One day, while Chang Jingyun was instructing Xia Zhaoyun in swordsmanship, Zhai Yue hurriedly arrived, announcing that representatives from the four great manors—Strange Sword, Exotic Sword, Profound Sword, and Illusory Sword—had come seeking an audience. Chang Jingyun found it peculiar, thinking to himself, "It's neither a holiday nor a special occasion, why would they come to Misty Veil Mountain now?" He then instructed his disciples to go down the mountain to greet them.
When he finally saw the visitors, Chang Jingyun was taken aback. Aside from Duan Qinyu, the others looked sickly and weak, far from their usual spirited selves. Though he couldn't discern the reason, a sense of foreboding settled in his heart—this visit was unlikely to bring good news. He clasped his hands in greeting, saying, "Lords of the Four Manors, you have traveled far and wide, and I fear I have failed to welcome you properly."
The manor lord of Exotic Sword Manor, Xiang Ge, spoke bluntly, "Chang Jingyun, we didn't come here for tea and small talk. As you can see, ever since our disciples consumed the antidote you brought back, they've been suffering from strange ailments beyond the help of any medicine. Today, you must give us an explanation."
Before Chang Jingyun could respond, Zhao Yousi, the manor lord of Strange Sword Manor, interjected, "To be frank, my disciples have been experiencing bizarre symptoms. Half a month ago, one of them suddenly convulsed, as if possessed, and then spat up blood before dying. Two days after his death, his corpse turned half purple and half red. And this wasn't an isolated incident—several others have died in similar fashion. If I don't act soon, the same fate may befall the rest of us!"
Chang Jingyun questioned, "What makes you believe these strange symptoms are related to the antidote I brought back?"
Zhao Yousi replied coldly, "Every disciple who fell ill had taken your antidote. If it wasn't caused by that, what else could it be?"
These words sent a chill down Chang Jingyun's spine. His thoughts wavered, "Could it really be that the antidote from Master Guo was flawed?"
Zhao Yousi continued his interrogation, "Since we're here, let's cut to the chase. What exactly was the medicine you obtained from Fanhua Valley a few months ago?"
At this point, Chen Yutang, the manor lord of Illusory Sword Manor, also stepped forward and echoed, "The disciples of Illusory Sword Manor are showing the same symptoms. It's too much of a coincidence to ignore, don't you think?"
For a moment, Chang Jingyun's mind was in turmoil, uncertain of how to respond. If the antidote was indeed at fault, there was no escaping responsibility. As the accusations mounted, Chang Jingyun began to lose his composure. Fortunately, Duan Qinyu stepped in to diffuse the situation, saying, "Everyone, I believe there is more to this than meets the eye. We should give Lord Chang some time to uncover the truth. That is what we should focus on right now."
Zhao Yousi spat in fury, "Do we really need more time to uncover the truth? Look at the state we're in! And you dare say the priority is finding out what happened? Does our lives mean nothing to you? Of course you can say that—you're not the one poisoned. But who will answer for the lives of our disciples?"
Duan Qinyu quickly apologized, clasping his hands in remorse, "Lord Zhao, you're right. I misspoke. Please forgive me."
Realizing that Zhao Yousi's temper was too fierce to reason with, Duan Qinyu reluctantly stepped back, casting a helpless glance at Chang Jingyun. As Chang Jingyun pieced the events together, the suspicion increasingly pointed toward Fanhua Valley. But what could be their motive? Could they really be in league with Hanzhen Sect to orchestrate this plot?
Just as the situation seemed to grow more tangled, Hua Caiyi appeared, her voice soft but firm, "Lords of the Four Manors, please trust in Lord Chang's character. And rest assured, Fanhua Valley has no reason to oppose the six great manors. For now, the priority is to heal the strange illness afflicting everyone. I happen to have some expertise in medicine—if you don't mind, I can diagnose the condition for you."
Xiang Ge responded, "Then we shall trouble you, Lady Hua."
