jdhmnovel Chapter 315 (40 words added)
Chapter 315 (40 words added)
Xue Ruanruan left the Zhenguo General's Mansion, her heart filled with resentment. Today, she had hoped to ingratiate herself with the General's wife and secure a better future, but instead, she had been humiliated by that cunning Third Miss. Biting her lower lip, she secretly vowed to vent her anger.
As she walked, she suddenly heard a commotion coming from the street. Curious, she went over to investigate and found a group of people surrounding a fortune teller. The fortune teller's eyes lit up when he saw her and he exclaimed, "Young lady, I see a faint glow on your forehead; something significant is about to happen!" Xue Ruanruan didn't believe in such things, but feeling troubled, she wanted to hear what he had to say. The fortune teller continued, "Although you are currently facing difficulties, you will have a benefactor to help you, and you will surely enjoy wealth and honor in the future." Xue Ruanruan's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly asked who the benefactor was. The fortune teller smiled mysteriously and only said that the time was not yet right. Xue Ruanruan, half-believing and half-doubting, gave him some money and continued walking. Little did she know that this seemingly ordinary street encounter would become the crucial beginning of turning the tide in the power struggles of this inner palace.
Murong Xun lifted the carriage curtain and immediately saw Xue Ruanruan. A thought struck him, and he ordered the driver to stop. Xue Ruanruan was pondering the fortune teller's words when she suddenly heard a gentle voice: "Miss, are you troubled by something?" She looked up and saw a man in fine clothes with an extraordinary air sitting in the carriage. Xue Ruanruan curtsied and recounted her experience at the General's mansion. Murong Xun listened, a hint of pity flashing in his eyes, followed by a smile: "Miss, there's no need to be angry. That unruly person will get her comeuppance in the future. As for the benefactor you mentioned, he might be right before your eyes." Xue Ruanruan was startled and carefully examined the man before her. She felt he possessed an extraordinary bearing and might indeed be her benefactor. Murong Xun invited Xue Ruanruan into the carriage, and the two chatted all the way. Murong Xun's knowledge and eloquence filled Xue Ruanruan with admiration. He promised to help Xue Ruanruan gain a foothold in the capital. Xue Ruanruan's heart was filled with hope, and she secretly vowed that if she could really get help from a benefactor, she would definitely repay him in the future.
The Regent arrived at the General's Mansion. Everyone in the mansion, upon hearing of his arrival, was filled with trepidation and rushed out to greet him. The Regent strode into the hall, his expression imposing, and no one dared utter a sound. The General's wife stepped forward tremblingly and asked, "May I ask what brings Your Majesty here?" The Regent's gaze swept around the room before he slowly said, "I have come today to discuss the matter of Xue Ruanruan." Everyone looked puzzled, not knowing who Xue Ruanruan was. The Regent then recounted how Xue Ruanruan had been humiliated in the mansion, his words filled with displeasure. The General's wife turned pale and hurriedly apologized, "It was my fault for not disciplining her properly; I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness." The Regent coldly snorted, "I will spare you today, but if you dare to be so arrogant and domineering again, I will not let you off lightly." The General's wife nodded hastily, secretly wondering who this Xue Ruanruan was that the Regent would stand up for her. The third young lady was so shocked and frightened that her legs went weak and she almost collapsed to the ground.
In the Regent's Palace, Xue Ruanruan learned that the Regent had stood up for her, and her heart was filled with gratitude. She understood that her fate had changed from this point on. In the power struggles of this grand mansion, with the Regent as her powerful backer, her future might truly be as the fortune teller had predicted—a life of wealth and glory. But she also knew that the road ahead would not be smooth; an even fiercer struggle had just begun. With that, she rose and left. Through Murong Xun's arrangements, Xue Ruanruan had already learned of this matter and felt even more grateful to him. She understood that this was a rare turning point in her palace intrigues; from now on, she had the Regent as her powerful backer, and she was determined to plan carefully and carve out her own niche in this grand mansion.
