My Mother Was Murdered… So I Seduced the Emperor’s Sister for Ultimate Revenge!
Chapter 24 - Ruoruo’s Heart Belongs to Li Changsheng!

Chapter 24: Ruoruo’s Heart Belongs to Li Changsheng! She’ll Marry No One Else! A Warm Mother-Son Moment at the Princess’s Estate!

The physician’s diagnosis struck Fan Jian like a hammer to the chest.

He froze in place.

Shocked.

Disbelieving.

He stared at Old Zhang’s expression—as if the man had seen a ghost—then turned to his daughter.

Fan Ruoruo’s small face held a trace of confusion, as though she didn’t fully grasp what had happened.

But the rosy flush on her cheeks was unmistakable.

No longer the sickly pallor of before.

This was a healthy, vibrant glow.

“Father, Grandpa Zhang says I’m fine now!”

Ruoruo’s voice was bright, brimming with childish delight.

Fan Jian’s throat moved, but no sound came out.

The physician’s words still echoed in his ears:

“Steady and strong pulse… vitality surging through her meridians…”

“The signs of weakness and stagnation… mostly gone!”

“She’s countless times healthier than before!”

“A miracle!”

How was this possible?

Ruoruo had been frail since birth. They had consulted countless renowned doctors, spent fortunes on rare medicines—yet her condition had only ever been managed, never cured.

That stubborn ailment had clung to her like a parasite, impossible to eradicate.

How could a single small pill from that boy… have undone years of suffering?

That youth—Li Changsheng…

Fan Jian’s mind flashed to the slender, unassuming figure.

Could he truly not be some charlatan?

That pill…

Fan Jian’s heart pounded violently.

Memories surfaced—of a woman who had once blazed across the world like a comet.

Ye Qingmei.

The woman who had defied all logic, overturned every convention.

Everything she left behind carried impossible power.

The Internal Treasury.

The Overwatch Council.

Even the Fan family owed her a debt that could never be repaid.

And now… her son.

Li Changsheng.

Fan Jian sucked in a sharp breath.

Had this boy inherited his mother’s unfathomable methods?

A single pill, and Ruoruo’s incurable ailment—the one that had plagued their family for years—was mostly resolved?

This was even more shocking than the miracles Ye Qingmei had performed!

Fan Jian’s expression grew complex.

Awe.

Doubt.

And a thread of… fear.

Watching his daughter’s revitalized face, his skepticism crumbled.

The evidence was undeniable.

The physician wouldn’t lie.

And no one knew Ruoruo’s condition better than he did.

“Ruoruo…”

Fan Jian’s voice came out hoarse.

“You… you truly feel better?”

“Mm!”

Ruoruo nodded vigorously, her small face earnest.

“After taking Big Brother’s pill, my tummy felt warm! My whole body too! So comfortable!”

“I used to always feel cold, but now I’m not cold at all!”

“And I’m strong now!”

She even threw a tiny punch to demonstrate.

Fan Jian fell silent.

After a long moment, he exhaled deeply—as though making a decision.

His gaze on Ruoruo held something unreadable.

Perhaps… letting her interact more with that boy wasn’t a bad idea.

At the very least, the pill was real.

This debt, the Fan family would remember.

Turning to the door, his voice regained its usual authority:

“Steward.”

“My lord.”

The steward, who had been waiting outside, hurried in.

“Take the fish the young lady brought back to the kitchens.”

“Have them prepare it carefully—a well-stewed fish soup for her tonight.”

His tone brooked no argument.

The steward blinked.

The fish?

The one brought back by the young miss—given by that unknown boy?

The master hadn’t seemed to care earlier.

Now he was ordering it specially cooked for her?

Though puzzled, the steward dared not question it.

“At once, my lord.”

He bowed and turned to leave.

“Wait.”

Fan Jian stopped him again.

“Escort Physician Zhang home. Pay him double his usual fee.”

“Understood.”

As the steward departed, Old Zhang finally collected himself and bowed to Fan Jian.

“My lord, the young lady is blessed by the heavens. This old man has… truly witnessed something extraordinary today.”

