Ran Ke didn’t mind if the servants had held her outside for so many times, she was concerned if she could even see Xiao Qianhan.
However, the servant’s attitude was significantly different from before. He wasn’t annoyed and didn’t put on a face. Thinking that Xiao Qianhan wouldn’t be bullied again like before, Ran Ke felt happy.
Soon enough, she saw Xiao Qianhan walking out quickly.
The appearance was still the Xiao Qianhan she was familiar with, but her entire aura was different! What exactly happened to Xiao Qianhan during this period of time? Was it really like the rumors stating that Murong Ce and Xiao Yuluo had colluded to disfigure Xiao Qianhan and even severed her tendons?
It was definitely understandable that Xiao Qianhan would change drastically after experiencing such a terrifying event and unbearable pain!
Ran Ke rushed over to Xiao Qianhan and sized her up. There wasn’t any scar on her face, and was actually smoother than before. There weren’t any signs of the rumors stating she was disfigured. Her eyes were red from emotions as she said, “Qianhan, this is great. It is great to know that you are fine!”
Xiao Qianhan froze up a little as she wasn’t used to such close interactions with unfamiliar people. However, Ran Ke was the previous Xiao Qianhan’s best friend, therefore, Ran Ke’s true emotions could be felt.
“Qianhan, are you really the 1st ranker of the National Test? Did you really defeat the Seventh Prince and Xiao Yuluo?” Ran Ke asked with overwhelmed emotions.
“Yes, I defeated the Seventh Prince during the National Test.” Xiao Qianhan nodded.
Ran Ke jumped with joy, “This is great! Qianhan, no one will be able to bully you anymore! I am so happy for you.”
Ran Ke felt that Xiao Qianhan’s nature had changed. She feels colder than before. Did something major happened to her?
“Qianhan, the Seventh Prince is short-sighted while Xiao Yuluo assumes she is the unprecedented prodigy of the Purple Moon Kingdom. The two of them might be together, but it is because the heavens don’t want them to harm others. You don’t have to be sad over that. You will be able to find a better husband in the future.” Ran Ke’s face was filled with anger when she mentioned Murong Ce and Xiao Yuluo. When thinking about all the bullies and sufferings that Xiao Qianhan experienced, Ran Ke felt even angrier.
When Xiao Qianhan saw Ran Ke feeling more angered than herself, she could sincerely feel that Ran Ke was definitely the previous Xiao Qianhan’s best friend. She chuckled and said, “I’m fine. These matters will not affect me anymore.”
“Really?” Ran Ke was doubtful. The old Xiao Qianhan had always wanted to have a better kinship with Xiao Yuluo and wanted Murong Ce to like her.
“Absolutely true.”
Ran Ke blinked a few times before sizing up Xiao Qianhan again. “Mm? Not only has your aura changed, your personality changed too! In the past, you were always hiding timidly behind me. Right now, you are no longer facing people with lowered heads and aren’t as shy as you smile. This is a great change! Only by becoming tougher and stronger, will you be invincible! Those people will never be able to hurt you again.” The final statement seemed to be for herself too.
“That’s right. Only by making myself tougher and stronger, no one will be able to injure me again.” Xiao Qianhan nodded. Ran Ke lived an even harder life than the previous Xiao Qianhan, surviving with only her mother. However, Ran Ke was extremely tough and in comparison, the previous Xiao Qianhan was indeed weaker.
Taking a side glance at the dirt on Ran Ke’s dress, Xiao Qianhan immediately asked, “Have you just returned from the mountain?”
“That’s right. As soon as I entered the city, I heard gossip about you. After putting my things down in my house, I immediately ran over. I am relieved that you are fine now. I need to return to see my mother, she hasn’t been feeling well lately. I will come look for you again tomorrow and teach you how to treat those people in the future. You are too pure! I feel like I have so much to tell you, but I can’t do it now, I need to go see my mother.” Ran Ke dusted off the dirt from her dress as she spoke.
Xiao Qianhan recalled about Ran Ke’s mother’s condition. Back when Ran Ke’s father married a concubine, her mother’s condition had deteriorated. After leaving the Ran Clan, she would be coughing severely with every few steps taken. She would mostly be resting in bed. Whenever Ran Ke was up in the mountains, the neighbors would be the ones helping to look after Ran Ke’s mother.
Perhaps, Xiao Qianhan might be able to treat Ran Ke’s mother.
Grabbing onto Ran Ke’s arm, she smiled and said, “It has been a long time since I saw Aunt Tian, I will come along with you.”
“Can you leave now?” Ran Ke subconsciously looked at the guards by the gate. In the past, when Xiao Qianhan wanted to go for a walk, the guards would make things difficult.
Xiao Qianhan’s eyes were clear as she let out a bright smile, “Who would dare to stop the 1st ranker of the National Test?”
Ran Ke was stunned for a moment before she let out a beautiful smile. She patted on Xiao Qianhan’s shoulder, “This change of personality is great! I like it! Let’s go, how many years has it been since you visited my place? Mother misses you greatly. Before I went to the mountain a month back, she mentioned about you.”
“It is great that you can come out anytime, mother can see you more often too. But mother’s body is now very weak and she might be sleeping later.”
“Aunt Tian’s body hasn’t gotten better?” Xiao Qianhan frowned a little. According to her memories, Aunt Tian was so skinny as though her bones were only wrapped with skin. She looked like an old woman at the age of 37. As compared to the pampered mistress of Ran Ke’s father, Aunt Tian looked to be older by 30 years. Ran Ke mentioned that Aunt Tian used to be beautiful, had fair and smooth skin. But once that mistress entered the Ran Clan, Aunt Tian’s body got worse.
She was diagnosed by some physicians, but they couldn’t find anything wrong. They merely asked her to consume some spirit medicine, or to purchase some Strengthen Elixirs. Some physicians even said that she was probably poisoned, but didn’t know what kind of poison. They could only sigh and shake their heads.
“No, it is getting worse. Qianhan, mother might just… I am a little afraid.” Ran Ke looked at Xiao Qianhan with reddened eyes. Tears were shimmering in her eyes, but they didn’t roll because of her toughness.
Xiao Qianhan’s eyes moved a little as she said softly, “Ran Ke, it will be fine. I will help you to think of how to treat Aunt Tian.”
For the past two days, she had been devoting herself to the medical books in the Thousands Cauldron Mark. She might not be proficient, but she believed that she should be able to help Aunt Tian.
If she couldn’t treat Aunt Tian, she would ask Qianzi to go through the stocks to see if there was any All-Heal Elixir. If there was any, then it would be worth a try as the All-Heal Elixir could treat all sorts of poison.
“When there is no other choice, I will risk my life to plunder the Ran Clan. I will use all the silver to trade for the peak-grade elixir, All-Heal Elixir.” Ran Ke gripped her fists tightly as she said with clenched teeth.
