It Was A Fake Marriage, But Jiu Qian Sui Took It Seriously - Chapter 7

In a moment, Jun Mo Ran regained his calm and adjusted his sleeves.

“Have you thought it through? Breaking off an engagement isn’t something to be taken lightly. Once it’s done, there’s no turning back,” he said, looking at the girl’s gentle yet stubborn eyes.

Qing Li firmly replied, “I’ve thought it through. I won’t regret it.”

“Your Highness, about the Jiang family…”

“Weren’t you calling me Brother Mo Ran before?”

Qing Li was puzzled by this sudden change in topic. He seemed to be in a good mood, but what did this have to do with breaking off the engagement?

“…Your Highness?” she hesitantly looked at his smiling eyes, feeling a warmth like spring.

Jun Mo Ran seemed to understand her confusion and helped her up from the ground again. “Call me Brother Jun… or rather, just call me Lord Jun. You don’t need to kneel when you see me.”

Qing Li was anxious, not knowing why he suddenly cared about the title. Fortunately, he didn’t insist on being called Brother Jun, as she couldn’t bring herself to use such an intimate term now.

“Lord Jun.”

“Because of Jiang Zhi Li…”

Her soft and clear voice made Jun Mo Ran’s eyes light up.

“Lord Jun agrees.”

Qing Li hadn’t even explained her reasons when she heard him agree. The words she had prepared circled on her tongue and were swallowed back down. She stared blankly. “I haven’t even given a reason.”

Jun Mo Ran laughed without restraint, his voice filled with disdain. “If you’re unhappy, just break it off. Why do you need a reason?”

Shin Qing Li’s heart trembled.

What did he mean by this?

A sudden panic filled her heart, but she forced herself to stay calm.

Chun Hua ran over anxiously from a distance, not bothering to salute, and urgently said, “Young lady, there’s a message from the mansion. Madam… Madam might not be well.”

Chun Hua had come with her from the border to Shengjing, and the Madam she referred to was Jiang Yingwan, her mother.

Qing Li’s mind went blank, and her legs instantly lost strength. A pair of strong hands caught her waist, preventing her from falling off the pavilion.

“What… what did you say?”

She was unaware that she was in another man’s arms, her heart feeling like it was tied in knots. With cold fingers, she held onto him and stood up.

Go back!

She still needed to take her mother and run away.

“Don’t panic.” His voice seemed to have a calming effect, and Shin Qing Li quickly settled down.

Jun Mo Ran gave quick orders: “Take my carriage back, Yun Sheng; use my waist token to invite Doctor Yang to the mansion immediately.”

Doctor Yang was the former head of the Imperial Medical Institute. Though he had retired due to old age, his medical skills were exceptional. Qing Li had wanted him to treat her mother but couldn’t even get an invitation through.

If it weren’t for the urgency, Qing Li would’ve knelt down to thank him.

The carriage sped along and reached the Yongwang Marquis’ residence in half the usual time.

When Qing Li arrived at her mother’s courtyard, many people were already there, including almost everyone who could come except her grandfather.

Madam Lu’s (the Grandnother Lu) eyes were slightly red, and she kindly said to Qing Li, “Li’er, go in and see your mother. She’s waiting for you.”

Qing Li’s tears burst out at those words.

She stumbled inside, finding her mother lying there as if sleeping, but her clothes were soaked with bl00d.

The doctor was still by the bed administering acupuncture, while Tian Xing kneeled beside, silently crying. Seeing the young lady, she burst into tears. “Young lady, Madam suddenly coughed up a lot of bl00d and hasn’t opened her eyes since.”

“Doctor, is my mother going to be alright?”

Qing Li’s eyes were full of hope, wishing the doctor would say everything was fine.

The doctor looked helpless and gently shook his head. “I’m afraid my skills are inadequate to treat her.”

He sighed and left.

Qing Li couldn’t control herself and kneeled by the bed, crying out loud.

She trembled as she held her mother’s hand against her face, still warm, hoping she was just sleeping and would wake up after a few days like many times before.

Chun Hua came forward, holding Qing Li, and choked out, “Young lady, the Duke has invited Doctor Yang. Madam will be fine.”

Qing Li stubbornly held onto her mother’s hand, calling her softly again and again.

Doctor Yang’s arrival caused a stir in the Yongwang Marquis’ residence. The Marquis personally greeted him at the door, “Doctor Yang, it’s an honor to have you. Please, have a seat.”

Doctor Yang, looking quite spirited despite his old age, brushed off the Marquis’ hand and said loudly, “Have a seat? I heard your daughter is dying, and you can still sit?”

Ignoring the Marquis’ reaction, he hurried after Yun Sheng to the side courtyard.

Qing Li was driven out of the room by Doctor Yang and saw her long-absent grandfather chatting with Yun Sheng.

To please her grandfather, her mother had spent so much silver. Now, in this life-and-death moment, he was less than a stranger.

Qing Li didn’t thank Yun Sheng; she owed Jun Mo Ran far more than a simple thank you could repay. She anxiously waited at the door, praying to all the gods.

As night fell, the courtyard gradually emptied, leaving only Shin Qing Li, a few maids, and Yun Sheng, waiting for further instructions.

The door creaked open, and the tired Doctor Yang, supported by his apprentice, stepped out, looking serious. “If Madam wakes within three days, she will be fine; if not…”

…There was still hope; it is yet far from death.

Qing Li knelt down and gave a sincere bow to Doctor Yang, “Thank you for your great kindness; I will never forget it.”

Doctor Yang’s apprentice stayed to care for the patient, while Doctor Yang was escorted out by Yun Sheng.

The night was more dangerous for her mother’s condition. Qing Li told Tian Xing to rest first and switch with her in the middle of the night, while Chun Hua took care of things during the day. Only the three of them were allowed to attend to her mother.

Qing Li stayed up all night. The next morning, Doctor Yang’s apprentice checked her mother’s pulse, his expression still serious. After administering acupuncture, he adjusted the prescription and personally went to prepare the medicine, giving detailed care instructions. The danger was not yet over.

Chun Hua brought breakfast, her eyes swollen from crying, and whispered, “Young lady, you haven’t slept all night. Eat something and rest. If Madam wakes up and sees you have worn yourself out, she will be upset.”

Qing Li knew there were still two days left, so she forced herself to eat some porridge and prepared to sleep on the small couch behind the screen.

Aunt Lu, twisting her round waist, entered the room, holding a handkerchief to her nose with a frown. “I came to visit your mother. Where is Li’er?”

“Aunt,” Qing Li stepped out from behind the screen and greeted her politely.

Aunt Lu took Qing Li’s hand and started to lead her outside. “Let’s go to Zhaohui Hall. Your grandmother has some good news to announce.”

Qing Li felt her eyelids twitch, and a sense of foreboding rose in her heart.

Aunt Lu didn’t reveal anything on the way.