Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 686 - 688: Strange Illness (2)

"Now we can only wait for him to wake up." Xiqiu sat down next to her and continued, "I don’t know what happened in these two years, how did he end up like this."

Ruan Jingliu listened with raised eyebrows, intrigued, and asked, "I heard he is the son of the Shandong Governor. The mute child by his side says he returned from Shandong. If so, why hasn’t his family found him, and how did he end up in such a state?"

Ruan Jingliu rarely showed interest in others’ pasts, and seeing her ask, Xiqiu didn’t know how to explain, so she summarized, "He left Tong Mansion two years ago. Lord Xu has been looking for him everywhere. As for why he wasn’t found and what happened, I don’t know."

Ruan Jingliu nodded thoughtfully, without asking further.

Xiqiu invited Ruan Jingliu to stay for dinner. When Fourth Master Xiao returned, Xiqiu recounted Xu Tianqing’s situation to him, "...I didn’t see him either, so I’m not sure about his condition. However, from what Jingliu said, it seems like the illness is quite complicated."

"I’ll go and take a look later." Fourth Master Xiao removed his coat and changed into casual wear. "Is there no one with him?" Xiqiu nodded, "They say only a mute child is with him, and I’m not sure what happened."

Fourth Master Xiao nodded, and the two went to the Warm Pavilion to eat with a few others. Fourth Master Xiao then said, "I’ll go check the outer courtyard."

"I should return too, I’ll walk with the Great Governor!" Ruan Jingliu said lightly. Fourth Master Xiao nodded, and Ruan Jingliu turned to Xiqiu, saying, "I’ll come again early tomorrow. You don’t need to worry, although his condition is severe, his life is not in immediate danger. Once I find a treatment method, I’ll let you know in detail!"

Xiqiu agreed, and asked Chunliu to bring coats for Fourth Master Xiao and Ruan Jingliu. Fourth Master Xiao looked back at her, "Go back inside, it’s cold outside!" With that, he and Ruan Jingliu left one after the other.

At the gate of the courtyard, Ruan Jingliu turned and glanced at the main house, then stopped and said to Fourth Master Xiao, "...This young master’s illness is rather peculiar!"

"Hmm?" Fourth Master Xiao also stopped, then Ruan Jingliu pointed forward, "Let’s talk as we walk!"

Fourth Master Xiao nodded, and with hands behind his back, walked with Ruan Jingliu towards the outer courtyard. By the time Ruan Jingliu finished speaking, Fourth Master Xiao’s face had turned completely dark, and he asked, "Are you sure?"

"I am not certain; I only heard about it and have not been in direct contact. As for how to cure it, there are no leads. For now, I can only ensure that his life is not in danger. Finding a complete solution will require me to return and study medical books." With that, she paused as they reached the entrance to Xu Tianqing’s guest courtyard, saying, "I haven’t told Xiqiu about this yet; I wanted to ask the Great Governor’s opinion."

"Don’t tell her." Fourth Master Xiao’s face was shadowed, "Without confirmation, let’s not scare her!"

Ruan Jingliu agreed, replying, "The matter is too filthy; best not to let her overthink it." After pausing for a moment, she said, "I’d better return for now, and I’ll inform you if there are any results."

Fourth Master Xiao acknowledged this, directing someone to see Ruan Jingliu off, then headed directly to the outer courtyard.

He remembered Xu Tianqing, and had previously heard that he left and was missing, yet he hadn’t paid it much mind. Little did he expect him to end up at his door two years later.

A thought crossed his mind regarding the possibility Ruan Jingliu just mentioned. If it truly was as she suggested, the purpose of Xu Tianqing’s arrival required serious consideration.

Xu Tianqing hadn’t woken up yet, but his appearance startled Fourth Master Xiao; had he not known in advance, he wouldn’t have recognized the young man in front of him as the boy he remembered. Instead, the mute child beside him left him puzzled, prompting him to ask aloud, "Where is your ancestral home?"

