My Mother Was Murdered… So I Seduced the Emperor’s Sister for Ultimate Revenge!
Chapter 22 - Bestowing the Peiyuan Pill! Treating Fan Ruoruo’s Cold Ailment! A Complete Recovery?!

Chapter 22: Bestowing the Peiyuan Pill! Treating Fan Ruoruo’s Cold Ailment! A Complete Recovery?!

The glow of the setting sun grew softer.

Golden afterglow spilled over the river’s surface, sparkling like flowing fragments of gold.

Li Changsheng gathered his fishing gear unhurriedly, piece by piece.

The small bucket beside him brimmed with lively, wriggling fish—the most eye-catching among them was a large grass carp, its tail flicking restlessly at the bottom.

Fan Ruoruo crouched beside the bucket, her small hands gripping the rim as she counted the fish intently.

Once.

Then again.

Pure joy radiated from her little face, as though she had stumbled upon the world’s most precious treasure.

Her bright eyes shimmered with undisguised admiration for Li Changsheng.

“Brother Changsheng, you’re truly amazing!”

This was probably the umpteenth time she had exclaimed something like that today.

In her small world, Brother Changsheng seemed capable of anything.

He could sneak her over the towering courtyard walls without a sound.

Buy her sweet, sugary candied hawthorns.

And now, catch so many—and such big—fish.

Far better than those guards in the mansion who loved bragging about their fishing skills.

Seeing her delighted expression, Li Changsheng felt his own mood lighten.

He lifted the largest grass carp from the bucket—its plump body glistened with a healthy sheen under the sunset.

Threading a flexible straw rope through its gills, he tied a firm knot.

“Here, as promised.”

He handed the fish to her.

Fan Ruoruo hurriedly stretched out both hands, carefully accepting it.

The fish was heavy, and it thrashed violently in her arms.

She let out a startled cry, using all her strength to steady it.

Her small face pressed against the cool, slippery scales, but she didn’t mind in the slightest.

Her expression brimmed with cherishment and happiness.

“Thank you, Brother Changsheng!”

Her smile was as sweet as honey, her eyes curving into adorable crescents.

Today had been so much fun.

Not only had she gone fishing with Brother Changsheng, but she had also gotten such a huge fish.

A hundred times better than being cooped up in the mansion reading or practicing calligraphy.

The riverside breeze carried a hint of moisture, tousling her hair and the hem of her dress.

The evening chill gradually set in.

“Achoo!”

Fan Ruoruo let out a sudden, loud sneeze.

Rubbing her slightly itchy nose, her cheeks flushed pink.

Li Changsheng glanced at her.

The girl’s slender frame seemed to shiver slightly in the wind.

His brow lifted almost imperceptibly.

“Ruoruo, you really are quite frail.”

His tone carried a hint of teasing.

Fan Ruoruo caught the playful jab, her face reddening further as she puffed out her cheeks.

“I… I’m not frail!”

Her rebuttal was soft and lacking conviction.

“I’ve always been like this—not very strong.”

She lowered her head, her voice tinged with gloom.

“The imperial physician said I was born with weak constitution. I need careful nurturing—no wind, no exhaustion.”

That was why she was confined to the mansion, rarely allowed outside.

Today’s escapade had been her boldest adventure yet.

Seeing her slightly dejected expression, Li Changsheng felt a stir in his heart.

Fan Ruoruo’s weak constitution had been mentioned in the original story as well.

After a moment’s thought, he retrieved a small jade vial from his robes.

The vial’s smooth surface suggested it was no ordinary object.

Uncorking it, he poured out a single round pill.

The pill was pale gold, exuding an indescribable fragrance.

Faint light seemed to swirl within it.

This was the Peiyuan Pill—a reward he had obtained from a system check-in.

According to the system, its effects were to fortify the foundation, replenish vitality, and strengthen the body’s essence.

Though it bore a common name in this world, Li Changsheng knew that anything from the cultivation system far surpassed mundane medicine.

“Open your mouth.”

Fan Ruoruo looked up at him, puzzled.

“What is this?”

“Something good. It’ll keep you from catching chills.”

His explanation was brief.

Fan Ruoruo eyed the pill in his palm, then met his calm gaze.

Her trust in Brother Changsheng was nearly blind.

If he said it was good, it must be.

Without hesitation, she obediently opened her small mouth.

Li Changsheng placed the pill on her tongue.

It dissolved instantly.

A warm, surging energy flooded her throat, spreading rapidly through her limbs and meridians.

Fan Ruoruo’s eyes widened in shock.

She could clearly feel it—

A soothing warmth, like the first rays of spring sunlight, gently enveloped her organs.

The chill from the river breeze vanished without a trace.

But that wasn’t all.

