Chapter 52 Winning and Losing.
The Fifteenth Princess was practicing medicine in Huizhou when Qin Hong, who had received a message, found her and rushed over as soon as he heard that Lingyi was in trouble.
Having traveled for days, the Fifteenth Princess hadn't even changed her clothes. This time, she was a dark-faced man in his thirties. She got off the carriage, carrying a medicine box, and ran into the house. The village house was so small that as soon as she entered, she saw Lingyi lying on the bed with her eyes closed. A man sat beside her with sunken eyes. Although he was just sitting there simply, he still exuded an imposing aura.
It goes without saying that this person is Qin Lie.
She didn't glance at her again, but went straight to the bedside to take Lingyi's pulse. While she was taking her pulse, Qin Xiaoshan recounted everything that had happened that night, and finally said, "The princess vomited blood and fainted, and never woke up again."
The Fifteenth Princess frowned, whether because of Qin Xiaoshan's words or because Lingyi's pulse was not good, it was unclear.
After she finished taking Lingyi's pulse and put her hand back, Qin Lie asked, "If you were just overwhelmed by anger, how could you fall into a deep sleep and not wake up? Is something wrong?"
The Fifteenth Princess naturally wouldn't give him any special treatment. Instead of answering, she asked, "When Your Highness goes out, there must be a military doctor accompanying you. Presumably, that doctor also took Seventeenth Sister's pulse. What did he say?"
At this, Qin Lie's face darkened. "The military doctors are only skilled in treating sprains, bruises, and cuts from swords and spears; they don't know anything about these things!"
The Fifteenth Princess scoffed, "It's the simplest pulse diagnosis, what's there to be good at or bad at? It's just that the Prince doesn't want to believe it." She turned to Lingyi, "What I'm about to say, the military doctor has probably already told the Prince—my sister seems to be in good health, but in reality, she's been overly worried, which is not a sign of longevity. Moreover, this time, her anger has damaged her heart meridian, and no one can say for sure whether she'll wake up."
Qin Lie's face was ashen. "There are many doctors in the world, you don't need to exaggerate!"
He really didn't like this fifteenth princess. If it weren't for her, how could Lingyi have obtained Half Moon Red?
Without her help, Lingyi would not have been able to leave at all, and they would still be fine. There would have been no subsequent troubles.
Over the years, if it weren't for Qin Hong's protection, he would have long ago prevented the Fifteenth Princess from living in this world.
She's trying to trick him again, just to take Lingyi away and run away with him.
How could Qin Lie let her have her way?
The Fifteenth Princess said, "I wish this were a lie more than anyone else in the world, but does Your Highness not understand why my Seventeenth Sister is so worried? Why don't you think back carefully? Since she married you, has she ever been happy for a single day? When she was by your side, you trampled on her dignity and took away her child. Now that she has finally managed to escape, you still threaten to imprison her. Haven't you been driving her to the brink of despair all along? Why are you putting on this act here?"
The Fifteenth Princess was always aloof and cold, and Qin Hong had never seen her speak so sharply, yet the person opposite her was his third brother.
If she truly aroused her third brother's murderous intent, he would have no chance of protecting her.
Qin Hong quickly stepped between the two, saying, "There's no use saying anything now. The person is already in this state. The most important thing right now is to find a way to wake the princess up."
Qin Lie, unusually suppressing his anger, asked the Fifteenth Princess, "Tell me, what should we do?"
The Fifteenth Princess said, "There are many ways to wake someone up, but—" Her gaze sharpened as she looked at him, "What will happen after she wakes up? Her heart meridian will be damaged. If she is carefully cared for and everything goes smoothly for her, she might live to old age. But if she continues as before, I'm afraid she won't survive even a year or two. Rather than letting her wake up and continue living in constant fear and deprivation, ultimately dying from exhaustion, as her only relative, I would rather grant her wish and let her die here, ending it all!"
Qin Lie scoffed: "With Huan'er around, what kind of only family member are you? What right do you have to talk to me about granting your wish?"
