### Chapter 15: Fever Due to Food Accumulation

As soon as they heard that Suisui had a fever, everyone forgot about the children’s matters. Physician Liu reacted quickly, rushing to the back courtyard while asking Di Jiao, "How could she suddenly get a fever?"

If it was from getting cold last night, the fever should have started yesterday. Could it be due to a physical difference? Physician Liu ran and thought, while Feng Xuanrui and the others followed. Seeing his little nephew lagging behind, Prince Qing, anxious and sweating, picked him up and ran.

When Di Jiao was asked by his master, though breathless, he didn’t panic: “I checked the pulse, and it seems to be food accumulation.”

Physician Liu’s immediate reaction was, “Impossible!”

Since returning last night, all of Suisui’s food had been checked by him before being served.

He remembered everything Suisui ate.

It couldn’t be food accumulation!

When it was suggested that Suisui might have a fever due to food accumulation, Feng Xuanrui, feeling guilty, shrank under Prince Qing's arm.

This movement caught Prince Qing's attention.

He looked at Feng Xuanrui with suspicion and frowned, asking, “What’s going on?”

By now, they had reached the back courtyard. Another apprentice, Di Yu, seeing the master arrive, quickly stepped forward and said, “Master, I checked the pulse, and it should be food accumulation.”

Physician Liu, hearing this, began to doubt himself: “This is impossible!”

He had been monitoring Suisui’s food intake closely.

Skeptical, Physician Liu took two steps forward and carefully checked her pulse.

Unable to believe the results, he checked again.

He muttered, “Could it really be the amount of food?”

While he was puzzled, Prince Qing threw his little nephew toward Physician Liu, “Ask him.”

Feng Xuanrui, now in front of Physician Liu, looked guilty and dared not look up.

Seeing his reaction, Physician Liu understood immediately: “Did you secretly give Suisui pastries?”

Feng Xuanrui, shrinking his head, dared not speak and only nodded honestly.

Physician Liu was furious!

If the other person wasn’t a prince’s son, Physician Liu thought he might have directly punished him!

Physician Liu, gritting his teeth, carefully diagnosed Suisui, wrote a prescription, and arranged for Di Jiao to prepare medicine. He also administered two needles to Suisui.

Feng Xuanrui, feeling guilty and unable to speak, sat quietly at the end of the bed, watching Suisui’s flushed face.

Seeing this, Prince Qing frowned and asked, “What did you do?”

Feng Xuanrui glanced at Physician Liu and, seeing that he wasn’t looking, whispered, “It was around noon. Qingshan brought back some pastries. Seeing Suisui wanted to eat, I secretly gave her two pieces and half a cup of milk.”

Physician Liu exploded with anger: “You gave her two pieces and milk?”

“The pastries were made from glutinous rice, which is hard to digest. You shouldn’t have let Suisui eat that!”

Feng Xuanrui hadn’t expected such consequences. Scared, he shrank behind Prince Qing and said, “I just wanted to give the best things to my sister.”

Prince Qing, feeling a headache, realized the intention was good, but the result was bad.

It’s hard to entirely blame the child since he didn’t understand these things.

Once a dominant young master in the palace, now he shows concern for others.

Perhaps this is a kind of growth?

Feng Xuanrui’s words were unarguable. Physician Liu huffed in anger and urged Di Jiao to hurry.

Prince Qing, not wanting Feng Xuanrui to be too upset, gently patted his head, “Suisui’s body isn’t strong. She can’t eat too much at once. If you want to share something with her in the future, you should ask Physician Liu first.”

Feng Xuanrui realized his mistake. When Prince Qing spoke, he quickly nodded obediently, “I understand, Uncle Wang.”

Suisui’s sudden fever meant the evening’s river lantern festival was likely canceled.

But Feng Xuanrui thought, even if the festival was missed, his sister should still have the lanterns!

Making lanterns shouldn’t be too hard, right?

He was determined to do it!

As Suisui woke up from her fever, she began to vomit.

While Physician Liu and the two apprentice were busy, Feng Xuanrui quietly entered the lantern-making room, recalling the techniques Physician Liu taught them that morning, and began to finish making the lanterns.

The fever from food accumulation wasn’t too severe, but Suisui’s stomach hurt badly.

The medicine she took was immediately vomited, along with undigested pastries, milk, and lunch porridge.

Even though she vomited, her stomach still ached severely.

Suisui, usually able to endure, couldn’t this time and quietly sobbed.

If she cried loudly, it might have been more bearable for the adults.

But Suisui, like a small kitten, curled up at the head of the bed, holding her stomach and crying silently.

Her tears flowed continuously, and her occasional body tremors nearly brought tears to Physician Liu’s eyes.

Prince Qing, watching from the side, also felt uncomfortable.

Seeing Suisui like this reminded him of his own unfortunate daughter.

He wanted to take Suisui back to the palace to comfort her but feared his daughter might be upset upon hearing this.

Unable to endure the scene, Prince Qing turned and left, glancing at Suisui, then at the prince, and finally at Yu Leng.

In desperation, Zhan Yuan asked Yu Leng for advice, “Master Han Shuang, what should we do about this matter?”

Yu Leng nodded slightly, “Chen Dalang and his wife are feeling guilty and don’t dare to be too public. But considering their nature, they probably won’t hold back for long. Since they are relatives of the Jin Yang Hou residence, they should contribute more to the court during their service, don’t you think?”

Seeing Zhan Yuan deep in thought, Yu Leng continued, “Also, the most direct way to vent anger is not to beat them, right?”

...READ THE REST OF THE CHAPTER ON PATREON...

Next Chapter▶▶

  Chapter 237: Gaining Another Uncle (5)

As Mo Yan held the little bundle and brought it closer to cow's udder, she said, "Weren't you the same when you were young? Little bundles like this need plenty of sleep to grow quickly."

Smelling the scent of milk, the little bundle instinctively opened its mouth and started sucking. Its eyes, round and bright, slowly opened as well, shining a beautiful bright yellow.

"I wonder when Xiao Hua will come back. If we don't send you back soon, your mother won't recognize you."

Looking at the sweetly feeding little bundle, Mo Yan sighed helplessly.

That Xiao Hua hadn't shown her face since entering the mountain. Mo Yan didn't have time to go into the mountain to find her, feeling that she was becoming more and more wild.

"By the way, big sister, dad still hasn't come back. Could it be that things didn't go well at Changshan Academy?" Zhen'er held a bunch of grass, his little face full of worry.

Mo Yan, upon hearing this, also felt worried. "It shouldn't be. Maybe something delayed them."

