When Qin Wan saw Fan Xin at Xun Niang’s place, he had just awakened from unconsciousness. He appeared to be only in his twenties, but his injuries were so severe that he not only looked weak and sickly, but his complexion had the deathly pallor of someone approaching their final moments.
Xun Niang hadn’t expected Yan Chi to bring Qin Wan, but remembering Qin Wan’s reputation, she understood Yan Chi’s intentions. She said, “Brother Fan, this is County Princess Yongci. The Empress Dowager has issued an imperial decree for their marriage, so the County Princess will be our future Princess Consort.”
Fan Xin’s lips were cracked and bluish. Hearing this, he weakly forced a smile and said in a hoarse voice, “This subordinate pays respects to the County Princess… This subordinate cannot perform the proper courtesy, please… please forgive the offense…”
Qin Wan waved her hand and leaned forward to check his pulse. Fan Xin moved his lips, but Yan Chi said, “No need for words. The County Princess’s medical skills are extraordinary. I brought her to save you.”
Fan Xin seemed momentarily surprised, then forced another smile. “This lowly servant, Your Highness—”
Yan Chi looked at Fan Xin. “No need for such words. I save you for Father’s sake as well.”
At these words, Fan Xin’s eyes immediately reddened. Xun Niang didn’t know what had happened. Hearing this, she looked at Yan Chi, and then at Fan Xin. Seeing neither wished to speak further, she quickly withdrew to prepare medicines.
After checking his pulse, Qin Wan leaned forward and said, “I need to examine your wounds.”
Fan Xin moved his lips, hesitating to speak, but Qin Wan didn’t wait for him to respond. She lifted his thin blanket and opened his clothes. Fan Xin’s face was deathly pale with dark circles under his eyes, his whole being devoid of vitality as if beyond saving.
Seeing Qin Wan examining him, he said nothing more. When Qin Wan finished her examination, her expression had grown grave.
Fan Xin couldn’t hold on any longer and fell unconscious.
Xun Niang walked in from outside carrying several medicine packages. Looking at Fan Xin, she sighed and said, “Brother Fan was brought here last night. He keeps falling unconscious after waking, never staying awake for more than an hour at a time.”
Moreover, Fan Xin was running a fever, and his wounds had become so infected they had begun to smell.
Fortunately, summer had passed, otherwise the infection might have been even more severe.
Yan Chi looked at Qin Wan. “How is he? Can you save him?”
Qin Wan said, “He has nine wounds in total. The others are manageable, but the wounds on his abdomen and left thigh are extremely serious. They appear to have been caused by something like short arrows. When the arrows were removed, the bleeding wasn’t stopped properly. Now the entire wounds, inside and out, have begun to fester. He’s lost too much blood and must be in extreme pain. Remarkably, he’s endured until now.”
Qin Wan knew this wasn’t what Yan Chi wanted to hear. After a pause, she continued, “He can be saved, but I’m not completely certain.”
“What are the chances?”
“Fifty percent, and that depends on whether he can survive the treatment.”
Hearing this, Yan Chi’s brows furrowed tightly. “How will you treat him?”
“Cut away all the necrotic flesh from his wounds and apply new medicine. The abdominal wound is the most critical—it’s life-threatening. The leg wound is just draining his strength. In the worst case… his leg will be crippled.”
Yan Chi thought of Fan Xin’s formidable martial arts skills and nodded. “Very well. Treat him.”
Qin Wan took a shallow breath, seemingly organizing her thoughts on treating Fan Xin. After a moment, she asked Xun Niang, “Do you have the tools prepared?”
Xun Niang nodded, “Yes, everything is ready.”
Qin Wan nodded, “Bring paper and brush. I’ll write down the medicines and other things we need.”
Xun Niang brought paper and brush, and Qin Wan quickly filled an entire page. Xun Niang took the list to make final preparations. Qin Wan’s heart sank slightly. “Was he injured protecting the Prince?”
Yan Chi nodded, “Yes.”
Qin Wan was amazed at Fan Xin’s willpower. With such severe injuries, he would have died long ago if not for sheer force of will keeping him alive. And if Fan Xin was so grievously wounded, one could imagine what had happened to the Rui Prince and others.
Qin Wan shook her head to clear away these thoughts and began removing Fan Xin’s robe. After Xun Niang had prepared everything needed, Qin Wan washed her hands and began treating Fan Xin.
Fan Xin’s hands and feet were bound to the bed frame. Additionally, Qin Wan had prepared an anesthetic decoction. Only after making Fan Xin drink a bowl of the medicine did she begin cleaning his wounds. Qin Wan removed her outer robe and rolled up her sleeves high. Xun Niang watched from the side, seeing this aspect of Qin Wan for the first time.