The mute child knelt on the ground, staring blankly at Fourth Master Xiao. After a while of murmuring unintelligibly, he gestured with his hands, then stood up to write four characters with tea on the tabletop: "Lai Zhou, Shandong."

Fourth Master Xiao shifted his gaze from the tabletop, cast a deep look at the mute child, nodded, and ordered Tianjing, "Assign two servants to attend to him." Then he turned and left the room.

Upon seeing him return, Xiqiu asked, "Did Fourth Master see him? Should we send someone to notify Lord Xu and have our cousin taken back home?"

Fourth Master Xiao furrowed his brows, thought for a moment, and said, "Let’s wait until he wakes up and ask him the reason before deciding." After pausing, he added, "If you’re concerned, you can send someone to invite Wenxian for a visit."

Xiqiu had been thinking the same. After all, she had an indirect relationship with Xu Tianqing, and now being married, she adhered to stricter etiquette than before. With Tong Shen Zhi handling affairs, whether it be making decisions or other matters, it was more convenient.

"Go freshen up, Fourth Master. You haven’t had a good rest these days." Fourth Master Xiao nodded, just as he was removing his coat to head to the cleansing room, Chunliu reported from outside the door, "Fourth Master, Tiancheng says someone from Shen Mansion has come; it seems that the Princely Heir Shen has returned."

Fourth Master Xiao paused, and Xiqiu, seeing he didn’t respond, instructed, "Have Tiancheng accompany him for a cup of tea." Chunliu acknowledged and left. Xiqiu handed Fourth Master Xiao his coat, "Fourth Master, you should go and take a look. The Princely Heir Shen must have something important, having traveled such a long way and getting injured."

Fourth Master Xiao nodded in agreement, "You should rest early." He donned his cloak and left.

Leaned against the bedhead, Xiqiu picked up a book and flipped through it casually, but soon her stomach felt uncomfortable. She called Chunliu to bring a spittoon and vomited everything she had eaten that evening. Upon hearing this, Nanny Cen promptly instructed the kitchen to bring more food, but Xiqiu forced herself to eat a little before leaning back, drowsy.

Fourth Master Xiao returned very late. When he entered, his coat and shoes had already been changed outside. Xiqiu opened her eyes to look at him, "Fourth Master, you’re back." Seeing her lying there fully clothed, still awake, Fourth Master Xiao couldn’t help but wrinkle his brow, "Why aren’t you asleep yet?"

"I’m too worried to sleep soundly." She said, attempting to get up with her clothes on, but Fourth Master Xiao pressed her back down, sitting beside the bed to recount Shen Ji’s matter, "His injuries are not severe; it’s just that his spirit is not well." After pausing, he added, "As soon as I arrived, before much time passed, Chief Chang came."

Having just returned, he was summoned to the palace, so there was no need to worry about Shen Ji’s safety. However, given the Emperor’s attitude, the situation in both Jiangnan and Wei Hui Prefecture was likely complex.

"What’s happening with Wei Hui Prefecture now? Is it the Min Family in Jiangnan?"

Fourth Master Xiao got up, sat at the table, and poured Xiqiu a cup of clear water, speaking slowly, "The Emperor has already issued orders for Kaifeng and Zhangde Prefectures to deploy troops to Wei Hui Prefecture for reinforcement. As for Jiangnan..." He furrowed his brows deeply, showing a look of disdain, "The Min Family is not to be feared!"

Xiqiu nodded slightly. The Emperor had already taken measures to address the situation in Wei Hui Prefecture, but only time would tell how effective those measures were based on news from that side. As for the Min Family in Jiangnan, Xiqiu couldn’t help but shake her head. Since ascending the throne, the Emperor had gradually reclaimed military authority, making it difficult for them to succeed in their plans.

The next day, Xiqiu instructed Nanny Cen to inform Tong Shen Zhi and the First Master at Tong Mansion. Around noon, Tong Shen Zhi arrived. Upon meeting him, Xiqiu explained Xu Tianqing’s situation, "He is said to have contracted a strange illness. Should we notify Lord Xu?"