Ah-Ying's eyes widened as she watched her mistress change with swift, efficient movements. "Miss, what are you planning? What decision?"
"The poison transfer," Yueshuang said simply, fastening her belt and tucking the small knife into it. "It's a forbidden technique, but it's the only option that doesn't require outside help, doesn't depend on anyone's permission or cooperation."
"Poison transfer?" Ah-Ying's face went white. "Miss, no, those techniques are forbidden for a reason! The mortality rate, you could die! You almost certainly will die!"
"Perhaps," Yueshuang acknowledged, pulling her hair into a tight braid. "But if I do nothing, Lian dies with certainty. This way, at least one of us has a chance." She turned to face her maid fully, her expression resolute. "I'm going to the healing wing. Now. Tonight. And I'm going to save him, or die trying."
"The guards...."
