Ji Yu's hands had never trembled like this before. For a moment, he felt as if his entire world were about to collapse.
His beloved woman's face was slightly pale from blood loss, yet she still managed to smile. Feeling dizzy, Gu Shengyin looked at Ji Yu with difficulty. She suddenly remembered there was still something she wanted to tell him.
"I still haven't said to you, I… love—" Before she could finish, Ji Yu raised his hand, stopping her words."Don't talk right now."
He buried his face against Gu Shengyin's neck, unwilling to let anyone see his expression. "When you get better, then tell me."
Gu Shengyin was growing lightheaded. Before she could respond, her consciousness slipped into deep sleep.
Princess Wencheng looked at her daughter, who had fainted and whose condition was uncertain.
She whistled for someone to bring the County Lord to the Imperial Doctor. When Ji Yu saw her, he rose at once and carefully lifted Gu Shengyin into his arms.
"What are you doing?" Princess Wencheng asked.
"Taking her directly to the Palace—we can't waste time." Ji Yu hadn't even finished speaking before he was already striding forward.
When Gu Shengyin woke up, she couldn't tell whether it was day or night. She didn't know how long she had been asleep. Her entire body felt weak and without strength.
"System," Gu Shengyin called out in her heart. "Where am I right now?"
She was afraid—terrified that she might have returned to the space where she had first awakened.
She admitted she didn't want to part with Princess Wencheng, nor with General Jiang… and she didn't want to part with Ji Yu either.
"The host has been in a coma for six days in the mission world. It is recommended that the host wake as soon as possible, or the task will become difficult to complete," the system's voice echoed.
The system blamed itself for not warning her in time, which had resulted in her injury. It resolved to work harder and be a more responsible system.
When Gu Shengyin opened her eyes, the surroundings were unfamiliar.
This was neither her room nor anywhere in Jiangfu.
"Has the County Lord awakened?" a surprised voice asked.
Gu Shengyin looked at the palace maid in light green robes and immediately understood she was inside the Palace.
The maid approached happily and poured her a cup of warm tea, clearly prepared in advance.
Another maid hurried out of the room.
"Does the County Lord feel any discomfort? Would you like to eat something?" the maid in green asked.
Gu Shengyin shook her head lightly. At the moment, she only felt deeply unsettled.
Soon, a figure approached, carrying the familiar scent of lotus. Gu Shengyin knew at once it was Ji Yu.
"Ah Zhen!" Ji Yu's eyes lit up. Only the Heavens knew how desperately he wanted to stay by her side and watch over her until she woke—but he couldn't.
He couldn't let others, especially his father, discover how much he cared for her.
The Emperor was a man of strict principles and would never allow his promising heir to be affected by such personal feelings.
The two exchanged quiet words from the heart. Before long, Princess Wencheng and General Jiang arrived.
After hearing from the doctor that her daughter had no major issues and only needed good rest, Princess Wencheng insisted on bringing Gu Shengyin back to Jiangfu.
Gu Shengyin turned toward Ji Yu and blinked at him.
Once back in Jiangfu, she was given all kinds of tonics while she took the first opportunity to ask the system about the current situation.
The system gave a thorough and detailed explanation.
The evidence of the Crown Prince's private dealings with officials, which Gu Shengyin had exposed, had enraged the Emperor. Such actions were among the gravest offenses for a ruler. In the Emperor's eyes, this was even more serious than the poisoning of the first Empress.
Now, the Crown Prince had become a fallen heir.