Hu Zhangwei tripped over his own feet and almost fell, while Song Xiuyan's body trembled slightly. Their hearts pounded rapidly, and their eyes widened as they stared at Hu Lihua, as if they were seeing a ghost.
What? What did Hu Lihua just say? Their General Hu Residence would be destroyed, and it had something to do with Hu Rui'an? This information was terrifying!
Hu Lihua was lost in her thoughts, completely unaware of her parents' strange reactions until Song Xiuyan inadvertently tightened her grip on Hu Lihua's hand.
Feeling a slight pain in her palm, Hu Lihua turned to Song Xiuyan and asked, "Mother? What's wrong? Why do you look so pale? Is your illness acting up again?"
Realizing her mistake, Song Xiuyan quickly loosened her grip and replied, "Ah, no! I just feel a little unwell. How about we go back now?"
"Alright! You need more rest, Mother," Hu Lihua obediently replied.
[The poison in my mother's body is getting worse. I need to find the Miracle Physician soon, or she will die within a year!]
Song Xiuyan staggered upon hearing Hu Lihua's inner voice. Poison? Who had poisoned her?
"Mother!"
"My wife!"
Hu Zhangwei hurriedly caught Song Xiuyan as she swayed, her face pale. Without hesitation, he bent down to carry her back to Ruyi Pavilion.
Before Hu Lihua followed her parents, she quickly instructed Xixi to fetch a physician.
Xixi immediately rushed off to carry out Hu Lihua's order.
When they reached Ruyi Pavilion, Tao'er, Song Xiuyan's maid, panicked as she greeted them. "Madam! What happened to you?"
"Tao'er, quickly bring some warm tea for my mother," Hu Lihua instructed.
"Yes, Miss," Tao'er replied, fetching a cup of tea and handing it to Hu Lihua.
"Let me handle it," Hu Zhangwei said.
"Alright," Hu Lihua said, passing the tea to her father.
[Although my father is useless, at least he loves his wife. For years, not a single concubine has entered the household, making my mother very happy. Unfortunately, in a few months, the General Hu Residence will welcome a concubine. Who else could orchestrate such despicable acts but his 'beloved daughter'!]
Hu Zhangwei was so startled that his hands trembled, nearly spilling tea on Song Xiuyan. Thankfully, his reflexes were quick, and no accident occurred.
A flash of coldness passed through Song Xiuyan's eyes. She clenched the bed sheets tightly, cursing inwardly, "Hu Rui'an… how dare she! We've been raising a white-eyed wolf!"
The atmosphere in the room grew tense and oppressive. No one wanted to speak until Xixi arrived with an elderly physician.
Tao'er quickly placed a chair by the bedside.
Physician Liu, an elderly physician over 50 years old, resided in the General Hu Residence. He had a long, white beard and mustache, and his appearance was simple and unassuming.
Ten years ago, Physician Liu left his hometown after a famine struck the Western Border City. Out of his entire family, only he, his wife, and his grandson survived. However, while journeying to the Imperial Capital, they were nearly killed by a group of greedy refugees. Fortunately, Hu Zhangwei arrived just in time to save them.
Impressed by Physician Liu's medical skills, General Hu invited them to stay and serve as the residence's physician.
Physician Liu sat down, pulled out a silk handkerchief, and placed it on Song Xiuyan's wrist. He began checking her pulse.
After a while, Physician Liu lifted his hand, turned to Hu Zhangwei, and said, "General Hu, there's nothing serious. Madam is simply frightened and exhausted. She needs more rest, and I'll prescribe a sedative to stabilize her emotions."
Hu Zhangwei frowned deeply. His daughter claimed that his wife was poisoned—how could Physician Liu not detect it? Could it be…
Fortunately, Hu Lihua's inner voice broke through before Hu Zhangwei's thoughts spiraled further.
[Of course, Physician Liu couldn't detect it. This must be an odorless and tasteless poison. I'd bet even the imperial physicians wouldn't be able to identify it! The culprit has been slowly administering the poison daily, making Mother seem perpetually ill. So if she dies one day, no one will suspect a thing!]
Hu Zhangwei and Song Xiuyan strained their ears, trying to catch more clues. They even unconsciously held their breath, afraid to miss a single word. Unfortunately, Hu Lihua didn't think of anything else.
Physician Liu waited for a response from his masters for a long time, but none of them spoke. He was slightly confused to see his three masters frowning, each lost in their thoughts. Hadn't he delivered good news? Why did they look so troubled?
"Physician Liu, is there really nothing else in my mother's body?" Hu Lihua asked.
Physician Liu shook his head gently. "There shouldn't be anything else."
"Alright, thank you for your hard work, Physician Liu," Hu Zhangwei said. He then asked Tao'er to escort Physician Liu back to his quarters and bring back some medicinal ingredients.
Once everything was settled, Hu Lihua decided to take her leave. "Father, Mother, since Mother is fine, your daughter will return to Yufeng Pavilion now."
"Go ahead. It's already dark; be careful on your way back," Song Xiuyan said.
Hu Zhangwei, burdened by the overwhelming information he had just learned, could only smile and nod at Hu Lihua. His eyes followed his daughter's back until she disappeared from view.
"My husband," Song Xiuyan called out weakly.
Hu Zhangwei turned to her and gently asked, "Are you in pain?"
Song Xiuyan shook her head slightly and asked with a choked voice, "What should we do?"
Hu Zhangwei let out a harsh sigh, a flash of cold determination flickering in his eyes. "Don't worry. I'll make sure nothing bad happens to our family."
Meanwhile, Hu Lihua cleaned herself up after returning to Yufeng Pavilion. Exhausted and sleepy, she immediately lay down once her hair was dry.
Xixi, seeing her mistress so tired, left the room to guard the door.
[Bzzzz!!]
Hu Lihua, who was about to fall asleep, suddenly opened her eyes wide when she heard a buzzing sound in her head.
[Bzzzz! Master! I can finally contact you!]
Hu Lihua was so shocked by the voice that she jumped out of bed.
[??!!!!]