The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife
Chapter 42: Ninth Prince, How Could You Leave?

Chapter 42: Ninth Prince, How Could You Leave?

Resentment dissipated, mingling with the scent of burnt flesh.

The figure in the black robe was once again astonished, his pupils slightly contracted.

However, Nanli had exhausted her remaining profound energy, feeling weak and powerless, only able to support herself with the Xuanyue Sword.

The black-robed figure sneered, knowing that even with her exceptional talent, she would still meet her demise.

He took out a crossbow, pulled the trigger, and a bolt flew towards Nanli’s chest.

Having lost too much blood, Nanli could clearly hear the sound of the bolt approaching, but her body was too weak to lift her hand.

Just as the bolt was about to pierce through, a swooshing sound echoed in her ears.

A feathered arrow shot from the east, splitting the crossbow bolt in half.

Nanli turned her head slightly and saw a group of cavalry approaching under the silver moonlight.

The man leading them had an exquisite countenance, holding a longbow in one hand and the reins in the other.

Chilling aura emanated from his entire being, colder than the wind outside.

Seeing that the black-robed figure was about to shoot another bolt, he swiftly nocked an arrow and drew the bowstring.

Bang!

The arrow collided with the bolt, causing it to miss Nanli and land beside her.

"Well done, Ye Siheng," the black-robed figure gritted his teeth, no longer willing to fight, and pulled the reins, immediately leaving.

To prevent being pursued by the Black Armor Guards, he threw out a talisman, disappearing into the darkness along with his horse and men.

Ye Siheng reined in his horse, dismounted, and rushed to Nanli’s side.

She was covered in blood, unable to discern whether it was hers or someone else’s.

"You..." Nanli’s voice was weak, her gaze somewhat confused, "How could you leave?"

Ye Siheng furrowed his brows, about to answer when she couldn’t hold on any longer, her eyes closed, and she collapsed straight down.

He reached out and caught her, letting her lean against his chest.

Untying the cloth strip bound around her right hand, he discovered a wound on her left hand that was still bleeding profusely.

His eyes were as deep and dark as the sea as he took out a handkerchief and bandaged the bloodstain in her hand.

"Prince, is Miss alright?" Qing Feng hurriedly arrived, seeing Nanli pale and covered in blood, feeling a sense of fear.

"Not too well," Ye Siheng’s face darkened, "What about the carriage?"

"Just coming. Please wait a moment," Qing Feng replied.

The carriage had accompanied them out of the city but was much slower than their horses.

Qing Feng went to check on Chu Shuo, who was unconscious beside them, relieved to find that he had no injuries.

Fortunately, not long after, the black wooden carriage finally arrived.

Qing Feng approached, "Prince, let me handle it."

Although his master had stood for a moment, he couldn’t be overly exerted.

"No need," Ye Siheng carried Nanli onto the carriage with great stability.

Qing Feng could only help Chu Shuo onto the carriage as well.

They were not far from the Jing City, only half an hour away.

However, Ye Siheng had made arrangements, sending someone to the palace to fetch the imperial physician and another to the Prince Yu’s Mansion to retrieve a Resurrection Pill.

Qing Feng felt uneasy when he heard that Ye Siheng intended to send Nanli back to the An Yang Marquis Mansion.

His master truly take great effort to protect her reputation. Just as they reached the city gate, they saw Chu Hanlin.

"Where is Li’er? Is she safe?" Chu Hanlin anxiously asked.

Qing Feng replied, "Miss Chu fainted, but Ninth Price has already sent someone to the palace to fetch the imperial physician." Chu Hanlin resisted the urge to immediately check on his daughter and instead quickly instructed the coachman to return to the Anyang Marquis Mansion.

Seeing his daughter’s condition, his heart clenched.

Madam Shen burst into tears.

Chu Ye and his brothers’ eyes turned red as well.

A few of them followed Chu Hanlin inside, even Aunt Qian kept asking about Miss Chu.

Qing Feng’s lips twitched, "There’s still someone in the carriage, aren’t you going to take care of them?"

Chu Ye returned and hastily said, "Almost forgot, is Second Brother alright?"

Upon seeing Chu Shuo clean and unharmed, Chu Ye felt no guilt whatsoever.

As the people of Anyang Marquis Mansion departed, Qing Feng lifted the curtain once again and asked, "My Lord, are we returning to the mansion?"

Ye Siheng closed his eyes, the glow of the night pearl making his complexion even paler. He seemed to be enduring great pain, refraining from speaking, only nodding.

Qing Feng knew that his master’s feet were in great agony.

He suggested, "Prince, Miss Chu might wake up soon. Perhaps it would be best for me to stay behind and ask her if she knows any methods to alleviate the pain?"

"No need." Ye Siheng’s voice trembled slightly as he closed his eyes. "Let’s go back."

Everything was of his own volition, there was no need for her to know.

"Prince..." Qing Feng felt his master was being too stubborn. It will be OK to let her know. "Miss Chu seems to have a natural lack of emotional attachment. Prince it would be better to directly inform her of your intentions so she can understand your feelings."

Ye Siheng’s hand clenched his own knee, his knuckles turning white, veins protruding.

He sneered suddenly, opening his eyes to meet Qing Feng’s gaze. "A crippled man with a life exchanged, I have no right to express my feelings!"

Qing Feng’s heart ached. "But Miss Chu said she will definitely help you break the curse and find the person who exchanged your life."

Ye Siheng’s eyes flickered momentarily.

But soon, they dimmed once again.

The more others treated her kindly, the more she reciprocated. He was just one of them, and that was not what he desired.

Perhaps, as the Empress Dowager said, he should never have been born, and therefore, he was unworthy of any love or affection.

"Let’s go back." Ye Siheng’s two words were resolute, leaving no room for persuasion from Qing Feng.

Qing Feng knew his master would not change his mind. If they continued to linger outside, his master would only suffer more pain.

Unable to do anything else, he could only instruct the coachman to return to the Mansion.

-----

The physician who came to Anyang Marquis Mansion was Doctor Shen.

He had witnessed Nanli’s formidable abilities before and had heard about her breaking curses in the palace. He admired her greatly, but he never expected to be called for a late-night consultation, only to treat her.

After examining her pulse, Doctor Shen wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

Behind the folding screen, a group of people stood. Without even looking at their expressions, he could tell from their pacing that they were extremely worried.

Inside the bedroom, the Dowager and Lady Shen were present.

"Doctor, how is she?" Both of them frowned.

"No worries, no worries. It’s just temporary exhaustion. With a few days of rest, she’ll be fine," Doctor Shen said. "But this injury on her palm... we must be careful. We don’t want it to scar."

As he spoke, he applied medicine to the wound and carefully bandaged it.

The people inside and outside the room breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Doctor Shen’s words.

At that moment, Chunbao entered and announced that someone from the Prince Yu’s Mansion had sent a pill.

Doctor Shen opened the small box and a fragrant scent immediately filled the air.

He exclaimed, "Resurrection Pill?!"

The Dowager’s brow also twitched.

Seeing this, Lady Shen asked, "Mother, is this pill very precious?"

"This was refined from a snow lotus plucked from Kunlun Mountain. It was bestowed upon the Ninth Prince by the former Emperor in recognition of his military achievements. With only one pill, how could it not be precious?" The Dowager’s words carried a hint of mystery.