Disease rights policy

Looking at Qiao Ran's current state, Chen Jiu felt a burning sensation in his chest, a burning pain in his heart.

He changed to a clean handkerchief, placed it on Qiao Ran's forehead, and softly asked, following her words, "What do you want?"

Qiao Ran's eyes flickered. "How can I say that out loud? If I do, it won't work anymore."

"Then I won't ask."

Chen Jiu really didn't ask any more questions.

Qiao Ran wiped her face clean, not caring about the wounds all over her body. She let Chen Jiu clumsily examine and bandage her wounds one by one, while she leaned comfortably in the soft carriage. The gloom of the past few days was swept away, and her eyes were bright and clear. She couldn't help but hum a little tune.

It was a tune Chen Jiu had never heard before, cheerful and melodious.

"You survived a near-death experience, yet you don't show any sign of distress," Chen Jiu examined Qiao Ran's calf, where a bloody scratch was difficult to treat. He could only try to distract Qiao Ran with words, "You really have no heart or lungs at all."

Qiao Ran's expression twitched involuntarily, as if in pain, but she quickly regained her composure, curling her lips into a smile as she said, "Like duckweed, I drift freely, not seeking a place to return to, not caring about life or death. If I encounter misfortune, I thank Heaven; if I die, I accept my fate. Now I have a branch to lean on, and you care about me. Who am I putting on this tearful act for?"

Chen Jiu couldn't treat Qiao Ran's leg injury, so he looked away, unable to bear to look any longer. He only applied some high-quality medicine and then urged Xie Laoshi to speed up his pace.

He said, "I'll consider myself your support, and I won't let you drift aimlessly like a helpless duckweed anymore."

Qiao Ran was quiet for a while, and only her shallow breathing could be heard in the car. In an instant, countless sorrows welled up in her heart. "I knew it, Chen Jinzhou, you care about me."

“Yes,” Chen Jiu’s gaze was fixed on her with pity, “I feel sorry for you.”

Qiao Ran could no longer hold back. The suffering of being imprisoned, bound, and never seeing the light of day surged out of her heart. If she hadn't been sitting safely next to Chen Jiu, she would have been completely crushed.

"Chen Jinzhou... Chen Jinzhou..." At this moment, the wounds on her body broke free from the host's paralysis, and the pain was excruciating. Wasn't she also a person who was afraid of pain? It was just that she was exceptionally strong and could endure what ordinary people could not. Qiao Ran choked up and suddenly broke like a child.

Chen Jiu stepped forward and hugged her, her petite body nestled in his arms. He comforted her like a child, saying, "I'm here, I'm here... Qiao Qiao, I've always been here."

Qiao Ran cried herself to sleep, having not slept for seven days and seven nights; she was utterly exhausted.

Upon reaching the back gate of the house, the carriage bypassed the people and entered the courtyard. After clearing the courtyard of everyone, Xie Laoshi lifted the curtain and invited Chen Jiu to get out of the carriage. He looked up and saw the young master holding the dirty Miss Qiao. His gaze as he looked down at her was complex and deep. In the depths of his dark pupils, was there the same cold heart that he was used to? Xie Laoshi did not know.

He quickly looked away and said respectfully, "Young master, we've arrived."

Chen Jiu remained in that position for a while before carefully putting Qiao Ran down and bowing.

Thinking he was about to get out of the car, Xie Laoshi took a half step back. A calm voice came from above, "Lift the curtain higher."

Xie Laoshi did as instructed. The next moment, Chen Jiu, who was half-bent over outside the car, picked up Qiao Ran and carried her out of the car himself.

Startled, Xie Laoshi quickly had others take over the task of lifting the curtain, and then ordered someone to open both doors of the carriage as wide as possible, standing to the side to reach out and take over.

Chen Jiu said, "No need."

"Young master, be careful," Xie Laoshi said, afraid that Chen Jiu would fall, but he didn't dare to take him from his arms. He could only watch helplessly as Chen Jiu got out of the car with slightly flustered steps and carried him all the way back to his bedroom.

"Son."

