“Your Majesty, the Northern Wei Crown Prince is located in a ravine on the northeastern side of the third mountain ridge of Wei Mountain. Due to the depth of the ravine, Commander Lin and Prince Chi are still conducting rescue operations. The Crown Prince, worried about Your Majesty’s anxiety, sent me ahead to report,” the soldier reported, then added, “That ravine matches exactly what Ninth Miss described!”

In Emperor Yan Huai’s main tent, all eyes turned to Qin Wan. Supporting the Empress Dowager, Qin Wan’s expression showed slight relief but no pride. Emperor Yan Huai gave her an approving look before quickly asking, “How are the Crown Prince’s injuries?”

Since he had fallen into a ravine, injury was certain – otherwise, he would have returned on his own.

The soldier quickly shook his head, “This humble one doesn’t know. When we discovered him, it was because Long Feng had stopped above the ravine and refused to move. When Prince Chi sent men down to investigate, they found what appeared to be the Crown Prince’s boot, confirming he must be at the bottom of the ravine. As for the severity of his injuries, this humble one cannot say.”

Emperor Yan Huai’s heart grew heavier with worry – after so much time, even if Tuoba Hong’s injuries were initially minor, they would have become severe.

“Very well, We understand. Go collect your reward.”

After the soldier withdrew, Empress Zhao Shuhua smiled in the tent, “Finally, the Northern Wei Crown Prince has been found. Once again, Ninth Miss has accomplished great merit! After searching for two days without success, Ninth Miss’s simple deduction led to finding him so quickly!”

Qin Wan curved her lips slightly, “Your Highness the Empress is too kind.”

Qin Shu, also present in the tent, beamed with pride at Qin Wan’s achievement, though his expression soon turned worried as he said, “We just don’t know the extent of the Northern Wei Crown Prince’s injuries.”

Emperor Yan Huai let out a breath, “Finding him is already excellent news. It’s almost dawn now, everyone should go rest.”

After a night of anxiety, everyone was indeed exhausted, especially the Empress Dowager who had waited with them. Now that the Crown Prince had been found, the Empress Dowager also breathed a sigh of relief before returning to her tent with Qin Wan.

Back in the tent, the Empress Dowager and Elder Maid Chen couldn’t help but express their relief again. The Empress Dowager smiled and asked Qin Wan, “Ninth girl, you’ve earned another merit. What kind of reward would you like?”

Qin Wan thought for a moment, “Any kind of reward is possible?”

The Empress Dowager laughed, “Of course-“

Qin Wan appeared troubled, “Then it will be hard to choose, as I want many rewards!”

The Empress Dowager broke into laughter, knowing that Qin Wan didn’t care about wealth and glory. Speaking this way likely meant she had no real interest in rewards. The Empress Dowager sighed, “Think carefully, besides wealth and glory, you can ask for other things too.”

Qin Wan’s eyes brightened slightly, “Other things? Then I’ll think carefully!”

After some more jovial conversations, the Empress Dowager and Qin Wan finally retired. It was already late at night, and Qin Wan fell asleep quickly and deeply. After sleeping for an unknown time, she once again had a nightmare about Lady Shen’s execution. In the dream, there was blood and fire everywhere as she witnessed her parents’ death again. A cold arrow flew straight toward her face-

With a violent tremor, Qin Wan’s eyes flew open.

Qin Wan breathed rapidly several times, then turned her head to find Prince Yan Sui inexplicably lying beside her bed, his clear black and white eyes staring directly at her, mysteriously startling her.

Qin Wan quickly composed herself and noticed that outside it was already bright.

She hurriedly sat up, “Why is Ninth Prince here? Has the Empress Dowager risen?”

Prince Yan Sui nodded, and seeing Qin Wan hurrying to dress, he remained motionless watching her. Suddenly, he asked softly, “What did you dream about?”

Qin Wan had already gotten out of bed, and his question made her pause briefly. When she turned to look at him again, she saw stubborn concern in Prince Yan Sui’s eyes. She reached out to pat his head, “I dreamed about being trapped during the hunt.”

Prince Yan Sui knew about the Northern Wei Crown Prince’s disappearance and subsequent discovery, so Qin Wan’s explanation seemed quite reasonable.

But Prince Yan Sui continued watching her, “You called out for Mother.”

Qin Wan’s steps faltered, but she smiled and said, “When we’re scared, we all call for Mother.”

