jdhmnovel Chapter 350 (85 words added)
Chapter 350 (85 words added)
Having said this, he rose and left. Wan Niang, through this incident, became even more renowned as a talented woman throughout the capital. Who was being referred to? A turbulent undercurrent was thus unleashed. However, the answers he received were often disappointing; either the poison was incurable, or methods that were simply impossible to implement were offered. Despite this, he was not discouraged; instead, his belief only strengthened. He believed that as long as he persisted, he would eventually find a way to cure the poison. Therefore, he began to peruse various ancient medical books, hoping to find some clues.
He explained, "We just want to help those in need." Yan Xiao knew very well that although his master appeared cold-blooded and ruthless on the surface, he wasn't as heartless and cruel as the rumors suggested. In fact, his master was simply ruthless towards enemies and villains. However, to ordinary people, his master was a very good person. He cared about the people's living conditions, tried his best to protect them from harm, and created better living conditions for them. Therefore, despite his master's poor image in the eyes of outsiders, Yan Xiao knew the kindness and justice deep within him. It's just that these ordinary people didn't understand their master's true situation and thoughts. They could only understand things based on appearances and judge right and wrong according to their own perceptions. However, in reality, everyone has their own unique perspective, motivations, and background story. Therefore, we cannot easily define or evaluate a person based solely on appearances. Xue Ruanruan, with a heart full of trepidation, slowly walked into the jade pendant space. As her body passed through the transparent barrier, a breath of fresh air rushed towards her, making her feel incredibly comfortable and pleasant. She took a deep breath, feeling the air as if she were immersed in nature. Upon entering the jade pendant space, Xue Ruanruan found herself in a tranquil and beautiful place. There was a lush green meadow, dotted with various exotic flowers and herbs, exuding a captivating fragrance. Not far away, a crystal-clear stream flowed gently, its waters making a clear and melodious sound. Xue Ruanruan strolled along the stream, feeling the gentle breeze on her face, her mood gradually calming down. She began to observe her surroundings, discovering that this space seemed boundless, stretching as far as the eye could see. She was curious to know how large this space was, but also felt that such exploration might bring unknown dangers. Therefore, she decided to familiarize herself with the environment first before making any further plans. Within the jade pendant space, time seemed to slow down, everything becoming so peaceful and beautiful. Xue Ruanruan lay quietly on the grass, gazing up at the azure sky, feeling the gentle touch of the breeze on her cheeks. Her mind experienced unprecedented relaxation and peace, as if all her worries and anxieties had vanished. In this mysterious space, Xue Ruanruan fully enjoyed this rare tranquility and freedom. She could shout loudly without restraint, run and play freely, or sit quietly and listen to the voice deep within her heart. There was no outside noise and disturbance, only endless peace and tranquility. Here, Xue Ruanruan felt a wonderful sense of oneness with nature. She seemed to hear the breathing of flowers, trees, and grass, feel the pulse of the earth, and see the beautiful arcs left by birds soaring in the sky. This intimate contact with nature made her feel incredibly joyful and satisfied. As time passed, Xue Ruanruan gradually forgot the passage of time. She was immersed in this peaceful world, enjoying every beautiful moment. She knew that when she left this space, the outside world might still be full of challenges and difficulties, but she believed that as long as she maintained a sense of peace and freedom in her heart, she could cope with all the storms of life. The space was full of vitality, with all kinds of crops and spiritual plants growing extremely lushly, as if it had entered a harvest season. Whether it was the grain crops in the fields, the fruit trees in the orchards, or the precious medicinal herbs in the medicinal gardens, everything was laden with heavy fruit or covered in lush foliage. Moreover, many of the farmed animals were plump and healthy. Hens in the henhouse clucked as they laid eggs, piglets in the pigpen happily rooted around for food, and lambs in the sheepfold frolicked and played. The person in the painting was none other than the current Emperor! The Left Prime Minister was secretly astonished; he couldn't understand why his youngest daughter would possess a portrait of the Emperor. He looked at his daughter again, only to see her eyes flickering, as if she were deliberately avoiding his gaze. This unusual behavior made the Left Prime Minister increasingly suspicious. His eyes widened, his face filled with disbelief. He never imagined that his youngest daughter was holding a self-portrait of the Regent. The Regent in the painting was so lifelike, as if he might step out of the painting at any moment. A sense of foreboding welled up in the Left Prime Minister's heart. He knew the Regent's power and methods all too well; if his youngest daughter had any connection with the Regent, it could bring utter destruction to the entire family. He resolved to find out the reason behind this and not allow his family to fall into danger. The Left Prime Minister took a few deep breaths, trying to calm himself. He decided to have a serious talk with his daughter to understand her true thoughts. "Father, I know I was wrong," Miss Zuo said, kneeling on the ground with her head bowed. The Regent sat on his high throne, his eyes revealing an uncontrollable rage. His face was grim, his hands clenched into fists as if he wanted to crush the world. His voice was low and cold, as if from the depths of hell: "Corruption! You despicable officials dare to be corrupt right under my nose!" The Regent's voice echoed in the hall, carrying boundless authority and fury. His gaze swept over the officials below, and everyone felt his anger and disappointment. They lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes, their hearts filled with fear and unease. The Regent stood up and walked down the steps. His steps were heavy, as if each step carried immense pressure. He stopped in front of an official, his gaze piercing the official's eyes. The official trembled, his voice filled with despair and fear: "Your Highness, I...I..."
