Ji Wushang probably cried herself to sleep in his arms. Nan Xuzong gently carried her to bed, covered her with a brocade quilt, and then got into bed himself.
He held her in his arms, kissed her lips, and then closed his eyes.
Nan Xuzong didn't hate her, but he hated Yiyun Shangcheng. One day, he would personally take it back from him!
He sighed softly, just about to circulate his internal energy to regulate his breathing, but unexpectedly, a piercing pain surged from the depths of his heart all the way to his brain!
His expression changed, and he immediately covered his lips and rolled out of bed! But he couldn't hold back any longer, and a mouthful of black blood spurted out!
Nan Xuzong collapsed to the ground!
His long eyelashes fluttered. He looked at Ji Wushang, who was still asleep on the bed, and was slightly relieved to find that he hadn't disturbed her.
He immediately pressed his acupoints and barely managed to stand up from the ground. However, looking at the pool of blood on the ground, he thought for a moment and decided to find something to clean it up himself. He also changed his inner clothes.
"Hongfei." Nan Xuzong walked out and called out softly.
Hongfei rushed in from outside, "Master." When she saw Nan Xuzong's deathly pale face, she was stunned, "Master, you?"
"Don't make a fuss!" Nan Xuzong narrowed his eyes. "Dispose of these things for me. Don't tell the Fourth Princess Consort about this."
"Yes." Hongfei suppressed her worry and took the clothes Nan Xuzong gave her, only to find that they were covered in blood...
"Master!" Hongfei cried out again, "You, you're doing this, it will, it will..."
"It's nothing. It's just a small matter, why panic?" Nan Xuzong's eyes turned slightly cold as he glanced at Hong Fei. "Go down."
"Yes." Hongfei was worried but dared not overstep his bounds.
Nan Xuzong prepared some medicine for himself, took it, and then lay back down in bed.
We mustn't arouse her suspicion.
The morning sunlight streamed into the room, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Ji Wushang opened her eyes and saw Nan Xuzong still lying beside her. She had slept soundly all night, but her eyes were still a little sore. Ji Wushang thought that this was probably because she had cried last night!
She was just thinking of giving Nan Xuzong a push, since today was the day Yi Yun Muchen and Bei Gong Jueshi were leaving for Wudang Mountain, and she didn't know if she should go and see them off.
But he looked extremely tired. Ji Wushang still didn't wake him.
She quietly got up, dressed and made herself up, and then went to the courtyard to take care of some things while having Hongfei and Cuiwu prepare breakfast.
After a long time, when Ji Wushang returned to Moxuan Garden, Nan Xuzong still hadn't woken up. Feeling something was off, Ji Wushang went into the inner room.
She lifted the curtain. "Cong," she called softly, "Are you up?"
"Hmm," Nan Xuzong responded softly before opening his dark eyes.
"Is something bothering you? Does your wound hurt?" Ji Wushang asked as her family members tried to take his pulse, but Nan Xuzong was quicker and grabbed her arm with one hand instead. "I'm fine."
“You seem a little weak, let me see.” Ji Wushang withdrew his hand and placed it on his forehead.
He smiled and said, "The medicine last night had some drowsy ingredients, which is why I was a little sleepy, but I'm fine now." Nan Xuzong took Ji Wushang's hand and squeezed it tightly in his palm. "Your body is still so cold, but don't worry, I will help you get better."
"Alright." Seeing his smile, Ji Wushang's mood improved as well. "You know my health... Get up and have your meal! Today, the second son of the king and Mu Chen are going to Wudang Mountain together. I'm afraid the King of the Western Regions will send people to cause trouble, so I think we should go and see them off again."
“Okay, whatever you say.” Nan Xuzong nodded, and Ji Wushang left. “I’ll go and have someone prepare the meal.”
"Okay." Nan Xuzong replied and got out of bed, but as soon as he moved, his body and mind felt as if they were being pulled apart!
Nan Xuzong quickly applied pressure points to himself before he could barely get up.
I got dressed before going out.
Ji Wushang was already waiting and had served him the porridge.