As the tension began to ease, Chang Jingyun let out a quiet sigh of relief. But along with it came a twinge of frustration. As a man, he should be handling matters himself, yet here he was, relying on his wife to step in and smooth things over. It was a bitter pill to swallow.
While Hua Caiyi was diagnosing the patients, Chang Jingyun pulled Duan Qinyu aside and asked in a low voice, "What is really going on here?"
Duan Qinyu whispered back, "It all started with a few of my own disciples showing these symptoms. Then Zhao Yousi, Chen Yutang, and Xiang Ge came to me, saying their disciples were also affected. Naturally, they began to suspect that the antidote you brought back was the cause. That's why we're all here now, demanding answers."
Chang Jingyun finally understood. Sighing, he said, "So, that's how it is. But could it really be connected to the antidote I brought back?"
Duan Qinyu replied, "That's something only your wife can answer. After all, she's from Fanhua Valley. If it's truly their antidote, she must know what's going on!"
"Indeed." Chang Jingyun glanced at the crowd and saw Hua Caiyi taking Zhao Yousi's pulse, her expression pensive. This deepened his anxiety, and he thought to himself, *Could I have been right all along? Was there truly a problem with the antidote I brought back?*
By the time he regained his composure, Hua Caiyi was already before him, whispering, "Husband, let's talk in the study."
Once they were inside, Hua Caiyi closed the doors and windows tightly before saying, "This is very strange. These people are indeed poisoned, and the toxin is none other than 'Half Purple, Half Red,' a poison unique to the Hanzhen Sect. It lies dormant in the body for two months before it starts acting. Early symptoms include chest tightness and insomnia, and if one's lifestyle is irregular, it accelerates, leading to madness and eventually death by spitting blood. After death, the body turns half purple and half red, which is where the name comes from."
"That's strange indeed. Why would the antidote your master gave me contain such a deadly poison?"
Hua Caiyi replied, "The reason behind it is something only my master can answer." She moved to the desk and asked Chang Jingyun to help grind the ink, preparing to write a letter to Gu Yuntian to uncover the truth. But just as she lifted the brush, she felt a sudden dizziness, and before she could react, she collapsed, unconscious.
When she finally awoke, it was already late afternoon. The fading light of the sunset streamed through the window, casting the curtains in half golden, half shadowed hues. Chang Jingyun had remained by her side all along. Seeing her awake, his face lit up with joy as he exclaimed, "You're finally awake!"
Noticing the bright smile on his face, Hua Caiyi asked curiously, "What's happened? What's made you so happy? Has the issue with 'Half Purple, Half Red' been resolved?"
Chang Jingyun replied, "The problem with the poison won't be solved so easily, but there's something far more joyful that has made me forget all the troubles."
Sitting up, Hua Caiyi asked, "What is it?"
"You suddenly fainted earlier, and it scared me half to death. I sent Zhai Yue down the mountain to fetch a doctor, and the doctor said... you're pregnant!"
Hua Caiyi was overjoyed, exclaiming, "Really? How foolish of me—I'm a doctor myself and didn't even realize I was pregnant! How careless I've been."
Chang Jingyun could hardly contain his joy as he gently took her hand, gazing at her with a look that revealed the depths of his emotions. Just then, Xia Zhaoyun entered with a bowl of medicine, announcing, "Master, the medicine is ready!"
Chang Jingyun snapped out of his joy, took the bowl, and said to Hua Caiyi, "This is the doctor's prescribed tonic to stabilize the pregnancy. Drink it while it's warm."
Xia Zhaoyun, standing by, looked at Hua Caiyi in bewilderment and asked, "Mistress, what does this tonic do?"
Hua Caiyi blushed, gently patting Xia Zhaoyun on the head, and said, "Soon, you'll have a little brother or sister to play with!"
Xia Zhaoyun's eyes lit up with excitement, "Really? That's wonderful! I'll finally have someone to play with!"
Chang Jingyun quickly adopted a stern master's posture and pretended to scold, "Don't always think about playing. Focus on practicing your martial arts!"
