Chapter 59: Big Brother Is Incapacitated

Cheng Ru'an returned to the Prince's Mansion with her daughter and a carriage packed to the brim with sweets.

The servant at the gate was stunned: "So many!" He waved his hand and called out, "A few people, come help carry them."

Cheng Ru'an smiled helplessly, "Indeed, that's plenty."

Tuan Tuan held only one box in her hands, glanced at the mountain of sweet boxes piled in the carriage, and thought, "Mother! May I give these to them?" She lifted her little hand and pointed at the servants moving the sweets.

Cheng Ru'an smiled, "Of course! It's Tuan Tuan's thing; you can decide yourself, Mother will follow your wish."

Then she instructed, "No need to bring them into the inner courtyard. Call the other little servants, split them up; the Princess (Commandery) has already rewarded you."

"Thank the Princess!" the servants exclaimed, all faces lit with surprise—what a feast!

The box bore the label "Clever Pastry Pavilion," one of the finest snack shops in Jingcheng!

The treats were exquisite and priced far higher than other shops; Little Princess was truly generous and compassionate.

Tuan Tuan smiled happily, her two dimples deepening, raised the box in her hand, "These new date‑flavored sweets are for Grandpa, Dad, and the brothers!"

Cheng Ru'an nodded, "Alright!"

The mother and daughter returned to Jinglan Garden, changed and rested for a moment; Tuan Tuan, a bit tired, said, "Mother, I want to sleep."

Cheng Ru'an hurriedly carried her to the bed, just finished covering her with a quilt, when a servant's urgent voice came in, "Princess Consort! Princess Consort! The young master has awakened!"

Tuan Tuan flung the quilt aside in a flash and leapt from the bed, sleep vanishing instantly, "Mother! Big brother is awake! Let's go see him!"

Cheng Ru'an was also unusually delighted, "That fast? Good! Good!"

As the mother and daughter entered Yangzheng Pavilion, the rest of the family had already arrived, even Old Madam, who sighed, "That millennial snow ginseng truly is a divine relic! So effective! After only two doses, the person woke up! May the clan's blessings be upon us!"

Tuan Tuan shouted upon entering, "Grandpa! Dad! Second brother, third brother, I'm here!" then rushed straight to the bedside, "Big brother!"

Xiao Ningyuan had just opened his eyes and sat up against the headrest when a Xiao Tuanzi darted over, causing him to startle slightly, "Who are you? A little girl?" Such a beautiful little doll! How those dimples look just like Mother's!

Tuan Tuan pointed at herself, "I'm Tuan Tuan! I'm your sister."

Xiao Ningyuan looked at his family, confused, "Sister… sister?"

Xiao Yuanhang smiled and nodded, "Tuan Tuan is your sister, our family's little lucky star. This time you were poisoned and fell unconscious; thanks to her you woke up so quickly."

Xiao Ningchen and Xiao Ningxun, the brothers, nodded vigorously beside them.

"Poisoned?" Xiao Ningyuan frowned, "I'm not; wasn't it overwork leading to illness and then catching a cold?"

Tuan Tuan clenched a tiny fist and waved it, "No, it wasn't! Big brother, there's a big villain; she caused this to you!"

Xiao Ningyuan lowered his head, looking at Tuan Tuan's earnest expression, a slight curl at his lips, "Is that so? So Tuan Tuan saved her brother, huh? Brother thanks you."

Tuan Tuan gazed at him, "Big brother is so gentle, and his voice sounds lovely!"

Xiao Ningyuan lifted his eyes to his father, "Father, that poison? …"

Xiao Yuanhang snorted, "Ningchen."

Xiao Ningchen hurriedly explained, recounting everything that happened after Xiao Ningyuan returned home coughing up blood.

Xiao Ningyuan's gaze softened further as he looked at Tuan Tuan, "So my little sister is that capable!"

Tuan Tuan proudly shook her little head, climbed onto the bed, and nestled beside him, "Big brother, you're finally awake!"

Xiao Ningyuan looked at his father, his expression gloomy, "Father, what about Zhou Dahai?"

Xiao Yuanhang replied, "He was scheming behind the scenes, poisoning and covertly harming; he's already been locked in the Ministry of Justice's prison with the Zhao Heng couple."

Xiao Ningyuan hesitated, then spoke, "Zhou Dahai has been by his son's side for years, devoted; if he hadn't been forced, he wouldn't have done this."

"Father, could you plead for leniency for him?"

"It's because the son failed to notice his predicament in time; if I could …"

"Ningyuan," Xiao Yuanhang looked at him deeply, "Regardless of his reasons, betraying the main house is an unforgivable crime."

"You are kind‑natured, but have you considered how Father's heart would feel if you couldn't save him this time?"

Xiao Ningyuan lowered his head.

Cheng Ru'an glanced at her husband; Xiao Yuanhang understood her meaning and shifted tone, "Though his crime is unforgivable, I can send someone to inform him that his family will now be overseen by the Prince's Mansion."

Xiao Ningyuan nodded, "Thank you, Father."

Tuan Tuan watched his profile—soft features, fair skin—and hearing his conversation with Dad, thought, "Big brother is really kind! That villain harmed him, yet he still pleads for him!"

Xiao Ningyuan surveyed his family, his gaze landing on Old Madam, "Grandmother, the grandson is fine now. You're advanced in age, long sitting harms the body; please return to rest. Once I'm fully recovered, I'll come to kowtow and pay my respects."

Old Madam nodded, "Raise them well, don't overthink, just come back, just come back." After that, she helped Shun Gu out.

Xiao Ningxun carried a cup of tea to Xiao Ningyuan's side, "Big brother, have a sip to moisten yourself."

Xiao Ningyuan's complexion changed abruptly, his gaze dodging, "Leave it here, third brother, I'll drink later."

Xiao Yuanhang did not ignore his expression; his brows knit sharply.

Cheng Ru'an rose and sat at her son's bedside, asking softly, "Ningyuan, is it your hand…?"

Xiao Ningyuan's face grew heavy as he lowered his head.

"Big brother, what's wrong with your hand?" Tuan Tuan, puzzled, looked down for his hands and only then realized both were hidden under the quilt, invisible.

Xiao Ningyuan hesitated for a while, then finally said, "My hands have been trembling since a few years ago, to the point that I can't hold a brush to write; fortunately I can still manage to dress and eat on my own."

"But after waking just now, I realized," he lifted his head toward his family, pulling both hands out from under the quilt, and they were shaking violently.

He stared at his hands and gave a wry smile, "They're shaking even more; I can't even do these things anymore."

"Big brother!" Xiao Ningchen and Xiao Ningxun shouted in unison.

Cheng Ru'an's tears suddenly welled up, "How could this happen…"

Xiao Ningyuan placed his hands on the bed, no longer hiding them, "It's all because I was an unfilial son, making Mother sad. Father and Mother, please don't worry; this is… my fate."

He looked again at his younger brothers, "Second brother, third brother, the Prince's Mansion will now rely on you; brother… is already incapacitated."

Xiao Ningchen and Xiao Ningxun lowered their heads, wanting to speak but unable.

Xiao Yuanhang tightened his face, and Cheng Ru'an's tears flowed like a spring.

Tuan Tuan looked at Xiao Ningyuan with a face full of concern, "What's wrong with big brother's hands? He's so kind; why did he say he's useless?"