Shang Lao Jiu waited anxiously for noon, then hastily finished a few bites of food before tightly clutching the medicine bottle and heading to the Commandant's Mansion.
Mansion of the Cui Family!
Staring at the imposing Commandant's Mansion, a mix of unease and excitement stirred within Shang Lao Jiu. He had struggled for over thirty years, putting in great effort to cultivate relationships with officials, spending a significant amount of money. Yet, he had only managed to befriend some low-ranking officials.
However, in just a few months after getting to know the Li siblings, here he was, standing in front of the residence of the most influential official in Rong City.
He knew that the Li family had some background, but he never expected them to be this formidable – daring to directly challenge the Commandant's Mansion.
Shang Lao Jiu eyed the guards at the entrance of the Cui Mansion, inwardly boosting his confidence.
He understood that taking this step could lead to immense changes, and losing all his wealth would be the least of it. He might even risk his life. Yet, he still wanted to give it one more try – to see what kind of future he could carve out by sticking with the Li family.
Meanwhile, inside the Cui Mansion's main hall...
Commandant Cui Hao sat expressionless in the main seat. His gaze alternated between the half-red pill and iron bead placed on the table. His heart churned with anger and fear.
White Moonlight had infiltrated his home, avoiding three Ninth-Rank experts and all of the mansion's guards to reach his son's room. They successfully poisoned his son and left behind a poisonous pill as a warning.
Such a blatant threat left Cui Hao both infuriated and apprehensive. Someone had managed to place the poison right next to his pillow, and the mansion's guards had failed to notice. What did this mean?
It meant that someone had the ability to take his life effortlessly.
Cui Hao's face held a deep mixture of dread and resentment. He took a few deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down.
While there were three Ninth-Rank experts guarding his home, White Moonlight had stealthily infiltrated. This showed that White Moonlight's strength surpassed Ninth-Rank. Being targeted by such an elusive figure troubled Cui Hao, but no matter how hard he thought, he couldn't fathom when the Cui family had incurred White Moonlight's enmity.
At that moment, a panting maid rushed in to report, "Master, something's not right! Young Master is vomiting blood and having bloody diarrhea again. Doctor Xu said that if this continues, he might lose too much blood and lose consciousness."
Cui Hao's face darkened. He slammed his hand onto the table, the loud sound summoning the doctors from the next room. "Can't you find an antidote to this poison yet?"
The doctors exchanged glances and shook their heads.
Cui Hao's anger flared, "You are all renowned doctors in Rong City, yet you can't even neutralize a simple poison?"
The lead silver-haired doctor stepped forward, "Master Cui, the composition of this poison is quite intricate. We need to first decipher its formula before we can find an antidote."
"But my son doesn't have the luxury of time! Since last night, he's been vomiting blood and having diarrhea. How much blood does he have? Can he afford such wastage?" Cui Hao's patience wore thin.
The doctors remained silent.
Cui Hao's frustration grew. He waved them away, urging them to continue researching.
Just then, the steward rushed in, out of breath. "Master, there's someone outside named Shang Lao Jiu. He claims to be able to cure Young Master's poison."
Cui Hao's expression suddenly brightened, initially showing joy, but then quickly darkened again.
How did this Shang Lao Jiu know about his son's poisoning? Cui Hao squinted his eyes, instructing the steward to bring the man in.
Soon, Shang Lao Jiu stood before Cui Hao.
Cui Hao examined Shang Lao Jiu's expressionless face with a scrutinizing and probing gaze, yet remained silent.
An unspoken pressure seemed to press down on Shang Lao Jiu. He tightened his grip but hesitated for a moment before deciding to break the silence, taking the initiative to speak, "Greetings, Commandant. I am responsible for affairs at Shen Nong Pharmacy."
Cui Hao's eyebrows raised, impressed by his audacity, but he still didn't speak.
Shang Lao Jiu cleared his throat, mustering courage to continue, "Commandant may not know, but Shen Nong Pharmacy is a recently established drugstore, mainly selling medicinal pills."
"Just yesterday, a group of soldiers came and sealed off Shen Nong Pharmacy. They arrested our attending physician and pharmacy assistant, claiming that our store's medicine caused someone's death."
Upon hearing this, a glint flickered in Cui Hao's eyes, as if he understood something.
Shang Lao Jiu looked at Cui Hao, "Commandant, please understand, Shen Nong Pharmacy's concocted medicinal pills are absolutely safe."
Seeing Cui Hao's indifference, Shang Lao Jiu thought for a moment before producing the medicine bottle, "My employer mentioned that Shen Nong Pharmacy wishes to operate peacefully and doesn't wish to be at odds with anyone."
"Before I left, my employer gave me this antidote. She specifically instructed me to deliver it to Commandant."
The steward took the antidote and handed it to Cui Hao.
Cui Hao examined Shang Lao Jiu, then held the medicine bottle in his hand and played with it for a moment. Without opening it to check, he gave it to the steward, saying, "Take it to Yongfeng's residence and have him consume it."
