Reborn to Be A Noble Wife

Chapter 442 Sincerity

“Forth Lady, the Second Master requests your presence outside. County Lady Jingyu has arrived and wishes for you to accompany her to visit Third Lady.” Yu Chun reported as she entered the room.

“Already here?” Qu Moying asked, unsurprised by the news.

Considering how Qu Zhizhen instigated Lord Jing’s intervention and made Qu Qiuyan a concubine, it was inevitable that Liu Jingyu would be involved.

Pei Yusheng could take action because Qu Qiuyan was already his concubine, but Pei Luo’an couldn’t intervene yet, as their relationship wasn’t clearly defined.

Selecting the crown prince’s consort wasn’t a decision to be made lightly. Even choosing Lord Jing’s second wife required careful consideration. Only the position of a concubine allowed for fewer discussions, enabling Lord Jing to have more authority and issue an immediate decree.

“They have already arrived, with Minister Liu.” Yu Chun responded.

Minister Liu actually came with Liu Jingyu? Qu Moying chuckled after a brief moment of surprise. She had heard that Minister Liu treated his wife and daughter exceptionally well, but she had never considered it before.

Her own father would never do such a thing, so she hadn’t considered that possibility.

She stood up, tidied herself a bit, and went to the main hall with Yu Dong.

Upon seeing her approaching, the lad servant at the door hurried inside to report and soon led her in.

Qu Moying walked into the room and saw an elegant middle-aged man sitting at the center of the hall, exuding an air of dignity and grace. He appeared older than Qu Zhizhen. She had heard that they were of the same generation, but this man’s temperament was completely different from Qu Zhizhen’s.

Qu Moying cast a curious glance at him and then lowered her head to bow to Qu Zhizhen. “Father.”

“This is Minister Liu.” Qu Zhizhen introduced.

Qu Moying approached Minister Liu and paid her respects. Then, she turned to the person sitting beside him, Liu Jingyu, and also greeted her. Finally, she took a seat on the chair next to Liu Jingyu.

Feeling someone silently observing her from above, Qu Moying kept her head down and remained motionless. That person must be Minister Liu.

He seemed genuinely virtuous, but she couldn’t be certain if it was authentic.

Liu Jingyu and herself were at odds with each other!

“Is Forth Lady Qu’s eyesight still not recovered?” Minister Liu examined Qu Moying and kindly inquired.

Liu Jingyu glanced back at her father in astonishment. Her father was usually indifferent, even towards family matters. He rarely asked questions.

“It has mostly recovered, but she still has some sensitivity to bright light. She usually keeps it protected, but she should be able to remove it in some time.”

Qu Zhizhen casually explained.

“Has she consulted a physician?” Minister Liu continued.

“No, when she returned home, her eyes were already much better. However, it takes time to fully recover after such a prolonged injury.” Qu Zhizhen replied with a smile.

“Ah, it’s best when eyesight is restored. A young girl like her should not have her whole life affected by an eye ailment.” Minister Liu’s voice sounded gentle, reflecting genuine concern.

Qu Moying couldn’t help stealing another glance at him, meeting Minister Liu’s smiling gaze. No matter how she looked at it, he didn’t seem to harbor any ill intentions towards her.

“Ying, please take County Lady Jingyu to see your third sister.” Qu Zhizhen nodded and smiled, instructing Qu Moying.

Qu Moying stood up. “County Lady, please follow me.”

Although Liu Jingyu was filled with resentment, she managed to maintain a smile on her face. She stood up as well and followed Qu Moying, leaving the reception room one after the other.

“Forth Lady Qu, has Third Lady still not awakened?” Once they were outside, Liu Jingyu inquired.

“She is still unconscious.” Qu Moying nodded.

“Have you summoned imperial physicians to come and examine her?” Liu Jingyu asked once more.

“Of course.” Qu Moying nodded in response.

“I have also invited a physician this time I came. Why not have him take a look?” Liu Jingyu suggested.

Qu Moying readily agreed, “That would be the best!”

Observing how quickly she agreed, Liu Jingyu glanced at her with suspicion. Qu Moying’s expression remained calm, revealing no signs of guilt or unease.

Qu Qiuyan had fainted and had not regained consciousness all this time. Liu Jingyu couldn’t believe it and had purposely asked her father to bring a physician, hoping to verify the situation.

Now, seeing Qu Moying’s composed demeanor, Liu Jingyu wondered if it could actually be true.

However, she couldn’t bring herself to believe it. She called for the physician waiting in the adjacent room and accompanied them as they went towards the Furong House.

Upon entering the courtyard, proceeding to the room, and entering the inner chamber, they saw Qu Qiuyan lying motionless on the bed. It had only been a day, but Qu Qiuyan appeared extremely frail, pale, and worn out.

Qing Ju stood beside the bed and upon hearing their voices, she quickly stood up and bowed to both of them.

“How is third sister?” Qu Moying inquired.

“Her ladyship still hasn’t awakened. It has been quite some time, and she hasn’t shown any signs of waking up. I… I am afraid…” Qing Ju cried, her appearance displaying both anxiety and confusion. Her eyes were still swollen and reddened, indicating she had been crying for a while.

Liu Jingyu looked suspiciously at Qu Qiuyan, who was lying motionless on the bed. She waved his hand and an imperial physician came forward to take her pulse.

Qing Ju lowered the curtain and placed Qu Qiuyan’s hand on the pulse pillow. The doctor sat on the chair in front of the bed, placing his hand on hers, his brows furrowed tightly.

