106. The Cruel Choice

The commander was filled with panic, unsure how to respond. If he spoke out, wouldn’t he be offending Yu Zhiyang? Yet why would Yu Zhiyang entrust him with such a secret message? What did it mean?

He was still pondering when Zhan Lianjing suddenly raised his hand, unleashing a powerful gust that sent the commander flying.

Haoyue, witnessing this, asked, “My lord, are you not going to question him?”

Zhan Lianjing lowered his gaze and said coldly, “He’s merely a messenger. Having done so much, I won’t trouble him further.”

Haoyue felt a chill; Zhan Lianjing was truly angry now, and she felt it keenly.

“My lord, what about Miss Le…” Haoyue hesitated, unsure whether to continue.

Zhan Lianjing raised his hand, signaling her to stop.

In truth, the old emperor had no intention of falsely accusing Le Qianxue. The incident where Qingqing was captured would reveal flaws upon closer inspection. But the old emperor wanted Zhan Lianjing to harbor suspicions about Le Qianxue, for he was naturally distrustful. Once suspicion took root, doubts would multiply.

Now, with the commander’s message confirming his suspicions, Zhan Lianjing asked, “Are preparations complete?”

Haoyue was startled but soon saw Zhuixing entering. Zhuixing respectfully cupped his hands and said, “Everything has been arranged.”

Haoyue did not know what scheme Zhan Lianjing had in mind and merely glanced at Zhuixing.

Zhuixing gave her a warning look—this was not the time to speak, lest she risk her life.

Haoyue held her tongue. Zhan Lianjing then said, “Wait until Yuan Tianci has taken the Seven-Colored Elixir before acting.”

Zhuixing acknowledged and withdrew.

Zhan Lianjing’s expression remained calm, but a closer look revealed the coldness in his eyes, a chill that repelled others. He had once been like this, but after meeting Le Qianxue, the frost in his eyes had slowly thawed. Now, it had returned, for he could not tolerate betrayal or deceit.

As for whether Le Qianxue was truly a ghost doctor, he would find out for himself.

Though he already knew the truth, he still wished to test her.

---

At the General’s Residence.

Le Qianxue had been preparing numerous elixirs for Qingqing’s treatment, which took much of her energy. Huatao watched sorrowfully, urging her to rest.

Le Qianxue gently shook her head and said, “I’m fine. By the way, did Tianci go to the Prince’s mansion early this morning?”

Huatao nodded, “Yes, the divine doctor went early.”

Le Qianxue only responded with a hum. She had considered sending a message through Yuan Tianci but decided against it.

Qingqing’s injury was severe; Le Qianxue focused solely on her care.

Qingqing hadn’t awakened yet. Le Qianxue carefully changed her dressings.

After two days of constant tending, Le Qianxue was growing weary; caring for the sick was truly taxing.

But since Qingqing was Zhan Lianjing’s subordinate, it mattered little.

Strangely, Zhan Lianjing had not come to see her these past two days, confirming that he still harbored doubts about her.

She sighed; having saved Qingqing, she could explain matters gradually in time.

Coincidentally, Yuan Tianci returned and exclaimed upon entering, “Qianxue! I’ve succeeded!”

Le Qianxue glanced at him. “Succeeded in what?”

Yuan Tianci chuckled, “Zhan Yunge’s illness has improved, thanks to me. This time, the use of the Seven-Colored Elixir was very effective.”

Originally, Le Qianxue had planned to use the elixir herself, but Yuan Tianci insisted on treating Zhan Yunge. Eventually, she relented, trusting his skills, especially since Zhan Yunge was Zhan Lianjing’s sister.

Hearing this, Le Qianxue was glad and nodded. “Congratulations. Why don’t you stay and observe Zhan Yunge’s condition?”

Yuan Tianci happily hummed a tune and replied, “Haoyue is watching her. I came back to ask you for some herbs I need.”

Le Qianxue said, “Go ahead. The alchemy room has everything.”

Since everything was there, Yuan Tianci busily set about his work.

Le Qianxue smiled faintly. Controlling Zhan Yunge’s illness was a blessing, and Zhan Lianjing should be pleased too.

She planned to visit Zhan Yunge tomorrow and then explain everything to Zhan Lianjing.

In the midday drowsiness, Le Qianxue dozed off. After days of intense care for Qingqing, she finally allowed herself some rest.

But soon, she was roused by someone calling her name and shaking her.

Rubbing her eyes, she asked, “What is it?”

Huatao’s voice quivered as she sobbed, “Miss, someone came from the Prince’s mansion… they say Yuan Tianci is in trouble…”

Le Qianxue’s mind went blank. Though still half-dazed, she was now fully alert.

