The lamp at the bedside illuminated the person, whose eyes were tightly shut, breathing faintly.

The room was full of people, yet all were silent.

Tang Xiaobai unconsciously held her breath, watching Mo Huan slowly cut open the blood-soaked clothing with scissors.

The wound was revealed, close to the heart!

Gu Ning, standing slightly in front of her, suddenly weakened and nearly collapsed to the ground.

Tang Shigong quickly supported her, then glanced at the bed where Tang Ziqian’s life was uncertain, and said in a low voice, "Jiaojiao, Xiaobai, help your mother out!"

Tang Xiaobai bit her lip, and together with Tang Jiaojiao, supported Gu Ning out. As they left, she glanced back, feeling that Tang Ziqian’s face had a faintly ashen tint.

"The weapon is poisoned!" Mo Huan said.

Tang Xiaobai’s legs went weak, luckily a maid took over supporting Gu Ning.

"Has the Imperial Physician been summoned?" Gu Ning asked, her face pale.

"Mo Ji has gone to summon him, his Qinggong is good, he runs fast!" Tang Xiaobai replied.

After speaking, she was suddenly stunned.

They hadn’t called a doctor; Mo Huan was treating the wound, and Mo Ji was sent to fetch the Imperial Physician.

It was Ah Xiao’s order.

Although Mo Huan might be skilled in treating such wounds, this arrangement still felt unusual to her.

It seemed as if Tang Ziqian’s injury was not to be made public.

"Poisoned as well?" came a thoughtful murmur from the side.

Tang Xiaobai turned to glance over.

It was Qin Rong.

Qin Rong had returned with Li Xingyuan.

"Why are you here too?" Tang Xiaobai asked.

Those who went out looking for Tang Ziqian, other than those from the Duke Yan Mansion, were Li Xingyuan’s people; no one specifically went to call Qin Rong from the Ye Family.

An awkward glint flashed in Qin Rong’s eyes, and she said, "Actually... to speak frankly, Mr. Tang’s injury is somewhat related to me..."

Before she finished, Tang Jiaojiao’s eyes were like knives slicing over.

"It wasn’t me who hurt him!" Qin Rong quickly clarified the most important point, sighed, and said, "Mr. Tang was injured while saving me..."

Tang Xiaobai was a bit perplexed.

Wasn’t her brother running out because he couldn’t stand the issue with Xin Yi? How did he suddenly become infatuated with the female protagonist?

Qin Rong coughed lightly twice and said, "Today, I was accidentally caught in a trap..."

This scenario is common in heroine romance novels.

The heroine gets kidnapped by mysterious forces, the male supporting character happens upon it, and in the process of rescuing her, he is seriously injured, luckily the male lead arrives in time to save both.

Of course, Tang Ziqian is the male supporting character.

"This matter stemmed from me; the kindness of Mr. Tang’s life-saving deed will forever be remembered by the Qin Family and will never be refused in the future," Qin Rong said.

But at this moment, who in the Tang Family would care to question or blame anyone?

Gu Ning was silent for a moment, weakly saying, "Go see if the Imperial Physician has arrived."

Tang Jiaojiao agreed and was just about to go outside when Mo Ji rushed in, dragging a trembling old man.

The Imperial Physician has arrived.

...

Given Tang Xiaobai’s young age, she couldn’t hold out past midnight and fell asleep.

When she awoke, she found herself lying in her own bed.

"Someone come!" she shouted as she jumped out of bed to get dressed.

Seeing someone rush in, she urgently asked, "How is Mr. Tang? Has he woken up?"

"Not yet—"

Hearing just these words, Tang Xiaobai ran off.

She ran all the way to the East Garden, tripping over the threshold as she entered.

Luckily someone ahead caught her with a swift step.

Tang Xiaobai looked up to see the familiar green jade mask and dark eyes, quickly grabbing him to ask, "Has my brother woken up?"

"He has," Li Mu replied, while also fastening a few loose buttons on her clothes.

The little girl must have just rushed out of bed, with her clothes and shoes improperly worn, her hair loosely down, and her round eyes still clouded with sleepiness.

But that sleepiness vanished instantly upon hearing his answer, her eyes sparkling: "I want to see him!"

Li Mu caught her, took the cloak the maid had just brought and dressed her in it, saying, "He woke for a moment, then fell asleep again."

Tang Xiaobai halted, "Then, I won’t disturb him... How’s his wound? Is the poison cleared?" she asked nervously.

But seeing the small ancestor’s calm demeanor, she felt slightly reassured.

"The wound didn’t reach vital organs, and the poison isn’t lethal; it just needs time to clear," he answered one by one.

Tang Xiaobai let out a long breath, noticing the bloodshot eyes of his, and felt a pang of pity: "Did you watch over him all night?"

Li Mu nodded.

Even though his status didn’t require him to stay, he was glad he did; otherwise, he wouldn’t know how to answer the little girl now.

Tang Xiaobai felt extremely touched seeing him nod: "You’re rare to..."

She hadn’t finished when she saw him lean down to help her with her shoes, hurriedly taking two steps back: "No need, no need!"

At this point, a figure dashed forward and shoved Li Mu hard: "Presumptuous!" The voice was clear, the tone fierce.

Li Mu was pushed back a step and had to put his hands behind his back, standing casually.

Tang Jiaojiao glared at him, squatting down to properly put on her sister’s half-dragged shoes, saying, "Rare? Who among us didn’t stay the night? Only you are spoiled, requiring someone to carry you to bed!"

Only then did Tang Xiaobai notice several people still standing in the courtyard.

Tang Shigong, Li Xingyuan, Qin Rong were all present; Gu Ning was nowhere to be seen, possibly "spoiled" like her, sent back to rest.

Tang Shigong glanced at Li Mu, spoke gently to Tang Xiaobai, "Your brother is out of danger, go back and rest a bit," then nodded slightly to Tang Jiaojiao, "Jiaojiao, you too, go back."

Tang Jiaojiao agreed, taking Tang Xiaobai’s hand to leave.

Tang Xiaobai, still full of doubts, was reluctant to go back to sleep, unwillingly taking a step when she suddenly heard someone behind say, "Mr. Tang’s injury must be kept secret."

This sentence, though lightly spoken, felt like an order.

But it wasn’t said by Tang Shigong.

It was her small ancestor who said it.

Tang Xiaobai paused, looking back.

In the courtyard, Tang Shigong stood in the center, with Li Xingyuan and Qin Rong on either side.

Qin Xiao stood alone opposite these three, his posture like a pine or bamboo, hands behind his back, seemingly mature beyond his years, adding a touch of momentum. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

At first glance, it seemed he was giving orders to the other three, and it surprisingly didn’t feel out of place at all.

Tang Shigong frowned, "Tomorrow is the morning court, it can’t be hidden for long."

Tang Ziqian holds a Fourth Rank official position, attending the bimonthly court sessions, not attending requires a valid excuse.

Such as being seriously injured.

"Keep it hidden as long as possible," Li Mu said calmly, "Otherwise, tomorrow’s court session will re-discuss the candidate for suppressing bandits in Hedong."

"How can my son suppress bandits when he’s seriously injured?" Tang Shigong had an angry look.

Li Mu remained unchanged, "Whether he can suppress bandits, Mr. Tang himself must decide," with a pause, strong tone, "In any case, this time the task of suppressing bandits in Hedong must be assigned to our people!"

...

"Why did you speak to my father like that?" In the afternoon when she saw the small ancestor again, Tang Xiaobai couldn’t help but comment.