Chapter 46: Pride or Life

Chapter 46: Honor or Life

Ye Tian quickly finished his meal and turned to Liji, who was still standing nearby. “Aren’t you going to rest?” he asked.

“It’s fine, I’ll wait for you to rest first,” Liji replied.

“You should go. I may not rest tonight,” Ye Tian said.

“What? Not resting? What will you do then?” Liji asked in surprise.

“There’s a lot to do. I have to grind these herbs into powder and cut them into segments—it’s all very troublesome,” Ye Tian explained as he took the tools Liji had found for him. They were decent enough, at least capable of crushing the herbs.

“I’ll help you,” Liji suddenly offered.

“No need. It’s quite a hassle,” Ye Tian said.

“I’ll help you,” she insisted.

“Very well, but you have to follow my instructions. Some herbs over there are poisonous. Don’t touch them, remember?”

Liji nodded. “Let me show you how to do it first. Then you can follow my example.” Ye Tian tossed a handful of herbs into the mortar and started crushing them with the pestle. It was a tedious task.

“Just like this. Remember, they must be crushed completely for optimal effect.” Ye Tian handed the pestle to Liji and picked up the scissors to deal with some troublesome herbs.

When dawn arrived, Laura came by and saw Ye Tian and Liji asleep. Liji still held the pestle in her hand, while Ye Tian had scissors in one hand and herbs in the other. Suddenly, Laura sensed someone behind her. She turned and was startled—it was Charles V.

Laura was just about to call out, but Charles V gestured for her to remain silent, then turned and left. Laura glanced inside, smiled, and quietly closed the door.

At the hour of the rabbit, Ye Tian slowly awakened. He had stayed up until daylight the previous day before finally succumbing to sleep. Liji had fallen asleep out of exhaustion earlier, during the hour of the ugly. Seeing the maid still asleep, Ye Tian rubbed his eyes, gently picked her up, placed her on the bed, and covered her with a blanket. She immediately curled up adorably, hugging the blanket.

Ye Tian quietly stepped outside. The morning sun was bright.

“Sir Gehr, did you rest well?” A young man approached Ye Tian, greeting him with elegance.

“Not bad. And you are?” Ye Tian asked, puzzled by the stranger.

“How rude! This is His Highness the Crown Prince. Kneel and pay your respects!” Another young man behind him said arrogantly.

“Oh, so you’re the Crown Prince. My respects,” Ye Tian greeted with clasped hands.

“Such insolence!” The man behind the Crown Prince was about to lose his temper, but the Crown Prince stopped him. “It’s fine. He isn’t a citizen of the Leighton Principality; there’s no need for him to bow.” Turning sincerely to Ye Tian, he said, “I hope you can save my sister.”

“I’ll do my best,” Ye Tian replied.

“My poor sister,” the Crown Prince sighed. “If I could, I would gladly suffer in her place.”

“No need for sorrow, Your Highness. People fall ill from all sorts of reasons; no one knows when symptoms might arise. As long as we can cure them, that’s what matters,” Ye Tian said.

“Please, I beg you!” The Crown Prince bowed.

“I’ll do my best,” Ye Tian replied.

“Your Highness! Your Highness! His Majesty summons you,” a guard hurried over.

“Sorry,” the Crown Prince apologized.

“No problem, please go ahead,” Ye Tian gestured, and the Crown Prince departed with his retinue.

“How interesting!” Ye Tian smiled to himself. Then he heard a commotion inside, followed by Liji’s startled cry.

“Hey, hey, no need to be so excited this early,” Ye Tian called from outside. “Good morning.”

“Oh no, oh no!” Liji hurriedly threw off the blanket and ran out, only to trip at the doorway and fall forward.

“Careful,” Ye Tian said, catching her.

“Ara, ara!” Laura’s voice rang out beside them. “So affectionate this early in the morning—I’m positively jealous.”

Liji’s face flushed red. She broke free from Ye Tian’s arms and tried to compose herself. “Laura, stop with the nonsense.”

“Is it not true? By the way, Sir Gehr, how is Liji’s chest? Is it big?” Laura asked nonchalantly.

“No—” Ye Tian began, but immediately felt a murderous glare from the side.

