Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 691 - 692: The Fire Begins (Part 1)

"Can she cure Young Master Xu’s illness?" Ruan Jingliu asked with a serious expression.

Xiqiu nodded, sitting opposite Ruan Jingliu at the edge of the kang. She was also full of doubts: "She spoke very confidently, and she knows Cousin’s condition well." She paused and added, "She said that it would only take three days, and he would recover after three days."

Although she hoped Xu Tianqing’s illness could be cured to spare him from suffering any longer, what the Third Madam said was too bizarre. Moreover, Xiao Yancheng and Fourth Master Xiao had disagreements, so she couldn’t let the Third Madam treat Xu Tianqing at ease.

Therefore, when the Third Madam brought it up, she refused without hesitation, recalling the expression and words of the Third Madam at that time: "Fourth sister-in-law... you will regret it!"

Xiqiu allowed herself a faint smile.

The Third Madam furrowed her brows, gave a cold smirk, and swept away with her sleeves...

Ruan Jingliu bowed her head, lost in thought.

Xiqiu then glanced at her and asked, "Sister Jingliu, is Cousin really poisoned or is it a strange illness?"

Ruan Jingliu was startled, looked up at her, her eyes flickered, and then she nodded affirmatively: "It’s a kind of poison, a poison that only exists in Miaojiang!" While saying this, Ruan Jingliu sighed internally; if it were only poison, it would be easier to handle.

"Miao Poison?" Xiqiu frowned deeply. "Did Cousin go to Miaojiang? Who would poison him?" She couldn’t help but think of the mute around him. His appearance didn’t resemble someone from the Central Plains. Could it be that Xu Tianqing had been to Miaojiang and was inadvertently poisoned there? 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

She felt something was amiss, but what was it?

As if sensing Xiqiu’s thoughts, Ruan Jingliu remained silent for a moment before adding, "I checked the mute around him; he was originally a normal person who could speak, but it was caused by poisoning later on." Regardless of Xiqiu’s surprise, Ruan Jingliu asked, "The Third Madam is from Miaojiang, so maybe she really can cure it. You..." Ruan Jingliu didn’t know about the matters between Xiao Yancheng and Fourth Master Xiao.

"No!" Xiqiu shook her head firmly and replied to Ruan Jingliu, "You haven’t met Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law... Their behavior is too bizarre. Intuition tells me that Third Sister-in-law doesn’t seem like someone who would help others out of kindness. Even if she were, given our different standings, she wouldn’t come to our door to help us!"

Ruan Jingliu frowned and looked at Xiqiu saying, "When will Fourth Master return today? I have something to ask him." Hearing this, Xiqiu replied, "He won’t come back for lunch; there’s a lot happening at court recently, so I can’t say for sure when he’ll return."

"I don’t have anything to do today; I’ll wait here."

Xiqiu still had her eyes downcast, pondering the Third Madam’s motives. Since Third Master and Third Madam returned to the manor, they had been very quiet except for occasional disturbances caused by Lyuzhu. Their conduct could almost be described as compliant, but the quieter they were, the more uneasy she felt. What were they planning?

"You are pregnant, so don’t worry too much..." Ruan Jingliu held her hand and placed a finger on her pulse, saying, "Everything should be prioritized for the child. You think this way, and surely the Great Governor does too."

Listening to this, Xiqiu sighed and voiced her feelings: "If it were usual times, he would have been the first to go to Wei Hui or Yangzhou. The Emperor’s decree was sent out one or two days ago, and the Min Family hasn’t said anything about coming to the capital to meet the Emperor. Their intent and attitude are self-evident. Jiangnan is also unstable; fortunately, the Emperor hasn’t made it difficult for him. Otherwise, for my sake and the child’s, he’d be caught in a dilemma." She paused before adding, "If the imperial command is unavoidable, I’m thinking of taking Min back to my parents’ home for a while, so Fourth Master can handle court affairs with peace of mind."

