Chapter 118: Is There Anything She Wouldn’t Dare to Say?

Chapter 118: Is There Anything She Wouldn’t Dare to Say?

The door opened, and Xu Zining bumped into Madam Zhou and Wei Mingxi: "I pay my respects to you, Madam."

Zhou Yunzhi noticed her pale complexion and tear-streaked face, glancing helplessly into the room: "Zi Ning, dear, what's wrong with you?"

"It’s nothing, I’m just homesick."

As she spoke, she sized up Wei Mingxi beside Madam Zhou. She knew this woman; ever since Senior Brother returned to the capital, she had been clinging to him.

Her demeanor was entirely different from mine, clearly a sheltered young lady from a wealthy family. Could it be that Senior Brother likes such a girl?

But he was just like her, from the martial world. How could he like a woman who couldn’t even harm a fly?

After a brief exchange of greetings, Xu Zining left.

Zhou Yunzhi: "She’s been worn out lately, Mingxi, don’t let it bother you."

"I understand, Madam."

Zhou Yunzhi nodded. The reason she brought Wei Mingxi back today was to give her a chance to bid farewell to Qingzhou. It’s not wrong to have feelings for someone, and though not every encounter leads to a happy ending, one shouldn’t waste the connection.

Back in the room, Qingzhou Ruan lay down on the bed again, regretting his impulsive decision to pour out the medicine, his mind filled with the image of Zi Ning’s tear-streaked face.

A senior brother who could make his junior sister cry like this was probably rare in the world.

Ji Mingwei’s arrival took him by surprise, but fortunately, his mother was there, so the atmosphere wasn’t too awkward.

Wei Mingxi placed the basket in her hands on the table: "Young Master Ruan, I am grateful for your help on multiple occasions. Hearing that you were poisoned and injured, I prepared a bowl of bird’s nest soup especially for you, as a token of my gratitude. I hope... you won’t find it unworthy."

Wei Mingxi thought it over. Since they were fated but not destined, she shouldn’t give material gifts, as it would only add to the troubles. So she went back and prepared a bowl of bird’s nest soup.

"Thank you, Miss Wei."

After so many events, Wei Mingxi suddenly realized that they really didn’t have much in common to talk about. Seeing him safe and sound today, she felt at ease: "Young Master, you’re still not fully recovered. I won’t trouble you any longer. Farewell."

After saying this, she curtsied to Zhou Yunzhi.

After Wei Mingxi left, Zhou Yunzhi sighed softly. In just a matter of months, she had transformed from being sharp-tongued and harsh to calm and composed, as if she had become a different person.

She collected her thoughts, sat down by the bed, and looked at her son, who had lost weight, feeling both heartache and frustration: "What did you do to upset Zi Ning today? A good girl crying like that."

"I..." Qingzhou Ruan felt troubled: "I just wanted to stay in the capital a few more days, so I poured out some of the medicine."

"Nonsense." Zhou Yunzhi's face turned cold upon hearing this: "Matters of life and death are not to be taken lightly."

"I just skipped one dose a day, slowing down the recovery. Otherwise, how could I have hidden it from my master?"

Zhou Yunzhi raised her hand, wanting to hit him, but after a while, she put it down: "Not to mention your master, even I, your mother, feel like giving you a good scolding."

"Ah, Mother, I know I was wrong. I just wanted to see the results of the investigation."

Zhou Yunzhi's brows furrowed slightly, a trace of worry appearing: "Since your incident, your brother-in-law has been leaving early and returning late every day. It's clear that the matter is not simple. You don't need to be so fixated on it. Returning to Jiangnan to treat the poison is more important. Once there's news, I will send you a letter."

That was the only way.

Qingzhou Ruan sighed. If it weren't for this incident, he should have already been enlisted in the city defense army after the martial examination.

Just as he was feeling disappointed, a servant hurriedly came to report: "Madam, Young Master, a messenger from the palace has arrived."

Zhou Yunzhi: "..."

Ruan Qingzhou: "..."

