Volume 1, Chapter 9: Is My Sister-in-law Bullying You?

Back in the room, Jiumu began to take Luo Chen’s pulse. She carefully examined his body and drew a drop of blood from his fingertip.

Jiumu smeared some of Luo Chen’s blood on her finger, first observing it, then sniffing it, and finally tasting it on the tip of her tongue.

Sang Lin, who was standing to the side, widened his eyes in shock. "Young Madam, please don't!"

The physician had stated that the Young Master was deeply poisoned and that his blood was lethal. The Young Madam was being far too reckless.

"Perfect. Go and prepare these things for me."

As if only just noticing Sang Lin’s presence, Jiumu gave the order casually.

Sang Lin asked subconsciously, "W-what?"

What exactly was the Young Madam doing? It looked as though she were treating the Young Master, but what was with the tasting of his blood? He had never heard of anyone in the Yan family possessing medical skills, yet the Young Master was cooperating obediently, which seemed to be a silent approval.

Jiumu turned around, wrote a long list on a piece of paper, and handed it to Sang Lin. Seeing him dazed, she urged, "Why are you still standing there? Go quickly and return soon. Also, tell the manor’s physician to come see me."

She needed to understand the medication Luo Chen had been taking and inform the physician not to interfere in the future.

"Yes," Sang Lin replied and hurried away. He remembered that not long ago, his Young Master had specifically ordered them all to obey the Young Madam’s commands. It hadn't been long, yet the Young Madam had already gained the Young Master’s trust. It seemed he would have to be sharper in the future; he couldn't afford to offend her.

Luo Chen adjusted his collar with elegant movements, not at all like a man who had lost most of his five senses due to severe poisoning.

"What did you find?"

He really must be at death's door to have agreed, based on only a few words, to let a strange woman treat him and examine his body. But so be it; things were already this bad, and they could hardly get any worse.

As he was thinking, his hand was taken. His fingers were straightened one by one, and a soft, tingling sensation spread across his palm.

"I have a method that might detoxify you, though it is quite dangerous."

"What are your chances?" Luo Chen’s emotions remained perfectly still.

"Thirty percent. But don't worry, your life is in my hands now, and I won't let you die easily."

Luo Chen arched an eyebrow, suddenly curious about how arrogant the woman before him would sound if she were to say those words aloud.

"What is the method?" He truly did not fear death, having already died more times than he could count.

"Fighting poison with poison."

She was a poison-doctor; the toxins others used to kill were, in her hands, potential medicine for saving lives.

"Then let’s try it." Luo Chen agreed readily, without a moment's hesitation. He did not find this method strange at all, as previous physicians had attempted similar approaches.

"Good." Seeing him so decisive, a flicker of admiration crossed Jiumu’s eyes. She then added, "We will begin tomorrow, after I return to my maiden home."

"Do you need me to accompany you?"

The words slipped out, and Luo Chen regretted them immediately. In his current state, what use would he be? He would only be a source of embarrassment for her.

"Let Sang Lin go with you, and take a few more men." Jiumu seemed to guess his thoughts. She wrote another sentence on the palm of his hand, which he was about to withdraw: "Wait until you can enjoy the festivities next time, and then you can accompany me."

Festivities? A spark of anticipation stirred within Luo Chen.

The next day was the third day after the wedding, the traditional day for the bride to return home. Luo Yan arrived at their courtyard early in the morning to wait for Jiumu.

"Big Brother, Sister-in-law," he called out from the doorway.

Soon, Jiumu’s voice came from inside. "Come in, little one."

"Sister-in-law, my name isn't 'little one,' you can call me—"

Luo Yan pushed the door open and was struck dumb by the sight before him. He saw his Big Brother, usually so dignified, sitting bare-chested while his Sister-in-law pierced his skin with a long silver needle.

"Call you what?" Jiumu asked without turning her head.

"Sister-in-law, what are you doing?" Did his Big Brother no longer have the sense of pain? Otherwise, why wasn't he resisting? And surely he hadn't lost the ability to speak, too!

"Can't you see? I'm sticking your Big Brother with needles," Jiumu replied, turning back with an enchanting, wicked smile.

Luo Yan shuddered and hurriedly advised, "Sister-in-law, I know you are worried about Big Brother’s condition, but you cannot just do as you please. If Father and Mother find out, you’ll be in grave trouble."

Jiumu moved behind Luo Chen and chuckled softly. "Then you must keep it a secret for me, little... Yanyan."

"Big Brother, what’s wrong?" Seeing blood trickle from the corner of Luo Chen’s mouth, Luo Yan lunged forward and grabbed his hand. "Sister-in-law, stop! Big Brother is vomiting blood!" Luo Yan’s voice was choked with tears.

Seeing that she had frightened the boy, Jiumu was about to explain when she heard Luo Chen say gently, "Little Yan, you’re here?"

He held Luo Yan’s small hand with one of his, while his other hand reached out tentatively to pat the boy’s head.

"Big Brother, where does it hurt?" Luo Yan’s voice was full of concern.

Seeing the tears in the boy's eyes, Jiumu sighed, "Don't worry, your Big Brother isn't in pain anywhere, otherwise he wouldn't have the leisure to talk to you."

"But he just..."

"Are you here for something?" Jiumu didn't want to explain to him and cut him off directly.

Luo Yan answered honestly, "Mother told me to accompany you back."

"Good, then wait for me a moment." Jiumu began removing the needles. Since it was the intention of her beautiful mother-in-law, she would not refuse. Although Luo Yan was a bit young, his status was clear, and he would be useful to have along.

"But Sister-in-law, do you really possess medical skills?" Luo Yan was still skeptical, especially since his Big Brother had been needled until he vomited blood.

"Hmm. Can you write?"

"Yes!" Luo Yan nodded. Although he didn't like the academy, he knew many characters.

"If you want to say something, write it on your Big Brother’s hand." Jiumu had no interest in explaining things to a child.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Luo Yan’s spirits lifted. He hadn't chatted with his Big Brother in days.

He wrote tentatively: Big Brother.

"Yes, what is it?" Luo Chen responded.

"Big Brother, tell me quietly... is she... bullying you?"

Luo Yan rubbed his forehead, suddenly regretting not studying harder; there were some characters he didn't know how to write.

"No, why would you think that?" Luo Chen’s voice held a hint of amusement.

"I saw her sticking you with needles," Luo Yan wrote.

"Have you been slacking in your studies again? How can you not even know how to write simple characters?" Luo Chen’s tone suddenly turned stern.

Luo Yan jumped, his legs turning to jelly, and he knelt on the floor.

Jiumu, happening to see this, burst into laughter. It seemed this little one was quite afraid of Luo Chen!

"Tell your Big Brother it’s time for us to go."