Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 713 - 714: Status (4)

Even if Lord Han is heartbroken, it will only last a year or so. With his current position, it’s impossible for him to remain a widower indefinitely. After his remarriage, the children from his late wife will find themselves in an increasingly awkward situation. If they have grandparents to protect them, it’s fine; but the worst case is if they have no one, unloved by both father and mother...

Xiqiu’s heart grew heavy, and she sighed, "Who could have anticipated this?" Madam Huang nodded; because of her and Madam Han’s husbands having similar ranks, they often interacted with each other, making her feel even more melancholic than others at the moment.

"That’s why I must thank you today. I’ve stayed in Liaodong for a long time, coming from a humble background. I haven’t seen much of the world. Usually, my husband invites me to visit you, and honestly, I’m quite intimidated. I never thought that at a critical moment, it was you who saved my family’s lives!"

Xiqiu felt a bit overwhelmed. She had only acted on impulse, after all. Moreover, it wasn’t without mixed feelings; last night, events happened too abruptly, and she had no way to verify them. If it weren’t for the Empress’ edict, it might have been different. But if it were true, then what she did might have been a case of "collective non-punishment." After all, if no one paid heed to the Empress, she couldn’t possibly blame just one person.

Madam Huang continued talking about other things, mentioning Xiqiu’s poor appetite. She said with some embarrassment, "I have a mama who has been with me since Liaodong. Though she’s old now and can’t move around much, she makes excellent pickled vegetables. We still have some at home. If you don’t mind, I’ll send some over to you, and if you like them, I’ll make more for you."

"How could I impose?" Xiqiu couldn’t help but think of the pickles from a certain country and felt a bit nostalgic. Madam Huang insisted, "It’s not anything expensive. I’ll have someone bring it to you when I return."

Xiqiu thanked her repeatedly, but Madam Huang stayed for a while and refused to stay for dinner, so Xiqiu saw her to the door.

When she turned around, she saw Ruan Jingliu standing at the doorway of the adjacent room, looking at her. Xiqiu sighed and walked over. Ruan Jingliu pursed her lips and said, "Last night was so dangerous, yet you really have guts." Without waiting for Xiqiu’s reaction, she took Xiqiu’s hand and felt her pulse, her brows furrowed.

Xiqiu, seeing her discontent, couldn’t say anything, and could only let her do what she wanted. After a moment, Ruan Jingliu relaxed, glared at Xiqiu, and said, "Lucky you!" Then she turned back to the room, saying lightly, "I’ll change your medicine."

Xiqiu chuckled and followed her inside. Min and Xing were lying on the bed talking. When Xiqiu entered, Min immediately slid off the bed, ran to her side, and said with a smile, "Mother, have you woken up?"

"Yes." She took Min’s hand and then looked at Xing, "What were you talking about earlier?"

Although Xing’s face didn’t look very good at the moment, his spirit seemed quite decent. Looking at Xiqiu, he said with a smile, "Min was telling me the story of the little turtle..." He paused and added, "Fourth Aunt, I’m not afraid anymore, just like the little turtle."

Xiqiu smiled, pursing her lips. Xing added, "Fourth Aunt, I want to hear a story too, would you tell me one?"

Before Xiqiu could respond, Ruan Jingliu interjected, "Lie down properly, I need to apply medicine to your Fourth Aunt first!" The two children were taken aback on hearing that and immediately showed worried expressions. Xing asked, "Fourth Aunt, are you hurt?"

"Just a small injury, I’m fine," Xiqiu smiled and said.

Min held onto Xiqiu’s hand tightly, sitting beside her and cuddling up, watching as Ruan Jingliu removed Xiqiu’s small jacket and rolled up the sleeve to reveal the cotton-wrapped wound inside. Ruan Jingliu, observing it, furrowed her brows and said, "This isn’t a small injury. What if it’s poisoned?" Saying this, she started to reapply medicine to Xiqiu.

Min was leaning against Xiqiu, patting her back, his little face showing concern as he said, "Mother, don’t be afraid, Xing and I are here!" Xing, lying on the bed, nodded immediately and joined in, "Yes, yes, Fourth Aunt, don’t be afraid, be like the little turtle!"

Xiqiu chuckled, even Ruan Jingliu couldn’t help but laugh at the children.

Ruan Jingliu looked deeply at Min, while bandaging the wound, she spoke softly to Xiqiu, "Is this what you’ve been striving for all along? I feel like this child seems even more foolish than before."

Xiqiu couldn’t help but glance at Ruan Jingliu, then turned to look at Min, feeling increasingly joyous at heart.

After Ruan Jingliu finished cleaning the wound, Xiqiu sat on the bed, talking to the two children. Xing was clinging to her arm, blowing on it through her clothes, and glancing up said, "Fourth Aunt, it doesn’t hurt anymore, right?" Xiqiu nodded, and Xing, eyes twinkling, said, "Then tell me a story!"

This was what he was after, Xiqiu realized. She thought for a moment and said, "Shall we tell the story of pulling the turnip?"

They both hadn’t heard it before, and naturally nodded excitedly!

Xiqiu began to tell the story softly. After a while, Bihuai brought in the food, and the group had dinner together. The two children played around for a bit and became sleepy. Xiqiu helped them nap, and Xing, holding her hand, showed a worried face as he asked, "Fourth Aunt, is Grandmother okay? When can I see Grandmother and Father?" Last night, Third Madam was so frightening, that even in his dreams, he couldn’t shake it off.

Xiqiu was taken aback, her heart instantly sinking, but she replied with a smile, "Grandmother and Father are fine. There’s just a lot happening in the residence these days. In a few days, Fourth Aunt will take you back, okay?"

"Okay!" Xing nodded with a smile and closed his eyes to sleep.

Xiqiu thought of Grand Dowager and Xiao Yanyi, and let out a long sigh.

When she stepped outside with Ruan Jingliu, standing in the corridor talking, Ruan Jingliu said, "I heard the maids around Third Madam have been arrested? Where are they held?"

"I don’t know much about it either," Xiqiu thought for a moment and said, "According to Fourth Master’s words, possibly in the Ministry of Justice’s water dungeon..." Ruan Jingliu nodded, furrowing her brows, "Regarding the earlier matter of Miaojiang’s Gu worms, I didn’t intend to hide it from you. It’s just too sordid, and you’re pregnant. Not knowing is for the best."

Xiqiu didn’t blame her or Fourth Master Xiao, just nodded and said, "I understand." Ruan Jingliu thought for a while and said, "The Gu poison afflicting First Master Xu was transmitted through intercourse with a woman. His body has another toxin, and it’s because of this toxin that he’s lost his memory..."

Xiqiu was puzzled, asking, "Could it be they used such a poison to confuse my cousin, leading to..." Ruan Jingliu nodded, "I suspect the same. Miao Clan women don’t have skills like Illusion Techniques typical of Foreign Land women; they probably used poison... Despite losing his memory, First Master Xu, with his strong will, still recalls..." She glanced at Xiqiu and halted her words, then continued, "As long as we find the woman who administered the love poison and obtain her essence blood, we can extract the Gu worm from his body." She spoke casually, but the process was actually quite complex.