At this, Prince Yan Sui finally fell silent. Qin Wan quickly went to wash up and left the inner tent. Outside, the Empress Dowager was having breakfast and smiled upon seeing Qin Wan and Prince Yan Sui emerge, “Seeing you sleeping so soundly, I didn’t wake you. What were you two discussing?”

Qin Wan quickly replied, “Ninth Prince was asking if I had any dreams last night…” Then looking outside, she asked, “Has the Northern Wei Crown Prince not been brought back yet?”

The Empress Dowager shook her head, “Not yet. Come, have breakfast first.”

Qin Wan sat down with Prince Yan Sui to eat. Just as they finished breakfast, Prince Chi’s main force appeared outside the main camp!

The lead guard rode into camp, shouting, “Summon the Imperial Physicians! Quickly summon the Imperial Physicians! The Crown Prince has returned!”

Immediately, everyone in the camp was startled into action. While Yuan Qing had people summon the Imperial Physicians and report to Emperor Yan Huai, Qin Wan was supporting the Empress Dowager when they saw Prince Chi and Commander Lin escorting Tuoba Hong toward the direction of the main tent.

Tuoba Hong was tied to a hastily made stretcher, carried by four soldiers front and back into his tent. Soon after, Emperor Yan Huai arrived with Empress Zhao Shuhua and others outside the tent, and at the same time, the Imperial Physicians arrived!

There were three traveling Imperial Physicians, and all three entered Tuoba Hong’s tent to examine him.

Tuoba Wu and Tuoba Rui, exhausted after a night of searching, looked particularly disheveled. However, Tuoba Wu tightly gripped Tuoba Hong’s hand, refusing to let go. Seeing the Imperial Physicians enter, she grabbed one and pulled him to the bedside, “Quickly! Save my brother!”

Tuoba Hong lay on the bed, appearing almost lifeless from afar. Only standing close could one faintly see his chest rising and falling slightly. His robes were wrinkled from being soaked in water, and his hands and feet were pruned, having been exposed to rain for an unknown duration. Most frightening was his complexion – his face was deathly pale, with even his lips devoid of color, while a faint smell of blood lingered in the air…

The Imperial Physician pulled open Tuoba Hong’s robes to reveal a blood-hole the size of a wine cup at his chest.

Tuoba Hong had many scrapes and bruises, but the most fatal was this chest wound. After two days and nights, the wound had begun to swell and fester. Due to the rain, the wound had grotesquely curled outward, while inside the blood hole was a mix of rotting flesh and blood scabs, making it impossible to see what lay within.

The three Imperial Physicians took his pulse and examined his injuries, quickly stripping him down to just his lower garments. Emperor Yan Huai stood at the door, his brows tightly furrowed-

“When we found the Crown Prince, he was already unconscious, surrounded by a large pool of blood. At first, we couldn’t find where he was wounded until we discovered the tear in his clothes and the large bloodstain on his chest. We moved very carefully on the journey back, afraid the wound would reopen – a person only has so much blood to lose, and the Crown Prince has already lost too much!”

After Commander Lin finished speaking quietly, Emperor Yan Huai’s expression grew increasingly dark.

Prince Chi and Prince Che stood behind Emperor Yan Huai. Both were covered in mud from their night of searching. Prince Chi, accustomed to battlefield conditions, still maintained an imposing presence and vigor, while Prince Che appeared more exhausted and worn down, his spirit notably diminished.

Qin Wan supported the Empress Dowager as they stood furthest outside with Empress Zhao Shuhua and others, waiting for news from within.

Though the Crown Prince had been found, if his life couldn’t be saved, he would still have died in Great Zhou, and Great Zhou and Northern Wei would inevitably become bitter enemies because of this.

“Imperial Physicians?! How is my brother?!”

Tuoba Wu’s cloak and clothes were all wet, now clinging cold and sticky to her body, but she paid no attention to that. Seeing the three Imperial Physicians looking helpless and remaining silent for so long, she couldn’t help but press them.

At her urging, the three Imperial Physicians exchanged glances before collectively kneeling on the ground.

The head of the Imperial Medical Academy said, “Your Majesty, Princess, the Crown Prince cannot be saved.”

“What did you say?!” Tuoba Wu’s eyes widened as she shouted.

Emperor Yan Huai raised an eyebrow, “What is his condition? Why can’t he be saved?”

