In the end, An Ning still decided to keep An Bingfeng’s situation a secret.

As for whether it can be kept hidden in the end, and for how long, that would depend on the will of the heavens.

An Ning said, "He went to the county for some matters and hasn’t returned yet. I’m afraid he got delayed by something. I’ll ask Lu Xiu to go to the county and check, then bring him back..." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"Alright, go quickly." It was almost dark, and An Yu still hadn’t returned. Madam Yan was already burning with worry and unease.

Lu Xiu made a trip to the county, but An Yu did not return that night.

The next morning, Madam Yan was still worried.

But she had no other choice, only repeatedly asking An Ning.

An Ning had no solution either, "The imperial exams are approaching, and with his talent, he will definitely participate this year. It’s inevitable that he’s a bit busy. Mother, try not to worry too much."

"I know that, I just worry because he left in such a hurry and didn’t return for a whole night. I don’t know what’s going on, and my heart just can’t settle down."

She knew she wasn’t very capable, and the children wouldn’t share their concerns with her. But as a mother, no matter how capable her children were, she couldn’t help but worry about them.

"I’ll go check." An Ning said.

An Ning went to find Lu Xiu, and together they went to the County Office.

In the room, An Yu sat by An Bingfeng’s bedside, looking haggard.

An Ning asked, "Is he still not awake?"

An Yu turned his head, saw An Ning, and nodded, "Not yet. He’s taken his medicine. The doctor said once the toxins clear up, he should wake up."

An Ning’s purpose was not about An Bingfeng; asking was just out of habit.

Thinking, An Ning continued, "You didn’t come back last night, mother is very worried about you. You should return and comfort her."

Otherwise, she didn’t know how to explain An Yu suddenly not returning home.

"Please take care of mother. I might not be able to return for a few days." An Yu also knew that An Ning would not agree to him telling Madam Yan about An Bingfeng’s arrival there.

But clearly, An Bingfeng needed him there more, so as his son, An Yu had to stay.

An Ning: "Got it, I’ll tell her that you’ve already been taken back to the capital city by people sent by An Bingfeng. Once he’s well, you’ll leave with him and not come back."

An Ning was merely stating a fact, but to An Yu, her words were incredibly harsh.

After so long accompanying her, she could be so cold-hearted, saying such things as if he shouldn’t return in the future.

An Yu was very angry, "An Ning, the person lying in bed poisoned and unconscious is also your father!"

This time, An Ning didn’t hesitate at all, "You’re wrong, he’s your father, not mine."

From the moment he chose to abandon them, he lost the right to be her father.

And she had grown up. During the times she needed a father’s protection the most, he wasn’t there. Now, she no longer needed someone who had a legitimate reason to control her.

At that moment, An Yu was only focused on talking to An Ning. Neither of them noticed the eyelids of An Bingfeng, who was lying in bed, suddenly twitch, then slowly open...