Lin Wanwan's gentle handshake felt like a warm current flowing into Xiao Che's cold body. His tense shoulders relaxed slightly, and a trace of weariness finally showed in his bloodshot eyes, which had been filled with rage and lingering fear.
After a series of domineering orders were issued, the injuries that had been forcibly suppressed burst forth like a flood, becoming uncontrollable. He felt a churning pain in his chest, his vision suddenly went black, and his body swayed uncontrollably to the side.
"His Majesty!"
Lin Wanwan exclaimed in surprise, disregarding her own "imprisoned" state, and immediately leaned forward, using all her strength to support his heavy body, allowing him to lean against the soft couch.
"Quickly! Imperial Physician!" she called anxiously towards the outside of the tent.
The old imperial physician rushed in, stumbling and scrambling. Seeing the Emperor's eyes closed in weakness, his face as white as if transparent, he was terrified. Forgetting all formalities, he immediately opened his medicine chest, took out silver needles, and swiftly began applying them to several key acupoints on Xiao Che's chest.
As several silver needles were inserted, Xiao Che's disordered breathing calmed down slightly, and his complexion finally improved, no longer appearing so frighteningly pale. However, even in his semi-conscious state, his hand, tightly gripping Lin Wanwan, showed no sign of loosening its grip, as stubborn as a rock.
The old imperial physician wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and whispered to Lin Wanwan and the trusted eunuch beside him, "His Majesty suffered internal injuries and was so enraged that it caused his blood and qi to flow in reverse. I have temporarily stabilized His Majesty's heart pulse with silver needles, but from now on, His Majesty must rest and avoid any further disturbances or mental strain."
"Okay, you can go now," Lin Wanwan instructed softly.
"But Your Majesty, His Majesty's decree..." The trusted eunuch hesitated, after all, the emperor had just issued a strict order that no one was allowed to come within three feet of the empress.
Lin Wanwan glanced at Xiao Che's tightly clenched hand, her tone calm yet carrying an undeniable force: "Now, my words are His Majesty's decree. Go and stand guard outside the tent; no one is allowed to enter without permission."
"……yes."
The trusted eunuch and the imperial physician exchanged a glance, and finally bowed and withdrew.
Soon, only the Emperor and Empress remained in the huge tent, along with two trusted eunuchs who stood at a distance with their hands at their sides, their presence almost invisible.
The atmosphere inside the tent finally calmed down after the tense standoff.
Xiao Che seemed to sense that the surrounding threat had temporarily subsided, and slowly opened his eyes. His eyes were still tired, but much clearer than before. He glanced at the empty surroundings, then at Lin Wanwan, whom he held tightly in his hand, and only then did he seem to finally feel at ease.
He leaned back on the soft couch and said to Lin Wanwan in an extremely hoarse voice:
"Stay by my side until we are completely safe, and don't go anywhere else."
His voice had lost its previous destructive ferocity, replaced by an unyielding, yet fragile, persistence. It was no longer an emperor's command to his subject, but more like that of a wounded beast stubbornly guarding its only treasure.
Lin Wanwan nodded and replied softly, "Okay, I'm not going anywhere."
She knew that any rebuttal or argument would only make him more uneasy.
The incident was temporarily classified as an "accident," and Consort Xian, Su Jinxiu, who caused the "accident," was placed under house arrest in her own tent on the grounds that she was "frightened and needed to rest." She was personally guarded by the commander of the Imperial Guards, and no one was allowed to visit her.
Everyone knew perfectly well that this was just the calm before the storm.
The maddened, runaway horse, the "accidental" general, and the "innocent" concubine who fell from her horse... all of this points to a vast and insidious conspiracy lurking in the shadows. The real threat still lurks in the darkness, watching intently.
After explaining everything and forcing himself to listen to the Imperial Guard Commander's initial report on sealing off the hunting grounds, Xiao Che felt as if the last bit of strength in his body had been drained away.
The severity of his injuries, coupled with extreme mental strain and exhaustion, gradually dulled the light in his eyes, and a profound sense of fatigue overwhelmed him like a tidal wave. He leaned against the soft couch, his eyelids growing heavier and heavier, until finally, under the combined effects of the medication and exhaustion, he fell into a deep sleep.
Even in his sleep, his brows remained tightly furrowed, and he never let go of Lin Wanwan's hand.
Lin Wanwan sat quietly by the tatami mat, letting him hold her hand.
The tent was so quiet that the wind could be heard rustling the flags outside. She looked down at the man sleeping beside her, completely unguarded, and felt a mix of emotions.
Gone was his usual aloofness and detachment, gone was the violent madness from moments before. Now, in his sleep, he appeared somewhat vulnerable and helpless. Long, thick eyelashes cast a faint shadow beneath his eyes, his tightly furrowed brows seemed unable to relax even in his dreams, and his pale lips were slightly pursed, carrying a childlike stubbornness.
Who would have thought that this was the legendary tyrant who was capricious and ruthless?
Who could have imagined that this very man, at the most dangerous moment, would use his imperial body to shield her from that fatal blow?
Lin Wanwan's gaze unconsciously shifted to the top of his head.
The meme of the trembling kitten is gone.
Instead, there is an emoji that exudes a soft, warm light and gives off a sense of peace.
In the picture, a tiny figure lies peacefully in bed, covered with a blanket, a contented smile on his lips. Beside him, another tiny figure quietly watches over him.
Beside that heartwarming scene, there was a line of small text:
【It's so good to have you here.gif】
Lin Wanwan's heart was deeply touched by these five simple words. She realized that while she was protecting him, he felt so at peace and content.
She knew that things were far from over.
The Virtuous Consort was merely a pawn thrust into the open; the thrilling assassination attempt was just an appetizer. They wouldn't give up so easily after failing. The real killing blow awaited them in the shadows.
This time, Xiao Che shielded her from danger with his back.
So what about next time?
Lin Wanwan lowered her head, looking at his hand tightly clenched around hers, and at his unguarded sleeping face. The tenderness and bitterness in her heart finally solidified into an unprecedented firmness.
She turned her hands around and wrapped his cold hand tightly in her own, as if she wanted to transfer all her body heat and strength to him.
At that moment, her gaze became incredibly resolute.
—Xiao Che, you protected me with your back.
Next time, I'll protect you!
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