Xiao Zhenting was really here to deliver the medicine. This was because after Yu Wan accepted the medicine bottle, he got into the carriage and left. The entire process was unbelievably fast. If not for the medicine bottle in her hand, Yu Wan would probably think that the mountain-like man had never appeared and that everything was just her imagination.
Yu Wan was not curious about how Xiao Zhenting found her. Shangguan Yan knew her relationship with Yan Jiuchao. As Shangguan Yan’s husband, he should also know.
“…The clouds give way to the rain, and the dew turns to frost. Gold gives birth to beautiful water, and jade comes out of the Kungang. The sword is called the Obelisk, and the bead is called the Night Light. The fruits are precious, and the vegetables are heavy…”
Little Bruiser’s loud reading voice came from her parents’ room. Yu Wan walked over to take a look and saw Little Bruiser sitting on a chair, shaking his head and carrying the Thousand Character Classic. She didn’t know if it was because the ancient people were all like this, or if this was indeed more convenient to remember. Little Bruiser shook his head seriously. The three little lads looked at him without blinking and also shook their heads rhythmically.
Perhaps they were also memorizing books, but there was no sound, Yu Wan thought.
Yu Wan did not disturb them and turned to go next door.
The children in the countryside were not so spoiled. Bruiser always went out to play by himself and they did not know where he went. However, when it was time to eat, he would obediently come back. Little Bruiser knew by heart which places in the village he could go and which places he could not go. Of course, he would occasionally mess around, such as provoking Doggie. However, most of the time, this uncle was very responsible.
If the children made Yu Wan feel at ease, then Yan Jiuchao’s situation was not optimistic. It was already late in the morning, but he was still unconscious. He didn’t even wake up when Yu Wan took his pulse.
Uncle Wan returned to the Young Master Manor, and Shadow Six also left, leaving Shadow Thirteen to guard the room.
Shadow Thirteen was not an outsider. Yu Wan thought for a while and told him about Xiao Zhenting’s visit.
Shadow Thirteen did not look surprised at all.
Yu Wan sighed. His martial arts were so good, so he should have sensed Xiao Zhenting’s aura long ago. Fortunately, she had said it herself. Otherwise, if she had been hiding it all this time, who knew what kind of hostility would arise.
Yu Wan did not ask about what she should not ask. Yan Jiuchao would tell her what he wanted her to know. If she did not want her to know, she would only make things difficult for Shadow Thirteen.
But there was only one sentence—
“Can the medicine given by Xiao Zhenting be given to your Young Master?”
Shadow Thirteen nodded.
Yu Wan: “Oh.” She still didn’t ask more.
Shadow Thirteen couldn’t help but add, “He ate it in the past, but I didn’t let Young Master know.”
Yu Wan caught three pieces of information from his words: First, Yan Jiuchao’s illness had not been going on for a day or two. Second, Xiao Zhenting could be trusted. At the very least, she could feed Yan Jiuchao the medicine he gave her without worry. Third, Yan Jiuchao had a deep grudge against his stepfather.
Yan Jiuchao was like a hedgehog. Whoever approached him would be pricked with blood.
Yu Wan silently thought that she was probably thick-skinned. Otherwise, why wasn’t she afraid of being pricked by Yan Jiuchao?
“I’ll go take a look at the children first. When he’s awake, call me.” With that, Yu Wan stood up and left.
The moment she stepped out of the door, Shadow Thirteen suddenly said, “Uncle Wan said that Young Master wasn’t like this when he was young.”
Shadow Thirteen was young. When he reached Yan Jiuchao’s side, Yan Jiuchao was already so infuriating. However, Uncle Wan had secretly told him and Shadow Six that when Young Master was very young, he was also a lovable obedient child.
Shadow Thirteen would not have said this in the past, but after interacting with her, he had long changed his opinion of Yu Wan. When everyone gradually distanced themselves from Young Master, he at least hoped to help Young Master keep Yu Wan.
Yu Wan smiled and nodded. “He’s not that annoying now.”
… .
On the other side, Xiao Zhenting’s carriage drove towards the village entrance.
The coachman muttered, “Master, isn’t that girl too bold? Doesn’t she know who you are? She actually dares to question what you gave her? Does she know that you can make her father unable to return to the military camp for the rest of his life with just a flick of your finger?”
Xiao Zhenting said, “What she did was good. Cong’er doesn’t lack people who are pretending to be obedient. He only lacks someone bold and meticulous. I think she doesn’t look like a peasant girl, but she has the guts to be a daughter of a general.”
“Guts?” The coachman thought of Yu Wan’s calm appearance when facing Xiao Zhenting, and then thought of the few girls from the Xiao family trembling in fear in front of his master. He thought to himself that that girl was just simply bold.
