Chapter 716: Chapter 367: The Jade Girl Awakens, Foes Meet, Li Xian’s Deceit and Trickery (Part 4)
Even so, it was hard to hurry back to the Water Altar. As she drifted, she suddenly caught sight of an island. Dazed, she thought to herself, "Forget it, forget it... I’ll sleep on the island first. If... Xiao Jing notices and enters the lake to find me, there’s still... still... hope."
Staggering, she made her way to the island. She bit her tongue, forcing herself to stay alert, and surveyed the island’s environment.
Suddenly, she heard a strange sound from the east side of the island. She saw a black boat with a dark figure standing on it. The figure stood at the bow of the boat, holding a fishing rod and casting a line that wrapped around the tree trunk’s lingzhi mushroom, then pulling it back.
Without needing to step ashore, the medicine was collected. This was Su Fuyou, gathering herbs from the lake. Su Fuyou said ominously, "How rare, how rare, to see a woman in this lake."
Zhao Ranran immediately became alert. Su Fuyou said, "Judging by your look, have you seen the Mother Tree of Ten Thousand Slumbers? You’re quite lucky."
Zhao Ranran, still in a daze, thought, "This elder is certainly no ordinary person. My best option is to find a way to seek help." She saluted and said, "Junior... jun...ior of Daoxuan Mountain... the Jade Girl Zhao Ranran, pays respects... respects, elder. Could you be..."
She was on the brink of fainting, so she introduced herself first. Su Fuyou was genuinely surprised, "Meeting the Jade Girl here is indeed peculiar. I am the Ghost Doctor."
Zhao Ranran gasped, "Ah, could it be... it is..." Overwhelmed with drowsiness that surged more intensely, she knew the Ghost Doctor’s rules, bit her tongue again, and said, "Please, elder, help me!"
Su Fuyou said, "I have never set foot on land in my life. I have a cocoon here; inject your Inner Qi into it to inflate it, and wrap yourself in it. So you won’t suspect me of taking advantage of your unconsciousness to do anything improper. I don’t wish to be accused of insulting a Jade Girl."
Zhao Ranran said, "Thank you immensely." She climbed into the cocoon. Once the cocoon was damaged, it could no longer be repaired. She entered the cocoon and fell into a deep sleep; as long as the cocoon remained intact, she would stay untainted.
Feeling assured, Zhao Ranran slept soundly. Su Fuyou cast his fishing rod, pulling Zhao Ranran back onto the boat, and took her to Fuyou Residence. He had been worried about having no successor; previously, he had already given up, feeling that the Ghost Doctor lineage would end, or perhaps he would leave his legacy in the lake for future generations to discover. Upon encountering Zhao Ranran, a thought struck him, and for a few times, he considered passing his medical skills to her. The lotus mark on the Jade Girl’s forehead was indeed an "uncommon feature of the face." But remembering her "Jade Girl" status, he hesitated and was uncertain.
While he was indecisive, he went fishing in the lake to ease his mind. Unexpectedly, like a willing fish biting the hook, he caught an even more suitable candidate. When Su Fuyou met Li Xian, he let this matter pass. As subsequent events unfolded, it developed into the current situation.
...
...
Li Xian felt slightly relieved, "It seems she is just awakening from a great sleep, her mind still not clear, and she hasn’t recognized me yet. Although I’m wearing a mask, my figure is hard to disguise, this Jade Girl is certainly not dim-witted." Using the bookshelf to obscure himself, he said darkly, "I am the Ghost Doctor."
Zhao Ranran’s eyes were sharp as she scrutinized him, "How can you prove it?"
Li Xian said coldly, "I am the heir of the Ghost Doctor, there is no need to prove this to you. Besides... are you going to be so disrespectful to the benefactor who saved your life?"
Zhao Ranran walked out of the sickroom, watching the scenery of the lake, her mind was in chaos, her thoughts tangled, she asked, "How long was I unconscious?"
Li Xian had a sudden inspiration and said blandly, "Not long, just three years." Zhao Ranran lowered her brows and said, "Three years? Really?" When she said "three years," her voice quickened slightly.
Li Xian said, "Of course it’s true, now the Great Wu is in chaos, with wars breaking out everywhere. The current Emperor passed away two years ago, being sickly by nature. The new Emperor is an ignorant child, who believes..."
He continued speaking smoothly, backing his words with evidence. He discussed the actions of major powers and commented on the global situation. He wasn’t speaking nonsense; many speculations were actually repeating the lady’s insights. They were incisive and sharp.
Zhao Ranran was initially very surprised and suspicious, but as she listened, she grew more confused. Many of Li Xian’s remarks were similar to the speculations and discussions among the prominent families, causing her to keep wondering, "Could I have really been unconscious for three years? Dreaming with no knowledge of the passing seasons, upon reflection... it might indeed be possible."
Li Xian continued, "The disappearance of the Jade Girl of Daoxuan Mountain at Dongran Lake, her companions were punished, stationed at Dongran Lake, unable to return until they find a clue."
...
His crafty speech showed an instinctive knack for deception. Zhao Ranran, long asleep, was immersed in illusions, and hearing Li Xian speak so convincingly, she, though wise, lacked experience. She occasionally even nodded in agreement, falling into the trap.
Li Xian took the opportunity to say, "The food is ready, why don’t you come and taste it?" Taking the chance to leave, fortunately, Fuyou Residence was cluttered, with piles of flowers and herbs, Li Xian used objects for concealment, always managing to hide his figure, secretly preparing to escape.
Zhao Ranran nodded, newly awakened from a deep slumber, she was overwhelmed with information, muddled and sluggish, she followed the instructions and sat down at the table. Suddenly, she said, "Wait a moment!" Li Xian broke into a cold sweat, asked blandly, "What is it?"
Zhao Ranran said, "There are two bowls of rice here. You probably haven’t eaten yet, where are you going?" Li Xian feigned calmness, "Sickness enters through the mouth, I am going to wash my hands. Don’t you have this habit?"
Zhao Ranran felt embarrassed, she valued her appearance greatly, explained, "I usually pay great attention to cleanliness, having just woken up, perhaps the poison still lingers, I was momentarily careless. You did remind me." She put down the bowl and chopsticks and headed outside the residence.
Li Xian secretly cursed, knowing Zhao Ranran was not dim-witted. Once she gathered her wits, she would surely notice. A face is easy to cover, but a figure is hard to hide. Given the circumstances, forcibly fleeing was even harder. He could only brace himself to continue deceiving.
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