County Magistrate Zhou saw the imposing Ningzhou Iron Cavalry, his legs went weak, and he nearly fell to the ground, dood, completely dood. If he hadn’t had murderous intentions, perhaps he could have gotten away with it, but now it’s such an irreparable ss, how could he possibly end it? He turned to run, but Cui Lansong shot an arrow at his feet, stopping him dead in his tracks.
"Why are you running, County Magistrate!" Cui Lansong could identify who was giving orders just by looking at the official’s attire, but running away after causing trouble was an impossibility.
The Ningzhou Iron Cavalry ca with only a squad of cavalry, but it was more than enough to handle the Governnt Officials of Pingnan County. He dismounted and saluted Xie Jue, followed by the cavalry behind him who knelt to salute, "Subordinates pay respects to the Prince!"
Xie Dansheng said, "Rise!"
He was just about to give orders when suddenly there was a loud bang, Xie Jue turned to see Fang Chuning fall to the ground. He didn’t even have ti to help him up, and Xie Jue urgently turned back, "Anning!"
He rolled Fang Chuning over, only to find his inner arm had been hit by an arrow at so point, the shaft grazed flesh, leaving bloodstains. Xie Jue glanced at the Governnt Official on the ground with a face showing青紫 obvious poisoning, then at Fang Chuning’s bloodless lips tinted青紫, a chill settled in his heart, and he hurriedly shouted, "Soone, call a doctor!"
...
Xie Jue had no mood to deal with County Magistrate Zhou and had Cui Lansong lock him up for now. The Ningzhou Iron Cavalry took over the county governnt, and all the well-known doctors in the city were summoned to treat Fang Chuning.
The poison arrow that struck Fang Chuning was sared with lethal poison, death upon contact with blood. Those Governnt Officials struck by the arrow were all killed, yet Fang Chuning was miraculously still alive, not yet poisoned to death. Xie Jue recalled vividly that when the poison arrow ca, Fang Chuning was beside him and took an arrow for him. He thought the arrow hadn’t injured him, but unexpectedly, it did. He simply endured it without showing.
Several doctors shook their heads, suggesting Xie Jue prepare for funeral matters, causing Xie Jue’s heart to sink, his whole body tense!
Prepare for funeral matters!
The doctor said the poison has reached the heart, and even Hua Tuo reborn couldn’t cure it. So said their dical skills were utterly inadequate and advised him to seek others, but all the doctors at the county governnt were already there, and none could save Fang Chuning.
Fang Chuning lay there with lips darkened, clearly a sign of severe poisoning. County Magistrate Zhou and the steward intended for them not to leave the county governnt, hence using a lethal poison to ensure no survival.
Outside, Cui Lansong’s expression shifted from joy to seriousness at hearing the news from Xie Jue’s letter about Fang Chuning’s survival. The young generals had close relations with Fang Chuning. It wasn’t supposed to be Cui Lansong leading troops for support; he happened to be transferring a shipnt from Ningzhou to Yun City. Lord Lin inford him upon receiving the letter, causing Cui Lansong to be overjoyed, leading troops to aid, delayed by a sudden flash flood on the way, making them late.
The Ningzhou soldiers had heard rumors about Fang Chuning and Xie Jue, shocked yet with a different attitude than others. Perhaps Xie Jue and Fang Chuning had been too close in the military camps; they felt sothing was unusual but didn’t think in that direction. Now with openly circulated rumors, they felt... indeed it was true!
So young generals fiercely argued they had seen how close they were, sensing ambiguity long ago, surprised it was indeed sothing deeper, or perhaps it was simply due to Xie Jue’s unreachable, cold, aloof nature, leaving them without many thoughts. Anyway, Ningzhou soldiers accepted it quite well, thus even if rumors persisted in Ningzhou City, as long as they weren’t too unpleasant, soldiers would ignore them; so even said they were indeed a well-matched pair.
Cui Lansong now looked at Xie Jue’s devastated appearance and couldn’t help but wonder, poor Prince, is this the second ti hearing of Mr. Fang’s death? In the capital, he even held a funeral; now hearing preparations for funeral matters again, though Fang Chuning survived in Sannan, how ... did he die here? Such a loss!
"Prince... should we send a ssage to the Grand Commander?" Cui Lansong asked softly. They encountered unforeseen events on the way; if Fang Chuning died, they should inform the Grand Commander.
Xie Jue seed not to hear, and Cui Lansong dared not decide independently.
His Deputy General approached and whispered, having dispatched n to tidy Governnt Officials’ corpses. The county governnt was deeply corrupted, truly revolting, but with Pingnan County having ten thousand people, the governnt can’t halt operations for a day, or chaos ensues. They need to temporarily handle Pingnan County’s affairs but were unfamiliar, seeking guidance from Cui Lansong.
Cui Lansong, being a military general, was further removed from civil affairs. The one adept at handling these matters was Xie Jue, yet with Fang Chuning’s life hanging by a thread, Xie Jue couldn’t manage any affairs, leaving him troubled.
"This is difficult. We are unfamiliar with Pingnan County’s matters; please remain calm. I shall first consult the Prince."
Xie Jue was not inclined to manage but offered a suggestion to bring Du Fang out from prison to organize Pingnan County’s matters.
Indeed, he had no mind to care anymore.
The last doctor checked the pulse and shook his head as well, "Prince... this humble one’s dical skills are inadequate, truly powerless, the General’s toxins have reached the heart, beyond redy. Please... please accept my condolences."
Xie Jue detested hearing condolences, why must his Anning die! He had already died once, why couldn’t fate let him go!
He would rather the poison arrow strike him.
Xie Jue was full of regret, why insist on getting the jade pendant, why not wait for Ningzhou Iron Cavalry’s support before confronting the County Magistrate, why rush in knowing the County Magistrate harbored malicious intent, acting ruthlessly. Why not be more prudent, futilely costing Fang Chuning’s life.
"Anning..."
Xie Jue remained with Fang Chuning until nightfall, disregarding all others. Cui Lansong sent guards for the courtyard and dispatched people to search for doctors, with notices posted throughout the city, hoping to bring a ray of hope for Fang Chuning; he didn’t wish Fang Chuning to die here in Pingnan County.
Fang Chuning actually awakened once deep into the night, extrely weak. He seed aware his ti was short, looking at Xie Jue with deep regret in his eyes; he had no chance to recall their mories before leaving him, unwilling.
"Xie Tingfeng..."
He truly would be an unpardonable ghost!
Yet looking at Xie Jue with bloodshot eyes, the words he spoke turned into, "Don’t bla yourself, even if I die, it’s fulfilling my wish, not your fault."
The doctor said it was a montary clarity before the end. Though not explicitly stated, Fang Chuning heard it clearly and felt fortunate to be able to bid farewell to Xie Jue while lucid.
He understood Xie Jue’s nature. When they talked deeply in the mountains, he feared that upon his death, Xie Jue would plunge into lifelong self-tornt.
"In fact, I died in Sannan. The ti I’ve lived is like a gift from heaven, giving a chance to properly say goodbye to you, Ting Feng, don’t be sad!"
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