Lin He gasped, jumping up instantly, eager to see what had happened. Cradled in Wen Ningxuan’s arms, she couldn't see what was unfolding behind them. But soon, several figures in black, wielding blades, lunged at Wen Ningxuan. A fierce exchange erupted, so rapid that Lin He couldn't even discern how Wen Ningxuan moved; he parried their attacks for a while, finally managing to repel the black-clad assailants.

Lin He stared, utterly dumbfounded, as Wen Ningxuan battled these men. These were scenes she had only ever witnessed on television, never expecting to be caught in such a predicament herself—she couldn't decide if this was luck or disaster. As the fighting ceased, Lin He was just about to question what had occurred when she felt Wen Ningxuan’s entire weight collapse onto her. Beside them, Ziyu cried out, "Miss, oh no! Second Young Master is injured!"

Ziyu immediately dropped what she was holding and rushed over. Lin He supported Wen Ningxuan, looking behind him, and indeed saw an arrow deeply embedded in his back. More than half the shaft was sunken in, and blood continued to seep from the wound. Lin He had never seen such a horrifying sight and instantly felt lost. Ling Xiao hadn't accompanied them today, and tears welled up from distress. Wen Ningxuan leaned against Lin He, forcing a faint smile, and whispered, "He'er, it's fine, don't panic. We aren't far from Cai Die Xuan. Have Ziyu call Ling Xiao over, and we'll wait by the main road."

Lin He nodded, and Ziyu bolted away. Lin He helped Wen Ningxuan walk toward the street, glancing at him as they went. His complexion was pale, his forehead beaded with sweat. Coupled with fighting while already wounded and bleeding significantly, he seemed on the verge of collapse.

Fortunately, Ziyu and Ling Xiao soon returned. Ling Xiao immediately hoisted Wen Ningxuan onto his back and instructed Ziyu to fetch a physician. By the time the group reached the house, more than half of Wen Ningxuan's clothing was stained red with blood. Because of the arrow in his back, he could only lie prone. Lin He remained by the bedside, frantic with worry. Never before had Lin He blamed herself so intensely; why had she insisted on going out onto the streets? Staying home would have been safer. It was all her fault.

A while later, the doctor arrived. After taking Wen Ningxuan's pulse, the doctor pronounced, "The arrowhead is poisoned. Moreover, the young master fought while injured, allowing the toxin to permeate his system. The first priority is to extract the arrow. However, it is lodged too close to the heart area; I am powerless here. You must seek a more skilled practitioner."

Before the doctor finished speaking, Ling Xiao vanished like a gust of wind, calling back as he fled, "Miss, take good care of the Young Master. I am leaving to find someone to save him."

Lin He was paralyzed by the doctor's words. Did that mean Wen Ningxuan was beyond saving? Impossible. How could it be? The man who had just held her and spoken so gently moments ago couldn't simply be lost. Lin He stood woodenly by the bed, trembling, her mind utterly blank, unable to utter a word. Ziyu, seeing Lin He's state, grew anxious too, saying, "Miss, no, Second Young Master won't die." She then turned to the doctor, kneeling before him. "Doctor, you are a physician! Please save him!"

"Alas, young lady, rise. I truly lack the ability. You must find someone else immediately. Do not delay the young master's treatment. This arrow is not only poisoned but lodged too deep. I fear that pulling it out will cause massive hemorrhaging, and he will lose his life regardless." The doctor shook his head and departed with his medical kit.

Lin He remained seated by the bed, unmoving, as if her soul had departed. She only gripped Wen Ningxuan's hand, murmuring, "No, it won't happen, it won't happen."

Ziyu observed Lin He's pale face and trembling body, approached her, and choked out, "Miss, please don't be like this. Ling Xiao has gone to find a solution; Second Young Master will be alright."

Lin He seemed not to hear, continuing only to hold Wen Ningxuan's hand and use her handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his brow. She appeared deaf to everything Ziyu said. Ziyu, finding no recourse, left to wait for Ling Xiao's return, silently blaming him for the delay.

Inside the room, Lin He watched Wen Ningxuan. He lay pale on the bed, already unconscious, but occasionally letting out a faint cry of "He'er."

Lin He's heart ached uncontrollably. The wound on Wen Ningxuan's back felt like a brand seared onto her own skin, painfully sharp. She knew that this arrow was meant for her; it was Wen Ningxuan who had lunged forward to shield her, even while injured, fighting off the dark figures. Wen Ningxuan was trading his life for hers, Lin He's life. Lin He desperately wished that everything happening was a dream, but it was agonizingly real; Wen Ningxuan lay there, sense gone, his fate hanging in the balance.

