Nong Nu Jiao

Do you have dragon bone powder?

Cen Lingyi couldn't help but ask.

"no."

Yang Ziyun shook her head.

Cen Lingyi was somewhat disappointed and remained silent for a moment.

She knew about Yang Ziyun's medical skills, and she also knew that Yang Ziyun's master was supposedly some kind of miracle doctor.

Upon seeing Yang Ziyun, she genuinely believed that Yang Ziyun possessed dragon bone powder, and that Yan Chenghui's injuries could be cured.

Unexpectedly, Yang Ziyun did not have any dragon bone powder at all.

"However, I have pills made from dragon bone powder."

Yang Ziyun laughed.

"Can you speak without panting?"

Cen Lingyi patted her gently and smiled as well.

She said she wasn't sure Yang Ziyun would come just to join in the fun.

"Let me check the injury."

Yang Ziyun stepped forward.

Yan Chenghui turned around, revealing the arrow stuck in his back.

Cen Lingyi walked over and removed the gauze covering him.

Yang Ziyun examined the wound carefully: "If my uncle were here, we could try. But right now, we really need something to stop the bleeding."

She walked over, opened her package, took out a small wooden box, and opened it to find two dark, glossy pills inside.

"This must be very valuable, right?"

Cen Lingyi stepped forward to take a closer look and couldn't help but ask.

Yang Ziyun was never particular about food or clothing, and her things were always a mess. Just like the package in front of her, the clothes inside were not folded but just stuffed into a ball.

But this wooden box was exceptionally exquisite, standing out from the rest of her belongings.

"You guessed right." Yang Ziyun smiled. "This pill is made primarily with dragon bone powder, combined with a rare medicine for detoxification and wound healing. It is more potent than dragon bone powder and can stabilize the scattered qi and blood. If the arrowhead is poisonous, it can also slow down the spread of the poison."

"It is indeed a rare and valuable item."

Cen Lingyi listened attentively to her explanation.

A hint of nostalgia flickered in Yang Ziyun's eyes: "These were left to me by my master. There were only six in total, and I've used four over the years. His Highness the Crown Prince's injury looks quite serious; I reckon we'll have to use these two as well."

"You've given us such precious pills... I only did a small favor back then, and you already saved Huai Jiao. We don't deserve such a generous reward from you..."

Cen Lingyi looked at the pills in the box and knew that these were secret medicines from Yang Ziyun's sect, and there would be none left after these two were used.

She felt somewhat guilty; compared to what Yang Ziyun had done for them, her gratitude towards Yang Ziyun was insignificant.

"What are you saying?" Yang Ziyun snapped the wooden box shut and shoved it into her hands. "If you hadn't saved me back then, I would have been dead long ago. How could I be who I am today? You reap what you sow. It's only right."

She is a cheerful person and doesn't hold grudges.

"Besides, the pills my master left me are for saving people. If I'm not willing to take them out now, are I going to keep them for myself?"

She laughed as she spoke.

Anyway, thank you.

Cen Lingyi held the wooden box as if it were a priceless treasure.

"Alright, I've finished my business, I'll be going now. Take this pill half an hour before the arrow is removed, and take another one twelve hours later, and you won't have a hemorrhage."

Yang Ziyun spoke as she tied her luggage.

"You're leaving already?" Cen Lingyi frowned and asked her to stay, "Stay for a few days, I'll prepare some things for you to take with you."

"I don't need anything. We wandering doctors can find food wherever we go. Have you ever seen a doctor starve to death?"

Yang Ziyun shouldered her backpack and smiled quite freely.

"I'd like you to help him remove the arrow."

Seeing that this reason wouldn't keep her, Cen Lingyi changed her excuse.

"What are you talking about? This is His Highness the Crown Prince. With just one word from him, the entire Imperial Hospital will come to help. They are better at removing arrows than I am, so I won't stay and cause trouble." Yang Ziyun laughed, "The people of the world are still waiting for me to save them."

"Then take some silver with you. I don't have your skills, but I do have a kind heart. If you take the silver, it will be as if you've saved the world for me."

Cen Lingyi said with a smile.

"That's fine too," Yang Ziyun said readily. "However, I don't want silver ingots; they're too heavy. You'll have to give me silver notes."

Cen Lingyi smiled and replied, "Wait for me a moment, I'll go get it."

During her time at the border, she did some embroidery in her spare time and managed to save some money.

"You don't need to go." Yan Chenghui said to the outside, "Yun Que, bring three thousand taels of silver."

Yun Que responded and quickly brought in the silver notes.

"Thank you for your generous gift, Your Highness. Farewell."

Yang Ziyun bowed with her hands clasped in greeting.

"I send you."

Cen Lingyi stepped forward.

After seeing Yang Ziyun off, she called Gu Meishu in.

"Director Gu, take a look at this."

She opened the small box and held the two pills up to him.

Gu Meishu raised her hand, took one, and held it under her nose. She smelled a unique medicinal aroma and became excited.

"This is... Dragon Bone Strengthening Pill? I've only ever seen it in ancient books."

Gu Meishu's tone was full of amazement.

"Will this help stop the bleeding?"

Cen Lingyi asked him.

Seeing him like this, she felt a surge of excitement within her.

"It not only stops the bleeding, but it can also detoxify," Gu Meishu said. "Dragon bone powder is already a rare substance, and this pill requires several rare auxiliary medicines to make. It is very complicated to produce and consumes a lot of resources. With this pill stabilizing the injury, His Highness can start preparing to remove the arrow."

