The Wealthy Eldest Sister Rules Supreme

Chapter 590: Chapter 577: He Must Be Dead, Right?

Magistrate Yang intended to persuade both people to rest and that he would watch over the situation, but Chu Yunzhao and Jing Zhao were insistent on staying, leaving him no choice but to order for some cushions to be brought over for them to rest against the pillars.

At this point, everyone outside was falling half-asleep, and Zhuang Qingning was repeatedly yawning as well.

The weary Zhuang Qingning bore the exhaustion from an entire day and night of hard riding, having barely slept the previous night.

Struggling to stay awake, she splashed cold water on her face in an attempt to keep herself alert. When that failed to suffice, she applied some essential balm on her temples to relieve her sleepiness.

Only after the last of the medication had been administered and the needle gently pulled out from Chu Jinnian’s hand did Zhuang Qingning breathe a sigh of relief. She handed all the medical instruments to Jing Zhao for proper disposal.

Chu Jinnian’s face had regained its color, his lips were not as pale as before, and his breathing was much steadier than when she first examined him.

However, wanting to be certain, Zhuang Qingning had Jing Zhao check on Chu Jinnian once more. Upon hearing that the poison had been effectively controlled, and that Chu Jinnian’s body temperature was normal, she felt much relieved.

Tucking Chu Jinnian into his bed, the overwhelming sleepiness finally took over Zhuang Qingning as she rested her head on the bedside and closed her eyes.

The rooster had crowed twice, but it was still pitch dark outside.

By now, both Chu Yunzhao and Jing Zhao were fast asleep by a pillar.

As the flame of the candle flickered, Chu Jinnian’s fingers moved slightly, causing his brows to furrow.

His head spun, the pain excruciating.

His body was light, without weight bearing down on him, and his consciousness floated in midair.

The feeling was much akin to his previous life when a fatal blow to the abdomen had claimed his life.

He was dead, wasn’t he?

How ironic…

After rebirth, he knew many things he hadn’t in his previous life and was capable of preventing many tragedies. He could protect the ones he loved, and the villains would receive their deserved punishments.

Yet, it seemed that he was still unable to complete his task and had once again been killed.

Perhaps no matter how many times he was reborn, protecting those around him would ultimately cost his own life.

At this moment, Chu Jinnian didn’t know whether to hate or regret or maybe both.

After all, in this life, he had met someone he truly cared for, someone he hadn’t met in his past life, and he once swore that he would leave everything behind in the capital city. He would deal with his business before retiring to the countryside with her. Together they would run a business she loved, planting flowers she loved.

It seemed such a dream was unattainable in this lifetime.

He wondered how she would react when she learned of his death. Saddened? Angry? Or regretful?

As the rooster crowed for the third time, Chu Jinnian was slightly taken aback.

Were there roosters on the Huangquan Road?

Very soon, he became aware of an odd sensation — coolness and itchiness on his left arm…

This distinct sensation shocked Chu Jinnian as he opened his eyes abruptly.

He saw the green curtains hanging in front, the flickering candle on the nearby table, the faint morning light outside, and…

There seemed to be someone beside him.

At this moment, Chu Jinnian could affirm that he was alive, but who was the person next to him?

Dressed like a woman, who was now embracing his arm, Chu Jinnian reflexively wanted to pull his arm away.

Just as he moved, the woman lying by the bedside made a whimpering noise, tightening her grip around his arm, and murmured, “Don’t move…”

The voice was low and pleasant. Although somewhat mumbled, Chu Jinnian recognized it as Zhuang Qingning’s.

Zhuang Qingning seemed uncomfortable and shifted her position, pressing her cheek against his arm even more. This allowed Chu Jinnian a clear view that the person beside him was indeed Zhuang Qingning.

Zhuang Qingning clung tightly to his arm, sleeping rather soundly. Due to the awkward position, her cheek was squashed, with a small trickle of drool at the corner of her mouth that’d soaked into his sleeve.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Presumably, the cool and itchy sensation he’d felt originated from there.

At that moment, Chu Jinnian was overwhelmed with joy.

He was overjoyed that he was still alive and that he could see the person he’d wished most to see.

Chu Jinnian smiled, his gaze toward Zhuang Qingning filled with tenderness. He extended his left hand, intending to brush the scattered strands of hair away from her forehead.

No sooner had his fingers touched her cheek than she tightly clung to his hand, holding both his arms in a tight grip.

It seemed as though he was now completely tied down by her, unable to move an inch.

But that was alright too. At least it made her more comfortable.

From this angle, he could see Zhuang Qingning’s sleeping face even better.

Haven’t seen her for months, her face seemed thinner, probably from the hectic days. There were dark circles under her eyes indicating she’d been up all night tending to him.

Chu Jinnian was filled with guilt, gently bending over to plant a kiss on her hair.

Then, turning onto his side, he panted heavily.

He was extremely weak at this point.

Suddenly, the door creaked open slightly and Chu Jinnian saw Jing Zhao through the slit.

“Come in,” Chu Jinnian said in a hoarse voice, lowering it even more not to disturb the sleeping Zhuang Qingning.

Upon seeing Chu Jinnian awake, Jing Zhao was both shocked and delighted. Rushing toward him, her eyes welled up. “Young Master, you’ve woken?” she asked.

“Yes,” Chu Jinnian nodded, looking at Zhuang Qingning while gesturing to Jing Zhao to lower her voice and not to wake her.

“Miss Zhuang was treating Young Master all night and didn’t sleep a wink. She must be exhausted,” Jing Zhao explained. “I will arrange for someone to take Miss Zhuang to rest.”

“That’s good,” Chu Jinnian nodded, then added, “Get someone to bring a soft lounging chair.”

By doing so, they could arrange for her to rest nearby without having to wake her.

“Understood,” Jing Zhao obeyed, quickly arranging for a soft chair to be brought in. They placed it beside Chu Jinnian’s bed, ready to find a maid or matron to help move Zhuang Qingning.

However, before Jing Zhao could leave the room, Zhuang Qingning abruptly sat up and rubbed her sleepy eyes.