TSFLIP Chapter 288

After a long silence, with only the sound of blood dripping onto the ground and breaking the stillness, Qian Qiu finally spoke, admiration evident in his voice: “King Qian, such remarkable resolve. However, crippling just one hand isn’t enough. How about you stab yourself in the chest as well?”

Feng Guang widened her eyes in shock. She couldn’t speak, only shaking her head frantically at Gu Yan.

Gu Yan sighed.

Qian Qiu smirked. “Then again, going to such lengths for a woman hardly seems worthwhile. Even though Xia Feng Guang is an empress, at the end of the day, she’s just a woman. Why harm yourself for her?”

“Commander Qian,” Gu Yan’s voice was steady, “do your words hold the truth?”

The determination in Gu Yan’s tone made it clear he intended to follow through. Qian Qiu, surprised at first, burst into laughter. He hadn’t expected the renowned King Qian, famed across both nations, to be such a fool. He swore with delight, “If King Qian stabs himself in the chest and I do not release Xia Feng Guang, may I be struck by lightning. Everyone present can bear witness.”

“Very well.” Gu Yan’s face, pale from blood loss, softened with a faint smile as he looked at Feng Guang. “Your Majesty, rest assured. You’ll be safe.”

With that, he gripped his sword in his left hand and drove it mercilessly into his right chest.

Amid the crimson flow of blood, he withdrew the blade and slowly fell to his knees.

Qian Qiu froze, stunned by Gu Yan’s ruthless resolve, his grip on Feng Guang loosening in his shock.

Feng Guang collapsed to the ground, coughing a few times. Ignoring the pain in her neck, she scrambled to her feet and ran to Gu Yan. She knelt beside him, her trembling hand hesitating before finally resting gently on his pale face. She sobbed uncontrollably, “I told you not to! Didn’t you understand me?!”

“In Your Majesty’s collection of books…” His bloodless lips curved into a faint, hauntingly beautiful smile. “I read that when a woman says no, she means yes.”

Feng Guang couldn’t laugh. She wiped her tears angrily, but they kept flowing, and she gave up trying. Instead, she began tearing at the hem of her clothing. Crying as she worked, she said, “Those books are lies! You wouldn’t let me read them, so why would you follow them?”

“Because I know, Your Majesty, that you’re afraid of pain.”

She froze, then cried even harder. Despite her efforts, she couldn’t rip a single piece of fabric.

Gu Yan let go of his sword and gently wiped away her tears, smiling despite his agony. “What is Your Majesty doing?”

“I… I wanted to tear off some cloth to stop your bleeding, but… but…” She sobbed openly, her voice full of frustration. “I can’t tear it… I’m so useless…”

Despite the blood pouring from his hand and chest, Gu Yan still managed to smile and comfort her. “Your Majesty’s clothes are made from the finest cloud brocade. Naturally, they can’t be torn so easily. Don’t cry. Next time, I’ll have the maids prepare easily torn fabric for you.”

“Gu Yan, you idiot!” Feng Guang shouted, tears streaming down her face. She was furious with herself. She wanted to throw herself into his arms and hold him, but she was afraid of hurting him further.

Seemingly understanding her hesitation, Gu Yan grasped her wrist with his left hand and pulled her into his embrace. The strong scent of blood filled her nose, and she saw his bleeding chest up close. Her cries turned into uncontrollable hiccups, like a child overwhelmed by emotion.

He stroked her head gently, his voice soft. “Your Majesty, don’t worry. I won’t die so easily.”

Both of his self-inflicted wounds had avoided vital organs. As long as the bleeding was stopped in time, he would survive. Looking toward the doorway, he saw a graceful figure arriving right on time, her lotus-like steps steady and sure.