My Mother Was Murdered… So I Seduced the Emperor’s Sister for Ultimate Revenge!
Chapter 23 - Fan Jian’s Shock! That… Is Ye Qingmei’s Son?

Chapter 23: Fan Jian’s Shock! That… Is Ye Qingmei’s Son?

The servants of the Fan residence crowded around Fan Ruoruo as if escorting a priceless treasure. Their hurried footsteps carried them through the side gate into the familiar courtyard. The shock they had felt outside the wall still lingered in their hearts.

The steward followed closely, his gaze lingering on the large fish in the young lady’s arms—nearly as long as her forearm. The fish’s tail still twitched slightly, its scales glistening wetly under the lantern light.

This is unreal.

How could the frail young lady possibly carry such a big fish?

And that mysterious boy in fine robes…

The steward shook his head, not daring to dwell on it. The priority now was to bring the young lady before the master.

Fan Ruoruo hugged the fish tightly, her small face alight with excitement, exhaustion, and a hint of pride. She could feel the servants’ astonished stares, but she didn’t care.

Everything today had felt like a dream—a dream that had transformed her.

The warm sensation inside her still lingered. Her steps felt lighter and stronger than ever before.

Soon, the group arrived outside the study.

The room was brightly lit. The muffled sound of angry pacing could be heard from within.

The steward took a deep breath, stepped forward, and knocked respectfully.

“Master, the young lady has returned.”

The footsteps inside stopped abruptly.

After a brief silence, a deep, authoritative voice rang out.

“Send her in!”

The steward quickly opened the door and motioned for Fan Ruoruo to enter.

Holding the fish, she took small steps into the study.

The study was elegantly furnished, the air carrying the faint scent of ink and an undercurrent of anxiety.

Fan Jian, the Vice Minister of Revenue, stood with his back to the door, gazing out the window. His tall, upright posture exuded the authority of a man long accustomed to power.

Hearing footsteps, he slowly turned.

When he saw Fan Ruoruo—and the enormous fish in her arms—his carefully prepared anger lodged in his throat.

His brows furrowed tightly, his sharp eyes sweeping over his daughter.

Her small face was a little pale, but her spirits seemed… good?

And that fish—it was the most shocking thing!

“Father,” Fan Ruoruo called timidly, tightening her grip on the fish.

Fan Jian’s gaze shifted from the fish back to his daughter’s face. Suppressing his bewilderment, his voice carried a mix of lingering fear and reproach.

“Reckless!”

Though not loud, the word carried weight.

“Do you not realize how frail you are?”

“The wind outside is cold—what if you caught a chill?”

“The entire household was frantic with worry!”

His voice grew harsher, his eyes turning piercing.

“Speak!”

“Who took you out today?”

Under her father’s stare, Fan Ruoruo shrank slightly.

She lowered her head and mumbled, “I… I just went for a walk…”

“A walk?” Fan Jian snorted, clearly unconvinced.

“A walk to the river? And you came back with this enormous fish?”

He took a step forward, fixing her with a stern look.

“Ruoruo, your father isn’t a fool.”

“If you won’t tell me, I’ll have it investigated anyway!”

“And if I find out something I shouldn’t—don’t blame me for losing my temper!”

His tone brooked no argument.

He knew his daughter too well—timid, soft-hearted.

There was no way she had gone so far alone, let alone brought back such a fish.

Someone must have taken her!

Fan Ruoruo sensed her father’s resolve.

She knew she couldn’t hide it.

And… why should she? Brother Changsheng was wonderful!

She looked up, her small face serious.

“Father, I… I met someone.”

“A boy.”

“He took me to the river and helped me catch the fish.”

At the mention of Li Changsheng, her eyes brightened unconsciously.

“He was very kind, and so skilled—he caught so many fish in no time…”

Fan Jian watched his daughter’s obvious admiration and affection, feeling an inexplicable pang in his chest.

It was as if something precious had been quietly chipped away.

His dear little girl seemed… a little less his.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the discomfort, and pressed further.

“What’s his name?”

Fan Ruoruo answered without hesitation, her voice clear.

“He said his name is Li Changsheng.”

“Li… Changsheng?!”

Fan Jian’s pupils constricted violently.

The name struck his mind like thunder!

Li Changsheng!

How could he not know that name?

That was one of Ye Qingmei’s children!

