The Princess Cannot Escape: The Cunning Prince Is Not to Be Messed With

Chapter 289 Cutting Off Flesh to Heal Wounds

“A cut will leave a scar, let alone a living person disappearing before your eyes!”

“Actually, the scars left by our wounds aren’t impossible to remove, as long as you go to a plastic surgery hospital…” Yin Quan said pitifully, she couldn’t help but want to avoid this question every time she faced it.

"Yin Quan, I'm talking to you seriously." Xiahou Ying's tone was quite calm, so calm it was frightening. This was a sign that he was about to get angry, so Yin Quan had no choice but to beg for mercy and burrow into Xiahou Ying's arms.

"I was wrong, okay? I can't bear to part with you either, but what can I do? Your mother also said that there's no absolute certainty of success. If I really go back, I only hope that you can find a good girl who can bear your children, watch the sunrise with you, and keep you company at sunset..." As she spoke, Yin Quan unconsciously shed tears.

She wished she could accompany him to accomplish all of these things, but she couldn't guarantee it. Perhaps it was better to take preventative measures now than to face an unexpected separation.

"So this is what you wanted me to do with you? You're the only one who has borne me children in my life. If you dare to go back, I will never marry again. I will follow you wherever you go. There is no place in the world that I dare not venture into. And I will never allow anyone else to touch what belongs to me."

Yin Quan smiled through her tears, "I know you're a germaphobe." He was willing to do so much for her, so what excuse did she have not to try harder?

"I promise you I will do everything I can to stay with you, but from now on you can only marry me. Even if you become emperor, can you do that?" Xiahou Ying suddenly smiled, a smile as bright as the morning sun. "We'll see how you perform then."

If there's one thing Yin Quan is least able to resist, it's Xiahou Ying's smile. Even though she knows he's just making excuses, she just can't bring herself to get angry.

"Don't worry, I will definitely find the artifact. You just need to stand behind me." Xiahou Ying's tone was unquestionable. He was born with the aura of a king, but he usually kept it to himself. Now that it had all burst forth, even Yin Quan couldn't help but feel a sense of submission.

After a short rest, the two went to the study. Wei Jun was already waiting at the door. Upon seeing Xiahou Ying, he immediately knelt down excitedly, his voice choked with emotion.

"Your Highness... I am incompetent. I failed to protect the capital and have caused you to fall into such a predicament. It is my incompetence." Xiahou Ying helped him up by the arm and slowly walked into the study.

"This is not your fault. I really didn't expect the changes in the capital. I also didn't expect that even after the Crown Prince's power was eradicated so thoroughly, he could still rise from the ashes. Do you know who he relied on to return to the capital this time?"

"It is the Emperor's brother-in-law Hao Gang. He has not been involved in politics for many years, but this time the Emperor fell ill, and the Empress naturally became more powerful in the palace. He also came out to make moves in the court, and the situation in the court became one where the siblings were the only ones in power. I just didn't expect that their bargaining chip was the Crown Prince."

Xiahou Ying pursed his lips, his deep eyes swirling with unspoken emotions. "These siblings can't cause any real trouble. The mastermind behind this is not so simple. Continue the investigation and also turn your attention to the Grand Preceptor. After all, the Crown Prince is his former master."

Wei Jun and Yin Quan were both taken aback. Yin Quan couldn't help but say, "Gu Lounan wouldn't do that. I think he has indeed helped us a lot along the way."

"Ah Quan, I didn't mean to doubt anyone, but you can't know what someone is thinking." Yin Quan wanted to argue, but Xiahou Ying had already changed the subject to Wei Jun. Listening to the two of them discussing matters of the court, she had no interest and silently left the study, intending to go see Jing Yu.

As soon as she stepped out, she saw Dr. Yan carrying a medicine box and hurrying past. Yin Quan quickly jogged after him. Dr. Yan went straight through the corridor to Gu Lounan's residence.

A small crack was left in the door, and Yin Quan squinted to see Gu Lounan lying on the bed, with only his hands sticking out. Doctor Yan carefully cut open his sleeves.

"No wonder the doctors in the valley all said they couldn't cure your wound. This isn't an ordinary burn. Otherwise, why would it fester even more when you apply burn ointment?" Gu Lounan clenched his teeth, clearly trying his best to suppress the pain.

"Doctor Yan is indeed a divine physician of our time. My injury was caused by the evil energy of the Ancient Spirit Pearl. Ordinary medicines will probably only worsen the ulceration. I wonder if the divine physician has any solutions?" Doctor Yan said solemnly, "I'm afraid it won't be that easy. Although I can cure all kinds of poisons in the world, I have never heard of the Ancient Spirit Pearl. The only solution now is probably to cut out my flesh."

Yin Quan gasped. The pain of having flesh cut out and bones scraped was unbearable for most people. Gu Lounan, however, said calmly, "As long as this arm can be saved, Doctor Yan can treat it as he sees fit." Doctor Yan was surprised that Gu Lounan, at such a young age, had such courage.

"I haven't left the mountain for many years, and I never expected that there would be so many formidable young talents in this world. You can rest assured to entrust your hand to me. Although I can't guarantee that I can save your hand, I will do my best. Even if I can't save it, the prosthesis I make will be quite good."

