They really didn't know how to face the Prince's ashen expression.
However, this method wouldn't work either. Not to mention the carriage was already somewhat deformed from being squeezed, what if it exploded when they pulled it?
So, this wouldn't work, and that wouldn't work, leading to a stalemate.
Fortunately, among the soldiers brought, one had experienced an earthquake before.
He came up with a plan: first, use wooden beams to secure the surrounding debris, then wrap the carriage more securely with soft silk and cotton cloth. They even used wooden sticks to gently extend downwards according to the terrain, using leverage to slowly lift the carriage out bit by bit.
Meanwhile, Xiao Tingyi held his breath. As the carriage was being lifted, when it was more than half exposed, he coordinated with Yang Zhao and Xu Lin. They attached fine steel wires to several beams of the carriage and pulled hard, forcefully dragging the carriage out of the fissure.
As soon as it landed, the debris around the crack fell down, making a large pit with a clatter.
It almost triggered another aftershock. Everyone immediately stepped forward and removed the soft silk and cotton cloth.
The carriage itself was made of sturdy wood, so it hadn't deformed too severely.
But for four people to be squeezed inside, it was quite a predicament.
When Xiao Tingyi and the others opened the carriage, they saw Chi Zimo and Hehuan sandwiched between them, with Feng Jin Yao in the middle. Yun Xu beside them was bleeding profusely and unconscious.
"Save them!"
"Yes!"
Yang Zhao stepped forward to carry Yun Xu. Blood from her forehead had matted her hair and ash, making her look very weak.
He felt her pulse; there was still a faint beat.
He immediately carried her off for treatment.
Xu Lin and Xiao Tingyi began to separate the three who were stuck together.
Hehuan was better. Although she had shielded Feng Jin Yao, her hand had gone limp with just a slight touch.
Seeing this, Xu Lin inwardly felt a sense of foreboding.
As expected, after moving Hehuan out, they saw blood on her mouth, nose, eyes, and ears. Checking her breathing, they found she had already passed away.
"Your Highness, Miss Hehuan was likely crushed by the pressure, her internal organs rupturing, leading to her death."
"Find someone to properly collect her body. We'll discuss everything after A'Yao wakes up."
"Yes!"
Hehuan had also died a loyal death saving her master. Without her blocking the way, Feng Jin Yao would likely be unrecognizable by now.
On the other end, Xiao Tingyi exerted all his strength to separate Chi Zimo, who was tightly holding Feng Jin Yao.
However, his entire body seemed like armor, tightly locking Feng Jin Yao in his embrace and protecting all her vital areas. Behind him was a large patch of blood, and it was unclear where he was injured.
"Chi Zimo, let go. A'Yao is safe."
It was unclear if he could truly hear these words, but his rigid body slowly softened, allowing Xiao Tingyi to separate them.
Seeing Feng Jin Yao, he immediately checked her for injuries.
Her face was pale, but there were no obvious bloodstains on her body.
This showed that Chi Zimo and Hehuan had saved her.
He was immensely grateful to both of them. Hehuan was already dead, and there was nothing he could do, but Chi Zimo must be saved. Otherwise, A'Yao would likely never forget this life-saving grace.
Thus, he said to Xu Lin.
"Find Yang Zhao and get the Candle Dragon Pill. Give it to Patriarch Chi."
"Your Highness! There is only one such pill. If we use it so easily now, what about the future?"
"He saved A'Yao."
Xu Lin knew, but he felt it was too soon to use such a precious medicine. After all, even the renowned Doctor Zhang couldn't refine the Candle Dragon Pill. It wasn't because the refining process was difficult, but because the Candle Dragon Grass used in it was extinct, making this likely the last one in existence.
Xu Lin was reluctant to use it on Chi Zimo.
"A life for a life. A'Yao owes him a debt, and I have repaid it."
With that, he carried the weak Feng Jin Yao in his arms and walked out, paying no further attention to Chi Zimo behind him.
Xu Lin, unable to say anything more, could only stay behind to clean up the mess.
When Feng Jin Yao woke up, the first thing she saw was Xiao Tingyi's enlarged face.
He had cleaned himself up and was no longer as dirty and disheveled. The injury on his finger had been simply bandaged, not given much attention.
Seeing Feng Jin Yao awake, he became exceptionally excited.
He wanted to hold her tightly, but he knew she needed rest the most.
Therefore, even his tone of voice became much gentler.
"A'Yao, are you hungry? Would you like some porridge?"
Although Feng Jin Yao had opened her eyes, her mind was still filled with fragmented memories of the earthquake.
She squinted, her head throbbing. Seeing her like this, Xiao Tingyi's heart ached.
"What's wrong? Does your head hurt? I'll call a doctor!"
In front of her, he even forgot his title of "This Prince" and quickly brought over a doctor in his fifties.
The doctor had been treating Wen Zhonghe in his tent, but Xiao Tingyi had seemingly plucked him from thin air.
Although he didn't know this person's identity, he saw that the Prefect treated him with great respect, so he dared not be presumptuous.
He immediately stepped forward to examine Feng Jin Yao.
After a thorough examination, he spoke.
"This young lady is not seriously injured. She was just severely compressed before, so she might have some bruises. A topical ointment will suffice. As for the headache, it's temporary, likely due to the great impact before she fainted. She should recover within two or three days of rest."
This doctor was well-respected in Shuzhou, so Xiao Tingyi believed his words.
He ordered someone to quickly bring the decocted medicine and tried to help her drink it.
However, since birth, he had always been served by others and had never served anyone before. Thus, more than half of a bowl of medicine spilled onto a handkerchief. Fearing the medicine would be insufficient, he called for another bowl to be brewed.
Feng Jin Yao was amused by his demeanor.
Her smile was faint, but in Xiao Tingyi's eyes, it was incredibly precious.
"Where are Yun Xu and Hehuan? Are they injured too?"
Hearing her suddenly mention the two, fearing she couldn't handle the shock right after waking, Xiao Tingyi chose to conceal the truth.
"Yes, they are still asleep. Their injuries are more severe than yours."
Feng Jin Yao was filled with worry. When she fell from the carriage, she felt herself being tightly protected.
"I want to see them."
"Wait until you're better. It would be useless to go now; they are all asleep."
Xiao Tingyi's words were not to be questioned, so Feng Jin Yao relented. It was then she noticed the bandages on his finger, which were not very well done.
"Why is Your Highness's hand injured?"
Xiao Tingyi remained silent, but Feng Jin Yao soon understood.
"To dig me out?"
Xiao Tingyi nodded. Compared to Chi Zimo, his affection seemed insufficient. If he could have been by Feng Jin Yao's side, he would never have let her face such danger!