Chapter 358: Chapter 126: Suggestion

Yueyao hesitated, and even now she did not know whether she should continue speaking. Telling Guan Jingshuo straightforwardly that his stepmother harbored ill intentions and wanted to harm him would amount to outright provocation and discord, certainly making it difficult for Guan Jingshuo to believe her. Others, having been told a thousand times ten thousand words, would not believe it either. She had experienced such things herself; on the day Hua Lei kept saying Lady family harbored ill intentions, she simply wouldn’t believe it. To make Guan Jingshuo believe, the best way was to make him suspicious and then prompt him to investigate. Thus, Yueyao deliberately said indifferently, “If you do not believe, then forget it.”

Seeing Yueyao’s chilly demeanor, Guan Jingshuo’s facial expression grew complicated. Over the years, many within the Marquis’ household had tried to stir up discord between him and his mother, but he never believed them. Now, Yueyao speaking this way instinctively made him feel that Yueyao had ulterior motives, yet her demeanor did not seem to suggest so, and moreover Yueyao had no apparent relations with the Marquis’ household, making her words even harder for him to understand, “Miss Lian, why did you tell me all this?”

Yueyao smiled lightly, her smile laced with mockery, “I mentioned this only because Aunt Yun and my mother are sworn sisters; otherwise, why would I let you suspect here that I am trying to drive a wedge between you and your mother?”

Guan Jingshuo shook his head, “Miss Lian, I do not understand why you would tell me all this.” Saying that Yueyao had an agenda, he could not find a reason, so he truly did not understand why Yueyao would tell him these things.

Yueyao sighed softly, “Some time ago, I was organizing my mother’s relics and found several letters that Aunt Yun had written to my mother; I read those letters.” Yueyao cherished Madam Ma’s belongings; thus, Madam Ma’s belongings were well preserved. Last year, Yueyao asked the maid to organize the storehouse and found many letters left by Madam Ma, including letters from Ning Yun to Madam Ma.

Guan Jingshuo felt somewhat ashamed; he should not have doubted the person before him, “Could you give me these letters?” Guan Jingshuo asked this with a pleading tone.

Yueyao’s eyes flickered, “What do you mean?”

Guan Jingshuo didn’t explain, “Miss Lian, I am asking you to give me these letters from my mother, please?” Guan Jingshuo didn’t even know what his mother looked like; he himself resembled his grandfather. And he had often heard people saying his mother was a talented lady, but he had never seen a painting of his birth mother.

Yueyao was taken aback, not expecting that Lady Xiao Ning actually wanted Aunt Yun’s traces in the Marquis’ household to disappear. However, with Guan Jingshuo alive, it would never be possible to erase him, “It’s no problem to give you the letters, but you’ll have to wait until I return to my household.” Yueyao remembered there was a painting in the storehouse of her mother together with Aunt Yun, she could also give it to him when she found it.

Guan Jingshuo’s eyes brightened, “Then when will you return?”

Yueyao could understand his urgency, “I cannot give you an exact time right now, but once I return, I will have someone send the letters to you.” Seeing the gloom in Guan Jingshuo’s eyes, Yueyao continued, “I will return at the end of the twelfth lunar month. During the New Year, I will have the items sent to you.”

Guan Jingshuo was very grateful, “Thank you, Miss Lian.”

Yueyao shook her head, “Heir Apparent, if you truly wish to thank me, I do not wish others to know that we know each other, nor do I want anyone to know what I just told you. You should understand that matters concerning your Marquis’ household, if leaked, could bring much trouble my way.”

Guan Jingshuo all but swore, “Rest assured, Miss, I will not speak a half-word of this to anyone.” How could he bring trouble to someone who had kindly reached out?

Yueyao then shared another piece of good news with Guan Jingshuo, “I know of a Doctor Li whose medical skills are very high; if you go to him, he should be able to cure your illness.”

Guan Jingshuo stood staring at Yueyao, stunned. The Imperial Physician had said that his disease was incurable at its root and that he could only rest quietly. To put it bluntly, he was meant to live his life as a medicine pot. Now, hearing Yueyao say there was a doctor who could cure his illness, his first reaction was not joy, but doubt.