It seemed like nothing was amiss.

He changed hands and reexamined, yet still found nothing.

But the person was lying there, clearly unconscious and unresponsive.

After carefully assessing, it seemed like her pulse had accelerated slightly, and her hand felt warm. Could it be the reason behind her unconsciousness? However, this reason didn’t seem like it could render someone unconscious.

“What’s the matter?” Liu Jingyu stepped forward and asked.

The doctor found himself at a loss for words. If there was nothing wrong, then the pulse and skin would be somewhat different. If there was something wrong, it didn’t seem to be anything out of the ordinary. Nevertheless, the fact remained that the person was unconscious. He had heard that several colleagues had examined her before and all had claimed that something was wrong. They had tried awakening her, but she still remained unresponsive.

If there was truly nothing wrong, how could she be in this state?

“Sir…” Liu Jingyu pressed for an answer.

“It’s possible that Lady Qu’s health was not originally robust. Coupled with recent events… she might have been unable to bear it all at once, leading to her sudden fainting.” the doctor finally found a suitable explanation. He stood up and addressed Liu Jingyu.

“When will she awaken?” Qu Moying took two steps forward and placed Qu Qiuyan’s hand back under the quilt, all the while asking.

As her fingers touched Qu Qiuyan’s skin, it felt slightly warm, and her pulse quickened.

While examining Qu Qiuyan in the tent, she appeared pale beneath the thin blanket. However, there was a slight dampness on her forehead. As her gaze fell upon her shoulder, which Qing Ju had been shielding the entire time, it became apparent that there was a slight bump.

Qu Moying had already understood Qu Zhizhen’s scheme and her lips curled into a silent smile. Qu Qiuyan was indeed a resilient person to endure all this.

She had underestimated Qu Qiuyan.

“It’s… uncertain. It depends on Lady Qu’s own recovery ability. If she continues to remain unconscious, there may be a risk to her life. It’s best to find a way to awaken her as soon as possible,” the physician vaguely responded.

Continued unconsciousness was the most dangerous scenario. Therefore, the priority was to find a way to wake her up quickly.

Liu Jingyu’s face turned grim. She hadn’t expected Qu Qiuyan’s situation to be true. Glancing at the faint figure of Qu Qiuyan behind the curtain, she desperately wanted to go and check for herself, but her current status made it inconvenient.

“Please prepare a prescription.” Qu Moying said softly.

The physician nodded and followed the maid to the chamber. Since he was here, he might as well prescribe the medicine.

“Forth Lady Qu, I came here to apologize to you. I should have intervened earlier when Third Lady Qu acted recklessly at the Duke Qi’s Mansion. In the end, it inexplicably brought harm upon me as well.” Liu Jingyu looked at Qu Moying, and her expression miraculously returned to normal. It even seemed genuine. “If I offended you in any way with my words before, I ask for your forgiveness.”

She finished speaking and gave a slight bow to Qu Moying.

Her words were flawless, connecting the dots of the situation. They seemed to be the truth.

Even Qu Moying couldn’t help but admire Liu Jingyu’s cunning. It appeared to be an apology, but it also expressed her grievances and helplessness. It displayed her magnanimity. Of course, her apology was not directed at Qu Qiuyan. Everyone knew Qu Qiuyan was not innocent; she was merely unconscious, temporarily shielded from further accusations.

Liu Jingyu was not an easy opponent.

She managed to conceal her emotions instantly, displaying a genuine expression of guilt and embarrassment. It seemed as if it truly was just an accidental mistake, as she claimed.

Qu Qiuyan on the bed clenched her teeth, nearly biting her lip.

The hot water-filled hand warmer on her arm caused excruciating pain throughout her body. She had to endure it, and that area on her arm was likely already burned.

But why did Qu Moying benefit in the end, not her?

“Since it was a misunderstanding, I won’t hold it against you, County Lady.” Qu Moying smiled faintly, moving aside slightly. Her tone was casual.

Such a casual reprimand was too shallow. Between her and Liu Jingyu, blame couldn’t explain their complex relationship. After Liu Jingyu maliciously targeted her reputation and even attempted to ruin her for reasons unknown to her, their relationship went beyond a simple apology and acceptance.

“Thank you, Forth Lady Qu, for your generosity.” Liu Jingyu smiled brightly. “I’ve also brought a gift as compensation. Please accept it later, Forth Lady Qu.”

“Don’t mention it, County Lady!” Qu Moying’s lips curled slightly, but she didn’t leave immediately. “Would you like to sit down and take a look at my sister?”

Qu Qiuyan’s face contorted with anger on the bed. The pain was becoming unbearable. She had arranged it when she learned that Qu Moying was bringing Liu Jingyu along, and now time was running out.

“There’s no need. Please take me out, Forth Lady Qu.” Liu Jingyu said, glancing at Qu Qiuyan’s curtain. She discreetly dug her long nails into her palm, the pain sharp, but her smile became even more genuine.

Liu Jingyu harbored intense hatred deep within. Although she had explained her apology with her father’s words, she had swallowed the humiliation. In truth, this matter was not yet over. The Crown Prince’s reaction and the Empress’s response remained to be seen…

She preferred to handle the Qu Mansion’s affairs as her mother suggested. She didn’t need to take matters into her own hands!

After glancing at the maid beside her and signaling her discreetly, Liu Jingyu turned and walked out, with Qu Moying and Yu Dong following closely behind.