The servant hurried forward.

Bending down to pull up Zhao’er who was kneeling on the ground.

Zhao’er cried while struggling, continuously pleading with Duke Wangguo: “Father, even if you must be so heartless, please save Mother for my sake.”

“Take her away.”

“She’s also your wife, my mother…”

The Duke’s face darkened.

Just at this moment…

Nayan, who had been silent all along, spoke up: “Duke, husband and wife for one night, gratitude for a hundred days.”

What sounded like a persuasive remark actually carried the tone of a command.

Duke Wangguo was stunned.

He hadn’t expected Nayan to speak up.

For a moment, he didn’t know what to say.

Nayan looked at Zhao’er, whose eyes were brimming with tears, and actually revealed a gentle smile, saying: “This prince remembers when I last saw you, you were still a little girl. Today you’ve grown much taller.”

Hm?

What was this about?

As he recalled, the last time he saw Zhao’er was five years ago.

Nayan had been visiting Duke Wangguo’s manor as a guest, walking with the Duke through the small garden in the back courtyard. They had been conversing pleasantly when a tiny figure emerged from somewhere and suddenly bumped into his waist.

It didn’t hurt him—he only felt something soft and fluffy knock against him.

Looking down, he saw a little girl with braided hair wearing a green dress rubbing her head.

She was calling out: “I made another mistake.”

Her voice was thin and soft.

Carrying self-reproach.

Then he had shown a gentle smile like a big brother, unconsciously reaching out to ruffle little Zhao’er’s head, saying: “Did you hurt yourself bumping into me?”

Little Zhao’er raised her big eyes, looking up at the big brother before her, and shook her head: “It doesn’t hurt.”

After speaking, she looked toward her father, bit her lip, and said: “Father, I didn’t mean to.”

Taking the initiative to admit fault.

Duke Wangguo didn’t blame her but lightly tapped her head twice: “Go play.”

“Mm.”

Little Zhao’er then ran off.

Nayan watched that adorable back and asked: “Who is this?”

Duke Wangguo said with a smile: “This is my youngest daughter.”

“So she’s your esteemed daughter.”

“How embarrassing, she nearly bumped into Your Highness just now.”

“Not at all, your esteemed daughter is very adorable.”

“She’s quite mischievous.” When talking about his youngest daughter, Duke Wangguo’s face always overflowed with an extremely doting smile.

Nayan asked: “What’s her name?”

“Zhao’er.”

Zhao’er!

That day, Nayan remembered that little girl’s name.

After returning, he had specifically inquired about little Zhao’er.

Learning of her miraculous background.

He was also surprised that Duke Wangguo would actually be superstitious about such things!

Now, five years later, seeing Zhao’er again, she had blossomed into a graceful young lady.

Completely shedding her cute, tender appearance from back then.

Calculating… she should be of marriageable age now.

Zhao’er stopped her pleading voice, looking at the man before her, asking: “Are you the Second Prince?”

“Yes, so you still remember me.”

She didn’t remember, skipping this topic. She reached out and grabbed the corner of Nayan’s robe, asking: “Can you make my father save my mother? My mother is gravely ill and needs a physician.”

“Of course, this prince will certainly help you.” He said this sentence almost without hesitation.

Then—

He said to Duke Wangguo: “Duke, you should know what to do about this matter, correct?”

Duke Wangguo naturally didn’t dare disobey, saying: “Understood.”

Nayan looked at Zhao’er: “Your mother will be fine.”

“Thank you, Second Prince.”

“No need.” Nayan said to the Duke, “Then this prince won’t disturb you in handling your family matters. As for other matters, we’ll discuss them another time.”

“Yes.”

He slowly stood up, patting his robe, smoothing out some of the creases on his sleeves.

About to leave, his steps had just crossed the threshold when he stopped, turning to look at Zhao’er still kneeling on the ground, asking gently: “You’re called Zhao’er, right?”

Zhao’er looked at him with great gratitude, nodding vigorously and answering: “Yes, I’m called Zhao’er.”

“Good, this prince will remember you.”

Leaving these words behind, he departed into the heavy snow.

Duke Wangguo sighed, looking at his daughter, then personally pulled her up: “Father has told you many times not to go see your mother. Why are you so disobedient? Must you go against my wishes?”

Zhao’er grabbed his sleeve: “How can I not see my own mother?”

“You just can’t see her!”

“Father…”

“Enough. Now that His Highness has spoken, I naturally cannot ignore this. But listen, this is the last time. If you’re disobedient again, I’ll send you to your aunt’s place.”

Zhao’er’s aunt was far away in Gaoding City. If he sent her there, it would mean never being able to see her mother Jiang Shi again.

How could that be acceptable?

She quickly agreed: “Yes, this is the last time. As long as Mother can get through this crisis, I’ll listen to Father.”

“Mm, good then.”

Only then did Zhao’er leave.

Duke Wangguo was no fool. Looking at his daughter’s back, he drew in a breath: “It seems Heaven has truly given me a stroke of good fortune. This good fortune will soon arrive.”

…

Afterward, Duke Wangguo gave orders for someone to fetch a physician immediately to examine Jiang Shi, no matter what, they couldn’t let anything happen to her.

But—

He still refused to make a trip to Luo Courtyard where Jiang Shi resided.

Zhao’er returned to her room, only able to wait anxiously there.

Not knowing how much time had passed.

The little maid came running hurriedly.

Zhao’er asked: “How is Mother?”

“Miss, rest assured. The physician examined her and said it’s some old ailments, plus with the recent cold weather, she caught a chill.”

Her anxious heart finally eased slightly.

But—

“Caught a chill?”

“That’s what the physician said. Then he prescribed some medicine and left.” Zhao’er’s brows knitted, her ten fingers unconsciously twisting together as she said: “If this continues, what can be done? Last time I went to see Mother, I noticed the quilt covering her was very thin, and the charcoal fire in the room wasn’t strong either. How could a person living in there not catch a chill? Before I left, I specifically instructed the maid taking care of Mother to quickly make up for what was lacking.”

“Miss…”

“Did the maid in the room not do what I said?” Zhao’er huffed, then ordered, “Quickly go prepare several quilts and several baskets of charcoal to send to Mother’s place. Oh yes, and go buy several sets of thick clothing. Hurry.”

Urging her on.

But the little maid hesitated.

“Why are you still standing here?”

The maid said haltingly: “Miss, actually… the Master just gave orders to have everything Mother needs properly arranged. He even added two more maids to go there and take good care of Madam.”

What?

Zhao’er thought she had misheard, asking: “You’re saying… Father already ordered someone to handle it?”

“Yes, it’s all been taken care of.”

How very strange!

According to her father’s temperament, how could he change so quickly? Her heart was pounding with uncertainty.