Chapter 39

In those years, Qin Jin herself had considerable talent, but unfortunately she was only a minor official in the Ministry of Rites, holding the rank of sixth grade. She was often suppressed by her superiors and had no hope of promotion.

At that time, the new Emperor had just ascended the throne. During a garden party, there was an assassination attempt by remnants of the previous dynasty. Qin Jin was injured while protecting the Emperor. Subsequently, she was favored by Her Majesty for her literary talents. In addition, she was skilled at disguise and good at observing people’s words and expressions, which greatly pleased Her Majesty. She was promoted to her current position as Minister of Rites.

Afterwards, the patient Qin Jin devised poisonous schemes against those who had bullied her in the past, sending them all to prison to suffer punishments, with no hope of ever recovering their positions.

Precisely because they knew how treacherous, suspicious, and ruthless she was in her actions, Hu Lanzhen and Du Hongying turned pale with fright, their limbs going weak and cold sweat breaking out on their foreheads.

Back then, after dealing with that cheap Yan Luo, they had planned to kill that beast as well, but who would have thought it would escape. It was just a beast after all, so they didn’t take it seriously at the time. Who knew it would now become their death warrant.

Hu Lanzhen hurriedly said, “Minister Qin, we didn’t intentionally hide it from you. We only recently learned that the beast raised by Yan Luo was still alive. But don’t worry, we will definitely catch that beast and skin it alive.”

“Wait.”

Qin Jin narrowed her eyes, a dark gleam in them, full of cunning and treachery. “Since this beast still dares to appear in the Imperial Academy, it seems to have some humanity left. This indicates that what we want is not far away. Now that it’s injured but still wasn’t caught by you two useless fools, I’m afraid someone secretly rescued this beast. The person who saved it must be someone from the Imperial Academy. It’s not hard to guess who this meddlesome person is, but…”

Her words trailed off at this point, and Hu Lanzhen and Du Hongying exchanged glances, immediately understanding the implication.

As she spoke, Qin Jin slowly crouched down, her hands grabbing the collars of Hu Lanzhen and Du Hongying. Her eyes fixed on them like a venomous snake, causing their faces to instantly turn ashen.

She suddenly gave a sinister smile, a trace of cruelty flashing in her eyes. “However, only the dead don’t talk in this world. This time, you two better be more attentive! Otherwise, I can’t guarantee your heads will still be attached to your necks.”

Afterwards, they discussed the haunted bamboo forest, but because Sister Ranzhi had only been working at the Imperial Academy for half a year, she didn’t know much about it either.

After discussing other matters, Lu Yuner returned to her residence.

Before reaching the gate, she saw not only Qiu Yi, but also Manager Chen from the Yun Princess’s mansion standing outside the gate, looking somewhat solemn.

Lu Yuner frowned slightly and quickened her pace involuntarily.

Seeing the master return, Qiu Yi immediately went to greet her, giving Lu Yuner a meaningful look. “Master, Manager Chen has been waiting for you for a long time.”

Hearing this and receiving Qiu Yi’s subtle hint, a brief look of surprise flashed in Lu Yuner’s eyes. Waiting for a long time?

Since her last meeting with the Yun Princess, unless absolutely necessary, she didn’t want to have too much involvement with the Yun Princess.

Knowing that she had important matters to discuss today, which would take some time, with Qiu Yi’s interpersonal skills, she would have surely invited Manager Chen into the residence to sit and have tea while waiting. It seems Qiu Yi’s invitation was politely declined.

Coming personally to her door and standing outside waiting for her return, could there be some urgent matter?

Lu Yuner politely asked, “Manager Chen, what brings you here?”

Chen Si spoke directly, “The Yun Princess would like to ask for your help.”

Help?

Although Lu Yuner was puzzled, seeing that she had already prepared a carriage, it seemed she had no choice but to go. So she followed her back to the Yun Princess’s mansion.

It wasn’t until Manager Chen explained the situation to her that she learned it was about Young Master Su falling ill.

Lu Yuner asked in confusion, “Manager Chen, are you mistaken? I am not a doctor, I really can’t help with treating illnesses and saving lives.”

“Indeed, treating illnesses and saving lives is not your specialty, but you are more effective than a doctor.”

Seeing her slightly furrowed brow and seemingly very confused expression, Manager Chen said meaningfully, “Dr. Lu should understand, although the Yun Princess has made promises to you, the Young Master is after all the Yun Princess’s only beloved son. Therefore, everything from before may change due to the Young Master.”

Lu Yuner understood Manager Chen’s meaning. As an outsider, she naturally wasn’t as important as the Yun Princess’s own son, and her coming today was none other than for the Young Master Su.

From Manager Chen’s words, even the care and concern of his own family were not heeded. Would Young Master Su listen to her?

Although Young Master Su liked her, could this liking be a kind of privilege for Young Master Su?

Lu Yuner arrived at Qinghua Garden with a complex expression.

Small Yuan, who was waiting outside the room holding medicine, was so surprised to suddenly see Dr. Lu that his eyes widened instantly. His tightly furrowed brow gradually relaxed, and his eyes were filled with obvious joy, as if a great savior had arrived.

Lu Yuner looked at the medicine Small Yuan was holding, knowing what she should do. She took the medicine from Small Yuan and smelled the bitter scent of the medicine. She asked, “Do you have any preserved fruits?”

When Small Yuan heard Lu Yuner’s words, he realized he had forgotten to prepare preserved fruits for the Young Master.

