Kiyomi Tsuki et son renard

Chapitre 88

Xi Ri put down the hot soup, turned around and said, "Third Brother, take a rest and drink the soup while it's hot to warm yourself up."

"Okay." Minglu smiled faintly, walked to the table, picked up the soup bowl, and began to eat.

Xi Ri watched her third brother from the side, slightly stunned. He had clearly lost weight in the past few days. He was still recovering from a serious injury and hadn't had time to recuperate properly. He was also working hard, staying up all night to finish official documents. How could his body take it? Xi Ri felt even more guilty and was even more determined not to mention that matter tonight.

After finishing the soup, Minglu asked, "It's so late, Brother Yu, why haven't you rested yet? Is there something you need?"

"No," Xi Ri said calmly. Then she advised, "Third Brother's injuries haven't healed yet, and he hasn't been recuperating properly lately. He shouldn't stay up late anymore and should get some rest."

Minglu smiled slightly and said, "It's almost done, no problem."

"Then... Third Brother, shall I grind the ink for you here?" She just wanted to do something for her Third Brother, even if it was the most insignificant thing.

Upon hearing this, Minglu's gaze darkened for a moment, then brightened again, and he said softly, "Okay."

Beside the desk, the candle flame flickered softly. Xi Ri adjusted it to make the flame brighter. It was almost midnight, and Third Brother was still not finished. Occasionally, I heard Third Brother cough, and with each cough, my chest ached a little more.

Gazing at her third brother's profile, she silently said to him in her heart:

Third Brother, I'm sorry... I've been deceiving you all this time... I've deceived you for so long, deceived you so much, how can I even begin to tell you?... Tell me, how can I repay everything I owe you? Tell me, how can I make you stop blaming me, stop hating me, stop resenting me, so I can still stay by your side and call you Third Brother...

"Given the recent chaos in the canal transport, which has caused widespread panic and unrest, and the fact that the capital is quite unstable, how about Brother Yu moves out in three days?"

“Okay.” Xi Ri answered crisply, which made Ming Lu pause slightly, then laughed and said, “Brother Yu, you must have something else to say.”

Oh no, I answered too quickly. My third brother saw through my ruse. I secretly regret that my mind was too chaotic tonight, and I wasn't as calm as usual.

“Brother Yu, whatever it is, as long as it’s within my power, I will do my best to help you,” Minglu said.

Xi Ri secretly groaned: "Third Brother, please stop asking. If you keep pressing me, I'll have to tell you everything. I can bear anything except losing you all. Although this isn't the right time, I can't hold back anymore. If I keep holding back, I might die of worry before I even tell the truth."

Xi Ri tentatively asked, "Third Brother, if I had lied to you before, would you hate me..." Her voice trailed off.

"Deception?" Minglu gazed at Xiri, who looked guilty, at the table, and replied softly and thoughtfully, "If you really deceived me, I just want to know why you would deceive me."

"Because—" Xi Ri hurriedly began, then suddenly shut her mouth. Because of what?! Foolish! Saying "because" would be admitting she had lied to Third Brother! Fine, since that's the case, just say it. It's a matter of life and death. Although she wanted to delay for a few more days, she was already restless and impatient. She figured she might as well take advantage of the quiet of the night, Third Brother's good mood, gentle and warm expression, and his slightly tired state of mind, making him less likely to be agitated or strongly stimulated. Perhaps he could be lenient with her then.

Don't blame her, she just couldn't hold back anymore!

“Because…” she took a deep breath.

“Because…” she gasped for breath again.

"Because..." she gasped for breath.

Ah—someone come up and stab her!

Minglu waited quietly, neither impatient nor agitated, calmly watching Xiri pound her chest with both fists, looking like she was about to be beaten to death but still desperately trying to encourage herself. He couldn't help but smirk slightly. So, she still cared about him... not only that, but she seemed to care a great deal.

Just then... the study window was suddenly kicked open, and a gust of cold wind rushed into the room. The two looked up abruptly and were shocked to see a person hanging upside down in the window. The person, hanging in the air, was angrily waving his fists and shouting, "What is it? Just tell me already! I can't take it anymore! If you keep whining and nagging and don't give me a straight answer, I'm going to lose my footing and fall off the roof!" (This really hit home for everyone.)

Who is this person?

Because the person was hanging upside down, I didn't recognize them at first glance. But when I came to my senses and looked closely... Ah?!

"Third cousin!" 24

At this moment, the guards from the Prince's Palace outside the courtyard rushed in upon hearing the noise. Just as they were about to rush toward the person hanging upside down on the eaves, Minglu suddenly waved his sleeve and shouted, "All of you, step back. He is an old friend of mine."