Yesterday morning, Li Zhong drove Mo Qingze to Changshan Academy, but they hadn't returned yet. She had no idea how things were going.

Just as she was thinking about it, Xin'er hurriedly ran over and shouted, "Sister, sister, dad and the others are back."

Upon hearing this, Mo Yan quickly carried the little bundle and headed to the front.

Zhen'er also threw the grass in his hand and followed behind.

"Dad, from the looks of it, did things go well at Changshan Academy?" Mo Yan entered the hall and saw Mo Qingze looking pleased. It was obvious that things had gone well, and she couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Mo Qingze could hardly contain his excitement, nodding with a smile. "Yes, it's done. Three days from now, I'll be going to Changshan Academy."

With the affirmative answer, Mo Yan and her siblings cheered happily, praising their father's capability.

After the joyous moment, Mo Yan continued, "Dad, our home is quite far from Changshan Academy. It's too tiring to commute every day. We should rent a house nearby for you."

Mo Qingze shook his head. "That's not necessary. The academy provides room and board arrangements, so I'll just stay there."

Although he could also rent a house outside, the nearby houses were too expensive, and he didn't plan to rent one.

Mo Yan disagreed, "It's better to rent outside. Living alone is quieter, and you can make whatever you want to eat. Plus, it'll be cheaper for me to visit you with Xin'er and Zhen'er in the future."

She had lived in a dormitory in her previous life. Leaving aside the dormitory environment, the taste of the cafeteria food was a big problem. Especially from enrollment to graduation, the menu never changed.

Mo Qingze hesitated a bit. "The houses near the academy are in high demand, costing at least three taels of silver per month, and they're not as spacious as the courtyard we used to live in."

"That's not a problem. We still have some spare money at home, and there haven't been any major expenses recently. Besides, the dividends from the timber business are quite substantial. It's enough to cover a year's rent in a month."

The high cost of living near the school was inevitable, but for the Mo family, it was still affordable. Mo Yan preferred to spend a little more to ensure her father had a good place to live and take care of his health. After all, in this era, each imperial examination was not just about knowledge but also about physical health.

Seeing his daughter's insistence, Mo Qingze could only agree. "The money will still come from the family. Your share of dividends from the timber business is your private fund. Save it for your dowry... uh, for yourself, don't spend it recklessly."

Mo Yan was speechless. How could she not understand what her father's hesitation meant? Could it be that her father was already considering her lifelong affairs?

Thinking of this, her previously joyful mood became somewhat irritated.

After asking about some other matters regarding the academy, Mo Yan learned that Changshan Academy only had one day off per month, with only two days each time. She decided to visit her father every seven days, bringing him some fresh vegetables and spring water from the spirit spring to ensure he stayed healthy.

Next Chapter▶▶

 Chapter 255: A Handsome Man Appears

The last time that nanny mentioned, it seems that the girl's biological family prepared many valuable gifts to thank the Bai family for nurturing her over the years, but they declined...

Could it be that the girl's original family is really wealthy??? With this thought, Bai Muyao subconsciously clenched her fists, feeling extremely unwilling.

Under the respectful greetings of everyone, Ou Yan entered the VIP elevator. When the elevator doors closed, she lifted her gaze and coincidentally met Gao Yang's astonished eyes from a distance.

Gao Yang, who had just arrived at the entrance, was stunned by the girl's grandeur, unable to move his feet.

Why did all the service staff of the entire restaurant come out to greet Ou Yan?

Behind Ou Yan was a nanny?

If he didn't see it wrong just now, she came down from a luxurious RV worth millions...

In the lobby, the guests were all surprised, discussing in whispers.

"Isn't that Ouyan? Why didn't she even say hello when she passed by, not to mention ignoring us, she even did not spare a glance when her parents were right in front of her!"

"What's going on? Why does she seem so aloof, as if she doesn't know us?"

"What's the situation? Didn't Aiqin say her daughter scored 601 in the exam and wanted to treat all relatives and friends to dinner? Why did Ou Yan go upstairs?"

"Could there be some surprise waiting for us upstairs? Did Ou Yan go up first to arrange the scene?"

"It's impossible. Ou Yan just now... she seemed like she didn't recognize us!"

"If you don't know, the eighth floor is the most expensive location in the entire restaurant. The higher the floor, the higher the price. The eighth floor is the best location, with only one private room and a large terrace. It is said that the view from there is superb!"

Everyone was drawn to the last person's words, asking, "How do you know?"

"We have a relative who's doing well in the capital city. Last time, he wanted to book the private room but couldn't... You need connections and a prominent status! But he mentioned these things and said the view from the eighth floor, even if you spend fifty thousand just to take a look, it's worth it! No regrets in this life!"

"For such a high-end place, how did Ou Yan get up there?"

"Not only did she get up there, but she also made such a grand entrance... What's going on?"

Many guests questioned Xu Aiqin. Xu Aiqin hadn't recovered yet, her mind filled with the girl's cold face as she passed by...

A ominous feeling grew stronger...

How powerful, wealthy, and capable must Ou Yan be to go up to the 8th floor?

"Gao Yang, you're here?" At this moment, Bai Muyao's voice successfully diverted everyone's attention. She stepped forward to take the boy's hand, smiling and asking, "Why are you standing there like a fool? Come in!"

"So, this is Gao family's child? He looks like a talent, extraordinary and outstanding, truly different from ordinary people..."

"Compared to him, the girl next to him doesn't match him."

"Are they a couple? They don't seem compatible! If they really are a couple, the girl got a huge advantage."

Bai Muyao heard these words, her face stiffening, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

"I heard that there's an engagement between the Bai family and the Gao family, and it's Ou Yan who is engaged to Gao Yang? Where did this girl come from? Why is she holding Gao Yang's hand?"

"She snatched Ou Yan fiancé. Why didn't Zhenhai and Aiqin come out to say something?"

"Gao Yang, where's Ou Yan? Where did she go? Is she still in this house?"

Hearing many people saying that Ou Yans appearance is more beautiful than their family's, Bai Zhenhai's face couldn't hold up anymore, but he kept a smile on his face.

"Ou Yan has found her biological family and has returned there recently."

"So that's how it is..." Everyone started to discuss again. Ou Yan's biological family seemed to be quite good, with such a grand scene when she went out! In comparison, the Bai family seemed somewhat inadequate, having treated them poorly over the years!

Bai Muyao smiled faintly on stage and said, "Thank you, everyone, for coming tonight despite your busy schedules. My sincere gratitude for your presence... Recently, I participated in the college entrance examination and scored 601 points. Tonight's dinner is to celebrate my high score, and also to announce my identity to everyone. In a few days, Gao Yang and I will have an engagement banquet. I believe everyone has received the invitation. Please grace us with your presence!"

