"Approximately?"
"Approximately." Yu Weiwei lifted her head with a bittersweet expression, "Ever since I fell ill, Qi Qiu has forbidden me from visiting, claiming he's worried I might catch my father's illness. This is my home, yet I can't even see my own father. I know he has ulterior motives but dare not make any move. My father is here, my mother is here, yet the Zeng family I rely on is the very one setting fire to my home. I know this clearly, yet I'm completely helpless."
Hua Zhi tightened her grip on Yu Weiwei's hand. She understood this feeling of isolation and helplessness all too well - hadn't she experienced the same in her previous life? If anything, her situation had been worse. Her own mother, sister, and uncle had all wanted her dead because she stood in the way of their wealth. When she first learned the truth, she couldn't comprehend it - the company belonged to everyone, so wouldn't they benefit more if she managed it better? Why would they deliberately hinder the company and seek profit through such foolish means?
Later, she realized: because they were foolish, they could only conceive of foolish methods. She didn't want to play games with fools anymore, so she made sure they lost everything. Trading one life to send them all to hell wasn't a bad deal. And now that she had gained an extra life, a large family of decent people, and recently a lover too - that was a tremendous profit.
Well, she was a businesswoman at heart, after all - she could only calculate gains and losses.
"My cousin here is a physician."
Shaoyao stepped forward directly and took Yu Weiwei's wrist to check her pulse. Yu Weiwei showed brief surprise but allowed it, asking Hua Zhi, "Cousin?"
"You may consider her as such."
So she wasn't, then. Yu Weiwei wasn't surprised at all. If she still couldn't see that Hua Ling was extraordinary at this point, she'd be blind - both in eyes and heart.
Suddenly, Yu Weiwei felt a glimmer of hope. Whatever Hua Ling's motives might be, she was willing to do anything if it could help her. Continuing like this would only lead to her death, and everything of the Yu family would fall into her eldest cousin's hands. Better to fight desperately - at worst, it would be mutual destruction. Since death was inevitable either way, she'd rather die fighting.
"It's poisoning. Not severe. The antidote won't be difficult."
"Don't administer it." Yu Weiwei's voice carried firm resolve. "My father has been poisoned for so long yet hasn't died. I can endure being poisoned a while longer too. Administering the antidote now would only alert the enemy. Ling Niang, can the poison still be cured if it's been prolonged?"
She was asking for her father's sake, as everyone understood. Shaoyao, who considered herself a master of poisons, wouldn't be stumped by this. Lifting her chin, she declared, "Yes, though it's more difficult, and it will still damage the body to some extent."
Yu Weiwei's face lit up with joy - this was truly the best news she had heard.
"Tell me, what do I need to do?"
Hua Zhi smiled. She genuinely liked Yu Weiwei's clear distinction between love and hate. She didn't ask about their motives, only what she needed to do. Right and wrong didn't matter to her - the moment Zeng Xianglin poisoned her and her father, she had already taken their side. As for whether the side she stood with was good or evil, she didn't care. Those who wanted her dead were her enemies - that was the only thing she recognized.
"Have you noticed anything unusual about Qi Qiu recently?""I've only been married to him for a little over twenty days, so I can't tell what's normal or abnormal." Yu Weiwei shared what she knew about Qi Qiu. "He mentioned wanting to continue pursuing the imperial examinations. A few days ago, I overheard him saying that our eldest cousin was making arrangements for him to study under Old Mr. Pan. That's why he's rarely home during the day lately, and even when he is, he mostly stays in his study, claiming he needs quiet to prepare for Old Mr. Pan's entrance exam."
"Was his return today coincidental?"
"Not at all. The invitation was delivered to me through him. He knew you were coming today, so he deliberately stayed home."
Hua Zhi informed her, "He eavesdro on our conversation for a while before coming in today."
"Expected." Yu Weiwei sneered. "If my father's poisoning was Zeng Xianglin's doing, then Qi Qiu is the only one who could have poisoned me. During our newlywed days, I had no contact with anyone besides him. After falling ill, I haven't even left my room. How could someone capable of poisoning me possibly be innocent?"
"Think carefully—has Qi Qiu shown any other suspicious behavior?"
Yu Weiwei pondered briefly before shaking her head. "I have no reason to keep him confined to the inner courtyard. We rarely see each other most of the time. But regarding the inner courtyard... I don't even dare trust my personal maid anymore. I truly know very little about his situation."
Seeing this, Hua Zhi didn't press further. Considering the Yu family's current circumstances, she advised, "This won't do, Weiwei. You don't need to be so submissive. Even if they're controlling your father, when have you ever been an obedient girl? Just act like your true self. What right does a live-in son-in-law have to restrict your movements? What reason could justify preventing you from seeing your own father? You said you don't know who else in the household to trust—then identify who you can't trust and dismiss them, while keeping those you're uncertain about under close watch. This is your home. If this continues, the Yu family might truly become the Qi family, and the servants will think you permitted it."
Yu Weiwei felt a chill—she'd been so foolish not to realize this.
Hua Ling was right. A live-in son-in-law should endure even being driven out! This is her home, her territory!
Everyone knows this marriage was arranged by our eldest cousin. If she died right after the wedding, he couldn't escape suspicion. That's why they're using slow-acting poison to gradually waste her away. Given the circumstances, no matter how difficult she becomes, Qi Qiu has to tolerate it.
"I know what to do now. Keep an eye on Qi Qiu? Leave it to me." Determination flashed in Yu Weiwei's eyes. What she feared was uncertainty. Now that she knew the truth, even if she died, she'd drag Qi Qiu down with her.
How dare they! How innocent she was! How innocent her Yu family was!
Compared to the restrained, stifled Yu Weiwei from daytime, this bright-eyed version was clearly the true eldest daughter of the Yu family. Hua Zhi pulled her to her feet. "Be careful not to let anyone notice."
"Don't worry, I will." Yu Weiwei looked at this girl who'd traveled far and essentially saved her life. "Maybe even your name is fake, but I still thank you, Hua Ling."
Thank you for pulling me from the abyss. Thank you for waking me up and showing me what to do. Thank you for caring about me. I, Yu Weiwei, know who's good for me.
"When this is over, I'll tell you everything. If you don't mind then, I'll invite you to visit my home."
Yu Weiwei extended her hand. "It's a deal."Hua Zhi gently high-fived her. "It's settled then."
Yu Weiwei's eyes grew slightly heated. She looked up at the ceiling to suppress that warmth, then strode out of the side chamber. This was her home! How dare they—how dare they lay a finger on it!
Shaoyao escorted her back to her room. Hua Zhi restored the moved items in the room to their original positions, then withdrew with Yan Xi, hiding in a corner to wait.
Soon, Shaoyao and Jia Yang both retreated. The group left as quietly as they had arrived.
The Yu residence in the darkness seemed veiled in black gauze, yet this veil could not block the light.
PS: Though it's late, at least I didn't break my promise—third update. Kongkong prefers to write, revise, and post all at once because sometimes revisions to later sections require going back to fix earlier parts. Might as well upload only after everything is finalized. I'm probably the most troublesome author for my editor, constantly asking to modify previous chapters. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is an illness that needs curing—seeking remedy.
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