After a moment, everyone withdrew.

Li Yu was not Ming Lu's old friend at all. It was only because of the phrase "third cousin" that Ming Lu had just mentioned that day that he let this strange man who had sneaked into the Prince's mansion go.

At that moment, Li Yu, who thought he was hanging upside down on the eaves but in Xi Ri's eyes looked like a dead fish, flipped over and nimbly leaped into the study through the window, plopped down in a chair, and said, "Little one. Serve tea!"

"Little life?" Xi Ri's eyelids twitched. She had a very strong bad premonition. Sure enough, Li Yu's next words shocked her. Li Yu continued nonchalantly, "Little life, it's been years since I've seen you. You're getting more and more awkward. Aren't you just a female... gangster... ugh..." At this moment, Xi Ri seemed to have just fallen over, and one hand covered Li Yu's mouth, making his last words sound like "bricklaying".

Xi Ri then burst into laughter, "Haha, cousin, you've come at the perfect time! Let me introduce you. This is my third brother, Prince Minglu, and this is my cousin, Li... the Third Young Master. Alright, so we're all acquainted now. Cousin, my third brother was seriously injured saving me, and he hasn't been able to recover. Aren't you a miracle doctor? Haha, could you please take a look at my third brother and prescribe some tonics? If you can help him fully recover within a month, I'll give you two of those!" Xi Ri temptingly held up two fingers, Li Yu... Her eyes lit up at the sight, but then narrowed again. She held up four fingers, and Xi Ri immediately nodded, saying, "Deal!" Seeing her answer so readily, Li Yu clearly felt he hadn't said enough and glared at Xi Ri with considerable dissatisfaction. Xi Ri then smiled insincerely and removed the hand that had been covering his mouth, but dared not look at Ming Lu again. She knew she was already on the verge of disaster. In this situation, she could still fool her fourth brother, but her third brother, who had remained silent behind her... No need to think about it, absolutely, absolutely impossible.

"Two of those? What are those?" The two of them were making a deal as if no one else was around, speaking in a language only they could understand, which displeased Minglu. But he knew Xiri's fear, apprehension, and hesitation at this moment, and he even understood Xiri's reasons for deceiving him.

Looking at Xi Ri's stiff back, Ming Lu smiled slightly and clasped his hands in greeting to Li Yu, saying, "Young Master Li, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Li Yu looked Ming Lu up and down, and clasped his hands in greeting, saying, "Prince Ming, it's a pleasure to meet you. I was very rude just now, and I hope you will forgive me."

“You’re too kind. Young Master Li’s visit so late at night, and his deliberate choice to take an unconventional route, suggests he must have something urgent to attend to. I understand, and it’s not convenient for me to keep you any longer,” Ming Lu said.

Li Yu said dismissively, "Prince Ming, to be honest, I've come tonight to see my cousin..."

Before he could finish speaking, the person beside him suddenly grabbed his arm, trembling, their fingers interlocking tightly. He seemed completely oblivious to the fear and dread of the person beside him, pausing only slightly before continuing to smile and say, "However, since my cousin has ordered me to heal your wounds, I have no choice but to trouble Prince Ming to extend his hand first so that I may take your pulse."

Minglu glanced at him and said, "No need for you to trouble yourself, Brother Li." He then turned to the outside of the room and said, "See the guest out."

The door was immediately opened, and a guard stood in the doorway. Although he didn't look into the room, he was already exuding a murderous aura.

Li Yu glanced indifferently at the doorway, let out a cold laugh, and said, "I promised my cousin, and I will definitely keep my word."

Upon hearing this, Ming Lu's gaze suddenly turned cold. Li Yu also gave Ming Lu a cold look. At this moment, the atmosphere in the room became tense.

Suddenly, a woman's voice came from inside the room. She said, "Cousin, I know you want to help me, but I owe Third Brother far too much. It's not enough to just heal my wounds. You don't need to help me anymore. I'm willing to bear and face it myself. Whether Third Brother resents me or hates me, I accept it."

"Little Rizi, aren't you always feeling guilty, sad, and remorseful because he was seriously injured for you, feeling like you owe him something? I'll heal his injuries for you, so you don't have to..."

Before Li Yu could finish speaking, a hand suddenly reached out in front of him. Li Yu's words were cut off amidst slight surprise.

Ming Lu coldly replied, "I hope your reputation as a divine physician is truly well-deserved."

Li Yu's gaze sharpened slightly, and he placed his hand on Ming Lu's pulse. After a moment, he withdrew his hand.