âBut right now, I donât have any merits nor a title, how is it proper for me to go.â
âBig brother, the so called âstarting a family and establishing oneâs careerâ, the âstarting a familyâ part is in front, and then âestablishing oneâs careerâ. In ancient times, people also say, cultivating oneâs moral character and regulating oneâs family to better govern the country for world peace. This âregulating oneâs familyâ is also in front of âgoverning the countryâ.â Du Xiao Li said, âBesides, you two can get engaged first, then next year, after you participate in the imperial exam, itâs not too late to get married then!â
âLook at you, getting more and more bold.â Du Xiu Heng patted Du Xiao Liâs head and said with a smile.
âHehe, tomorrow, Iâll go look for big sister Ya Lan and ask.â Du Xiao Li said, âWell then, weâve arrived at my courtyard. Remember to rest early, after you return tomorrow, wait for my news.â
With that said, Du Xiao Li entered her courtyard. After watching her enter, Du Xiu Heng also turned and left. Recalling Du Xiao Li talking about âthe wind like itâs rainâ, he also started getting excited for tomorrow inside. At the same time, he was also somewhat anxious. What will he do if Fu Ya Lan isnât interested in him?
Du Xiao Li let Xia Yuan and them go keep an eye on Du Ke Xinâs courtyard, while she went to take a bath. After coming out, she heard from Xia Yuan that after getting sent back in the afternoon, Du Ke Xin has been unconscious and unable to wake up the whole time. The doctor that was invited only said she had signs of being poisoned, yet was unable to diagnose what poison it was. Afterwards, Zhong Mei Qing went to the palace to tell the Empress Dowager, inviting two imperial physicians over, but they were still unable to figure out what the poison was.
As soon as Du Yun Han returned he was called over to Du Ke Xinâs courtyard. The two imperial physicians were still whispering to one another and investigating Du Ke Xinâs situation. When they saw Du Yun Han enter, the uniformly got up and greeted him.
âHave troubled you both, whatâs wrong with Ke Xin?â Du Yun Han looked to Du Ke Xin who was lying in bed.
âReplying to Prime Minister Du, your esteemed daughter should be poisoned, but we are not adept in poison, and donât know what poison Miss Du is affected with.â One of the imperial physicians replied.
âMy lord, think of a way to save Xinâer! Seeing her like this, my heart is about to break!â Zhong Mei Qing was using her handkerchief wiping her tears nonstop to the side, her two eyes already swollen. Looks like sheâd already been crying for quite some time.
âHow did she get poisoned? As the mother, how did you take care of her?â Du Yun Han berated.
Getting berated by Du Yun Han, Zhong Mei Qing momentarily forgot how to cry, and after a few seconds, she cried even more bitterly, saying: âWhen she returned in the afternoon, she was already like this. How would I know what kind of people she ran into outside, and where she got poisoned. My lord, right now isnât the time to think about this, quickly think of a way to save Xinâer!â
âIâm not a doctor, what do you want me to think of?!â Du Yun Han was annoyed by Zhong Mei Qingâs crying.
âPrime Minister Du, since we both donât understand poison, why donât you invite Imperial Physician Hu over for a look. He frequently researches poisons, perhaps heâll be able to figure out what poison Miss Du is afflicted with.â The imperial physician that previously spoke suggested.
Du Yun Han originally wanted to call on Du Xiao Li, but recalling that although she didnât say it, towards Zhong Mei Qing and them, she has always disliked them inside. If he were to let her come treat, perhaps sheâll be unhappy. If Imperial Physician Du has a way to save Du Ke Xin, then there would be no need to trouble Xiao Li.
âSomeone, go invite Imperial Physician He over!â
Chang Feng immediately accepted the order and left. The two imperial physicians, figuring that there was no use for them to say here, bid Du Yun Han farewell and left too.
