Chapter 26: Chapter 26: Did Her Wrong

Xu Haoran gaped at Qiu Ling in disbelief before looking down at his wife. "Why?"

She explained, "Ever since my Lady suffered calamity after calamity, her personality changed. She used to be so carefree and happy. But now, she's placed her hopes and dreams into Moonlight Pagoda. She gave up on her own future, instead opting to help others. I haven't seen her genuinely smile out of happiness in five years. My Lady has mentioned before that she wished she hadn't sent her people to get the Peace White Tea recipe."

Sadness and pity filled his eyes. "She's gone through so much. Wait... what?"

His head shot up. He looked right at Qiu Ling.

She bit her lip. "I've said too much. But if you wish to save her, then you need to know her past. Let me explain: back when we found out it was the Fury Black Poison, my Lady sent Moonlight Pagoda's Black Phoenixes to Cloudless Night Sect. They got it, stole the recipe, and brought it back. After making it, we destroyed the paper copy. Sometimes... my Lady regrets sending the Black Phoenixes to get the Peace White Tea."

"I don't understand. That tea saved her life. It allowed her to walk again and cultivate martial arts again. Why would she regret it?"

"Because, she regrets choosing to live."

Xu Haoran's eyes widened. He looked back down at Li Yingshan, whose head was nestled against his chest. She seemed so peaceful, but her pale and sickly complexion told otherwise. Pain flickered in his gaze as he held her close.

He murmured, "Li Yingshan, if you wake up, you can keep Moonlight Pagoda. I won't argue. I know now how much it means to you. I'd never take that away from you."

Qiu Ling began to see him in a new light. Perhaps he'll actually be good for my Lady. Maybe, he's who she needs. If he stands by her, who would dare look down upon my Lady ever again?

∇

A little while later, Zhang Fangong arrived with Physician Huan. When he laid eyes on Li Yingshan in Xu Haoran's arms, he gave a little gasp.

"I had heard rumors but didn't believe them to be real," he commented.

Xu Haoran looked up at him and pleaded, "Can you save her?"

Physician Huan approached them and knelt down. He took her pulse, and confusion creased his brows. "What happened?"

Qiu Ling explained softly, "My Lady damaged her Gate of Vitality point."

"What? Why would she do that?"

She shook her head. "My Lady has not been in the best of moods lately. Various worries have stressed her to her breaking point."

Xu Haoran hung his head. Physician Huan stroked his beard thoughtfully.

"I can do acupuncture to try and help her, but if her Gate of Vitality point is damaged beyond repair, then there's nothing else I can do." He checked her point and sighed. "She knew exactly where to damage it. Her calculations are beyond my expectations."

"Physician Huan, what do you mean? Can you save my wife or not?"

"Hero Xu, her Gate of Vitality point is severely damaged. I can prescribe a tonic of ginseng, velvet antler, elderberry, and chrysanthemum... but as to whether or not it will help much, I don't know," he replied as he pulled out his kit of acupuncture needles. "Can you lay her down on the bed?"

Xu Haoran nodded. He scooped Li Yingshan up in his arms and stood. Qiu Ling helped him settle her on the bed. Physician Huan walked over as they backed away. He drew the first needle from the kit and began. When he finished, her complexion was a little better.

As he packed up his things, Physician Huan said, "I've stabilized her condition, but this is all I can do for now. When she wakes up, have her drink the tonic. Then see how things go."

Xu Haoran nodded. "Thank you, Physician Huan."

"Of course, Hero Xu. I'll leave first then."

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"I apologize for not seeing you out."

Zhang Fangong led Physician Huan to the front of the manor. Xu Haoran sat down on the edge of the bed and clasped Li Yingshan's right hand in his.

"Please, wake up soon," he murmured. "Please."

Qiu Ling stood off to the side, silently waiting. She watched Li Yingshan, praying for the same thing. He sighed.

Finally, he asked, "Is there anything she hasn't told me?"

"Well..."

"Qiu Ling, I want to know. I want to know what's bothering her."

"Treason."

He choked, "What?!"

"She committed treason helping the Seventh Prince become Crown Prince. She has blackmailed half of the ministers and officials in court. Their careers are in her hands. She also had a hand in poisoning the First Prince. Why do you think he died all of a sudden? Moonlight Pagoda is ties in over fifty ways to court politics now. If the Crown Prince and his supporters fall some day, Moonlight Pagoda will fall with them. All of us will be executed. My Lady will share the same fate as the Crown Prince because she's just as guilty. That's why she went to go meet him that day. She hoped she could end things, but instead..." her voice trailed off.

"Instead she paid a heavy price," Xu Haoran murmured.

She nodded. "Yes, my Lady has never let anyone lay an unwanted hand on me. She's always defended and protected me, despite what it may cost her."

"Qiu Ling, is there anything else?"

She shook her head. "I don't think so."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Then what about her sisters?"

Qiu Ling breathed, "Oh. That's what you were hinting at." She shook her head. "My Lady didn't kill her sisters. Moonlight Pagoda had no hand in their deaths. They were killed with the Nether Blades of Cloudless Night Sect."

His eyes widened. "What?"

"My Lady really didn't order their deaths. She's always been somewhat lenient to people. Why do you think she's put up with all of the rumors and gossip surrounding her? Why do you think she doesn't want you defending her against them? It's because she knows that despite your efforts, it won't change what they think of her."

Sadness filled his gaze. "Is that really what she thinks?"

Qiu Ling nodded. Xu Haoran sighed heavily.

"The Jianghu really did her wrong. She was innocent in all of this and suffered so much."

He brushed a strand of Li Yingshan' hair back from her face as he murmured, "I won't let that happen ever again. No one will hurt you while you have me here to protect you."

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