A Shocking Dream

Chapter 187

Qin Ruoyu was unwilling to give up and said anxiously, "Uncle, precisely because the matter is of great importance, I cannot stay out of it! I can't watch you take risks alone, and..." He paused, and the tips of his ears turned red, "Besides, Kankan is also in Yingzhou, and I am really worried about her. I heard that Xie Yuan is a vicious person. What if Kankan accidentally bumps into him and encounters danger? I must stay by her side to protect her." When he mentioned Kankan, his stern face softened instantly, and his eyes were full of concern.

Su Yijing closed his folding fan and took two steps forward. His expression was less casual than usual and more solemn. He looked at Qin Ruoyu and advised, "Your Highness, your status is different from Rongchen's, so it's difficult for you to extricate yourself. If you leave the capital, all our efforts will be wasted." He paused slightly, raised his eyes and looked directly at Qin Ruoyu with a sincere gaze. "You are the crown prince of the Eastern Palace. Countless eyes are watching you at court. Your every move is like throwing a stone into water, causing ripples that are difficult to eliminate. That old villain Xie Yuan has even planted many spies in the capital, monitoring the court day and night. If there is any sign that you are leaving the capital, he will definitely be suspicious. Everything we have secretly planned and laid out for many years may be wasted in an instant."

Qin Ruoyu bit his lower lip, clenching his fists until his knuckles turned white, his face filled with resentment and struggle. He knew the seriousness of the situation, but the thought of Qianqian trapped in the perilous situation of Yingzhou made his heart simmer like oil.

Su Yijing seemed to see through his thoughts and softened his tone before continuing, "Your Highness, facing the affairs of state, there is really no time to discuss romantic relationships right now. I know you are concerned about Miss Kankan, but right now, the only way to ensure her long-term peace is to eliminate Xie Yuan, this cancer. Once the dust settles, you and Miss Kankan will have a peaceful and stable life together."

Qin Rongchen also stepped forward, patted his nephew on the shoulder, and said in a deep voice, "Yijing is absolutely right. I was asked to go because this matter is currently known only to the three of us, and confidentiality is acceptable. If one more person knew about it, it would inevitably leak out. The more risk, the more dangerous it would be. It's just a coincidence that Lin Wunian is in Yingzhou. She cares about the suffering of the people and took the risk of sending a letter to expose Xie Yuan, purely out of a doctor's compassion and a sense of justice. I will go there, not only to secretly investigate and collect evidence, but also to secretly protect her. Your Highness, there is no need to worry."

Qin Ruoyu sighed deeply and slowly unclenched his fist, feeling helpless and lost. He raised his eyes, gazing at the distant palaces, as if to channel all his longing and concern into his gaze, sending it towards Yingzhou. After a long pause, he said resolutely, "Uncle, Prime Minister Su, I understand that the greater good is paramount. I'll trouble you personally to face this dangerous situation. I hope you will be careful and return safely. I'll do my utmost to stabilize the court in Beijing and keep a close eye on Xie Yuan's followers to prevent them from noticing anything unusual. If anything unexpected happens, send a pigeon and I'll immediately find a way to support you."

Qin Rongchen nodded slightly, his eyes full of satisfaction and determination: "Your Highness, don't worry. Even if there are thousands of difficulties and dangers on this trip, I will not fail my mission. I will collect all the evidence of Xie Yuan's crimes and eliminate this great threat to the court. I will not let Your Highness down, nor will I let down the people's expectations." After that, the three of them bowed and said goodbye, each with the righteousness of their country and their secret feelings in their hearts.

"Yuanyuan, there's a distinguished guest outside looking for you." Old Madam Liu's voice drifted from the front yard, shattering the quiet. Yuanyuan was sitting on a stone bench in the courtyard, a scroll in hand. Sunlight filtered through the mottled shadows of the trees, illuminating the yellowed pages, as if coating the words with a golden sheen.

Hearing this, she was startled at first, nearly dropping the scroll in her hands. She looked up, her eyes filled with confusion and surprise. A distinguished guest? She had always lived a secluded life, guarding her own tranquility in this small world, with only a few close relatives and close friends to visit. How could a distinguished guest suddenly visit? Could it be that Grandma was mistaken? But Madam Liu was always articulate, and she would never be so confused.

She stood up, smoothed the folds of her skirt, and walked lightly, her heart beating inexplicably faster. When she reached the door, she saw Qin Rongchen waiting for her. He was as tall and straight as a pine tree, and his moon-white brocade robe made him look handsome. His face was like a finely carved jade, his eyebrows were deep, and his eyes, like a deep pool, were staring at her.

She was stunned, as if frozen in place. All that remained in her mind was, "Why would Brother Divine be looking for me?" The memory of him coming to her to ask about his uncle-master suddenly flooded back like a tidal wave. The past flashed before her like a revolving lantern, each frame piercingly clear.

"You seem very afraid of me." Qin Rongchen stared at the girl before him, whispering his doubts. She shrank slightly, like a frightened fawn, her clear eyes mingling with anticipation and barely concealed timidity. She looked like a fledgling eager to explore the spring flowers but afraid of the storm: cautious yet filled with longing.

Hearing this, she shook her head in panic, a few strands of hair brushing across her flushed cheeks, and she stammered to explain, "No... I'm not scared, Your Highness, it's just that you showed up so suddenly that I was a little overwhelmed." Her voice trembled, like thin ice in early spring, which would break at the touch. Her hands unconsciously clenched the corners of her clothes, and her knuckles turned white from the force, revealing the tension in her heart.

Qin Rongchen leaned forward slightly, but his eyes remained gentle, afraid of scaring her again, and said softly: "I was inappropriate in my previous words and actions, and I hope you won't blame me." After he finished speaking, he slowly took out a letter from his sleeve and handed it to Yuanyuan.

Yuanyuan looked up, and the moment her gaze met the familiar handwriting, her eyes suddenly lit up, and the corners of her lips curled up unconsciously. A touch of pure joy spread from her eyes, as if the haze had dissipated and the warm sun had suddenly appeared. She was so overwhelmed with joy that she hurriedly reached out to take the letter. Her fingertips lightly touched the paper, as if she could feel the warmth and care of the writer through the thin paper.

"It's a letter from my great-grandmaster!" Her excitement was so intense that her voice rose a few notches, trembling slightly, as if she were holding the most precious treasure in the world. The great-grandmaster she had revered since childhood, his exquisite medical skills and noble character, like a shining star, illuminated her path of growth. She had always been content to receive a few words from him, but how could she not be overjoyed to see such a voluminous letter filled with ink?

Yuanyuan suppressed her smile and quickly immersed herself in the contents of the letter, frowning slightly, sometimes lost in thought, sometimes whispering. She had completely lost her shyness and was replaced by focus and persistence, as if everything around her was illusory, and only the secret world constructed by the words in the letter was real and tangible.

"Why did you give me this letter?" Yuanyuan clutched the letter and looked up at Qin Rongchen, her eyes filled with confusion and a hint of hidden anticipation. Her gaze, like a faint candlelight, pierced his heart, trying to uncover the true meaning behind his actions. The letter didn't mention taking her to Yingzhou, and this was like a hidden thorn, piercing her with doubt, yet also holding a hint of unwilling hope.