From cute to empress

Chapter 332 Guarding in the Wind and Rain

"Talented!" I exclaimed, and rushed forward desperately to support his shaky body.

He fell weakly into my arms, his once bright eyes were now tightly closed, his face was as pale as paper, and there was still a trace of blood at the corner of his lips.

"Someone come! Call the imperial physician quickly!" I shouted in panic. My heart felt like it was being tightly grasped by an invisible big hand, and I could hardly breathe.

The imperial physician arrived quickly, and after a brief examination, his expression grew increasingly grim. "The Emperor is in poor health. It seems he was injured by a sharp weapon, a vital part. I, your humble servant, am helpless..."

"No, no..." I shook my head helplessly, tears welling up in my eyes. How could this happen? He clearly promised me that he would come back safely!

At this time, a guard hurriedly came to report: "Your Majesty, the general was ambushed and seriously injured. His life or death is now uncertain!"

"What?!" My eyes went dark and I almost fainted.

"Who is it? Who wants to harm him?!" I asked with gritted teeth, suppressing the grief in my heart.

"It is said that... it was ordered by the Minister of Revenue, Lord Wang." The guard's voice became lower and lower, almost inaudible.

Lord Wang? That hypocrite who always appears to be righteous and claims to be serving the country and the people!

Anger and hatred instantly burned in my chest. I would never let him go, never!

"Get ready! Prepare the carriage and horses, I will go to pick Youcai up myself!" I stood up suddenly, my eyes firm and resolute.

"Your Majesty, you must not do this!"

"Your Majesty, you are not feeling well right now and should not leave the palace!"

"Shut up, everyone!" I shouted. "Youcai risked his life for the country and the people. Now he's seriously injured and his life is in danger. As his wife, how can I just sit back and watch?!"

"But……"

"No buts! Pass the order down, no one is allowed to stop us!" I said in a firm tone, leaving no room for questioning.

"Yes……"

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil in my heart. I changed into light clothes, walked quickly out of the bedroom, and headed outside the palace.

At this moment, an old voice suddenly sounded behind him: "Amitabha, I am willing to accompany the emperor and do my best to help."

I looked back and saw an old monk wearing a cassock and holding a Zen staff standing behind me. He had a kind face and an immortal look. It was the National Master Yuantong.

"Master, you..." I was a little surprised, but then I thought that he was proficient in medicine and might be able to save Youcai, and a glimmer of hope ignited in my heart, "Then I'll trouble you, Master!"

"Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. Your Majesty, there is no need to be so polite." Master Yuantong said with his hands clasped together.

I didn't dare to delay and immediately set off in a hurry with Master Yuantong and several guards.

Along the way, the wind was howling, the rain was pouring, the sky and the earth were dark, and my heart became heavier with the bad weather.

"Your Majesty, be careful!" The carriage was shaking violently, and I lost my balance and almost fell down. Fortunately, Master Yuantong caught me in time.

"Thank you, Master." I looked at him gratefully and continued to look out the window anxiously.

"Your Majesty, don't worry too much. Good things come to those who are lucky. The general is blessed with great fortune and will surely turn danger into safety." Master Yuantong comforted, his tone calm and firm, as if he could see through everything.

I nodded, half believing and half doubting. I hoped that as the master said, I would be able to stay safe and sound.

However, natural disasters and man-made disasters always come one after another.

"Your Majesty, there is a landslide ahead and the road is blocked!" A guard came running to report in a panic.

My heart sank, and I lifted the car curtain to look out. I saw that the originally flat road ahead had been washed away by the mudslide and was in a mess.

"What should we do? What should we do now?" The guards were all in a panic.

"Don't panic, find a place to shelter from the rain first, and then think of a solution after the rain stops." I tried to stay calm and gave the order.

However, the rainstorm showed no sign of stopping. Instead, it got heavier and heavier, and the sky became darker and darker, as if the endless night had arrived early.

