Chapter 62: Reached Out a Hand to Steady Her

Ling Gurong watched the two white mice in the cage.

They were sprawled weakly on the ground, slowly gnawing at their food, no longer lively and energetic as when they’d first been caught.

His gaze shifted, dark and thoughtful, to the black stones lying in the cage.

Tang Chaoyang set the twig she was holding onto the floor. “I like reading all sorts of magazines and books. Once, I read a poem in a magazine:

The black stones of Xihu conceal a poisonous glow, Draw near, invade the bones, life grows short. Do not covet their quiet, somber beauty— One wrong step, and death is near.

‘Guyan, what do you think?’” She turned to smile at him.

Ling Gurong’s eyes darkened. “You’re saying these are the same black stones from Xihu?”

Tang Chaoyang shrugged lightly. “That I don’t know. I’ve never been to Xihu. But these stones must contain some harmful substance. If a person is exposed to them for long, the body will gradually weaken and die.”

The moment she finished speaking, a faint breeze stirred.

A hidden guard appeared out of nowhere and carried the cage away.

“…”

Tang Chaoyang didn’t comment on it.

She braced her palm against her knee and slowly stood up. Her face twisted slightly in pain—after squatting so long, rising made her wound ache.

When Ling Gurong stood, he reached out a hand to steady her.

“Thank you,” she said.

Ling Gurong narrowed his cold, sharp eyes. “In the late emperor’s harem, there were beauties presented by the Xihu Kingdom.”

Tang Chaoyang raised her hand. “Stop, stop. I don’t want to hear it. I don’t want to know any more of this. Please don’t tell me.”

When he saw her cover her ears, clearly refusing to listen, he let out a low laugh. “Doctor Tang, aren’t you usually quite bold?”

Tang Chaoyang didn’t have the energy to argue with him. The more you knew, the quicker you died.

She turned to leave. “I’m going back to lie down.”

If her little An’an came home from the academy and didn’t see her resting, he would probably be upset.

Tang Chaoyang tidied her appearance and hurried back to the General’s manor.

When she returned to Lanting Courtyard, she immediately instructed Madam Wu to check whether her grandfather had come home yet.

If the old gentleman was back, she had to let him know she had returned as well.

Madam Wu quickly went to the front courtyard.

With the help of her maid, Tang Chaoyang lay down. She had just closed her eyes to rest when she heard Fei An’an’s voice calling from the doorway all the way into the room. “Mother, An’an is home!”

Next came the sound of light, quick footsteps.

Tang Chaoyang opened her eyes.

Fei An’an stood by the bed, blinking his bright eyes at her. “Mother, I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were sleeping.”

The maid helped Tang Chaoyang sit up. She stroked her son’s face. “Mother slept all day today. I’m not tired at all.”

“Then are you still unwell?”

“Mm, almost better.”

Fei An’an smiled, his eyes squinting happily as he puffed out his chest with pride. “Mother, let me tell you—today, the teacher had us recite passages from the Three Character Classic. I remembered everything! The teacher didn’t have to smack my palm!”

He was so amazing!

“Wow, An’an, you’re incredible. Tonight, recite it for Mother, all right?” Tang Chaoyang smiled.

Her son really was clever. Ahem—like her. Though that thought felt a bit guilty in her heart.

An’an loved hearing his mother praise how wonderful he was.

Little An’an secretly made plans in his heart—he’d eat some pastries, then recite his lessons!

**

The next day, at the Chancellor’s residence.

Dong Xinrui finally woke from her coma. She slowly turned her head and saw the familiar figure sitting at the bedside.

Her weak gaze fell on Fei Yan.

“Husband.” Her voice was soft and frail.

Fei Yan opened his eyes. The red veins were even more pronounced now.

When he saw Dong Xinrui awake, the coldness in his eyes melted into tenderness. “Someone, go summon the Imperial Physicians.”

After three physicians came and finished taking her pulse, Fei Yan led them to the main hall to discuss her condition.

Inside the room, Madam Huang helped Dong Xinrui drink some water. “Thank Heaven you finally woke up, madam.”

Because her wound hurt, Dong Xinrui frowned faintly as she drank. She managed to eat a little porridge, then shook her head. “No more.”

When Fei Yan finished listening to the diagnosis, he returned to the inner chamber.

He saw Madam Huang holding the bowl, still nearly full of thin porridge. He reached out his hand. “Give it to me.”

He sat down. “Xinrui, have a few more bites, all right?”

His voice was gentle.

Dong Xinrui weakly nodded.

He fed her carefully. When she could no longer force herself to eat, he finally set the bowl aside.

“Ah Yan, you should go rest a while.” When she saw the bloodshot exhaustion in his eyes, she knew he hadn’t really slept.

Fei Yan still had urgent official matters to handle. He nodded and instructed Madam Huang, “If Madam needs anything, send word to me at once.”

Madam Huang agreed.

After Fei Yan left, Dong Xinrui lay in bed. Though her face was pale, her expression carried a trace of ruthless malice.

Ah Yan had actually gone to save Tang Chaoyang first! He’d even turned his back on the assassins for her sake.

If Tang Chaoyang knew what Dong Xinrui was thinking right now, she would probably spit and scoff.

That so-called “rushing to save her” was nothing more than using her as bait to draw the assassins’ attention.

And the claim he’d turned his back to protect her—what a joke. If Ling Gurong hadn’t appeared, she would have been stabbed through the chest before Fei Yan ever arrived to “rescue” her.

But Tang Chaoyang knew nothing of Dong Xinrui’s current resentment and jealousy.

Dong Xinrui softly called Madam Huang over. “Are my injuries…very serious?”

Just to take a breath and speak made her chest ache.

Madam Huang recalled what the Imperial Physicians had said. Her palms were slick with nervous sweat as she lowered her gaze. “The physicians said you will need at least three years of careful recuperation.”

“Three years? That long?” Dong Xinrui didn’t notice Madam Huang’s momentary panic. She hadn’t expected that this time she would need to recover for three full years.

“You were gravely injured. The Chancellor never left your side,” Madam Huang quickly added something positive.

Dong Xinrui gave a weak smile. But her thoughts turned again to Tang Chaoyang. Her tone chilled. “Has the Wang family not yet proposed to her?”

Madam Huang first glanced toward the door, then turned back and lowered her voice. “Madam, Tang Chaoyang refused the Wang family. But the Wang matriarch has arranged to meet with Madam Li at Chengqi Temple to offer incense. It seems Young Master Wang has taken quite a liking to Tang Chaoyang.”

“Heh—using that face to seduce another man.” Dong Xinrui’s eyes glinted with poison. “Madam, come closer. You must find out exactly which day they’ll go to Chengqi Temple—and then arrange…”

Madam Huang listened to her mistress’s instructions. Though she frowned faintly, she had no choice but to obey. “I understand what must be done. Rest assured, I’ll make the arrangements at once.”

Dong Xinrui smiled faintly.