Qi Mingxuan guessed that Li Shu might know his claimed identity was false, but he would never have imagined that Li Shu had a god’s perspective. Not only did Li Shu know his true identity, but he also knew every detail of what he was about to do next.
The recovery time from his injuries passed quickly, and whether it was his illusion or not, this time his injuries seemed to heal exceptionally fast.
Li Xinuo was concerned about the person she entrusted to her brother for recovery, and visited more frequently. One day, she went out with her personal maid as usual and was stopped midway.
“Where is Sister Xinuo going?”
The one stopping her was Li Yang.
After blowing in the cold wind on the day they visited Xian Guo Temple, Li Yang fell ill that night. Hearing that Li Xinuo and Li Shu were getting closer, he specifically came to take a look.
Li Xinuo remembered what Li Shu had told her and naturally wouldn’t take Li Yang with her. She only said, “I’m about to pay respects to Mother.”
“I haven’t paid respects to Mother for a while either. In that case, let my sister and I go together.” Li Yang glanced at the sun hanging high in the sky but didn’t expose Li Xinuo’s lie.
With the conversation at this point, pushing it further would be too deliberate. Li Xinuo signaled her maid with a look, and together with Li Yang, they went to Madam Zuo’s courtyard.
Li Xinuo hadn’t come, so Li Shu had to take the medicine to Qi Mingxuan himself. Earlier, to facilitate the development of feelings between the male and female protagonists, Li Xinuo had been doing this job.
On pushing the door open, he saw Qi Mingxuan who was leaning against the headboard reading.
Qi Mingxuan heard the sound and looked up. Upon seeing the young man carrying a bowl of medicine, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. Although they lived under the same roof, they didn’t really spend much time together. He saw more of the young man’s sister than the young man.
Li Shu handed him the medicine, and Qi Mingxuan silently drank it.
Calculating the days, it was time for Qi Mingxuan’s subordinates to arrive.
“Let me see your injuries,” Li Shu placed the empty medicine bowl back on the table.
Knowing he was skilled in medicine, this time Qi Mingxuan didn’t resist and willingly extended his hand for Li Shu to check his pulse.
Li Shu’s slender and tender fingers touched his pulse, bringing a slight coolness. Qi Mingxuan endured and didn’t repeat his disrespectful behavior.
This was the first time he had personally handed his fate over to someone else.
Li Shu lowered his eyes slightly and seemed not to feel the tension in Qi Mingxuan’s body. He retracted his hand and said, “You’ve recovered well.”
1314 detected that the male protagonist’s life value had stabilized at 70%, indicating he was out of danger. As long as he took good care of himself, he would recover soon.
Li Shu, on the one hand, was checking Qi Mingxuan’s pulse and, on the other hand, allowed the system to assess the male protagonist’s physical condition through their physical contact.
“This must be thanks to the doctor’s excellent medical skills.” Qi Mingxuan looked at Li Shu as he said this, and the meaning of his words was self-evident. He was well aware of the severity of his injuries, and the rapid recovery within a short period demonstrated Li Shu’s medical skills.
“Yes,” Li Shu responded indifferently, accepting the compliment on behalf of the system.
Qi Mingxuan was accustomed to his cold and indifferent attitude. He was about to say something when Qinghe hurriedly entered. She approached Li Shu, whispered something.
Li Shu narrowed his eyes and raised the corner of his lips mockingly. “I understand. You can leave for now.”
Finally, someone couldn’t resist taking action.
Qinghe lowered her head and withdrew.
Li Shu had always shown an indifferent demeanor in front of Qi Mingxuan and this was the first time Qi Mingxuan saw a different expression on him. He couldn’t help but ask with curiosity, “Did I cause trouble for you?”
These days, he hasn’t left this room due to his injuries. The only people he had seen were the young man, the girl who saved him, and the maid in green who had just retreated. He assumed the young man hadn’t revealed his existence.
Li Shu stopped his actions. “No, it has nothing to do with you. Just rest and recuperate peacefully.”
‘Is he caring about me?’ Qi Mingxuan looked at the young man and followed his gaze outside the window. The sunlight was bright, a rare sunny day in winter.
This winter seemed warmer than previous years.
After Li Yang accompanied Li Xinuo to pay respects to Madam Zuo, he didn’t continue following her. Instead, he bid her farewell at the intersection and chose another direction to leave. Li Xinuo stood at the intersection for a while, then left with her maid.
She didn’t know why Li Yang suddenly approached her, but just in case, she didn’t go to Li Shu’s place again.
When the intersection was empty, Li Yang, who should have left, walked out from another small path. His eyes were obscure, and he whispered, “Is what you said true?”
“The servant saw it with her own eyes, there are absolutely no lies.”
As the words fell, the maid in pink walked out from the small path Li Yang had just passed. Her eyes were like autumn water, charming and captivating; she was none other than Li Shu’s maid, Xiao Tao.
Li Yang suddenly turned around, unexpectedly catching Xiao Tao off guard. He grabbed her chin and forced her to lift her head. His tone had neither joy nor anger, “You are the servant by my elder brother’s side. What benefit do you gain from this?”
‘Why is it different from what I expected?!’ Xiao Tao’s eyes flashed with a hint of panic, and after steadying her mind, she said, “People always seek higher positions. The eldest master had Qinghe by his side, and Qinghe always disliked this servant. Under her, this servant…”
The incomplete words, especially when combined with her seemingly cute demeanor, could easily spark people’s imagination.
“I’ll trust you for now. Don’t discuss this matter with anyone. You know the consequences of defying my orders.” Li Yang released her and gave her a stern look.
