After entering the book, the cold prince begs for favor

Chapter 397 The Open-minded Old Man Su

The next day.

Yuan Wanru's carriage left the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence early in the morning and headed straight for Qihuangzhai.

Before even stepping inside, a loud curse could be heard: "You brat, you took my tea again! I only have so much in stock, and you've squandered it all!"

"stop!"

Su Shaodong's voice could be heard clearly: "No way, you old geezer, you only have me as your son, so what's yours is mine too."

"I'm going to drink it, you can't catch me."

His tone was a bit smug.

This was the first time Yuan Wanru had ever been to Qihuangzhai that she had ever seen it so lively.

As she walked in, she saw a middle-aged man dressed in blue silk clothes throwing a pestle at Su Shaodong.

Su Shaodong was nimble and easily caught the pestle.

"Hehe, old man, with your strength, it won't hurt if you hit me."

As he finished speaking, he caught sight of Yuan Wanru stepping across the threshold and smiled brightly: "Little beauty, you've arrived!"

With a flip, she landed lightly next to Yuan Wanru.

Xuan Ying looked away in disgust.

This person is clearly quite skilled, but he always has a glib tongue and a carefree attitude.

No wonder his wife has never liked him.

The old man who had been glaring angrily just moments before, also known as Old Man Su, quickly walked over when he saw Yuan Wanru: "Oh, what a wonderful day! My daughter has arrived!"

Back in southern Xinjiang, Yuan Wanru and Su Shaodong had said that they would recognize him as their older brother.

Old Man Su then became her godfather.

Yuan Wanru had never met Old Man Su before, and she was surprised to find that he was completely different from what she had imagined.

Old Man Su had broad eyebrows and some wrinkles at the corners of his eyes. Although he had been traveling around for many years, he still looked energetic and spirited, with a very refined appearance.

Su Shaodong's appearance is somewhat similar to his father's, but he lacks his father's profound and composed demeanor.

"Wanru, I'm your godfather, you can't deny it!"

He had always wanted a daughter, but unfortunately, Su Shaodong's mother had a difficult childbirth when she gave birth to him.

He thought he was destined to never have a daughter, but unexpectedly, things took a turn for the better, and that brat Su Shaodong actually found him a daughter.

Hearing all sorts of things about Yuan Wanru from Su Shaodong, Old Man Su clearly adored this daughter.

In his heart, he already regarded Yuan Wanru as his own daughter.

Yuan Wanru was also a generous person. She was stunned for a moment, but immediately reacted and obediently called out, "Godfather."

After speaking, he was about to bow when Old Man Su stopped him, saying, "Why bother with these formalities among family?"

He looked at Yuan Wanru carefully, and the more he looked, the more he liked her: "Good, good, I am truly blessed."

"Wanru, wait a moment, your father has prepared something good for you."

Even the word "do" was omitted; Old Man Su was not reserved at all.

Yuan Wanru finally realized who Su Shaodong took after in terms of personality.

Su Shaodong stood beside her, sighing, "It seems that in the future, your father will love you more than he loves me."

Yuan Wanru laughed heartily: "What, are you jealous?"

He gently patted the top of her head: "I'm not jealous. You're my sister, and I love you too."

His gaze was clear and bright, devoid of the lingering affection of the past.

Yuan Wanru became increasingly happy. Su Shaodong finally understood that it would be wonderful for her and him to be a brother and sister of the opposite sex.

"Speaking of which, I haven't yet thanked my brother for his great help in sending me the blueprints for the secret passage of Ziyun Temple last time."

Yuan Wanru had no idea that Su Shaodong had dug up a grave to retrieve the blueprints.

Su Shaodong crossed his arms casually: "Alright, we're family, no need to be so polite."

After saying that, he whispered, "Make more rare and precious pills, or teach me the art of Gu poison when you have time. That would be better than anything else."

"How about it?"

Just as Yuan Wanru was about to nod, Old Man Su came out carrying some things and immediately kicked Su Shaodong, who nimbly dodged it.

Old Man Su snorted coldly: "You have to help your sister with whatever she wants, but you're not allowed to covet her things."

"You have the nerve to ask her to teach you? You haven't even fully learned what I taught you."

“That lazy good-for-nothing, girl, let’s ignore him.”

Seeing this, Yuan Wanru couldn't stop laughing. "Okay, I'll listen to my godfather and ignore him."

Old Man Su opened the brocade box in his hand: "See if you like it?"

Inside the box was a set of nine needles crafted from pure gold, with intricate intertwined floral patterns carved on the ends of the needles, which shimmered in the morning light.

"This is too valuable..."

Yuan Wanru gently stroked the cold needles with her fingertips.

Old Man Su feigned displeasure: "How could your godfather be stingy with the gift I'm giving you?"

"I heard you're also skilled in acupuncture. This set of gold needles was made by a master and has been soaked in medicinal broth for eighty-one days. There's only one set like this in the world."

"If you refuse, it means you don't recognize me as your father."

Yuan Wanru's eyes welled up with tears, and she solemnly accepted the gift: "Then I will shamelessly accept it."

Su Shaodong chuckled, "Little sister, this is the old man's most treasured possession; he's really willing to part with it."

“Father, you wouldn’t give it to me when I asked you for it before.”

Old Man Su looked at him disdainfully: "This thing won't be of any use to you; it's a waste."

Su Shaodong touched his nose. Well, in the end, it all came down to his lack of medical skills, which didn't meet his father's standards.

"Stay here for lunch today," Old Man Su said with a smile. "Your godfather will show you his amazing medicinal cuisine skills."

Yuan Wanru nodded: "Then I'll wait to eat."

Her heart warmed; in this world, besides deceit and treachery, there is always such pure affection worth cherishing.

-

After lunch, it's time to get down to business.

Yuan Wanru whispered, "Godfather, brother, I'm afraid Physician Tang..."

She paused for a moment, her voice growing even more dejected, "I have failed you all."

Old Man Su paused in grinding the medicine, and the grinder made a "creaking" sound.

He sighed deeply, "Girl, it's not your fault."

He looked out the window at the drifting clouds and said, “I have known him for many years. In all these years, he has lived a life worse than death.”

"I had expected this outcome, although I still harbored a sliver of hope, but..."

Su Shaodong silently added a piece of sandalwood to the incense burner, and amidst the rising smoke, he softly said, "Uncle Tang said that as long as we can expose the true colors of Consort Liang and Gao Peng, it will be enough to avenge his family, and he will die without regrets."

Yuan Wanru murmured, "Godfather, didn't you two agree to travel the world together as doctors?"

Old Man Su suddenly patted her shoulder, so hard that she swayed. His eyes were exceptionally clear. "Tang Bo chose this path, and he's enjoying it. We don't need to make things difficult for ourselves."

Su Shaodong had already brewed three cups of herbal tea, a few small yellow chrysanthemums floating in the amber-colored liquid: "Have some tea."

Old Man Su picked up his teacup. “Girl, we are doctors. We have seen many life and death situations. We cherish every chance of life, but we are never afraid of death.”

Yuan Wanru paused for a moment, then met Old Man Su's gaze and smiled.

“That makes sense, but my husband said that there might still be a chance.”

"The most important thing I'm here for today is to ask my godfather and brother which benefactor helped Doctor Tang escape this calamity back then?"

The father and son looked at her intently, and asked in unison, "Is this true?"