Thunderbolt on a Clear Day

"Dr. Simon Yu, hurry and save them!" Mrs. Charlotte Evans cried anxiously, urging him on.

Simon Yu stood still, gazing at Princess Jade Hayes, his eyes filled with sorrow.

Seeing the sadness in Simon Yu's eyes, Princess Jade Hayes shuddered. For a moment, it felt as if the sky was collapsing.

Her lips trembled as she murmured, "Simon, why aren't you coming in? Why aren't you saying anything?"

Simon Yu looked at Princess Jade Hayes in pain. "Your Majesty, the golden needles must be used at a critical moment. If you interfere now, it could harm Charlie..."

"What..." Princess Jade Hayes bit her lip hard, drawing more blood. Her eyes widened. "Simon Yu, what are you saying? What are you all doing!?"

Simon Yu's face twisted in anguish. "Charlie's legs have a problem. The physician is using acupuncture to clear his meridians. If treated early, maybe Charlie can walk with a cane one day. If not... he might not even be able to stand."

Simon Yu's words struck like a bolt from the blue, leaving Princess Jade Hayes dazed and reeling.

She couldn't believe it, didn't want to believe it. She shook her head desperately. "No way, you're all lying to me, aren't you!? How could Charlie's legs be a problem? You said he was just developing slowly, that he'd run and jump like other kids when he grew up! I don't believe it, my son can't be crippled! I don't believe it!"

Princess Jade Hayes screamed until her voice broke, finally dissolving into uncontrollable sobs.

Mrs. Penny began to cry as well, Simon Yu struggled to hold back his tears, and Mrs. Charlotte Evans finally understood what was happening—she couldn't help but run off to weep.

The royal wet nurse finished the acupuncture, cleaned up Charles Hayes and dressed him, then carried him out.

Mrs. Penny finally let go, and Princess Jade Hayes rushed forward, scooping her son into her arms.

Charles Hayes was drenched in sweat, as if he'd just been pulled out of water. Princess Jade Hayes looked at her son's pitiful little face, still twisted in pain, and knelt on the ground, her voice hoarse as she wailed, "Heavens, what did I do wrong to deserve this punishment for my son! If you must give suffering, give it to me! My son is innocent, he's not even a year old—why must he endure such hardship!"

Princess Jade Hayes sobbed uncontrollably, clutching her son, her heart aching as if glued together by pain.

Suddenly, a pair of hands gently wrapped around Princess Jade Hayes's shoulders from behind. Turning, she saw Alexander Hayes, eyes red, half-kneeling beside her.

Princess Jade Hayes stared blankly at Alexander Hayes, then at her son in her arms, murmuring, "You knew all along, didn't you...?"

Alexander Hayes clenched his fists in agony, his nails digging into his palms until they bled. Looking at his wife and son, he nodded weakly. "Yes, I've always known."

"You told me when Charlie was born, didn't you..." Princess Jade Hayes gave a bitter smile, tears streaming down her face.

Alexander Hayes took a deep breath and nodded.

Suddenly, Princess Jade Hayes clutched her son in one arm and tore at Alexander Hayes's collar with the other. "Why didn't you tell me earlier! Why did you keep it from me! My son suffered so much, endured so much pain, and I, his mother, knew nothing. How am I supposed to bear this, how am I supposed to bear it!"

"Jade!" Alexander Hayes pulled the nearly hysterical Princess Jade Hayes into his arms. "Back then, you were in poor health yourself, and when Charlie was a newborn, he coughed constantly—you worried so much you ignored your own wellbeing. Father and I were afraid that if you knew about Charlie’s legs, you wouldn’t be able to withstand the blow, so we decided to keep it from you. We hoped, against hope, that Charlie’s legs would be normal, but..."