When everyone heard that the Gao family and the Bai family would hold an engagement banquet, they couldn't help but feel envious. Bai Muyao was indeed fortunate, being the daughter of the richest family in the Winter City and also the future daughter-in-law of the Gao family.

At this moment, Bai Muyao suddenly noticed a handsome man walking in from the direction of the entrance. He was wearing an expensive suit that accentuated his tall and slender figure, and his powerful aura was awe-inspiring. His top-notch and outstanding face made it impossible for people to look away...

Such a handsome man!

Who is he?

Is he a guest dining here tonight?

Although Bai Muyao couldn't see where he was going in that direction, if she guessed correctly, he should be going to the private room upstairs, right?

She had never seen such a handsome man from childhood to adulthood. His figure, his aura, completely matched her aesthetic!

Compared to him, Gao Yang seemed very ordinary!

She never expected there to be such a noble and aloof man in the world. Ambitious as she was, she also regretted giving herself to Gao Yang.

▶▶After breaking off the engagement, Mr. Si chased his wife to the crematorium!

 Chapter 1009: It's All About Lu Xiangjun

Originally, it was considered inauspicious for a bride to have her makeup done on her wedding day, especially by someone who had divorced.

But someone said that Shopkeeper Lu was Lu Xiangjun's sister.

Even if she had divorced, she was still a fortunate person. Didn't her life keep getting better after the divorce? The business in the shop she managed became more prosperous.

What else could that be if not good fortune?

Coincidentally, there were a couple of Lu Xiangjun's supporters present, and their praises for her made the bride's heart flutter.

The bride never liked the makeup done by the older generation. They would always paint their faces white, apply rouge to their cheeks, and put lipstick on their lips. It was not only unattractive but also a bit scary.

The bride didn't want to scare away her future husband. After a battle within her heart, she sought out Shu You.

Shu You had seen a lot of the world now and had become somewhat cautious.

She was afraid that if anything went wrong with the bride's appearance after the wedding, the blame would fall on her. So they both signed an agreement, treating it as a business transaction.

Surprisingly, this method actually put the bride at ease.

As for how the bride convinced her family, the old lady didn't know.

All she knew was that Shu You went to the bride's home the next day. She did the makeup, while Lady Quanfu took care of the hair, with Shu You guiding her.

It was said that after the ceremony and the bride's entrance into the bridal chamber, the groom lifted her veil in front of many people. He was stunned and didn't react for quite some time.

After that day, several people came, wanting Shu You to do their bridal makeup on their wedding days.

Shu You opened the registration book and indeed saw that two people had already been recorded.

One was getting married in a month, and the other in six months.

The person registering today was getting married in two months.

The old lady said, "The business at Yiren Pavilion is getting better and better. There are more people buying clothes, and many are coming for makeup. The only problem is that the makeup takes a bit of time, and sometimes Ah You has to go to their homes to do it. In the future, she might become too busy to keep up."

Shu Yu thought for a moment and said, "Grandmother, let Lan Hua come."

"Lan Hua?" the old lady asked.

Shu Yu nodded. "I noticed last year that Lan Hua enjoys dressing up, but she has no one to teach her, so she has been figuring it out on her own."

However, she had grown up in the village and had only been to Jiangyuan County, and that was only once every few months.

She didn't have much exposure, so her self-taught skills were limited.

The time she was most satisfied with was when they were in the peach forest. Lan Hua imitated Shu Yu's appearance, and even though it attracted the attention of three young masters, third Uncle was pushed into the water for half the day.

But it also proved that Lan Hua was very interested in it.

However, when the old lady heard this, she frowned. "Ah Yu, you've already arranged for Da Niu to work on the farm. That should be enough. There's no need to take care of everyone."

Shu Yu was taken aback and laughed. "Grandmother, what are you talking about? Whether it's Da Niu or Lan Hua, I only consider it if I think it's suitable. I don't have any intention of favoring anyone. But the farm that Da Niu went to belongs to me, and now this shop is managed by my elder sister. Naturally, I need to ask her opinion."

When it comes to selecting talent, it doesn't matter whether they are close relatives or not, as long as they are suitable.

The old lady thought about it and said, "Then..."

Before she could finish her sentence, joyful voices came from outside the shop. "Grandmother."

Shu Yu looked up and smiled. Oh, speaking of the devil.

Next Chapter▶▶

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  **Chapter 14: Suisui’s Background**

The one sent to gather information was Zhan Yuan. After finding out the details, he wasted no time and returned on horseback. When he arrived, he realized that waiting for him wasn’t just the prince, but also Physician Liu.

Zhan Yuan, however, didn’t feel much pressure and quickly began to explain Suisui’s situation.

“She is the daughter of Chen Dalang’s sister from Hongye Village.”

“The Chen family’s situation is a bit complicated. Chen Sanniang once had a brief affair with Marquis Jinyang. After their relationship cooled off, the marquis returned to the capital. Chen Sanniang tried to use the child to make him stay, but the marquis only left behind some money and then departed.”

“Chen Sanniang had no choice but to return to the village with the child.”

“Because she gave birth out of wedlock, her reputation in the village wasn’t good. Suisui… is that child.”

“Chen Sanniang passed away when Suisui was not yet three. At that time, Chen Dalang’s family wanted to bury Suisui along with her mother, but the villagers said that since the child resembled her mother and was beautiful, she might be able to marry into a wealthy family someday. The bride price could be enough for the Chen family’s sons to marry wives. After some discussion, Chen Dalang and his wife decided to keep Suisui alive.”

“They didn’t treat Suisui well.”

“And Suisui’s real name isn’t Suisui; it’s Chen SuiSui. This name was given by Chen Sanniang. She said that glass is fragile, and she wanted her daughter to be as precious as glass.”

“Yesterday, Marquis Jinyang’s estate came to recognize their kin, and Chen Dalang and his wife pushed their biological daughter, Chen Yueyao, forward to impersonate Suisui and go to the capital to live in luxury.”

“To eliminate any future troubles, the couple tied Suisui up and threw her on the back mountain to feed the wolves.”

…

The details of Suisui’s time with the Chen family were unbearable to hear. After listening, Physician Liu felt an intense urge to go practice swordsmanship to release the murderous intent suddenly surging within him.

“Suisui often couldn’t get enough food. She would secretly eat whatever the chickens were given, or else she might have starved to death long ago.”

“Even so, when Chen Dalang’s wife caught her, she would be beaten.”

“She had to wash clothes for the entire family, get up early to fetch water from the river, feed the chickens, and water the vegetables.”

