Chapter 443: Overbearing Protection
Liu Xianxian’s heart missed a beat. She instinctively sniffed, not detecting any scent. Could Bai Ruozhu really smell something?
It’s said that those who do nothing guilty fear no ghosts. Those who have done wrong are often stricken by guilt. Liu Xianxian’s reaction was noticed by everyone, including Li Shunsheng, whose gaze sharpened when he looked at her.
Luckily, Liu Xianxian wasn’t dumb, she quickly reacted and sniffed again, saying, "Are you talking about yourself? I seem to smell a metallic stench."
"There’s nothing frightening about the smell of metals; anyone who has silver coins would have that. It’s the things that we don’t usually come across that we should be afraid of." Bai Ruozhu ended the conversation and walked straight into the room.
Lady Li was indeed feeling unwell, yet her condition wasn’t so bad that she couldn’t hear the discussions outside. She perked up her ears, listening to Bai Ruozhu’s words, and seemed to realize something as she entered the room.
"Thank you, Miss Bai, for coming to see me." Lady Li managed to sit up with assistance, and the maid hurriedly stuffed a big cushion behind her.
After uttering this sentence, Lady Li was out of breath and her complexion wasn’t good. Her usual rosy glow was nowhere to be seen.
"Milady, when I took your pulse earlier, your condition was quite alright. How did it suddenly become like this?" Bai Ruozhu asked as she checked her pulse.
Lady Li sighed, "I’m not too sure either. It started the day before yesterday, I might’ve caught a chill while sleeping at night."
At that point, Li Shunsheng and the others also entered the room. Li Shunsheng anxiously asked, "Miss Bai, how is my wife?"
Bai Ruozhu discreetly looked at Li Shunsheng. His nervousness seemed genuine, and the fact that he hadn’t taken any concubines or mistresses had earned him Bai Ruozhu’s admiration.
Before Bai Ruozhu could answer, Liu Xianxian returned to the room, supporting an elderly lady. It was Li Shunsheng’s mother.
Li’s mother looked none too pleased, "Shunsheng, this is the inner courtyard. It’s against our rules to allow outsiders in, isn’t it?"
Being publically questioned by his mother, Li Shunsheng felt somewhat embarrassed. He gave his mother a sign, "Mother, the authorities are investigating a case, you need not interfere. Please go back to rest."
Li’s mother s face changed slightly, and she sternly said, "What case could possibly extend to your private quarters? You’re much too accommodating!"
Li Shunsheng looked at his mother with confusion, what’s gotten into her? It wasn’t like her to be so unreasonable; why was she still so recalcitrant despite his signals?
Bai Ruozhu and Jiang Yichun shared a glance. Both of them wore a mocking expression. Even Li’s mother became involved, inevitably growing nervous.
Bai Ruozhu lifted her hand from Lady Li’s wrist and stated, "Lady Li, despite having a strong constitution, has been poisoned."
"What?!" Other than Bai Ruozhu, Jiang Yichun, and Bai Zepei, everyone in Li’s family let out an exclamation.
Shocked and ashamed flashed across Li Shunsheng’s face, which was soon replaced by anger. Meanwhile, Li’s mother and Liu Xianxian looked terrified. An intense expression even flashed across Liu Xianxian’s face.
Bai Ruozhu stayed motionless, observing everything. She sneered internally, was Liu Xianxian trying to silence her? She’s overestimating her abilities.
"Nonsense!" The elderly Madame Li came forward, shouting, "Who is this woman spewing such random nonsense? Shunsheng, your wife is ill. Just invite a doctor from Fushou Hall to examine her. Why let this charlatan in? Do you want her to spread rumors and disturb the family’s peace?"
Jiang Yichun, who had stayed silent, suddenly snorted and said, "Miss Bai’s medical skills have been recognized by Sir Meng Liangshen and Lady Meng. She is a guest of honor at the Meng Residence and it’s a favor for her to have come on your behalf. Do not think you can disrespect her!"
Dame Li shivered, nearly unable to stand. Despite being a widow, she knew of the respected Sir Meng of the Anxi Residence. Not to mention, this man with the mask speaks rather arrogantly. Her son only dared to listen quietly. This isn’t an ordinary affair. Have they stumbled upon a tough nut to crack?
Li Shunsheng already felt tones of the situation, his face showing pain. He said to his mother, "Mother, if you want me to be dismissed from my position, then keep going. I could resign right now, and we could go back to farming in the countryside." As he spoke, he removed his black gauze cap in defiance.
Fearing his words, Madame Li paused. Liu Xianxian had persuaded her, and she had hoped for a caring daughter-in-law and thought Liu Xianxian’s family background was suitable for her son. Still, if it meant that her son would lose his position, she’d rather withdraw entirely.
Compared to Madam Li, Bai Ruozhu felt a honey-like sweetness in her heart, watching him defend her so dominantly. The scene was too adorable for words.
"Who are you? Why are you scaring my aunt? She’s old with poor health and can’t withstand your harassments. If you have any problems with Bai Ruozhu and me, come to me." As Liu Xianxian spoke, she bit her lip and raised her chin, pretending to be strong in the face of alleged adversity.
Bai Zepei looked at Li Shunsheng and said, "Brother Li, if my sister says your wife is poisoned, she must be. She doesn’t lie."
Bai Ruozhu gave her elder brother a grateful look. She was fortunate to have such trust from him. Any other person would doubt her by saying, "Are you sure? Could you be mistaken?"
Jiang Yichun slightly squinted his eyes. His gaze on Bai Zepei was filled with approval.
"Madam Li’s pulse was steady, but now it’s tense and rough. Ordinary doctors may diagnose it as wind-cold syndrome, but in reality, Madam Li has been poisoned twice. Once is a slow-acting poison which is hard to discover unless she falls ill, like now. The other poison causes her current symptoms and serves a propellant, triggering the slow-acting poison." Bai Ruozhu explained, circumventing why she hadn’t spoken up about Madam Li’s poisoning previously.
Li Shunsheng jumped in surprise. "Why two poisons? And why such a person in my residence?"
Bai Ruozhu shook her head. "The slow-acting poison wasn’t recent, or I would have detected it beforehand. As for the latter poison, in my opinion, the culprit grew impatient and couldn’t wait for the slow poison to take effect. You need to think about why such a person would be in your residence."
The faces of Madame Li and Liu Xianxian went pale. They had initially spoken ill of Bai Ruozhu, calling her a swindler, and now they couldn’t help but fear her accurate observations.
Madam Li wept," What did I do to deserve this? I am kind and don’t hold grudges against anyone. Why would someone scheme against me?"
Bai Ruozhu patted Madam Li’s hand for comfort. "It’s not your fault. Perhaps someone thinks you’re in his way and envies everything you have."
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The author thanks the book friends for their rewards and birthday wishes! Mouka is very happy and has enthusiastically gotten back to writing today!