The Academy head continued, “The Crown Prince’s pulse is extremely weak, he’s hanging on by his last breath. He has lost too much blood – surviving this long is already a miracle. Most critically, the wound in his chest appears to be from an arrow. The arrow shaft has been cut off, but the arrowhead remains inside. Upon examination, this appears to be a hunting arrow. The arrows used in this hunt had thick shafts, and the wound was in the Crown Prince’s chest. To treat him, the first step would be to remove the arrowhead and the remaining shaft. Not only is the Crown Prince too weak from blood loss to endure such treatment, but even if he had just been wounded, who could cut open his chest to remove the arrowhead?!”

The Imperial Physician finished and prostrated himself, begging forgiveness, “Even the celestial gods couldn’t save the Crown Prince now.”

Tuoba Wu froze, her knees nearly giving way as she listened. Only the support of her maid behind her kept her standing. Her eyes red, she cried out miserably, “How can this be?! Imperial Physician, how can you know it won’t work if you don’t try?! If you don’t try, are you just going to watch the Crown Prince die?! If the Crown Prince dies, Northern Wei definitely won’t let this go!”

The Imperial Physician said with a bitter expression, “Princess, it’s not that we won’t save him, but that we cannot. Right now, we can give the Crown Prince some medicine so he might open his eyes and say a few final words to the Princess, but if we try to remove the arrowhead, he may die before we can even extract it. Princess, it’s not that we are incompetent, there truly is no way to save him!”

Listening to the Imperial Physician’s words, Tuoba Wu’s gaze turned fierce as she prepared to explode in anger, but just then, they heard Tuoba Hong give a light groan. Tuoba Wu immediately rushed to the bedside, crying out, “Royal Brother! Royal Brother…”

Despite her calls, Tuoba Hong showed no response.

The Academy head said sorrowfully, “Princess, this is already the Crown Prince’s final moment of consciousness.”

“I don’t believe it!” Tuoba Wu’s tears fell one by one. “I don’t believe he can’t be saved! You! You must try! If you can save him, I’ll give you vast wealth! I’ll give you high positions and rich rewards in Northern Wei, whatever you want! Save him! Please save him!”

Tuoba Wu’s words were heartbreaking. Beside her, Tuoba Rui also wept silently. Tuoba Rui looked pleadingly at Emperor Yan Huai, but Emperor Yan Huai didn’t know what to say. He was the Emperor of Great Zhou, commanding the entire empire. He could kill people and turn the living into the dead, but bringing the nearly dead back to life was beyond his power. Emperor Yan Huai let out a long sigh, “Princess, the Academy head would not deceive you. If it were possible to save him… why would We want the Crown Prince to meet misfortune in Great Zhou?”

Tuoba Wu fell to her knees beside Tuoba Hong’s bed, one hand gripping his while turning to look at Emperor Yan Huai and others, “I don’t care! I don’t care! No matter what, you can’t let him die like this! If he dies, I guarantee, I’ll make Father Emperor deploy Northern Wei’s full strength to wage war against Great Zhou! Save him! Quickly save him—”

Tuoba Wu cried out desperately, but no matter how she threatened, the three Imperial Physicians’ faces showed only regret and pity. Realizing this, despair suddenly flooded Tuoba Wu’s eyes as her tears fell in large drops, her entire body trembling with fear!

How could Royal Brother die? It’s impossible! The last thing she said to him was “Get lost.” She regretted it. She wanted him to live. She knew she was wrong. She would apologize. She would never act recklessly again, never again…

“Royal Brother, Royal Brother, please don’t die…”

“Royal Brother, even if we die, we can’t die in Great Zhou.”

“Royal Brother, let’s go, I’ll take you back to see Father Emperor, Father Emperor is still waiting for you…”

Tuoba Wu suddenly stood up, leaning down to try to lift Tuoba Hong, but as she did so, blood began seeping from his chest wound again. She wept in heart-wrenching grief, appearing almost possessed, her expression even more pitiable. Tuoba Rui stepped forward and grabbed her, “Imperial Sister, Imperial Sister, come to your senses, you’re only hastening Brother’s death!”

Tuoba Wu suddenly awakened, but for the first time looked helplessly at Tuoba Rui, “Fifth Brother, let’s take Big Brother back to Northern Wei, we’ll find Northern Wei’s best doctors, surely someone can cure him…”

Tuoba Rui wiped away his tears, “But Imperial Sister, how can Big Brother make such a long journey?”

