During spring nights, the moonlight resembled calm and gentle water. As the breeze blew, there was a lingering trace of coldness in the air.
Inside the Xiao Hall, the lights illuminated the room brightly. Concerned about Su Xin's well-being, the maid closed the nearby window to shield her from any discomfort.
Su Xin noticed the gesture, and her heart swelled with emotions, yet she remained silent. Why didn't she say anything?
Mu Yufeng and Li Zifu anxiously awaited Mu Yunxuan's return.
Mu Yunfan and Mu Yunyue looked at Su Xin, who sat quietly before them, with disbelief.
Even Murong Xingchen was present, and after hearing Jun Zixi's words, she sensed that something was amiss.
Those three children were actually Yun Xuan's, and fate had allowed Mu Yunxuan to reunite with them.
On the other hand, the most distressed person was Gentleman Xi.
She looked at Su Xin, who ignored her distressingly, on the verge of tears.
"Xin'er, what grandma said earlier was unintentional. Can you forgive grandma this once?"
Jun Zixi repeated this sentence in various ways throughout the night.
However, Su Xin remained seated silently, refusing to speak.
"Xin'er, can you forgive grandma? It was all grandma's fault. She spoke thoughtlessly and angered Xin'er. Grandma promises that she will never upset Xin'er again in the future, okay?" Jun Zixi spoke softly, afraid of provoking Xin'er once more.
The last time Xin'er fell ill, it was all because of her own carelessness. She blamed herself, feeling that she deserved punishment. How could she scold such a lovely child?
Finally, she understood the true meaning behind her son's words last time.
She blamed herself for not carefully considering his words. If she had, she would have noticed the clue.
Su Xin, with her adorable pink and jade face and big watery eyes, had actually forgiven her grandmother after her night of apologies. However, she still felt a lingering discomfort in her heart. She wanted to test her grandmother's patience, as her words had deeply saddened her mother.
Mu Yunyue and Mu Yunfan had never seen their mother lower herself to such an extent, even whispering so softly to Xin'er. They felt that their mother had already reached her limit.
"Xin'er..." Gentleman Xi acted coquettishly, her beautiful eyes filled with hopeful anticipation. If Xin'er didn't forgive her tonight, she would continue to pester until Xin'er relented.
Mu Yufeng and Li Zifu observed the scene with interest, sharing a silent understanding not to intervene.
"Xin'er, grandma didn't mean to hurt you. Please don't be angry with grandma, okay?"
Mu Yunyue got up and approached Su Xin. Her beautiful eyes gazed at her with tenderness, and her jade-like face displayed a knowing smile.
It was truly unexpected how quickly their eldest brother had become a father to three adorable children.
"Xin'er, if you forgive grandma, will Uncle take you out tomorrow morning to buy delicious food?"
Mu Yunfan, finally accepting the situation, joined in to offer his support.
Su Xin raised her eyes to look at them. Her lips quivered as she spoke, "Xin'er no longer blames grandma. It's just that grandma's words hurt Xin'er's heart, and Xin'er felt angry. But because of grandma's sincerity, Xin'er forgives grandma this once."
Su Xin's soft and sweet voice melted Gentleman Xi's heart.
Upon hearing this, Mu Yunfan and Mu Yunyue exchanged glances and smiled.
The more they looked at Xin'er, the more they grew fond of her.
"Oh! Grandma's little baby, grandma knew that Xin'er is kind and understanding. Grandma knew you would forgive her." Jun Zixi excitedly embraced Xin'er and showered her with kisses.
Just as Su Zimo entered the door carrying Su Qi, this scene unfolded before her.
In an instant, her heart turned sour, and her eyes dimmed.
Did these three little traitors need to bond with their relatives so quickly?
It was as if she could sense her mother's thoughts.
Su Qi whispered, "Mother, Qi Er is here!" Qi Er was in her mother's arms.
"Shut up, you little traitor! You're the most cunning of all," Su Zimo lightly tapped Su Qi's little buttocks.
"Mother, Qi Er is getting older. You don't need to keep hitting Qi Er's bottom. It makes Qi Er embarrassed," Su Qi protested immediately, attracting the attention of several people in the main hall.
"If you don't want your bottom to suffer, then shut up, you little rascal," Su Zimo playfully slapped Su Xin's bottom again.
Su Qi pouted and looked at Mu Yunxuan behind them.
Mu Yunxuan smiled, his eyes filled with tenderness.
The spring breeze blew gently, and Su Zimo sighed inwardly as she carried Su Qi into the main hall.
Li Zifu and Mu Yufeng greeted them.
"Xuan'er, how did it go? Have you dealt with those men in black?"
A trace of coldness flashed in Mu Yunxuan's eyes as he replied calmly, "It's taken care of. They were Ling Qiushui's people—over two hundred of them. The subsequent rescue attempts might be more intense. We should strengthen our defenses during this time."
