The Splendid Brocade of the Painting Physician – Chapter 72

Chapter 72: So That’s How It Is

Everyone’s expression changed. But at this moment, a voice came from outside the door, “Yo, what a privilege to hear Cousin Xian’s discourse today. It’s truly a symphony of nine sections, a phoenix arriving with grace!”

As the voice approached, it was Yuan Rujing, the niece from Xiao Yuan’s maternal family, leading a little girl as they slowly walked into the courtyard.

Upon truly seeing Xiao Xian, Yuan Rujing froze on the spot.

The little girl, A’yuan, had already happily run to Xiao Jinyu.

“Sister, it’s been a few days. How have you been? A’yuan misses you so much!”

“Mm, I’ve been well. I miss you too.”

Unconsciously, Xiao Jinyu actually spoke these words. Feng Dong was greatly surprised upon seeing this.

“Really? That’s great!”

The little girl’s innocent and cheerful voice was still echoing in the courtyard, but Yuan Rujing’s eyes were already filled with tears.

“You can stand up! You’re really healed! If Aunt saw this, she would definitely be very happy, right?”

Yuan Rujing muttered to herself. Her gaze shifted and quickly fell upon Xiao Yuan, who was sitting in the wheelchair not far away. Without hesitation, she walked over quickly.

“Aunt, Aunt…”

Yuan Rujing called out several times, but seeing Xiao Yuan’s vacant gaze and lack of response, she turned a puzzled look towards Nurse Lin, who was taking care of her.

“Third Miss, Madam has been like this for a long time. Ever since Seventh Young Master broke his leg, or perhaps even earlier, since Lady Luan left the Xiao Family, Madam has lost her appetite and doesn’t want to eat or drink. In the past, I always advised Madam to stay alive no matter what, so that she could have a chance to reunite with Lady Luan. Later, Madam did listen to my words and started eating and drinking, but she no longer recognizes anyone and doesn’t want to talk to anyone. Even later, Madam seemed to sense something was wrong and simply drove me back to the Yuan Family, handing over my deed of sale to you.”

“However, I know that Madam wanted to protect my life. So even though I returned to the Yuan Family, I still haven’t forgotten Madam’s life-saving grace from back then.”

“It’s just that now, I really don’t know how much Madam has suffered in the Xiao Family. Besides Seventh Young Master fulfilling his filial duty by her bedside, there’s actually no one else around her who truly cares for her…”

Hearing this, Xiao Jinyu couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness. She walked over and once again took Xiao Yuan’s pulse. Nurse Lin was also momentarily stunned when she saw Xiao Jinyu’s face, which had been disguised to resemble Xiao Luan. However, Xiao Xian had mentioned this beforehand, so she wasn’t too surprised or flustered.

“A’yu, how is Aunt now?” Yuan Rujing asked anxiously.

“Grandmother’s body has been eroded by a slow-acting poison for too long, and this poison can even damage the brain. In severe cases, it can cause memory loss and make a person become like an idiot…”

Hearing this, Yuan Rujing and Xiao Ruoling’s faces turned pale with shock.

“But don’t worry, although it’s a rare poison, it’s not incurable. Since I’ve already suppressed its toxicity, with some more time, I can definitely expel all the toxins from her body.”

“This must be the work of that Princess Yunyin again! I can’t believe that this Chen, despite being a princess of a nation, would be so insidious and vicious to do such a despicable thing. This is even crueler than killing Aunt…” Yuan Rujing said hatefully, tears streaming down her face.

At this moment, Xiao Xian’s heart was filled with unbearable pain. He suddenly remembered what Xiao Jinyu had said before: “You can’t remember, only because someone doesn’t want you to remember…”

“Could it be that the poison Mother has been afflicted with is the same as the one I have? But in the Xiao Residence, I’ve been very cautious and careful. All the food and drink I consume has been tested with silver needles…”

“Yes! I checked it together with Young Master. At first, we did detect some poisonous substances, and Young Master had me throw them all away. Later, there were none…” Feng Dong added.

Xiao Jinyu shook her head.

“Not all poisons in this world can be detected with silver needles. This poison is hidden within the fragrance of plants and flowers, within the cinnabar of walls and tiles. The combination of their scents forms this toxicity that gradually seeps into the human body.”

Upon hearing this, everyone’s expression changed.

“Hidden within the fragrance of plants and flowers, within the cinnabar of walls and tiles… So, this poison has always existed in the courtyard where my Young Master and Madam reside, is that right?”

Xiao Ruoling seemed to have realized something, her face turning deathly pale.

“This is truly too vicious! No wonder, despite all our precautions, Young Master’s health has been deteriorating day by day!” Upon saying this, she suddenly thought of something else, “But, Young Lady, why am I fine? I live in the same courtyard as Young Master!”

“Who said you’re fine? Your philtrum is dark, showing signs of poisoning…” Xiao Jinyu said.

Feng Dong was so startled that he jumped up.

“Really? I’m poisoned too? Young Lady, you must save me! I still need to stay alive to take care of Young Master!”

Xiao Jinyu smiled.

Even A’yuan covered her mouth and giggled.

“Young Lady, are you teasing me?”