Returning to Northern Wei was impossible. Great Zhou’s Imperial Physicians were already extremely skilled doctors – even in Northern Wei they couldn’t find better physicians. Tuoba Wu knew all this, but she couldn’t lose hope now. She had to do something. She couldn’t just watch Tuoba Hong die. Her mind raced frantically as she seemed to fall into a pitch-black fog. She was terrified, absolutely refusing to accept the fact that Tuoba Hong was dying—

Suddenly, her gaze swept to the tent entrance where the curtain had been lifted, and she saw those standing outside, naturally including Qin Wan beside the Empress Dowager. Like a drowning person grasping at the last straw, Tuoba Wu suddenly pushed Tuoba Rui aside and rushed toward the entrance so quickly that no one had time to react.

She left the tent and went to the Empress Dowager’s side, grabbing Qin Wan’s arm, her eyes staring at Qin Wan with a crazed look, “You! Aren’t you the Divine Physician? Save my brother! Save him—”

As she spoke, Tuoba Wu dragged Qin Wan toward the tent. Though Qin Wan was not a delicate flower that would fall at the slightest breeze, at this moment, Tuoba Wu possessed an inexplicable brute strength, effortlessly pulling her away from Empress Dowager’s side. Fu Ling instinctively tried to pull her back but couldn’t match Tuoba Wu’s strength. Qin Wan stumbled several steps, having no choice but to follow Tuoba Wu into the tent.

Tuoba Wu felt she was going mad, how could she care about propriety now?

She roughly pulled Qin Wan to Tuoba Hong’s bedside, crying while forcefully saying, “Save him! You’re the Divine Physician, you could cure the Empress Dowager, and you can save him too! Quickly, quickly save him…”

Tuoba Wu urged frantically. Qin Wan glanced at the obsession and grief on her face before wordlessly leaning down to examine Tuoba Hong’s wounds. At this moment, not just Tuoba Wu, but even Emperor Yan Huai and Prince Chi’s eyes showed a glimmer of hope.

Perhaps Qin Wan really could save Tuoba Hong…

“Princess, the Academy Head spoke truly, the Crown Prince indeed cannot be saved.”

A moment later, Qin Wan’s calm voice shattered everyone’s hope. She was solemn and grave – at this moment between life and death, she would not speak carelessly. Tuoba Wu stared directly at Qin Wan, but Qin Wan’s eyes held the compassion unique to healers, “The arrow struck directly in his heart, and too much time had passed before treatment. Based on these two points alone, truly no one in the world can save the Crown Prince.”

No one had realized that Tuoba Hong hadn’t just fallen into the ravine, but had also been shot with an arrow!

However, at this moment, no one wondered why Tuoba Hong had been shot – everyone only wanted to know if he had any hope of survival!

Tuoba Wu stared fixedly at Qin Wan, tears falling silently, her eyes seeming to contain a raging inferno ready to erupt at any moment. Her lips were pressed into a sharp line, her hands clenched tightly at her sides as if she might transform into a tiger or leopard at any moment and pounce to tear Qin Wan apart. Faced with such a Tuoba Wu, Qin Wan’s eyes held only pity.

She no longer minded Tuoba Wu’s earlier rudeness. Faced with the death of a loved one, no one could calmly accept it. That bone-deep, heart-corroding pain – she had experienced it before. She knew what agony Tuoba Wu was suffering now. She sympathized and even felt somewhat heartbroken. After a moment, Qin Wan sighed, “Princess, please accept my condolences.”

As she spoke, Qin Wan turned to leave the tent, but after just two steps, there was suddenly a heavy “thud.”

Qin Wan turned back in slight surprise to see that Tuoba Wu had knelt before her.

Tuoba Wu’s tears fell even more fiercely now, her eyes bright with moisture, filled with nothing but pleading and despair, “Please, they can’t save him, but you must have a way. Can’t you at least try? I was wrong, I know I was wrong. Please don’t abandon my brother because you resent me. My brother always felt I wronged you, he’s not vicious and discourteous like me. I kneel before you to admit my wrongs, please save him…”

Tuoba Wu crawled forward two steps on her knees, “Ninth Miss, please try, don’t abandon my brother like this. He’s held on for so many days, suffered such serious injuries, and lost so much blood, but he’s still holding on. He must be able to keep holding on. As long as you’re willing to save him, I’ll do anything you ask. Ninth Miss, please…”

The person who had treated Qin Wan’s life as a joke just days ago was now so humble and desperate. Looking at Tuoba Wu’s nearly transparent eyes, Qin Wan felt as if an iron block was lodged in her chest. As a healer, she would never abandon Tuoba Hong’s life because of grudges with Tuoba Wu. But what the Imperial Physicians said matched what she saw – if there was any hope, how could she not try?

