It Was A Fake Marriage, But Jiu Qian Sui Took It Seriously - Chapter 14

It was Yun Sheng.

After a while, Chua Hua walked in carrying two boxes and said, “Yun Sheng, who is by the side of the Duke, sent over some medicinal herbs. Doctor Yang said these two herbs are very effective for your mother’s health, but they are rare in the market. He said he would go back and check again later.”

“Just now, Yun Sheng brought them over.”

Upon hearing that it was something good for her mother’s health, she did not refuse. She thought that she must send something back as a gesture of gratitude once her mother was better.

A dry, coughing sound came from Jiang Yingwan.

Shen Qingli’s eyes lit up, and she turned around quickly to see her mother slowly opening her eyes.

Shen Qingli’s eyes brightened as she turned around and saw her mother slowly opening her eyes.

“Mother, you’re finally awake,” Shen Qing Li said, her eyes red as she hurried to her mother’s bedside and held her hand, choking with emotion. “How do you feel now? Are you hungry? Do you want some water?”

Jiang Yingwan struggled to muster a faint smile, swallowing hard as her throat felt dry, her lips forming the word “water.”

“Water, Mother wants water,” she understood and quickly nodded. The maid, Tian Xing, immediately brought over a cup of warm water.

After giving her mother half a cup, Shen Qingli gently helped her sit up against the bed’s headboard, covering her up with thick blankets.

The doctor said that after waking up, she should sit up and have some light activity, as lying down for too long is not good for the body.

As Jiang Yingwan sat up, she noticed the two luxurious-looking brocade boxes in Chun Hua’s hands. In a hoarse voice, she asked, “What are these? ”

Chun Hua explained that they were medicinal herbs sent by the Duke for her to regain her health. Chun Hua also mentioned that when she suddenly fell ill, the Duke had invited Doctor Yang, which saved her life.

Hearing this, Jiang Yingwan didn’t immediately think of being grateful for surviving. Instead, she looked serious and asked, “Li’er, how did you come into contact with Jiu Qian Sui?”

Although her husband had some dealings with the Duke while he was alive, it wasn’t that close; just normal official matters. After the Jiu Qian Sui left the frontier, they had not met again.

If he had saved her daughter’s life, she naturally should be grateful. But… That person was too frightening. She didn’t want Li’er to have too much to do with him.

“That day I went to the Duke’s residence for a banquet and met the Duke in a pavilion. While I was greeting him, Chun Hua came to tell me that you were seriously ill. In my panic, I asked him for help. Perhaps out of respect for his connection to my father, he went to find Doctor Yang,” Shen Qing Li explained, partly truthfully. The matter of the engagement could wait until her mother recovered.

Jiang Yingwan pondered for a moment. Something felt off, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

She took Shen Qing Li’s hand and said gravely, “Li’er, the Jiu Qian Sui is a man of deep secrets and sharp methods. Your father never dared to get too close to such powerful people. You’re about to get married; you mustn’t get involved with him.”

“If you meet him again, be cautious and avoid offending him.”

Shen Qing Li didn’t entirely agree with her mother’s words. Jun Mo Ran, as the War God of the Great Zhou, was a skilled strategist, which was normal among ministers. But he wasn’t a man who killed without reason. Her mother was weak right now, so she didn’t argue but only responded vaguely.

Jiang Yingwan’s gaze lingered on the two expensive boxes of herbs, and her suspicions wouldn’t go away.

It wasn’t until Tianxing brought in the medicine that Jiang Yingwan stopped her warnings. Shen Qing Li helped her mother take the medicine, fed her half a bowl of porridge, and then she went back to sleep.

Shen Qing Li climbed onto the roof alone, gazing at the bright crescent moon. Her mind was filled with recent events. The series of changes left her feeling uncertain.

…Jun Mo Ran.

That rainy meeting seemed to have brought him suddenly into her life.

He was the Jiu Qian Sui, who was rumored to avoid women.

What was his intention?