“She had to go to the mountains to dig for wild vegetables and collect firewood. If she was too slow or didn’t respond quickly, she’d be beaten.”

“The worst beating left her lying in the woodshed for three or four days. Everyone thought the child was dead, but she somehow survived.”

…

Physician Liu: …!

Hand me my sword for slaying scum!

Physician Liu, filled with murderous rage, was ready to storm out! Seeing him like this, Zhan Yuan hesitated for a moment before adding, “According to the village head of Hongye Village, Chen Dalang has already reported Chen Suisui’s death. Once verified, it will be officially recorded in the county of Xiangshui.”

Physician Liu: …!!

Great, now there’s even more reason to kill them!

Not only was Physician Liu furious, but Prince Qing had been frowning ever since he heard the story and hadn’t relaxed his expression.

Since this was truly a pitiful child, Prince Qing thought that whether it was the Prince Qi’s residence or his own residence, they could easily afford to raise her. Bringing her back wouldn’t be a problem.

Moreover, Physician Liu clearly wanted to take her in as well.

Thinking of the poor child, Prince Qing furrowed his brows even tighter. He nodded at Zhan Yuan and said, “Find an excuse to send that couple to the southwestern quarry.”

Zhan Yuan had restrained himself from acting while gathering information out of discipline. Now that Prince Qing had given the order, it was as good as a direct command!

Zhan Yuan responded loudly and was about to turn to leave and handle the matter. It wasn’t a difficult task for them.

But just as Zhan Yuan took two steps, someone called out to him, “Lord Zhan, wait a moment.”

The one who stopped him was the military advisor at Prince Qing’s side, named Yu Leng, a middle-aged man with a delicate and feminine appearance.

This man…

He had a fair face but a dark heart—truly devious.

Zhan Yuan respected his intellect but instinctively kept his distance in daily interactions.

When Yu Leng spoke, Prince Qing turned to look at him. “Master Hanshuang, do you have another perspective to share?”

Hanshuang was Yu Leng’s courtesy name.

Hearing the question, Yu Leng quickly bowed and said, “Just a personal thought, Your Highness. Please listen first. If you find it inappropriate, then let Lord Zhan handle the matter.”

Prince Qing nodded in agreement.

Yu Leng promptly began, “Chen Dalang and his wife don’t know much about the situation at Marquis Jinyang’s estate, but we do. They thought sending their daughter would lead to a life of luxury in the capital, but whether she can enjoy that luxury depends on the child’s fortune and abilities.”

Zhan Yuan agreed with this. “I’ve heard the old madam of the marquis estate had a dream and wants to bring all her children scattered outside back to the family. Marquis Jinyang’s illegitimate children… there should be quite a few, right?”

With several children suddenly returning to the estate, it was uncertain whether the Chen family’s daughter would be able to secure a prominent position.

Yu Leng nodded. “There are four or five of them. Although Chen Dalang and his wife have limited vision, they are quite ambitious. Since they were able to push their daughter forward to enjoy luxury, they will surely try to take advantage of the situation later and rely on the marquis estate. If we help Chen Yueyao by getting rid of her parents now, we would be doing her a favor.”

At this, Yu Leng chuckled and quickly added, “Chen Yueyao took advantage of Suisui. We can’t let her get away with it so easily, can we?”

Thinking about it, that was true! However, the idea that such an adorable child as Suisui was actually the daughter of Marquis Jinyang left everyone feeling uneasy.

Physician Liu naturally noticed the group’s conflicted emotions. He secretly rolled his eyes before smiling and saying, “If Chen Yueyao is willing, she can remain as the young lady of Marquis Jinyang’s estate. Our Suisui will simply be Suisui, and from now on, she will be my granddaughter!”

As soon as he said this, Prince Qing frowned in disapproval.

Before he could speak, a youthful yet firm voice called out from behind him, “Physician Liu, how can Suisui be your granddaughter? She’s my sister!!!”

Feng Xuanrui had drunk too much milk at lunch and, after napping for a while, woke up needing to use the bathroom. After getting up, he heard that everyone was in the front courtyard, so he rushed over to join the commotion and, while there, planned to ask Physician Liu how to make a river lantern.

He wanted to make the best river lantern for his sister!

But as soon as he arrived, he overheard Physician Liu claiming his sister as his granddaughter? How could that be? Suisui was his sister—no one could take her away!

After saying this, the young boy stood there, hands on his hips, puffing up his chest and glaring at Physician Liu with his big eyes.

Physician Liu turned around and, when he met the young boy’s gaze, felt a bit guilty.

In his mind, he thought: Weren’t you all the ones who were upset that Suisui is Marquis Jinyang’s child? I don’t mind! And besides, Suisui doesn’t know about this, and Chen Yueyao, who is impersonating her, would rather keep the secret buried. If you don’t say anything and I don’t say anything, who will know?

Physician Liu was about to respond when Dijiao suddenly rushed in with a panicked expression, shouting loudly, “Master, something’s wrong—Suisui has a fever!”

(End of the chapter)

Next Chapter▶▶

  **Chapter 13: My Sister Cares About Me**

Feng Xuanrui woke up later than usual, and after washing up, Qingshan carried him out. If it weren’t for Dijiao mentioning that Suisui would be coming out soon, Feng Xuanrui had planned to have Qingshan carry him to his sister.

Prince Qing didn’t have high demands for food, but since there was a child traveling with them and Physician Liu was concerned about Suisui, breakfast was prepared with great care and abundance.

After sitting down, Feng Xuanrui craned his neck, looking around while asking Prince Qing, “Where’s Suisui? Didn’t they say she’d be here soon? Why hasn’t she come yet? Is she sick?”

Feng Xuanrui asked many questions out of concern, and Prince Qing patiently answered them one by one.

Seeing no sign of her for a while, Feng Xuanrui grew anxious and tried to stand up. At that moment, Suisui was brought over by Physician Liu.

To be honest, Suisui felt a bit uneasy and out of place. Everything seemed so wonderful that it was hard to believe it was real. She even wondered if this might be a dream.

When Feng Xuanrui saw Suisui coming, he got excited and tried to get down from his seat. "Suisui!!!" But Prince Qing stopped him.

Seeing a familiar face, Suisui felt more at ease and even managed a small smile, “Brother.” Her soft, timid voice made Feng Xuanrui’s heart flutter.

He thought: Father was right! My sister is the most adorable. She called me brother! A soft, warm "brother"! Hehe! Hehehe!

Feng Xuanrui grinned foolishly like a pampered son, and Prince Qing, who was walking at the back, couldn’t bear to watch. He felt like he was seeing a younger version of his brother, Prince Qi.

Physician Liu seated Suisui next to Feng Xuanrui. After sitting down, Suisui obediently greeted him again, “Good morning, Brother.”

Feng Xuanrui’s smile grew so wide that his eyes became slits. “Yes, yes, good, very good. My sister is good, everything is good.”

Duke Qing Qing: …

He looked even more foolish now.

Feng Xuanrui didn’t notice this. He disapproved of Suisui’s clothes, thinking the material wasn’t soft enough, the style was outdated, and the fit was too loose. However, remembering that he hadn’t thought about these details last night and that Physician Liu had taken care of everything, he felt embarrassed to complain and just held Suisui’s hand, leading her to look at the breakfast on the table.

“Suisui, do you want to drink yam porridge? But I think it doesn’t have much flavor. The lean meat porridge tastes better.”

“That one is a red bean roll, that one is jujube cake, and that one is…”

…

There were porridges, pastries, and small side dishes on the table. Apart from the plain rice porridge she had drunk before bed last night, Suisui hadn’t seen any of these dishes before and didn’t know how to eat them.

She listened obediently as Feng Xuanrui introduced the food. When he asked her which one she wanted to try, Suisui looked at the food in confusion, then at Feng Xuanrui, and shook her head. “I don’t know.”

The yam porridge looked similar to the porridge she had last night but was slightly different because it was garnished with goji berries, which Suisui didn’t recognize. She didn’t know if she was allowed to eat it or how to eat it, so she truthfully answered.

Feng Xuanrui’s heart ached as if it were soaked in vinegar, and his eyes turned red. He pouted, trying to hold back tears, and barely managed to stop himself from crying out loud.

Physician Liu, who was nearby, had already served Suisui a bowl of yam and goji berry porridge. “Suisui should drink this first. Her body is weak, and she hasn’t had any meat for a long time, so she needs to start with light food and gradually build up.”

Suisui obediently followed the instructions, and Feng Xuanrui, thinking about the hardships his sister had endured, couldn’t stop his tears from falling.

Suisui, sensitive to Feng Xuanrui’s emotions, turned to look at her brother, whose eyes were red from crying, and asked quietly, “Brother, what’s wrong?”

With two adults at the table, Feng Xuanrui felt embarrassed when he realized how he had reacted. He hastily wiped his tears and nervously responded to Suisui, “I’m just really hungry.”

Suisui understood the feeling of being extremely hungry—it wasn’t pleasant. Thinking of this, she quickly pushed the porridge Physician Liu had given her towards Feng Xuanrui. “Brother, you eat first.”

Feng Xuanrui: …!

Sob!

He wanted to cry even more.

My sister cares about me! Having a sister feels so good!

The young boy couldn’t hold back his tears any longer. It wasn’t just because he was thinking about Suisui’s difficult past, but also because he was recalling his own brush with death the previous day. Overwhelmed by the fear and relief, the young boy cried uncontrollably.

When Suisui saw him crying, she couldn’t help but cry too. Children’s emotions are easily influenced, and when one cries, the other often follows, even if they had been feeling happy.

Physician Liu tried to comfort one, then the other. Before breakfast was even over, his heart was already exhausted. Prince Qing wanted to help, but as soon as he approached with his stern face, Suisui cried even harder!

Finally, after both children had cried themselves hungry and tired, they calmed down enough to eat.

Suisui only drank one bowl of porridge. Physician Liu said her stomach was weak and that she needed to eat small, frequent meals and gradually increase her portions. Fortunately, Suisui was well-behaved and ate exactly what she was told.

Watching this scene, Physician Liu couldn’t help but feel sad again. Remembering the news Dijiao had gone out early in the morning to gather, Doctor Liu smiled and said to Suisui, “Suisui, tonight, people in the city will be releasing river lanterns. How about I take you and your brother to watch?”

River lanterns? Suisui had never heard of them before and didn’t know what they were, so she looked at Doctor Liu in confusion but obediently nodded. “Okay, Grandpa Liu.”

Seeing Suisui’s puzzled expression, Physician Liu realized that the child probably didn’t understand. But even without understanding, she still responded so obediently. What a sensible and considerate child! Physician Liu felt heartache again.

He patiently explained to Suisui what river lanterns were and why people released them. Feng Xuanrui, who was munching on a meat bun, had never been interested in such activities before. But seeing his sister’s bright eyes as she listened, Feng Xuanrui suddenly felt that there must be a good reason for the existence of this tradition!

Not only did the young boy become interested in river lanterns, but he also eagerly declared, “I want to release a lantern for my sister!”

Although Suisui still didn’t fully understand, it didn’t stop her from being kind to her brother. “I’ll release one for Brother too!”

Feng Xuanrui, hearing this, beamed with pride and raised his little head, “Hehe!”

Physician Liu added that since they were going to release river lanterns, they should do it with sincerity. If they weren’t going to make the lanterns themselves, at least they should paste the lantern covers by hand, right?

So after breakfast, Physician Liu took the two children to work on making the river lanterns.

Prince Qing had gone out for business and didn’t return until the afternoon. By that time, the two children had spent the entire morning trying to make lanterns, with a success rate of… zero. Not only that, but they ended up with glue all over their heads and faces.

Finally, Physician Liu couldn’t bear to watch any longer. He cleaned up the two children, gave them some medicine, and sent them off for a nap.

Hearing that Prince Qing had returned, Doctor Liu went over to ask him if the people he had sent to investigate Suisui’s background had come back yet. Could this child be taken back to the capital to be properly cared for?

Next Chapter▶▶

  **Chapter 12: Where Is Her Hair?**

Prince Qing, a seasoned warrior, reacted more swiftly than Physician Liu.

His hands moved faster than his thoughts, swiftly lifting Suisui into his arms. With practiced ease, he deftly rewrapped the loosened cloth and gently laid her back on the bed.

By this time, Physician Liu had also regained his composure. Though inwardly cursing the situation, he forced a smile and tried to comfort Suisui, "Suisui, fear not. Grandfather Liu is just here to take a look. Are you hungry? Would you like to rise and partake in the morning meal?"

Remembering the words Suisui had uttered instinctively before fully waking, Physician Liu felt a pang of sorrow in his heart. He quickly added, "Suisui, while you're here, there's no need for you to do any work. With so many adults around, there's no reason for a little one like you to toil."

When Suisui opened her eyes and recognized the familiar figure of Grandfather Liu, her anxious heart began to settle.

Though she was wrapped rather tightly by Prince Qing, she didn’t dare move. She obediently sat there and softly greeted, "Good day, Grandfather Liu."

After greeting Grandfather Liu, Suisui cautiously raised her head and glanced at the tall and imposing Prince Qing, who appeared rather stern.

With just one look, Suisui recognized him as the man who had saved her and her brother the previous night.

Yet, she didn’t know him.

She pursed her lips, then cautiously withdrew her head, remaining silent.

Hearing Suisui’s greeting, Physician Liu’s weathered face blossomed into a radiant smile, like a chrysanthemum in full bloom. He responded hurriedly, "Ah, ah, Grandfather is here. Suisui, are you hungry?"

Hungry?

In truth, she was. But she could endure it.

Suisui feared that if she ate too much, she would be cast out. In her uncle’s household, even drinking an extra sip of water would earn her a scolding from her aunt.

Realizing this, Suisui gently shook her little head, "I am not hungry."

Gurgle.

Yet at that very moment, her belly betrayed her with two grumbling sounds.

Hearing this, Physician Liu couldn’t help but laugh. As he laughed, tears threatened to fall.

He thought, *Indeed, I did not practice swordsmanship enough last night!*

This resentment still hadn’t been fully vented.

Now it sat uncomfortably, lodged in his chest.

Prince Qing stood to the side, watching this pitiful child, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper.

Last night, he had been preoccupied with urgent matters, and with the dim candlelight, he hadn’t examined her closely.

But now, seeing this child again, he recalled Physician Liu's words: *A five-year-old child with the bone age of a three-year-old.* This child’s uncle’s family must truly be heartless, rotten to the core!

Hmm, Physician Liu’s curses were quite justified.

If one couldn’t raise a child properly, then don’t bother raising one at all! Since they took on the responsibility, they should at least treat her like a human being.

Suisui’s head was bare, with a bandage wrapped around her forehead. Her little face was so thin that there wasn’t a trace of flesh on it. At first glance, she looked like a moving skeleton.

The men Prince Qing had sent to investigate had yet to return, so he still didn’t know the full details.

But at this moment, compassion stirred within him.

Suisui reminded Prince Qing of his own daughter.

If only that child were still alive...

Thinking of his daughter, Prince Qing closed his eyes briefly, hiding the darkness in his gaze.

When Physician Liu heard Suisui’s stomach growl, he couldn’t help but laugh again, "Suisui, if you’re hungry, you must say so, alright? Grandfather Liu has plenty of food here. You can eat as much as you like, no need to be afraid."

As they spoke, the voice of Physician Liu's apprentice, Diao, came from outside, "Master, the garments have been purchased."

Upon hearing this, Physician Liu softly reassured Suisui, "Suisui, wait for Grandfather for a moment. He’ll be right back."

As he rose, Physician Liu glanced at Prince Qing, "My lord, I trouble you to watch over the child for a moment. Apologies for the inconvenience."

The last three words carried a hint of personal grievance.

Prince Qing: ...

He hadn’t done anything, had he?

This child wasn’t even theirs. By normal reasoning, she should be sent back to her family.

Otherwise, wouldn’t her family be worried sick?

As for the hidden circumstances, those would need to be clarified before anything else.

Prince Qing felt utterly speechless. He turned his head, only to meet Suisui’s timid gaze, her eyes as pure and innocent as a newborn fawn’s.

Those eyes were so clear and clean that they seemed to banish all the world’s filth.

This made the Prince feel an unusual sense of discomfort. Looking at the little girl’s nearly reflective bald head, he frowned and asked, "Where is your hair?"

He had been wanting to ask earlier, but with Physician Liu constantly talking, he hadn’t found the chance.

Prince Qing’s voice was deep and raspy, carrying the weight of battle-hardened authority. This frightened Suisui, causing her to shrink back.

She averted her gaze and, like an ostrich, tried to tuck her head back into her body, wishing she could disappear into the cloth that wrapped her.

 Physician Liu returned in a hurry, carrying the garments. Upon seeing this scene, his pent-up frustration broke free. "My lord!"

Though his rank prevented him from actually reprimanding Prince Qing, Physician Liu’s face darkened as he stepped forward, using his slightly plump body to block Prince Qing’s view.

Prince Qing: ?

He genuinely felt wronged!

However, he wasn’t the sort of person who liked to explain himself over trivial matters.

He was simply curious.

Watching Physician Liu change Suisui’s clothes, Prince Qing held back, but eventually couldn’t resist asking again, "Where is her hair?"

Even though he hadn’t looked closely last night, he was sure she had hair!

 Physician Liu, while muttering complaints about the poor quality of the local garments, retorted irritably, "It was shaved off. Her hair was dry and tangled like straw, knotted beyond repair. If it hadn’t been shaved off, were we to wait for it to grow lice?"

Prince Qing was left speechless, turning away as he watched Suisui being stripped bare.

With quick hands, Physician Liu dressed Suisui in the new clothes, then pulled her aside to apply a yellowish medicinal ointment to her head.

The ointment didn’t have a strong smell, but its color wasn’t very appealing. Worried that the child might mind, Physician Liu explained, "Suisui, this is for hair growth. We’ll apply it for a while, and then switch to the black powder. When your hair grows back, it’ll be thick and glossy. It just won’t look very nice in the meantime, and you mustn’t touch it with your hands, understand?"

Suisui, still overwhelmed by the shock of the new clothes, was wide-eyed, almost unable to take it all in. Her gaze kept drifting towards the beautiful, soft garments.

Hearing Physician Liu’s words, Suisui quickly shook her head in a fluster, "I won’t, I won’t, Grandfather Liu."

Suisui wasn’t good at saying flattering words. All she could do was sit there even more obediently, without moving, letting Physician Liu tend to her as he wished.

The system, though capable of teaching her some tricks for dealing with people, refrained from doing so. Its role was to accompany and encourage the child, ensuring that her past shadows wouldn’t cloud her entire life.

Its mission was simple: companionship and encouragement, helping this precious child to find joy in growing up.

*Little darlings, may the Year of the Dragon bring you great fortune!*

(End of Chapter)

Next Chapter▶▶

  **Chapter 11: Suisui is Not a Burden**

Feng Xuanrui had no idea that Physician Liu was inwardly mocking him.

Looking at Suisui's bald little head, he couldn't help but feel a chill on his own scalp. He even instinctively reached up to touch it.

What he felt was his own still-wet, unwrung hair.

With a puzzled expression, he glanced at Suisui's head reflecting the candlelight and then at Physician Liu. He asked with a pained heart, "Where is my sister's hair?"

Even if her hair was in poor condition, it shouldn't have all been cut off, right?

She's just a little girl!

And you cut it into a little bald head?

