“Lei Shenbao of Li City—what exactly is going on?” Feng Jiang asked flatly.

“Reporting to the Third Prince, Lei Shenbao killed my young master.” The steward’s face crumpled with grief.

“He’s held my young master captive for some time now. No matter what my lord said, Lei Shenbao refused to release him.”

“Two days ago, our scout reported back that the young master… had died.”

“This isn’t entirely Lei Shenbao’s fault.” Duan Wucheng showed none of the grief one might expect from a father who’d lost his son.

“Langyu—this child—I failed to raise him properly. There’s a reason Lei Shenbao seized him.”

Duan Wucheng clenched his fist and continued, “I heard he set a fire in Li City that killed an entire family, including a pregnant woman.”

“He got what he deserved!”

Duan Wucheng closed his eyes, drew a deep breath, and looked up again.

“Third Prince, even now that you know about the sulfur, if you wish to take it away, I have no objection.”

“As for this matter with Lei Shenbao—could you intervene on my behalf? I don’t want the people of this city to suffer for my family’s private affairs.”

“My lord.” The steward supported Duan Wucheng. “Right now our young master has died, and Lei Shenbao is using it as an excuse to act out.”

“This isn’t your fault, my lord!”

“It’s Langyu’s fault.” Duan Wucheng pulled his hand from the steward’s grip.

“Third Prince, if you would only step in, surely Lei Shenbao would show you the respect not to attack our city.”

“As for who governs Yongshan City going forward, I leave that decision entirely to the Third Prince.”

“Father!” A woman rushed in from outside and dropped to her knees beside Duan Wucheng.

“Father, what happened to you? How did you get hurt? Father, are you alright?”

The woman clutched Duan Wucheng’s arm, reaching to touch the wound on his forehead, then hesitating, not daring to.

“Father, you’re badly hurt, let’s go, I’ll find a physician to look at you.”

“Yangyang, Father is fine!” Duan Wucheng turned to look at his daughter and pulled her back.

“Yangyang, this is the Third Prince. Quickly, greet the Third Prince.”

Only then did Duan Liuyang shift her gaze from her father to the figure seated in the place of honor.

“Third Prince.” She pressed her lips together and lowered her head. “This humble girl, Duan Liuyang, greets the Third Prince.”

Duan Liuyang was lovely—especially her skin.

Fair and translucent, rosy and delicate, her small face like finely carved white jade, flawless and luminous, the kind one could never tire of looking at.

“Third Prince, this is my youngest daughter, Duan Liuyang,” Duan Wucheng added.

“This servant originally had two sons and one daughter. Langyu was the eldest, but unfortunately, he was spoiled by his mother from a young age.”

“This wasn’t the first time Langyu brought trouble to the family. An end like this was not beyond what I expected, I…”

“Thankfully my Yangyang and my younger son, Duan Langjun, are sensible. I have no more regrets.”

“Father.” Duan Wucheng’s body swayed, and Duan Liuyang immediately steadied him. “Father, you’ve lost too much blood, let me bandage it for you.”

“I…”

“Go get bandaged first,” Feng Jiang said, waving a hand.

At that moment, a tall man dressed in black robes walked in.

Duan Liuyang supported her father as he stood, but his body swayed again, and he toppled forward.

“Father!” Things happened too fast—Duan Liuyang threw her arms around her father with all her strength, but it wasn’t enough.

“Father!”

The man who had just entered strode forward.

He caught Duan Wucheng before he fell.

Duan Liuyang, unable to keep her own footing, crashed straight into the man.

He freed one hand and caught her as well.

Flustered, Duan Liuyang stumbled into the man’s arms.

Their eyes met, and for a moment, both of them froze.

“Miss, are you alright?” Zhao Yusheng asked softly, his brow furrowing slightly.

Though he knew well the young woman hadn’t meant to, Zhao Yusheng still wasn’t used to women falling into his arms.

“I… I’m fine.” Duan Liuyang blinked and quickly steadied herself, stepping away from the man.

“Yangyang, are you alright?” Duan Wucheng’s breathing was heavy.

“Father.” Only then did Duan Liuyang come back to herself, taking hold of Duan Wucheng’s hand. “Father, what’s wrong?”

She quickly let go of her father and turned to kneel before Feng Jiang.

“Third Prince, my father hasn’t closed his eyes in three days and three nights. I beg the Third Prince’s mercy—please let my father rest a while.”

“Fine, take him down,” Feng Jiang said with a wave.

“Thank you, Third Prince.” Duan Liuyang gave thanks and rose.

The steward had already come to Duan Wucheng’s side. “Young master, thank you for the rescue, I…”

Zhao Yusheng glanced at Duan Liuyang’s thin arms and said quietly, “Let me carry him. Where to?”

“This way.” Duan Liuyang nodded. “My father’s chamber is right nearby, please follow me.”

“I’m fine, Uncle Liu. We mustn’t keep the Third Prince waiting.” Duan Wucheng’s face grew paler by the moment.

“My lord, I understand, my lord, please don’t speak any further, I’ll go fetch a physician right away.” The steward was anxious.

“I am a physician.” Feng Jiu’er stood and walked over. “Let me take a look at him.”

A city lord’s household without even a single physician on staff—it really did seem rather poor.

“Please.” The steward turned to Feng Jiu’er. “Miss, I’m sorry to trouble you.”

Though he had no idea whether Feng Jiu’er was capable, something in her eyes made the steward trust her at once.

Duan Wucheng’s chamber was right beside the main hall; Zhao Yusheng and the steward carried him in together.

“I’m fine, I really am fine.” Lying on the bed, Duan Wucheng still tried to sit up.

“Lie still, you don’t look fine at all.” Feng Jiu’er sat down beside him.

“As long as your body holds up, there’s nothing that can’t be solved. But if you collapse, who’s going to clean up this mess?”

Duan Wucheng looked at Feng Jiu’er, his pale lips moving, but no words came out.

Feng Jiu’er took his hand, her slender fingers settling on his pulse.

“Your pulse is very weak. Have you truly not rested at all these past days?”

“Ever since the young master’s death, the first wife has been making scenes several times a day, and my lord hasn’t known what to do.” The steward watched the man on the bed anxiously.

“He hasn’t rested in three days and nights, he…”

“Physician, how is my father?” Duan Liuyang stepped forward to Feng Jiu’er’s side.

“He’s fine, just severely overtired.” Feng Jiu’er set down Duan Wucheng’s hand.

“Get something for him to eat first. I’ll write out a prescription—go prepare the medicine, and he should rest well for two days.”

“Two days?” Duan Wucheng sat up. “I…”

The moment he sat up, even breathing became difficult.

“Father!” Seeing this, Duan Liuyang rushed to support him.

“My lord, please just listen to the physician. If you keep going like this, even a body of iron couldn’t hold up.” The steward sighed.

“Two days.” Duan Wucheng closed his eyes and drew a deep breath. “Two days—I’m afraid Lei Shenbao won’t give me that much time!”

“And once the city gates fall, what becomes of the people?”

“The people trust me so completely—how could I disappoint them? I cannot!”