Chu Ruoyan understood.
Before coming to her, Yan Shu must have already visited the Nanping Earl’s residence—perhaps even used the marriage arrangement as leverage, likely at Old Madam Xie’s suggestion.
But this also revealed one thing…
"Madam Liu, the people you’ve sought help from—you’ve probably exhausted all options, haven’t you?"
Yan Shu’s eyes widened in shock.
How did she know?
Just yesterday, after Mr. Liu was arrested, she had rushed around with silver in hand, pleading for aid. Only the Xie family had let her through their doors.
Her grandaunt had said, "Who among the nobility in the capital doesn’t know how Yan Zheng beheaded the Marquis of Pingjing in court? He dares to kill even the Empress Dowager’s nephew—who would dare cross him now?"
In the end, the old woman had advised her to try her luck with the eldest daughter of the Chu family, since she had once done Yan Zheng a favor…
Chu Ruoyan saw the truth in her expression and smiled faintly. "If that’s the case, then I’m your last hope. Madam Liu, I can take this risk. At worst, I’ll lose a marriage prospect. But what about you?"
"Earl Changlu swapped military weapons and embezzled army provisions—either crime warrants the execution of his entire clan. Do you dare gamble with me?"
Yan Shu trembled, fear flashing in her eyes.
She dropped to her knees at once. "I was wrong—I shouldn’t have threatened you! Miss Chu, please, show mercy and help me this once!"
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Soon, her forehead was smeared with blood from the frantic kowtowing.
Chu Ruoyan watched impassively. "Yulu, Nanny Zhou, escort our guest out."
The two promptly entered and hauled her up.
Yan Shu struggled, crying out, "Miss Chu! Miss Chu! I’m his fourth sister! Mr. Liu is his brother-in-law! Do you want him to bear the shame of killing his own kin? You can’t do this!"
Nanny Zhou had heard enough. Coldly, she retorted, "What nonsense is this, Countess Changlu? Even the Son of Heaven is bound by the law. Your husband committed treason—he deserves death. If anything, the world will praise Lord Yan for upholding justice. How could they blame him? You must be out of your mind. Our young lady is weary and shouldn’t have to endure such ravings. Out with you!"
With that, she and Yulu each took an arm and dragged Yan Shu away.
Chu Ruoyan massaged her temples as Chu Jing emerged from behind the hall screen.
"Auntie…"
She started to rise, but Chu Jing pressed her back into the chair. "Say no more. I stand with you on this. If the Xie family truly uses this to coerce you, then it’s better to call off the engagement!"
Chu Ruoyan nodded. Noticing her pallor, Chu Jing asked, "What’s wrong? Still troubled by this?"
Chu Ruoyan sighed. "I was just thinking about the Yan family. How could they all be like this? Grandma Yan despised her own grandson over a fortune-teller’s words, and Yan Shu—she’d abandon her parents and siblings for a man. I can’t imagine how Yan Zheng endured growing up among them…"
Chu Jing patted her shoulder. "Lord Yan of Anning is truly pitiable. If not for his crippled legs, even if he couldn’t return to the battlefield, he might’ve had a future as a civil official. Alas."
Chu Ruoyan’s heart stirred.
In her dream, he had indeed abandoned martial arts for politics, rising to the position of Grand Secretary in just three years.
But in the dream, he had bided his time—unlike his recent bold confrontation with the emperor. Would His Majesty now…
Before she could finish the thought, Yulu burst in excitedly. "Miss! The Old Miracle Physician from Bai Xiao Pavilion is here to see you!"
---
In the Bodhi Courtyard, the Old Miracle Physician finished taking her pulse and sighed.
The onlookers tensed—until he muttered, "She’s recovering too quickly. Where’s the fun in that?"
Everyone exhaled in relief. Nanny Zhou hurriedly asked, "So, Old Miracle Physician, does this mean our young lady is fully healed? Her chronic illness won’t trouble her anymore?"
The old man glared. "Do I look like an immortal to you?"
Nanny Zhou shook her head dumbly. He snorted. "Exactly. This girl’s ailments are deeply rooted. She’s alive only thanks to Young Wen’s medicine. Though I’m slightly more skilled than that lad, even I can’t pull her back from the brink in half a month."
Chu Ruoyan was taken aback.
Chief Physician Zhang had called that "Young Wen" a master physician, yet this old man addressed him so casually. What was his background?
And Young Master Lang—he seemed barely in his twenties. Where did he find such talents?
"Alright, here’s my ‘Tranquil Life Elixir.’ The effects are similar to Young Wen’s, but I’ve reduced the toxicity and added some tonics. Take it for a month, and we’ll see."
He then noticed the wounds on her hands. "Tsk, girl, why are you always in trouble? Fine, fine. To spare Young Master Lang’s nagging, take this ‘Jade Beauty Balm’ too."
He tossed over a porcelain vial. Nanny Zhou caught it with trembling hands. "T-this really is Jade Beauty Balm?!"
This was the current obsession of the capital’s elite—able to whiten skin and erase scars. A thumb-sized jar sold for a hundred taels of gold!
This vial’s contents were worth ten thousand gold!
The old man scowled at her disbelief. "Of course it is! This stuff’s easy to make—I’ve got piles of it in my workshop. Don’t believe me? I’ll haul a cartload here tomorrow!"
Nanny Zhou clamped her mouth shut.
Chu Ruoyan rubbed her brow. So he was the creator of the famed balm.
But of course—no matter how miraculous, its exorbitant price relied on Bai Xiao Pavilion’s marketing.
"Thank you for the medicine, Old Miracle Physician. But a cart won’t be necessary. Yulu, fetch the consultation fee—"
He waved her off. "No need! Gold’s too heavy for these old bones. If you really want to thank me…" His eyes gleamed as he lowered his voice, "Next time, get hurt worse. On death’s door, ideally. I’ll treat you for free!"
Chu Ruoyan nearly choked before managing to usher him out.
---
Yulu uncorked the vial and gasped. "Miss! It is Jade Beauty Balm! When Madam bought a tiny jar before, I recognized this scent!"
Nanny Zhou stared, awed. "Good heavens… This isn’t a physician—he’s the God of Wealth incarnate!"
Selling this could fund them for years!
But Chu Ruoyan said, "Store the balm safely. Then portion out a small jar for Third Sister—she was injured at Guardian Temple too. Let her use it."
Yulu hesitated. Nanny Zhou hinted, "Miss, though your relationship with Madam has improved… don’t forget the past."
She was warning against misplaced kindness. But Chu Ruoyan had her reasons—and Chu Ruolan was key.
"Go. I know what I’m doing."
---
When the balm arrived, Chu Ruolan was ecstatic. "Mother! See? As long as we don’t oppose her, benefits come our way!"
Lady Jiang the Younger eyed the jar suspiciously. "Your sister really didn’t take silver from the household accounts?"
A hundred gold taels equaled ten thousand silver!
Ruolan’s minor scrapes didn’t warrant such extravagance!
Yulu kept a straight face, though she nearly laughed.
Seeing this, Lady Jiang the Younger said nothing more, only advising Chu Ruolan to use it sparingly in case there would be need for it later.
Yet no sooner had she left than Chu Ruolan summoned her maid: "Quick—take this Yulu Cream to Sister Gu. I heard she used two small boxes and recovered quite well, but unfortunately, she has run out..."
