Chapter 81: He Should Trust Her

Chapter 81: Chapter 81: He Should Trust Her

The moment the words were spoken, several figures suddenly appeared outside the open door, catching every last word.

Cui Lingyao was already crying so hard she was on the verge of fainting and had no mind for anything else. Hearing her mother’s words, her only thought was to set her at ease, so she hastily nodded in agreement.

Before she could even voice her agreement, a commotion erupted behind her.

"Greetings, Your Highness!"

The members of the Shen Family waiting outside all bowed in unison.

Cui Lingyao froze mid-nod, then stiffly turned to look behind her.

Many people were standing outside the door, led by a familiar figure.

His broad-shouldered frame blocked most of the doorway, and the setting sun stretched his shadow long and thin.

He stood silhouetted against the light, and from her vantage point, Cui Lingyao couldn’t make out his expression at all.

She could only feel the imposing, frighteningly cold aura radiating from him.

The weeping inside the room ceased.

Duke Shen was the first to react. He rose to his feet, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "Your Highness, forgive this subordinate for not welcoming you sooner."

Xie Jinbai paid him no mind, his crimson eyes locked on the scene before the bed.

What a truly jarring sight.

’The girl he cherished was kneeling side-by-side with another man before her mother’s deathbed, listening to the dying woman’s final wishes.’

’And what had he just heard?’

’Mrs. Shen had told her not to observe the full three years of mourning, but to marry Shen Tingyu in a year.’

’And she had dared to nod in agreement!’

The sudden, uninvited guest hadn’t spoken a word since entering, only stared with a fierce intensity... It was exceedingly strange.

Duke Shen’s brows furrowed slightly. "Your Highness," he asked, "what important matter brings you to our humble residence?"

’...Important matter.’

Xie Jinbai’s lips twitched before he spoke, his voice stiff. "As it happens, I was passing your esteemed residence with Doctor Liu when I heard that the young lady of the house was gravely ill. I thought we might be able to help, so I took the liberty of coming in to see."

Doctor Liu was the head of the Imperial Hospital, and his skill with the Golden Needle Technique was legendary. It was said that Princess Anqing had already drawn her last breath, but with just a few needles, he had managed to revive her.

It was said he could snatch people from the hands of King Yan.

However, he only treated members of the direct Royal Family line. Ordinary dignitaries and nobles had to call in every possible favor just to get an audience with him.

As Xie Jinbai finished speaking, an old man with a white beard and hair stepped forward from behind him. "Greetings, Lord Duke," he said.

Duke Shen looked startled. He rushed to offer a steadying hand and quickly stepped aside to make way. "Quickly! Doctor Liu, please come and examine my daughter."

The room was not large to begin with, and the arrival of two more people made it feel even more crowded.

Cui Lingyao stood up to make room for the Imperial Physician to take a pulse. She was weak from crying, and having knelt for so long, her knees felt about to give out.

Shen Tingyu quickly caught her by the arm, helping her stand steady before they both moved to one side.

Everyone’s attention was focused on Doctor Liu.

Everyone, that is, except for Xie Jinbai, whose gaze was fixed unblinkingly on the pair.

His gaze was like a blade, laced with a chilling cold that could almost sear the skin. Cui Lingyao was not so numb that she could ignore it.

Her body went rigid. Eyes downcast, she didn’t dare to look at him. She pulled her arm free from his grasp and said, "I’m alright."

Shen Tingyu paused, then slowly withdrew his hand.

After a moment’s thought, he said in a low voice, "I’m sorry."

Cui Lingyao shook her head slightly. "It’s not your fault."

’She didn’t know if he was apologizing for his mother causing a scene in front of Mrs. Shen, which had dealt another heavy blow to her already failing body.’

’Or if he was apologizing for supporting her in public just now.’

’In any case, none of it was his fault.’

’If anything, she should thank him. He had been willing to make a solemn vow before Mrs. Shen died, ensuring she wouldn’t pass away with regrets.’

