Chapter 102 - How About I Letting You Make Use of Me?

Madam Zhang’s expression had been sullen. When she heard Shen Ninghua’s words, it became even worse. “You knew it would be like this, didn’t you? You just waited to have a good laugh at the Zhao family, didn’t you?” She had taken the prescription and consulted many doctors. They all said that these medical materials were high-grade tonic items and wouldn’t do much harm to the body. However, when Zhao Ruyun took the medicine, she didn’t get any better, but became unconscious. Even her pulse was undetectable from time to time.

Shen Ninghua’s expression was cold. “I already told you to prepare medicinal ingredients and I will personally treat Zhao Ruyun. Unfortunately, you didn’t listen to me and insisted on taking action without my instructions. In that case, the consequences could only be borne by yourself.”

Madam Zhang gritted her teeth. She hated Shen Ninghua from the bottom of her heart, but could only yield. “Alright, I will swallow the bitter fruit I made myself. Your Highness, I beg you to treat my daughter now.”

Shen Ninghua looked at her and could not help sigh in her heart. Zhao Ruyun was blessed to have such a mother.

When Shen Ninghua saw Zhao Ruyun again, she was a little surprised. Logically speaking, her spine had been broken and she didn’t receive proper treatment for a long time. So she should be a dying person now. However, from her look, she still had much vitality. It seemed that Madam Zhang had used quite some precious medicinal ingredients to help her survive.

Shen Ninghua did not delay. She drove the others out of the room, leaving only Qing Que and Bai Ruo to help her. Then, she took out a set of gold needles to treat Zhao Ruyun.

Madam Zhang anxiously waited outside the door. Layers after layers of sweat broke out in her palms. If Shen Ninghua killed her daughter, even if she had to exhaust the strength of the Zhang and Zhao families, she would let Shen Ninghua pay with her life.

After nearly two hours, the tightly shut door was opened. Shen Ninghua walked out with a slightly pale face. “Madam Zhang, today’s treatment is finished. The next treatment would be seven days later. I will ask someone to bring you a prescription. All you need to do is to prepare the ingredients on it.”

After listening to her, Madam Zhang nodded and walked past her to see Zhao Ruyun. Shen Ninghua turned around and looked at the scene in the room. She narrowed her eyes slightly and said, “Let’s go.”

Bai Ruo and Qing Que exchanged a glance behind her. They knew that Miss was touched by the scene, so they did not dare to disturb her. Instead, they quietly followed behind.

Returning to the Prefectural Princess Mansion, Shen Ninghua was surprised to see Chu Junyi in the room. “You haven’t left yet?”

Chu Junyi put down the chess piece in his hand and said, “I don’t want to leave without a clear answer.”

Shen Ninghua slightly rubbed her eyebrows. Treating Zhao Ruyun required 49 golden needles, each of which must be controlled with exceptional precision. This treatment had consumed too much of her energy, so she did not want to continue pestering with Chu Junyi now. “What else do you want to say?”

Chu Junyi keenly sensed her fatigue. He stood up and walked over to her. He quietly looked at her for a long time before suddenly reaching out and pulling her into his embrace.

Shen Ninghua’s eyebrows twitched, and a wave of anger instantly rose in her heart. She reached out to push him away.

Chu Junyi pressed her into his arms. “Ninghua, why don’t you ask me for help?”

Shen Ninghua was furious. “Let go of me!”

Chu Junyi did not move. He hugged her tightly and felt the slender and thin girl struggling in his arms. He felt his heart was filled with affection and concern for her. He shouted in a low voice, “Shen Ninghua, don’t move!”

Knowing that her strength could not match his, Shen Ninghua stopped struggling. With a move of her hand, she was about to spill on him the medicinal powder that make one’s body powerless. However, she heard a deep voice coming from above her head and stopped her movements.

“You are the most black-hearted girl, and I didn’t expect you to be kind to me. At present, I’m the handiest tool for you to use. With such a good shield, you can save a lot of trouble.”

Shen Ninghua was slightly stunned. She and Chu Junyi were just in a cooperative relationship and she had never made use of him before…

“Ninghua, people who are not concerned about themselves will be doomed. If you can make use of somebody, do it as much as you can. Don’t be soft-hearted. Only then can you avoid being too tired. Remember?”

Shen Ninghua slowly raised her head. This time, Chu Junyi did not stop her. Instead, he looked at her with a smile in his eyes. His eyes seemed to be filled with warm sunlight. The light was dazzling and resplendent, as if it could melt the ice.

After a long while, Shen Ninghua raised her eyebrows and said coldly, “Are you finished? Hurry up and leave. Are you waiting for me to treat you to a meal?”

Chu Junyi was stunned. Looking at Shen Ninghua, who had already turned around to rest, a trace of frustration arose in his heart. However, looking at her tired appearance, he couldn’t bear to disturb her anymore. “I’m done and I’m leaving. Have a good rest because you have to attend Madam Zhou’s funeral tomorrow. Be careful of the Zhou family.”

Hearing that there was no movement in the room, Shen Ninghua turned around and looked at the window. Suddenly, she laughed. “Chu Junyi, you really know how to manipulate people’s minds. I was almost touched. But what you said is correct. Since you want me to make use of you, I’ll give you a chance.”

As she spoke, she curled her lips, got on the bed and fell asleep. However, in her sleep, she kept dreaming about the scene of Chu Junyi embracing her in his arms. A warm aura came from his broad embrace, making her unconsciously relax and trust him.

When she woke up the next day, Shen Ninghua rubbed her eyebrows. Thinking of the dream she had last night, she moved her lips weakly and forcibly ignored the throbbing in her heart. She asked Bai Ruo to come in and help her dress up.

