Once Ning Nuoli was carried away, Emperor Haoyue let go of Keqing and turned to Lin Haihai to say, “I have a favor to ask, Physician Lin!”

He had addressed himself as the common “I” rather than “this Emperor”, which made it clear the gravity of his request.

“What is it?” For Keqing’s sake, Lin Haihai would offer her help if it was in her power to do so.

“Please save someone for me!” Emperor Haoyue said earnestly. “He’s unconscious!”

“Who is he?” Lin Haihai asked. “I can’t guarantee that I’ll be able to save him!”

“He’s the former emperor of Rong, Murong Jinlin!” Emperor Haoyue’s words struck Keqing like lightning. She trembled and asked, “He’s not dead? He’s still alive?”

Her eyes shone with hopefulness. She wanted it to be true.

Emperor Haoyue looked at her gently and said in a low voice, “How could I possibly hurt him? I knew he was dear to you. If he died, you wouldn’t be able to keep living. And if you were dead, how could I linger in this world? I simply wished to weed out the unrest in the nation for him and cemented the rule of the throne. I never wanted to be the emperor. You should know what I’ve always wanted!”

Behind every word was the blood and tears he had shed. His wish had never changed for the past two decades. How was Keqing going to repay him for his love and devotion?

“How did he...