"Shen Jintang, are you out of your mind?"
Gu Zhixing's voice was filled with undisguised terror, his heart almost stopping.
His eyes were fixed on Shen Jintang, as if he couldn't believe she would make such a choice.
Her clothes were soaked in blood, which flowed down her body and stained the ground beneath her feet.
Her body temperature was rapidly dropping, but her eyes shone with an alarming brightness, like flames burning in the darkness, carrying an awe-inspiring determination.
She spoke in a weak voice, each word laced with blood: "This way... is the most cost-effective... In this world, no one dares to use me as a bargaining chip."
Her voice was so low it was almost inaudible, but it sounded exceptionally clear to Gu Zhixing.
The surrounding area was in complete chaos.
The bandits scattered in terror, some shouting "The young master is dead!" and others fleeing down the mountain as if being chased by ghosts.
The torch fell to the ground, igniting the dry grass. The flickering light illuminated the chaotic crowd, casting long shadows that then instantly huddled together.
The surroundings were filled with terrified screams, chaotic footsteps, and the clanging of metal against metal, as if the whole world had gone mad at that moment.
"Gu Yanqing!"
Gu Zhixing shouted sternly, his voice echoing through the valley.
Gu Yanqing, who had been lying in ambush, immediately led his men out, their swords flashing coldly in the firelight, and engaged in a fierce battle with the bandits.
However, the bandits were numerous and difficult to control all at once.
The sounds of clashing swords, screams, and footsteps mingled together, echoing through the valley like an endless nightmare.
"Where is the doctor? Where is Xinghui?"
Seeing that Gu Yanqing had already led his men to control the remaining bandits and that no one around could threaten Shen Jintang's life, Gu Zhixing hurriedly called for a doctor.
It's his fault, he's useless.
I can't think of any solution!
In the end, Shen Jintang was only able to be rescued through this almost self-harming method.
“It’s no use,” Shen Jintang shook her head slightly and said, “It’s enough to stop the bleeding. The medicine won’t work on me.”
“What do you mean it’s useless? How is it useless?” Gu Zhixing asked.
He knelt on the ground, carefully letting Shen Jintang lean against him, as if she were the most precious treasure in his life, which would break at the slightest carelessness.
Her body temperature was rapidly dropping, and blood kept gushing from the wound in her abdomen, quickly soaking through his sleeves.
He could feel the warm liquid flowing down his arm and dripping onto the ground with a soft "tap-tap" sound.
His fingers trembled violently, almost uncontrollably, and he could only press them tightly against the wound, as if that could stop the loss of life.
His eyes were filled with helplessness and despair, and tears welled up in his eyes but never fell.
“I thought you knew.” Shen Jintang squeezed Gu Zhixing’s hand in return to comfort him.
She thought that when they were in the epidemic area of Yanzhou, Gu Zhixing knew that ordinary medicines would not work for her, otherwise she would not have been mistaken for having the epidemic and thrown into the epidemic area because of her persistent high fever.
Because medication doesn't work for her, she usually has to tough it out on her own when she gets sick.
When they get sick, it's a serious illness that takes ten days to half a month to recover from.
Fortunately, she rarely gets sick or injured.
"It's alright, don't be afraid, Shen Jintang, don't be afraid!" Gu Zhixing's voice was trembling with sobs, and his fingers were shaking.
“I’m not afraid,” Shen Jintang even joked, “It looks to me like you’re the one who’s afraid.”
Yes, he was afraid.
He had been living in fear ever since he reunited with Shen Jintang.
He feared that one day Shen Jintang might simply leave his side.
He was terrified.
"Don't talk, I'll take you to see a doctor."
Gu Zhixing's voice carried an almost pleading tenderness, his eyes fixed on Shen Jintang, as if afraid she would disappear at any moment.
"I... I'm accurate... I won't die..." Shen Jintang said weakly, her voice so soft it was almost drowned out by the night wind.
Seeing how frightened Gu Zhixing was, she decided to speak up.
She always acts with restraint, and naturally cherishes her own life above all else, so she is absolutely not in any danger; she just looks a bit scary.
But Gu Zhixing only heard Shen Jintang's words as a consolation.
He saw a weak smile tug at the corner of Shen Jintang's mouth, a smile like a glimmer of light in the darkness, carrying a hint of stubbornness and comfort.
Bloodstains still clung to her eyelashes, shimmering faintly in the moonlight, trembling gently with each faint breath, as if they might fall at any moment.
"Shut up!"
Gu Zhixing's voice trembled. He quickly tore off a piece of his own clothing, his movements somewhat hurried, yet careful, to bandage her wound.
His voice was filled with unprecedented anger, yet tinged with barely concealed fear, "Are you insane? Who told you to do this?!"
He couldn't imagine what would have happened if the knife had been off by even an inch, or if she had been a fraction weaker.
His fingers trembled; each touch on her wound felt like touching his most vulnerable heart.
Shen Jintang did not answer, but only smiled weakly, gently touching his wrist with her blood-stained fingers as if to comfort him.
This subtle movement made Gu Zhixing feel as if an invisible hand was gripping his heart tightly, causing him pain so intense that he almost suffocated.
His eyes were filled with heartache and self-blame, as if it were all his fault.
"Which one are you talking about? Going along with the scheme to drink that drugged tea and find out their location, or are you going to stab yourself in the back?"
Shen Jintang even had the mind to joke with him.
Gu Zhixing's gaze towards Shen Jintang changed, but considering her injuries, he dared not lose his temper with her and could only swallow his anger.
We'll settle the score with her once she's better!
Then, he looked up at Gu Yanqing and shouted in a hoarse voice, "Gu Yanqing, send the Crown Prince down the mountain first! It's too dangerous here. If something happens to the Crown Prince, we can't bear the responsibility!"
His voice echoed through the valley, carrying an undeniable firmness.
Gu Yanqing understood and immediately led a team of elite soldiers to escort the terrified Crown Prince away.
The prince's python robe was covered in dust and bloodstains, and his face was ashen. He was practically dragged down the mountain by his guards.
The remaining officers and soldiers continued to pursue the fleeing bandits. The shouts of battle gradually faded into the distance, leaving only the flickering firelight in the night, illuminating a chaotic battlefield.
"Ye Qingzhou!" Gu Zhixing picked up Shen Jintang. Her body was so light that it startled him, as if a gust of wind could blow her away.
His arms were wrapped tightly around her, as if he could take all her pain upon himself.
"Prepare the horses! Go find a doctor!"
His voice was urgent and firm, each word like a command to the fear within him.
Although Shen Jintang said that the doctor was useless, it was still better to see a doctor than to suffer on your own.
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