Standing side by side, whispering to one another, they looked for all the world like a perfectly matched, loving couple.

Xie Jinbai watched without blinking, the sound of his teeth grinding together audible.

’He was consumed by the urge to pull her into his arms right then and there, in front of everyone, and declare his claim on her.’

’To tell every single person here that she was his.’

’But his last shred of reason held him back.’

’This had to be a misunderstanding.’

’After all, she had just promised him that her verbal engagement to Shen Tingyu meant nothing. She wouldn’t turn right around and agree to a wedding date.’

’He had to trust her.’

’He had to trust her.’

On the bed, Mrs. Shen had fainted and was completely unconscious.

Doctor Liu took her pulse for a long while before slowly pulling his hand back.

His expression was grave.

Neither Duke Shen nor the Duchess dared to ask about the diagnosis. Mrs. Li looked anxious, and she seemed on the verge of speaking several times but held her tongue.

’Although she was the birth mother, she was only a concubine. No matter how frantic with worry she was, she wouldn’t dare to overstep the Duke and Duchess to speak out of turn.’

For a moment, despite the number of people, the room fell completely silent.

After a long pause, Doctor Liu stroked his beard. "This lady’s life force is exhausted. It is impossible to forcibly prolong her life. You should prepare..."

"Try anyway," Xie Jinbai cut in abruptly, his tone mild. "The worst-case scenario is still making funeral arrangements. You are to do everything in your power to save her."

He was so insistent on saving a woman he had never even met.

Everyone in the room was stunned.

"Yes," Doctor Liu nodded slightly. "Then this old physician will do what I can. However, you must all be prepared as well."

Hearing his willingness to try, a flicker of joyous surprise appeared on the despairing Mrs. Li’s face. No longer able to restrain herself, she bowed her thanks repeatedly. "Thank you, Imperial Physician! I beg you, please save my daughter!"

At these words, the Duchess’s gaze sharpened.

’With her, the Duchess, right here, how dare a mere concubine refer to the young lady of the house as her daughter.’

’This was a direct challenge to her authority.’

Doctor Liu was also slightly taken aback, but this was a family matter. He did not reply, simply sidestepping Mrs. Li’s deep bow.

The needling process was a private one, and those in the room understood they should withdraw.

Doctor Liu said, "Only the immediate family should remain. If the treatment is unsuccessful, you can be here for her final moments."

It was clear he did not have much confidence.

But he was trying his best under orders from Xie Jinbai.

As the only daughter, Cui Lingyao naturally had to stay.

Shen Tingyu did not leave either.

The Duchess looked at Mrs. Li and opened her mouth to say something.

Duke Shen said, "Let’s you and I step outside."

With that, he ordered all the servants to leave the room. Then he turned to Xie Jinbai, who showed no sign of moving. "Your Highness?"

His tone was pointed.

Xie Jinbai seemed not to take the hint at all. He gave a faint nod and said with perfect composure, "You may all withdraw."

...

At his words, everyone in the room forgot their station and stared at him as if they were seeing a ghost.

’Immediate family was to remain.’

’What kind of immediate family was he?’

’Even her own father was leaving, so how could an unrelated man like him so brazenly decide to stay?’

’It was simply unbelievable.’

Even Duke Shen, a man who had seen his share of turmoil, was somewhat stunned.

’He began to suspect that this Prince, infamous for his deadly reputation, had lost his mind.’

’He couldn’t possibly have designs on his daughter, a woman past thirty, could he?’

’It was too absurd.’

Duke Shen’s gaze swept around the room and finally landed on his maternal granddaughter in the corner.

His eyes narrowed slightly, and he led the others out.

The door closed slowly behind them.

Doctor Liu took a set of silver needles from his medical case and began the treatment.

The room fell into a deep silence.

Everyone watched, holding their breath.

One silver needle after another was inserted into Mrs. Shen’s head.

All the while, her eyes remained tightly shut, her face and lips deathly pale.