Apart from some money, she had nothing worth coveting.

And that person… did not lack money, nor would he be after her money.

Could it be… because of her?

The thought made Shen Qing Li’s face turn red.

The next morning, the weather was muggy, as though another rain was coming.

After one night, Jiang Yingwan was much better and could sit up on her own.

As soon as Shen Qing Li arrived, Jiang Yingwan called her over. “These are the items Tianxing found for me in the storeroom yesterday. I heard that Doctor Yang is fond of Bai Shi’s calligraphy and paintings. Please deliver them to him later.”

Shen Qing Li was relieved to see her mother thinking of such things, which meant she was recovering well. In a good mood, she agreed. After having breakfast with her mother, she left for the Yang family’s medical clinic.

Shengjing is divided into four districts: East Noble, West Wealthy, South Peaceful, and North Lowly.

The Eastern District is where the aristocrats gather. The Yongwang Marquis Residence was located at the more peripheral edge of it. The Western District is home to wealthy families. After retiring from the Imperial Medical Academy, Doctor Yang now resides in the Western District. The Southern District houses commoners and lower-ranking officials, while the Northern District is a melting pot of people from various backgrounds.

Shen Qing Li traversed the bustling market and easily found the Yang Residence in the Western District by asking around. Opposite the Yang Residence, there was a medical clinic run by Doctor Yang’s son. He had opened this clinic after feeling constrained during his two years at the Imperial Medical Academy. Despite his reserved nature, his clinic had gained a wide reputation, attracting many high-ranking officials for treatment.

Upon arriving at the clinic, Shen Qing Li saw Yun Sheng, who was equally surprised to see her and greeted her. She avoided Yun Sheng’s courtesy. Since he was the Duke’s personal bodyguard, she was technically supposed to salute him.

She glanced around but did not see Jun Mo Ran. “Guard Yun, did you arrive at the clinic early?”

Yun Sheng did not hide the truth. “To be honest, I did not come early in the morning. I stayed here overnight. The Lord Jiu was seriously injured two days ago and had a fever yesterday. After attending to Lady Shen’s matter, he came directly to the clinic and hasn’t returned since.”

Shen Qingli felt a pang of sympathy when she heard this. No wonder when she touched the back of his hand yesterday, it was burning hot. She thought it was just her imagination.

“So… where is he now? How is he doing?”

Seeing Lady Shen’s concern, Yun Sheng was pleased; it meant his master’s efforts might not be in vain. “Lady Shen, please follow me.” Yun Sheng took the medicine and led Shen Qing Li to the Yang Residence.

Shen Qing Li forgot about delivering the calligraphy and followed Yun Sheng into the Yang Residence. She was brought to a quiet and elegantly decorated courtyard. Jun Mo Ran was sitting shirtless in the courtyard, accompanied by Doctor Yang and a round-faced young woman who was smiling and talking to him. Jun Mo Ran’s spoke with a gentle gaze, and they appeared to be having a pleasant conversation. Shen Qing Li’s heart sank, and she suddenly felt that she shouldn’t have come.

“Doctor Yang, the medicine has been brought back.” Yun Sheng’s voice broke the atmosphere and drew everyone’s attention. When Jun Mo Ran saw Shen Qing Li standing behind Yun Sheng, he carelessly put on his outer robe and said, “Lady Shen? ”

She lowered her head, feeling uncomfortable. She had arrived just as he put his clothes on, and she felt like an outsider…

Before she could say anything, Yun Sheng explained, “I ran into Lady Shen when I was picking up the medicine, and I told her that my master was here receiving treatment. She was worried, so she came along with me.”

Jun Mo Ran glared at Yun Sheng. He hadn’t wanted her to see him in such a weak, injured state.

That glance was caught by Shen Qing Li, and she realized she had overthought things. He didn’t want to see her after all.

Shen Qing Li quickly spoke, “I heard that the Jiu Qian Sui was injured, so I came to visit. Now that I see you’re fine, I’ll take my leave.”