He paused for a moment, then a slight smile played on his lips, a hint of admiration in his eyes. "You certainly care about the people, but this matter isn't so easy." He stroked his chin thoughtfully. "I can help you transport the grain, but you must agree to one condition." Xue Ruanruan's heart tightened, and she quickly asked, "What condition does the Regent have in mind?" The Regent's lips curled into an enigmatic smile as he slowly said, "You must return to my residence with me and become my advisor, offering me counsel and strategies." Xue Ruanruan was shocked; she hadn't expected such a condition. She hesitated. Transporting the grain concerned the lives of many people; if she refused, they might not survive. But going to the Regent's residence was also risky; the relationships within were complex, and a single misstep could lead to utter ruin.
But seeing the Regent's unyielding gaze, Xue Ruanruan gritted her teeth. "Alright, I agree. But please arrange the grain transport as soon as possible." The Regent nodded. "Since I have agreed, I will arrange it properly. Return to my residence with me tomorrow." With that, he rose and left. Xue Ruanruan watched the Regent's departing figure, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She wondered what fate awaited her after this journey; a new challenge seemed to be quietly unfolding. "After this matter is settled, you must accompany me to an important banquet." Xue Ruanruan hesitated for a moment, but thinking of the disaster-stricken people, she gritted her teeth and agreed.
Thus, under Murong Xun's arrangement, the grain was successfully transported to the disaster area. Xue Ruanruan followed Murong Xun back to the Regent's Palace. As soon as she stepped inside, she felt a sense of oppression. Everyone in the palace was filled with curiosity and scrutiny towards her, this suddenly arrived advisor.
Xue Ruanruan watched his retreating figure, feeling both grateful and somewhat helpless. She knew that in the Regent's Palace, filled with scheming and infighting, her days would likely be anything but peaceful. The people, having received help, were deeply grateful to Xue Ruanruan. Xue Ruanruan, not forgetting her promise, carefully prepared and accompanied the Regent to a banquet. The banquet was brightly lit, and many celebrities gathered. Xue Ruanruan, dressed in simple yet dignified attire, attracted considerable attention as she walked beside the Regent. Suddenly, the daughter of a powerful minister approached with a hint of provocation, saying sarcastically, "Oh, so this is the Regent's newly brought-back advisor? He doesn't seem particularly special." Before Xue Ruanruan could respond, the Regent coldly retorted, "How dare you speak ill of my advisors?" The powerful minister's daughter paled and retreated sullenly. However, someone in the shadows, unwilling to give up, secretly slipped a drug into Xue Ruanruan's wine. Soon after, Xue Ruanruan felt dizzy and lightheaded. The Regent noticed her unusual condition and frowned. He immediately carried her back to his residence and cared for her attentively. In her dazed state, Xue Ruanruan uttered words of gratitude to the Regent. When she regained consciousness, her cheeks flushed as she faced the Regent's concerned gaze. This night's experience subtly altered the relationship between the two, and the undercurrents within the residence seemed to become even more turbulent and unpredictable due to this subtle change. At the banquet, all eyes were on them. Although somewhat nervous, Xue Ruanruan remained elegant in her demeanor.
Upon learning the news, Xue Ruanruan and Murong Xun quickly organized a force to protect the Emperor. In the chaos, Xue Ruanruan unexpectedly discovered that the leader of the mysterious force was actually a palace maid she had once punished. This maid, harboring resentment, colluded with remnants of treacherous officials, plotting to kill Xue Ruanruan and the Emperor.