Under the escort of the guards, Chu Ningwan arrived at the Prince Regent’s residence. The steward took one look at the proclamation in her hand and immediately understood why she had come.
“Miss, may I ask what method you intend to use to awaken His Highness?”
Beneath her veil, Chu Ningwan remained composed. Facing the steward’s question, she answered calmly:
“Since I dared to take down the proclamation, I naturally have a way to wake him. Now take me to the Prince Regent’s chambers.”
The steward was momentarily stunned.
Others who had answered the proclamation usually arrived carrying medicine chests. This young woman, however, had come empty-handed—a first.
Yet no matter how unusual she seemed, once the proclamation was taken down, failure to awaken the Prince Regent meant only one outcome:
Death.
“This way, please.”
Chu Ningwan followed him into the courtyard.
When she noticed the steward still intended to enter with her, she suddenly said,
“When I am treating the Prince Regent, I do not wish to be disturbed by anyone.”
“How dare you! This is the Prince Regent’s residence. If you were to—”
One of the guards immediately rebuked her.
But Chu Ningwan remained unruffled.
“Give me only half an hour. If His Highness does not awaken within that time, I will submit to whatever punishment you choose.”
Both the steward and the guards looked shocked.
In the end, neither objected further.
Chu Ningwan entered the room alone.
After the door closed behind her, she walked into the inner chamber.
A strikingly handsome man lay upon the bed.
His complexion was pale, and his breathing was faint.
After checking his pulse, Chu Ningwan’s expression grew serious.
Just as in her previous life, the Prince Regent’s coma was not caused by any old illness suddenly flaring up.
He had been poisoned by an extremely insidious type of gu venom.
The reason she was so certain Xiao Changyan would awaken within half an hour was not because of anything else.
Rather, in her previous life, the elderly physician who had taught her medicine once told her:
Her constitution was exceptionally unique.
Her blood happened to be the antidote to the gu poison afflicting Xiao Changyan.
Without hesitation, Chu Ningwan took out the acupuncture kit she had purchased earlier from a medical hall.
Drawing a silver needle, she pricked her fingertip.
Drops of blood fell onto the man’s pale lips, quickly staining them red.
At the same time, she loosened Xiao Changyan’s upper garments.
Blood alone would not be enough.
She also needed to use acupuncture to force the poison out of his body.
Although she had died once before, she had not forgotten any of her medical skills.
One after another, silver needles were inserted precisely into his acupuncture points.
Soon, the tips of the needles began turning black.
Chu Ningwan knew the treatment was working.
Using a handkerchief, she carefully withdrew each needle.
Though she could not completely expel the poison immediately, it would be enough to awaken him.
Half an hour would suffice.
After putting away the needles, she sat beside the bed.
In her previous life, by the time she learned her blood could cure Xiao Changyan, the poison had already invaded his heart meridian.
She had devoted great effort to treating him.
Afterward, he had asked what reward she desired.
How laughable.
At that time, her heart had been entirely occupied by Shen Yu.
She had done everything she could to pave the way for his advancement.
Yet what she received in return were accusations that she had acted presumptuously and sought repayment for her kindness.
This lifetime would be different.
Without all the assistance she had once given him, she wanted to see how Shen Yu would continue climbing the ranks step by step.
As the half-hour mark approached, the commotion outside grew louder.
Yet the man on the bed still showed no signs of waking.
Logically speaking, Xiao Changyan’s pulse had already stabilized.
He should have awakened by now.
Unless…
Chu Ningwan leaned closer.
She reached out, intending to lift his eyelid and examine him.
But just as she was about to do so—
The supposedly unconscious man suddenly opened his eyes.
In the instant he saw her face, a trace of surprise flashed across his gaze.
Chu Ningwan immediately tried to retreat.
But before she could move away, he abruptly seized her and pinned her down.
“Mm—!”
Her eyes widened in shock.
She…
She had actually been forcefully kissed!