Chapter Forty-Three: Crisis

“I truly feel so grateful to have you all by my side. If it weren’t for your reminders and help, I fear I wouldn’t have been able to consider things so thoroughly. What you’ve said is right—the Fourth Prince is a man of his own mind and convictions, not someone I can sway at will. In fact, I shouldn’t have tried to do so in the first place.”

Wei Baofu spoke with a touch of melancholy. She had unconsciously placed the Fourth Prince in a position of great importance in her heart, someone she thought needed her care and affection, perhaps because she had never had such an important person before. For a moment, she found herself at a loss, unsure how to treat him properly.

Linglong didn’t quite understand what her mistress was thinking but could sense her sadness. Smiling, she said, “My lady, if you live your life well, those around you will be able to share in your happiness. Whether it’s the Empress Dowager or the Fourth Prince, I imagine they too hope you’ll live well.”

Wei Baofu nodded. She was never slow-witted; with just a little guidance, she understood at once. “Alright, I understand now. Go tend to your own business. I’ll read for a while and adjust my mood. Once I’m back, all will be well.”

Her past life had forged in Wei Baofu a remarkable ability to compose herself. No matter what happened, she could always find a way to set her mind at ease. Linglong smiled, gave a respectful curtsy, and quietly departed.

As Wei Baofu’s days passed in calm reflection, Rong Yanzong, on the other hand, was enduring hardship. Dressed only in his underclothes, he sat at the table drinking tea, his expression utterly composed, showing not a trace of anxiety. In contrast, Xiao Zhan and Shanzhu, standing by his side, were visibly tense.

In the center of the room stood a large wooden bath. Xiao Zhan added the prepared medicinal herbs to the water according to the prescription. As soon as the herbs touched the water, it turned a deep, forbidding brown, almost frightening to behold. Shanzhu wiped sweat from his brow in nervousness.

He voiced his worries, “Physician Xiao, are you sure this medicinal bath won’t harm my lord? This medicine looks rather sinister.” Stirring the water, Xiao Zhan replied offhandedly, “Don’t doubt my skills. If you do, you can take over. If you don’t trust my medical expertise, then there’s no one who can save him.”

Xiao Zhan had no patience for those who questioned his skill. Were Shanzhu not a familiar face, he might well have left in a huff. Shanzhu, still uneasy, hesitated before saying, “Master, once you soak in this bath, you won’t be able to use your inner energy for at least two hours. If someone tries to attack during that time, what then?”

Rong Yanzong did have bodyguards, but he seldom kept them close. Trained in martial arts since childhood, he had great confidence in his own skills. Shanzhu, though capable, could not fend off dozens alone, and Xiao Zhan, being a physician, only knew a few tricks for self-defense. Besides an elderly steward and a cook, there was no one else on the estate.

“No one else knows I’m having the poison drawn today, so there’s nothing to worry about.” Rong Yanzong paused, suddenly recalling that when he mentioned this to his mother, the Lady of the State, his sister-in-law had also been present. He hesitated briefly, but the rarity of the herbs made it unthinkable to waste them.

Resolute as ever, Rong Yanzong quickly decided and turned to Xiao Zhan. “Can I enter the bath now?” Xiao Zhan, sweating from the steam, replied unconcernedly, “If you can stand the heat, get in. The hotter the water, the better the effect.”

Without hesitation, Rong Yanzong undressed. Xiao Zhan had already warned him that the process of drawing out the poison would be agony—after all, the residual toxins had seeped into his very bones. To be rid of them completely, suffering was inevitable.

At the sight of his master’s actions, Shanzhu stopped debating, rushing out to fetch more hot water and towels. There was no telling how long the ordeal would last, and everything needed to be properly prepared.

Rong Yanzong, clad in thin underclothes that accentuated his muscular build, the very image of modern athleticism—lean in clothes, powerfully built when bare—stepped into the bath without a second thought.

The instant he entered the water, it felt as if thousands of ants were biting at his flesh. Sweat broke out across his brow, yet his expression remained unchanged, as if he were merely enjoying an ordinary bath. Xiao Zhan, though fond of bantering with him, couldn’t help but admire his forbearance.

“Give me your wrist so I can take your pulse,” Xiao Zhan said softly. He knew better than anyone how excruciating this medicinal bath was. Even as he checked the pulse, he called out, “Shanzhu, come in and wipe your master’s sweat.”

Shanzhu answered from afar and quickly approached. The sound of his footsteps seemed magnified in Rong Yanzong’s ears, intensifying the pain even further. He clenched his teeth but uttered not a sound.

“Hang in there. I didn’t expect your constitution to be so robust—you’ll suffer less for it.” Xiao Zhan dared not lose focus, intent on monitoring his condition. Suddenly, a loud crash sounded outside, followed by Shanzhu’s panicked cry, “Master, assassins!”