Xie Laoshi called out and chased after him, not forgetting to instruct Zhou Mu, "Go and invite Master Qu quickly."

Chen Jiu carried Qiao Ran to his bed, tucked her in, and then let out a deep breath and straightened his back.

"Just let your subordinate come down. If anything happens to you, young master..." Xie Laoshi met Chen Jiu's cold gaze and immediately shut his mouth.

Chen Jiu left the inner room, sat down at the tea table, wiped his hands, and then said to himself, "Consider it paying her back."

Old Master Jie remained silent. In this world, there are endless disputes and schemes, and everyone owes everyone else something. How can they ever repay it all, and when will they ever be able to?

"Have four or five maids boil water and wait for Qiaoqiao to wake up so she can bathe and change," Chen Jiu instructed one by one. "Also, have a few more people prepare a medicinal meal for Qiaoqiao to eat when she wakes up."

Xie Laoshi personally kept track of everything. Only after Chen Jiu had arranged Qiao Ran's food, clothing, and lodging did he go out to instruct his capable guards to carry it out.

When he came in again, Chen Jiu had changed his clothes. Perhaps he had exhausted himself today, because he looked unwell.

"Young master, why don't you rest as well? I'll keep an eye on Miss Qiao."

Chen Jiu didn't answer, but instead asked him, "Do you know why Qiao Qiao was so full of life and spirit in front of you and me when she first escaped, but became so fragile after I said a few words to her?"

Xie Laoshi dared not speculate, saying, "I do not know."

Chen Jiu: "She pretended to be fearless and indifferent, but she was ultimately afraid that someone would feel sorry for her. She was afraid that if she really leaned on someone, she would also get tired and feel pain. People have emotions and desires. The only people who are truly heartless are the dead."

Jie Laoshi understood the meaning behind Chen Jiu's words.

“Tenth Brother,” Chen Jiu said, “Qiao Qiao will remember that the time she spent with Chen Jinzhou was joyful and carefree.”

Xie Laoshi said "yes" in a low voice, but secretly suppressed his heartache. If it weren't for their different positions, the young master and Miss Qiao would have had a different process and ending.

Old Qu was pulled in by Zhou Mu, stumbling along. As soon as he saw Chen Jiu's face, he cried out "Ouch!" and threw Zhou Mu aside, running towards Chen Jiu. His legs and feet were much more agile than before.

"Young master, why are you sweating so much? Didn't you say you were going to the Daxiangguo Temple to pray for blessings? Let me take a look at you first."

Chen Jiu supported him, "Old Qu, go and see the person on the bed first."

"Let me show it to you first, young master."

Old Master Qu valued Chen Jiu's health more than his own life. He was about to touch her when Chen Jiu glared at him and said, "I'm fine. If something happens, I won't delay. Are you going to disobey my orders, Old Master Qu?"

Old Qu was taken aback, and then reluctantly turned to the couch. When he saw the face of the person on the couch, he couldn't help but mutter "harmful devil". Sure enough, Chen Jiu's hearing was not good and he did not hear it.

Hearing this, Xie Laoshi didn't say anything, but urged, "Master Qu, please treat Miss Qiao quickly. I'll bring two people over to help you treat your wounds."

Old Master Qu shouted, "Find two maids!"

"Yes."

After a thorough examination, it was clear that Qiao Ran was unconscious due to an inflamed wound and exhaustion. Qu Lao couldn't help but think, "She's incredibly lucky to be alive."

Xie Laoshi quickly brought over two maids. Qiao Ran's injuries would probably require him to undress and have his whole body bandaged. He walked up to Chen Jiu and asked, "Young Master, shall we rest somewhere else?"

Chen Jiu took one last look and instructed the maid in the room, "Take good care of her."

After handing Qiao Ran over to Master Qu, Chen Jiu went to sit down in the study. Gong Yuyi sent news from the palace, and Young Master Yu Yin returned disappointed, having found nothing.

