Chapter 29: Chapter 29: Injured

Shen Ruoxi’s mouth was filled with bitterness; in the end, she couldn’t follow the path her mother had arranged for her.

“It’s because my mother is always worried that I might cause trouble and, in a moment of impulse, head to the border city to avenge my father and brother. She just wants me to live a stable life in the courtyard.

Xuan, I’m sorry, I really can’t help it. If she truly cares for you, she will naturally tell you where she is, so don’t disturb her anymore.

There is a world of difference between you two. You are the noble Princely Heir of Duke Dingguo, and your mother is the distinguished Eldest Princess. You’ve lived in luxury since childhood.

But my senior sister, she has long been accustomed to a free and unfettered life.

If you genuinely like her, then perhaps not disturbing her is the best way to show it.”

The previously spirited Prince Pei seemed to have lost all his strength. He clenched his fists tightly and struggled to ask after a long silence, “Is there really no possibility for us?”

Shen Ruoxi tossed the question back at him, “What do you think?”

Pei Xuan was still unwilling to give up. “Should I just give up like this? Without even trying? Maybe the result…”

Shen Ruoxi interrupted him, “Even if you eventually marry her, keeping her in the courtyard, just like me these two years—cooking, serving the elders, and only leaving the courtyard a few times a year—could you really bear it?”

Pei Xuan tightly clenched his fists, remained silent for a long time, and then whispered, “I just want to see her. I haven’t seen her in almost a year.”

Shen Ruoxi sighed softly, “My senior sister pursues a life of punishing evil and promoting good, free and unfettered.

Xuan, you should go back! Moreover, she’s always regarded you as a younger brother.”

Pei Xuan seemed to have all his spirit drained from him, and after a long while, he said weakly, “Okay, I’ll go home. But I will still look for her. I won’t give up easily.”

After saying that, he turned and left.

Sixteen-year-old Xu Ji watched his desolate figure, his brows tightly knit, “Cousin, is that really Pei Xuan, usually so fearless in Capital City? Why does he look like a frostbitten eggplant? Emotions are truly terrifying; I don’t want to experience something like that.”

Shen Ruoxi’s lips curled into a bitter smile. Love indeed has its bitterness, but also its sweetness, though she never tasted the sweet side.

“I’m afraid one day you’ll fall so deeply into it, unable to extricate yourself.”

Xu Ji shivered slightly, “No, I absolutely won’t,”

Shen Ruoxi’s lips curled gently, marveling at the beauty of youth.

She was only nineteen, yet she felt as if she’d been through the vicissitudes of life, her heart riddled with scars.

“After you return to the main hall, don’t mention to Grandmother about being injured by punches from Xuan when we sparred. Just say I’m a bit tired, so I went back to my room to rest.

Take Grandmother to Xu Mansion first. In my current state, it’s not suitable to see her, as she’ll easily spot my internal injury. Tomorrow, when I’m fine, I’ll visit Xu Mansion to stay with her for a couple of days.”

“Alright.”

When Xu Ji returned to the main hall, Old Mrs. Xu noticed Shen Ruoxi hadn’t accompanied him, sparking suspicion, and she questioned, “Where’s your cousin? Why isn’t she here?”

Xu Ji explained, “Cousin said she’s a bit tired and has already gone back to Shaohua Courtyard to rest. She suggested we go on ahead.”

Old Mrs. Xu frowned slightly. This child was always filial and sensible. If she needed to rest, she would have informed her, “I will go check on her in her courtyard.”

Xu Ji’s face instantly changed, nervously saying, “Grandmother, Cousin is really tired and already asleep. She said she’ll visit our mansion tomorrow to stay with you for a couple of days. We really shouldn’t disturb her now; let’s head back first!”

Old Mrs. Xu scrutinized Xu Ji, noticing sweat on his forehead and his habitual nose-tapping, which aroused her suspicion, “You, child, always touch your nose when you lie. Come on, tell me, what’s really up with your cousin?”

Exposed, Xu Ji had no choice but to frankly admit, “It’s that Xuan fellow, he was too rough and injured Cousin, but she’s fine now.”

Upon hearing this, Old Mrs. Xu shot Xu Ji a fierce glare, scolding, “How could you just stand by and watch your cousin get hurt?”

