Even women who travel through time can become prime ministers and nobles.

Chapter 517 Cui's Father Arrested

The candles in the side hall had just been relit with new wax, and Cui Zhihao was leaning against the soft couch, drinking his second bowl of detoxifying soup. The bitter medicine slid down his throat.

He couldn't help but frown, but out of the corner of his eye he caught Shi Wanxia secretly slipping candied fruit into his palm—

Those were osmanthus candied fruits that she specially asked a palace maid to get from the imperial kitchen, knowing that he disliked bitterness.

"Drink slowly, don't choke."

When Shi Wanxia's fingertips touched his still bluish-black wrist, her heart tightened—Doctor Li said that if the poison wasn't eliminated within three days, he might suffer from lifelong aftereffects, and his arm would ache and go numb on rainy days.

As Cui Zhihao put the candied fruit in his mouth and the sweetness spread, he reached out and took her hand. Just as he was about to speak, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall.

The steward of the Cui family rushed in, his face ashen: "My lord! Something terrible has happened! The... the old lady sent someone to report that the master... he's been kidnapped!"

"what?!"

Choi Ji-ho suddenly sat up straight. The poison in his left arm was pulled, and the pain made his vision go black, but he still gripped the butler's arm tightly.

"Who did it? When did it happen? Did the kidnappers say anything?"

The butler's arm ached from being gripped so tightly, and his voice trembled: "It was just half an hour ago! Master had only been back at the manor for two days, and he was talking with the old lady when suddenly several men in black burst in and dragged him away! Before they left, they left a note saying..."

"They said you and Lord Shi must go to the abandoned post station outside the city at midnight tonight to redeem the person, and you are not allowed to bring any guards, otherwise..."

"Or else we'll kill him!"

Shi Wanxia's heart sank to the bottom. She held onto Cui Zhihao's shoulder, her fingertips icy cold: "Where's the note? Let me see it!"

The steward hurriedly pulled out a crumpled note from his pocket. The handwriting on it was messy and fierce, and at the end was a crooked wolf's head—the mark of the remnants of Rongyang King's faction!

"It's them……"

Shi Wanxia's voice trembled, and the old wound in her chest suddenly throbbed with pain. She couldn't help but cough twice, and a little bit of light red stain appeared on her handkerchief.

"They arrested my uncle to blackmail us..."

Cui Zhihao slammed his fist on the edge of the bed with a thud, his knuckles turning white, his eyes filled with bloodlust: "These beasts! My father just escaped danger, and they dare to touch him! I'm going to the post station right now to fight them!"

"You can't go!"

Shi Wanxia held onto him tightly, tears welling up in her eyes.

"The poison on your arm hasn't been cleared yet, and you can't even hold a sword properly. Going there would be suicide!"

"Besides, they said we weren't allowed to bring any guards. The two of us wouldn't stand a chance against them!"

"Then what?!"

Choi Ji-ho roared, his voice filled with despair.

"That's my father! I can't just watch him die!"

Although his father was strict, he had always protected him. This time, his father was coerced by Cui Mingyuan and had already suffered injustice. Now that his father had been kidnapped, he would never have peace of mind for the rest of his life if he didn't go to rescue him.

Lin Yiyu leaned against the couch next to him, the wound on his back still bleeding, but he forced himself to sit up: "Don't panic, I'll go tell His Highness the Crown Prince right away."

"Have him send his secret guards to accompany us. We'll not bring any guards on the surface, but the secret guards will provide cover from the shadows. This way, we can ensure Uncle's safety and also catch the kidnappers in one fell swoop!"

"no!"

Shi Wanxia immediately shook her head, "The kidnappers will definitely investigate. If they find out there are bodyguards, they will definitely kill the hostage!"

"Besides, they want both of us. If His Highness the Crown Prince intervenes, it will only drive them even crazier!"

She took a deep breath, suppressing the pain in her chest, and her eyes suddenly became firm: "I'll go with you. Doctor Li said my chest injury can hold, and since your arm is injured, I'll protect you."

“Let’s go to the post station first, check the situation, and then think of a way to save Uncle.”

"Late night!"

Choi Ji-ho grabbed her hand, feeling extremely distressed.

“Your chest wound is more serious than mine, how can you take such a risk? If anything happens to you, I…”

"No ifs,"

Shi Wanxia interrupted him, stood on tiptoe, and gently touched his forehead, her voice as soft as water.

"We promised to go to Jiangnan to see the peach blossoms together, I won't let you go on an adventure alone."

"Besides, your uncle is your father and also my elder. I can't let anything happen to him."

Looking at the determination in her eyes, Choi Jiho could no longer refuse. He could only hold her tightly, his voice choked with emotion, "Okay... let's go together."

"But promise me that if we encounter any danger, you must take care of yourself first and don't worry about me."

Shi Wanxia leaned against him, nodded, and tears fell silently down her face—how could she possibly abandon him?

From the moment he shielded her from a knife outside Chuzhou City, her life was tied to his.

When Physician Li heard that they were going to the post station, he was so anxious that he stamped his feet, but there was nothing he could do. He could only give each of them a packet of emergency medicine powder and silver needles.

Then, they applied another layer of antidote ointment to Cui Zhihao's arm: "Lord Cui, this ointment can temporarily suppress the toxins and allow you to use your arm a little, but it will only last for an hour at most. After that, the toxins will rebound and cause even more pain."

"Lord Shi, if the pain in your chest is severe, try acupuncture at these acupoints; it will temporarily relieve the pain."

The two thanked Physician Li, changed into lighter clothes, and secretly left the side hall.

The night was thick, and the cold wind swirled fallen leaves, stinging my face like a knife.

Cui Zhihao supported Shi Wanxia as they slowly walked out of the city. Every now and then, a sharp pain would shoot through his arm, and his back was soaked with cold sweat, but he still held on tightly to the person beside him.

"Can you still hold on?"

Shi Wanxia noticed his trembling and asked softly.

"fine,"

Choi Jiho forced a smile, "With you here, I can hold on."

After walking for more than half an hour, the two finally arrived at the abandoned post station.

The inn was pitch black except for an oil lamp in the main room, through which several dark figures could be vaguely seen.

"Huai'an, Miss Shi, please don't come in!"

Cui's father's voice came from inside, choked with sobs.

"Don't worry about me, you all need to get out of here! They're Rongyang King's men, and they have knives!"

"Father!"

Cui Zhihao tried to rush in, but Shi Wanxia stopped him. She gestured for him not to act rashly, then shouted into the house, "We're here! Release Uncle! You want us, don't hurt him!"

The door creaked open, and a man dressed in black with a mask on his face walked out. He was none other than the strategist of the Prince of Rongyang who had escaped from the dilapidated temple earlier!

He held a knife to Cui's father's neck and sneered, "Lord Shi is indeed clever. Too bad, none of you are leaving here today!"

"His Highness Prince Rongyang said that if you hadn't ruined his grand plan, he would have already sat on the dragon throne!"

"Today, I will use your lives to avenge the prince!"

"Stop dreaming!"

Shi Wanxia roared, "The Prince of Rongyang has already been arrested, and you remaining followers will be arrested sooner or later!"

"If you know what's good for you, release your uncle, and perhaps His Majesty will spare your lives!"

"Spare our lives?"

The strategist sneered, "If His Majesty wanted to spare us, he wouldn't have confiscated our property and exiled our families! Today, all three of you will die here!"

After saying that, he shouted into the house, "Let's do it!"

More than a dozen men in black rushed out of the house, each holding a knife, and headed straight for the two!