Old Master Xie burned the letter and muttered, "Fortunately, Young Master had planned ahead. The Qiao family in Qianzhou has long been deserted. As for Tuoyue Pavilion, they set off several days ago, and I have people waiting to meet them. They should arrive in the capital in the next couple of days. Other people in Shu who saw Miss Qiao were also dealt with cleanly after we left. Young Master Yu Yin can't find anything about them."

The most dangerous place is the safest place. Chen Jiu was not going against Young Master Yu Yin, nor against 'Chang' behind him, or even Li Hezhang. He just didn't want these people to cause trouble. Getting involved would only ruin his plans.

Qiao Ran remained unconscious for three days, while Chen Jiu found himself with nothing to do. He stopped going to the Imperial City Guard and stopped working, directly asking Gong Yuyi for leave.

Anyway, nobody cared about him, a lowly clerk from the Special Affairs Bureau, spending his days at home replying to secret letters from all over the world, or rather, practicing calligraphy.

Another great pleasure is playing with Maoqiu. Maoqiu was originally afraid of people. Ever since Chen Jiu brought him back, he has been listless and avoiding people for months. Even though Chen Jiu has fed him delicacies and made him plump and healthy, he just won't get close to him.

It is said that animals are naturally perceptive and can distinguish between good and evil. Perhaps in its eyes, Chen Jiu was a villain with a blue face and fangs.

But ever since Qiao Ran was brought back, Mao Qiu seemed to have smelled its mother's scent from afar in its nest. It would run to Qiao Ran, chirping and snuggling affectionately into her arms. It wouldn't leave at night either, sleeping right next to Qiao Ran's head with its round eyes watching her.

Chen Jiu came in twice, and it got all pricked up. But instead of running away as usual, it stayed by Qiao Ran's side and glared at Chen Jiu.

Chen Jiu got interested and grabbed it. It trembled as Chen Jiu took advantage of it. Chen Jiu smiled and said, "I can't tame you."

The furry ball bared its teeth at him again.

"Ever since I brought you back, you've acted like you have a grudge against me. Logically speaking, shouldn't you be closer to me?"

Chen Jiu muttered to himself, and Mao Qiu pretended not to understand even though he could understand.

By the way, Maoqiu is the little moon fox that Qiao Ran took away from the snowy region. When it was still young, it followed Qiao Ran out of the snowy plains and later crossed the East China Sea. Just when it finally settled down, its mother died. Qiao Ran helped it develop a little intelligence, but before it could fully recognize its mother, it was kidnapped by bad guys and brought to this courtyard. Its mother is gone now, and it is called "Maoqiu" every day.

Finally, it smelled that familiar scent again.

Chen Jiu knew that Maoqiu didn't like him, so he teased it even more. Qiao Ran was woken up from a sweet dream by the furry thing.

Her aches and pains were treated, and the process of waking up was much less painful. When she vaguely saw the light again and opened her eyes in a daze, a white ball of fluff was pressed against her face.

"..."

This little thing keeps moving around, like something's butt...

"what?"

Qiao Ran had just woken up, her voice still a little hoarse, but Chen Jiu heard her and scoffed, "Maoqiu, go to the side."

The fluffy ball understood this too. It whimpered twice, spun around, and sat on Qiao Ran's face again. Then, its clear blue eyes met Qiao Ran's. "Waaah...waaah..."

Qiao Ran felt it was very familiar, but its size was too different, so she didn't recognize it for a moment. She said weakly to Chen Jiu in a hoarse voice, "Your dog is so fat. It even sat on me with its butt. Stew it up to nourish me."

Maoqiu: "..."

Chen Jiu chuckled, got up and walked to the bedside, reaching out to touch Qiao Ran's forehead. "It's nothing, this is just another 'birth'."

Qiao Ran smiled and said, "Life goes on and on. Even with my bad luck, I've managed to escape danger time and time again. How much more so for you? You'll definitely live longer than me."

"You're so talkative, get up and have a good meal." Chen Jiu said, "I made you something nourishing, all your favorites."

Qiao Ran, having regained her strength, deliberately threw a tantrum, "Chen Jinzhou, you're too good at winning a girl's heart. You should know that the way to a girl's heart is through her stomach."