Chapter 115: Ye Xiaotian in Critical Condition

It was early spring, yet the biting chill of winter lingered. Gusts of wind whipped against the skin like icy lashes. Entering the city, Murong Yan was met with a scene of utter desolation: collapsed houses lay in ruins, and the bodies of the starved were scattered everywhere. The groans of wounded soldiers echoing through the streets were heart-wrenching, while the air was thick with the suffocating stench of gunpowder, rot, and decay, enough to turn one’s stomach.

"Soldiers, clear the streets, tend to the wounded, and distribute all our rations to the victims," she commanded, her eyes brimming with tears as she arranged the relief efforts. She dismounted herself, moving among the injured, offering comfort and words of solace.

Before long, a general came stumbling toward her from a distance. With a dull thud, he collapsed to his knees. "I report to the Marshal: I, Wang Qingzhi, am incompetent. I have lost much territory and only managed to hold this final stronghold, Black Earth City. I have come to beg for your punishment!" He pressed his forehead to the ground, not daring to rise.

"General Wang! Rise at once!" Murong Yan hurriedly reached out to help him up. "General, this is not your fault! If anyone is to be blamed, it is I for my carelessness in failing to leave enough troops to defend our home, and for not anticipating the wolfish ambition of Feng Rusong, who seized the opportunity to invade our lands. You have all done your best! I have witnessed your bravery, and I know how much you have suffered."

Her comfort only moved Wang Qingzhi to burst into bitter sobs. "Marshal, you must avenge our fallen soldiers! That scoundrel Feng Rusong is steeped in evil. He invaded our borders without cause, plundered our property, and slaughtered our kin. If we do not avenge this, we are not men!"

Murong Yan wept along with him, nodding repeatedly. "Very well! I understand!" She turned to her soldiers, adding, "Help the General to his quarters to rest." Once he had been led away, she threw herself back into the work of post-war stabilization and reconstruction.

For days, Murong Yan worked tirelessly, ensuring the survival of the refugees and the recovery of her soldiers. One day, she took a moment to visit the Ye estate. It took a long time for the gate to be opened. The gatekeeper, upon seeing her, was torn between joy and sorrow. "Marshal Murong, you have come! Thank goodness! The Master has been growing weaker by the day; in his delirium, he calls out for the Young Master and for you. The Master has suffered so much!" He burst into tears as he spoke.

Murong Yan was struck with alarm. She hurried toward Ye Xiaotian’s bedchamber, calling out, "Father! Father!" Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. She pushed open the door and rushed inside.

The old man lay flat on the bed, his eyes tightly shut, motionless. His face was white as paper, and he was so thin he looked like skin stretched over bones.

"Father, Yan is home. Open your eyes and look at me!" Murong Yan leaned in close, whispering.

"Yan... Yan... Yan'er, where are you?" Hearing that familiar voice through his haze, the old man opened his eyes slightly.

"I am here! I am right here!" Murong Yan gripped his hands tightly, feeling only icy coldness. His fingers were stiff and devoid of flesh, nothing but bone. She could not hold back her sobs. "Father, Yan is back! I have come to see you!"

Ye Xiaotian finally focused on the figure before him and realized it was Murong Yan. He struggled to rise.

"Father, lie still. You are ill," she urged, gently pressing him back down. She turned to the servant who had followed her in. "Why is he so severely ill?"

The servant replied, "Marshal, you do not know. When Feng Rusong besieged the city and the food ran out, the Master opened the granaries and distributed everything until they were empty. I begged him to keep some for himself, but he refused, saying he would share the hardships of the people. He was already frail with age and could not bear the strain—he collapsed."

Murong Yan frowned deeply. "The siege is lifted now. Why has no physician been called?"

The servant explained, "We have! We called every renowned doctor in the city, but they all shook their heads and said the illness was incurable, that it was too late." He broke down, weeping uncontrollably.

Murong Yan was incensed. "Then why did you not call me back to see him?"

"The Master would not allow it," the servant sobbed. "He said you were busy with official duties and that the refugees of the entire city were counting on you. He said his own life was a small matter, but the people were the priority."

"Yan'er, do not blame the servant. They have cared for me with all their might," Ye Xiaotian said in a weak voice, trying to soothe her. He then asked about her life. "Yan'er, how have you been?"

Tearfully, she replied, "Father, I am well. I have good news: Feng and I are married! I am an unfilial daughter-in-law for not being able to kowtow to you at the wedding, and for being unable to send word across such a distance. Please forgive me."

Upon hearing this, Ye Xiaotian was overjoyed. He reached out from under the covers and clutched her hands, a faint glow of vitality returning to his face. "Good child! Good child! I have longed for this day! Our Ye family is truly blessed." Even his voice grew stronger. "Good child, help me up. I have something for you!"

"Father, lie still. I do not want anything; I only want you to recover!"

