Chapter 5: Has Xuan'er Returned?

“What!”

Upon hearing the imperial physician An’s words, the expressions of those present darkened considerably.

Madam Song stepped forward, grasping An’s shoulder with a tone bordering on pleading.

“Imperial Physician An, you must save my father!”

“Madam, please do not be like this. It is not that I do not wish to save him, but I truly am powerless!”

Seeing Madam Song’s anxious demeanor, An sighed helplessly and began to explain the situation.

“But…”

Madam Song wanted to say more, but at that moment, a harsh coughing erupted from the bedside.

“Cough, cough, cough!”

Seeing the elder awake, everyone hurried forward to check on him.

“Xiao Qin, stop troubling Imperial Physician An. I know well the state of my own body.”

Lying on the bed, the worn and haggard old man opened his slightly clouded eyes and looked at the gathered people with a weak voice.

“Father, what are you saying? Your health will improve.”

Madam Song shook her head, her voice full of concern.

“Yes, Grandfather, you will surely be fine.”

Qin Shaotian stepped forward to comfort him as well.

“Has Xuan’er returned?”

The old man closed his eyes briefly, unwilling to discuss the matter further, and then spoke to Madam Song while scanning the crowd with his peripheral vision.

“He has returned. Xuan’er has come back.”

“You child, why are you still standing at the back? Didn’t you see your grandfather looking for you?”

Madam Song said with some displeasure toward Shen Xuan.

“Grandfather.”

Shen Xuan stepped forward from behind the crowd and called out to the old man on the bed.

This time, Shen Xuan did not use a formal title but sincerely called him “Grandfather.”

Though it was their first meeting, Shen Xuan knew from memory that this old man truly cared for him.

“Ah! It’s good that you’ve come back, good that you’re back!”

The old man gazed at his grandson, who was so different from three years ago, feeling a surge of emotion.

With trembling, withered hands, he tightly grasped Shen Xuan’s wrist.

Seeing the increasingly frail elder before him, Shen Xuan’s heart was filled with mixed feelings.

“You must have suffered much these past three years. Now that you’re back, don’t leave again. If it comes to it, this old man will risk his reputation and personally petition His Majesty on your behalf.”

The old man looked at Shen Xuan with a gaze full of guilt.

“Grandfather, don’t!”

Before Shen Xuan could respond, Qin Shaotian quickly interjected.

“What? Is the old man not even allowed to plead for his own grandson?”

Though gravely ill, the old man’s complexion darkened, and the aura forged from years of battle subtly pressed upon Qin Shaotian.

“My grandson did not mean that. Grandfather’s desire to help Xuan’er is understandable, but your health cannot withstand such strain. If anything were to happen on the way, Xuan’er would carry that guilt for life.”

Qin Shaotian shivered involuntarily and quickly fabricated an excuse upon sensing the old man’s rising anger.

“Yes, Father, your health is the most important. We will find a way to handle things here for Xuan’er.”

Madam Song hastened to soothe him as well.

“Sigh, it is grandpa’s failing that he cannot protect you.”

The old man’s complexion improved somewhat, and he could not help but feel guilty toward Shen Xuan.

“It’s alright, Grandfather. I will take care of my own affairs.”

Shen Xuan would never blame the old man. He merely shook his head and spoke with confidence.

“Hmph! All talk, just empty boasts. With the mess you’ve caused, do you think a worthless person like you can fix it? It’s laughable.”

Hearing Shen Xuan, Qin Shujun pouted delicately and spoke disdainfully.

Shen Xuan ignored her and, unnoticed by the others, quietly extended two fingers to take the old man’s pulse.

In this strange world, someone truly cared for him, and Shen Xuan naturally did not want to see him suffer from pain...

In his previous life, as a renowned divine physician, Shen Xuan quickly grasped the old man’s condition.

Though his body was on the verge of collapse, Shen Xuan believed it was not beyond hope. While it was impossible to heal him overnight, the root cause of his illness could be addressed.

However, with so many people watching, Shen Xuan had no chance to treat him now.

“Cough, cough! Enough, all of you, please leave! I have some matters to discuss privately with Xuan’er.”

At that moment, the old man coughed lightly and said to Madam Song and the others.

“Why? What matter cannot we hear?”

Qin Shujun complained with dissatisfaction.

Since childhood, the old man had shown immense fondness for Shen Xuan, while being somewhat strict with her, a girl.

Whenever there was anything good, Shen Xuan was the first to be thought of.

Before, Qin Shujun could comfort herself by reminding herself he was the biological grandson, but now, knowing Shen Xuan was not truly part of the Qin family, why did the old man still favor him so much?

“Jun’er, how do you speak to your grandfather? Have you forgotten the manners you learned? I think you’ve been spoiled far too much lately. How could you turn out like this?”

Madam Song’s face darkened, deeply displeased with Qin Shujun’s behavior.

“Mother! What I said was wrong? Grandfather is clearly biased!”

Qin Shujun could no longer suppress her grievances and retorted to Madam Song.

“You impudent girl, how dare you talk back!”

Seeing Qin Shujun dare to defy her, Madam Song’s anger flared even more.

“Enough! If you want to quarrel, do it outside. Don’t sully my sight! Cough, cough!”

The old man, seeing the chaos, could not help but raise his voice angrily.

Then he coughed violently.

“All right, all right! We will leave at once. Please do not let anger harm your health.”

Seeing the old man’s outburst, Madam Song hurriedly said.

Once everyone had left the room, the old man finally caught his breath and spoke to Shen Xuan.

“Xuan’er, I know you were wronged, but I have no way to help you.”

The old man sighed deeply.

“Grandfather, that matter is in the past.”

Shen Xuan shook his head, not dwelling on it.

“Qin Wunian, that unfilial son! Once his own son was found, he abandoned you completely. How could I have such a wretched child!”

The old man could not help but curse angrily.

Shen Xuan remained silent, quietly picturing a square-faced middle-aged man in his mind.

Qin Wunian, the current prime minister, was also Shen Xuan’s nominal father.

“Grandfather, I have a way to cure you.”

After the old man finished cursing, Shen Xuan suddenly said.

“Xuan’er, what did you just say?”

The old man was stunned, thinking he had misheard, and asked again.

“Grandfather, I said I have a way to cure your illness.”

Shen Xuan repeated firmly.

“Xuan’er, this is no joking matter.”

Upon hearing Shen Xuan’s answer again, the old man’s expression immediately grew serious.

“Grandfather, I would never joke about your life.”

Shen Xuan’s face was solemn, his tone resolute.