His eyes, when they flicked to Ruoruo, still brimmed with amazement.

Fan Jian nodded dismissively.

Once alone with his daughter, Ruoruo beamed up at him.

“Father, do you believe me now?”

“Brother Changsheng is really nice!”

“He said he’ll visit me often!”

Her eyes sparkled as she spoke of Li Changsheng, her voice brimming with admiration.

“And he caught the biggest fish for me!”

Fan Jian’s heart twisted at her expression.

His daughter’s affections were already tilting toward a boy she’d met once.

At this rate…

He sighed inwardly.

If she was like this now, what would happen when she grew up?

Would she refuse to marry anyone but Li Changsheng?

And yet…

Fan Jian reconsidered.

If Li Changsheng truly possessed even a fraction of his mother’s abilities—if he could keep Ruoruo safe and healthy—then perhaps… it wouldn’t be such a bad match.

The Ye bloodline was extraordinary, after all.

Well. Children would follow their own paths.

As long as Ruoruo was healthy, nothing else mattered.

Meanwhile…

Li Changsheng returned to the estate, several large fish dangling from a straw rope.

The setting sun cast his shadow long across the courtyard.

The fish—plump and still twitching—gleamed with golden light under the dusk sky.

The moment he stepped inside, a cool, surprised gaze landed on him.

Li Yunrui sat on a stone bench in the courtyard, a book in hand.

Her brows furrowed slightly at the sight of her “son”—damp at the hems, holding a string of fish.

“Changsheng? What is this…?”

Her voice held a faint tremor.

Had this child been out fishing all this time?

And caught so many?

Her eyes swept over the still-flopping fish, a flicker of shock passing through them.

This wasn’t something an ordinary child could accomplish.

“Mother.”

Li Changsheng greeted her brightly.

Lin Wan’er came running at the commotion.

Her eyes widened to saucers at the fish.

“Waaah!”

“Brother! You’re amazing!”

She poked one of the fish tails, squealing at the cold, slippery touch—but her face was alight with excitement.

“So many fish! Where did you catch them?”

Her admiration was palpable.

Li Yunrui rose gracefully and approached.

Her usual icy aura softened in this domestic scene.

“Look at you—soaked through.”

She reached out, gently brushing damp hair from Li Changsheng’s forehead.

Her fingertips were cool, but the gesture carried unexpected tenderness.

“Go bathe at once. Don’t catch a chill.”

Her tone allowed no argument.

“Give the fish to the servants.”

A maid hurried over to take the fish, careful not to let them thrash free.

“Have the kitchens prepare fish soup for tonight,” Li Yunrui instructed.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

As the maid scurried off, Li Changsheng nodded obediently.

“Yes, Mother.”

He turned toward the bathhouse.

Watching his small retreating figure, Li Yunrui’s gaze grew complex.

This child… always managed to surprise her.

Freshly bathed and changed, Li Changsheng emerged to find Li Yunrui waiting on the veranda.

The evening breeze stirred her pale robes and loose hair.

Seeing him, her lips curved into a rare, gentle smile.

She stepped forward and—without hesitation—scooped him into her arms.

The scent of cold orchids enveloped him.

Despite her usual aloofness, her embrace was warm. Soft.

“Changsheng.”

Her voice was quiet, carrying a mother’s unique tenderness.

“Don’t go to the river alone again. It’s dangerous. Understood?”

She patted his back lightly.

Those usually distant phoenix eyes now held nothing but concern.

Holding him, feeling the warmth of his small body, something in Li Yunrui’s heart softened.

She was growing fond of this “son” of hers.

He was well-behaved, sensible—yet sometimes did unexpectedly childish things, like today’s fishing trip.

That contrast… comforted her.

“Mm. I understand, Mother.”

Li Changsheng nestled his head against her shoulder.

For this moment, he allowed himself to bask in this maternal warmth.

He knew her affection might be layered with schemes.

But right now… he couldn’t help but cherish it.

Li Yunrui carried him toward the dining hall.

Lin Wan’er trailed behind them like an eager little shadow.