Hearing his question, Physician Liu cheerfully replied, "Her hair was in poor condition and had many knots, so I cut it off. Every morning from now on, apply some ointment to nourish it. The new hair that grows out will surely be smooth and silky, much better than before."

Physician Liu's words immediately piqued Feng Xuanrui's interest.

Although his own hair was fine, the idea of having smooth and silky hair was tempting. He couldn’t resist touching his own hair and eagerly asked, "Can I do the same?"

Physician Liu calmly replied, "Of course, if the Sixth Young Master isn’t afraid of being lectured by the Prince and Princess Consort when you return to the manor."

Feng Xuanrui fell silent and sighed.

"One’s body, hair, and skin are all gifts from one’s parents."

Unless absolutely necessary, who would want to shave their head?

Thinking about these things, Physician Liu's gaze toward Suisui grew even more compassionate.

Suisui was tightly wrapped in a cloth by Physician Liu. She wanted to raise her hand to touch her suddenly chilly head, but she was confined and couldn’t move.

Seeing Feng Xuanrui hang his head without speaking, Suisui felt uneasy. She asked in a small voice, "Brother, Suisui will grow hair again. Please don’t dislike Suisui."

The latter part of her sentence was tinged with tears.

She was truly afraid of being abandoned again.

The system, listening to this voice in the consciousness space, felt its heart breaking!

Feng Xuanrui had been worried about not being able to shave his head like his sister and regrow his hair.

But hearing that his sister was about to cry, he quickly took a step forward and gently patted Suisui's little head. "I won't dislike you. Even if Suisui has a bald head, it’s still a cute little bald head!"

These words were somewhat insincere.

Suisui was thin and scrawny, her face lacking in flesh. Apart from her large, bright eyes, there wasn’t much to say about her appearance.

But in Feng Xuanrui’s eyes, his sister was the most beautiful!

No objections allowed!

Hearing Feng Xuanrui's words, Suisui's uneasy heart slowly calmed down.

She thought, thankfully, her brother hadn't abandoned her.

She really liked this brother.

If possible, she actually wanted to stay with her brother forever.

But the system said she couldn’t.

Her current identity was that of a Chen family child. Even if her uncles had abandoned her, if these people found out her identity, they would probably still send her back.

Send her back?

And then?

Be left on the mountain again to be fed to the wolves?

Suisui didn't know, and felt a bit lost.

But she also knew that she and her brother weren’t related by blood. Why would anyone take care of her, a little burden?

【Suisui is not a little burden!】

The system loudly objected.

Suisui bit her lip and stayed silent.

The system’s heart broke even more!

Both children were injured, especially Suisui, whose forehead wound could become infected if not properly treated, potentially leading to a fatal fever!

So after the bath, Physician Liu quickly settled the two of them down, checked their pulses, and applied medicine.

While checking Suisui's pulse, Physician Liu silently recited the Great Compassion Mantra.

Only in this way could he calm the killing intent he felt as a physician.

Suisui's bone age was just over three years old.

But according to the child herself, she was already five years old.

Is that reasonable?

Physician Liu knew that survival was tough for women in commoner families.

But this was the first time he had seen it so directly.

The issue was, this went beyond hardship, didn’t it?

With all these injuries and illnesses, the fact that Suisui was still alive was nothing short of a miracle!

Suppressing his anger, Physician Liu applied medicine to Suisui and coaxed her to sleep. Only then did he leave to check on Feng Xuanrui's injuries.

Feng Xuanrui had twisted his ankle. With some medicine and a few days' rest, he would be fine.

The young boy had been up all night and was exhausted.

Before the medicine was even fully applied, he had already fallen asleep.

When Prince Qing returned, it was already the next morning.

The sun had just risen, and everyone at the relay station was quietly busy.

The two children were so tired from the previous day that they didn't wake up despite the noise in the morning.

Physician Liu had specifically instructed that they should not be disturbed unless necessary.

When Prince Qing returned, Physician Liu immediately came over.

He came to check if anyone in Prince Qing's party was injured and needed treatment.

The other reason was, of course, for Suisui.

This child was too pitiful. There was no way she could be sent back.

That family didn't appreciate her, so why send her back?

To commit a sin?

Seeing the old man in front of him, blowing his beard and glaring while starting to rant, Prince Qing couldn’t help but take a tactical step back.

Thinking back to when Zhan Yuan had told him that last night Physician Liu had stayed up practicing swordsmanship for the time it took to burn an incense stick before returning to his room, Prince Qing felt complicated.

Last night, he had only briefly seen Suisui in passing, as there was important business to attend to. He hadn't really looked at her.

Now, hearing what Physician Liu had to say, he thought it would be a good idea to have someone investigate the situation and take a look for himself.

The main reason was...

That child, Xiao Liu, seemed to really like her.

He knew that Prince Qi and his family had been longing for a daughter to the point of madness.

So all the nephews in the household were particularly eager to have a sister.

However, he couldn't just casually bring back a child with an unclear background.

Besides, she was a person, and bringing her back meant taking on responsibility. They couldn't act carelessly, could they?

Seeing Physician Liu’s determination, as if he would keep talking for three days and nights if he didn’t agree, Prince Qing helplessly rubbed his temples and pointed to the back courtyard. "Take me to see the child first."

Did this mean Prince Qing was relenting?

Physician Liu wasn’t sure, but he happily led the way.

That child looked so pitiful; even if Prince Qing had a heart of stone, it would surely soften, right?

Physician Liu led Prince Qing, gently opened the door, and went inside.

As soon as they approached the bedside, Suisui woke up.

The little girl, without opening her eyes, began to fumble to get out of bed. "Aunt, don’t hit me, I’m getting up. I’ll go fetch water right away."

The little girl tried to scramble out of bed, but since it was late last night and she had no clothes, Physician Liu had wrapped her in a cloth to sleep.

Now, as she moved, her limbs were too weak to support her, and she directly fell headfirst off the bed.

*Thud!*

A light sound that struck the hearts of the two people.

(End of Chapter)

Next Chapter▶▶

 Chapter 510 So That's How It Is

Chu Yonghua ignored her. "An'er, close the door."

"Yes, Dad."

After closing the door, Chu Yonghua asked about the matter concerning Chu Qingxiang.

It turned out that it was not information known within the village, but today, Chu An happened to encounter the third Miss of the Wang family meeting with Song Lu in the county.

It was inappropriate to say they met because it was the maidservant of the third Miss who was pulling Song Lu towards the side of the road where the Wang family's sedan chair was parked.

Song Lu was reluctant to go, even though they were at the alley entrance, there were still quite a few people around.

Others who didn't recognize Song Lu didn't pay much attention.

