She hated her useless self, clenching her fists tightly, trying hard to calm herself down. She kept taking deep breaths, the pain in her belly attacking her again.
This time, the pain made her dizzy and unable to stand steadily. "I...I..."
She couldn't continue. Her body went soft.
"Ying!" Zhao Changdu swiftly took her into his arms, directly placing her on the couch, coldly glaring at Shen Ruxu, "What are you still standing there for, come here."
Shen Ruxu pursed her lips without speaking, her heart apprehensive.
She stiffly walked over, her fingers falling on Gu Ying's pulse...
"She..."
The man placed his palm on the woman's flat lower abdomen, his expression ugly, full of worry. "What exactly is wrong with her? Why is her stomach hurting so much?"
When had Shen Ruxu ever seen this god-like man be so emotionally affected by a woman. Her heart sank slightly.
But even with her guts, there was no way she would continue hiding things at this point.
Enduring the man's sinister, penetrating gaze, she stammered, "My Lord, she is already over a month pregnant..."
Hearing this, Zhao Changdu was shocked, stunned into silence. "What?"
Shen Ruxu pursed her lips tightly, continuing, "But Lady Gu has a weak constitution. The long journey has damaged her energy and blood flow, stirring the fetus. This child...already shows signs of miscarriage."
Zhao Changdu was overjoyed at first, but upon hearing this, his expression visibly tensed up. His large hand tightly grasped Gu Ying's snow-white wrist, "Quick! No matter what method you use, you must keep my and Ying's child! Otherwise, you can go die with my child!"
Shen Ruxu felt extremely bitter inside. "Yes...please move aside, my Lord."
Hearing her words, Zhao Changdu was like an ordinary man becoming a father for the first time, hurriedly giving way to Shen Ruxu.
Shen Ruxu undid Gu Ying's skirt ties, immediately seeing the blood stains on her body. Seeing the amount of blood loss...the child in her belly was in extreme danger.
Now, to preserve the child, she could only use potent medicine and acupuncture. Fortunately, her master had taught her the 13 Needles of Qihuang...
"My Lord, please have someone bring my acupuncture kit."
"Alright alright...come!"
Someone rushed out, while others hurried in.
When Yin Lan came in with the medicine box, upon hearing about the pregnancy, she nearly fainted. She should have expected this!
It was her oversight!
Sweat appeared on Shen Ruxu's brow. Under the man's overbearing pressure, she carefully inserted the acupuncture needles at several major acupoints on Gu Ying's body.
Gu Ying lay unconscious on the couch, the removed clothes stained with blood.
Zhao Changdu narrowed his eyes. He felt the blood stains on her skirt were so glaring. Voice slightly trembling, he said, "Ying...I'm sorry...It's my fault for not noticing...Don't worry, I will definitely preserve our child."
That child he so looked forward to...must not have any accidents.
...
Candle flames lit up the large tent all night.
Zhang Mo's painful wails also echoed throughout the entire camp.
At first light, some people saw the Prince walking out from the large tent, black-faced. He brought Zhang Mo to General Zhang's tent.
Afterwards, a bloodied Zhang Mo was carried out.
Everyone was frightened watching this. Zhang Mo, lying on the grass mat, was barely breathing. He didn't have much longer to live.
The two soldiers who had tied up Lady Yin were given capital punishment, their corpses hanging outside the camp entrance.
The others who had followed Zhang Mo to violate Lady Yin were also severely punished.
Ning Changan returned in a sorry state, kneeling outside the Prince's tent. He remained there all night without getting up.
Afterwards, everyone saw the Prince deeply glance at Ning, before returning into the large tent. He didn't come out again.
Lady Shen was also inside the Prince's tent.
Everyone made guesses about Lady Yin's identity. They had thought Lady Shen was the apple of the Prince's eye. But now looking at it, how was this Lady Yin who came from outside so remarkable?
Aside from Lady Yin having outstanding looks, the Prince rarely allowed anyone into his tent.
Yet that night, the moment the Prince rushed back in the rain, he had carried Lady Yin inside right in front of everyone.
Clearly, Lady Yin was no ordinary woman.
...
While speculation abounded outside, inside the tent, Zhao Changdu, covered in the smell of blood, was extremely anxious.
His dark eyes were deep as an abyss, as dense as the night.
He stood tall and straight, hands behind his back, his entire being like an emotionless ice sculpture.
Yet Shen Ruxu could still clearly feel the cold and fury emanating from the man's body.
She had no doubts that if she couldn't save this child, this man would shred both her and Zhang Mo into ten thousand pieces.
She was drenched in sweat, concentrating fully while half-kneeling by the couch. The tent was quiet enough to hear a pin drop.
Only after a full day and night did Shen Ruxu wipe the sweat from her brow, pulling her mouth into a smile. "My Lord, Lady Gu's condition has finally stabilized..."
Having not slept for three days and nights, Zhao Changdu's gaze turned blurry for a moment upon hearing the news.
He strode to the couch, his sight falling on Gu Ying's still pale little face. The icy cold transformed into the spring breeze, gentling. "When will she wake up?"
Shen Ruxu said, "She has over-exerted herself. She'll probably need to sleep a while longer."
Zhao Changdu paused before hoarsely asking, "What about the child?"
Shen Ruxu lowered her long lashes. "The child is still there."
Zhao Changdu silently let out a breath in relief. Sitting by the couch, his eyes were as dense as black ink, tightly fixed on Gu Ying's face. His big hand quivered, wanting to stroke her, but was at a momentary loss over what to do.
He awkwardly pulled his hand back. "You may leave."
"Yes..."
Shen Ruxu had been taut for two days and nights. Only now did she feel her entire body turn cold. She couldn't help coughing once...hoping the man would look at her more.
But she was disappointed.
The only woman in that man's eyes was the one lying on the couch. He basically wouldn't even glance her way.
Disappointed, she lowered her lashes, dragging her heavy body as she slowly walked out.
Yin Lan had been waiting outside the whole time. Seeing Shen Ruxu emerge, she mockingly looked at her. "What fine skills you have, Lady Shen."
Shen Ruxu felt a stab in her heart, afraid the man inside would overhear this. She quickly pulled Yin Lan further away, "Lady Yin, I don't understand what you mean by those words."
Yin Lan jerked her hand free, curling her lips contemptuously. She naturally didn't believe her nonsense. If it had been the past, perhaps she might have thought Shen Ruxu genuinely misdiagnosed the pulse reading.
But after she accompanied her mistress here and heard the rumors from the refugees...
She finally realized this woman was ambitious and fond of the Prince.