The warmth continued to nourish her body.

Every inch of her felt as though she were soaking in a hot spring—comfortable, invigorating.

The usual sense of weakness disappeared.

In its place was a newfound lightness and vigor.

Even her breathing felt deeper, stronger.

The world before her seemed sharper, brighter.

What… what kind of miraculous pill was this?!

The effects were unbelievable!

It was like being reborn!

Fan Ruoruo stared at Li Changsheng in awe, her lips slightly parted, speechless.

Her wide, glistening eyes brimmed with astonishment.

“Brother… Brother Changsheng… this…”

A healthy flush bloomed on her cheeks as vitality surged through her.

She looked livelier than ever.

“How do you feel?”

Li Changsheng asked, his tone still casual, as if he’d merely given her a piece of candy.

“I feel… amazing!”

Fan Ruoruo nodded vigorously, her voice brimming with excitement.

“My body is so warm—I’m not cold at all! And… and I feel so full of energy!”

She even bounced lightly on her toes, reveling in the unfamiliar lightness.

“Thank you, Brother Changsheng!”

Her gratitude was heartfelt, her eyes nearly overflowing with emotion.

This pill meant everything to her.

The weakness that had plagued her for years seemed to have lifted significantly in an instant.

Li Changsheng waved it off.

“Just a small thing.”

To him, it truly wasn’t a big deal.

“You won’t be so frail from now on.”

Hearing the word “frail,” Fan Ruoruo’s gratitude was momentarily overtaken by indignation.

She shot him a playful glare.

“You’re the frail one!”

Her childish pout looked especially adorable under the sunset.

Li Changsheng’s lips curved faintly.

This girl recovered fast.

He picked up the bucket of fish.

“It’s getting late. I’ll walk you back.”

Fan Ruoruo’s smile dimmed slightly.

She glanced at the vibrant evening clouds, then at Li Changsheng beside her.

Reluctance tugged at her heart.

Time with Brother Changsheng always flew by too quickly.

But she knew her father and the household must be frantic by now.

She nodded obediently.

“Mm.”

The two walked back along the riverbank.

Fan Ruoruo carried the large fish, her steps light and carefree—no longer as cautious as before.

The change in her body was undeniable.

Outside the western wall of the Fan Mansion.

Servants holding lanterns scurried about anxiously, calling out for the “young miss.”

The steward stood nearby, his expression grave, beads of sweat dotting his forehead.

The master’s furious reprimand still rang in his ears.

If the young lady wasn’t found, none of the servants would escape punishment.

Just then—

A sharp-eyed servant pointed ahead.

“Steward! Look! Is… is that the young miss?!”

Everyone turned.

At the street corner ahead, a familiar small figure appeared.

It was Fan Ruoruo, whom they had been searching for half the day.

The steward’s heart finally settled—until his eyes bulged.

What… what was the young miss holding?!

A… a gigantic fish?!

The fish was nearly half her size!

And beside her walked an unfamiliar, well-dressed young man!

The youth carried a heavy bucket, seemingly filled with even more fish.

What… what in the world was happening?!

The joy of finding the young miss was instantly replaced by shock and confusion.

Everyone froze, exchanging bewildered glances.

They were floored.

Completely floored.

Their delicate, sheltered young miss—the one who was supposedly too weak to even step outside—had not only sneaked out alone but returned with a shockingly large fish and an unknown young man in tow?!

The sheer absurdity of the situation short-circuited their brains.

Fan Ruoruo spotted the servants.

She stopped and turned to Li Changsheng.

“Brother Changsheng, I’m home.”

Her voice carried obvious reluctance.

“Thank you for taking me out today, for the fish, and… for the pill.”

Li Changsheng nodded.

“Go on in.”

He said nothing more.

Setting the bucket down, he motioned for her to place the fish inside so the servants could carry it.

Fan Ruoruo carefully deposited the big fish into the bucket.

Then she looked up at him earnestly.

“Brother Changsheng… can I see you again?”

Li Changsheng met her gaze but didn’t answer directly.

“If fate allows, we’ll meet again.”

With that, he turned and melted into the twilight.

Fan Ruoruo stood still, watching him leave, her heart heavy.

The steward and servants finally snapped out of their daze and rushed forward.

“Young miss! You’re finally back! We were so worried!”

“Young miss, are you alright?”

“Young miss, this fish… and that young master…?”

Fan Ruoruo withdrew her gaze and glanced at the fish in the bucket, a small smile returning.

“I’m fine. Let’s go back—Father must be anxious.”

She offered no further explanation, hugging her little secret to herself as the servants escorted her toward the mansion gates.

Behind her, the servants stared at the bucket of lively fish—especially the massive grass carp—still utterly dumbfounded.