Everyone on the island believed Chu Dingjiang was not a sentimental man. However, it wasn’t until three days later that people began to worry.

For three days, he hadn’t eaten or drunk a sip of water, sitting constantly by An Jiu’s bedside.

“My lord, please eat something at least,” Li Qingzhi urged.

No one answered.

Undeterred, Li Qingzhi brought a cup of water to him. “My lord, have some water.”

Still, there was no response.

After persisting for a while and seeing Chu Dingjiang unmoved, Li Qingzhi had no choice but to leave.

The others were standing in the courtyard when Zhu Pianzhan asked, “He’s still not eating?”

“No,” Li Qingzhi replied with a bitter expression. “I’m not good with words. How could I say anything moving? My lord sits motionless by the bed, determined to wear a hole in that spot. He won’t budge until Fourteen wakes up!”

“He’s as cunning as a fox. What sweet talk could fool him?” Zhu Pianzhan glanced at the tightly closed door. “You’re the most sincere. Maybe he’ll listen to what you say.”

Li Qingzhi had brought food for three days, saying almost the same things, and Chu Dingjiang’s reaction remained unchanged.

“We underestimated Dingjiang’s feelings for Fourteen,” Sheng Changying sighed.

A silence fell over the courtyard, broken by soft footsteps on the path.

Li Qingzhi looked up warily. Zhu Pianzhan said, “It’s Aunt Mei.”

As she spoke, Mei Yanran appeared in everyone’s sight.

“Why are you all sitting here?” Mei Yanran found it strange. The islanders didn’t usually like crowds and wouldn’t gather in one place during the day without good reason.

Li Qingzhi, as if grasping at straws, hurriedly said, “Fourteen has fallen into a coma. My lord has been watching over her without eating or drinking.”

In others’ eyes, An Jiu was Mei Yanran’s daughter. Perhaps with someone to share the pain, Chu Dingjiang wouldn’t be so obsessed.

Zhu Pianzhan glared at Li Qingzhi, thinking he could have spoken more tactfully. Although the mother-daughter relationship wasn’t great, they were still family.

“Coma?” Mei Yanran was surprised.

“She’s inside,” Li Qingzhi said.

Mei Yanran paused for a moment before entering the room.

Sunlight filled the room, the scene still frozen in time.

Mei Yanran walked to the bedside, looking at the familiar face that seemed to be in sweet slumber. Her heart slowly tightened. She knew her daughter was in the Hua manor, yet she felt the one lying there was also her daughter.

“You should rest,” Mei Yanran took a deep breath and said softly to Chu Dingjiang. “There’s a group of Konghejun soldiers wandering in the plum forest by the lake. They’re your subordinates, aren’t they? They want to see you.”

Chu Dingjiang stirred, his voice hoarse, “The Second Prince won.”

It was a statement, not a question. With the Crown Prince dead, although there were many loyalists, it was just a bloody battle.

“Yes, the Second Prince has already donned the yellow robe. He chose to hold the enthronement ceremony in ten days,” Mei Yanran elaborated. “All meritorious officials will be promoted. I don’t know what role you played in this upheaval, but you’ve invested your efforts. Isn’t this the reward you’ve been working for?”

No, he wasn’t after fame or profit. He merely wanted to prove his existence. Realized his ambitions were the goal, and fame and fortune were just byproducts. At this point, claiming credit would only be a burden.

Chu Dingjiang laughed softly, without explanation.

“Regardless, you need to give your subordinates an explanation. She… is my daughter after all,” Mei Yanran’s voice choked as she said this. “Let me take care of her. What else are you worried about?”

Yes, this was her daughter. Even if a different soul inhabited the body, it was still flesh of her flesh.

Mei Yanran finally understood why she felt so troubled. She couldn’t bear to see the familiar eyes filled with loneliness and indifference. Initially, when she learned the truth, her emotions were complex. She hated this wandering soul that occupied her daughter’s body. However, as time passed, she found it increasingly difficult to clearly distinguish between the soul and the body.

Now, seeing An Jiu lying in bed, Mei Yanran felt not only heartache but also a deep sadness. This child had always carefully tried to get close to her, and she hadn’t missed the filial affection hidden behind the cold exterior.

“I’ll be right back,” Chu Dingjiang stood up for the first time in three days.

Mei Yanran nodded, taking his place to watch over the bed.

Outside, people were delighted to see Chu Dingjiang emerge, but before they could greet him, only his afterimage remained.

In the plum forest, Chu Dingjiang appeared silently where the group of black-clad men were hiding.

“My lord,” they revealed themselves, kneeling on one knee before him.

Chu Dingjiang’s gaze swept over each person, finally resting on a man holding a sword.

The man felt immense pressure, his bones nearly shattering. He knew why but gritted his teeth, refusing to beg for forgiveness.

“Su, I arranged for you to lead people to obstruct Elder Zhi. Why didn’t you act?” Chu Dingjiang’s tone was calm, but the pressure was like a mountain crashing down from the sky, seemingly making even the earth tremble.

Su’s back was instantly soaked with sweat. Feeling Chu Dingjiang’s pressure ease slightly, he managed to speak, “Another skilled archer was confronting Elder Zhi at the time. I thought the plan had changed.”

“That’s no excuse. Tell the truth,” Chu Dingjiang said coldly.

They were all trained Konghejun soldiers. Without orders to change the battle plan, they absolutely could not act on their own. This was a rule etched in their blood and bones.

Su struggled against the pressure and shouted, “Because of He Cai!”

When he was about to lead his men to surround Elder Zhi, he saw He Cai sneaking alone to the Crown Prince’s side. He knew that whether she succeeded or failed, she would certainly die. So he changed the battle plan on his own, hoping to save He Cai.

Su gave up struggling and lay flat on the ground, looking quite miserable. “You know she likes you.”

Chu Dingjiang raised an eyebrow. He truly didn’t know He Cai had feelings for him. When he said he wanted to leave a few people to protect An Jiu, He Cai had volunteered for the task. Apart from that, his interactions with her were extremely rare. He hadn’t even shown his face to these people.

“Because she likes you, she risked her life to help you achieve your great cause,” Su noticed the pressure on his body easing further. He struggled to sit up, looking up to carefully examine the man who led them.

From what he could see, Chu Dingjiang was indeed superior to him in every way.

“After she met that woman, she agreed to return to our hometown with me,” Su’s stern and cold gaze softened. “I followed you so that one day I could lay down my sword and return to the fields with He Cai. If she died, what meaning would all I’ve done have?”

Chu Dingjiang was silent for a moment. “You may go.”

Su was stunned, not expecting Chu Dingjiang to let him off so easily.

Chu Dingjiang said, “Those willing to retire can leave now. Those who want rewards can stay.”