Thinking this, Qin Wan’s peripheral vision suddenly caught Tuoba Hong’s finger moving. Her expression changed slightly, and she continued watching his fingers, then indeed saw them move again. Her heart leaped violently, and she hurried to the bedside to check his pulse again. Seeing this, everyone was startled, and Tuoba Wu slowly turned to watch Qin Wan, not knowing if she had agreed, her entire being seeming empty as she stared at the scene.

Qin Wan first checked his pulse, then gently touched Tuoba Hong’s chest. Then, she leaned down and called out “Crown Prince” near his ear. Her voice was clear and loud. After calling, she watched his fingers again, and indeed, Tuoba Hong’s fingers moved once more. Qin Wan suddenly straightened up, her eyes showing a somewhat unexpected light. Soon, she took a deep breath and turned to look at Tuoba Wu, “Princess, I can try—”

Tuoba Wu froze, completely unable to react. After a long moment, her eyes widened, and she began both crying and laughing. However, Qin Wan hadn’t finished speaking, “But I cannot guarantee I can save the Crown Prince’s life.”

Tuoba Wu froze again, but this time quickly nodded, “Don’t worry, if you can’t save Royal Brother, I absolutely won’t blame you, nor will I implicate others.”

Qin Wan then looked at Emperor Yan Huai, as saving Tuoba Hong also required his approval.

Emperor Yan Huai’s eyes were already bright, “Ninth girl, We were waiting for you to say this! The Crown Prince’s life is in your hands. You need only do your best, regardless of the outcome, We will handle it!”

This was the best promise possible. Qin Wan nodded, her gaze quickly meeting Prince Chi’s for an instant. Prince Chi’s eyes also shone brightly, like the sun breaking through rain and mist, full of trust and determination. In just that moment, Qin Wan felt she had gained more strength. She looked again at the Empress Dowager, who sighed, “Ninth girl, We trust you!”

A faint curve appeared at the corner of Qin Wan’s lips. When she looked at the three Imperial Physicians again, her expression suddenly changed. Between her brows was complete calm, her eyes emanating an imposing light and authority, “Honored seniors, I need your assistance.”

These three had believed Tuoba Hong was certainly doomed, but unexpectedly, Qin Wan had accepted Tuoba Wu’s plea. In the past, they would have surely mocked Qin Wan for being young and presumptuous, but now, they had long heard of her reputation. If Qin Wan could achieve what they could not and prevent possible warfare between Northern Wei and Great Zhou, that would be the best outcome!

Seeing the three Imperial Physicians respond, Qin Wan looked at Tuoba Wu, “Princess, I need your help as well.”

Tuoba Wu was still kneeling on the ground. Qin Wan stepped forward and pulled her up, then looked at Emperor Yan Huai, “Your Majesty, except for the three Imperial Physicians and the Princess, everyone else must leave. Moreover, I need the Imperial Medical Academy’s medicine attendants on standby!”

Emperor Yan Huai nodded, “Very well! We’ll have Yuan Qing arrange it. When do you plan to begin?”

Qin Wan’s expression brightened, “Right now!”

Soon, Tuoba Hong’s tent became the most protected place in the camp. Guards stood watch outside, preventing others from approaching, while the traveling medicine attendants waited outside for Qin Wan’s instructions. Inside the tent, the three Imperial Physicians helped Qin Wan prepare the tools they would need, while Qin Wan had Tuoba Wu talk to Tuoba Hong.

“Talk about things that interest him, things that move him, anything at all. Keep talking continuously, spark his will to live, make him hold on!” Qin Wan instructed while wiping Tuoba Hong’s body with boiled strong wine.

Tuoba Wu nodded, showing complete obedience to whatever Qin Wan said.

While cleaning Tuoba Hong’s wound, Qin Wan instructed the Academy Head, “Academy Head, I have a major life-sustaining decoction. Please write it down and have the medicine attendants prepare it – we’ll need it soon.”

The Academy Head, usually the one giving orders, now acted as Qin Wan’s assistant.