Everyone in the prime minister’s house knew more or less about Li Yang’s past “great achievements”. Thinking about the little maid carried out of his room covered in blood, Xiao Tao couldn’t help but shudder.
Suppressing the fear in her heart, Xiao Tao bowed, “Third Young Master, rest assured, I won’t utter a single word about what shouldn’t be said.”
“You may leave.”
“Yes.”
Li Yang fiddled with the jade pendant hanging from his waist, pondering the truth in Xiao Tao’s words. If what she said was true, there was an unidentified person hiding in his eldest brother’s room, and this person had an unclear relationship with the mansion’s young lady, Li Xinuo. In that case, this was a perfect opportunity to take revenge for getting exposed to the cold wind.
If the evidence was handed to him on a silver platter, wouldn’t it be a waste not to live up to the heavens’ goodwill?
Three days passed quickly, and it was soon time to leave Xian Guo Temple. These three days were calm, like the last tranquility before a storm.
Li Xinuo visited less these days. Firstly, Qi Mingxuan’s condition had stabilized, and as an unmarried woman, it wasn’t appropriate to visit him frequently. Secondly, Li Yang’s unusual behavior served as a warning to her. With numerous eyes at Xian Guo Temple, she needed to be cautious in all aspects.
She sent various medicinal herbs through her maid, and entrusted the patient to Li Shu so that she didn’t have to come over every day.
If the female protagonist didn’t come, Li Shu naturally wouldn’t force her.
1314 couldn’t understand: [Host, why did you agree to the female protagonist’s request? If the female protagonist doesn’t come, how will you cultivate the relationship between the two?]
Li Shu inserted the dew-covered plum blossoms into a narrow-necked porcelain bottle, and calmly replied: [Our main goal this time is to prevent the Left Prime Minister from discovering the relationship between the two and then use the female protagonist. The plot line where the female protagonist saves the male protagonist has been accomplished. The matter of cultivating their relationship can be done slowly in the future.]
As long as the thorns on the path of their relationship are removed, the final happiness value will surely be higher than before.
‘Why does everything feel off?’ 1314 rubbed its metaphorical head. ‘Forget it, I won’t dwell on it. I can’t influence the host’s thoughts anyway.’
“I’m leaving,” Qi Mingxuan sat across from Li Shu with a complicated expression.
His recent recovery was exceptionally fast, not only the recent injuries were healed, but also some old chronic ailments. During this time, only the young man had been treating him. It was evident who deserved the credit.
But this person maintained an indifferent expression in his presence, and didn’t even mention the treatment of his long-standing ailments. What could he be thinking?
Li Shu’s hands paused for a moment. He nodded to indicate he understood, and continued the unfinished task.
The male protagonist’s subordinates came two days ago. However, at that time, the male protagonist could barely get out of bed, let alone leave without alerting anyone. Now that his injuries no longer hindered his movements, Li Shu was not surprised that he chose this time to leave.
Li Shu didn’t lift his head throughout, his eyes remained fixed on the plum blossom in his hand. It seemed that in his eyes, a living person before him couldn’t compare to the plum blossom in his hand. For some reason, Qi Mingxuan felt a surge of discomfort. ‘What was so appealing about a plum blossom? Why not look at me?’
!!!
After realizing what he was thinking, Qi Mingxuan momentarily lost composure, and quickly lifted his teacup as a cover.
“Thank you young master and Miss Li for helping, I will repay this favor in the future,” Qi Mingxuan said with a complex expression, stood up and bowed deeply to Li Shu.
“There’s no need for such formality,” Li Shu supported Qi Mingxuan by his arm and helped him up. “My sister saved you out of kindness; there’s no need for you to repay her. As for me, I only assisted my sister, there’s no need for you to repay me with anything.”
The real effort to save someone should be credited to the system. Besides, his goal was to complete the mission.
“Okay,” Qi Mingxuan rose with Li Shu’s support. He agreed verbally, but his thoughts remained his own.
Qi Mingxuan left quietly that night, without disturbing anyone.
He recovered and left three days earlier than in the original plot.
Li Shu’s chamber was secluded, and due to his preparations for the imperial examination, the Left Prime Minister had specifically instructed not to disturb him as much as possible, so very few people came by. However, today was different; there was a commotion outside early in the morning, disrupting his peaceful sleep.
After putting on an outer garment, Li Shu opened the door. The cold wind howled towards him, making him shudder. Tightening his coat, he asked, “Father, why are you coming at this hour?”
Standing outside the door was Left Minister Li Cheng with a frosty expression, followed by Li Yang, who had a gloating expression.
Seeing Li Yang, Li Shu instantly understood; most likely, it was related to Qi Mingxuan.
“Why ask knowingly, big brother? Do you really not know why father is here?” Li Yang could hardly hide the malice in his eyes. Everything was arranged. After today, would father still pay attention to him?
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Li Shu frowned slightly, and deliberately stood in the middle of the door, blocking the two people’s view.
Li Yang saw this as a guilty conscience, and the pride in his heart increased. “I heard that our good sister hid an unidentified man in big brother’s room. If this is untrue, why not let father and I take a look inside?”
“Father thinks the same way?” Li Shu looked at Li Cheng.
Li Cheng didn’t speak, but he tacitly approved of Li Yang’s actions. Apparently, he supported Li Yang’s words.
Li Shu sighed softly, “Since that’s the case, come in.”
He then stepped aside. Li Cheng entered first, and Li Shu followed him and asked, “If what the Third Brother said is untrue, what will Father do?”
“If he falsely accuses you, I will naturally punish him,” Li Cheng continued walking, and said, “Those who make mistakes should be punished.”
Qi tan lindo~