Chapter 2965 - 2966: A Trace of Blood

Chapter 2965: Chapter 2966: A Trace of Blood

"Didn’t I mention earlier? Xue Wenhui came to investigate the toothpaste case. I spoke with him in advance. If you don’t network in these matters, how can you expect a thorough investigation?" said Jiang Yichun.

Of course, if they were truly guilty, Xue Wenhui wouldn’t cover for them, but giving a heads-up in advance could prevent misunderstandings from deepening.

"Xue Wenhui wasn’t needed; the matter was resolved swiftly," Jiang Yichun remarked bluntly.

"Won’t he follow up afterward? You never know who might be sabotaging us. Without some connections, who knows who might tarnish your reputation." Gao Zhou sighed. "Don’t be fooled by your current success; without solid foundations, you can’t compare to those big families. I’m not trying to scare you, but this time, Ruozhu got a job trading with the Barbarian Clan and Western Regions. Who knows how many are envious?"

Bai Ruozhu nodded. Trade history is undoubtedly a lucrative position, but she had no interest—only to be trapped by Sangta and Ao Song.

When her family struggled, she focused on earning money. Once their situation improved, her motivation waned.

Still, there were so many people to support below them, and their business needed to be sustained without interruption.

They soon arrived at the Xue Residence, and the three of them saw the severely injured and unconscious Xue Zhuo.

His father had named him hoping for vigorous growth. He had indeed grown strong, but didn’t gain much wisdom.

If he hadn’t driven away Bai Ruozhu and the others, the Xue Residence might have had more dark guards, and perhaps the assassin wouldn’t have acted so blatantly.

"Isn’t the wound near the heart?" Gao Zhou asked.

"The doctor said Zhuo was lucky; his heart is slightly displaced; otherwise, he’d have died instantly," Master Xue said, eyes red with tears. "Who have I offended? In just a few days, we’ve had misfortunes one after another."

Bai Ruozhu also found it strange. The Xue Family had indeed faced a string of bad luck recently.

"The person intended to kill him, thinking he was dead when they left, little knowing his heart wasn’t in the usual place," she remarked.

Gao Zhou had already begun examining, while Bai Ruozhu didn’t rush closer. Xue Zhuo’s chest was wounded, his clothes torn, exposing nearly his entire chest.

"It’s not looking good. Ruozhu, you should use the needle to protect his Heart Meridian," Gao Zhou suggested.

Jiang Yichun glared at his father, but refrained from saying anything.

Bai Ruozhu took up a silver needle to begin. Xue Zhuo’s condition was dire, but he could be saved.

She worked quickly; as each silver needle was inserted, Xue Zhuo’s bleeding slowly ceased, his face losing its ghastly pallor.

"I’ll leave the stitching to you, and you should also prepare the Formulas," Bai Ruozhu said as she exited the room.

Despite appearing as an array, it was taxing on the eyes and mind; after all, Xue Zhuo’s heart was not in its usual place—Bai Ruozhu had to be particularly careful.

Jiang Yichun followed her out. "My father has become unbelievably kind lately."

"Perhaps getting older makes one like that," Bai Ruozhu chuckled softly.

With Bai Ruozhu’s needlework and Gao Zhou’s surgical skills, Xue Zhuo’s life was saved, though he remained unconscious.

Seeing no further issues, Bai Ruozhu went to check on Xue Zhi.

"Sister Bai, thank you," Xue Zhi said upon seeing her enter, attempting to get up to greet her. Bai Ruozhu moved forward to hold her down.

"Don’t move. Just rest well. How do you feel today?" Bai Ruozhu asked.

Xue Zhi’s complexion was still poor but considerably better than the day of the incident—at least she looked alive.

"Much better. Before, it felt like someone was choking me, even breathing was hard, and everywhere hurt. I thought I couldn’t hold on," Xue Zhi recounted, tears welling as she spoke. Having gone through such an ordeal, she had become more composed.

"Think carefully. Did you encounter any special people or events before? You’ve been cursed, but the curse’s origin is unknown," Bai Ruozhu explained.

Xue Zhi thought for a moment. "Nothing special, just being knocked out on the boat."

"It shouldn’t have been then. Ao Song and the others said you weren’t cursed at that point," Bai Ruozhu remarked.

Xue Zhi shook her head. "I can’t recall anything else. Oh, there was a time when I combed my mother’s hair."

By "her mother," she meant the corpse of Lady Xue.

Lady Xue had clearly been cursed. Could it be that Xue Zhi had come into contact with her mother’s body and thus transferred the curse?

Bai Ruozhu prescribed her some medicines for conditioning her body and offered a few comforting words before leaving.

Master Xue set up a wine feast, insisting on properly treating them to a meal. Gao Zhou had agreed, so Bai Ruozhu and Jiang Yichun couldn’t refuse.

"Master Xue, haven’t you told Xue Zhi about her brother?" Bai Ruozhu asked at the table.

Master Xue sighed. "I dare not tell her. I fear that in her weakened state, she might be further distressed. Sigh, thanks to you, both my children were saved. I toast to you all."

As the drinks flowed, Gao Zhou and Master Xue talked more. Bai Ruozhu and Jiang Yichun chatted on the sidelines, ignoring them.

Suddenly, a scream erupted outside, "There’s been a death, another death!"

Master Xue jumped to his feet, knocking over his chair.

"What’s going on? Who’s shouting nonsense?" His face had gone pale with fear, but he tried to compose himself.

Bai Ruozhu and Jiang Yichun exchanged a look. Could it be the Memorial Hall again?

Tradition dictated that a body be kept for a period. Ordinary families held wakes for three days; affluent families, no less than seven. Some families even conducted grand memorials over forty-nine days to show respect for the deceased.

Lady Xue was likely to be lain for seven days, yet another mishap had occurred.

The steward, panicked, rushed in. "It’s the cleaning boy. Somehow, he slipped and hit his head on the coffin’s edge—died instantly."

"What? Just a bump on the head and he’s dead?" Master Xue asked, incredulous.

"This old servant already checked; he’s not breathing," the steward confirmed.

Bai Ruozhu and Jiang Yichun glanced at each other. Jiang Yichun understood her thoughts and spoke, "Master Xue, let’s inspect the scene."

"Yes, yes, let’s go together." Master Xue seemed to relax slightly; with Jiang Yichun offering help, he felt less afraid.

Initially hesitant due to Xue Zhuo, Bai Ruozhu didn’t want involvement in the Xue Family matters; however, as events turned increasingly bizarre, she had to see whether it was a cursed misfortune or someone killing in the shadows.

The steward hurriedly led the way, and soon Bai Ruozhu, Jiang Yichun, and their companions reached the Memorial Hall.

A few servants lingered at the entrance, all extremely fearful and avoiding entry.

"Master, Awang is dead," someone stammered.

Master Xue pushed his way through, forcing himself inside. At a glance, he saw the disturbing bloodstains on the coffin.

The bright red color pierced his eyes—how could the blood be so bright, so unnatural?