"Quick, Xia An, look where Xiao Luzi is."
While giving instructions, Lin Wanyi examined Chunqi's injuries. Worry was written all over her face.
Chunqi, afraid of causing her more concern, forced herself upright and muttered weakly, "My lady, I'm fine."
Lin Wanyi was deeply moved. Chunqi was more than a maid—she was a childhood companion, even family. Now, she'd taken a beating meant for her. Lin Wanyi would never forget this debt.
"Come, I'll help you inside."
The two supported each other back into the inner room, while Xia An located the narrow path where Xiao Luzi lay unconscious.
Looking at the shallow footprints on his chest, she quickly took his pulse. Chunqi and her own injuries were external, but Xiao Luzi's were internal—and severe. No one would faint from just surface wounds.
As expected, his pulse was weak. Xia An removed a hairpin from her bun, twisted the end gently, and a small red pill dropped into her palm. She fed it to Xiao Luzi, who regained consciousness moments later, clutching his chest.
"Sister Xia An… ouch…"
"Don't force yourself. You'll need bed rest for a few days if you want to recover."
She helped him up and led him slowly toward the inner hall. Seeing Xia An's bloodied face, Xiao Luzi grew furious. But his rage flared into chest pain before he could speak. He gasped instead.
Inside, he saw Chunqi's bleeding back and clenched his fists.
"Concubine Chu is really…"
He couldn't finish the sentence before he collapsed again. Xia An steadied him and passed him a cup of warm water.
"You're the most injured. Don't waste your strength on anger."
Then she turned to Chunqi. The whip had torn through her clothes; Xia An didn't even need to look to know there were iron thorns in the satin.
Concubine Chu hadn't just wanted to punish. She wanted to maim.
Chunqi's wrist injuries were nothing in comparison. Xia An cleaned them first, then went to boil water.
Lin Wanyi's knee—still healing—had been twisted again, worsening the injury. But she put her own pain aside and helped Chunqi lie on the bed. Behind the silk screen, shielded from Xiao Luzi's view, she carefully removed Chunqi's clothing to expose the wound.
Xia An returned with medicine. Lin Wanyi cleaned the wound with a handkerchief. The skin was purple and red, with broken welts like cracked leather.
"This powder will sting, but it works. It won't leave a scar."
"I can take it," Chunqi replied.
Xia An passed her a clean handkerchief to bite on. As Lin Wanyi sprinkled the medicine, Chunqi trembled with pain, but didn't cry out.
Rage boiled in Lin Wanyi's chest. She stood and limped out of the room. Xia An thought she couldn't bear to see it—until she heard Xiao Luzi's shocked cry.
"Master!"
Lin Wanyi had twisted her ankle badly on the steps. She fell hard, injuring her arm against the stone corridor.
"What are you doing, my lady?" Xia An helped her up and rolled up her sleeve. Her arm was scraped but not serious. The ankle, however, was clearly dislocated. She gently tested it.
"I need to set this…"
"No," Lin Wanyi stopped her.
Though silent, her pain was obvious. Xia An was worried.
"Mistress, why do this?"
Lin Wanyi looked at her with unsettling calm. Xia An helped her back to the inner room, where she explained in a quiet, deliberate voice:
"Xia An, go to the Inner Court and find Eunuch Qin. Ask him to bring a doctor."
"Young lady…?"
"Just go."
"…Yes."
She turned to Xiao Luzi.
"If your master comes later, I hope I don't have to tell you what you have to say."
"Don't worry, I understand!"
He was already seething. This time, he would make sure the blame fell exactly where it should.
"As for Chunqi—go lie down. With your injuries, you can't even leave bed."
Chunqi immediately understood. If necessary, she'd even feign unconsciousness.
Once everything was arranged, Lin Wanyi limped to the couch and shut her eyes.
Not long after, Eunuch Qin and Xia An arrived—and were shocked by the sight.
Eunuch Qin's face twisted with horror when he saw Lin Wanyi.
"Miss Lin! Miss Lin!"
He rushed to her side. She looked dazed, almost frightened. As he approached, she shrank back in fear—and the pain in her ankle surged.
With a soft gasp, Lin Wanyi fainted.
"Quick! Bring the doctor! What happened?" Qin An cried out.
The doctor was calm and precise. He looked young, not particularly handsome, but well-kept and sure-handed.
He took her pulse, then examined her ankle. When he saw the dislocation, he covered it with a cloth and, with a soft click, popped it back into place.
Though Lin Wanyi was unconscious, sweat dotted her forehead and her brows were tightly furrowed.
"Her injury is quite serious," the doctor said gravely.
"She was likely pushed with great force and then crushed by something heavy. The fainting is due to intense stimulation and mental stress."