Xue Daoming had prepared himself for a longer wait, but Hu Xiaotian returned surprisingly quickly. With grief written all over his face, he said, "Your Highness, the princess has already lost consciousness. If you wish to see her, please go in at once."
Xue Daoming nodded and followed Hu Xiaotian into the room.
The moment he entered, a pungent smell of medicinal herbs assailed his nose. Xue Daoming frowned involuntarily. At the sight of the prince, the two young palace maids hurriedly knelt in greeting, but he ignored them and went straight to the bed. Princess Anping lay there with a bluish-black complexion, a dark cloud hanging over her brow. Her eyes were tightly shut, her lips completely black, and her breathing as faint as a gossamer thread. She was clearly on the brink of death.
Xue Daoming slowly shook his head, glittering tears actually appearing in his eyes.
Standing beside him, Hu Xiaotian watched the fellow's every movement at close range. Naturally, he knew Xue Daoming was putting on an act. Mother and son were indeed jackals from the same den, both first-rate actors.
"Xiyue... I came too late..." As Xue Daoming finished speaking, two streams of hot tears rolled down his cheeks.
Hu Xiaotian deliberately stepped forward and leaned close to Xi Yan's ear. "Your Highness, open your eyes and see who has come to visit you."
The heartfelt speech Xue Daoming had been working himself up to deliver was interrupted by this fellow. He cursed inwardly. Does he think this emotion is easy to summon? Once someone interrupts, I have to start all over again. With tears in his eyes, Xue Daoming said, "Lord Hu, there is no need to wake the princess. Let her sleep peacefully."
You wish the princess would die a moment sooner, Hu