The palace was quiet.
But the silence was not peaceful.
It carried worry.
Inside the Crown Prince's chamber—
Guards stood outside the door.
Inside—
Crown Prince Hei Long sat beside the bed.
Qiu Ying'er still lay unconscious.
Her breathing was weak.
Unchanging.
A servant stepped in and bowed.
"Your Highness," he said, "Wu Jinhai has arrived."
Hei Long's eyes shifted.
"Bring her in."
Moments later—
Wu Jinhai entered the room.
Qiao Yu Zhen stood outside.
Waiting.
Wu Jinhai walked forward calmly.
She bowed slightly.
"You called for me, Your Highness."
Hei Long looked at her.
"They say you understand medicine."
Wu Jinhai did not deny it.
"I know some," she replied.
Hei Long stepped aside.
"Then look at her."
Wu Jinhai walked toward the bed.
She looked at Qiu Ying'er carefully.
Her face.
Her breathing.
Her condition.
She gently checked her pulse.
The room was silent.
Time passed slowly.
Hei Long watched her every move.
Finally—
Wu Jinhai stepped back.
Her expression grew serious.
"Well?" Hei Long asked.
Wu Jinhai looked at him.
"The poison is deep," she said.
Hei Long's eyes darkened.
"Can it be cured?"
Wu Jinhai paused for a moment.
Then she spoke—
"Yes."
The word was simple.
But it carried hope.
Hei Long stepped forward.
"How?"
Wu Jinhai answered clearly.
"There is only one way."
Silence filled the room.
"Only Zhi Xingyuan can save her."
Hei Long frowned slightly.
"What is that?"
Wu Jinhai explained.
"Zhi Xingyuan is a rare spiritual herb," she said. "It grows in places filled with strong spiritual energy. Its leaves shine faintly at night, and its roots can remove even the deepest poison from the body."
She continued—
"It is not an ordinary herb. It absorbs the essence of the heavens and earth. That is why it can heal what normal medicine cannot."
Hei Long listened carefully.
"Where can it be found?"
Wu Jinhai answered—
"Mount Luzun."
The room fell silent again.
Hei Long's expression changed slightly.
"Mount Luzun…" he repeated.
Wu Jinhai nodded.
"It is a place of magic," she said. "Strange forces exist there. Few people can enter it safely. And even fewer return."
Her words were calm.
But the meaning was clear.
It was dangerous.
Hei Long looked at Qiu Ying'er.
Then back at Wu Jinhai.
"How long do we have?"
Wu Jinhai answered honestly.
"Not much."
Silence followed.
Hei Long stood still for a moment.
Then—
He made his decision.
"You will go."
Wu Jinhai did not look surprised.
She simply nodded.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Hei Long stepped closer.
"I trust you with this," he said.
His voice was firm.
"There is no one else."
Wu Jinhai lowered her head slightly.
"I understand."
Hei Long turned away.
"Prepare for the journey," he said. "Leave as soon as possible."
Wu Jinhai bowed again.
Then turned—
And left the chamber.
Outside—
Qiao Yu Zhen looked at her.
"What happened?" he asked.
Wu Jinhai walked past him.
"We are leaving," she said.
Qiao Yu Zhen followed.
"Where?"
"Mount Luzun."
He paused for a moment.
Then continued walking beside her.
"I see."
Neither of them spoke further.
But both understood—
This would not be easy.
Back at the General Wu Mansion—
Night had already fallen.
Lady Wu Caixia sat inside the hall.
Her expression was uneasy.
Wu Jinhai entered.
Qiao Yu Zhen followed behind her.
"Mother," Wu Jinhai said.
Lady Wu immediately stood up.
"You're back," she said, walking toward her.
But when she saw her daughter's expression—
She grew worried.
"What happened?"
Wu Jinhai spoke calmly.
"I have been given a task by the Crown Prince."
Lady Wu frowned.
"What task?"
Wu Jinhai answered—
"I need to go to Mount Luzun."
The moment she said it—
Lady Wu's expression changed.
"No," she said immediately.
Her voice was firm.
"That place is too dangerous."
Wu Jinhai remained calm.
"I have no choice."
Lady Wu stepped closer.
"I will speak to the Crown Prince," she said. "You don't need to go."
Wu Jinhai shook her head.
"It is my responsibility."
Lady Wu's eyes filled with worry.
"You are my only daughter," she said softly. "How can I let you go to such a place?"
Silence fell.
Wu Jinhai did not respond immediately.
Then—
Qiao Yu Zhen stepped forward.
"My Lady," he said.
Lady Wu looked at him.
Qiao Yu Zhen spoke calmly.
"I will go with her."
Lady Wu hesitated.
"You?"
Qiao Yu Zhen nodded.
"I will make sure she is safe."
His voice was steady.
Confident.
Lady Wu looked at him carefully.
As if judging his words.
"You cannot promise that," she said.
Qiao Yu Zhen did not look away.
"I will do everything I can."
Silence followed.
Wu Jinhai looked at her mother.
"I will return," she said.
Her voice was calm.
But firm.
Lady Wu's hands tightened slightly.
She looked at both of them.
Then slowly—
She sighed.
"…You must come back safely."
Wu Jinhai nodded.
"I will."
Lady Wu looked at Qiao Yu Zhen again.
"Protect her," she said.
Qiao Yu Zhen answered without hesitation—
"I will."
The room fell quiet.
The decision had been made.
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