Resplendent – Chapter 413

Chapter 413 – Only You in My Eyes

The jade pendant! The jade pendant that represented the Chu family’s identity! His little sister had been wearing it all along! 

Thank goodness! Now, who would still dare to doubt her identity? Chu Mushan quickly took off his own jade pendant and placed it together in their mother’s hand.

The two pendants were identical in size and shape, differing only in the carved patterns upon them. His was etched with cedar leaves, while his sister’s bore the design of vibrant begonia blossoms.

When their father had chosen the motif for his daughter’s pendant, he had deliberated for a long time before finally deciding on the begonia. He had said that he hoped the only daughter of the family would live as freely and gracefully as a begonia flower in full bloom…

Chu Mufeng also removed his own jade pendant and placed it beside their mother’s hand. His pendant was carved with the pattern of maple leaves. The eldest, Chu Muhua’s, bore birch motifs; the third brother, Chu Mutong’s, had paulownia leaves. Similarly, the fourth and fifth brothers’ pendants were engraved with pine and cypress patterns.

When their little sister was born, their father had said that these towering trees of his must protect the delicate little flower of the family. Who would have thought that the siblings would be separated for thirteen long years?

That their sister would suffer hardship in a mountain village, while they remained completely unaware. Had they known this would happen, they would never have entrusted her to anyone else. Even if they had stayed together as a family, they would have been able to protect her.

“Gurgle-gurgle-gurgle…” What was that sound?

Everyone turned toward the source. Gu Ye, looking a little embarrassed, covered her stomach.

When she’d gone out that morning, she had planned to sample all the pastries and snacks of the capital, so she had only eaten a small bowl of porridge. After wandering about all morning, she was starving. If it hadn’t been for worrying about her mother’s illness, she might have already fainted from hunger.

Gu Ming frowned and explained on his sister’s behalf, “Our sister’s stomach is very delicate. She’s always eaten small portions, many times a day. It’s long past the time for her extra meal!” 

“Quick! Go to the kitchen and see what’s available and prepare something for our little sister… No, I’ll go myself.” Chu Mushan looked at Gu Ye with self-reproach. How could he have been so careless as to let his sister go hungry until now?

Chu Mufeng hurriedly added, “In the small kitchen, there are some of Mother’s tonic dishes cooking. Pick out something she can eat, and let her have a few bites to tide her over. It’s almost noon. Whatever little sister likes, have the kitchen start preparing it immediately!”

Gu Ye shivered at the thought of eating tonics. She quickly stood and said, “Second Brother is right. It’s almost lunchtime; a few pieces of pastry will be enough for now. Sixth Brother, I’ll go with you to check the kitchen!”

With that, she grabbed Chu Mushan and dashed out the door, moving more swiftly than a lifelong martial artist. Chu Mufeng stared, puzzled, at her nearly panicked retreating figure. What had he just said? He seemed to have scared his sister.

Gu Ming casually added, “Don’t mention the word ‘tonic’ in front of her. When her health was poor before, taking them actually did her harm!”

“Alas… my sister’s illness is closely tied to the Chu family…”

Even before he went to Yan City, he had heard that Miss Gu had fallen seriously ill while trying to treat his eldest brother. She had almost lost her life. He guessed that her dislike for tonics probably stemmed from that experience.

Before he could finish speaking, the Duke of Zhenguo strode in from outside. Seeing his second son, who should have been on duty, he anxiously asked, “Your mother fainted? Have you called the imperial physician?”

“Yes, we have. They’re still on the way. Mother just took the medicine…” Chu Mufeng hadn’t finished speaking before their father interrupted him.

“What medicine? Besides the Wuji Baifeng Wan, which has some effect, the rest… she shouldn’t have taken! Where did you get this medicine?” Yesterday, he had personally watched his wife take the last pill of the Wuji Baifeng Wan. For some reason, the shipment from Yan City had been delayed by several days this month. The Duke of Zhenguo had urgently dispatched a fast rider north to intercept it. He hoped there would be news today!

At this moment, Jun Miao spoke up: “Uncle, Sixth Cousin found our little cousin! It was the medicine given by my little cousin!”

“Little cousin? What little cousin?” The Duke of Zhenguo glanced at Ding Fang. “Was it you who gave your mother the medicine?” Ding Fang quickly shook her head.  The little cousin she was referring to was the true daughter of the Chu family; it had nothing to do with her!

Chu Mufeng pointed to the jade lock clutched in his mother’s hand, his voice tinged with excitement: “It’s the little sister! Sixth Brother found her and brought her back!”

Through the slight gap in his wife’s fingers, the Duke of Zhenguo caught sight of the begonia flower design on the jade lock, and his heart skipped a beat. He tried to pry the jade lock from his wife’s hand to examine it closely, but Lady Jun, half-dazed and half-asleep, only clenched it tighter.

Helpless, he could only peer at the jade lock through the narrow gaps between her fingers. It was indeed their daughter’s pendant! How could he possibly fail to recognize the jade pendant he had personally carved? 

In an inconspicuous corner of the lock, one begonia petal was slightly flawed. When he heard his daughter cry, he panicked and trembled while carving it. After coaxing his daughter back to sleep, he carefully repaired the flaw. If one didn’t look closely, it was impossible to notice anything amiss.

Could it really be his daughter? His daughter has been found? That delicate, little, dumpling-like girl—has she returned to his side? 

The Duke looked around the room anxiously, fixing his gaze on his second son: “Where’s Bao’er? Where’s your little sister?”

“Sister was hungry. Sixth Brother took her to the kitchen to find something to eat!” Chu Mufeng grinned sheepishly. 

Even their father had confirmed it. Ye’er was indeed his sister. There was absolutely no mistake!

The person who had arrived was Chief Physician Zhang from the Imperial Medical Bureau. Chief Physician Zhang’s ancestors had some connection with the Chu family, so whenever the Duke of Zhenguo summoned him, he never refused if he was available.

After taking the pulse of the Duchess of Zhenguo, he frowned slightly and shook his head slowly: “Fortunately, the medicine was administered in time. This time, there’s no harm done! However, we still need to identify the root cause of her illness as soon as possible… Forgive my limited medical skills; I am powerless!”

It was only because the Duke of Zhenguo’s household had access to a steady supply of Wuji Baifeng Wan that the Duchess had been able to take them regularly. If she had been elsewhere, the Duchess might have already… Chief Physician Zhang shook his head and sighed.

“Physician Zhang, this time, my aunt didn’t take Wuji Baifeng Wan. She took a different medicine!” Jun Miao interjected, pretending to be concerned.

“Nonsense! Medicine isn’t something to be taken at random! Even if we identify the root of the Duchess’s illness, any treatment must be carefully administered. One small mistake could lead to irreversible consequences!” Chief Physician Zhang grew anxious and, ignoring the Duke’s status, spoke with a tone of rebuke.

The Duke immediately became anxious. He glared at his son and asked urgently: “What medicine did you give your mother? Let Chief Physician Zhang examine her immediately!”

His second son had spent over a year gaining experience on the frontier; he was supposed to be steady and reliable. How could he be so careless today? How could he change his mother’s medicine without medical advice? Was this unfilial son trying to harm her? Everyone in the capital knew that the Duke and Duchess of Zhenguo were deeply devoted to each other; even their own sons had to stand aside.

Perhaps only their long-lost daughter could be considered equal to the Duchess in importance. At this moment, in the Duke’s eyes, there was only his beloved wife!