In the middle of the road ahead stood a ragged old man, his face haggard, his eyes revealing despair and pain. Murong Xun lifted the curtain and examined the old man. He keenly sensed that the old man's health was exceptionally poor. The moment he stepped through the gates of the mansion, a long-lost sense of warmth washed over him. The flowers, plants, and trees in the courtyard were still lush and verdant, exuding a refreshing fragrance; the koi in the pond swam happily, as if welcoming their master's return. Xue Ruanruan strolled through the courtyard, feeling the warmth and tranquility of home, her unease gradually dissipating. At this moment, Xue Ruanruan knew that no matter how unpredictable the outside world might be, this would always be her most secure harbor, the refuge of her soul. The carriage Murong Xun rode in was entirely crafted from precious ebony, its body carved with exquisite cloud patterns, showcasing its owner's noble and extraordinary status. The shafts and wheels were meticulously polished, smooth as a mirror, as if reflecting everything around them.
Xue Ruanruan was once again in danger, but fortunately, the Xue family army arrived in time and escorted her to the Emperor's side. After taking the medicine prepared by Xue Ruanruan, the Emperor's condition gradually improved. Upon regaining consciousness, the Emperor was furious at the actions of the treacherous officials and, with the testimony of Murong Xun and Xue Ruanruan, brought them all to justice. Xue Ruanruan, relying on her wisdom and courage, as well as the miraculous effects of the Holy Spirit Grass, successfully resolved the crisis in the palace and restored order to the court. Her relationship with Murong Xun also deepened during this turmoil. However, upon hearing that Murong Xun had entered the palace to impeach them, the Emperor, in desperation, spread rumors in the palace that Xue Ruanruan had brought back an evil object that would bring disaster to the palace. Panic gripped the palace. Ignoring the doubts of the crowd, Xue Ruanruan insisted on using the Holy Spirit Grass to cure the Emperor. Just as the medicine was ready to be given to the Emperor, treacherous officials bribed a palace maid to poison it. Fortunately, Xue Ruanruan was observant and discovered the plot in time. She and Murong Xun joined forces to expose the officials' evil deeds. After taking the medicine made with the Holy Spirit Grass, the Emperor's condition gradually improved. Xue Ruanruan, through her wisdom and courage, triumphed in this palace intrigue, making the miraculous effects of the Holy Spirit Grass a legendary tale in the palace. Deep within him lay a strong ambition and desire, yearning for greater power and status. In his eyes, only power was eternal; everything else was fleeting. Despite this, Murong Xun outwardly maintained a gentle, refined, and polite image. He was adept at interpersonal relationships, knowing how to use his charm and wisdom to win the trust and support of others. In court, he always skillfully handled various complex situations, further solidifying his position.
She explored this unfamiliar environment with curiosity, her heart filled with awe and anticipation. Suddenly, a gentle breeze swept by, bringing a refreshing scent. Xue Ruanruan followed the wind and saw an ancient and solemn palace in the distance. The palace exuded a mysterious aura, its walls covered with strange symbols and patterns, as if concealing endless secrets. Xue Ruanruan cautiously entered the palace, where a tranquil atmosphere permeated the air. In the center of the palace was a huge stone platform, upon which rested a book radiating a mysterious light. She approached the platform and gently touched the book. Suddenly, the words in the book seemed to come alive, fluttering in the air and swirling around her. Just as Xue Ruanruan was at a loss, a soft voice rang in her ears: "You've finally come." Xue Ruanruan looked around in astonishment, trying to find the source of the voice. "I am the guardian of this medical book," the voice came again. Xue Ruanruan looked closely and realized that the voice came from the floating words before her; she was speechless with surprise. "Your ability to find this place proves you have a special connection with medicine. Now, I will pass on this medical book to you, hoping you can use it to benefit the world." The words gradually coalesced into a vortex, delivering the medical book to Xue Ruanruan's hands. Xue Ruanruan excitedly accepted the book, feeling a powerful surge of energy within her. She opened the pages; inside were recorded unparalleled medical techniques, each page radiating a strange light. Just then, space began to distort, and Xue Ruanruan knew it was time to leave. When she opened her eyes again, she found herself back in the real world. Xue Ruanruan gratefully closed the medical book, determined to use her newly acquired medical skills to heal and save lives. She opened a clinic, and with her superb medical skills and kind heart, her reputation quickly spread. One day, a patient suffering from a rare disease came seeking treatment. After careful diagnosis, Xue Ruanruan discovered that the disease was extremely rare. Recalling the records in the medical book, she decided to try a unique treatment method. After meticulous treatment, the patient's condition showed significant improvement. This success greatly boosted Xue Ruanruan's confidence. She delved even deeper into the mysteries of the medical book, constantly tackling various difficult and complex illnesses. In a flash, at that critical moment, her eyes flashed like lightning, swiftly seizing the fleeting opportunity. Without hesitation, she used all her strength to violently throw the priceless medical book she was clutching out the window. At the same time, she screamed at the top of her lungs, a cry that shook the heavens and earth: "Help! Help! There's a thief here!" Her voice, like a booming bell, was deafening, seemingly able to pierce through thick walls and echo throughout the streets and alleys. Hearing the shouts, nearby residents rushed over, and the thieves, seeing this, had no choice but to flee. Xue Ruanruan breathed a sigh of relief, looking at everyone gratefully. After this ordeal, Xue Ruanruan understood that the power of a medical book lies not only in the medical knowledge it contains, but also in people's adherence to justice and kindness. She decided to make the medical book public so that more people could benefit. "No need to look anymore, I am the master of this space."