The Fifteenth Princess retorted sarcastically, "So now Your Highness admits Huan'er is her flesh and blood? If you hadn't taken Huan'er away in the first place, how could things have come to this?"
Qin Lie's anger grew, but his expression became even calmer. "Do you really think that without you, I can't wake her up?"
The fifteenth princess said, "What good would it do to wake her up? It would only make her suffer for a little longer, and she wouldn't have a good end anyway, so what's the point?"
Looking at the oblivious Lingyi, she felt a pang of sadness and said earnestly, "Your Highness, as the saying goes, even a day as husband and wife brings a hundred days of kindness. Besides, you have a child together. Are you really going to watch her die? Why not let go and give each other a chance to be together? I promise with my life that I will take her away from Daxian and never set foot in the Central Plains again."
Qin Hong glanced at her, his eyes dimming.
Qin Lie scoffed, "Do you really think those barren lands overseas are some kind of paradise on earth? Besides, after what happened, can you really leave with that brat Chengtai without any worries?"
At the mention of Emperor Chengtai, the Fifteenth Princess's eyes turned cold: "Where is he now?"
.
Jian was lying in the house on the verge of death. Since that day, no one had brought him food. If it weren't for the water in the kettle, he probably wouldn't have made it this far.
He wanted to beg for mercy, but remembering the murderous look in Prince Duan's eyes when he picked up his aunt that day, he didn't dare to utter a sound. He just huddled in the room, and now he was so hungry that he was weak all over and lay on the bed, barely clinging to life.
As soon as he saw someone coming, he struggled to get up.
The man who entered was an unfamiliar middle-aged man with an ordinary appearance. Behind him was a tall man who bore a resemblance to Prince Duan, but with a more open and unassuming air about him.
Seeing Ji'an's appearance, Qin Hong glanced at the Fifteenth Princess and ordered the people outside, "Go and bring some food over."
Ji'an was overjoyed, but before he could speak, the middle-aged man coldly said, "No need!"
The voice that came out was female, as clear and cool as a mountain spring.
Before the Crown Princess passed away, she repeatedly told him what relatives he still had in this world, and who he could trust to some extent.
Among them were seventeen aunts, an uncle, and a fifteenth aunt whom he had never met.
—Although Lingyi never told her the identity of the Fifteenth Princess, the former Crown Princess was, after all, the granddaughter of the former Grand Secretary, and she was able to guess the whole truth from the clues.
Jian immediately understood and wiggled as she crawled over, crying, "Auntie! Auntie! Fifteenth Auntie, save me!"
The fifteenth princess pulled away his hand that was holding onto her dress, "You've called the wrong person."
"No! No! I can't be mistaken, you are my fifteenth aunt! You've come to save me, haven't you? I knew it, I am the chosen one, you wouldn't abandon me! Aunt! Aunt! I am the only bloodline of the Liu family, you certainly wouldn't leave me to die, would you?!"
The Fifteenth Princess looked at him as if he were an object: "When I said I wasn't your aunt, it wasn't to deny that I have Liu family blood flowing in my veins, but because... I have absolutely no kinship with you. As for this bloodline, you probably know that the imperial bloodline is inherently cold and icy. Your brother died at the hands of your own uncle, so it's really nothing to rely on. If you hadn't caused Lingyi to fall into a coma, I might have glanced at you on the road if I was in a good mood. But now I only wish I could kill you to vent my anger. How can I bear the title of aunt?"
Her words were calm and even, but Gian knew she wasn't bluffing. He shrank back onto the bed in fear and looked at her with alarm.
The fifteenth princess signaled to Qin Hong to subdue him.
Ji'an immediately burst into tears and cried out for help.
The fifteenth princess took out a row of silver needles from her satchel, her tone still calm: "Don't worry, you are not dead yet because we are all afraid that she will be heartbroken if she wakes up. She is still alive, and no one will kill you. However, although she has saved your life, I will not allow you to hurt her like this again. She has carried this burden for too long, and it is time for her to put it down."
