In that instant, a trace of longing flashed in her eyes, a longing like a new bud breaking through the soil in spring, carrying vigorous vitality and nostalgia.

Memories of my past time with my mother flooded back to me like a tidal wave.

Once, they chased and played together in the flower-filled courtyard. In the spring, the warm sun shone on them as they wandered among the blooming flowers, their noses filled with the rich fragrance of blossoms.

In winter, with snow covering the earth, they walked hand in hand in search of plum blossoms, leaving behind a trail of footprints of varying depths.

Those carefree and innocent scenes, like precious paintings, kept appearing and playing in her mind.

Immediately afterwards, a feeling of heartache spread like a surging tide, quickly enveloping the lingering affection.

Seeing her mother's current wretched state, her frail figure seemed as if a gentle breeze could blow her over.

Luo Yuning's heart felt like it was being pierced by countless fine, sharp needles, with waves of pain coming one after another.

Her lips trembled slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but her complex emotions choked her throat, and she ultimately couldn't utter a sound.

Luo Qi'an struggled to break free from a multitude of complex and difficult-to-discern emotions, and with a slight turn of his neck, he caught his eldest daughter's deeply affectionate gaze.

That glance was like a sharp dagger piercing straight into his heart, causing it to clench violently.

It felt like he was being gripped tightly by an invisible yet powerful hand, the pain causing him to catch his breath slightly.

He subconsciously bit his lower lip, the force with which his teeth dug into his flesh revealing the pain and turmoil in his heart.

He sighed softly, a sigh filled with weariness and helplessness.

Then, he slowly extended his broad but slightly rough hands, hands that had supported the entire family and weathered countless storms.

At this moment, however, he carefully and gently patted his eldest daughter's thin shoulder.

The movements were as gentle as if he were afraid of breaking a priceless, unique piece of porcelain; every touch was filled with a father’s deep love and tenderness for his daughter.

He opened his mouth, but his throat felt like it was choked by a wad of cotton, so dry that he couldn't utter a sound. In the end, he said nothing.

After all, he knew nothing about Wen Ruo's actions. At this crucial juncture, speaking rashly could easily lead to bias and wrong judgment.

He secretly told himself that he must be patient and wait until he had heard the whole story before carefully considering how to handle it.

In comparison, his eldest daughter's frail health is his biggest worry.

The thought of his eldest daughter suffering from illness was like a heavy hammer blow to his heart.

It remains to be seen whether King Jinrui Zhao can cure his eldest daughter's long-standing and incurable illness, allowing her to regain her former vitality and radiate a bright smile.

Luo Qi'an's brows furrowed into a deep frown, and the wrinkles on his forehead became more pronounced, each line filled with deep worry for his daughter's illness.

He secretly pondered to himself that if Prince Jinrui Zhao was helpless with his daughter's illness, then he would have no choice but to gamble everything and place all his hopes on Physician Xu.

Looking back on those days, he was filled with remorse and wished he could turn back time and slap himself a few times.

At that time, he foolishly believed that his daughter had offended evil spirits, which caused her to be in a very poor mental state, listless all day long, with her eyes full of confusion and helplessness.

Because of this utterly absurd idea, he repeatedly missed the opportunity to take his daughter to seek proper medical treatment.

They let their daughter sink deeper and deeper into the abyss of illness, suffering so much unnecessary pain for nothing.

Looking back now, I realize how incredibly foolish I was. I was unworthy of being a father, failing to even fulfill my basic responsibilities, such as protecting my daughter and seeking medical treatment for her.

Fortunately, there is always a way out. King Jinrui Zhao came in person and immediately saw that his daughter was suffering from depression.

But what exactly is "depression"? It was a completely foreign concept to him.

All I know is that this illness has caused my daughter immense suffering, turning her from a lively and adorable girl into a quiet, withdrawn, and depressed individual.

However, as the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, Physician Xu was second to none in the entire Imperial Medical Academy, with superb medical skills and a far-reaching reputation.

Surely, with his profound medical expertise, he will be able to find a way to cure his daughter's illness and restore her former vitality and energy.

While silently calculating in his mind, Luo Qi'an slowly turned his gaze to Wen Ruo, who had been keeping her head down.

She turned to look at her daughter's thin figure, so frail that a gentle breeze could blow her over, like an orphan abandoned by the world.

His heart was filled with mixed feelings, like a spilled spice jar, with all sorts of flavors intertwined.

The harm that his daughter had suffered because of his negligence and his wife's confusion now felt like sharp knives, piercing his heart again and again.

He prayed fervently in his heart countless times, hoping that his wife had only been temporarily bewitched and had done those things to hurt their daughter.

Otherwise, he would find it difficult to swallow this insult and forgive his wife's actions.

After all, Luo Yuning is their biological daughter whom they have cherished and raised.

She is the continuation of his bloodline, the softest concern in his heart, and the most precious treasure in his life. How could he bear to see her suffer such injustice and harm?