"I didn't expect Ling Qiushui to possess such skills and privately maintain such a large group of experts," Mu Yufeng contemplated. Fortunately, they narrowly avoided a grave mistake.
"Mother," Su Xin nestled in Gentleman Xi's arms.
Approaching Su Zimo's side, trotting over and tugging at her dress, Su Xin anxiously asked, "Mother, can you ask what kind of poison is afflicting Xin'er?"
Upon hearing this, pain flickered in Su Zimo's beautiful eyes behind her mask.
Her heart felt as if it had been cut by a knife, and the words of the Zi Void Daoist reverberated, causing her heart to tremble slightly.
Observing her mother's expression, Su Xin suddenly released her grip on Su Zimo's skirt, stepping back a few paces, her once rosy and jade-like face losing its luster.
Was her illness truly incurable?
Seeing the immediate dimming of her eyes, filled with anticipation and excitement, everyone's hearts ached.
"Don't worry, Xin'er. Mother will find a way to cure you," Su Zimo trembled, unsure of what to do. Did Bai Yijun know of a cure for Xin'er's poison from the Toxic Toad Demon Beast?
Su Li descended from Mu Yunxuan's embrace and walked over to Xin'er's side. He gently held his sister's soft little hand and smiled warmly.
In a soothing tone, he asked, "Xin'er, do you know what kind of poison you have? Once we find the right medicine, we can quickly remove the toxins from your body. Would you like to learn the art of illusion with your big brother? I will personally teach you! Only Su Zimo and Su Xin could see the gentleness in Su Li's demeanor.
Xin'er's large misty eyes blinked, and tears welled up, sliding down her crystal-clear cheeks. Her lips quivered as she spoke with a tearful voice, "Big brother, can Xin'er really get better? Xin'er doesn't want to die. Xin'er can't bear to leave her brother, mother... and daddy!"
Su Xin's tears, like broken pearls, shattered Su Zimo's heart, leaving her breathless.
Mu Yunxuan quickly picked up Su Xin and gently wiped the tears from her face. "Xin'er, don't say such silly things. With daddy here, you will be fine."
Mu Yunxuan's eyes were determined. Even if he had to overturn the world, he would make sure his daughter recovered.
"I mentioned it before, but you two didn't say anything about the type of poison. You've just been here, feeling sad. I was away for one night, and it's been three days. Did you inquire about the type of poison?"
Li Zifu, who enjoyed heartwarming scenes and disliked sadness, rolled up his sleeves and angrily confronted the taller Mu Yunxuan.
"It's the poison of the Toxic Toad Demon Beast."
"Toxic Toad Demon Beast's poison?"
Li Zifu's eyes lit up, realizing why it lingered in Xin'er's body so stubbornly.
"That's incurable. Poison from a toad... "
"It may not be incurable. There might be someone who can cure it," Su Li quickly interrupted Li Zifu's words, knowing what he was about to say. If Xin'er were to hear it, she would be even more devastated.
How clever Xin'er was. Although Li Zifu only mentioned the first half of the sentence, she understood the general meaning.
Her little face instantly turned pale, and she buried her head in Mu Yunxuan's shoulder, silently shedding tears.
Mu Yunxuan glared at Li Zifu and gently patted Su Xin's back.
"Brother Li, you shouldn't say things so conclusively! Why can't Xin'er's poison be cured? You are the Ghost Doctor who can bring the dead back to life, mend flesh and bones! If you can't cure Xin'er, your reputation as the Ghost Doctor will be in vain. When..."
Gentleman Xi also grew anxious upon hearing this. Her precious granddaughter's life was at stake. It would genuinely sadden and distress her, especially after she had just reconciled with her baby.
"Oh, please! Let me finish speaking before you all jump to conclusions," Li Zifu's face turned red, and he huffed in anger.
"Ordinary people might not be able to be saved, but what about Xin'er? She has the Nanyang Jade pendant from your Mu family, which is linked to her life. Xin'er can't die. But here's the thing—detoxifying the poison of this Toxic Toad Demon Beast is a very painful process. If Xin'er can endure it, not only can she be detoxified, but she can also cultivate at the same time. However, this requires our Li family's unique expertise in poison. Ordinary alchemists cannot solve it. To cure Xin'er, she must become my disciple," the last sentence stunned everyone.
Especially Su Zimo. Why did she feel like there was an ulterior motive behind these words? Was this old man trying to take advantage of the situation and take on apprentices? Was her little padded jacket going to become his student?
"Girl, look at the disgust in your eyes. People are lining up to become disciples of the Ghost Doctor, and you're still unhappy? Is that so?" He couldn't see Su Zimo's face, but he could see her eyes.
Su Zimo blinked, not uttering a word. Did she say something disgusting? She didn't even say a word!