As soon as Qi Wang heard this, he couldn’t wait any longer. After all, truthfully, he hadn’t been waiting just a day or two.
At the moment of his death in his previous life, his heart and mind had been filled with devastation and resentment.
He couldn’t understand, why would Qi Yuan kill him? Why would she lay a hand on him?
So in this life, after coming back to life, his first thought had been revenge. He wanted to retaliate, and retaliate fiercely.
He wanted Qi Yuan to realize just how terribly wrong she had been.
He wanted her to lose everything she cared about, to kneel before him in remorse and beg for mercy.
But Qi Yuan was just that stubborn.
He felt that even if Qi Yuan were to be skinned and have her tendons pulled out, the bones underneath would still be made of iron. This woman had never understood what it meant to bend or yield, nor did she grasp the concept of weighing pros and cons.
Yet, all his rage had melted away in the moment he finally saw Qi Yuan again, turning instead into self-pity and regret.
This woman truly didn’t love him.
Even back in the rear court of Zhou Wang’s residence, when he wanted to kill her, she had used a bitter, self-sacrificing ruse without the slightest hesitation.
What infuriated him most was that he still fell for it, still felt pain and hesitation for her.
It was then that he knew: he would never be able to let Qi Yuan go in this lifetime.
He didn’t want her dead, but as long as she remained whole and unharmed, there was no way she’d ever willingly stay by his side.
He had tried countless methods, even harbored killing intent.
But in the end, after all the circling and struggle, he was right back at the beginning.
He had accepted his fate. Even if Qi Yuan remained asleep for a lifetime, so be it.
As long as she stayed by his side, that was enough.
So when he heard from Li Changshi that Qi Yuan was just outside, it felt like a fire had ignited in his chest, burning away all remaining reason.
He had long forgotten his mother and sister’s warnings, and no longer cared whether Eunuch Xu lived or died. He waved his hand distractedly and said, “Go! Call for Divine Physician Xue!”
Li Changshi wanted to say more about Eunuch Xu, after all, he was once one of Qi Wang’s most trusted men. He was afraid the prince still had unresolved feelings. But he didn’t expect that Qi Wang could no longer hear a word.
Qi Wang lifted his foot and walked away quickly, leaving Li Changshi to rush after him.
He walked faster and faster. By the time he reached the door, he nearly tripped over the threshold. Luckily, he managed to grab the doorframe just in time to avoid falling.
Eunuch Feng, serving nearby, was so frightened his soul almost flew out. He cried out, “Your Highness!” and rushed forward to shield the prince’s feet. “Are you alright, Your Highness?”
But Qi Wang, unlike before, didn’t get angry. He simply brushed the dust off his robe and hurriedly continued out the door and down the steps.
Qiu Mama had already gotten off the carriage upon hearing the commotion. Seeing Qi Wang, she immediately dropped to her knees.
She had been prepared with an entire speech, why it was that Gao Qing and the others had all died, yet she and the other elderly maids and the little servant girl, none of whom had martial skills, had survived.
But Qi Wang didn’t show the slightest interest in listening. He waved her off and directly lifted the carriage curtain.
The moment the curtain rose, he saw Qi Yuan lying quietly inside the carriage, hands folded neatly before her.
In that instant, all his resentment vanished.
His grip on the curtain involuntarily tightened.
Qiu Mama, heart pounding, called out cautiously, “Your Highness? Miss Qi came from Jin County, after all. Do you think she should stay outside for now and be examined by the doctor first…”
Qi Wang snapped back to his senses and coldly cut her off: “No need!”
Then he climbed into the carriage himself.
At that moment, Qiu Mama felt every hair on her body stand on end.
Dear heavens!
She was truly terrified that Qi Yuan might suddenly wake up and snap Qi Wang’s neck!
But as Qi Wang carried Qi Yuan down from the carriage, Qi Yuan didn’t move at all.
It was Qiu Mama herself who broke out in a cold sweat.
She couldn’t stop her heart from racing; even her face had turned pale.
Qi Wang laid Qi Yuan on the bed. She didn’t stir the entire time, not even a visible breath. He gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Then he turned to Qiu Mama and asked, “Has she been like this the whole way here?”
Qiu Mama quickly nodded, then sighed. “Lord Gao tried many doctors. At each stop, he’d seek out the most renowned local physician, but no one could do anything.”
She lowered her head, not daring to show her face. “Thankfully, she can still swallow. We’ve been feeding her broth and medicine three times a day just to keep her going. But the doctors all said this can’t go on. If she stays like this…”
Qi Wang reached out and touched Qi Yuan’s hand.
If she were awake, she would have attacked him without hesitation by now.
But now, Qi Yuan was like a declawed kitten, utterly still, without any sensation.
Qi Wang was silent for a moment, then heard Eunuch Feng’s careful voice outside the door: “Your Highness, Divine Physician Xue has arrived. He’s waiting outside.”
Hearing this, Qiu Mama gave Qi Yuan a worried glance.
It had been difficult enough to fool Gao Qing and his men, but they weren’t doctors.
Divine Physician Xue, however, was a true master of his craft.
If he saw through Qi Yuan’s act…
She stole a glance at Qi Wang again.
But judging from his expression, he was clearly deeply in love with Qi Yuan.
Most likely, even if he found out she was pretending, he wouldn’t harm her.
Qi Wang immediately raised his voice: “Let him in!”
Divine Physician Xue came in carrying his own medicine case. When he saw Qi Wang, his expression turned complicated.
But Qi Wang didn’t notice. He stood up immediately and moved aside: “Quick, take a look at her!”
So this was the so-called Miss Qi, who, if she couldn’t be cured, might just have to be buried with the prince?
Divine Physician Xue gave Qi Yuan a glance, his expression calm. He sat down by the bed, lifted her eyelids for a look, then furrowed his brows as he took her pulse, his frown deepening with each moment.
Qiu Mama stood by, tense from head to toe.
Qi Wang, on the other hand, couldn’t wait and asked urgently, “What is it? She was perfectly fine, why would she suddenly fall into this coma?”
Divine Physician Xue frowned. “I’ve seen cases of comatose patients before, but this isn’t quite the same. These symptoms… they don’t match typical coma patterns. And her skin is full and firm, her muscles still taut, she doesn’t look like someone bedridden for long.”
Qiu Mama’s heart nearly jumped out of her chest.
Qi Wang quickly asked, “What do you mean by that? What’s wrong with her?”
Divine Physician Xue thought for a moment and opened his case. “I’ll try a few acupuncture points first and see how she responds.”
Qiu Mama turned pale and clutched her robes tightly.
Acupuncture hurts, how could Miss Qi possibly endure it?!
