Consort of a Thousand Faces - Chapter 384

Chapter 384

CHAPTER 384 (1): WE ARE FRIENDS

Su Xi-er entered the boiler room and immediately added firewood as she stoked the flames . Shortly after, she quickly draped a clean handkerchief over the edge of a basin before pouring the boiling water into it, using some cold water to adjust the temperature .

She then carried the wooden basin to the open room, her expression becoming solemn as she realised that it was Chao Mu’s room .

Imperial Physician Zhao was already done with his preparations, the medicinal herbs in his medical box laid out tidily .

When Su Xi-er entered, he instructed, “Soak the medicinal herbs in the hot water; squeeze out their extracts into a bowl before bringing it over . ”

“Alright . ” Su Xi-er swiftly followed Imperial Physician Zhao’s instructions, and soon came back with a small bowl in her hands .

At the moment, Imperial Physician Zhao was still removing the arrow from Tan Ge’s body . The only sign of life from her otherwise motionless form was the weak breathing .

When the blood-stained arrow was pulled out, Tan Ge’s brows almost visibly furrowed, prompting Su Xi-er to walk to the bedside and grasp her hand .

Tan Ge’s knitted brows gradually relaxed, and her weak breathing became steadier .

Once the arrow was set down on the table, Imperial Physician Zhao gave some more instructions to Su Xi-er . “Apply the medicine for her, and bandage her wound . I’ll be going out . ” Imperial Physician Zhao left the room .

Having seen Pei Qianhao being treated, Su Xi-er could visualise the steps in her head .

She removed Tan Ge’s outer robes before smearing the medicinal paste she had made onto the gauze, wrapping it around the wound .

After Su Xi-er was done, she made sure to tuck her under the quilt . Suddenly, Tan Ge shook her head with a frantic expression despite her eyes remaining closed . “I didn’t harm anyone! It wasn’t me!”

Su Xi-er grabbed her hand and softly comforted her . “You didn’t harm anyone . You didn’t want to kill me . You didn’t kill Chao Mu . Everything is Commandery Prince Xie’s fault . He will receive his comeuppance one day . ”

Tan Ge’s expression gradually returned to normal, as if she had heard Su Xi-er’s words .

“Su Xi-er, are you done with the bandage?” Imperial Physician Zhao asked from outside the door .

Su Xi-er replied with an affirmative and asked him to enter .  

“I will go to the Imperial Physician Institute to get some medicine later . She is to drink two bowls of medicine each day . I will also give her some red bean soup to nourish the blood . ” Imperial Physician Zhao gave a final set of instructions before leaving with his medical box .

Just as he reached the door, he happened to bump into Wu Ling .

“Commander Wu, follow Imperial Physician Zhao to the Imperial Physician Institute . ”

The sight of Tan Ge lying in bed made Wu Ling suddenly wonder .  Prince Hao suspects that Tan Ge mistakenly killed Chao Mu while targeting Su Xi-er, yet here she is, lying on the bed after blocking an arrow for her supposed target .

“Quickly . ” Su Xi-er urged .

Wu Ling nodded and followed Imperial Physician Zhao .

Su Xi-er also walked out, preparing to head to the kitchen to ask for a bowl of red bean soup .

Grand Tutor Kong had just returned from teaching Situ Lin about penmanship in the Dragon Heaven Palace when he heard that something had happened in the Imperial Library again . He couldn’t help but furrow his brows .  What happened? There are only a few people here . Will I be next once everyone else dies?

Su Xi-er came over with a bowl of red bean soup, greeting Grand Tutor Kong when she saw him . “Godfather . ”

“This old man plans to go and pray for blessings . It has really not been peaceful in the Imperial Library the past few days,” Grand Tutor Kong seriously declared .

“Godfather, you have to report to Prince Hao and obtain his permission before you can leave the palace to pray for blessings . ” However, some things can’t be resolved just by praying . He simply can’t think of anything else to do .

CHAPTER 384 (2): WE ARE FRIENDS

“Take good care of Tan Ge . Sigh, this old man will go to meet with Prince Hao . ” Grand Tutor Kong flung his sleeves, leaving the Imperial Library with a sorrowful expression .

By the time Su Xi-er returned to the room, she realised that Tan Ge had already woken up . The arrow had missed her heart by several inches, and wouldn’t be fatal .

“I didn’t die . ” Tan Ge feebly muttered . Although her life was no longer in danger, she had lost all her strength . It seemed that Tan Ge’s constitution was weaker than Su Xi-er’s .

Su Xi-er set down the bowl of red bean soup and slowly helped Tan Ge sit up . “You managed to wake up in about six hours . You should be able to recover very quickly with nourishment . ”

She picked up the bowl of red bean soup, scooping some up with the spoon before gently blowing on it and bringing it to Tan Ge’s lips . “Open your mouth and drink the red bean soup . It helps to nourish the blood . ”

Tan Ge didn’t open her mouth, but silently watched Su Xi-er instead . Su Xi-er was smiling in a warm manner .  Even after entering the imperial palace, Su Xi-er’s heart is still kind .

Why did I wake up? All I can see is an abyss in front of me when I open my eyes .

“Open your mouth, Tan Ge . ” Su Xi-er’s soft voice entered Tan Ge’s ears .

Tan Ge finally opened her mouth and drank the soup . Neither of them spoke, simply going through the motions .

By the time Tan Ge finished the bowl of soup, her complexion was slowly becoming rosier, and she felt some strength returning to her limbs . “Su Xi-er, you shouldn’t have saved me . ”

Once I’ve survived, I’m afraid that I can no longer return to the past . One day, my heart may become vicious .

“Tan Ge, you have always been kind . We are friends . ”

“Friends?” Tan Ge questioned .

“Mmm, as long as we remain pure and kind, we will forever be friends . ” Su Xi-er confirmed as she placed the bowl down .

“Su Xi-er, can you go out? My head is hurting, and I’d like to rest . ” Tan Ge lied back down and closed her eyes .

“Alright, I’ll go and check on the medicine . ” Su Xi-er walked out, closing the door behind her .

Tan Ge opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling of the bed . However, it only made her nervous .  This . . . is Chao Mu’s room! When she surveyed her surroundings, it felt as if she could see Chao Mu’s smiling visage .

Even when Chao Mu died, she didn’t know who killed her . Tan Ge, how could you have become so evil?

Tan Ge’s fists clenched when she thought about this, her wound throbbing in pain as her heart beat faster . She took a few breaths to calm herself, images of the Tan Family being exiled flashing through her mind .

Commandery Prince Xie was right about one thing; I have to climb up . Only once I can sit in an untouchable position will others be unable to hurt me .

It’s Heaven’s will that I didn’t die this time . Prince Hao, Commandery Prince, you high and mighty people who treat human lives as garbage, I will make you experience suffering and pay one day!

Without realising it, Tan Ge’s eyes had deepened, leaving a trace of wickedness behind .

~~~

Wu Ling was still simmering the medicine when Su Xi-er arrived at the boiler room . He was fanning the flames while thinking over what had happened .

He told Su Xi-er, “I found out that the man in black robes had pretty decent fighting skills . I wasn’t his match . This person is extremely dangerous . ”

“The man in black was the person who shot the arrow . ” Su Xi-er calmly stated with certainty before continuing, “The position that the arrow landed in is similar to the one that struck Prince Hao . ”

“I heard from Yuchi Mo that Prince Hao had dispatched a search party for Shu Xian on the night he was injured . Prince Hao then immediately went to the Compassionate Peace Palace, not expecting for someone to be hiding in wait . If not because he started with an ambush, the man in black wouldn’t have been a match for Prince Hao . ”