The man was moved to tears and insisted on giving Xue Ruanruan some expensive gifts, but she politely declined. "Just then, the old man, weathered and wrinkled yet with bright, piercing eyes, slowly entered the room. His steps were unsteady, but each one was firm and powerful. When he reached Xue Ruanruan, his calloused hands trembled slightly as he reached out and tightly grasped her soft, slender hand. His eyes were filled with boundless gratitude and respect, as if those hands held the most precious treasure in the world. His lips trembled slightly, as if he wanted to say something to express the intense emotions deep within his heart, but all his words ultimately turned into a deep sigh and a simple, sincere 'thank you.' In that instant, Xue Ruanruan seemed to transcend the boundaries of time and space, stepping into a mysterious and wondrous realm—space itself."
As they drew closer, Xue Ruanruan finally made out the banner symbolizing supreme authority on the carriage, and the figure faintly visible behind the curtain. Even though it was just a fleeting glimpse, she felt an invisible pressure bearing down on her, causing her to involuntarily hold her breath. Just then, a gentle breeze lifted a corner of the curtain, revealing the Regent's cold and majestic face… Murong Xun wore a magnificent, ink-black brocade robe, its hem fluttering gently in the wind like a star twinkling in the night sky. He wore an exquisite jade crown, the translucent jade emitting a faint glow, complementing his cold and profound eyes. After the man had recovered somewhat, the two left the cave together. Upon parting, the man took out a jade pendant from his robes, insisting on giving it to Xue Ruanruan as a token of his gratitude. Xue Ruanruan couldn't refuse and had to accept it. Back home, Xue Ruanruan casually placed the jade pendant on the table. Unexpectedly, this jade pendant caused trouble. It turned out that the pendant was a personal item of the Regent, and the man was a trusted confidant of the Regent. Upon learning of this, the Regent suspected that Xue Ruanruan had deliberately approached his confidant to solicit the pendant, intending to commit adultery. Therefore, he sent men to bring Xue Ruanruan to the palace to investigate…
Xue Ruanruan was startled upon seeing the Regent's carriage. Her legs trembled slightly, but she forced herself to remain calm and slowly curtsied, saying, "This humble woman greets the Regent." The Regent's gaze was piercing, and he coldly asked, "How dare you, humble woman! Why do you demand the jade pendant of my confidant?" Xue Ruanruan hurriedly explained, "Your Highness, I saved that man, and he insisted on giving it to me as a token of his gratitude. I couldn't refuse, so I accepted it." The Regent's eyes were full of suspicion: "Hmph, who can vouch for your words? Could it be that you're trying to get close to me through your confidant, with some ulterior motive?" Xue Ruanruan's eyes reddened with anxiety: "Your Highness, this humble woman is merely a healer, only knowing how to treat the sick and save lives. I have no other intentions." Just as the atmosphere became tense, the confidant rushed over and truthfully recounted the whole story. After hearing this, the Regent's expression softened somewhat, but his suspicions remained. He stared at Xue Ruanruan and said in a deep voice, "I'll believe you for now, but if I find out you've told even the slightest lie, I won't let you off easily." Xue Ruanruan nodded hurriedly, secretly lamenting that she didn't know when this unnecessary trouble would end.