After a long wait, Ling Xiao finally returned. The person he brought back was none other than Ling Xiang, who was traveling with them. Ling Xiang immediately went to the other side of the bed and took Wen Ningxuan’s pulse. Lin He watched Ling Xiang’s expression shift from neutral to deeply grave. She looked up at Ling Xiao, who reassured her, "A'Xiang studied medicine from childhood; his skills are excellent. He will certainly find a way to save the Young Master."

After checking the pulse, Ling Xiang spoke without preamble: "The arrow in the Young Master's body must be removed quickly, or he truly risks death. However, even after extraction, I cannot guarantee survival. Let's remove the arrow first. I will prepare some medicinal powders now and get ready for the procedure."

Ling Xiang's words caused Lin He's anxiety to deepen further. She felt all strength drain from her body and sank onto the edge of the bed, staring vacantly ahead. Ziyu approached, her voice thick with tears, "Miss, don't worry. At least Ling Xiang said he can remove the arrow; there is still hope. You cannot collapse; Second Young Master needs you to care for him."

Lin He realized this was true; she absolutely could not fall apart now. She took several deep breaths and sat down beside Wen Ningxuan, continuing to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

When Ling Xiang returned, he carried several small vials, presumably containing powder. Ling Xiang and Ling Xiao glanced at Lin He sitting by the bed; since the injury was near the chest, they would need to remove his clothing, which seemed improper with the Miss present. After a shared look, Ling Xiang spoke first: "Miss, please step outside for a moment. We need to extract the arrow."

"Hurry and pull it out! I will guard him right here. Ziyu, you go out first." Lin He understood Ling Xiang's hesitation, but in a time like this, why adhere to such ridiculous formalities?

Ling Xiang looked toward Ling Xiao, who nodded. The two men moved to the bedside. Ling Xiao supported Wen Ningxuan, helping him lean against him, and then removed his upper garment. Lin He gasped when she saw Wen Ningxuan's back—it was covered in blood, dark and clotted, obscuring the original wound. Biting her lip, Lin He forced herself to stand, fetched a damp cloth from the table, and carefully wiped the blood away so the wound could be seen clearly. Because the arrow remained inside, she couldn't gauge the depth, but Lin He had no time to dwell on it. She called out, "A'Xiang, now."

Ling Xiang prepared the necessary tools. The arrowhead was barbed, requiring a careful incision to remove it. Before starting, Ling Xiang called out, "A'Xiao, switch places with the Miss. Come here and help me hold the Young Master down. If he moves violently when the arrow comes out, we need to be ready."

Ling Xiao moved over, and Lin He sat at the head of the bed, carefully cradling Wen Ningxuan’s head in her lap. Ling Xiang began his work. Lin He dared not look, closing her eyes tightly, only feeling the constant moisture of sweat beading on Wen Ningxuan's head. After a tense moment, she felt Wen Ningxuan’s body jerk violently, followed by a sharp cry, and then he went limp in her arms, having fainted. Lin He saw that the arrowhead had been pulled free. As Ling Xiang worked to stop the bleeding, Ling Xiao asked, "How is it? Now that the arrow is out, is the Young Master still in mortal danger?"

"We won't know for certain yet, but the next twenty-four hours are critical. The Young Master will develop a high fever. We must take turns applying cooling measures, or even if he survives, his mind could be damaged by the heat. As for the poison in his body, I've managed to suppress it for now; we can only address that later," Ling Xiang explained.

True to his word, Wen Ningxuan began to burn with fever by evening. While such a fever was initially considered normal and within Ling Xiang's expectations, as the temperature continued to rise without abatement, Ling Xiang began to realize the situation was dire.

Ling Xiang remixed some medicinal powder and administered it to Wen Ningxuan, while also instructing Ling Xiao and Lin He to frequently wipe his body with warm water to help reduce the heat.

Wen Ningxuan slept fitfully. Even in his delirium, his body thrashed restlessly, his head constantly tossing from side to side, his brow deeply furrowed. His pale, dry lips would move, occasionally whispering, "He'er, He'er," or, "Be careful..."

Lin He quickly moved forward to grasp his hand, sitting beside him on the bed, and whispered near his ear, "I am here, I am here. It's alright, I am staying with you always."

His body temperature was so high that merely being near him felt like standing near an intense blaze. After a while, the delirious murmuring quieted slightly, but he continued to toss and turn restlessly, clearly suffering even in unconsciousness. Ling Xiang and Ling Xiao remained tense, their brows never relaxing. Ling Xiao urged Ling Xiang to find a solution, but Ling Xiang replied that all conventional remedies had been used; now it was up to Wen Ningxuan to fight his way through.

Lin He felt helpless. While she knew some things, she was completely ignorant in medical matters. Lin He did not close her eyes the entire night, using a damp towel to cover his forehead, arms, and lower legs, constantly replacing the cloth when it grew warm.