Chapter 116: Insisting on Wading into the Capital’s Murky Waters

Chapter 116: Insisting on Wading into the Capital's Murky Waters

At night, Ruan Qinghuan sat in the courtyard. The bright moon hung in the sky, yet it couldn't dispel the sorrow in her heart.

Since her time travel, the relationship between her and He An had changed, and with it, many events had also changed course.

She was well aware that Qingzhou's injury was not simple; someone must have wanted to use him to get to He An.

This time it was Qingzhou, but who would it be next?

"My lady, there's no need to worry. Qingzhou will surely overcome this misfortune." A hand on her shoulder brought her back to the present.

Ruan Qinghuan leaned against him and sighed deeply: "Senior Xu said that it will take at least three months for Qingzhou's injury to fully heal, but whether there will be any lasting effects is still uncertain."

"There won't be any lasting effects," He An felt a pang of guilt. If he hadn't allowed Qingzhou to participate in the martial arts examination, this wouldn't have happened.

"How is the interrogation going? Any progress?" Ruan Qinghuan looked up: "Who is the mastermind behind harming Qingzhou?"

He An shook his head: "The person is cunning and won't talk, even under torture. The mastermind must be someone important. However, I have some leads and will definitely uncover this person."

This matter was not easy, and Ruan Qinghuan knew it couldn't be rushed: "The investigation is important, but you must also be careful."

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

**

The next morning, when Ruan Qinghuan woke up, the bed was already empty. Recently, to uncover the person who harmed Qingzhou, He An had been working late hours, which made Ruan Qinghuan feel a bit heartbroken.

But if this person wasn't exposed, it would be a hidden danger for both the He family and the Ruan family.

"Sister Ruan, Sister Ruan, open the door quickly."

Xu Zining was knocking urgently at the door. Ruan Qinghuan's heart sank, and she hurried to open the door. Before she could ask what was happening, Xu Zining rushed in and hugged her tightly.

Ruan Qinghuan heard the sound of sobbing, bringing a deep sense of desolation, as if her voice had lost its vitality: "Qingzhou, he..."

"Qingzhou woke up, Sister Ruan, Qingzhou finally woke up." Xu Zining hugged Ruan Qinghuan and kept shaking her, her excitement made her lose her composure.

She felt a wave of relief, and Ruan Qinghuan let out a long sigh. Before she could gather her thoughts, she was already being pulled by Xu Zining towards Qingzhou's courtyard.

In the room, Senior Xu was wiping the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief when the door was slammed open, causing him to look displeased.

As expected, his unruly daughter had barged in.

Qingzhou Ruan, who had just wanted to close his eyes to rest, was also startled by the noise and turned his head to look.

Seeing his sister and Xu Zining, he managed a faint smile despite his pale face, though his voice was weak and hoarse: "Don't worry, I'm fine."

Seeing the countless silver needles on her brother's body, Ruan Qinghuan's nose tingled, and her heart ached unbearably. She held back her tears and glared at him: "See if you dare to be so reckless again."

Qingzhou Ruan shook his head slightly, trying to comfort her and not let her get upset.

But his master fanned the flames: "Hmph, this kid won't learn without a bit of hardship. He should have stayed in Jiangnan instead of causing trouble in the capital."

Xu Zining was displeased by this: "Dad, Senior brother is already like this, and you're still scolding him."

She then pushed Senior Xu out: "I'll watch the needles and remove them when it's time. You should go rest and avoid getting worked up and scolding people."

"You're so unruly, child."

"Hmph, you're not very kind either, master."

Xu Xi, fuming, pursed his lips but could do nothing about her. He turned and left with a flick of his sleeve.

Now that Senior Brother was awake, Xu Zining no longer feared upsetting him and slammed the door shut.

She couldn't understand why her father, who clearly valued Senior Brother so much, always spoke with such sharp words.

Ruan Qinghuan wiped the sweat from her brother's forehead. Seeing how much he had suffered these past few days, she couldn't bear to scold him anymore: "Xia Lian has gone to inform Mother. These past two days, she's been crying nonstop. She'll be overjoyed to hear you're awake."

Qingzhou nodded: "This time, I was careless and made the whole family worry."

"It's good you realize that. From now on, no matter where or when, you must be careful and cautious." Ruan Qinghuan stood up: "You're still weak. Rest well. I'll come check on you later."

**

Senior Xu left but didn't return to rest. Instead, he seemed to be waiting for Ruan Qinghuan.

Seeing her come out, he walked towards the eastern hall.

Ruan Qinghuan followed.

"Madam Prime Minister, I need to discuss something with you today."

"Senior Xu, no need for formalities. Qingzhou and I are siblings; you can call me Qing Huan."

Xu Xi got straight to the point: "I can't stay in the capital long. Although the Prime Minister's Reviving Pill has helped Qingzhou's injury, he still needs careful acupuncture and medication to fully recover..."

"Reviving Pill?" Ruan Qinghuan was puzzled.

"Madam, you weren't aware?" Xu Xi looked surprised. "The Reviving Pill was crafted by the Void Yang Master using rare life-extending herbs, some nearly impossible to find. Without it, Qingzhou wouldn't have woken up so soon."

Originally, I estimated it would take at least ten days for him to wake up.

Ruan Qinghuan came back to her senses: "Qingzhou's recovery is thanks to Senior Xu's long journey to the capital. I'm deeply grateful."

Seeing the worry on Senior Xu's face, Ruan Qinghuan's heart tightened again: "You only said half of what you meant earlier. Is Qingzhou's condition still not optimistic?"

"The poison Qingzhou was hit with is extremely vicious. He can recover, but it will be difficult. As you saw, though he's awake, he's still very weak."

"If you want him to fully recover without lasting effects, I suggest he come to Jiangnan with me."

Ruan Qinghuan was silent...

**

"What? Back to Jiangnan?" Zhou Yunzhi, still relieved by her son's awakening, found it hard to accept her daughter's news that Xu Xi wanted to take Qingzhou to Jiangnan.

Ruan Chengfu objected without hesitation: "We finally got that kid back to the capital to manage the family business. If he leaves again, what if he doesn't return?"

Hearing this, Zhou Yunzhi snapped: "What kind of time is this to be thinking about business?"

"No, I can't bear to part with my son either." The family fortune should naturally go to the son—there's nothing wrong with that.

Ruan Chengfu felt wronged but didn't dare argue.

Zhou Yunzhi calmed down. No matter what, her son's safety came first.

The poison Qingzhou was hit with this time left even the imperial doctors helpless. If Zi Ning hadn't sent for Master Xu, Qingzhou might not have survived.

Though reluctant, at this life-and-death moment, she gritted her teeth and said, "Alright. It's fortunate Qingzhou met Master Xu, who can help him through this. We'll send more people with him—we can't let anything go wrong again."

Ruan Chengfu sighed beside her. This Xu Xi—already in the capital—couldn't he stay longer? Did he have to separate father and son to be happy?