The guards, with their faces grim and etched with resentment, fixed their gazes on the door.
Deep down, they harbored no belief in the "Soul Returning Acupuncture" that Ye Qingcheng spoke of. However, they were powerless. As subordinates, they had no right to interfere with the decisions of the Princess Consort, Ye Qingcheng.
All they could do was stand guard, day and night.
As noon passed, they had already surmised that the opponent had exhausted the Soul Returning Acupuncture technique, yet there was still no sign.
Now, hearing Ye Qingcheng's pained cries, they all inwardly sensed something was amiss, each believing that Xiao Wangye had met his demise.
Xiao Wangye was dead. Their master, whom they had followed their entire lives, was dead.
The taut string in the guards' minds snapped. Their reason evaporated, and they became irrational, shouting accusations at Ye Qingcheng from outside the door.
They blamed the Princess Consort for Xiao Wangye's death.
While others might not know, they were acutely aware that their King had been attacked and gravely wounded by enemies precisely to gather herbs for the Princess Consort.
Furthermore, Ye Qingcheng's insistence on personally administering this "Soul Returning Acupuncture" to Xiao Wangye, disregarding everyone else's opinions, had accelerated his death!
The guards were enraged. At this moment, they no longer cared that she was their superior. Resentment surged within each of them!
Previously, the guards had been mindful of Ye Qingcheng's status, only daring to whisper their doubts and questions.
Now, having inferred that Xiao Wangye had died at her hands, they disregarded everything else. They stood in the courtyard, loudly berating Ye Qingcheng.
Even if she was the Princess Consort and their mistress, she was far less important to them than Xiao Wangye.
Blazing anger ignited the courtyard. Even Yang Ming, the most composed and steady among them, couldn't help but wear a grim expression, staring intently into the room.
"In my opinion, the Princess Consort deliberately killed His Highness. This 'Soul Returning Acupuncture' is utter nonsense."
"Exactly. Once we return to the capital, we must submit a memorial. We absolutely cannot let this venomous woman go unpunished."
"Our King's lifelong brilliance has been ruined by this woman. She must be punished."
The men shouted in the courtyard. Despite their fury, tears began to well up in their eyes.
They had served by Xiao Wangye's side for at least ten years.
Many had grown up with Xiao Wangye since childhood, while others had been rescued by him and gradually trained into guards, remaining by his side.
Upon hearing the news of Xiao Wangye's death, they found it hard to believe, but they couldn't help but feel grief and pain.
These hardened men, now weeping like drenched willows, cursed through their tears.
Just as their collective fury reached its peak, a rather weak voice, yet tinged with vigor, emanated from within the room.
"This King is not dead yet. What are you all crying about?"
Although the voice was not loud, it clearly reached everyone's ears, causing them to freeze instantly.
This familiar voice, they immediately recognized whose it was.
Before the others could rush to the door, it creaked open from the inside, revealing two figures.
Ye Qingcheng was carefully supporting Xiao Wangye. Though she had little strength left herself, she still strained to prop him up.
On the other side stood Xiao Wangye, wrapped in bandages. Despite his pale and weak complexion, his spirit was entirely different.
Seeing Xiao Wangye clearly alive, the guards standing in the courtyard were stunned, their eyes wide with disbelief.
Yang Ming was the first to react.
He let out a silent cry and knelt on the ground, his gaze fixed on Xiao Wangye, an undisguised joy in his eyes.
The others knelt down one after another, but for a moment, they were speechless, merely staring at the pair.
Looking at these rough men, their faces still streaked with tears, Xiao Wangye felt a complex swirl of emotions, his eyes slightly moist.
Yet, he maintained a stern expression and spoke, reprimanding them:
"Who allowed you to speak so disrespectfully to the Princess Consort? Have you all become so audacious now that you think this King is not here?"
Xiao Wangye immediately began to punish the guards, his glare anything but feigned.
Heaven knew that as soon as he awoke, he heard these men verbally abusing and slandering Ye Qingcheng, which had nearly caused him to faint again.
The guards, kneeling on the ground, lowered their heads and remained silent, silently chiding themselves.
They accepted this punishment without complaint and willingly.
They had misunderstood Ye Qingcheng. She had saved Xiao Wangye through her own efforts, yet they had stood outside and hurled insults. They truly deserved to be punished.
"Enough, go lie back down. You are still weak, don't move around."
Despite his anger, Xiao Wangye was still suffering from the effects of significant blood loss. His body was weak, and his mind was filled with dizziness. He was merely forcing himself to stay conscious.
Upon lying back down on the bed, Xiao Wangye closed his eyes again and lost consciousness.
Ye Qingcheng was startled by this and quickly felt his pulse. Her diagnosis relieved her; he had merely fainted from exhaustion.
Seeing Xiao Wangye depart, the guards in the courtyard left their posts one by one, obediently going to accept their punishment.
Only Yang Ming and another honest and steady guard remained, continuing to stand guard at the entrance, guarding against any further unforeseen events.
Ye Qingcheng, considering Xiao Wangye's current physical condition, prescribed several formulas to replenish blood and qi. She handed them to the guards at the door to fetch the medicine.
Then, she personally brewed the medicine and watched over Xiao Wangye within the room.
As the guards left, the entire Fengdu City was abuzz with the news they were spreading.
After the physicians had left last night, they had quickly disseminated the news that the Regent had met with misfortune and his life hung by a thread.
Upon hearing this, the people of Fengdu City became anxious and inquired about Xiao Wangye's specific condition.
Regarding this King, who had only arrived less than a month ago, the common folk were deeply grateful and revered him.
After Xiao Wangye's arrival, he not only opened granaries for disaster relief, providing sustenance for the populace, but also dispatched Ye Qingcheng to treat the mysterious illness, controlling its spread and saving countless lives.
Furthermore, he had deposed Luo Qin Quan, the Prefect who controlled Fengdu City, bringing to justice a corrupt official who had extorted and exploited the people for years.
As a result, Xiao Wangye had already established immense prestige in the hearts of these people.
But who would have thought that good fortune was fleeting!
Just as the situation in the city began to clarify, news spread that Xiao Wangye was not long for this world. How could these people not worry?
Thus, as soon as the guards stepped out of the residence, people kept approaching them along the way to inquire about Xiao Wangye's condition.
The sudden questions left them bewildered, but they answered truthfully.
Now that Xiao Wangye's life was no longer in danger, they, his subordinates, were extremely pleased, even if it meant enduring punishment.