath was weak, but her words were sharp and resolute: "Otherwise... I'd rather... die from the poison..."
Lu Jingze's eyes were red.
He knew this stubborn woman all too well.
"Prepare the horses!" Lu Jingze suddenly roared, tearing off the dragon-patterned jade pendant from his waist and throwing it into the arms of the captain of his personal guards. "You will lead a team of elite soldiers to escort the concubine to Mingzhou first!"
\"yes!\".
Lu Jingze leaned down and placed a kiss on Wang Xiuxiu's burning forehead.
Her skin was flushed an unnatural red, and her breath smelled of blood.
"Wait for me. After I've dealt with the matter in Peizhou, I'll come and meet you immediately." Lu Jingze's voice was hoarse beyond recognition.
He turned to the old doctor, "Please take good care of me, Doctor."
"Your Highness is too kind! I will do my utmost to fulfill my duty!"
The guards sprang into action.
Wang Xiuxiu was carefully lifted onto the carriage. Before the curtain was lowered, she mustered her last strength to shout, "Lu Jingze! Be careful too!"
As the sound of horses' hooves faded into the distance, Lu Jingze stood in the rain, letting the cold rain wash over his face.
He gripped his sword tightly and turned to look towards the dam—where flames could be faintly seen shooting into the sky.
"Zhou Yun'an..." A cold flame ignited in Lu Jingze's eyes, "This time, I will personally tear you to pieces."
He leaped onto his horse, and in the rain, no one saw the hot tears streaming down the face of this iron-willed prince.
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