Chapter 721: Chapter 683: Brought Back (12th Update)
Qingteng Residence.
Wen Wan quickly had the rooms in the East Wing tidied up and placed Li Huairu there, personally keeping watch by the bed.
When Song Wei entered and saw her staring intently at the child, he spoke up, "Was it you who arranged to have her brought to the mansion?"
Wen Wan nodded, "Itâs rare to have such an opportunity. I wanted her to see her true family first when she wakes up."
Song Wei glanced over Li Huairuâs face, "What did the doctor say?"
Wen Wan replied, "The doctor at the clinic said the injuries are severe, and currently, she needs to rest quietly. Itâs hard to say when sheâll wake up."
Song Wei asked again, "Did you send for the household doctor?"
Wen Wan nodded, "Yun Cai went, and heâll be here soon."
The household doctor arrived quickly. Wen Wan drew the curtain down and covered Li Huairuâs wrist with a cloth before giving him space.
The doctor sat down and diagnosed her pulse through the silk handkerchief. After a while, he withdrew his hand and concluded, "Her condition is quite serious."
"Will it hurt her brain again?" Wen Wan was full of worry, "She had been injured once before."
"Itâs hard to say." The doctor stroked his beard, "We have to see how she recovers tonight."
He added, "I can prescribe a remedy to brew some medicine for her."
Wen Wan immediately ordered ink to be prepared. After the doctor left a prescription, Yun Cai went to get the medicine, and Linglong went to the tea room to clean the ceramic pot for brewing medicine.
Wen Wan sat down again, gently holding Li Huairuâs cold little hand in her palm, softly murmuring, "Sanyang, you must wake up, remember, and whether you return home depends entirely on you."
After the time it takes a stick of incense to burn, Linglong brought the medicine. Together with Wen Wan, one gently pried open Li Huairuâs mouth while the other fed her with a spoon, stopping after half a bowl.
Linglong said, "I donât know why, but this girl looks familiar."
Wen Wanâs brow furrowed.
Linglong continued, "Her eyebrows and eyes somewhat resemble the eldest daughter who is already married."
Wen Wan said, "Stop making wild guesses. Go to the kitchen and send some food, the master hasnât eaten yet and must be starving."
"Alright..." Linglong responded and left with Yun Cai, carrying food boxes to the kitchen. In no time, they brought back dinner.
Dinner was served in the East Wing, but Wen Wan had no appetite, barely ate a few bites before putting down her bowl. Seeing this, Song Wei also lost his appetite and had the food cleared away.
The couple silently kept vigil, neither speaking.
As night fell, Song Wei said, "The dew is starting to settle outside, Wanwan, go back to sleep!"
Wen Wan refused, "Previously at the clinic, the doctor said itâs crucial to ensure she doesnât develop a fever tonight, or it could be problematic. I canât leave."
She urged Song Wei, "Husband, you go back to bed yourself. I can stay up all night without an issue."
Song Wei had work at the Taichang Temple tomorrow and couldnât afford to stay up, so when he couldnât persuade her, he stopped trying, instead bringing her a thick cloak to keep warm, reassuring himself before heading to bed.
Perhaps due to the pain, Li Huairu did not have a restful night, tossing and turning, easily pulling at her wounds and groaning in her sleep from the pain.
Wen Wan gently turned her to lie on her side, placing a large pillow behind her back to prevent her from turning over again.
After fussing for most of the night, Li Huairu finally fell into a sound sleep.
Except for staying up during the New Year, Wen Wan normally wouldnât stay up late, and by dawn, she was struggling to stay awake, dozing off by the side of the bed.
Soon, she was woken by a banging on the door outside.
Wen Wan opened her eyes and realized she was still in the East Wing, instinctively glancing at the bed where Li Huairu remained unconscious, while outside, the knocking continued, and she could faintly hear a maidâs voice, "Madam, a young master from the Li Family is outside, insisting on seeing you."
Wen Wan acknowledged, "Tell him I just got up and ask him to wait a moment while I freshen up."
The maid, following the instructions, quickly left.
Wen Wan stretched her sore neck, carefully leaving the room to return to her own, where Linglong and Yun Cai had already prepared warm water for washing and a change of clothes for the day. It didnât take long for Wen Wan to get herself ready and step out of the Hanging Flower Gate, heading toward the main hall.
