Min was intent on catching Gao Yang while his mistress gave birth, so after exchanging a few pleasantries, she prepared to leave.
The Duke's Madam personally escorted the three of them out. Just as they left the reception hall, they ran into Madam Song, who was also leaving.
The Fourth Prince's attendant had thrown Madam Song out of the reception hall. She had lost so much face that she could hardly bear to stay.
She would probably claim to be ill and avoid going out for some time.
She had meant to humiliate Jian Ruonan, only to make her wildly popular instead. Madam Song wore a long, horse-like face, bitterness churning inside her.
Min even twisted the knife right in front of her. "It's all thanks to you, Sister Song. Without you, everyone would never have seen what a wonderful girl Nannan is."
Madam Song: "..."
When had Min learned to be so snide?
Wasn't she always so virtuous and proper?
Ha! Finally dropping the act!
After saying it, Min herself felt a little surprised. She had always stood straight and sat upright, never openly mocking anyone or making veiled digs.
She had spoken that way only because Madam Song had targeted Nannan earlier.
But it felt wonderfully satisfying, especially when she saw Madam Song's face turn livid. Min felt as happy as if she had drunk honey.
Hmph. Bully anyone else you like, but not Nannan.
When they reached the Hanging Flower Gate, Jian Zhang was already waiting there.
[Well, well! Madam Song's eyes went fixed the moment she saw my dad!]
[At her age, she's still swooning over my dad. Shameless old thing!]
Jian Xilu thought, My little sister is right.
Min glanced at Madam Song. Sure enough, her expression looked peculiar.
[Mom, kiss Dad! Make that toad choke with jealousy!]
Min pressed her lips together and considered it for quite a while. Just as they were about to reach the carriage, she steeled herself and suddenly leaned against Jian Zhang. "Husband, I feel a little dizzy. Sorry for the trouble, but would you support me?"
Her voice was soft and lilting, suffused with tender affection.
The instant she finished speaking, her face flushed crimson, and she hurriedly covered it with her handkerchief.
She had never done anything so embarrassing in her life.
That blush only made her look even more bashful and charming.
Jian Zhang was rather puzzled. Min was normally dignified and graceful; even in bed, she was proper and restrained. She seldom displayed the shy coyness of a young girl. What had gotten into her today?
Still, this side of Min had a charm all its own.
[Dad, hurry up and put your arms around Mom!! Be more lovey-dovey!!]
[Kiss her, kiss her, kiss her!!]
Hearing his youngest daughter's thoughts, Jian Zhang acted without hesitation. He slipped an arm around Min's waist and pulled her into his embrace.
He rather enjoyed having Min cling to him.
Being lovey-dovey in public was certainly not quite proper. Although he could not kiss her, a little embrace was acceptable.
[Yes, just like that! So sweet!!]
[Kill that jealous dog Madam Song with all this sweetness!!]
[Dad's handsomeness is off the charts today!]
Madam Song: "..."
Damn it, hadn't she heard that their relationship was strained because of Concubine Wei?
At the sight of the affectionate couple, Madam Song's nose nearly twisted crooked with rage.
She hurried into her carriage in a frenzy, banged her head against the doorway, and raised a large bump.
Watching the show from the side, Jian Ruonan laughed until her stomach hurt.
Once they were in the carriage, Min exchanged a glance with Jian Zhang. "Let's not go home just yet. Nan Nan wants to buy pastries in Pagoda Tree Alley."
Jian Zhang inwardly tensed. There must have been a lead on Gao Yang. "Of course. After buying pastries, we can stroll around nearby."
The family rode straight to Pagoda Tree Alley.
Elsewhere, the Fourth Prince was receiving treatment in a room.
After discovering that he had regained sensation in his thighs, the Fourth Prince summoned his attendants. One of them knew medicine and immediately began examining and treating him.
As the silver needles pierced his acupuncture points, Dantai Mo immediately felt an aching numbness he had not experienced in ages.
!!
At last, he could feel something.