When they passed by the Zhao family’s residence, Xiao Zhenting suddenly frowned.
“Slow down,” he said.
The coachman tightened his reins and brought the carriage to a halt.
Outside the Zhao family’s door, Ah Wei was cleaning the courtyard. Ever since Ah Wei “saved” Yu Wan and was exposed to the entire village, his unauthorized actions were discovered by Grandma. Grandma reprimanded him fiercely and even punished him to work the fields.
Xiao Zhenting’s cold gaze landed on Ah Wei.
“What is it, Master?” the coachman asked, puzzled. “Is there something wrong with that man?”
Of course, something was wrong. That person’s internal breath was terrifyingly powerful, and it even vaguely gave Xiao Zhenting an indescribable sense of danger. The appearance of such an expert beside Yan Jiuchao could not help but make Xiao Zhenting wary.
Xiao Zhenting moved his wrist.
Ah Wei suddenly felt a cold killing intent. He turned to look at the carriage and his heart skipped a beat. From the horse’s panting, this carriage had been stopped for a while, but he had never sensed the other party’s aura. The other party was very powerful and terrifying!
Just as Xiao Zhenting was about to attack Ah Wei, the three little lads ran over.
Ah Wei hated children more than experts! He screamed, threw down his broom, and began to flee with his head in his hands!
The little munchkins chased after Ah Wei and laughed like pigs.
Xiao Zhenting’s killing intent faded under the little munchkins’ laughter. He had never heard them laugh like this before, and a trace of surprise could not help but flash across his eyes. He moved his body, as if he wanted to get out of the carriage and hug them, but in the end, he sat back down and said to the coachman, “Back to the Capital.”
… .
Yan Jiuchao’s illness acted up more aggressively than he had imagined. He only woke up in the afternoon. When he woke up, he did not feel hungry at all. He just widened his eyes and stared blankly at the curtain.
Shadow Thirteen went next door to call Yu Wan.
“Yan Jiuchao.” Yu Wan came to the bed and called him softly.
Yan Jiuchao did not respond and continued to stare at the top of the tent.
Yu Wan took out her hand and waved it in front of his eyes. He did not even blink.
“He lost consciousness.” Yu Wan frowned.
“What?” Shadow Thirteen was stunned.
Yu Wan touched his forehead. It was a little hot.
Yu Wan poured some water and took out the pills that Xiao Zhenting had sent over. Before Xiao Zhenting left, he had instructed her to let him take one pill a day. If it was serious, she could add one more. Yu Wan fed him two pills in one go.
Yan Jiuchao was still staring blankly.
“Yan Jiuchao, Yan Jiuchao, Yan Jiuchao!” Yu Wan patted his cheek and called out to him. However, Yan Jiuchao didn’t seem to hear a word. Yu Wan looked at Shadow Thirteen and said, “Was he like this in the past?”
Shadow Thirteen shook his head solemnly. “No, Young Master has been unconscious, fainted, and lost his mind, but he’s never been like this…” Where his eyes widened, but he did not react to anything around him.
Yu Wan sat at the head of the bed and half hugged Yan Jiuchao. “Yan Jiuchao, can you hear me?” He was lying in her arms, but she felt like she was losing him. He was leaving…
“Young Master!” Shadow Thirteen also called out to him. However, he did not even respond to Yu Wan’s voice, let alone his.
Shadow Thirteen clenched his fists so tightly that his body trembled.
For some reason, Yu Wan suddenly thought of something Yu Zigui had once said to her. “Didn’t Yan Jiuchao tell you? He won’t live past twenty-five!”
She didn’t believe it at first! But now—
Yu Wan took a deep breath and suppressed her surging emotions. She still couldn’t believe it.
The three little munchkins were waiting for Yu Wan in the room. After waiting for a long time, they came over. They saw Yu Wan and Yan Jiuchao.
It was unknown if Yu Wan’s emotions had affected them or if Yan Jiuchao’s appearance had shocked them, but their eyes widened and they walked to the bed with blank expressions. They pulled Yan Jiuchao’s hand.
Yan Jiuchao did not react.
The little munchkins looked at Yu Wan in panic.
Yu Wan tried her best to restrain her emotions and not let any abnormalities appear on her face. She rubbed their heads comfortingly and said to Shadow Thirteen, “Go to the Xiao Manor.”
Shadow Thirteen went without stopping.
The little munchkins climbed into bed.
Usually, they would make life difficult for Yan Jiuchao. However, at this moment, the three of them seemed to have sensed something and crawled into Yan Jiuchao’s arms one by one. Their little heads were resting on his chest, and their little hands gripped his clothes tightly, as if they were saying—
Daddy, don’t go.