"You do not understand, child. This was left by Feng’er’s mother as a gift for her future daughter-in-law. These bracelets are called the 'Celestial Red Gold Entwined Jade of Everlasting Fulfillment.' It is said they are formed from the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. For a woman, they nourish the complexion, replenish vitality, ward off evil, and extend life. They even assist in childbirth and ensure a smooth pregnancy!" Ye Xiaotian grew more animated, looking nothing like the invalid he had been moments before.

Murong Yan blushed and lowered her head, complaining, "Father, we have been married for less than a month! It is far too early for children."

Ye Xiaotian tapped the back of her hand. "It will be soon! I want to hold my grandchild!" He struggled to get up again.

Murong Yan held him down. "Father, stay still. If you trust me, let me go retrieve them."

Ye Xiaotian nodded, smiling with contentment. "Everything in this house will be yours anyway; you are the mistress of this home now." He instructed the servant to get the keys and told her where the treasures were hidden.

Murong Yan entered the study and opened a secret compartment. She pulled out a sandalwood box inlaid with jewels and carvings of dragons and phoenixes. When she opened it, the box radiated a brilliant light that forced her to squint. Once her eyes adjusted, she realized the contents were worth a fortune. She thought to herself that Feng’s family was indeed wealthy, though the old man had likely donated much of his assets to the rebel army over the years. She decided she would not sell or donate these, but keep them as a memento for the old man. She took out the pair of translucent, emerald-green bracelets and returned to Ye Xiaotian’s side.

"Father, are these the ones?" She unwrapped the silk, and the bracelets glowed with a cold, ethereal light.

"Yes, yes. Put them on and see if they fit," he said kindly.

As Murong Yan slid the bracelets onto her wrists, she felt a refreshing chill seep into her marrow, stirring her inner energy and causing it to surge through her body. Her limbs felt invigorated and incredibly comfortable.

"Father, these are truly treasures!" she exclaimed in delight. Suddenly, it occurred to her that if her father-in-law wore them, perhaps it would restore his strength and help him recover. She hurriedly took them off.

"What? They do not fit?" Ye Xiaotian asked, bewildered.

"No, Father. These are such treasures—if you wear them, they might help you recover!" She held them out to him.

"It is useless. I know my condition. Besides, these are meant for women, not men. You must keep them and never lose them," the old man said, his strength waning rapidly.

"No, Father, you will be well! You must see us defeat the Myriad Demon Kingdom, and you must help us raise our children!" Murong Yan wept at the sight of his frailty.

"Good... good child. I will look forward to that. But I am tired now. Let me rest." His voice faded, and he drifted into a deep sleep.

"Father, I shall take my leave," she whispered, turning to go.

"Yan'er!" A faint voice called out. Though soft, she heard it instantly and rushed back to the bedside.

"I am here, Father. What is it?" she asked, leaning close to his ear.

"Yan'er, if I do not survive this, do not send word to Feng. Do not let him be distracted while he is leading the army." He opened his eyes slightly, his lips trembling.

"Father, rest assured. The siege is lifted. If there are no good doctors in the city, I will send men out to find one. You will get better!"

Ye Xiaotian shook his head slightly. "After I am gone, donate the rest of the property to the army. The jewelry is what your mother-in-law wore daily; keep what you like, and sell the rest to provide armor and weapons for the soldiers. As for the servants, give them some coins and grant them their freedom."

"Father, stop! When you are better, you can handle these things yourself! I cannot do this!" Murong Yan sobbed, pleading with him.

"Very well... forgive me for rambling. I am going to sleep now..." He drifted back into unconsciousness.

Seeing his life slipping away, Murong Yan was frantic. She returned to camp and ordered all scouts to scour the countryside for a skilled physician. She waited anxiously, but by evening, the scouts returned empty-handed. In these war-torn times, people had fled, and it was hard to find even a living soul, let alone a doctor.

Only one scout remained—the one she trusted most, her head scout, who was always prudent and reliable. Murong Yan stood at the gate of the Ye estate, staring into the distance.

Deep into the night, she saw a horse trotting toward her, carrying two people. Her vision, honed by deep practice of her internal arts, allowed her to see that the person in front was a soldier, and the one behind was a physician carrying a medicine chest.

Murong Yan rushed forward. "You found a doctor?"

"I did," the soldier replied, dismounting. "I found him in the forest; he had fled there to escape the war and was gathering herbs. I caught him and brought him back."

Murong Yan, casting aside all formality, grabbed the reins and began to run. The physician, terrified, cried out, "Marshal, this is too much! You honor me too greatly!" He tried to dismount, but Murong Yan barked, "Old sir, never mind the titles! Saving a life is what matters!"

She raced to the gate, helped the physician down, and grabbed his medicine chest, leading the way. When the breathless physician finally entered the room, he saw Ye Xiaotian lying peacefully on the bed, sleeping soundly.

Whether the old physician could save Ye Xiaotian, the next chapter will reveal.