Time was urgent, and Qin Wan spoke very quickly, but since the Academy Head was familiar with most of these medicinal ingredients and prescriptions, he wrote down the prescription neatly without needing Qin Wan to repeat herself. After giving it to the medicine attendant, Qin Wan began removing the rotting flesh around Tuoba Hong’s wound. Tuoba Wu sat on the inner side, already talking into Tuoba Hong’s ear. Seeing Qin Wan write the prescription and clean the wound was fine, but now watching Qin Wan take a knife and cut away the blurred flesh around Tuoba Hong’s wound bit by bit, she suddenly felt her stomach churning.

She quickly looked away, only staring at the remaining part of Tuoba Hong’s bed.

After cleaning and treating the wound, the medicine was delivered. Qin Wan and two Imperial Physicians worked together to feed Tuoba Hong an entire bowl of medicine. After waiting a moment, Qin Wan finally began to remove the arrow from Tuoba Hong’s heart.

Qin Wan had removed her outer wide-sleeved robe, now wearing only a narrow-sleeved jacket and skirt. Watching her measure with a knife at Tuoba Hong’s chest, Tuoba Wu couldn’t help but stare fixedly again. She watched as Qin Wan’s knife cut open Tuoba Hong’s chest, then watched as she inserted something like forceps into the blood hole in Tuoba Hong’s chest. Then she saw Qin Wan calm her mind and hold her breath, applying force bit by bit, extracting the arrowhead little by little—

Blood welled from Tuoba Hong’s wound. It was Tuoba Wu’s first time seeing such a scene, and she immediately felt acid rising in her throat. However, looking at Qin Wan, whose hands had been suspended in the air for a long time without the slightest tremor, she saw her clear black-and-white eyes fixed unwaveringly on the horrifying blood hole. Her expression was both solemn and cold, both compassionate and intimidating. Tuoba Wu stared in amazement, asking herself how she could have ever thought Qin Wan was just an ordinary noble lady of the capital.

Qin Wan gripped the arrowhead, pulling it out bit by bit. The arrowhead was irregularly shaped, and extracting it would inevitably further damage Tuoba Hong’s heart vessels. However, Qin Wan’s hands remained extremely steady, forcefully following the entry trajectory to extract it gradually. As more blood continued to flow, the three Imperial Physicians’ faces showed increasing urgency, but Qin Wan’s hands remained perfectly steady.

Bit by bit, smoothly yet extremely slowly, she pulled the arrowhead from Tuoba Hong’s chest. The moment it was extracted, blood suddenly spurted from his chest wound, splashing onto Qin Wan’s face. Seeing this, Tuoba Wu instinctively wanted to help wipe it away, but as she reached out, Qin Wan sharply commanded, “Don’t move!”

Tuoba Wu was startled back to her seat, and Qin Wan continued, “Keep talking to him.”

Tuoba Wu hurriedly looked at Tuoba Hong’s face. Though he was unconscious, his forehead was covered in cold sweat. She quickly said in a half-crying voice, “Royal Brother, do you remember that Rose of Sharon tree in the Northern Wei palace…”

“Ninth Miss, what do we do now?!”

The arrowhead was out, but how could they stop the bleeding from Tuoba Hong’s chest?

Looking at the grotesquely torn and gaping wound, the three Imperial Physicians felt their hearts clench.

Qin Wan simply held out her hand, “Give me the needle and thread—”

The physician quickly handed them over, and Qin Wan immediately began stitching the wound. Tuoba Wu watched transfixed as Qin Wan sewed Tuoba Hong’s wound stitch by stitch as if mending a quilt. Though her hands and front were covered in bright red blood, she paid it no mind. Her eyes blinked with intense focus. For a moment, Tuoba Wu had the illusion that Qin Wan was emanating a sacred radiance, her entire being elegant and beautiful, like the divine maidens of the northern tribes of Northern Wei who inspired such reverence and admiration. In this instant, she suddenly seemed to understand why someone like Prince Chi would be attracted to Qin Wan!

As she continued talking, her mind went blank for a moment, all previous doubts vanishing like smoke. She suddenly felt that it was right for someone like Prince Chi to be attracted to someone like Qin Wan. One was like a war god protecting the country, though burdened with countless killings, while Qin Wan was like a celestial being healing the world – could there be any more perfectly matched pair?