Du Xiao Li learned that Du Yun Han had sent someone to go find Imperial Physician Hu, and said with a yawn, âImperial Physician Hu should be able to diagnose what poison Du Ke Xin is afflicted with, but may not necessarily be able to concoct the antidote. You two should be tired from today, go rest.â
This night, Du Xiao Li slept very peacefully. Du Xiu Heng however couldnât sleep for half the night, and the next day, nearly was late for school. Du Ke Xinâs courtyard on the other hand was in chaos all the way until daybreak.
Early next morning, Du Xiao Li went to the wolf park to see Silver and Gold. After returning, Xia Yuan told her that last night, after Imperial Physician Hu came over, he indeed figured out what poison Du Ke Xin was poisoned with, and also had the poisonâs characteristics explained. He even told them about that bitter and smelly antidote as well.
After learning that Du Ke Xinâs life wonât be in danger within seven days, Zhong Mei Qing let him quickly concoct the antidote. Imperial Physician Hu however said he himself had no way, and in this world, aside from the poison king and one other person, no one else was capable of producing an antidote. And that person was precisely the one that saved Lu Jun Qi last time, Du Xiao Li.
Knowing that he didnât have anymore use here, Imperial Physician Hu bid his farewell as soon as possible. Zhong Mei Qing looked to Du Ke Xin lying on the bed with a peaceful look, struggling inside on whether or not to look for Du Xiao Li to come save Du Ke Xin.
Hearing Xia Yuanâs words, Du Xiao Li laughed, âLet her continue to contemplate then. Letâs change and go visit Sui Yuan. Afterwards, need to go look for big sister Ya Lan to sound out her opinion.â
Du Xiao Li left just like that. By the time Zhong Mei Qing thought things through and went to look for Du Xiao Li, sheâd already left for a long time.
Du Xiao Li first went to Sui Yuan for a stroll, seeing the entire courtyard already changed into a new shell, sighing at Du Yun Han and Han Ming Yiâs speed in handling things. Such a vast project, theyâd already finished this quickly. Right now, all thatâs left is some logistics that needs to be arranged.
Du Yun Han and Han Ming Yi were both not present. There were only the servants working under Mu Zi Muâs arrangements. She looked around for a while, and after discovering that there was no problems, she got on her horse carriage and went to Feng Xue Lou, letting Xia Yuan and them go to the academy to pick up Fu Ya Lan for a meal. She also sent someone to go to the Meng Manor and Ji Manor to have Meng Jiang Zhuo and Ji Liu Xia invited over too.
Meng Jiang Zhuo arrived first, and chatted with Du Xiao Li, waiting for Fu Ya Lan and them to come. Soon after, Ji Liu Xia also arrived. Right now, she, who didnât need to attend classes anymore, felt her entire person liberated, running around everywhere all day long. When it was almost noon, Xia Yuan had Fu Ya Lan brought over.
Du Xiao Li had also sent someone to invite Han Ming Xiang, but sheâd entered the palace, so they were unable to find her.
This way, everyone had all arrived, thus Du Xiao Li let Qiao Zhu go inform Fu Wan San to serve the dishes.
âXiao Li, how did you get kidnapped yesterday?â Fu Ya Lan asked after sitting down, âAfterwards, how did you escape?â
âWhat? Du Xiao Li got kidnapped yesterday? Who did it? Iâll go skin them!â As soon as Ji Liu Xia heard Du Xiao Li got kidnapped, she had a look like she wanted to whip someone.
âStill havenât figured out who yet. You all donât need to get worked up either.â Du Xiao Li said.
Shortly after, everyone listened to Du Xiao Li explained what happened yesterday while they ate. She explained it very plainly in a few short words, however everyone still felt the fright within.
âHmph, if Iâd gone, I wouldâve definitely beaten them till they lose their sense of direction!â Ji Liu Xia angrily snorted.
âItâs good that youâre alright. In the future, itâs best you donât come out too casually.â Meng Jiang Zhuo felt her heart hanging from her throat.
âIâm fine, you all need to believe in Xia Yuan and Ying Geâs martial arts.â Du Xiao Li said.
âThatâs right, I heard Jiang Zhuo your engagement has already been set?â Ji Liu Xia asked, having the topic shift from Du Xiao Li.