The needle pierced him, and Gian's howl stopped abruptly, his whole body going limp.
After a while, the Fifteenth Princess removed the silver needles from his head one by one. Qin Hong took this opportunity to tell her, "My third brother has a bad temper. Even I have to be careful around him these past few years. Be a little more polite to him, lest he really get angry."
The fifteenth princess did not answer, but carefully put the silver needle back into her satchel.
Qin Hong could tell at a glance that she hadn't listened at all, so he continued, "I know you feel sorry for the Seventeenth Princess, but my third brother hasn't had a good life these past few years either, he..."
The fifteenth princess coldly interrupted him: "That's his own fault, what does it have to do with my sister?"
Qin Hong choked for a moment, then said, "My third brother will absolutely not let you take the princess away. Besides, where can you go? There's a traitor among my third brother's men. The news that the princess and Emperor Chengtai are not dead must have already been discovered and will be used to make a big fuss. You can't stay in Daxian. Besides, going overseas is not such an easy thing."
Although unwilling to admit it, the fact is indeed as he said: once his whereabouts are exposed, there will be nowhere for Lingyi to hide in the whole world.
Going to sea is one way out, but the scary thing is that you might fall into the hands of others before you even get on the ship.
The fifteenth princess paused for a moment, then asked Qin Hong, "What exactly are you trying to say?"
She was dressed in men's clothing and just looked at him calmly.
Qin Hong had never actually seen her dressed as a woman, and didn't even know what she looked like.
But as she stared at him like that, he couldn't help but swallow hard. His mind went blank, and he blurted out, "You... can you not leave?" Seeing her eyes turn cold instantly, he stammered, "I... I just wanted you to be in Daxian, and I was happy to see you occasionally. If you go overseas and something happens to you, I won't know, and I won't be able to help you."
The fifteenth princess said solemnly, "Prince Jing, I have never asked you for help, nor..."
Qin Hong quickly interrupted her: "Don't misunderstand, I... I just thought that you are so dedicated to treating patients and saving lives, and that it's a waste that you can't even understand what people say outside. I didn't mean anything else!"
After saying that, he fled without waiting for her reply.
He fled to his third brother's place, hoping to have a drink and a chat with him.
But Qin Lie was still by the bedside watching over the princess, so he retreated again, looking ashamed.
Qin Lie then followed him out.
Qin Hong immediately spoke up in defense of the Fifteenth Princess: "...That's just her personality. She can be unpleasant to hear. Third Brother, please don't take it to heart."
Qin Lie asked him, "Given her personality, why are you doing this to her?"
The Fifteenth Princess was aloof and resolute, and having experienced such a calamity, she clearly had no feelings for Qin Hong, and was no longer capable of any romantic love.
Qin Hong chuckled foolishly: "How can this be considered bitter? No matter when or where, the thought that there is such a person as her in this world fills me with joy. And the thought of being able to go and see her, and even have a few words with her, makes life enjoyable, much happier than my previous muddled existence."
Qin Lie shook his head and sighed softly: "Foolish man."
"Yes, I am a fool, but you are not, Third Brother." Qin Hong seized the opportunity to say, "If that's the case, then why are you so determined not to let go?"
Qin Lie glanced at him and said, "I never realized before that you had the potential to be a lobbyist."
Qin Hong said, “Third Brother has always been smarter than me, how could I dare to be a persuader? But I can see clearly that the princess, though seemingly the most docile, has actually poisoned her, eloped, and remarried. There is nothing in this world she wouldn’t dare to do. Third Brother, have you ever had a single day of happiness these past years? If you are still filled with resentment, then killing her is fine. Since you can’t kill her, why not simply let her go? Out of sight, out of mind, and both of you will be free.”
Freedom? Since the day she tore open her clothes and left him, he hadn't had a moment to catch his breath.
She clearly made a huge mistake, so why does everyone want him to grant her freedom?
He had told her that no matter who became the crown prince, she would always be a princess.
