After the delicate and soft-spoken wife gave up, the aloof and powerful minister embraced her and sh

Chapter 420 Drugging

As dusk fell, Zhao Zhao woke up.

Shen Fuhan was sitting next to her reading a book. When he saw her open her eyes, he couldn't help but soften his breathing.

He really didn't know how to comfort his daughter if she cried again.

Zhao Zhao looked around, her gaze finally settling on her father's face.

"Father, where is Mother?"

“Mother is on her way home,” Shen Fuhan coaxed her. “Zhaozhao will be able to see her then.”

Zhao Zhao didn't speak, her little brows furrowed tightly.

She had a dream just now, in which her mother hugged and kissed her for a long time. She was very happy, but when she woke up, her mother was gone.

Unfortunately, she couldn't speak such complete words yet; she just stared blankly at the clothes she was holding in her arms.

This is the one my mother wore in my dream.

She got up, hugged her clothes tightly to her chest, and looked around in confusion. Had her mother hidden away?

Shen Fuhan asked, "Zhaozhao, are you hungry?"

Zhao Zhao nodded.

Shen Fuhan lifted the covers and said, "Father will take you to have dinner. How about you sleep with Father tonight?"

Zhao Zhao nodded again, letting her father lead her obediently outside.

As she stepped out of the inner room, she glanced back at her mother's clothes lying on the bed.

Her mother must be playing hide-and-seek with her.

As long as she listens to her father, her mother will definitely be there when she wakes up, right?

Zhao Zhao smiled and couldn't wait to walk out the door.

Although he didn't quite understand why Zhao Zhao suddenly felt better, Shen Fuhan was happy to see it happen.

He didn't want his daughter to be overwhelmed by sadness; he was happy to be sad alone.

After personally feeding Zhao Zhao, Shen Fuhan began to eat his own meal.

Halfway through the meal, Guard Wu came again.

Shen Fuhan immediately put down his chopsticks and asked, "Any progress?"

Guard Wu said with shame, "Reporting to the Marquis, that man was too cunning. He ran away after being discovered. However, we know that he was accompanied by four subordinates, and we have even captured one of them. But... he immediately bit his tongue and committed suicide. Please punish him, Marquis."

“It seems to be Pei Huaijin’s men,” Shen Fuhan saw a glimmer of hope. “Make arrangements to guard the city gates strictly and mobilize all guards to search for the whereabouts of the remaining four. Remember to leave no survivors.”

"Yes!"

Shen Fuhan sat quietly for a moment, suppressing his turbulent emotions, and continued eating.

After they had filled their stomachs, he took Zhaozhao back to their room to rest.

With news of A-Yue on the horizon, he needed to recover quickly so he could go find her in person.

The next morning, after having breakfast, Shen Fuhan lay in bed with his eyes closed, resting even though he wasn't sleepy.

Around noon, Dr. Qian came to treat him.

"It seems the Marquis slept well last night," he nodded to himself, "His pulse has become much more stable."

Shen Fuhan asked, "If I rest like this every day, will I be fully recovered within three days?"

Old Qian shook his head: "The Bone-Corroding Powder is too toxic. The Marquis will need at least half a month to fully recover, otherwise he may suffer from chronic illness."

Shen Fuhan pondered for a moment, then asked, "Is your life in danger?"

Old Qian asked warily, "Why does Your Excellency ask this?"

"...Just asking casually."

"I hope Your Excellency will take care of your health and not underestimate the possibility of developing a chronic illness," Old Qian said, his brows furrowed so deeply they could trap a fly. "It could range from a minor cough to a serious backache, leg pain, or headache."

Old Qian earnestly advised, "People are like trees. If they have constant minor problems, even if they grow into towering trees, they will eventually rot."

"As long as there's no danger to my life, that's good," Shen Fuhan nodded and said, "Thank you, Elder Qian."

Seeing his nonchalant attitude, Old Qian was so angry that he was furious.

"My lord, you should think this through carefully, because this illness will stay with you for the rest of your life!"

“I’ve thought this through,” Shen Fuhan said slowly. “My injuries are only superficial, but hers are deep inside. The later I find her, the more she will be hurt. I don’t want her to suffer any more serious injuries.”

Even someone as experienced as Mr. Qian was moved by these words.

“I understand,” sighed Old Qian. “Since you are so determined, I will not try to persuade you any further. I hope you will find your wife soon and the family will be reunited.”

It's already December, and the New Year is just around the corner. I wonder if the Marquis and his wife will be able to meet then.

Mr. Qian shook his head and walked away.

Shen Fuhan looked at the sleeping Zhaozhao and whispered, "Yes."

Most definitely.

At noon, Shen Fuhan woke Zhaozhao up and they went to have lunch together.

Zhao Zhao opened her eyes groggily, looked around, but still couldn't see her mother. She pouted.

Why is Mother hiding so well?

She clung tightly to her father's neck, feeling sullen.

In the side hall, the maids filed in and set out the lunch.

Shen Fuhan stopped feeding Zhaozhao himself and had someone come in to serve her.

He needs to make the most of every moment of rest so that he won't be hindered by his illness when he sets off in a few days.

Cai'er and a maidservant soon came in to serve Zhao Zhao.

While he was eating, Zhao Zhao suddenly picked up a silver spoon and put a meatball into his bowl.

She said in her childish voice, "Daddy, eat."

Shen Fuhan touched her little face and ate the dumpling.

After lunch, he left the table first, instructed the maid to take good care of the young lady, and went straight to sleep.

He wasn't sleepy and only intended to close his eyes and rest, but his body felt unusually heavy and his head began to feel dizzy, forcing him to fall asleep.

Shen Fuhan frowned, his mind drifting between dreams and reality.

In his dazed state, he suddenly heard a soft call.

"Husband."

Shen Fuhan opened his eyes and was immediately stunned.

He didn't know if it was a dream or reality, but Wen Jiayue appeared a few steps away, wearing the clothes she had worn on the day she disappeared.

Shen Fuhan pressed his forehead, feeling his body slowly heating up.

Footsteps sounded at the same time, getting closer and closer to him.

"My husband, I'm back."

Shen Fuhan shook his head, forcing himself to stay awake, trying to see the woman's face clearly, but his gaze could not focus.

"Is my husband unhappy to see me return? Why don't you hold me?"

She raised her hand, and countless hands appeared in front of Shen Fuhan, making his consciousness even more blurred.

Just as her hand was about to touch his chest, Shen Fuhan grabbed her wrist in time.

"who are you?"

The person in front of her seemed stunned, then smiled and said, "My husband, I am A-Yue."

Ah Yue...

Shen Fuhan closed his eyes. It didn't seem to be A-Yue's voice, but the thought vanished in an instant. He was almost unable to think.

"My husband, I've missed you so much these past few days since I left you. Have you missed me too?"

Shen Fuhan opened his eyes and was met with a blinding white light.

He couldn't see what it was until the person in front of him grabbed his hand.

"My husband, my heart is beating so fast since I saw you, would you like to touch it...?"

Before he could finish speaking, a strong force suddenly banged on the carved wooden door, startling everyone inside.

Outside, Guard Wu called out, "My lord, we've caught him!"