Hu Xiaotian was jolted awake by a flurry of urgent knocks. Huo Shengnan, nestled in his arms, woke at the same time and asked softly, "What happened?"
Hu Xiaotian frowned. Though displeased at having his pleasant dreams disturbed, he guessed something urgent must have happened. Liang Dazhuang's somewhat sheepish voice came from outside. "Young Master, something terrible has happened."
Hu Xiaotian kissed Huo Shengnan's lovely, snow-white shoulder before asking, "What is it?"
"Yang Longyue, Prince Fu of the Fragrant Kingdom, has been attacked."
"What?" Hu Xiaotian abruptly sat up in bed, dragging the brocade quilt halfway off Huo Shengnan and filling the room with an alluring glimpse of spring. But he no longer had the heart to appreciate the tempting sight before him. He called out, "Get the horses ready. I'll be right there."
Hu Xiaotian quickly got up and dressed. Huo Shengnan rose and began dressing as well. Knowing this was no trivial matter, she softly reminded him to stay calm and prepared to go with him.
Yang Longyue had been stabbed with a sword that pierced his chest. Fortunately amid the misfortune, it had missed his heart and vital vessels. Only after examining him did Hu Xiaotian relax. He had Liang Dazhuang set down the medicine chest. Fang Zhitang and his daughter from Tong Ren Tang had already arrived. Fang Fang had now learned a good deal of Qin Yutong's expertise and had given Yang Longyue a medicinal pill to stop the bleeding.
Hu Xiaotian asked Fang Fang and Huo Shengnan to sterilize the instruments, then personally stopped Yang Longyue's bleeding and stitched his wound.
Yang Longyue watched Hu Xiaotian ply needle and thread over his chest, deftly stitching his skin. His eyes were wide, his lips tightly clenched. He was a man of considerable courage, but watching