Remembering Xiahou Ying's words, Yin Quan suddenly felt a little sorry for Gu Lounan, after all, his injury was also because of her. Yin Quan pushed open the door and entered.

"Doctor Yan hopes you will cure him." Gu Lounan was overjoyed to see Yin Quan and struggled to sit up, but he aggravated his wound and winced in pain.

"Little Quan Quan, what brings you here? Are you worried about my injury?" He then held out his injured hand to Yin Quan, pleading like a child asking for candy. "Look, it really hurts!" In the past, Yin Quan would have slapped him; she never believed a word he said.

But after hearing Doctor Yan's words with her own ears this time, she actually felt a little reluctant. "Gu Lounan, are you an idiot? You knew that thing was extremely evil, yet you still tried to grab it with your bare hands. Didn't you know to use something else to get rid of it?"

Gu Lounan became even happier amidst her scolding. "Xiao Quanquan is concerned about me, isn't she? Don't worry, the fortune teller has always said I have a strong destiny and will definitely live to be a hundred." Doctor Yan said disapprovingly, "If you two keep talking nonsense like this, his arm will really be ruined."

Yin Quan hurriedly made way for him. Doctor Yan glanced at her and said, "A young lady like you probably can't handle such bloody things. You should go out and find a guard to bring in a basin of hot water and some alcohol. I also need some hot towels." Yin Quan nodded. Fortunately, the villa's pharmacy was well-stocked. Doctor Yan frowned as he watched Yin Quan return, covered in sweat.

"Didn't I tell you to bring a man in? Don't let him get in the way and delay my treatment." Yin Quan hurriedly shook her head. "Don't worry, Doctor Yan. I've also learned some medicine. Maybe I can help you. Besides, those guards are all clumsy. They might not be as clever as me."

Seeing her sincere expression, Doctor Yan could only nod reluctantly. He opened his medicine box, which contained dozens of knives of various shapes, which looked quite similar to modern scalpels. He then took out long acupuncture needles from another bag. "Young man, lie down. I will seal all the major acupoints on your body to prevent you from bleeding too much."

Turning to Yin Quan, he said, "I gave him a hot towel to bite on. Even if it hurts, he absolutely cannot move. Otherwise, if I cut him with this knife, he might get twisted somewhere, you know?" Gu Lounan nodded, but his eyes remained fixed on Yin Quan.

Yin Quan's palms were sweating with nervousness. Doctor Yan picked up a sharp knife and cut into the charred flesh on Gu Lou Nan's palm. Blood gushed out instantly, turning a dark black. Gu Lou Nan bit down hard on the towel in his mouth, remaining completely silent.

The veins on his forehead were bulging, and the roots of his tightly clenched teeth were clearly visible.

Yin Quan wiped the sweat from her forehead. For some reason, she suddenly felt the temperature in the room rise sharply, and her whole body was sticky with sweat, making her extremely uncomfortable.

But she dared not take her attention away from Doctor Yan for even a moment.

"Alcohol...water...knife..." Yin Quan carefully handled everything, afraid of making a mistake. Only after Doctor Yan stitched up the wound Gu Lounan had cut open did Yin Quan finally feel relieved. The knot in her chest finally loosened, and she felt lightheaded, almost collapsing to her knees.

The strong smell of blood throughout the room was extremely uncomfortable, so Doctor Yan washed his hands in a basin of water.

"Take this basin of black blood out and throw it away!" Yin Quan carried the basin of water, but after taking only a few steps, her body suddenly went limp, and the water slipped from her fingers, spilling all over the ground with a splash.

In an instant, the air itself seemed to freeze.

"Little girl, are you alright?"

Yin Quan felt a wave of dizziness, and Doctor Yan hurriedly helped her up. "I told you not to look, but you wouldn't listen. You couldn't hold on any longer, could you?" Yin Quan smiled bitterly. She didn't want Gu Lounan to get hurt because of her, and Xiahou Ying didn't trust him. Perhaps this was all she could do.

Gu Lounan struggled to get up from the bed, walked over barefoot and gently picked up Yin Quan. "Gu Lounan, did you go crazy after the surgery? I'm fine, I was just too nervous. I only became like this after I relaxed. I'll be fine after a rest."

Doctor Yan said anxiously, "Although the surgery was successful, it doesn't mean you'll fully recover. Be careful not to tear your newly stitched wound with such vigorous movements." Gu Lounan winked at Yin Quan, "Did you hear what the doctor said? If you keep struggling, you'll tear my wound apart."

One sentence frightened Yin Quan so much that she dared not make any more moves. She obediently let Gu Lou carry her out of the room and take her to the rest room next door. He covered her with a blanket and said, "Rest well. I'll be fine and you'll be fine too."

Gu Lounan's words seemed to have a magical power; Yin Quan's eyelids unconsciously grew heavy. Perhaps she was truly too tired.

Looking at the soundly sleeping Yin Quan, Gu Lounan seemed to be talking to herself, or perhaps telling her, "With me here, you will never disappear. You will live a peaceful and happy life until old age." He gently kissed her forehead, carefully closed the doors and windows for her, and then left.