“Not at all. It’s just that, Feng Dong, you don’t often stay in Uncle Xian’s study or bedroom. So the amount of toxins you’ve ingested is very small, and it won’t cause you much harm for now. Later, I’ll prescribe you some medicine. Take it for a few days, and you’ll be fine.”

“Really? Young Lady, thank you so much! You’re my savior! No, you’re the head of our Xiao Family now!”

✿✿✿

“So Sister is the head of the family?” A’yuan also widened her eyes and asked curiously.

Everyone laughed, then fell silent.

“This is outrageous! This Princess Yunyin, she won’t rest until all the descendants of the Xiao Family are dead!”

“So, Young Lady, the reason you kept urging us to leave the Xiao Family yesterday, and even didn’t let me take Young Master’s belongings, was because of this?”

“You had my Young Master, Madam, and Tenth Miss separate from the Xiao Family, also to save their lives, right?”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xian and Xiao Ruoling could no longer hold back their tears.

So all her planning, step by step, was just to ultimately rescue them from the Xiao Residence. All that talk about branching out, about medical fees, even willingly taking the risk of attending Xiao Yun’s gathering—

It was all to save their lives!

✿✿✿

In the midst of the unspeakable silence, a hearty laugh suddenly came from outside the courtyard.

“So that’s how it is! I knew this Young Lady’s actions always had a deeper meaning. It turns out even the matter of branching out was for this purpose.”

As the voice approached, Cui Heng and Li Mi walked into the small courtyard.

“After our hasty meeting in Xuzhou Pengcheng, we’ve encountered Young Lady many times. It seems we’re destined to be friends. In my heart, I’ve long considered Young Lady a friend. So today, upon learning that Young Lady has left the Xiao Residence and is residing here, I came to visit. I hope Young Lady won’t blame us for this unannounced visit!”

As he spoke, Li Mi pulled Cui Heng along to bow.

Xiao Jinyu looked at Cui Heng, then at Li Mi, and said with a smile, “It’s a pleasure to have friends coming from afar. I wouldn’t blame you.”

Li Mi immediately beamed with joy. He glanced around and said, “I see that although this Early Spring Courtyard isn’t as grand and magnificent as the Xiao Residence, it’s filled with warmth and affection. As the saying goes, ‘Where the heart is, there is home.’ No matter how glorious a high-ranking residence is, how can it compare to a place filled with love and warmth? Sablang, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Indeed. A house full of gold and jade cannot be kept forever. Wealth and pride lead to self-destruction. Nothing in this world is eternal, only love can be cherished in the heart.”

Cui Heng’s sudden words made Xiao Jinyu’s expression slightly dim. She seemed to have recalled something and fell silent.

“Sablang, what are you talking about? I brought you here to comfort people, not to say depressing things. What do you mean by ‘A house full of gold and jade cannot be kept forever’? With Young Lady’s intelligence and talent, she can not only keep a house full of gold and jade, but even the whole world!”

Li Mi’s exaggerated words made Xiao Jinyu’s lips curve into a smile.

As Cui Heng looked at her gentle smile, his heart trembled. It was as if his suspicions had been confirmed, and an indescribable emotion flickered in his eyes.

Li Mi didn’t notice the change in Cui Heng’s expression. Instead, he stepped forward to greet everyone in the courtyard and chatted with Xiao Xian. As they chatted, they talked about Prince Chen Shuling of Shixing.

“I heard that this Prince Chen Shuling of Shixing, relying on your new emperor’s favor, has done many things like bullying good people and abducting their wives and daughters. With the commotion on the street today, I’m afraid that Young Lady might be targeted by him. You should be extra careful when going out in the future.”

Mentioning Chen Shuling, Fenghuang couldn’t help but snort coldly and added,

“This Chen Shuling is truly a scoundrel. I heard him say today that he wants to excavate the tomb of Xie An, the Grand Tutor and Duke of Anxi…”

These words shocked everyone. Almost simultaneously, they all asked, “Excavate whose tomb?”

Fenghuang raised his head and looked at their surprised and discolored faces. He said seriously, “Xie An, the ‘Elegant Prime Minister of Jiangzuo’ from the Eastern Jin Dynasty!”

“What?”

Everyone gasped in unison after confirming what they had heard.

“Shameless! Grand Tutor Xie was the most renowned scholar in Jiangzuo during his lifetime. He turned the tide and saved the Jin Dynasty from peril, and together with his nephew Xie Xuan, he won the Battle of Fei River, a battle of one against ten. His merits are celebrated for generations. Even if the Chenjun Xie Clan is not as powerful as before, they can’t do such a despicable thing!”

Amidst Li Mi’s angry scolding, Xiao Jinyu, who had been listening quietly, clenched her fists. Cui Heng stared at Xiao Jinyu without saying a word. Seeing her deep sorrow, he seemed to have confirmed something, and his heart surged like a stormy sea.

But no one noticed that Ling Ye, hidden in the shadows, had already leaped over the roof and was flying swiftly into the distance.

Received a notification that the book will be published tomorrow. Since VIP chapters can only be released after 10 pm, tomorrow’s update will be at 10 pm. Afterwards, updates will resume at 7 pm. Starting from July 1st, there will be two updates per day. I hope everyone can support the first chapter release. Thank you.

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