Qin Wan’s face remained focused and stern as she meticulously yet efficiently cleaned Fan Xin’s leg wound, mercilessly cutting away the necrotic flesh with its pus and blood. Fresh red blood immediately welled up. Fan Xin suddenly opened his eyes wide in his unconscious state. Xun Niang quickly held him down and stuffed a cloth soaked in anesthetic into his mouth to prevent him from biting his tongue in agony.
Fan Xin had been in a daze, but as the pain intensified, his consciousness became increasingly clear. He could even feel the knife cutting away his flesh bit by bit. He was drenched in sweat, his eyes nearly bulging from their sockets. His previously pale face had now turned red from the pain.
After cleaning the thigh wound, Qin Wan quickly bandaged it.
Soon, Qin Wan began cleaning Fan Xin’s abdominal wound.
This wound was even more severe than the one on his leg.
When Qin Wan used the knife, Fan Xin’s pain was so intense that even Xun Niang couldn’t hold him down. Only when Yan Chi stepped in were they able to pin him firmly to the bed. The abdomen was different from the leg—Qin Wan’s knife worked close to the internal organs. If he struggled violently, the consequences would be unthinkable.
Fan Xin made harsh gasping sounds in his throat, his neck stretched taut like a dying fish. Qin Wan didn’t even glance at him, as if immune to his suffering. She simply continued her precise cutting, not hesitating even as the blood increased. After finishing the cleaning, Qin Wan used a cotton cloth soaked in strong alcohol to clean the blood. The pain of the wound combined with the alcohol caused Fan Xin to emit a low growl from his throat. His body convulsed violently once before he passed out.
Qin Wan didn’t relax at all. By the time she finished bandaging Fan Xin’s abdominal wound, she was covered in sweat and pale-faced from exhaustion.
Xun Niang felt sorry for both Fan Xin and Qin Wan and quickly poured Qin Wan a cup of tea.
Qin Wan waved her hand. “Please watch his wounds, Xun Niang. If he wakes up, immediately give him these two pills. Both wounds will be extremely painful. You must not let him move around, especially not roll over. It’s best if he maintains this sleeping position without moving at all.”
Xun Niang nodded, and Yan Chi finally led Qin Wan out of the inner room. This wasn’t the waterside pavilion but rather a row of side rooms. Fan Xin lay in the eastern room, and Yan Chi led Qin Wan to the warm chamber on the west side.
Qin Wan was truly exhausted and sat down as soon as they arrived. Yan Chi stepped forward to wipe her sweat. “Thank you for your hard work, Wan’er.”
Qin Wan shook her head. “The wounds might still fester. His wound surfaces are too large and won’t heal easily. In the coming days, unless he can remain completely still to minimize bleeding from the wounds, I’m afraid he won’t make it. He’s been injured for over a month already, and his life force is nearly exhausted.”
Yan Chi brushed away the loose hair near her ear. “All right, I’ll make sure he understands.”
Qin Wan nodded and finally let out a breath. Yan Chi turned back to get her outer robe and carefully helped her put it on.
Earlier, Qin Wan had been so focused on saving Fan Xin that she hadn’t noticed how much time had passed. Looking outside now, she saw it was already completely dark. Yan Chi said, “I’ll have Master Yuan send over some food.”
Yan Chi went to relay the message, and soon food was brought to the side room. After they finished eating, when Qin Wan went to check on Fan Xin again, he was still unconscious. Xun Niang was somewhat worried, but Qin Wan said, “He shouldn’t be awake now. Let him sleep more.”
Seeing how late it was outside, Yan Chi was ready to take Qin Wan home. After checking the wounds once more, Qin Wan said, “I’ll come back tomorrow to change his dressings. The first two times must be done very carefully. Later, if his fever isn’t severe, that’s good. If the fever becomes intense, whether he’s awake or not, give him three more of these pills and notify Your Highness to find me. If he has no fever and wakes up, brew the prescription I wrote and have him drink a bowl.”
Xun Niang repeatedly acknowledged the instructions, and only then did Yan Chi lead Qin Wan out.
They got into the carriage, which headed straight for the Marquis’s manor. Inside the carriage, Yan Chi pulled Qin Wan into his embrace.
Qin Wan asked, “Will you attend court tomorrow?”
Yan Chi nodded with an “Mm,” and Qin Wan said, “Then shall I come by myself?”
Seeing Yan Chi’s hesitation, Qin Wan said, “I’m quite worried. These injuries are truly too severe. I’ve never seen anyone with such serious wounds who could travel so far and hold on until now.”
Qin Wan’s tone showed genuine concern and sympathy. Yan Chi suddenly looked down at her.