Xu Ji defended himself, “I was late by the time I got there, otherwise, I would have certainly shot him through!”

Old Mrs. Xu rolled her eyes at him and headed toward Shaohua Courtyard.

Xu Ji rubbed his nose and quickly followed her.

At that moment, Chuntao was meticulously taking care of Shen Ruoxi.

She poured a cup of water and pulled out a pill from Shen Ruoxi’s pocket, preparing to administer it to her.

Shen Ruoxi gently blocked it, softly saying, “No, there are only two Condensing Spirit Pills left.

The Blood Ganoderma cannot be found anymore, and Master can’t make them either. I just took a Little Spirit Pill; it’s the same.

These last two Condensing Spirit Pills might be all that’s left. They’re not needed for minor injuries; don’t waste them!”

She was filled with emotion. Her Master found it extremely difficult to make the Condensing Spirit Pills, producing only a few in several years.

But her Master was always partial to her, giving her all the Condensing Spirit Pills.

She regretted not cherishing them when she was young and generously gave two to an older brother. Thinking back now, she indeed felt some remorse.

When she returned home, she left one for her parents and grandparents and only had these two left herself.

This miraculous medicine should only be used when gravely injured or at death’s door, not to be squandered.

However, Chuntao thought otherwise. Seeing her lady pale and even spitting blood, she was extremely anxious.

In her view, medicine should be taken whenever needed; who knows who might end up benefiting from it if kept!

Thus, she insisted on putting the pill into Shen Ruoxi’s mouth.

The Condensing Spirit Pill melted upon contact, and after Shen Ruoxi ingested it, a warm current surged through her body, making her feel cozy all over.

It was too indulgent, but there was no choice. She closed her eyes to focus and unknowingly drifted into slumber.

When Old Mrs. Xu entered the room, she saw Shen Ruoxi with a rosy complexion, her skin seeming more jade-like.

Her heart eased, knowing it was evident that Shen Ruoxi’s internal injuries had mostly healed.

Perhaps because of taking that rare, treasured medicine from Medicine Spirit Valley—the Condensing Spirit Pill.

It was a priceless elixir, unattainable even for a fortune. Both she and her old husband had received one each.

But neither of them could bring themselves to take it, as that pill seemed to bear all of Ruoxi’s affection.

This child, so sentimental, filial to the extreme, kind and gentle, making one both gratified and worried, wondering whether such a nature was a blessing or a curse.

She gently stroked her cheek, a mix of emotions in her heart.

Such a good girl would be treasured by whoever she married!

Yet fate had its tricks, marrying her to that scoundrel Xiao Chengyi, causing her undue hardship.

Old Mrs. Xu’s eyes reddened slightly, and she finally sighed gently.

“Chuntao,” she called softly.

“Old Madam,” Chuntao bowed respectfully.

“Take good care of your lady. If anyone dares to cause trouble, report it to me, and I will stand up for her.”

Chuntao’s back straightened; this was her lady’s backbone. She replied loudly, “I will, my lady.”

Old Mrs. Xu looked back at Shen Ruoxi once more, reluctantly, and Xu Ji chuckled softly, “Cousin said she’d visit Xu Mansion to stay for two days, so no need to be so reluctant.”

Old Mrs. Xu gently knocked him on the head, “Such a chatterbox, let’s go.”

“Let’s go.” Xu Ji responded with a smile.

When Shen Ruoxi awoke, Yang Family and Zou Family were sitting by her bedside.

Seeing them filled her heart with warmth.

“Sister-in-law, Fifth Sister-in-law,” she called softly.

“Auntie,” Qing’er, Yun’er, and Xiang’er came in from outside.

“Mother said not to disturb Auntie’s rest; Auntie, you’re finally awake,” Qing’er said with a smile.

She was already thirteen, gracefully blossoming like a budding flower.

Yun’er, at seven, was lively and adorable.

The youngest, Xiang’er, only five, had big, bright eyes that sparkled as if they could speak. She sweetly called, “Auntie.”

Shen Ruoxi’s heart melted by her three nieces.

“Good, good!” she smiled warmly, “Chuntao, bring some snacks for them to eat.”

“Understood, my lady,” Chuntao responded.

The children happily played in Shaohua Courtyard all afternoon, reluctantly leaving only when it grew late.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep