"Your Majesty…" His voice was hoarse, trembling with both pain and guilt. "This servant has failed to protect Zhao Jieyu. Because of my carelessness… please punish me." He struggled to kneel despite his injuries.
Xiang Long Wei's hand shot out, pressing firmly on Nine's shoulder, forcing him to stay down. His tone was cold, yet controlled. "Do not waste your strength. Punishment will come, but not now. First—tell me everything."
His gaze then shifted to Hei Feng, who lay unconscious, his face ghostly pale. Blood loss had drained nearly all life from him. Xiang Long Wei's jaw tightened as his sharp eyes turned to Chief Imperial Physician Shen.
"Chief Imperial Physician Shen do I need to explain why I brought you here?" His voice was like steel. "Or have you forgotten your duty?"