"Your Majesty, this is not a solution. We must get to the general as soon as possible, otherwise..." Master Yuantong looked out the window, frowning, and seemed to be hesitant to speak.

I know what he means. Youcai was seriously injured and now trapped in a rainstorm. The situation is critical. Every moment of delay will increase the danger.

"Master is right, we can't wait any longer!" I took a deep breath, a look of determination flashing in my eyes, "Even if there are mountains of swords and seas of fire ahead, I will get through it!"

"But Your Majesty, your health..." The guards looked at me worriedly, hesitant to speak.

"I'm fine, don't worry about me, let's go!" I jumped off the carriage without hesitation and walked towards the muddy road resolutely.

"Your Majesty..." The guards wanted to persuade him again, but were stopped by Master Yuantong.

"Amitabha, fellow donors, the emperor's sincerity is so profound that it moves heaven and earth. Let's just let her go. Perhaps this is God's will..."

The guards looked at each other in bewilderment, but ultimately chose to follow my footsteps and embark on this dangerous journey filled with unknowns...

"Youcai, you must wait for me..." I prayed silently in my heart, and walked forward step by step, firmly. No matter how strong the wind and rain were, they could not stop me from moving forward...

The muddy road made every step incredibly difficult. I fell and got up again, not caring that my dress was soaked through with mud and water. The guards tried to carry me several times, but I refused. I wanted to walk across the distance myself, to measure the distance between me and Youcai with my own two feet.

I don't know how long I walked, but the rain gradually subsided and a ray of light appeared on the horizon. Just then, I saw a collapsed cave in the distance and heard faint cries for help.

"Youcai, is that you?" My heart was shocked and I ran towards the cave desperately.

"Your Majesty, be careful!" The guards followed closely behind me, fearing that I would encounter another accident.

When I stumbled to the cave entrance, I saw a heartbreaking sight. Youcai lay bloodied among the rocks, his face pale and his breath weak. Surrounding him were several equally injured guards, struggling to clear the rubble from his body.

"You're talented!" I rushed to his side, stroking his cold cheek with trembling hands. "How are you? Hang in there, I'm coming, I'm coming..."

“Your Majesty… Your Majesty…” Youcai struggled to open his eyes. The moment he saw me, a hint of surprise flashed across his eyes, but then it was replaced by worry. “Why are you here… It’s too dangerous here…”

"Stop talking, save your energy, I'll get you out right now!" I held back my tears and turned to look at Master Yuantong, "Master, please, save him, save him..."

Master Yuantong looked solemn. He quickly took out the silver needles and medicine bottles from his bag and skillfully stopped the bleeding and healed Youcai's wounds.

"Your Majesty, rest assured. I will do my best."

I held Youcai's hand tightly, not daring to let go for a moment, for fear that if I let go, he would leave me forever.

Time passed minute by minute, and my heart also rose and fell with Master Yuantong's movements. Finally, after a long wait, Master Yuantong breathed a sigh of relief and slowly stood up.

"The general's injuries have been temporarily stabilized, but he needs to return to the palace as soon as possible to receive better treatment."

My heart finally settled down, and I kowtowed to Master Yuantong gratefully, "Thank you, Master, thank you, Master..."

Together, we carried Youcai out of the cave and, braving the wind and rain, we set out on our return journey. Along the way, I stayed by his side, wiping the sweat from his forehead and listening to his faint breathing.

After returning to the palace, the imperial physicians immediately provided emergency treatment to Youcai. I stayed by his bedside, sleepless, praying for him, worrying about him, and crying for him. At that moment, I truly felt that my life had long been inextricably linked to his, and his safety was everything to me.

Day after day, night after night, I stayed by the unconscious Youcai's side, telling him every little thing we had experienced, hoping that he would wake up soon.

"Youcai, did you hear me? You must wake up. I... I still have a lot to say to you..." I held his hand, my voice choked with sobs, tears blurring my eyes, but I was completely unaware...