Chapter Seventy-Five: Thunderbolt on a Clear Day

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Because he was concerned about Guli’s injuries, the Crown Prince did not rush into the city. Instead, after passing through the checkpoint, he immediately found an inn and summoned a female physician.

But the answer she gave them struck like a bolt from the blue—a heavy blow that left them reeling.

Guli had been poisoned.

The arrowhead had been smeared with venom, so even after the arrow was removed, she remained unconscious. No matter how they dressed or medicated the wound, it showed signs of worsening and festering.

The Crown Prince clenched his fists tightly; thinking of his gravely wounded and unconscious sister, his eyes reddened with emotion.

“Do you know what poison it is?”

The female physician shook her head. “The poison is strange and spreads rapidly. In all my years of practice, I have never encountered such a thing.”

Hearing this, the Crown Prince’s fists clenched even tighter, a searing hatred flashing in his eyes.

How ruthless!

To go so far as to poison the arrow, leaving them no chance at all!

“Someone—hurry, hire a carriage! I must bring the Princess to the palace for the imperial physicians at once!”

The Crown Prince called out urgently, about to stride outside, but suddenly paused and turned to look at Lie Chang’an, who stood silently by his side.

Since the female physician had announced Guli was poisoned, he had stood there motionless, like a soulless shell.

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“General Chang’an, you…”

Before the Crown Prince could finish, there was a heavy thud—Lie Chang’an fell to his knees.

The Crown Prince was taken aback, then sighed softly after a moment, “I do not blame you. You’ve already done your best.”

Lie Chang’an remained kneeling, head bowed, utterly still, as though he hadn’t heard a word. Yet the slight trembling of his shoulders betrayed his true feelings.

The Crown Prince understood the guilt and remorse consuming him—wasn’t he himself tormented by the same anguish?

“Guli saved you of her own free will. You need not blame yourself.”

He had intended to reason with Guli in the carriage, to persuade her to let go before her feelings grew too deep. But now, seeing her willing to lay down her life for him, it was clear that she had already fallen hopelessly—there was nothing to be done.

Still, the words he could not bear to say to his sister, he could say to Lie Chang’an.

“She saved you because she has always been kindhearted and grateful since childhood. Though she may seem willful at times, she possesses an exceptionally gentle heart.”

With his hands clasped behind his back, the Crown Prince looked up and sighed. “So, you need not take this upon yourself. With me here, nothing will happen to her.”

Lie Chang’an’s heart was already filled with pain—guilt, remorse, gratitude, heartache, and worry threatened to drive him mad.

He simply could not forgive himself.

It was his fault.

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It was his carelessness.

It was his negligence that led her to be injured, her life now hanging by a thread.

She was so delicate, so fragile, unaccustomed to hardship or suffering. She must fear pain immensely, and now, unconscious and lying there, she must be in agony yet unable to call out.

Whenever Lie Chang’an thought of this, his heart ached unbearably, making it even more impossible to forgive himself.

“Your Highness, please punish me.”

Lie Chang’an bowed his head, hands clasped in supplication. “I am willing to die to atone for my crime.”

“What nonsense is this?” the Crown Prince frowned. “Your life was saved by the Princess herself. When she awakes and learns I executed her most loyal subordinate, wouldn’t she come after me for revenge?”

“You need not bring this up again. Your willingness to accept punishment is your own matter, but I will not punish you. Furthermore, when we return to the palace, do not mention in front of the Emperor that the Princess was injured saving you, otherwise…”

Otherwise, knowing the tempers of the Emperor, the Empress, and the Grand Empress Dowager, regardless of his battle achievements or unwavering loyalty, they would have him executed to vent their fury.