He also promised that, regardless of whether she was a princess or not, he would treat her as always and ensure her a life of wealth and peace.
She is his woman, so naturally he will protect her and let her live under his wing, free from any harm.
It was clearly Xie San Niang who came uninvited, allowing her to glimpse the storm raging outside.
It was the Fifteenth Princess again who, on her own initiative, dragged her into the storm.
What's most hateful is her. He had clearly promised her that as long as she stayed, he would keep Huan'er by her side.
But she insisted on leaving, not wanting Huan'er, and even less wanting him.
Even when he chased her all the way to Zhuozhou, she refused to turn back!
They did everything they could, yet they accused him of not giving her freedom.
He had given her freedom for too long, and this is the result he got.
If he were here, how could he allow such a heartless and treacherous person as Emperor Chengtai to appear before her?
Qin Hong's heart is entirely with the Fifteenth Princess; saying more would only damage the brotherly bond.
Qin Lie, unwilling to waste any more words, turned and walked into the room.
"Third Brother!" Qin Hong called out to him from behind, "Do you really want to see her die like this?"
Qin Hong didn't care whether the princess lived or died; what he was worried about was that Qin Lie wouldn't be able to bear it if she died.
Qin Lie paused, but did not turn around or answer. He quickly stepped back into the house, leaving Qin Hong alone in the yard.
The village house was cramped, and the earthen bed was dimly lit. Lingyi lay there, oblivious to everything.
He suddenly remembered that when they were in Huangzhou, she didn't want to drink medicine every day and asked him to give her a bowl of soup that would prevent her from having children.
He told her that the medicine shortened one's lifespan, to which she retorted, "Does that mean I can live a long life?"
At the time, I didn't think much of it, but now when I think about it, I'm terrified.
She rarely speaks and seems to lack her own opinions, but in reality, she is more insightful than anyone else, so insightful that she seems to be able to see her own fate.
His breath hitched, and he quickly grasped her hand. Thankfully, it was still warm, just like her—soft, submissive, and without any sharp edges.
She seems submissive and clings to you like a dodder vine, but how could such a gentle person be so stubborn? Just as Qin Hong said, she's capable of anything.
Unfortunately, it was precisely because of her personality that she ended up with him.
He was so intelligent; how could he not understand that all she ever wanted was a home?
She wanted a blood relative of her own; with a child, she would have a home.
When the child was taken from her, she lost all hope and could only turn to Zhuozhou to seek the bloodline of the late crown prince.
This shouldn't be the case.
At least initially, he never considered taking the child away from her.
But Qin Ying suddenly revealed the truth about Hui Niang's death. Caught off guard, he became furious and sent her back to her grandmother's place in the Prince's mansion.
It's just that he couldn't help but look at her.
If she had begged him as usual, a few tears would have sufficed, and he would have made all the necessary arrangements to ensure she was never separated from her child.
But what did she do? She avoided him, and only when she had no other choice did she say goodbye to him, saying, "I only wish that the general will be safe and well in the future, and that all his wishes will be fulfilled."
Upon hearing this, he couldn't help but chuckle, laughing at both her and himself.
All her previous attempts to befriend him were for the sake of the child. Now that she thinks she has found a backer, she can't wait to kick him away.
Peace and smooth sailing? What makes him think she can have peace and smooth sailing?
Will she get what she wants? He'll never let her get what she wants!
His keen senses and alertness meant he was destined not to be easily deceived by her like Song Pingkou.
He was also born with a vengeful nature.
He was sad, so he wanted her to be even sadder!
He was heartbroken, so he wanted her to be even more heartbroken!
Qin Lie closed his eyes, unwilling to think any further.
Throughout his life, he had only ever seen men as rivals, yet when facing her, he always displayed extraordinary pride and an exceptionally strong desire to win.
Did he win?
—For years, she had gone to great lengths to escape, but now she still lies here, at his mercy.
It seems like we won.
Yet it seemed as if he had suffered a complete defeat, leaving only a desolate feeling in his heart.
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