The two nodded and then dined together.
Around noon, Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong entered the Crown Prince's residence, but only Huangfu Xuan remained inside.
Upon inquiry, it was learned that Bei Gong Jue Shi and Yi Yun Mu Chen had already traveled to Wudang Mountain in a carriage early in the morning, accompanied by several guards.
Ji Wushang was worried, but Nan Xuzong had already spoken up, "The King of the Western Regions was seriously injured, and the five elders are either dead or injured. We also defeated the Black Corpse Legion, so they should be safe. You don't need to worry."
"Um."
Just then, Ma Ruyi came in from outside, carrying a plate of fruits and snacks. "Have some of these fruits and snacks. You must have been very tired last night."
"Mm." Huangfu Xuan nodded.
Ji Wushang immediately bowed to Ma Ruyi, saying, "Greetings, Crown Princess."
"Don't mention it, get up." Ma Ruyi smiled and placed the things on the table.
At this moment, Nan Xuzong glanced at Huangfu Xuan and blinked. Huangfu Xuan immediately understood. "Yi'er, didn't you say yesterday that you didn't know how to do some parts of the new embroidery you made? Why don't you let your fourth sister-in-law take a look?"
“Yes. Wu Shang, would you be willing to come with me and give me some pointers? These embroideries from the Great Xia Zhou Dynasty are so beautiful! I was so tempted to try embroidering one, but His Highness the Crown Prince said there was a problem. I asked him, but he wouldn't say. Why don't you do me a favor?” Ma Ruyi immediately stepped forward and took Ji Wu Shang's hand.
Ji Wushang smiled, his eyes turning to Nan Xuzong, "Zong, then I..."
"Okay, go ahead! You two be careful." Nan Xuzong readily agreed.
"Yes." The two smiled at each other and walked out hand in hand.
Huangfu Xuan watched the two of them leave, glanced at Nan Xuzong, and then went forward to close the door first. "What is it?"
"Is there any way to cure the Heart-Eating Gu?" Nan Xuzong was sitting at the table at this moment, looking at Huangfu Xuan.
"Heart-Eating Gu?" Huangfu Xuan frowned and stepped forward. "Did the King of the Western Regions give it to you?"
"Hmm." Nan Xuzong nodded. "It's just about killing me!"
"Making you suffer unbearable pain is the real goal!" Huangfu Xuan sneered. "This Gu poison is probably only cured by those who refine Gu! What do you plan to do?"
"Is there any way to alleviate this?" Nan Xuzong looked at him. "Just get through a month."
When everything is over in a month, whether you live or die will be entirely up to fate!
Huangfu Xuan shook his head. "You should know that I don't understand these things. You can't help it, and neither can I."
"There's no way to alleviate it?" Nan Xuzong stood up at this moment. "Then... let's give up!"
"You're still worried about her," Huangfu Xuan said. "You can't keep suffering like this!"
“The King of the Western Regions will not hand over the antidote.” Nan Xuzong looked up at the sky. “I can hold out for three days.”
"Three days? You want to deal with the King of the Western Regions within three days?" Huangfu Xuan looked at him. "The border is already unstable; several battles, large and small, have already broken out. I'm afraid I'll have to lead troops out of the border soon. Do you understand?"
"I can manage without your help!"
"My father has recently taken a liking to a woman who is extremely beautiful. I have no idea when she appeared or when she entered the palace!" Huangfu Xuan said at this moment. "And recently, foreign enemies have infiltrated the capital, wanting to seize the Nine-Bend Heavenly Palace and the Silent Zither, and wanting the secrets inside."
"Then you should keep it safe!" Nan Xuzong's eyes darkened. "I can't help you with that." He thought for a moment, "As for Father Emperor's favoritism towards that woman, that's quite normal!"
"Never mind, I have already sent people to keep a close eye on that woman. Consort Ning is also extremely anxious, and I believe she will take action."
"I don't want to get involved in the harem's power struggles!" Nan Xuzong stood up. How did things get so far? He didn't care about the harem or what they did! However, the main reason Huangfu Xuan brought it up was because Huangfu Xuan was the crown prince, and he was afraid of a crown prince being deposed.
