Joy of Life: Me, the Second Prince? Summon Yuan Tiangang!

It was a small, pale face, almost transparent, devoid of any color, yet exquisitely beautiful, with delicate features and a pitiful charm. Especially her eyes, clear and bright, yet carrying a melancholy beyond her years, like those of a frightened fawn.

Li Chengze led Xie Bi'an over slowly, a gentle smile on his face, and asked softly, "Little sister, are you alright?"

Upon hearing the voice, the girl trembled slightly, hurriedly hiding the handkerchief stained with a trace of crimson behind her back. She raised her head timidly to look at Li Chengze. Seeing that he was dressed in luxurious clothes, had an extraordinary bearing, and was followed by a cold-looking guard carrying a sword, she shook her head nervously, her voice barely audible: "I...I'm fine, thank you for your concern, young master."

"It's good that you're alright." Li Chengze didn't mind her awkwardness. He squatted down, his gaze level with hers, and asked with a smile, "Whose daughter are you? What are you doing here alone? What's your name?"

The girl hesitated for a moment, but still obediently answered, "My name is Lin Wan'er."

"Lin Wan'er..." Li Chengze chewed on the name, a look of understanding flashing in his eyes. It really was her, the "chicken leg girl," the illegitimate daughter of the Princess and Prime Minister Lin Ruofu.

Just then, a lazy yet somewhat authoritative voice came from not far away.

"Wan'er."

Upon hearing this voice, Lin Wan'er's tense face immediately relaxed, a hint of affection flashed in her eyes, and she turned to look at the person who had come.

Princess Li Yunrui walked gracefully in, surrounded by a crowd. She looked at Lin Wan'er, and her face, which was usually either aloof or charming, now showed a rare gentle curve, her eyes full of love.

She reached out her hand and gently beckoned, "Come here, come to your mother."

Lin Wan'er obediently walked to Li Yunrui's side and nestled against her.

"aunt!"

Seeing this, Li Chengze immediately put on a playful and smiling face, and walked over with a grin, standing on the other side of Li Yunrui, like a child vying for favor.

Li Yunrui gave him a disapproving look, then pointed at Li Chengze and introduced him to Lin Wan'er in a soft voice: "Wan'er, this is your cousin, the Second Prince, Li Chengze. He's usually quite unruly, so don't be like him."

Although she spoke in a derogatory tone, anyone could hear the intimacy in her voice.

Lin Wan'er blinked her big eyes, looked at Li Chengze, gave a slight curtsy, and softly called out, "Cousin."

That soft, sweet "cousin" touched Li Chengze's heart.

He looked at Lin Wan'er, patted his chest, and said with a hearty expression, "Cousin Wan'er, if you ever feel bored in this capital, just come find your cousin. I may not have many other skills, but nobody in this capital knows better than me where to find good food and fun activities! Another day, I'll take you for a stroll through the streets and let you sample all the delicious food in the capital!"

Upon hearing this, a glimmer of light instantly lit up Lin Wan'er's previously dim eyes, clearly indicating that she was somewhat tempted. However, she did not immediately agree, but subconsciously raised her head to look at Li Yunrui beside her, her eyes filled with inquiry.

Seeing this, Li Yunrui couldn't help but reach out and gently poke Li Chengze's forehead, scolding him, "You brat, it's one thing to dislike court affairs, but all you think about all day is eating, drinking, and having fun. Wan'er has just returned, and you're already trying to corrupt her?"

Despite this, she did not object, but instead smiled.

In her view, the more Li Chengze indulged in pleasure, the less threat he posed to the throne, and the safer he would be.

He could guess some of his elder brother's thoughts, but his brother was a hopeless case, and given enough time, his elder brother might just give up.

Seeing that her mother did not object, Lin Wan'er smiled sweetly and nodded gently to Li Chengze.

The group was talking, and the atmosphere was harmonious and warm.

Suddenly, a guard hurried into the garden, knelt down on one knee before Li Yunrui, and respectfully reported, "Your Highness, people from the Prime Minister's residence have arrived, saying they've come to take... to take Miss back."

Upon hearing the words "Prime Minister's Residence," Li Yunrui's gentle expression instantly turned cold, a hint of disgust and chill flashing in her eyes. The surrounding air seemed to freeze in that instant.

She lowered her head, looking at Lin Wan'er, the coldness in her eyes fading, replaced by a hint of helplessness and reluctance. She gently stroked Lin Wan'er's hair and whispered, "Go."

Lin Wan'er seemed to have noticed the change in her mother's mood. She nodded obediently and did not ask any questions. She simply bowed to Li Yunrui and Li Chengze and then turned and left with the guard.

Watching Lin Wan'er's frail figure disappear behind the moon gate, Li Chengze's playful expression vanished. He turned to Li Yunrui, his brow furrowing slightly, and asked, "Aunt, what illness has befallen my cousin Wan'er? She looks so weak. Has the imperial physician been summoned?"

Only the aunt and niece remained in the garden at this moment, and Li Yunrui made no attempt to hide anything. She looked in the direction Lin Wan'er had left, sighed softly, her voice tinged with weariness and heartache.

"It's tuberculosis."

Li Yunrui said slowly, "This child has a hard life. He was born with a chronic illness. The imperial physician examined him and said that he was born with a deficiency and his heart meridian was damaged. He can only be kept alive with medicine. He cannot tolerate wind and cold, nor can he endure hardship. In this life... he will probably never be able to live without medicine."

At this point, even the ruthless and powerful princess, who could manipulate events in the imperial court, revealed a hint of helplessness as a mother.

Upon hearing this, Li Chengze's face showed a timely expression of regret, and he sighed, "So that's how it is... Cousin Wan'er is so well-behaved and sensible, God is really a bit unfair."

He said this aloud, but he was secretly making plans in his heart.

He can't cure tuberculosis, but for the system, there may be a possibility of a cure.

If Lin Wan'er can be cured, not only will we win over this cousin's true heart, but we will also be able to firmly grasp the weaknesses of the two major forces, the Eldest Princess and Lin Ruofu.

Li Chengze had lunch with Li Yunrui at the Princess's residence, and during the meal, he made some witty remarks that amused the usually deep-thinking princess, making her laugh repeatedly. It wasn't until 3:45 PM that he reluctantly took his leave and boarded his carriage to return home.

Upon returning to the Second Prince's residence, Li Chengze's smile vanished instantly, replaced by his usual lazy yet shrewd demeanor.

He walked straight into the study, kicked off his shoes, slumped into the armchair, and waved to Xie Bi'an, who was standing in the corner like a shadow.

"I hope you'll be safe."

"Your subordinate is here." Xie Bi'an, holding his sword, stepped forward expressionlessly.

"Go, send people to search the market for medical books." Li Chengze casually picked up a grape and threw it into his mouth, saying indistinctly, "The Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic, the Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases, as well as those folk remedies and rare books from quack doctors, as long as they are related to treating and saving lives, buy them all for me."