After preparing the preserved fruits, Small Yuan couldn’t help but remind her, “The Young Master hasn’t eaten anything all day today.”

Lu Yuner’s hand holding the medicine tightened slightly. It seemed she not only had to coax him to drink medicine but also to eat. Now she had really become a caretaking nanny.

She lowered her eyes, her expression unreadable, “You go prepare some light porridge first. Just call me when it’s ready.”

“Alright.” Small Yuan’s mouth curved slightly, unable to hide his happiness. Now there was no need to worry about the Young Master’s health.

He opened the door, apparently without any sense of propriety between men and women. Lu Yuner walked in step by step.

Small Yuan tactfully closed the door gently.

At this moment, Su Qingwan was lying on his side on the couch, wearing a white inner robe. His hair, as smooth as ink, fell behind him. He was facing inward, showing only a thin, weak, sickly back.

He didn’t look good at all.

“I said I won’t drink it, take it away.” Sensing someone entering the room, Su Qingwan’s weak voice showed obvious impatience.

Lu Yuner put the medicine on the table without saying a word, standing still in place. Thinking about this matter, the more she wanted to distance herself, the more she found herself entangled and unable to break free, like a puppet on strings.

Perhaps she should make a change, otherwise, in the long run, she would have no freedom to speak of and could only be manipulated by others.

Thinking of this, her gaze became complex and subtle as she looked at the person on the couch.

Su Qingwan didn’t turn around, still facing inward.

After a long while, with no movement from the person behind him, Su Qingwan frowned, turning around in displeasure, “I said I won’t drink it means I won’t drink it, hurry up and…”

Before he could say “get out”, seeing who had come, he visibly froze. After recovering, he immediately got up from the bed in panic.

“You’re sick, just lie on the couch and don’t move around.” The moment he turned his head, his emaciated face was unnaturally pale, looking as if he might collapse at the slightest breeze. Seeing him about to get up, Lu Yuner quickly stopped him, her tone cooler than usual.

Su Qingwan, excited, didn’t notice anything amiss. Obediently sitting on the couch as told, he stared at her without blinking, his tone becoming as soft as clouds, but still somewhat dazed and unbelieving, “Elder Sister Yuner, why did you come?”

From the moment Su Qingwan saw her, his series of reactions all entered her eyes. Lu Yuner sensed the changes in Su Qingwan’s emotions.

No wonder Manager Chen said she was more effective than a doctor. It seemed that from the beginning, her place in Young Master Su’s heart had never changed.

Should she praise him for being constant or stubborn?

Lu Yuner walked to the side of the couch with the medicine, placing it nearby. Her lively beautiful eyes quietly looked back at him as she carefully said, “I heard you were sick, so I came to see you.”

“Really?” A brilliant smile bloomed on Su Qingwan’s lips as he looked up with his pale, thin face, his tone still uncertain.

Lu Yuner’s eyelashes fluttered almost imperceptibly. “Mm, why won’t Young Master Su drink his medicine when he’s sick?”

“I…” Su Qingwan originally disliked drinking medicine, and his heart was also feeling depressed and uncomfortable.

Lu Yuner continued, “Young Master Su should know that good medicine tastes bitter. If Young Master Su finds it too bitter, there are preserved fruits prepared. Young Master Su can use these preserved fruits to alleviate the bitterness after drinking the medicine.”

Su Qingwan’s ink-black starry eyes gazed intensely at Lu Yuner. “Does Elder Sister Yuner want me to drink it? I’ll listen to Elder Sister Yuner.”

“This…” Lu Yuner was clearly choked by his words. How could one’s life and health be trifled with? What did he mean by listening to her? Didn’t he care about his own body at all?

Lu Yuner picked up the medicine and handed it to him, saying helplessly, “Drink the medicine. Being sick and taking medicine is a normal thing, you can’t not take your own body seriously. Everyone in the mansion is very concerned about you.”

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been set up here to serve someone.

Unexpectedly, Su Qingwan stared at her intently, his lips silently mouthing words he wanted to say from his heart, but afraid of getting a disappointing result, he ultimately didn’t voice them.

Lu Yuner saw through his little thoughts at a glance. At this point, she had no other choice. Manager Chen’s words couldn’t be clearer – if he didn’t drink the medicine, she probably wouldn’t be able to leave today. So she coaxed him gently, “Concern can be expressed not only through words but also through actions. What do you think I’m doing here now? Can you drink the medicine now?”

Meeting Lu Yuner’s gaze, Su Qingwan’s round eyes widened slightly. His hands clutched the cotton quilt uncertainly, then he lowered his head in embarrassment. But the next moment his smile froze, and after trying hard to compose himself, he pretended to say, “It’s so late and you haven’t returned home yet. Won’t that Young Master Mu at your residence be unhappy?”

His voice was muffled, with a hint of unhappiness mixed with the probing tone.

Such clumsy concealment, and now saying these words, obviously tinged with jealousy – how could she not understand a young man’s thoughts? Lu Yuner’s eyes narrowed slightly as she sighed. Who was to blame for her being out so late? She explained simply, “Mu Yang is my sworn brother, as close as family.”

“Now can you be good and drink the medicine?” Lu Yuner’s patience was nearly exhausted.

“Mm.” Su Qingwan took the medicine bowl and obediently drank the medicine, his long dense eyelashes hiding the smile in his eyes.

After drinking the medicine, Lu Yuner handed him the preserved fruits.