Hearing this, Hua Caiyi hurriedly interrupted to defend, "At a time like this, and you're still thinking about making Zhaoyun train?"
Chang Jingyun explained, "Practicing martial arts is for strengthening the body. Don't you remember the first time we met Zhaoyun? He was a frail, skinny child. After just two months of training at Wind Manor, he's grown taller and much stronger—these are the benefits of martial arts."
Hua Caiyi smiled, "Yes, yes, you're right about everything! But Zhaoyun is still young, don't push him too hard."
Chang Jingyun teased, "Oh no, with the way you're spoiling Zhaoyun now, once our child is born, they'll be completely pampered by you!"
"Of course I'll spoil my child!"
"Why say 'my' child? It should be 'our' child."
The room instantly filled with lighthearted laughter, creating a scene of warmth and joy.
But after the laughter subsided, Hua Caiyi's face suddenly clouded with worry as she said, "But right now, the lords of the Four Manors are all gathered at Misty Veil Mountain. We have neither the antidote nor an explanation to offer them. What should we do?"
Chang Jingyun reassured her, "Don't worry, I'll handle everything. Tomorrow, I'll personally go to Fanhua Valley and ask your master to clarify the truth."
Hua Caiyi suggested, "There's no need to go in person to Fanhua Valley. You could just send a message by carrier pigeon."
Chang Jingyun shook his head, "That won't do. This matter is too important. I must go and speak to your master in person. While I'm away, I'll have Zhaoyun and Lord Duan take care of you. Just focus on resting and don't let your mind wander."
Hua Caiyi protested, "I can't let you go alone to Fanhua Valley. I should come with you. My master is eccentric—he may not see you if you go alone, but he'll see me."
"Don't worry, Caiyi. I know what I'm doing. This time, I'll definitely meet your master and uncover the truth."
Seeing his determination, Hua Caiyi said no more, silently praying that Wind Manor would overcome its impending dangers.
In the days following Chang Jingyun's departure, Hua Caiyi's morning sickness worsened. In addition to the meticulous care of her personal maid, Chang Jingyun had specially invited several doctors from the foot of the mountain to ensure that nothing went amiss. Xia Zhaoyun, too, had been dutiful in attending to Hua Caiyi's needs, though his efforts only drew sneers and mockery from senior disciples like Zhai Yue.
That day, after delivering Hua Caiyi's dishes back to the kitchen, Xia Zhaoyun was ambushed by Zhai Yue and his group, who had clearly been waiting for him. Upon seeing Xia Zhaoyun, Zhai Yue sneered, "Oh, working hard to impress, are we? Too bad, being the fifth disciple, no matter how hard you try, the position of Manor Lord will never be yours!"
Xia Zhaoyun retorted, "I'm not doing this for the position of Manor Lord. Master and Mistress have shown me boundless kindness. It's only right that I serve them with all my heart. I don't understand why you, Senior Brother, feel the need to constantly mock me."
Infuriated and humiliated, Zhai Yue strode forward, shoving Xia Zhaoyun to the ground and stomping his face. "Let me tell you, boy," he threatened, "you'd better keep your head down at Wind Manor. The type I despise most are those who fawn over others for no reason. Don't let me see your boot-licking face again." With that, he kicked Xia Zhaoyun twice more before finally walking away, satisfied.
Curled up on the ground, Xia Zhaoyun felt a torrent of grievances welling up inside, and tears began to spill from his eyes. At that moment, he thought of his late grandfather, the man who had once been his only family. But with his grandfather's passing, he had been reduced to a beggar. Reflecting on his lonely fate only deepened his sense of isolation. Many times he had considered leaving Wind Manor, but every time, he thought of the kindness Chang Jingyun and Hua Caiyi had shown him, and his conscience wouldn't allow him to abandon them. He clenched his teeth and resolved to endure. All the loneliness and pain weighed heavily on his small, seven-year-old shoulders. What the future held, no one could say, but for Xia Zhaoyun, the only path was to persevere and master martial arts. Only by growing stronger could he avoid being bullied by the likes of Zhai Yue.