Yueyao was very displeased at Guan Jingshuo’s suspicion that she was lying, “Since you do not believe, then forget it.” She had kindly offered him help only for him not to trust her.

Guan Jingshuo hurriedly explained, “Miss Lian, it’s not that I don’t trust you. It’s just that I was scared as soon as I heard it. Several Imperial Physicians have diagnosed me over the years, and they all said that my illness can only be managed, not cured.” He knew his own body well and felt that his condition was deteriorating.

Yueyao’s expression then softened, “This Doctor Li is highly skilled in medicine, specializing in difficult and complicated diseases. Perhaps he has cured it.”

Guan Jingshuo thought about it and said, “Miss Lian, where is this Doctor Li now?” Everyone hopes to have a healthy body, and he was no exception. It’s just that after being disappointed so many times, he hardly harbored any hope.

Yueyao was so sure that Doctor Li could cure Guan Jingshuo’s condition because, years later, this person’s reputation had greatly increased, and he was revered as a miracle doctor by the world.

Yueyao told Guan Jingshuo that this person was currently at Herbarium Hall. She didn’t actually know his full name, but she provided some information, “This person has a peculiar temperament, charges exorbitant fees for consulting with high-ranking officials and nobility, and never makes house calls. You just need to have someone inquire about him, and you’ll find him. Remember, if you truly want to cure your illness, you must go yourself and not put on airs; otherwise, he will ignore you.” She paused, then added, “You’d better keep your visit to see the doctor a secret! It’s safer that way and won’t draw attention.”

If someone else had said this, Guan Jingshuo would have left immediately because the last statement implied a lot. However, seeing the concern in Yueyao’s eyes, he nodded involuntarily, “Don’t worry, I’ll be very careful and won’t let them know.”

Yueyao said so much mainly because she hoped to help Guan Jingshuo evade a premature death. She really couldn’t bear to see such a talented person die so young.

Seeing Guan Jingshuo’s sincere attitude, Yueyao couldn’t help but add, “If your health improves, I think it’s best to continue both literary and martial studies. The foundation of the Marquis’ household must not be broken.” She didn’t mention the war that would happen in over a decade.

Guan Jingshuo watched Yueyao descend the mountain, keeping his gaze on her until she was out of sight and still hadn’t turned back. He felt as if he had just had a dream, and everything he heard seemed surreal.

Heping inwardly cursed, realizing the time that had passed, “Heir Apparent, we need to hurry back. Madam must be anxiously searching for the Heir Apparent.”

Upon hearing the word ‘Madam,’ Guan Jingshuo inadvertently thought of Yueyao’s words. He turned to Heping, “Don’t tell anyone about today’s events. If Madam asks, just say I was enamored with the scenes within the monastery and lost track of time.”

Heping, who never dared to defy Guan Jingshuo, regarded him as the real master, secondary only to the Marquis and Madam, “Heir Apparent, rest assured, I won’t speak a word about it. Otherwise, let the Heir Apparent disdain me.” He didn’t know what the young lady had told his Heir Apparent to make him so anxious.

Heping was curious, and Hua Lei was equally curious, as her lady was not someone who spoke at length easily or with just anyone, “Miss, what did you say to the Heir to Marquis Yongding?”

Yueyao glanced at Hua Lei, “What happened just now must not be mentioned by anyone, not even Qiao Lan or Nanny Hao.” Yueyao didn’t want any accidents; she had helped Guan Jingshuo but didn’t want to cause any trouble.

Seeing Yueyao so serious, Hua Lei nodded immediately, “Miss, we’ll just return after lending the scriptures and not see anyone.”

Yueyao nodded in satisfaction. Looking up at the step by step staircase, feeling like being above the clouds, the mountain breeze blew gently, making people sway as if about to fall, “Whatever you do, it all requires one step at a time.”

Hua Lei didn’t understand the meaning behind Yueyao’s words. Seeing that Yueyao had no intention of continuing, she quickly followed her.