As she made her way closer, Fan Yong Rui trailed behind her with a similarly serious expression as the others with concern in his eyes.
Before anyone could say anything, Fan Hui Zhong spoke up in a voice that brooked no complaints.
"Since Xia girl will treat Father then let us leave her in peace. Our presence here may just prove a hindrance to her."
Seeing the reluctance in Fan Hui Liang's eyes, Fan Hui Zhong turned to his daughter and asked, "Do you need our assistance? Or is there anything you'll require?"
Understanding her uncle's reluctance yet grateful for her father's thoughtfulness, Fan Zhu Xia then spoke carefully as she studied the unconscious form of the old man on the bed.
"May I check on Grandfather first so that I can determine if there is anything I might need?"
"Please." Fan Hui Liang said as he took a step backward to give her some room.
Reaching out, her fair slender hand gently lifted the old man's wrist and took his pulse with a serious expression on her face and after a minute passed, her brows furrowed before she let down his wrist and put both her hands over his body and closed her eyes as she let her qi envelop his unconscious form.
Thousands of pale blue thread-like qi gently wove themselves together and encased the unconscious Fan Song Xue until it looke like he was inside a glowing pale blue cocoon that pulsed intermittently as if in the rhythm of a heartbeat, looking serene and mesmerizing to those who were watching silently.
Meanwhile, as Fan Zhu Xia's qi seeped into Fan Song Xue's body, she suffered a severe shock to her system that caused her to almost spit out blood!
Her closed eyes snapped open as she bit her lips to prevent the blood she coughed up to spill out as she focused on slowly retrieving her qi from inside Fan Song Xue's body until she almost staggered back and had to lean weakly against the bed.
A trickle of blood could be seen trailing down from the corner of her lips. The dark ruby red of blood was a vivid contrast to her pale snow-white countenance which had paled considerably more to the point that her translucent skin almost seemed bloodless.
Alarmed, all three of them, from her father; Fan Hui Zhong, to her uncle; Fan Hui Liang and down to her cousin; Fan Yong Rui rushed towards her but before any of them could reach her, Fan Zhu Xia spoke in a strong yet quiet murmur.
"I need to know what happened. How Grandfather got injured in the first place and if the people responsible are still alive."
Seeing the seriousness in her otherwise pallid face, Fan Hui Zhong quickly answered.
"The people responsible worked in a group and though I managed to arrive in time to support your grandfather, between your grandfather and I as well as in cooperation with the hidden imperial shadow guards, we managed to kill most of them but unfortunately a small handful managed to escape, albeit they didn't leave unscathed."
Alarmed, Fan Zhu Xia immediately turned to her cousin; Fan Yong Rui and burst out, "Second Brother, you have to go! Don't let your men keep the assassin!"
With just a shared look, he understood the urgency and without hesitation he nodded and vanished in a blink of an eye.
Seeing the gravity of the situation, both Fan Hui Zhong and Fan Hui Liang stiffened before grave expressions both came over their faces.
"Xia'er, can you please give us an explaination?"
Shooting her father a grim look, Fan Zhu Xia nodded and started talking.
"When I was examining Grandfather's condition, I could see that his injury was not supposed to be a fatal one if it wasn't for the poison that entered his bloodstream through his wound but I'm sure you already know this. What I'm most concerned about is the origin of the poison. It came from a small, hidden clan of assassins that is quite talented with the use of poisons. The only reason that I managed to recognize the poison was because my mother had come from the same clan and ever since she left them to marry my father, they've sent numerous assassins to eliminate her just to keep the secrets of their clan, especially on how to cure and concoct the poisons they use."
"Then the assassination attemp today..."
"It's probably their work as well. Their clan is extremely petty and since you told me that you did not manage to kill all of them then they probably reported it back which is why they are taking actions against you."
With brows furrowed, Fan Hui Liang then asked, "But why now all of a sudden? It's been more than a decade since that incident!"
"Are you sure this is the first time that they've moved against you?" Fan Zhu Xia questioned.
With a start, Fan Hui Zhong started to tremble as he came to a realization and seeing his brother go to such a state, Fan Hui Liang managed to end up with the same conclusion.
"You don't think..." Fan Hui Liang started to mutter, his expression turning ugly as he felt a wave of sympathy for his older brother.
"What do you think?! My Wan-Wan didn't have any problems during her pregnancy. If it wasn't for the sudden attack during our absence then nothing would have happened to her!"
Sighing, Fan Zhu Xia straightened herself up and placed a comforting hand on her father's shoulder. She knew that the death of his late wife; Su Yue Wan and child had haunted Fan Hui Zhong for such a long time that a sudden revelation like this poured salt all over his old wounds.
"Father, I know this is a shock but now isn't the time to dwell on the past but focus on the present. You and Uncle Liang still need to keep calm and focused since they might have do something again. As for Grandfather, leave him to me. I can treat him, although it may take me some time so please have the security on this courtyard heightened."
Getting himself together, Fan Hui Zhong nodded and with a shared look with his brother they both turned to leave.
"Xia girl, don't push yourself too hard." Fan Hui Zhong told her as they reached the door.
Upon hearing his words, Fan Zhu Xia nodded and gave him a gentle and reassuring smile as she said, "Don't worry, Father. Rest assured I'll be fine and so will Grandfather."
After returning her smile, both her father and uncle bade her goodluck before exiting the room and seeing them leave, Fan Zhu Xia then turned back to face the bed.
"Let's start..."