**

Ruan Qinghuan arrived at the main hall a step earlier. Eunuch Xu smiled and greeted her: "This humble servant greets the Prime Minister's wife."

Ruan Qinghuan curtsied: "Eunuch Xu, you are too polite. May I ask what brings you here today..."

Eunuch Xu smiled: "Young Master Ruan has ranked in the top three in this year's martial arts examination. The Emperor thinks highly of him, saying that if not for the accident, he might have taken the top spot."

"The Emperor values talent and knows that Young Master Ruan is seriously injured, but the conferment ceremony cannot be skipped."

Zhou Yunzhi and Xu Zining helped Ruan Qingzhou out, and the entire Ruan family was present.

Eunuch Xu held up the imperial edict: "By the mandate of heaven, the Emperor decrees: Ruan Qingzhou, with exceptional martial skills and remarkable courage, has placed in the top three and is hereby appointed as the deputy general of the Jiangnan garrison. He may take up his post once he has recovered from his injuries."

Ruan Qingzhou was in a state of shock and didn't react immediately. It was only when his sister nudged him that he kowtowed to express his gratitude: "Thank you for the Emperor's grace."

Eunuch Xu helped him up, but his words were directed at Ruan Qinghuan: "The Emperor is aware of Young Master Ruan's injuries and that he needs to go to Jiangnan. Coincidentally, the position of deputy general of the Jiangnan garrison has recently been vacated, so the Emperor has arranged for Young Master Ruan to take this position. This is a great opportunity for him to gain experience."

"Thank you for your advice, Eunuch Xu." Ruan Qinghuan offered a gift of thanks, but Eunuch Xu pushed it back: "This is my duty, and I cannot take credit for it. I must return to report to the Emperor, so I shall take my leave now."

The entire Ruan family was stunned.

The martial arts examination had been disrupted by an assassination attempt, and they had thought the results would be invalidated. To their surprise, not only were the results upheld, but Ruan Qingzhou was also appointed deputy general of the Jiangnan garrison.

If Ruan Qinghuan remembered correctly, not long ago, the position of the main general of the Jiangnan garrison had just been changed, and it seemed to have been filled by a general transferred from Ji Lingchuan's army.

In such a short time, the leadership of the Jiangnan garrison had changed twice, which was clearly suspicious.

**

He An had been busy all day and finally finished his tasks just as he was about to leave. Ji Lingchuan and Chu Li had been waiting in the carriage outside for a while and were getting impatient.

Seeing him come out, Ji Lingchuan rolled his eyes: "If you hadn't come out soon, we would have left without you."

He An stayed silent, his brows knitted in thought.

Chu Li shot Ji Lingchuan a look, signaling him to keep quiet.

Ji Lingchuan felt wronged. He was only in a hurry because he was worried she might get hungry.

He An: "How are things going with Pei Zhan?"

At the mention of this, Ji Lingchuan couldn't help but laugh: "Don't even bring it up. There's a lot of drama going on in the Pei family's inner courtyard. If it weren't for Gao Cheng accompanying us today, our identities might have been exposed."

He An frowned.

Pei Zhan was a key player, and nothing could go wrong.

Seeing his concern, Ji Lingchuan explained: "I've been wondering for a while now. Pei Chong is so ruthless, having killed both his uncle and cousin, yet he spared Pei Zhan's wife. Today, I finally understood why."

He An caught the implication in his words and didn't press further.

If this Lin Qiutang was indeed involved, capturing her would provide another witness.

Chu Li, unaware of the details, asked curiously: "Why?"

Ji Lingchuan hesitated to explain such matters to her and brushed it off: "No reason."

"You said there was a reason. Could it be that Pei Zhan's wife conspired with Pei Chong to harm her own husband?" She gasped, covering her mouth in shock: "Could it be that Lin Qiutang and Pei Zhan... had that kind of relationship?"

Ji Lingchuan: "..."

He had overthought it. Chu Li was no ordinary woman—there was nothing she wouldn't say.