"I don’t see Fourth Master having any intention to go on a campaign," Ruan Jingliu thought for a moment and replied, "The Min Family cannot form a climate, and they are still watching Prince Rong’s movements. Presently, Prince Rong is still in the capital, and even Princess Rong and the young prince, not to mention the Empress Dowager, are all in the Emperor’s hands. The Min Family wouldn’t foolishly act as a wedding dress for others; they will only act after confirming that Princess Rong and the young prince are safe."

Xiqiu had thought about this before, only to sigh again, "That day before General Han set out on the campaign, he stayed with Fourth Master in the study for an entire night. I heard that Han Cheng was given a meticulously detailed map of the eight prefectures of Henan, with detailed routes for advance and retreat..."

Ruan Jingliu’s eyes moved slightly as she looked at Xiqiu and smiled: "The Great Governor seems to be inherently born for war."

Xiqiu also smiled and shook her head, remembering that he was born in Miaojiang and landed in a military tent; what else could it be but the battlefield!

Fourth Master Xiao and Shen Ji stood on either side, as the current Emperor, dressed in a bright yellow Dragon Robe, sat solemnly at the imperial desk. With thick eyebrows and big eyes, the corners of his eyes had faint wrinkles, his nose wasn’t very high but his lips were full, and his frame was slightly plump... Looking at Fourth Master Xiao he asked in a deep voice, "Fourth, Huang Da is stepping down, and the West Mountain cannot be left without supervision. Who do you think should take this position?"

Fourth Master Xiao furrowed his brow slightly and thought for a moment, glancing at Shen Ji. Shen Ji stood with hands at his sides, and Fourth Master Xiao replied, "Elder General Chen!"

The Emperor paused slightly, while Shen Ji asked, "Elder General Chen?" He thought again and added, "If I recall correctly, Elder General Chen is already sixty years old this year. Can he handle it?"

Without offering much explanation, Fourth Master Xiao simply nodded slightly.

Elder General Chen was a veteran minister of three reigns. When Marquis Xuanning led a campaign in Miaojiang, Elder General Chen served as the deputy general, having been seasoned through many battles, and was now retired at home. In Fourth Master Xiao’s view, letting him manage the West Mountain Camp was an underutilization of his talents.

Shen Ji was still somewhat hesitant, looking at Fourth Master Xiao and asking, "This matter is of great importance. I’m afraid his advanced age may..." Before he could finish speaking, the Emperor waved his hand and said, "In my view, do as the Fourth suggests and finalize this matter at tomorrow’s early court."

Shen Ji paused and did not continue to oppose, feeling guilty about the relief grain issue, and having already received a mild reproach from the Emperor. With such a significant decision at hand, he dared not raise further objections, so he hunched his shoulders and refrained from speaking up.

The Emperor paused, glanced at the memorials on the table, and meaningfully said, "Today is already the third day!"

Without preamble nor explanation, but both Fourth Master Xiao and Shen Ji understood the Emperor was referring to the Min Family. The decree was rushed eight hundred li, and although the Min Family couldn’t possibly reach the capital immediately, there had been no feedback, and even those sent from the court hadn’t returned. Fourth Master Xiao said nothing, and Shen Ji also remained grim-faced and silent...

"Old Chang." The Emperor turned his head and spoke to Chief Chang, who was waiting on the side: "What did the Imperial Physician say this morning?" Chief Chang bowed and replied, "In response to the Emperor, the Imperial Physician said the Empress Dowager’s headache symptoms are worsening by the day, and the medicine dosage has increased compared to yesterday."

The Emperor nodded thoughtfully, and Chief Chang continued: "Princess Rong is dutifully fulfilling her filial duties, attending unremittingly by the Empress Dowager’s side these two days. The young prince is also well-behaved, playing happily in the back garden with several children personally selected by the servant."

Fourth Master Xiao’s gaze paused, while Shen Ji allowed a trace of a smile to appear at the corner of his mouth.