CHAPTER 495: CHAPTER 425: XUE XIAN, HAS ARRIVED!

They cannot win!

They cannot win...

Such a deflated and depressed emotion, like an invisible plague, swiftly spread throughout Fufeng. Even after leaving the tower and settling in the official office in the city, Shang Ruyi could feel this emotion of defeat in the still air.

Even the attendants and maidservants passing by had this bewildered expression on their faces.

But she didn’t say much, only focused on counting her luggage.

After folding and storing away a few pieces of clothing, she took out a small bundle emitting a faint medicinal scent. Upon unwrapping it, it contained the medicines she had previously bought from Changsheng Pharmacy, all neatly packed into several paper packets according to the dosage before departure. She picked one up and opened it, and the rich scent of the medicine immediately filled the air.

At this moment, Wo Xue walked in from outside carrying a medicine pot.

"Young Madam, as per your instructions, there are three bowls of water in this pot."

Shang Ruyi glanced down, then put the opened packet of medicine inside, taking a chopstick untouched by oil and salt to stir it. Then she said, "Go and decoct it. Remember to reduce the three bowls of water to one bowl, then you can stop the fire."

"Yes."

Wo Xue carried the medicine pot out, stopping at the doorway, then turned back to look at her hesitantly.

Shang Ruyi looked up: "What’s wrong?"

Wo Xue thought for a moment, finally speaking softly: "Young Madam, why did you bring me to Fufeng?"

"..."

"Aren’t you afraid—"

She seemed to hesitate to say the rest, but Shang Ruyi merely smiled faintly and said, "If I were truly afraid of you playing any tricks, I wouldn’t have brought you along."

"But—"

Wo Xue continued, "I have, after all, betrayed your trust in the past. Can you still trust me and not resent me?"

Looking at this face, still young yet prematurely devoid of childishness due to numerous experiences, Shang Ruyi pondered for a moment, then let out a gentle sigh. "Your ’betrayal’ to me is also another form of loyalty. Perhaps you had no choice, so I do not resent you."

"..."

"As for bringing you to Fufeng, it’s because of your loyalty that I want to give you another chance."

"..."

"Wo Xue, listen well. If during this Battle of Fufeng you play any tricks that affect the outcome, even if Fufeng does not fall, I will personally kill you; and if Fufeng is defeated, everyone here will face a dead-end. Even if you have the skills to plot against me, you won’t be able to escape with your life in such circumstances. You ought to be aware of this."

"..."

"But on the other hand, as long as you do your work properly, even just fulfilling your duties, if we win the Battle of Fufeng, you will have contributed to the victory. At that time, your contributions will offset your past deeds, and everything you’ve done previously can be wiped clean."

"..."

"So, you know how to choose."

Wo Xue did not speak, only lowered her head to look at the medicine pot in her hands, silent for a moment. Then she looked up at her, speaking softly: "Aren’t you afraid I’ll—go down with the fish? Or, make things worse?"

Shang Ruyi also glanced at the medicine pot in her hand.

She slowly stood up, walked to Wo Xue’s side, and said in a deep voice: "People, until they are truly at the end of their rope, won’t easily embrace a mentality of certain death— even at the end of the road, there is a will to survive. It is human instinct."

"..."

"As long as one is in the world, everyone wants to live."

"..."

"Even if there is only a sliver of hope, a small chance to survive, nobody wishes to abandon their life."

After hearing her words, Wo Xue remained silent for a while and didn’t say anything further, just gently muttered "Mm," then carried the medicine pot to the corner of the courtyard outside. There, Shang Ruyi had specially ordered a small stove, as she didn’t want to alarm too many people, so she planned to personally brew the medicine in the courtyard to nurture Yu Wenye’s health.

Wo Xue, familiar with the process, lit the fire and set the medicine pot on top.

Soon, the water inside began to boil, steam rolling, making the small courtyard even hotter.

But Wo Xue, staring at the flames licking the bottom of the pot, seemed unaffected by the heat. After thinking awhile, she again turned to look at Shang Ruyi, speaking softly: "Does Young Madam think that there’s still a chance for Fufeng now?"

"..."

"Can the people here, as you said— not give up, and survive?"

"..."

Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi’s eyes slightly darkened.

Within Fufeng County now, from commanders to soldiers, from military to civilians, everyone seemed immersed in a sense of despondency and inevitable defeat. In such circumstances, even if they want to survive, without the will to fight, what else is there to keep them alive?