Chapter XXXVI - Dont Close Your Eyes
The moment Prince Rui collapsed against her—
something inside Shen Li broke completely.
“Physician!”
Her voice shook through the burning courtyard while guards rushed forward in panic. Blood soaked rapidly through Prince Rui’s robes, staining her sleeves crimson beneath falling snow.
Too much blood.
Far too much.
Yet even now—
Prince Rui’s arm remained around her protectively.
As though his body still prioritized shielding her first.
Shen Li’s vision blurred instantly.
“Your Highness—”
Prince Rui looked at her slowly through obvious pain.
But instead of concern for himself—
his gaze moved frantically across her face and shoulders first.
Checking for injuries.
Still checking.
The realization hurt so badly Shen Li almost could not breathe.
“I’m unharmed,” she said quickly, voice trembling. “Stop moving.”
Only then did Prince Rui’s shoulders ease slightly.
Then his breathing roughened sharply afterward.
The guards nearby had already turned pale with fear.
Because they had never seen Prince Rui injured this severely before.
Not even during war campaigns.
One guard immediately dropped to one knee beside them. “The physician is coming!”
Prince Rui frowned faintly. “…Too loud.”
The guard nearly looked like crying.
Meanwhile Shen Li pressed both hands desperately against the wound along his back while warm blood spread continuously through her fingers.
Her hands shook violently.
Prince Rui noticed immediately.
Then somehow— despite blood loss, despite obvious pain—
he reached up weakly and touched her wrist gently.
“Don’t cry.”
Only then did Shen Li realize tears had already fallen onto his robes.
Her chest tightened painfully.
How could he still comfort her right now?
“Your Highness needs to stop speaking.”
Prince Rui looked at her quietly.
Then softly:
“You’re frightened.”
The calm observation shattered her completely.
“Yes!”
The answer escaped instantly.
Raw. Shaking. Honest.
Snow swirled violently around the burning courtyard while soldiers fought remaining fires nearby.
Yet for Shen Li—
the entire world narrowed only to Prince Rui bleeding in her arms.
“I’m frightened,” she whispered again brokenly. “So Your Highness needs to stay awake.”
Silence.
Then Prince Rui’s expression softened in a way she had never seen before.
Not teasing. Not restrained.
Only unbearably gentle.
Because Shen Li was trembling for him.
Because she looked at him now like losing him would destroy her.
The realization touched something deep and dangerous inside his chest.
Then finally—
Prince Rui smiled faintly despite the blood at his lips.
“This prince likes hearing you worry.”
Shen Li nearly broke entirely.
“Stop saying ridiculous things!”
The physician arrived moments later in complete horror.
“Move aside—quickly!”
Several guards helped support Prince Rui while the old physician examined the wound beneath torchlight.
Then immediately lost color.
“The blade cut deep.”
Shen Li’s hands turned colder instantly.
The physician continued rapidly: “He already lost too much blood before this injury reopened!”
Prince Rui looked deeply unimpressed. “You speak too dramatically.”
“No, Your Highness is simply too difficult to keep alive!”
Even the guards looked emotionally wounded hearing that.
Meanwhile Shen Li sat frozen beside them covered in Prince Rui’s blood.
The physician suddenly looked toward her sharply. “Princess Consort, keep His Highness conscious while we move him.”
Shen Li immediately nodded.
Prince Rui’s gaze remained fixed quietly on her face while guards prepared transport back toward the inner residence.
Then suddenly—
his hand slipped weakly from his side.
Shen Li caught it instantly.
Warm. Bloodstained. Weakening.
Fear clawed violently through her chest.
“Prince Rui.”
His eyes lifted toward her slowly.
“Don’t close your eyes.”
The words came almost pleading.
Prince Rui froze slightly.
Because Shen Li looked genuinely terrified now.
More terrified than during assassination attacks. More terrified than palace threats.
And all of it— for him.
Something deep inside his exhausted mind softened painfully.
Then quietly:
“Mm.”
“This prince will keep looking at you.”
The answer nearly destroyed her completely.
—
The inner residence descended into chaos immediately afterward.
Physicians. Guards. Servants. Medicine bowls.
Everyone rushed through corridors while Prince Rui was brought directly into the main chamber.
Blood stained nearly everything.
Shen Li remained beside him the entire time.
Even when the physician tried sending her away during treatment.
“Princess Consort should rest—”
“No.”
The answer came immediately.
Firmly.
No hesitation whatsoever.
The physician looked helplessly toward Prince Rui instead.
Unfortunately—
Prince Rui looked faintly pleased by Shen Li refusing to leave.
Dangerous man.
Even half-conscious from blood loss, he still seemed satisfied whenever she stayed close.
The physician eventually gave up entirely.
“Then Princess Consort must help stop the bleeding.”
Shen Li immediately moved closer beside the bed.
Prince Rui’s robes had already been removed enough to expose the severe wound crossing his back and shoulder.
The sight nearly made her hands shake again.
Too many scars. Too much blood. Too many years surviving like this alone.
The physician spoke quickly while preparing needles and medicine. “Princess Consort, hold him steady.”
Shen Li obeyed instantly.
Then froze softly.
Because now she sat close enough to support Prince Rui against her directly while treatment began.
His head lowered slightly against her shoulder instinctively.
Heavy. Warm. Trusting.
The intimacy hurt her chest unexpectedly.
Prince Rui’s breathing roughened once when medicine touched the deeper wound.
Shen Li immediately tightened her hold around him.
“It’s alright,” she whispered quickly. “Almost done.”
The physician paused briefly.
Because Prince Rui— who normally endured wounds silently like stone—
actually relaxed hearing Shen Li’s voice.
Amazing.
Absolutely amazing.
Then suddenly Prince Rui murmured faintly near her ear:
“…You smell like plum blossoms.”
The room became silent.
Shen Li’s heartbeat stumbled instantly.
Even now— even injured like this—
he still said devastating things naturally.
The physician quietly pretended hearing loss for survival purposes.
Meanwhile Prince Rui rested heavier against her shoulder afterward, exhaustion finally overtaking him slowly.
Before sleep fully claimed him, he whispered one final thing.
Softly. Barely audible.
Yet enough to shatter Shen Li completely.
“Don’t look so frightened.”
“This prince still wants to grow old with you.”