Chapter 111: A Medical Disturbance?

The misty rain of Jiangnan has been renowned throughout the ages, home to countless prominent families locked in a fierce battle for supremacy. Though the Luo family is strong, with centuries of foundation and the formidable patriarch Luo sitting firmly at the helm, vying for the top spot in Jiangnan is no easy feat. To climb higher, they must rely on alliances with other clans.

From the moment Luo Shui could remember, the family’s teachings impressed upon her that she would one day marry a powerful young master, someone with immense influence who could elevate the Luo family to greater heights. She understood clearly that she was merely a pawn in a political marriage.

This was precisely why she longed to escape Jiangnan—a place that appeared quaint and elegant but was, in truth, mired in corruption and darkness. She vowed to become a star admired by all, to prove to her grandfather that she could shine without depending on family alliances. She could live well on her own and bring honor to the Luo name.

More than a decade passed without the Luo family sending anyone to retrieve her. Luo Shui believed she had broken free from their grasp. But after hearing what Jiang Qi said today, she realized the bitter truth: she had never truly escaped the Luo family, never freed herself from her grandfather’s clutches.

The old man had only been waiting for her to mature—to become a worthy asset to be bartered. Had this been a year ago, Luo Shui might have willingly returned, resigned to her family’s fate, marrying a young master she had never met, content to be a dutiful wife and mother.

But now, her heart belonged to someone else.

She was unwilling.

Yet she was powerless.

Qin Mu hailed from the Jiang family, a lineage already deeply entrenched. Even the Jiang clan alone might strain his resources. Knowing a military district lieutenant general was a point of pride for most, but compared to the vast influence of the Jiang family, it was insignificant. With Jiang Shounian commanding the clan’s respect, even three or four lieutenant generals would defer to him.

And that was nothing compared to facing the mighty Luo patriarch, whose power could overshadow the entirety of Jiangnan.

Perhaps from exhaustion, Luo Shui, nestled in Qin Mu’s arms, drifted into a drowsy sleep, tears still staining her cheeks, her face pale and drawn.

“It’s my fault,” Qin Mu murmured after a long moment, resting his forehead against hers.

To the outside world, he was a sharp and formidable man, but at home, he bore his vulnerability openly. Only once Luo Shui fell asleep did he allow himself to respond fully. Letting the woman he loved cry repeatedly was his failure as a man.

He could see clearly that her earlier sentiments were not born of genuine desire but of guilt, a desperate attempt to offer herself as compensation. His embrace was meant to reassure her that he would bear all burdens.

Sleeping softly, murmuring words from her cherry-colored lips, Luo Shui appeared utterly delicate and precious, stirring a fierce protectiveness within him. Perhaps from holding her so long, or from her tears, a fine sheen of sweat appeared on her brow, sticking strands of her dark hair to her smooth, fair skin. Her carefully applied makeup today only heightened her allure.

Unable to resist, Qin Mu bent down and pressed a kiss to her flushed cheek.

“Cough, cough… they’re back,” came a soft knock on the wall near the door. Wu Mu whispered a reminder.

Qin Mu shot him a sharp look. Didn’t he know the timing was everything?

“They’ve already found out,” Wu Mu said, sliding some documents across to Qin Mu.

“Luo Shui is indeed not from Jiangcheng, but from Jiangnan.”

“And in Jiangnan, there happens to be the Luo family, with a foundation spanning centuries…”

Wu Mu didn’t finish, but the implication was clear.

“Luo Daoming,” Qin Mu flipped through the papers with one hand, tapping decisively on the name.

He had suspected all along that this obstinate old man, who had spent half his life chasing power, was behind it all. Qin Mu had heard tales of Luo Daoming during his military service.

The Luo family, once waning after centuries of storms, was revived and thrust back to prominence in Jiangnan thanks to Luo Daoming’s relentless efforts.

Outsiders even dubbed him the “King of Jiangnan.”

Luo Daoming’s grandchildren were not limited to Luo Shui alone. Every year for several years, he held grand selection ceremonies to find husbands for his granddaughters, strengthening the family’s influence through these unions.

This year, it was the turn of his most significant granddaughter: Luo Shui.

“The old master plans to select a husband for Luo Shui during his birthday celebration this year. He boldly declared that all young men of Jiangnan may come to compete, but only the very best may win her hand,” Wu Mu explained.

“Win her hand?” Qin Mu raised an eyebrow.

“I think ‘win her’ fits better,” he mused, shaking his head.

“And what about that man earlier?” Qin Mu asked pointedly.

Wu Mu glanced toward Luo Shui’s right wrist, now revealing four vivid red finger marks—still fresh despite the time elapsed—showing how fiercely someone had twisted her wrist.

Wu Mu shuddered. Qin Mu’s Luo girl, whom even he could barely bear to see hurt… and yet a mere servant dared to lay hands on her? They must be courting death.

“His name is Jiang Qi, a young scion of the Jiang family in Jiangnan. The Jiang clan boasts centuries of heritage, and above him stands Jiang Shounian, a renowned provincial governor.”

“Provincial governor?” Qin Mu chuckled, though there was a sharp edge beneath his amusement.

“Three days from now is Luo Shui’s birthday. Jiang Qi has traveled all the way from Jiangnan to personally invite her to a banquet.”

Hearing this, Qin Mu understood. Luo Shui’s earlier agitation was because of the Jiang family’s involvement.