After waiting so long, this day had finally come.
Dantai Mo closed his eyes. A complicated expression suddenly swept over his usually impassive, cold face.
The attendant was overjoyed. "Congratulations, Your Highness! May you soon regain your full health!"
An acupuncture session took about twenty minutes. Twenty minutes later, before removing the silver needles, the attendant manipulated them again. This time, however, Dantai Mo could no longer feel anything in his legs.
Dantai Mo: "..."
It had disappeared that quickly?
The Black Tortoise System said, [Your Highness, acupuncture is useless. You still need Lamp Oil. Talking to the Fifth Young Lady more is what really matters.]
Dantai Mo: "..."
It seemed he would have to keep stealing Lamp Oil.
When the Fourth Prince emerged from the resting room and learned that Madam Wang's headache had vanished and she was already brimming with vigor, he was rather surprised. [Does Madam Wang have a system too? Did she just steal Lamp Oil from the Fifth Young Lady?]
The Black Tortoise System replied, [Madam Wang has no system. The Fifth Young Lady's medicine works wonders on pain.]
This was the first time Dantai Mo had heard of such miraculous medicine.
Could the Fifth Young Lady truly possess exceptional medical skills?
He had heard a little about Madam Wang's recurring headaches. Both his leg condition and her headaches had been under the care of Court Physician Zhang of the Imperial Medical Academy.
Madam Wang had suffered from headaches for years, and every attack lasted several days. Could one tiny pill really cure her in an hour?
Then could Jian Ruonan cure him through her medical skills alone?
Although they had met only once, Dantai Mo grew increasingly curious about Jian Ruonan.
Just what sort of extraordinary woman was she?
The Fourth Prince asked where Jian Ruonan was, only to learn that she had already left.
Dantai Mo said, [Why did she leave so quickly?!]
Had she discovered that her Lamp Oil was being stolen?
The Black Tortoise System said, [Your Highness, I am an advanced system. The Fifth Young Lady is bound to nothing more than a little system. They will never detect what I'm doing.]
[While you were talking to Jian Ruonan earlier, I established a connection with her little system and unexpectedly developed a skill.]
The Black Tortoise System stopped halfway through, deliberately keeping him in suspense.
Dantai Mo said, [Spit it out.]
Not only was this system useless, it was getting haughty too.
It had been bound to him for so long without doing a damn thing. Did it think he didn't know exactly how little it amounted to?
What was it acting so high and mighty for?
The Black Tortoise System said, [Now, whenever you get close to her, you can hear her thoughts.]
Its tone practically begged for praise.
Dantai Mo asked, [Does the Fifth Young Lady know?]
Another underhanded trick like this. What the hell was there to be proud of?
The Black Tortoise System replied, [Of course not. My system level is far too high.]
[By hearing her thoughts and learning her preferences, Your Highness will be able to capture the beauty's heart with ease.]
Dantai Mo said, [Didn't you say before that the Fifth Young Lady's mission was to win me over?!]
Why was he now the one who had to capture the beauty's heart?
Useless.
The Black Tortoise System said, [Special circumstances call for special measures!]
Dantai Mo: *[...]*
Though he was unwilling ten thousand times over, the prospect of standing again was too tempting. Dantai Mo immediately called for a carriage and followed the carriage from the Jinyang Marquis's Residence to Pagoda Tree Alley.
Dantai Mo felt a little nervous.
Being able to hear someone else's thoughts was strange.
The Fifth Miss looked small and thin. She spoke softly, kept her eyes lowered, and seemed somewhat shy around strangers. She must have been a bashful, introverted young lady.
Presumably, her thoughts would be as gentle as her outward appearance.
As the carriage slowly drew closer, a female voice suddenly rang out inside Dantai Mo's head:
[That bastard Gao Yang is right there!!]
[Quick, open the door and unleash Dad! Let Dad get out and catch him!]
[Don't let that bastard get away!]
[Charge-!]
Dantai Mo: "..."
Before you continue