The steward left with the antidote, but Cui Hao remained silent.
Shang Lao Jiu felt a bit tense, but he continued to muster his courage.
The hall remained deathly silent for a good fifteen minutes before Cui Hao finally spoke, "Aren't you afraid that I'll take the antidote and still kill you?"
Imitating Li Wu Ya's attitude, Shang Lao Jiu offered a confident smile, "My employer said that the Commandant wouldn't do such a thing."
Cui Hao scoffed, "Your employer has a lot of nerve – daring to trespass into my mansion and poison my son, then claiming I misunderstood her. Just like your Master misunderstood Shen Nong Pharmacy."
Shang Lao Jiu immediately responded with an anxious tone, "Commandant, there's been a misunderstanding. My employer never intended that, just as your son misunderstood Shen Nong Pharmacy."
Cui Hao's face turned cold; he grasped the implication behind Shang Lao Jiu's words.
Yongfeng had set his sights on Shen Nong Pharmacy and used his power to seal it. It was Yongfeng who had first abused his authority, which prompted White Moonlight to infiltrate the Cui Mansion, poison Yongfeng, and issue a warning with the poison.
"Is your employer White Moonlight?"
Shang Lao Jiu fell silent for a moment, rarely mentioning White Moonlight and the Li siblings' names. After considering for a while, he decided to tell the truth, "No."
Cui Hao frowned, "If not White Moonlight, then who is your employer?"
Shang Lao Jiu responded, "Commandant, I don't want to fabricate a story to deceive you. My employer is just an unknown individual who is passionate about studying medicine."
Cui Hao burst into laughter as if he had heard a joke, "An unknown individual? Someone unknown can summon White Moonlight, who eradicated the Heaven Encompassing Sect, to act?"
Shang Lao Jiu smiled, "This is the remarkable aspect of someone who studies medicine. People, at times, fall ill. My employer is skilled in medicine. During travels, she has treated many people. Hence, she's earned numerous favors."
His words were skillfully chosen, subtly revealing two points: that the master of Shen Nong Pharmacy had excellent medical skills, and that there were powerful individuals supporting the pharmacy.
Cui Hao's gaze grew more intense, but he decided not to pursue this matter further. Even though he held immense power in Rong City, if a peak Ninth Rank expert took an interest in him, he would have no choice but to retreat.
At that moment, the steward returned, nodding at Cui Hao.
Cui Yongfeng's poison had been cured!
Cui Hao's expression eased, and after a contemplative glance at the respectful Shang Lao Jiu standing still, he fell silent for a moment. He then ordered the steward, "It's a misunderstanding about Shen Nong Pharmacy. Spread the word below to release the people and unseal the store."
The steward nodded, "Understood."
As Shang Lao Jiu left the Cui Mansion, he heaved a long sigh of relief, feeling both exhilarated and excited.
He had won the gamble!
Commandant Cui had chosen to compromise and retreat!
No wonder he hadn't poisoned Commandant Cui. After witnessing the pitiable state of his son, not being poisoned was even more terrifying and fear-inducing!
Was this idea from Li Wu Ya or White Moonlight?
If it was White Moonlight, it was fine. But if it was Li Wu Ya, he would have to serve this young master diligently in the future!
Meanwhile, at a dumpling stall over ten meters away, Li Wu Ya and Li Er Ya watched as Shang Lao Jiu left, his spirits high. Their expressions eased.
"I told you I wouldn't mess things up. Do you believe me now?"
"Yes, you didn't mess things up. You just threatened the most powerful person in Rong City."
As the sisters chuckled while eating dumplings, suddenly, an intense gaze fixed upon them. Due to the prolonged staring, both sisters sensed it and turned their heads to look.
Outside the Cui Mansion's gates, a tall and burly man who appeared to be in his fifties was mounted on a horse, staring directly at Li Wu Ya.
From his expression, it was evident that he was profoundly shocked and incredulous.
He was taken aback, and as Li Wu Ya and Li Er Ya got a good look at his face, their expressions turned astonished too.
It looked like... it was their father!
"Sis, what should we do? It seems we've run into our dad's biological father."
Li Er Ya hastily fished out some copper coins and placed them on the table. She pulled Li Wu Ya and was about to leave.
"Just leave like this?"
"Should we stay? What do you want?"
"We could chat."
"What's there to chat about? Is there anything worth chatting about? If you want to recognize each other, it's only valid when Dad acknowledges it."
Li Wu Ya sighed helplessly and allowed Li Er Ya to drag her away, escaping the scene.
Once the sisters were lost in the crowd, Jiang Anbang regained his senses from his astonishment. He quickly dismounted from his horse and briskly followed after them.
Unfortunately, the two girls were walking too quickly, and he couldn't catch up.
"Commander, the Commandant is in a good mood."
Suppressing his surprise, Jiang Anbang quickly entered the Cui Mansion.
He had come today to find Commandant Cui about some matters, but he hadn't expected to see a little girl on the street who bore an uncanny resemblance to his third sister.