After her transformation and rebirth, she manipulates the innocent and ruthless to overthrow the wor

Xiao Ran gave a soft "hmm" without thinking much of it; she was just a little tired, so she didn't say anything more.

Duanli lowered his head, took out a piece of candy from his pocket, and handed it to her.

Xiao Ran was taken aback, then took the package, opened it, and ate it without hesitation.

It's osmanthus maltose from Shanyun Pavilion.

I remember that on the night she turned 18, she told Xiaolan that she liked to eat sweets in order to get Xiaolan away.

I didn't expect him to remember it.

It's quite sweet.

A hint of sweetness lingered in Xiao Ran's mouth. She smacked her lips and asked, "How have you been lately?"

Duan Li hummed in response, her voice indifferent, "It's alright."

In fact, he is living a much more fulfilling life now than before. Before, he spent all his time practicing swordsmanship and at most looking for news about his master. Now, he patrols the streets every day and learns about many interesting things happening in people's lives, but he finds it a bit boring.

However, with Yun Shao chattering around, it wasn't too boring.

"I've already spoken with Master Qi these past few days, and I believe we'll have news of your master soon."

Duan Li nodded.

"it is good."

Suddenly, a rustling sound broke the silence, coming from the bed and sounding particularly abrupt in the quiet room. Xiao Ran quickly looked in the direction of the sound and realized that Wen Ming had opened his eyes at some point. His eyes were filled with endless fatigue and worry, making it impossible to tell how long he had been awake.

His face was ashen and bloodless. "How is my mother...?"

The voice was hoarse and weak, each word sounding as if it had used up all the strength in the body.

Xiao Ran quickly got up and went to his bedside. She said softly, "Mr. Wen, don't worry, your mother is fine now. However, it seems that your mother is suffering from some kind of serious illness?"

Wen Ming remained silent for a moment, a trace of pain flashing in his eyes, before slowly uttering two words: "It's tuberculosis."

“Consumption…” Xiao Ran’s expression darkened slightly upon hearing this answer.

She knew all too well how terrible the disease was; it was an incurable terminal illness. All she could do was alleviate the pain and delay the inevitable end.

Hearing that his mother was alright, he seemed to regain some energy and asked, "Who are you two?"

Xiao Ran introduced himself, "Mr. Wen, I am Xiao Ran, a student of Guangwen Dingtang, and he is Duan Li, a patrolman of the Kyoto Guard."

Wen Ming nodded slightly. Dean Ding had not assigned him any teaching plans in the past few days, so he had not seen this woman.

However, he knew that she was the daughter of the general's family.

"Mr. Wen, are you aware that Miss Shen has gone missing?"

Wen Ming looked sorrowful. "I know, it was my fault..."

After Wenming explained the whole story, Xiao Ran realized that her guess was correct.

Shen You did indeed confess her feelings to Wen Ming.

But Wenming refused.

Then Shen Liang came and beat him up in a fit of rage, and also knocked over his mother's medicine. He only left in a panic when he saw his mother vomiting blood.

"She seemed normal at the time, so I didn't think anything of it... It wasn't until her brother arrived that I realized I had hurt her. I—"

"Mr. Wen, do you really not like Miss Shen at all?"

Wen Ming remained silent for a long time before speaking with self-deprecation, "Miss Shen You is a daughter of the Grand Tutor's mansion, a noble lady, a pearl. I am but a speck of dust among the masses, how can I possibly gaze upon the pristine moon?"

"But the moon willingly came to your side, and you still don't want it?"

Wen Ming remained resolute, shaking his head with a wry smile.

"The moon is protected by its own stars, not by my insignificant dust."