Shanzhu’s warning was immediately followed by the sounds of a desperate struggle. Rong Yanzong opened his eyes and said calmly, “Hold them off as best you can—don’t let them in.” He knew he was at a critical juncture in the detoxification process and could not afford to fail now.

Xiao Zhan was frantic. “What do we do? It sounds like there are a lot of them outside. If only you kept more guards with you! If anything happens to Shanzhu—” Rong Yanzong shot him a cold glare. “Enough. Focus on my pulse. Tell me how much longer I must stay in the bath.”

Perhaps the force of Rong Yanzong’s gaze was too much, for Xiao Zhan immediately fell silent, checking the pulse before replying with some relief, “Another quarter of an hour should suffice.”

Rong Yanzong frowned—still not enough time. He withdrew his hand and said calmly, “Hand me my sword, then slip out the window and head to Lady Kangping’s quarters.”

Xiao Zhan panicked at this. “You can’t use your inner energy—you won’t be able to wield the sword. If I go to the lady now, I’d be putting her in danger. I may be cowardly, but I won’t bring harm to others.”

Xiao Zhan had his principles. Rong Yanzong smiled faintly. “The lady’s guards are formidable. They won’t be able to harm her. Besides, their target is me. Even without inner energy, a sword in hand is still some defense.”

Even as he finished speaking, Shanzhu’s voice came from outside, strained and desperate, “Master, I can’t hold them any longer—you must go!” Fierce fighting erupted outside. Xiao Zhan wasted no more time, quickly handed over the sword, and leaped out the window toward Fuyue Manor.

Sitting in the bath, sword in hand, Rong Yanzong was disheveled yet far from defeated. A heavy thud sounded as the door was kicked open, and Shanzhu was hurled into the room. Anger blazed in Rong Yanzong’s eyes. “Who are you, to dare such audacity here?”

The masked assailants said nothing, brandishing their weapons as they advanced. Rong Yanzong parried with agility. Shanzhu staggered to his feet, determined to stand by his master even if it cost him his life.

The two fought desperately. Rong Yanzong, now a tiger with its fangs pulled, struggled to hold his own. Shanzhu helped him up, urging, “Master, let’s seek help from the lady.”

A distant rescue could not quench the present fire, but Shanzhu had no other choice. Rong Yanzong wanted to refuse, but the situation left him no room. Fighting as they retreated, the pair headed toward Fuyue Manor, their arrival already having alerted Wei Baofu when Xiao Zhan appeared.

Though she disliked violence, Wei Baofu could not stand by and do nothing. She quickly summoned the estate’s guards and had the villa tightly surrounded. Ye Feng, sword in hand and on high alert, caught sight of Rong Yanzong and Shanzhu in the distance and rushed to their aid.

Within a few exchanges, the assailants were forced back. “Marquis, quickly get inside—the lady is waiting for you,” Ye Feng urged. Rong Yanzong loathed to be seen by her in such a state, but he had no choice and followed Shanzhu’s lead inside.

Wei Baofu sat composed in the front hall, her face betraying no fear. At the sight of Rong Yanzong, she immediately rose. “Physician Xiao, quickly see to the Marquis’s condition.” Perhaps Wei Baofu’s calm was so steadfast that even the servants remained unflustered, and even Xiao Zhan found himself inexplicably reassured.

He carefully examined Rong Yanzong’s pulse and soon declared with delight, “Though a bit tense, all remaining poison has been purged—a great relief.” At these words, Shanzhu finally collapsed, fainting dead away, and Xiao Zhan hurried to tend to him.

While keeping an eye on the commotion outside, Rong Yanzong apologized, “I’m sorry to have alarmed you, my lady. I failed to anticipate all possibilities.” Wei Baofu smiled and shook her head. “No one knows which will come first, the unexpected or tomorrow. These things happen. What matters now is to get through this safely.”

Wei Baofu longed to see for herself what was happening outside. She did not know how many enemies there were, but was grateful she had enough guards—had the Empress Dowager not insisted she take extra, who knew what might have happened.

Yu Shun saw her concern and said softly, “My lady, let me check outside. Don’t worry about Guard Ye.” Wei Baofu nodded, replying, “Tell him to put his own safety first.”

After all, Ye Feng had guarded her for many years. Though he spoke little, he held an important place in her heart, a guarantee of her peace of mind. From any perspective, she did not wish him harmed.

Yet at this moment, Rong Yanzong found the sight rather galling. He blamed himself for his carelessness and worried that Ye Feng might be lost—such a guard was worth his weight in gold. He didn’t want Wei Baofu to resent him, and tried to rouse his inner strength, only to find it entirely unresponsive.

Wei Baofu, however, had no time to console him. These assassins were no ordinary foes; she knew Ye Feng’s skills well enough to realize that if he’d been fighting this long without returning, they might suffer heavy losses tonight.