However, Chu An, who knew a little about the prominent families in the county, curiously stayed for a while and saw the curtain of the sedan chair being lifted to reveal the face of the third Miss from the Wang family.

Chu An didn't recognize the people from the wealthy families in the county, but he knew their surnames and names.

Song Lu was Chu Qingxiang's fiancé, but he was meeting with the third Miss of the Wang family.

They seemed quite familiar, and Chu An was shocked. He knew this matter was not trivial and walked over immediately.

The first reason was that he didn't want the two to interact anymore.

The second reason was that he wanted to clarify what was going on. If the third room knew...

After talking to Song Lu, he learned that Uncle and Aunt had already known about it. After being assured by the other party that he wouldn't let down his niece Qingxiang, Chu An found it somewhat unbelievable.

After returning to the village, he couldn't help it and told his father about it, and then he brought Chu Liushi and Chu Zhiwen.

At least, they had to talk about how to resolve this matter.

"We don't need to trouble Big Brother, we will handle it ourselves." Chu Zhiwen heard that Song Lu had dealings with the third Miss from the Wang family and felt a bit uncomfortable.

Chu Liushi sneered at him.

"If you need our help, just let us know." Chu Yonghua also understood that this was a private matter of the third room. Even if he was the clan leader, it wasn't appropriate to interfere.

He just asked as a matter of habit.

Chu Liushi said, "Thank you, Big Brother. Please keep this matter confidential."

"In the end, it's just the wishful thinking of the third Miss from the Wang family." After saying this, she didn't say much else.

Chu An didn't object to this. He had witnessed it with his own eyes and naturally knew who took the initiative.

However, if this matter wasn't handled well, it might affect Qingxiang's marriage...

Seeing that Uncle and Aunt were angry but not anxious, it was evident that they had a plan. Naturally, their family members didn't need to meddle.

After seeing off Chu Liushi and Chu Zhiwen, Chu Yonghua sat at the head, smoking a dry pipe, looking a bit troubled about this matter.

Cao Shi, who had been sitting beside him without making a sound, suddenly sneered, "As the big brother, you care so much about your younger brother's family affairs."

"How is Chu Qingxiang worthy of Song Lu? He is a scholar!"

"What nonsense are you talking about!" Chu Yonghua's wrinkled face frowned tightly, and he scolded in a low voice.

Cao Shi's face was full of ferocity. She didn't let up. "Back then, I asked you to talk to our granddaughter about Song Lu. What did you say? Our granddaughter isn't worthy, and now isn't Chu Qingxiang considered worthy?"

"It's a good thing that we have self-awareness. Otherwise, things wouldn't be this easy to resolve now." Cao Shi felt relieved in her heart and taunted with sarcasm.

"You're not allowed to say that again!" Chu Yonghua roared in anger.

As soon as Cao Shi heard this, she exploded, "Why can't I say it? The third room is in such a plight now, serves them right..."

"You... shut up!" Chu Yonghua was furious, raising his hand as if to hit her.

Cao Shi was also furious. She leaned over, "You can hit me if you want. I married you for twenty or thirty years, took care of the family, and now that I'm old, you want to hit me... I knew you were shameless..."

Next Chapter ▶▶

 Chapter 509 Quarrel

After all, it concerned the reputation of Chu Qingxiang. If it were to spread through their own family, they might have to consult the clan rules.

"Third Brother, how could you say such things about me? The incident last time was an accident. Just because of this one accident, I can't stay in the Chu family anymore? Third Brother, if you're dissatisfied with me, just say it directly. Why come up with such a way to insult me?" Cao Shi was truly angry. After speaking angrily, she covered her face and wept.

Chu Zhiwen was a bit stunned. "I didn't say anything excessive, did I? Isn't this the truth? I'm also doing it for your own good, Sister-in-law."

"Husband, what are you saying? Even if it's for Sister-in-law's good, you shouldn't say it directly. Look, not only did it anger Sister-in-law, you're also being unreasonable." Chu Liushi didn't want to give face to Cao Shi at this moment. If she admitted that it was her own selfishness that caused the trouble, she would look down on her even more.

If he was going to be thick-skinned and say it was an accident?

Then there was no need to say more. This person was obviously deliberate. It seemed that not only could he not reconcile, but it would also cause deeper conflicts between the two families.

"Since Sister-in-law wants to listen, as siblings, we naturally can't stop her."

"However, not many people know about this news. If it spreads, Sister-in-law won't be able to escape suspicion." Chu Liushi said directly.

Originally, Chu Liushi didn't want to defend Cao Shi. Before coming here, she thought that Cao Shi wouldn't actually betray the Chu family.

But now, it seemed that her resentment towards their family was deep. It was inevitable that she wouldn't spread this matter in retaliation. If she didn't let her hear it here, and if it was really her doing, she wouldn't have any evidence to say that Cao Shi did it.

It was better to keep her here. Even if she had something on the third room but couldn't use it, this feeling was uncomfortable.

Chu Zhiwen hurriedly nodded. "That's right, Big Brother, let's leave it at that. I was too straightforward just now. I'll be more tactful in the future."

Chu Yonghua: "..." He tightly pursed his lips, feeling somewhat helpless. It was clear that Cao Shi had a bad relationship with the third brother and sister. This matter, the fault lay with Cao Shi.

He couldn't just side with his own family. How would he be able to convince everyone later?

Since the other party was willing to compromise and it was just a normal matter of keeping it confidential, he felt that this was something Cao Shi wouldn't do. It was not difficult.

He nodded and said, "That's how it should be."

Cao Shi's aged eyes glared at Chu Yonghua angrily. "Old man, how can you speak up for outsiders? I'm your wife. I'm pitiful, yet you..."

"Mother, be careful of your words." Chu An saw his mother wanting to use crying as a way to annoy his father again. However, he knew that with Uncle and Aunt here, Father valued his reputation very much. If Mother couldn't achieve her goal, she would be reprimanded and the two would end up in an even bigger conflict.

As a son, how could he watch his parents argue without stopping them?

"Auntie is just trying to prevent this news from spreading. It's for the good of everyone in the Chu family. Don't think too much about it. Uncle has already apologized to you." Chu An reminded with a frown.

Chu Yonghua looked at Cao Shi with an unclear expression, a hint of displeasure in his aged eyes, and lowered his voice to reprimand her. "Don't be unreasonable."

"If you don't want to discuss it, then go back to your room." This meant that she was being told to leave directly.

Cao Shi was so angry that she almost lost her temper. Neither staying nor leaving was a good option.

After a while, she didn't know what she was thinking, her expression unclear, lips pursed, not saying anything.

Next Chapter ▶▶