章節 26: Princess Yu Mei

The teenager was racing towards the Kingdom of Avaloria, his body battered and bruised, yet his eyes showed his unwavering resolve to survive. "Chen Sheng," he thought bitterly, "Even if you refuse to acknowledge me as your brother, you still ordered assassins to target not just me, but also my mother. I, Chen Jing, made it clear that I have no interest in the throne, yet you still saw us as a threat to your rule."

Breathing heavily, he stopped for a moment to catch his breath, gazing at the vast kingdom before him. "I swear on my mother's life, I will have my revenge," he declared with a fierce determination.

The orphanage in Castletown was a sturdy stone building with a sloping roof and several large windows that let in a warm, welcoming light. The entrance was marked by a cheerful sign that read "Hope House," with a small garden of bright flowers and a neatly trimmed lawn adding to the inviting atmosphere. Inside, the floors were polished wood and the walls were painted a soothing shade of blue. The main room was filled with comfortable chairs and couches, where children could gather to read books or play games. There was also a large fireplace, which provided a cozy warmth on chilly days. The bedrooms were simple but clean, with tidy bunk beds and colorful blankets. The staff were kind and attentive, always ready to listen and offer a word of encouragement. All in all, the orphanage was a safe and nurturing haven for the children of Castletown who had nowhere else to turn.

On this day, Princess Zenki Yu Mei made her way to the orphanage, her arms full of supplies and her heart full of joy. She had always loved children, and it warmed her heart to see the smiles on their faces when she arrived. Her father's recent changes in policy had resulted in better funding for the orphanage, and Yu Mei was grateful to be able to contribute in her own small way.

As Princess Zenki Yu Mei arrived at the orphanage, the children immediately gathered around her, their eyes filled with excitement and wonder.

"Princess Yu Mei, you're here!" exclaimed one of the children, a young girl with pigtails.

"Yes, I am," replied Yu Mei with a warm smile. "And I have some treats and toys for you all today."

The children cheered and clapped their hands, thanking the princess for her kindness.

Yu Mei knelt down to their level and began distributing the goodies, engaging them in playful banter and sweet conversations.

"What's your name?" she asked a little boy who was shyly hiding behind his friends.

"I'm...I'm Kai," he replied timidly.

"Well, hello Kai," said Yu Mei, holding out a candy to him. "Would you like this? It's my favorite!"

Kai's eyes widened as he gratefully accepted the candy. "Thank you, Princess Yu Mei!"

Yu Mei's heart swelled with joy as she watched the children's faces light up with happiness. "It's my pleasure," she said, ruffling the hair of another child. "I love coming here and spending time with all of you."

The children giggled and hugged Yu Mei tightly, grateful for the princess's visit and her kind heart.

As the afternoon wore on, Yu Mei realized that her time at the orphanage was coming to an end. She said her goodbyes to the children, promising to come back soon, and left with a full heart, grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in their lives.

As Yu Mei made her way back to the castle in her carriage, it suddenly came to a halt. Confused, she called out to the guard to ask what was wrong. It was then that the guard informed her that a young man had collapsed in the middle of the road.

Yu Mei rushed out to see what had happened. She saw a young man lying on the ground, clearly struggling to breathe.

"Is he alright?" she asked the guard who had brought the situation to her attention.

"I don't know, Your Highness. He just collapsed in the middle of the road," the guard replied.

Without hesitation, Yu Mei knelt down beside the young man and checked his pulse. "He's still alive," she said with a sigh of relief. "We need to get him to a doctor."

The guard quickly summoned a doctor, who arrived shortly and examined the young man. "He needs to be taken to the infirmary immediately," the doctor said. "His condition is critical."

Yu Mei nodded in agreement. "Let's take him to the infirmary," she said firmly. "I'll make sure he gets the best care possible."

As the group left with the young man to take him to the infirmary, they were unaware of the people hiding in the trees, silently observing their every move. "This could spell trouble," muttered one of the hidden figures. "It appears that one who had taken Chen Jing is of royal blood," remarked another. "Regardless, our mission cannot fail. We must find an opportunity to act and fulfill our duty," said a third, before the group dispersed in different directions to search for an opening.