“Heh, what is Miss Laura saying?” he replied awkwardly.

“Oh, let me tell you a secret, Sir Gehr. Liji actually binds her chest with bandages,” Laura continued.

Ye Tian couldn’t help but glance at Liji’s chest—so that’s why.

“Pervert!” Bang! Ye Tian toppled over, and Liji glared furiously at Laura.

“Ara, ara, I have things to do,” Laura said, bowing and then running off with a smile.

“Stop right there! I’ll tear your mouth apart!” Liji chased after her, shooting Ye Tian a glance as she left.

“Heh,” Ye Tian chuckled dryly, then turned back to his work.

His stomach rumbled. Looking around the room, he realized last night’s snacks were gone—no breakfast for him. Oh well, missing one meal wouldn’t kill him. He might as well get back to work.

After a while, Liji returned, her blush faded, but when she saw Ye Tian, it returned.

“Sir Gehr, this way please. Breakfast is ready for you,” Liji said politely.

“Oh, thank you,” Ye Tian quickly set aside his tools and followed Liji to the dining room. When he arrived, he was surprised to see Charles V present.

“Sir Gehr, please, have a seat,” the emperor beckoned.

“Good morning, Your Majesty,” Ye Tian greeted.

“No need for formality, please sit,” Charles V said.

Ye Tian nodded and sat down.

“How did you rest last night, Sir Gehr?” Charles V asked as he cut his food with a dining knife.

“Not bad,” Ye Tian replied awkwardly, having not slept in bed at all, but worked through the night.

Charles V glanced at him, smiling. “Regarding your proposal, I discussed it with the Empress.”

“So, did she agree?” Ye Tian suddenly stood up.

“Please, don’t be so agitated!” Charles V said calmly. “This is a serious matter. The Empress said she needs to consider it further. I expect there will be a decision by tonight,” he said, sipping his wine.

Ye Tian was speechless. Watching Charles V eat his breakfast, he couldn’t help but speak, “Your Majesty, matters like this should not be delayed.”

“I know,” Charles V replied calmly.

“If you know, then what’s there to consider?” Ye Tian said angrily.

“Sir Gehr, mind your attitude,” Liji reminded him.

“Hmph!” Ye Tian speared a piece of beef with his fork and swallowed it whole.

After finishing his meal, Charles V wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Sir Gehr, you must understand—this concerns the honor of the Leighton Empire.”

“Sorry, that’s not my concern. I am a physician; my duty is to heal. Don’t tell me about anything else,” Ye Tian said curtly.

“I envy you. I wish I could do the same, but I cannot—my position forbids it,” Charles V said, resting his chin on his hand.

“Hmph, would you be saddened if the princess died?” Ye Tian asked.

“Sir Gehr!” Liji cried, but Charles V waved her off, signaling her not to be upset.

“Setting aside my status, she is my child. Do you think I wouldn’t grieve?” Charles V said coldly.

“How many people know about this?” Ye Tian asked suddenly.

“Many—impossible to keep it secret,” Charles V replied.

“In that case, let everyone know. Tell them you’re not acting for the princess, but for your own daughter,” Ye Tian said, tossing down his knife and wiping his mouth as he rose. “Excuse me, I have much to prepare, so I’ll take my leave.”

“Sir Gehr!” Liji was furious—the audacious man had dared to speak so bluntly to the emperor. With a flip of her hand, a pair of daggers appeared.

“Don’t be rash,” Charles V stopped her. Ye Tian bowed and left.

“Your Majesty!” Liji was puzzled—Charles V was not known for his patience, so why tolerate Ye Tian?

“He’s right. I should consider my daughter. Summon the Empress!” Charles V rose to leave.

Ye Tian returned to his room and quietly began packing his things, carefully wrapping the ground herbs—he would need them soon. After a while, the door opened and Liji entered.

“Sir Gehr, His Majesty requests your presence.”

In the study, Charles V was accompanied by a dignified, regal woman—presumably his wife.

“Your Majesty,” Ye Tian greeted with a bow.

“I called you here to tell you that the Empress has agreed,” Charles V said calmly.

“Then please begin preparations at once. Here is a list—Your Majesty, please prepare these items. Once everything is ready, I will begin treating the princess,” Ye Tian said.