She rose calmly and asked, “What happened? How did Tianci get hurt?”

How could something happen at the Prince’s mansion?

Yet a chill ran through her. Could it be that Zhan Lianjing suspected her so deeply that he was taking it out on Yuan Tianci?

Cold sweat broke out as she hurriedly got up.

Le Qianxue wanted to leave, but Huatao urged, “Miss, the people from the Prince’s mansion said you should bring your medicine box. They said it would be useful.”

Le Qianxue frowned. Bring her medicine box? What was going on?

Since such news came from the Prince’s mansion, she thought no more and grabbed her box before rushing out.

She had never noticed the oppressive atmosphere of the mansion before, but today it felt suffocating.

A maid led her to a small courtyard. Sensitive to the scent of blood, Le Qianxue froze—it was no wonder they had her bring the medicine box; Yuan Tianci was injured.

Still, it was strange. The mansion employed many doctors—why send for her?

And what exactly had happened to Yuan Tianci?

Thinking this, she entered the room and saw Yuan Tianci lying on the floor, surrounded by blood. A sword wound to his chest had stained his clothes crimson.

She gasped and hurried over. “Tianci!”

Her hands trembled, anger rising—who had dared attack Yuan Tianci?

---

She immediately checked his pulse. Fortunately, he was still salvageable.

Opening her medicine box, she used scissors to cut open his clothes. The wound looked familiar—she paused. Yuan Nanfeng had suffered a similar injury before! The wound’s depth and size were identical!

Le Qianxue’s face paled. What on earth was happening?

Calming herself, she noticed another person in the room—Zhan Lianjing, seated in a wheelchair.

He sat in the shadows, his expression unreadable, but she saw his fingers twitch.

Le Qianxue asked coldly, “How did my master Tianci get injured?”

Zhan Lianjing didn’t answer directly but said, “He’s barely clinging to life. Won’t you save him, Ghost Doctor?”

Le Qianxue steadied herself, showing no surprise.

Zhan Lianjing looked at her, now willing to believe her.

But he was determined to pressure her.

He said, “Every time Yuan Tianci saves someone, he brings you along. At first, I didn’t mind; I thought nothing of it. Even the emperor thought I was foolish and sent Qingqing forward to warn me. Upon reflection, I thought of Yuan Feng and Yin Susu. Back then, I was blinded and believed Susu’s one-sided story. And you, Le Qianxue, have been hiding things from me all along!”

Le Qianxue trembled all over, half-kneeling, feeling utterly powerless.

Indeed, because Zhan Lianjing favored her due to his feelings, he hadn’t suspected her before. Otherwise, his cautious and suspicious nature would have uncovered her.

He trusted her deeply, yet she had betrayed him.

He couldn’t help but laugh bitterly—once hurt, not enough, he now suffered a second wound.

This time, the old emperor had set a trap, causing Zhan Lianjing to be wary of Le Qianxue. His suspicions swirled, and without the commander’s message, he had already guessed much.

Truly laughable…

Zhan Lianjing paused, then continued, “Well? Still won’t save him? You are supposed to be a ghost doctor, Le Qianxue. If you refuse to save him now, I will pretend I know nothing, and you are no ghost doctor.”

This gave Le Qianxue a choice, but it was a matter of life and death—Yuan Tianci’s life!

A lump stuck in her throat, but she smiled faintly. “Prince Zhan, you actually use Tianci’s life to force me to choose? Then I won’t hesitate—I will choose Tianci.”

She had concealed the truth from Zhan Lianjing, not Yuan Tianci’s fault. If Yuan Tianci died because of this, she would feel guilty for life.

Zhan Lianjing’s expression darkened again as he clenched the wheelchair’s armrest. He wished to seize Le Qianxue and forbid her from saving him. Then he would have his reason… a reason to forgive her.

But Le Qianxue was saving him.

Zhan Lianjing felt a pressure in his chest, his palms gathering energy, nearly striking out—but he restrained himself.

This was the first time he saw Le Qianxue so earnest; she had never displayed such exquisite medical skill before.

Le Qianxue hesitated momentarily, then administered the injection and medicine swiftly and smoothly.

Zhan Lianjing felt she was a stranger to him now.

Finally, Le Qianxue applied the medicine and bandaged the wound.

She then looked up and said, “I didn’t tell you because I knew your temper; I feared you wouldn’t treat me fairly. The Japanese wanted to tell you, but Yunge’s accident prevented it. I felt guilty for hiding the truth from you, but now, I feel no guilt at all. You, Zhan Lianjing, truly do not deserve my affection! Whatever you have, take it out on me—you’ve hurt Tianci instead!”