The one Princess Li Yunrui had taken from Danzhou and raised in the palace—or elsewhere!

The nature of Fan Jian’s relationship with Ye Qingmei might not be widely known, but he himself understood.

It wasn’t just master and servant—it was gratitude, blind devotion, a willingness to sacrifice everything, even his life, for her ideals!

It was why he had treated Fan Xian, Ye Qingmei’s other son in Danzhou, as his own, showering him with care.

And now, his daughter had met Ye Qingmei’s other son?

The one whose situation was delicate, possibly even under Li Yunrui’s control?

After the initial shock, Fan Jian’s turbulent emotions settled strangely.

His wariness and anger toward the mysterious boy who had taken his daughter out faded somewhat upon learning he was Li Changsheng.

That’s Miss Ye’s son…

His feelings became complicated—concern, curiosity, and an inexplicable sense of kinship.

Looking at Fan Ruoruo, his tone softened slightly, though his worry remained.

“Even if… even if he took you out.”

“Don’t you know your own body?”

“The riverside is damp, and you went fishing—what if you fell ill? How much bitter medicine would you have to drink?”

The thought of his daughter’s lifelong reliance on medicine pained him.

At the mention of her health, Fan Ruoruo immediately recalled the miraculous pill.

Eagerly, she spoke up.

“Father! I’m fine!”

“Li… Brother Changsheng gave me a pill!”

“After taking it, I felt so warm inside, and I wasn’t cold at all—I even felt stronger!”

To prove her point, she puffed out her small chest slightly.

“A pill?”

Fan Jian’s brows knitted again.

What kind of pill could have such an effect?

He didn’t believe it.

It was probably just a child’s imagination or temporary excitement.

How could some charlatan’s concoction cure Ruoruo’s lifelong ailment?

Shaking his head, his expression was full of skepticism.

“Nonsense. No pill could possibly—”

Before he could finish, he noticed his daughter’s earnest face and the unusual flush in her cheeks.

A thought struck him.

Could it…?

He turned abruptly and called toward the door.

“Someone!”

The steward hurried in.

“Master.”

“Fetch Physician Zhang at once!” Fan Jian ordered, his tone leaving no room for refusal.

“Yes!”

The steward rushed off to arrange it.

Fan Ruoruo looked at her father in confusion.

“Father, why call Physician Zhang? I’m really fine.”

Fan Jian didn’t explain, simply motioning for her to sit.

He needed a professional opinion.

Before long, an elderly physician with a medicine case entered, ushered in hastily by the steward.

“Greetings, Vice Minister.”

Physician Zhang was familiar with the Fan household and knew Fan Ruoruo’s condition well.

“Physician Zhang, examine the young lady immediately,” Fan Jian said, gesturing to Fan Ruoruo.

“See how her health is now.”

The physician was puzzled but complied.

Wasn’t the young lady fine today? Why the sudden examination?

Following protocol, he had Fan Ruoruo extend her wrist over a pulse pillow and placed three fingers lightly on it.

He closed his eyes, concentrating.

The study fell silent.

Fan Jian held his breath, watching the physician’s face intently.

At first, Physician Zhang’s expression was neutral.

Then, his brows twitched slightly.

His eyes flew open, surprise flashing across his face.

As if doubting himself, he switched to her other wrist and checked again.

This time, his surprise turned to outright shock.

His fingers trembled faintly.

Looking up at Fan Jian, his voice was unsteady with disbelief.

“M-My lord…”

“The young lady’s pulse…”

Fan Jian’s heart clenched.

“What about it? Is something wrong?”

“No! Not at all!”

Physician Zhang shook his head quickly, his tone excited.

“It’s too good!”

“Her pulse is steady and strong, her qi and blood flowing unimpeded! The previous signs of weakness and stagnation have… have mostly vanished!”

“This… this is simply…”

In all his years of practice, he had never seen such a thing.

How could a chronically frail person’s pulse change so drastically in such a short time?

“I can say with certainty that the young lady’s constitution is now vastly stronger than before!”

“This… this is a miracle!”

He stared at Fan Ruoruo as if she were something unbelievable.

Fan Jian was stunned.

He looked from the astonished physician to his oblivious daughter.

Could it be…?

Was Ruorou telling the truth?

Did that boy—Li Changsheng—really give her a pill with such miraculous effects?!

For a moment, Fan Jian’s mind was a storm of shock and wonder.