The hidden figures moved swiftly and expertly, their movements carefully calculated to avoid detection. Their intentions were unclear, but their actions spoke volumes about their determination and skill. It was clear that they were not to be underestimated.

As they scoured the area for a chance to act, one of the figures noticed something that caught their attention. "Over there," they whispered, pointing to a spot in the distance. "That may be our opportunity."

With their target in sight, the group moved with renewed vigor, their steps purposeful and determined. They knew that their mission was of utmost importance and failure was not an option. The fate of their lives depended on their success, and they were ready to do whatever it takes to ensure that they emerge victorious.

The infirmary in Castletown is a spacious building made of sturdy stone with large windows that let in plenty of natural light. Inside, the rooms are clean and well-maintained with freshly laundered white linens on the beds. The walls are adorned with paintings of flowers and landscapes, adding a touch of warmth and comfort to the clinical atmosphere.

The main entrance leads to a wide hallway, which branches off into several smaller rooms for patients to rest and recover. Each room is equipped with a comfortable bed, a wooden chair, and a small table for meals and other personal belongings. The windows in the rooms overlook the beautiful gardens surrounding the infirmary, providing a peaceful and tranquil environment for healing.

In the center of the infirmary is a large hall where doctors and nurses attend to their patients.

The staff at the infirmary are highly trained and dedicated to providing the best care possible to their patients. They work tirelessly around the clock, monitoring patients' conditions, administering medication, and tending to their needs. Overall, the infirmary is a place of healing and hope, providing comfort and care to those in need.

Upon arriving at the infirmary, the young man was immediately placed in a comfortable bed and began receiving treatment. Meanwhile, Princess Yu Mei and the others waited anxiously in the director's office for updates on his condition. Yu Mei had chosen to wait there to avoid getting in the way of the medical staff.

Initially, Yu Mei had intended to take the young man to the royal infirmary, but due to the strict regulations of the castle, she had to change her plan and brought him to the infirmary in Castletown.

After the treatment was finished, the young man had finally regained consciousness. The doctor honored Yu Mei's earlier request and called her out of the office to speak with the young man.

Yu Mei approached the young man and gently asked, "We found you collapsed in the middle of the road. Can you remember what happened to you?" The young man stared blankly, seemingly dazed. It was only with a small cough from the doctor beside them that the young man came to his senses.

The young man had a slight blush on his face as he spoke. "Thank you for saving my life," he said gratefully. "Actually, I was being chased by assassins who were after me. Did you not see them when you found me collapsed on the road?" he asked solemnly, his eyes darting around the room as if searching for any sign of danger.

Yu Mei was taken aback and responded, "We found you alone in the middle of the road, but perhaps we didn't check thoroughly given your condition at the time."

As they were talking, a loud commotion erupted from the main hall of the infirmary. Yu Mei immediately ordered some of her guards to check what was happening, leaving her and the young man alone in the room. Suddenly, an intruder burst through the window, brandishing a sword and lunging towards the young man. Without hesitation, the young man quickly dodged the attack by rolling off the bed and onto the floor.

In the heat of the moment, Yu Mei looked around frantically for something to use as a weapon. Her eyes fell on a nearby vase of flowers, and without hesitation, she grabbed it and hurled it at the intruder. The vase shattered upon impact, and the intruder stumbled backward, giving the young man an opportunity to stand up and defend himself.

Because of the noise they made in the room, the guards seemed to be rushing back to see what was going on and to secure Yu Mei's safety. Sensing that the plan had failed, the assassin grabbed Yu Mei, knocked her out, and said, "If you want to see her alive, you must come to us when we call you." He then jumped outside through the window, taking Yu Mei with him.

Yu Mei did not have a chance to defend herself, as she did not possess any martial skills.

As the guards realized that Princess Yu Mei was nowhere to be found, he turned to the young man and asked him to recount what had happened. Suspicious that there might be more to the story, the guards decided to bring the young man to the castle to explain the situation to the royal family.