In the west courtyard guest room of the Zhiming Marquisate, the poisoned and unconscious Zijing lay on the bed, her face pale, her delicate body trembling ceaselessly. Even in her coma, she looked to be in unbearable pain.
By the bedside, Xia Xinyu quietly took her pulse, her brows furrowing from time to time.
At the side, Mingyue stood anxiously, tears lingering in her eyes. They had been together for thirty years; though they were mistress and servant in name, their bond surpassed that of blood sisters.
"How is she? Can the poison be cured?" Ning Chen asked gravely.
"It can."
Xia Xinyu withdrew the hand taking Zijing's pulse, rose to tuck the blanket around her, and replied, "This poison is exceedingly vicious. Fortunately, Zijing's cultivation is formidable enough to protect her heart meridian. However, after the poison is cured, she will need a long period of recuperation. During that time, she must not fight again."
Ning Chen nodded. "Is there anything you need me to do?"
With a smile, Xia Xinyu shook her head. Pointing at Mingyue beside her, she asked softly, "Aren't you going to explain?"
The sovereign of Northern Meng was actually a woman—such a thing was truly hard to believe.
"It's a long story."
Ning Chen sighed softly and looked at the girl beside him. "During the Northern Meng coup, the Northern Meng imperial family was nearly wiped out. Fan Lingyue only had time to protect Mingyue, who was still swaddled in infancy. Mingyue is now the sole remaining member of Northern Meng's Imperial Lineage, so she had no choice but to make this decision."
"Earth-shattering and shocking."
Xia Xinyu sighed with feeling. No wonder he had refused no matter what to hand Mingyue over back then. Once this matter was exposed, chaos would undoubtedly sweep