“Bring the healing salve and hemostatic medicine—”

After finishing the stitches, Qin Wan began applying medicine. Her hands were covered in blood, and in her hurry, she merely wiped them roughly on her dress before carefully using a silver spoon to gently apply the salve to Tuoba Hong’s wound. She had been bending over the entire time, large beads of sweat on her forehead, yet she paid no attention to this, treating every detail with utmost care and attention. Seeing her so focused and cautious, Tuoba Wu barely dared to breathe.

Soon, after the white cotton bandages were wrapped around the wound, Qin Wan finally let out a soft breath and stepped back. Her movement was extremely slow, indicating severe pain in her back and waist. Though Tuoba Wu wanted to speak, Qin Wan began checking the pulse again. After checking, she started pouring boiled wine around various parts of the tent. Tuoba Wu couldn’t help but ask softly, “How is—”

Qin Wan finished pouring the wine and straightened up to look at Tuoba Wu, “The arrowhead has been removed.”

Tuoba Wu certainly knew the arrowhead had been removed; what she wanted to know was whether her brother had been saved!

Qin Wan knew what she wanted to ask and continued, “Next, we must see if the bleeding can be controlled if the wound will fester if he can drink medicine, and if he can survive having lost so much blood. We must wait at least five days to know if he can truly survive. Of course, even if he lives, he may have many lasting ailments.”

“That doesn’t matter, it doesn’t matter! As long as he lives, that’s enough—”

Tuoba Wu looked earnestly and gratefully at Qin Wan, who continued, “For these few days, only you, me, and the three Imperial Physicians can enter this tent. Someone must be by his side at all times. When you come, you must talk to him, and before coming, ensure your clothes and hands are thoroughly cleaned. These days, I will keep plenty of wine in the tent – it can be used to clean hands or sprinkled on the ground. In short, no dirt can be brought in—”

Tuoba Wu nodded at each of Qin Wan’s instructions. Qin Wan glanced at her, “Now, the three Imperial Physicians and I will watch over him. You go rest and eat first, then come back in the evening.”

Tuoba Wu wanted to speak but hesitated. Qin Wan didn’t allow any argument, “You’ll need to keep watch at night, and not just for one or two days, so you absolutely cannot collapse now. Go.”

Subdued by Qin Wan’s commanding tone, Tuoba Wu cast two more reluctant glances at Tuoba Hong before leaving.

Qin Wan looked at Tuoba Hong’s pale face, “We’ve done what we can, now it depends on his fate.”

As she spoke, Qin Wan looked at the arrowhead placed nearby.

Having saved who needed saving, it was time to consider why Tuoba Hong had been shot with an arrow.

After Qin Wan and the three Imperial Physicians cleaned the blood from the tent, she took the arrowhead and left.

As soon as she exited, Elder Maid Chen came forward to meet her. Today’s effort to save Tuoba Hong had taken nearly two hours, and basin after basin of bloody water had been carried out. Not just Elder Maid Chen, but even the soldiers trembled at the sight. However, learning that Qin Wan had succeeded in treating him, everyone began to view her as divine.

Elder Maid Chen welcomed Qin Wan, and others gathered around. More and more people approached, their eyes full of admiration and reverence, truly regarding Qin Wan as a Divine Physician. Her moon-white robes were stained with much blood, but this only added to her noble image of healing the world. Qin Wan exchanged a few words with Elder Maid Chen, and being urgent to report to Emperor Yan Huai while still covered in blood, she didn’t go to greet the Empress Dowager but went directly to see Emperor Yan Huai.

When she arrived, Emperor Yan Huai had already received the news. Seeing Qin Wan approach, he spoke with evident excitement, “Ninth girl, you’ve done excellently!”

Qin Wan presented the arrowhead, “Your Majesty, this was extracted from the Northern Wei Crown Prince’s wound.”

Emperor Yan Huai frowned, examining the arrowhead while asking, “Ninth girl, what are the Crown Prince’s chances of survival?”

Qin Wan pondered briefly, “Three in ten.”

“Only thirty percent?!”

Qin Wan nodded, and Emperor Yan Huai sighed, “Three in ten is better than none at all.” He handed the arrowhead to Commander Lin, “Look at this, isn’t this Tuoba Hong’s own…”

Commander Lin examined it and indeed found a small character “Hong” where the arrowhead joined the shaft.

“How did the Crown Prince’s arrow end up shooting him?”

Emperor Yan Huai asked hesitantly. Commander Lin was equally puzzled. Qin Wan suddenly spoke from below, “Commander Lin, when you found the Crown Prince, did you discover anything else?”