Shen Xuanlin carefully stretched out his head at the entrance of Ruixi Courtyard. A thin youth pulled his clothes and said, “You will make Her Highness angry by doing so. Hurry up and go back.”

Shen Xuanlin turned around and glared at the youth. “Keep your voice down. Eldest Sister has sharp five senses. It’s easy for you to be discovered when you speak.”

The youth wanted to say something, but Qing Que had walked over. “Young Master Xuanlin, Her Highness invites you over.”

Shen Xuanlin immediately lowered his head and dispiritedly walked into Ruixi Courtyard like a dog that had been drenched in the rain. “Eldest Sister, we came here to play today only after having completed the task Master Liu Yun gave us.”

Shen Ninghua ignored him and fixed the hairpin on her head. She turned to look at the youth behind Shen Xuanlin and said, “Yun Chuan, are you used to living here?” Before returning from Jiangnan, she had wanted to give Yun Chuan some money and let him stay in Linjiang City, but he was stubborn and followed them all the way to the capital on foot. If Chu Junyi’s people hadn’t noticed him, his feet would have been worn away.

Yun Chuan’s eyes lit up, and he hurriedly bowed in a dignified manner. “Your Highness, I’m used to it. Master Liu Yun treats me very well.” His mother once told him that the kindness of dripping water should be repaid by a fountain. Her Highness accommodated him and gave him the chance to learn reading and writing, and also found a master to teach him martial arts. He was determined to repay her.

Shen Ninghua smiled. The youth in front of her was the same as before. Everything in his mind was written on his face. In this life, she would definitely not let him suffer the same tragic death. “Hmm, it’s good that you are used to it. Xuanlin, I’m going out today. I’ll leave the mansion to you. Take good care of your aunt and cousin, remember?”

Hearing that he had to take care of Xia Jingqiu and Yang Yingxue, Shen Xuanlin was a little unconvinced. However, when he thought of Eldest Sister’s previous instructions, he nodded. “Yes, Eldest Sister, I will.”

Shen Ninghua was very considerate, but unfortunately, Madam Xia and her daughter did not obediently stay in the courtyard. When she was ready to go to the Second Prince’s Mansion, Madam Xia hurried over with Yang Yingxue, who was walking unsteadily. “Ninghua, wait a moment.”

Shen Ninghua suddenly frowned. Did Yang Yingxue want to go to Baili Jinchuan’s mansion at such a moment?

Madam Xia and Yang Yingxue had been waiting anxiously for a long time. They thought that the news of Yang Yingxue’s illness would definitely bring them closer to the Second Prince. Unfortunately, the heavens did not bless them, and the Second Princess passed away. However, this could also be a good thing. Although Yingxue’s status was too low to be a princess, she at least had hope, didn’t she?

“Ninghua, Yingxue has been sad after hearing that the Second Princess passed away. Why don’t you take her with you to pay your condolences this time?”

“Aunt, do you know what you’re doing?” Shen Ninghua said coldly.

Madam Xia smiled and said as if she took it for granted, “Of course I know. Yingxue is kind of acquainted with the Second Prince. Since something has happened in his mansion, she should naturally show up.”

Shen Ninghua sneered. “Acquainted? How come I don’t know that people would be acquainted after meeting only once? Aunt, there are some things that others wish to remain far away from, so don’t push cousin forward. It’s not necessarily a good thing to be too close.”

Seeing Shen Ninghua pointed out her plan so straightforwardly, Madam Xia felt embarrassed. “Ninghua, Yingxue just wants to pay her condolences. She doesn’t…”

“Is there a friendly relation between cousin and the Prefectural Princess?”

“Well…no…”

“Since they don’t have a friendly relation, then what’s point of her showing condolences?” Shen Ninghua shouted coldly, “Aunt, I understand that you want to find a good future for cousin, but good intentions also need to depend on the circumstances. Cousin will rest in the mansion before she recovers. Bi Zhu, send them back. Today, no one can leave the mansion without my order.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Yang Yingxue felt a burst of anger in her heart. Just as she was about to speak, Madam Xia pulled her back. “Yes, I was confused. I actually forgot that Yingxue hasn’t recovered. Yingxue, let me help you back to your room to rest. Ninghua, I was wrong. Don’t be angry. It’s getting late. Hurry up and go. If you get there late, I’ll feel so sorry.”

Seeing Madam Xia walked away, Shen Ninghua frowned. She turned around and got into the carriage.

Bai Zhu was puzzled. “Miss, why did Madam Xia’s attitude change so quickly?”

Shen Ninghua pondered. “I thought that she was also a fool and could only see the wealth in front of her but not the danger behind her. But now, it seems that she is also smart.”

“I don’t understand.”

Shen Ninghua explained. “Her aim today isn’t to attend Madam Zhou’s funeral. She just wanted to use this matter to test my attitude.”

“Test?” Bai Ruo was a little curious. What was she testing?

Shen Ninghua chuckled. “Aren’t you always smart? When Yang Yingxue went out that day, she should have noticed that the Second Prince’s attitude towards me was different. However, they were not sure about my attitude, so they revealed their thoughts today. If I had feelings for the Second Prince, I would definitely be angry. If I had no intentions towards the Second Prince, I would only maintain the dignity of the Prefectural Princess Mansion.”

Bai Ruo suddenly understood. “No wonder Madam Xia gave up her request so easily. I really didn’t expect them to be so bold.”

“It’s nothing. Yang Yingxue is not a fool. If she had that mind, she might have the chance to succeed. It just depends on her fortune in the future.”

In the Prefectural Princess De’s Mansion, cries pervaded the house, and the whole mansion was decorated in plain white.

Just as Shen Ninghua stepped out of the carriage, a shrill curse sounded. “How come you have the face to attend my daughter’s funeral?”