Unaware, Qin Wan continued, “He’s your father’s guard, so his willpower must be extraordinary. But no matter how resilient his character is, he’s still flesh and blood. Since you’ve entrusted him to me, I must certainly save him.”
“Wan’wan—”
Yan Chi suddenly called to her, the doubled syllables more intimate and lingering than his usual “Wan’er.” Qin Wan felt her heartstrings stir and instinctively looked up at Yan Chi. As soon as she raised her head, his kiss fell upon her.
Yan Chi’s kiss was as soft and lingering as his gentle call. He grabbed her waist and pulled her onto his lap. One hand gripped her waist while the other pressed against the back of her head. His hands used such force that the kiss became very deep. Qin Wan was breathless, her eyes half-closed, feeling as if Yan Chi would steal away her soul. She didn’t know where this sudden passion came from, only feeling her body grow hot and soft, instinctively clutching his shoulders.
Yan Chi’s actions were for nothing else but her devotion to him.
This incident was beyond anything Qin Wan could imagine. Even he could only “wait,” but she knew how to help him. Though there were no grand promises, she understood and supported him wholeheartedly. True feelings show in times of danger. Yan Chi was already fond of her, but now this affection had become more profound, making him increasingly feel he could not do without her.
Yan Chi’s kisses grew heavier, and his hands began to wander. The small carriage gradually filled with their breathing. As he kissed her, Yan Chi suddenly felt an uncontrollable desire, as if he were in a stormy sea where waves could sweep him away at any moment, and she was his only lifeline—only by holding onto her could he survive.
Yan Chi pulled Qin Wan tightly into his embrace.
He pressed her against his chest, which rose and fell rapidly. His breathing was intimate and arousing, but his eyes showed equal parts pain and a dangerous light ready to break free. His eyes fell into the darkness of the carriage, glinting coldly, with only the person against his chest reminding him of what he was doing.
Qin Wan sensed Yan Chi’s strange state. Though she felt his arms were holding her too tightly, not only did she not resist, but she also slipped her hands inside his outer robe, embracing him tightly within his robes.
Darkness can conceal all loss and madness. The fierce light in Yan Chi’s eyes flashed and disappeared. He closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, he had calmed considerably. His arms relaxed somewhat, and he nuzzled her neck longingly. “Wan’wan, thank you.”
Qin Wan was slightly startled, then said, “Don’t worry, I will save him.”
Yan Chi’s lips curved. He knew Qin Wan must have understood.
He was the invincible war god of the Northwest, and he felt there was no one gentler than her in the world. She was someone who would stand tall for him, but now, her gentleness had also become his armor. Thinking of this, Yan Chi felt his heart burning hot. He, who had never believed in gods or Buddha, actually began to feel grateful to heaven—at least the heavens hadn’t taken her away too.
Yan Chi kissed her ear, then her cheek, then the top of her head. Qin Wan raised her head to look at him and saw his eyes sparkling and bright, with points of light flickering in their depths, reminding her of his proud bearing when she first met him. Qin Wan raised her hand to touch Yan Chi’s face and repeated, “I will save him.”
Yan Chi’s smile deepened as he grabbed her hand and firmly kissed her palm.
It was already late night when they returned to the Marquis’s manor. Thinking of Yan Chi, Qin Wan felt something weighing on her heart. She lay awake for a long time after going to bed. After some thought, she took out the jade pendant Yan Chi had given her. Holding it in her palm, Qin Wan thought of the Rui Princess Consort’s portrait, then of that deep, lingering kiss that had left her breathless. She didn’t fall asleep until much later.
The next morning, Qin Wan woke later than usual. Worried about Fan Xin’s injuries, she planned to leave the manor after breakfast. Thinking she should inform Madam Hu, Qin Wan headed to the main courtyard. Seeing her arrive, Madam Hu’s expression was somewhat complex and strange, but she still smiled while speaking to her. Just as Qin Wan was about to state her purpose, Qin Shu suddenly walked in with a grave expression.
Madam Hu was startled. “My Lord, why have you returned so early today?!”
Qin Shu’s steps faltered when he saw Qin Wan, his expression showing hesitation.
Qin Wan’s heart skipped a beat. Qin Shu said, “Today at morning court, His Majesty announced the news… The Rui Prince… the Rui Prince was assassinated by enemy killers while inspecting the border defenses. He has already… already passed away.”
Qin Wan stood rooted to the spot. Though she had already guessed this in her heart, her face still showed slight surprise instinctively, as if even she had begun to be cautious, absolutely not letting anyone know that Yan Chi had received the news in advance.
Though she had known the Emperor would eventually announce this news, she hadn’t expected it to come so quickly.
This indicated that the Emperor had already made all arrangements.