A physician is checking upon Xu Ling Ai who has turn even colder and bluish. Placing a thin fabric on her hands, the imperial physician then begin to feel her pulse.

Some of acupuncture needles has been inserted through her skin into different pressure points on her body to pin the poison momentarily.

Xu Ling Ai on the other hand was half conscious but she could hear her surrounding. She knew her own body. It is nearly impossible for her to live.

"This useless servant is not capable in saving Duke Su's Princess Consort. Please forgive me Your Highness!" The imperial physician kneel down.

"What are you talking about?! Go and save her!" Li Zhi Ming who is known as calm and soft finally snapped at the physician. His tone was totally anger. Not towards the physician but because of what happen to Xu Ling Ai.

"I have checked Her Highness's pulse.. and she do not have much time. I apologize Your Highness! The poison is supposed to take one's life in instant. Luckily, Your Highness was quick to pin the poison. I have gave her a pill to stop the poison for some times. However, she still cannot be cure." The physician begging for mercy. His tone was dead serious.

Li Zhi Ming was about to shout again but a weak yet soft voice spoke up made all of them turn at Xu Ling Ai.

"I'm fine. Imperial physician can leave." Xu Ling Ai said. Li Zhi Ming look at her in argument but she shakes her head and let the physician go. Li Zhi Ming rushed to the bed.

Xu Ling Ai tries to sit up with Li Zhi Ming's help. He fix the antique pillow behind her back. He look at her worriedly.

"Why are you like this? Do you not treasure your life?" Li Zhi Ming sternly scold her.

"I know well about my own body. You knew that I wouldn't be able to hold any longer." She weakly smile at him.

Xu Ling Ai look at the young man in front of her. In her future life, he is her idol and even now she still admire him for his personality.

"Can you help me ask someone to fetch Li Zhao as soon as possible? I might not be able to see him for one last time." She realised that her hand was shaking so badly that she hid her hand under the blanket.

Li Zhi Ming was about to go but Xu Ling Ai pull his robe to stop him.

"Thank you for bringing happiness in my life even for a brief. While I'm here, you're one of my greatest friend. Neither in this era or in the future, you're still the brightest star I have ever seen. I wish you will shine forever." She look at him with hope.

Li Zhi Ming nodded at her and turn around to leave. Without her knowing, a single tear rolled down his cheek. He adore her so much that it hurts.

It had already turn night and everyone around the palace couldn't help but stare at the tall figure piggybacking a young lady. It is none other than Li Zhao and Xu Ling Ai.

Hearing what has happen, Li Zhao rushed back to the country but he arrived late. Xu Ling Ai is getting worse. And her request was for him to carry her on their way home.

"Do you still remember when you first gave me a piggyback?" Xu Ling Ai asked with her eyes close. Her head lean on his shoulder. She is freezing and cold yet she feel safe because he is by her side.

"Yes." His response was short. No one knew that he is holding back tears. He felt his throat closing up.

"I was the happiest girl that time. Because you finally trust me." She giggle at her own answer.

Silence ate them once again. Li Zhao felt weak on his knee. Not because of feeling tired but his heart couldn't bear the pain any longer. His love is in pain yet he couldn't do anything.

"Let's go home. A physician is waiting for you." He said persuading her.

"I might not be alive by then. Let's spend more time outside." Xu Ling Ai tell him with no hesitation. She do not wish to give him any hope about her condition.

"I'm sorry for not keeping my promise. I'm sorry for leaving you alone. I'm sorry for everything that had happened to you. I'm sorry for not being able to cure you. I'm sorry." She apologise for everything.

"Stop talking." His words broke up and all he could say were stuttering sounds. Hot tears streamed down his face, and he squeezed his eyelids shut in hope that his tears would stop.

He stand there unmoving. The pain of being poison is nothing compare to losing someone you love dearly. His world has entirely break apart the moment he heard that Xu Ling Ai was poisoned.

"If god spare a chance, I would love to meet you again. It would be better if we met in another era. Probably it would be less complicated." Xu Ling Ai laughed at the memories of their first met. A tears slipped out of her eyes when she recalled all of their bittersweet memories.

Hearing him said nothing, she hug him tightly. He hold her thigh tighter, not wanting to let go.

"I will find you in every nook and cranny of this earth. I failed to protect you in this life but I will do anything to meet you again. You're my whole world. Without you, I am nothing. I promise we will be together again." His words hold its weight. He walked along the bridge with Xu Ling Ai on his back. When he felt her unmoving, his world crashes.

Arriving in front of the manor, he could see everyone's eyes turn swollen red. Gu Mama's couldn't help but cry for Xu Ling Ai.

Wu Xi look at Li Zhao who carry the lifeless Xu Ling Ai like she weight nothing. Wu Xi has never seen Li Zhao's eyes turn so lifeless. It seems like he really had broke apart.

"Prepare an imperial coffin large enough for two people." His words was enough for the manor turning into chaos. Li Zhao has indirectly announced that he is dead along with his love of life.

Everyone in the manor is mourning for Xu Ling Ai's death. But the country were crushed by the news of Li Zhao to be bury together with Xu Ling Ai.

At first, Emperor Wu objected his decision. But Li Zhao wasn't asking anyone for him to decide. So today the country in mourning for two imperial family members.

Gu Mama's were assigned to dressed up Xu Ling Ai wearing their wedding dress from the second time they met in the room.

Li Zhao then carry Xu Ling Ai and walked into the coffin. Wu Xi who is with red eyes proceed to close the coffin with it's cover.

Laying beside her, he smile looking at her pale face. "I will accompany you wherever you are."

Li Zhao use his martials energy to unpin himself and let all of the vampire's poison consume himself. He cough blood out and his eyes turn bloodshot.

Holding her hands tightly, he shut his eyes.

Wrote it in hurry. You can also imagine your own ending.

🙈 An epilogue coming soon! 🙈

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