Chapter 206: Heartache

Qi Min’s gaze fell on Su Wan’s face, which was the same as hers. Ji Xuan said she was his daughter, and given Ji Xuan’s intimacy with her and their complicated emotions, along with that promise, there was no doubt that she was their child.

Yunzhong City, she knew, was a small town on the outskirts of the Great Zhou, a name that sounded beautiful, but the fields were filled with swirling yellow sand. However, the sunset was magnificent.

Qi Min lowered her eyes slightly, nodding gently, and placed her hand on the edge of the bed.

Su Wan approached, squatting by the bedside, rolled up her sleeves to reveal her slender wrist. Her eyelashes trembled slightly as her fingers touched the pulse. The originally calm expression suddenly became serious.

“How is she?” the Empress asked anxiously.

Su Wan didn’t respond but instead opened Qi Min’s eyes to examine her tongue and then pulled back her clothing, revealing a black swollen lump. She felt a bit more certain in her heart.

She lowered her sleeves and placed Qi Min’s hand back under the quilt, then turned to the waiting female doctor beside her. “Tell me about her condition and how to proceed with the medication.”

The female doctor glanced at Qi Min and went to the outer hall.

Su Wan followed her. As soon as they stepped out of the inner hall, the open, cold outer hall made her shiver.

“Madam Qi was shot in the back with an arrow during a winter hunt many years ago. The arrow was smeared with a deadly poison, and her condition was critical. She was immediately sent to Baima Temple, where Master Mingjue performed a bone scraping to detoxify her. However, the residual poison remained. Master Mingjue’s medicine has been suppressing the toxins, extending Madam Qi’s life, but she suffers daily from bone pain. He has been giving her medicinal baths to relieve the pain.”

The female doctor took out a porcelain bottle and handed it to Su Wan, saying, “Master Mingjue came up with a method using mutual generation and mutual restraint two years ago, creating this pill from several poisonous substances. Because it is made from highly toxic materials, Madam Qi’s vitality is completely depleted, and we fear she may not be able to withstand it. The Empress has been holding back on using it until absolutely necessary, and then we will take the gamble.”

Su Wan pulled out the cork, took a sniff of the scent, and furrowed her brows slightly. She replaced the cork, put the bottle into her sleeve pocket, and said, “Show me the medicine she takes every day, as well as the prescription for the medicinal bath, so I can prepare her treatment.”

Master Mingjue’s idea was good, and this pill could neutralize and counteract the poison Qi Min had.

However, her condition was too poor; she needed some time to recuperate.

“Alright, I’ll get them right away.” The female doctor entered the inner hall and came back with the prescription and medicine bottle. “Everything is here.”

Su Wan carefully examined the prescriptions for both the internal medicine and the medicinal bath, contemplating for a moment before forming a rough plan.

Returning to the inner hall, she saw Qi Min leaning against a large welcoming pillow, slightly slumped as if she might slide off at any moment. The Regent quietly stood by her side, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on her face.

Qi Min seemed uncomfortable under the scrutiny and turned her face away, chewing slowly on the food the female attendant was feeding her.

However, after eating just over half a bowl, she could no longer continue.

The Regent picked up a cup of water from the side and handed it to her.

The female attendant was startled and quickly accepted the cup with both hands, carefully feeding Qi Min.

Qi Min lowered her eyelids, and took a few sips of water. Her gaze drifted to the blood-stained cloth he was holding, and it felt as though her heart was pricked with pain. Her expression became increasingly vacant; she had forgotten everything about the past, but her body still held memories. What about her feelings for him?

“Sister?” The Empress noticed Qi Min’s scattered thoughts and gently called out, asking, “Are you feeling unwell?”

Qi Min shook her head and instructed the female doctor, “Please bandage his hand.”

The Regent’s gaze trembled slightly as he fixed his eyes firmly on her, extending his hand toward Su Wan, allowing her to take care of it.

Su Wan asked the female doctor for the medicine box, then uncovered the cloth. The cloth was stuck to the wound with dried blood, and as she tore it away, the healing wound was ripped open, causing fresh blood to gush out, leaving his palm a bloody mess.

Seeing this scene, Qi Min’s mind flashed with a brief image.