Chapter 513 - 340: Marquis of Xiangwu County
Ran Yunsheng was more important to Mrs. Luo than her own life. Now that his life hung in the balance, with no knowledge of the suffering he must be enduring, each passing day tortured her heart, nearly withering it away.
Following Ran Pingyu, Ran Yan entered the bedroom. As soon as she stepped through the door, she was hit by a strong medicinal smell. Sniffing slightly, she realized it was only calming and nourishing herbs, which eased her worries somewhat.
Inside the inner chamber, three and a half of the curtains around the bed were rolled up. Mrs. Luo lay pale on the bed, surrounded by several ice basins, with a few maids kneeling before it, keeping watch.
Hearing footsteps, Mrs. Luo barely opened her eyes and upon recognizing the visitor as Ran Yan, her eyes brightened as she struggled to sit up.
Two maids hurriedly came forward to support her.
Ran Yan had just knelt down before the bed when Mrs. Luo grabbed her hand, "Seventeen, where is Assistant Minister Xiao?"
"He has been summoned to the palace by His Majesty. It’s probably about the Princess of Baling’s situation. Aunt, don’t worry, my husband won’t let Brother Ten come to harm," Ran Yan said, knowing how much Mrs. Luo trusted Xiao Song, so she spoke reassuringly to comfort her.
"That’s good, that’s good," Mrs. Luo sighed with relief, her eyes reddening uncontrollably as she sobbed, "Our Yunsheng has always been such an easy child to raise, intelligent and thoughtful. We never yearned for great wealth or high status, but why won’t the heavens spare him!"
Ran Yan was silent for a moment and then comforted her, "The Princess of Baling is confined, and it was because the Imperial Censor Ma Zhou submitted a memorial impeaching her. Recently, there have been continuous battles on the border with Korea, and there are many affairs in court. The illness of Princess Jinyang has been relapsing, and the Emperor is in poor spirits. With Princess Baling getting into trouble, His Majesty’s anger is not likely to subside anytime soon. I suspect the security at the other courtyard will be relaxed soon, and then I will ask my husband to send someone in to find Brother Ten."