But if the crown prince is deposed, wouldn't Huangfu Xuan resort to regicide to seize the throne? These people are all wolves and tigers!
Nan Xuzong sneered inwardly, but his face remained unchanged. "Since there's no other way, then I'll just walk away and not help you with anything else!"
"What do you mean?" Huangfu Xuan looked at Nan Xuzong. "You want to?"
“I want to keep her company.” Nan Xuzong smiled silently and walked out. “You are already the Crown Prince, you no longer need me.”
Huangfu Xuan watched his departing figure, his eyes darkening.
I'll give him three days to see how he holds on. I don't believe Nan Xuzong would give up so easily!
Guided by a maid, Nan Xuzong entered an elegant garden. Before even stepping inside, he could hear bursts of laughter and soft voices, all the shy, girlish chatter of young women.
"Wu Shang, I'd like to ask you something: did you make the robe that Fourth Prince is wearing?" Ma Ruyi asked with a smile.
"Yes, I made it." Ji Wushang smiled, she just loved making clothes for him.
"How wonderful! I want to learn how to make a dress for Xuan to wear."
"Go ahead and do it, I'll teach you." Ji Wushang smiled and threaded the needle, then pointed to the embroidery pieces one by one, helping to embroider a mandarin duck.
Nan Xuzong stood outside the courtyard, quietly watching the woman inside, her face beaming with joy. Such a radiant smile—nothing in the world is more precious than this.
Ji Wushang smiled radiantly as she worked on her embroidery and chatted with Ma Ruyi.
Huangfu Xuan walked over from outside, and knew that Nan Xu Cong must be here.
He stepped forward and stood with Nan Xuzong.
"Aren't you going in to see her?" Huangfu Xuan said. "I sincerely hope you two can continue."
"Thank you," Nan Xuzong said calmly, then walked inside. "Wu Shang."
Huangfu Xuan also went in.
"Show off." Ma Ruyi immediately exclaimed softly.
Ji Wushang had already thrown herself onto Nan Xuzong, saying, "I'm teaching the Crown Princess how to do embroidery."
"I know." Nan Xuzong gently hugged her. "Shall we go out for a walk to clear our heads?"
“But, but I still, I still…” Ji Wushang looked at Ma Ruyi, but he could no longer see Ma Ruyi and Huangfu Xuan.
"What are you going to return?" Nan Xuzong laughed. "Let's go!"
Ji Wushang nodded, realizing he couldn't stay any longer.
The warm sun hangs in the sky, gentle and comforting. The boat drifts leisurely, a gentle breeze blows, and the water remains calm.
Ji Wushang never expected that Nan Xuzong would take him to swim in this lake. This was his first time! Ji Wushang was overjoyed. The wind was so gentle, and the water was so refreshing.
Nan Xuzong actually became a boatman, standing there gently rowing with a bamboo pole.
“Cong, you used to…” No, Ji Wushang stopped abruptly. He had just been thinking of asking him, “You used to come here to play too…” But then he thought, what play? He’s been in a wheelchair for so long, how could he possibly come to these places to play?
"What before?" Nan Xuzong's mellow voice drifted out, his dark eyes filled with affection as he looked at the beautiful woman in the distance who had lowered her jade-like hands and was playing with clear water.
Ji Wushang said, "You did think about bringing me here before." She smiled.
"Yes, I've thought about it." Nan Xuzong said, putting down the bamboo pole in her hand, and then walked over. Ji Wushang saw that she had sat down and made room for her. He smiled and sat down, then put one arm around her waist.
"This is a place that's not easily discovered; it's quiet and peaceful, and I really like it." Nan Xuzong looked into the distance.
"Cong, is everything over now?" Ji Wushang rested his head on his shoulder and placed his hand on his waist.
Nan Xuzong looked at the sky, secretly exerted force in his hand, and then made the small boat row towards the center of the lake on its own.
"Hmm." Nan Xuzong nodded. "Almost there."