Li Run seemed to have had a sleepless night. His eyes were dark underneath, and upon seeing her, he immediately got up and asked, "How was Ruru last night? Did she develop a fever?"
"No." Wen Wan shook her head, "She slept relatively peacefully."
"And has she... woken up?" Li Run asked this with little confidence.
His greatest fear was that when Ruru woke up, she would remember everything, recognize this place as her third uncle and auntâs home, and refuse to return with him. He couldnât imagine how he would explain to his mother if she truly regained her memory.
Seeing the young manâs troubled expression, Wen Wan said, "Not yet. The doctor also said yesterday that itâs not easy for someone to just wake up. We might have to wait another day."
She continued, "If the Princely Heir doesnât mind, you can stay at our place another day. If youâre worried, I can send someone to inform your family."
Li Run was not actually concerned about that; he was anxious, "I want to see Ruru."
Wen Wan couldnât refuse him and nodded, "Iâll take you there."
Li Run followed Wen Wan to the East Wing of the Qingteng Residence.
Li Huairu was lying there motionless. Probably due to the medicine she drank last night, her little face didnât look as pale as before, having regained some color, which indicated improvement.
Li Run sighed in slight relief.
Wen Wan sent breakfast to them, and after Li Run finished eating, he just stayed by, pretending not to know anything about Li Huairuâs relation to the Song family.
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The Kangding Bo couple had just returned home when they were informed of the incident where Li Run took Li Huairu out to play, and she was flipped over and injured into unconsciousness by some boys.
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Yao immediately changed her expression, asking, "Where is she?"
The servant replied, "Sheâs currently recuperating at the Song family mansion."
"The Song family on Rongsheng Street?" Mrs. Yao was alarmed.
"Yes." The servant, unaware of Li Huairuâs background, saw the ladyâs displeased face and dared not say more.
"How did she end up being sent to the Song family?" Mrs. Yao nearly lost her balance.
Kang Dingbo hurriedly supported her, "Madam, collect yourself."
Mrs. Yao spoke with frustration, "Of all times, she gets hurt when we encounter those people, and afterward, she just happens to be sent to the Song family to recover. Iâm afraid they played a trick to get our Runâer caught in a trap."
Consumed with worry, Mrs. Yao instructed for a carriage to be prepared so she could personally visit the Song Mansion.
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When the doorkeeper reported Lady Kang Dingâs visit, Li Run had gone out for lunch, and Wen Wan had been distracting herself by mindlessly sorting embroidery threads.
Upon hearing this, she put the threads back into the basket and stood up to go out.
Mrs. Yao had visited the Song family once before for the old masterâs birthday banquet, so she was familiar with the way. Before Wen Wan even got out, Mrs. Yao was almost at the Qingteng Residence, clearly in haste, as evidenced by the fine sweat on her forehead.
Upon seeing Wen Wan, Mrs. Yao had to stop, curtseying, "Greetings to the Commandery Princess."
"Madam, you must be here for Ruru, correct?" Wen Wan asked directly.
Mrs. Yao, seeing her straightforwardness, decided not to beat around the bush, "How is her condition now?"
"After a nightâs rest, she has improved." Wen Wan replied, "But she is still unconscious and canât go back with you."
"I brought several servants," Mrs. Yao said, "all who usually attend to Ruru and know whatâs urgent and important. Since she is gravely injured, she should have someone with her constantly. Having her in your care causes too much trouble for the Commandery Princess. Let me take her back."
"Madam." Wen Wan assumed a serious expression, "Are you sure you want to take her back now?"
Mrs. Yao was internally upset, "What do you mean? Ruru is a member of the Li Family. If I donât take her back, do you expect her to stay here forever?"
"I mean that her head injury is not minor. If moved carelessly, it could affect the wound, only adding to her pain. I understand what youâre worried about. If you take her away for selfish reasons and accidentally cause her to lose her last breath, whom will you hold accountable for that?"
Mrs. Yaoâs face showed distress, and after a moment of hesitation, she softened her tone, "May I see her first?"
"Of course, please come inside."