Zhou Yu's expression turned grim as he entered the emperor's chamber and witnessed the gruesome sight. The emperor lay lifeless on the floor, surrounded by a pool of his own blood, alongside a dead servant and the youngest consort. Fang Hua appeared dazed, with bloodied hands and a shocked, lifeless gaze—a look Zhou Yu had never encountered on the face of this usually cheerful physician.

His eyes met with Ming Xuan, who was standing nearby, wearing the same expression as him. He seemed to have arrived a few minutes earlier and heard the man say, "General, go check on His Majesty's condition first and administer first aid, then wake that man up to treat His Majesty. Only he could do it."

"I don't want to be the next person he kills. The least you could do is defend yourself," he said in his usual calm tone.

Zhou Yu was so angry at this man's usual shitty personality that he almost exploded with anger. He really wanted to hit him, but then he noticed that the hand that wasn't holding his hand fan was shaking... 'Tch, should just be honest for once.'

Disregarding the man, he quickly turned his attention back to the emperor, examining the stab wounds and providing first aid. He tore pieces from his own robes to wrap around the bleeding areas before gently placing his beloved in bed. 'Don't leave me yet; it's still too early for you to go...' he fervently hoped.

After that, he focused on Fang Hua, as he knelt over the man, placing his hands on his shoulders to shake him out of his trance state. 'No response...' He then shook him harder, using some of his strength while shouting his name, "Fang Hua, wake up. Fang Hua. Fang Hua, I said: WAKE UP!! GET YOURSELF TOGETHER!!!"

It's only then the man jolted up, bombarding questions out of confusion, but Zhou Yu quickly brushed aside his distracting thoughts and urged Fang Hua, saying, "What has happened is irrelevant. We need you, and he needs you. You are one of the best physicians in Xinhua. So, please... save our emperor." His voice was filled with desperation.

Fang Hua quickly got to his feet and checked on the emperor.

Two weeks later.

Zhou Yu took the lead in restoring the emperor's stamina and strength through swordplay. It had been a long time since they last sparred, and he may have pushed a little too hard, resulting in the emperor collapsing to the ground, looking all exhausted.

He couldn't help but grin at his beloved, a rare expression on his usually stoic face. He sat down next to the emperor, gently brushing back the hair that was stuck to his sweaty face. "You're too weak right now... However, I'll make sure you're at your prime once again."

Then he leaned in to kiss the man's temple tenderly and then placed his forehead on his, staying like that for a while. "Maybe, let's give it a rest now. You've worked hard enough for today." He said as he looked at the emperor in the eyes.