"Can I pull it out now?"

Cen Lingyi had no choice but to ask.

"Tomorrow."

Gu Meishu looked outside and said.

Cen Lingyi and Yan Chenghui exchanged a glance.

"What do we need to prepare?"

Cen Lingyi asked again.

"No need for you to worry, young lady. I will prepare everything you need. Your Highness, take this pill at the hour of Mao (5-7 AM), and I will remove the arrow from your body at the hour of Chen (7-9 AM)."

Gu Meishu stroked his beard and set the time.

*

The night was quiet, and only one candle burned in the inner hall, its light dim and soft.

"Go to sleep and get some rest." Cen Lingyi tucked Yan Chenghui in. "After the arrow is removed tomorrow, you'll be able to lie down and sleep."

These days, Yan Chenghui hasn't been sleeping well because of his sleeping posture and his injuries.

Things should get better after tomorrow.

"Jiaojiao".

Yan Chenghui reached out and took her hand.

Cen Lingyi's body stiffened slightly, and she subconsciously pulled her hand back.

Yan Chenghui used some force to tighten his grip on her hand: "I have something to tell you."

"you say."

Thinking of his injuries, Cen Lingyi finally gave up and let him hold her hand.

Yan Chenghui didn't speak, but moved closer and placed his hand on his face.

Cen Lingyi twitched her fingertips and let him have his way.

"If I pull out the arrow tomorrow, I might not be here anymore..."

Yan Chenghui said softly.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Don't we have Dragon Bone Strengthening Pills?"

Cen Lingyi interrupted him.

"But Gu Meishu is only 70% sure. What if I'm in the 30%?"

Yan Chenghui raised his head, his dark eyes glistening with tears, like a big dog putting on a pitiful look.

"If you say that again, I'm ignoring you. Don't you know you should be careful what you say?"

Cen Lingyi frowned and glared at him.

"I wanted to tell you, if I survive tomorrow, how about we get married?"

Yan Chenghui rubbed his face against her palm, as if trying to please her.

Upon hearing his words, Cen Lingyi was in a state of utter confusion.

Actually, she was willing.

She knew very well that after all these years of love and hate, the person in her heart was still him.

She will never forget him in this lifetime.

Especially when he risked his life to save her, she was willing to give her life, let alone marry him.

But now that she's calmed down, she's thinking about the past again.

She didn't care about his humiliation, his torment, or his hurtful words.

But he's been with other people.

She heard it with her own ears, about Sun Peihuan and Banxia.

She didn't want to argue, but she was really annoyed.

"Jiaojiao, what else do you have to worry about? Tell me."

Yan Chenghui looked at her.

She lowered her eyes, a layer of confusion shrouding her brows and eyes, and her lips were slightly pursed.

He could tell that she had something on her mind, which was why she was unwilling to nod.

I promise you.

Cen Lingyi raised her eyes, met his gaze, and readily agreed.

Compared to his life, those things are not important.

If it's annoying, then so be it.

"Jiaojiao." Upon hearing this, Yan Chenghui could no longer lie still and propped himself up to sit up: "I don't want you to force yourself. Tell me why you don't want to make up with me, and I can change."

He wanted to marry her, to be with her for the rest of his life, and to make her happy.

If she agreed to marry him out of pity, or even with some reluctance, then it's all his fault.

He wanted her to marry him willingly and happily, to become the Crown Prince's consort.

"But you can't change this anymore."

Cen Lingyi looked at him and said hesitantly.

Yan Chenghui frowned: "What can't be changed?"

There's nothing about him that can't be changed.

Cen Lingyi paused for a moment, then told the truth: "You've been with other women, haven't you? There are so many women in the Eastern Palace, you've been with them all."

As she spoke, her expression darkened.

Back then, they were deeply in love, making vows of eternal love, and that was their promise.

She did it, but he didn't.

"So that's what Jiaojiao cares about." Yan Chenghui smiled. "I've never touched anyone else but you."

He was confident about this.

When she left him, he had already made up his mind that he would never touch any other woman.

Because he still held onto a sliver of hope, wanting her back by his side.

She said she would feel dirty if she touched other people.

Why would he do something that she would find repulsive?

"I heard it all with my own ears. You made me kneel there and listen."

Cen Lingyi looked up at him, a hint of resentment on her face.

Clearly, she didn't believe what he said.

"I……"

Yan Chenghui was speechless.

"I was giving them acupuncture at that time, and I was just trying to annoy you."

He paused for a moment, then explained it to her truthfully.

"It's alright." Cen Lingyi put on an easygoing demeanor: "I won't mind if you touch them, after all, you are the Crown Prince."

She disliked it, but she didn't want to affect his plan to pull out the arrow tomorrow.

"Jiaojiao, believe me, I really didn't touch them."

Yan Chenghui was unable to defend himself.

He finally understood the bitterness he felt when Jiaojiao told him that her relationship with Lu Huaiyou was completely innocent, but he didn't believe her.

Back then, he wronged Jiaojiao; karma has come full circle, and now it's his turn to be wronged.

"Okay, okay, I believe you," Cen Lingyi comforted him. "Go to sleep now."

She didn't believe it at all. How could something she heard with her own ears be false? It wasn't anything else.

Yan Chenghui felt a bitter taste in his mouth. This was truly a case of reaping what you sow. He had made a mistake, and now he had to pay for it!