Commander Lin replied, “We only found the Crown Prince’s bow, arrows, and quiver. Nothing else. His hunted game was with his attendants, and other provisions, including the hunting bait, weren’t with him.”

Qin Wan nodded without further questions. Emperor Yan Huai glanced at her, “Ninth girl, what do you think?”

After some thought, Qin Wan said, “Your humble subject believes this was deliberate.”

Emperor Yan Huai raised an eyebrow, and Qin Wan continued, “When removing the arrowhead, I noticed it had pierced straight into the Crown Prince’s heart. This angle suggests a front-facing shot. Moreover, the arrow shaft was cut cleanly, indicating the use of a sharp weapon.”

Commander Lin frowned, “When we found the Crown Prince, his sword was unsheathed. Could he have cut it himself?”

Qin Wan shook her head, “Then did Commander Lin find the arrow shaft near the Crown Prince?”

This question made Commander Lin pause, “We found the Crown Prince at night. In our urgency to save him, we didn’t pay much attention to his belongings… I ordered people to collect them, but I’m not sure if they found it. I’ll have someone check right away.”

Emperor Yan Huai asked, “You’re certain it wasn’t an accident?”

Qin Wan hesitated, “I can’t be certain, but based on the arrow’s angle, it appears deliberate. If it were an accident, it would be an incredible coincidence – the Crown Prince falling into the ravine and landing face-first on a perfectly upright arrow. Moreover, the arrow’s penetration depth would have to be limited, otherwise it would have gone straight through his body.”

Hearing Qin Wan’s explanation, Emperor Yan Huai also found it incredible. Yet if someone had deliberately harmed Tuoba Hong, who could it be? And why use Tuoba Hong’s arrow?

After a moment’s thought, Emperor Yan Huai did not conclude. Seeing Qin Wan standing below, he said, “Ninth girl, you’ve worked hard. Go rest now, but keep watching over the Northern Wei Crown Prince these next few days.”

Qin Wan bowed and withdrew. Having saved Tuoba Hong, she naturally couldn’t be careless now.

With these thoughts, instead of returning to the Empress Dowager, she turned toward Tuoba Hong’s tent.

The guards outside immediately made their way when they saw her approach. Qin Wan entered, cleaned her hands, first checked his pulse, then examined the wound, and felt his forehead. Only then did she feel slightly relieved. At least for now, Tuoba Hong showed no signs of danger. If this continued, his chances might be better than thirty percent.

Just as she was thinking this, Qin Wan suddenly noticed something stuck in Tuoba Hong’s disheveled black hair. Earlier, focused on saving him, they hadn’t noticed, but now the dirt was quite obvious. Qin Wan bent down to clean it from Tuoba Hong’s hair, expecting mud or sand, but instead found a dark red substance resembling bird feed.

Qin Wan’s brows furrowed – what was this?

She rubbed it between her fingers and sniffed it, immediately deepening her frown.

While such material wouldn’t be unusual in a hunting ground, it definitely shouldn’t be in Tuoba Hong’s hair!

After looking around and seeing the tent had been cleaned, she quickly went outside and asked the guards, “Where are the Crown Prince’s clothes that were cleaned out earlier?”

The guard quickly led the way, and soon Qin Wan reached the laundry area.

Tuoba Hong’s clothes were piled to one side. Qin Wan hurriedly shook them out to examine them. Besides mud and dried grass, she found the same dark red substance around the collar.

After two days of rain, everything else on the clothes had been washed away, but the intricate patterns of the collar buttons had preserved this residue. Qin Wan carefully examined everything, then had the guards bring Tuoba Hong’s clothes back to Emperor Yan Huai’s tent.

Seeing Qin Wan return so soon, Emperor Yan Huai was quite surprised, “What is it, girl?”

After completing her formal greeting, Qin Wan said, “Your Majesty, I’m certain the Crown Prince was deliberately harmed.”

Emperor Yan Huai straightened, “How so?”

Qin Wan pointed to the clothes the guard had brought, “On the Crown Prince’s clothes, there are dark red residues similar to bird feed. I smelled them and detected blood. I suspect these are hunting lures used to attract prey. If the Crown Prince’s injury was merely an accident, who would have smeared these lures on his clothes? Someone first shot him, then left these lures on his body, intending to attract fierce beasts to feed, thereby destroying the evidence!”

Attracting beasts to feed? Destroying evidence?

Emperor Yan Huai’s dark pupils contracted as he listened, feeling chills down his spine.