Chapter 180

"Is this truly the case?" Qi Huan found herself surrounded, facing a sea of eager gazes. She nodded, "Yes, it is."

No sooner had she spoken than Elder Madam Song grasped her hand. Warm tears fell one after another onto the back of Qi Huan's hand, each drop heavy with a mother's love for her child.

Elder Madam Song, overcome with emotion and misty-eyed, said, "It's been a full seven years since I last saw Che'er. I wonder if he's grown taller? Has he put on weight?"

"Ever since he fell ill, the servants who attended to him became infected one after another. The doctor suggested sending him to the countryside to recuperate, but how could we bear to part with him?"

"Although he remained in the manor, he lived in isolation in Qingfeng Court. Fearing he might infect the family, he never left his quarters. His meals and medicine were delivered through a small opening in the door. His only companions were a resilient servant boy and the books his elder brother Cheng'er sent him."

"Cheng'er doted on him, sharing the assignments from their tutor. He always excelled in his answers. If not for this cursed consumption, my Che'er would have shone brilliantly..."

Elder Madam Song's tears flowed like a broken dam, endlessly recounting the heartache of these past years.

Qi Huan handed her a handkerchief, her heart heavy with emotion.

Song Jingche was both unfortunate and fortunate. Everyone in the Song family truly cared for him and never gave up on him. He had the warmest family love.

Elder Madam Song's sobbing was giving Old Lady Song a splitting headache.

What sin had she committed to have such a crybaby for a son and daughter-in-law?

Her little Huan'er was so much better, with her gentle smile, a pleasure to behold, growing more endearing by the moment.

Old Lady Song stood up, pushing Elder Madam Song aside, and said to Qi Huan, "Come, let's go see your second cousin!"

The group set off en masse towards Qingfeng Court.

In the courtyard, Ximen Ye skillfully poured the medicinal soup into a flower pot. The flowers in the pot had long since died, roots and all, leaving only moist soil.

Having finished, he lazily straightened up and casually tossed the medicine bowl to Zhu Yan.

Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps drew near.

Ximen Ye began to cough violently.

Hearing the cough from outside, Elder Madam Song burst into tears again, soaking Young Madam Song's shoulder.

Old Lady Song pressed her temples and signaled Nanny Wu to throw a mask into Qingfeng Court.

She called out, "Che'er, it's Grandmother. Your cousin has brought something good for you from Yunzhou City."

"They say it's from an immortal, surely not an ordinary item."

"Your cousin says if you wear it, you won't infect us anymore! Put it on quickly and come out, let Grandmother see you. My dear grandson, Grandmother has been thinking of you day and night, longing to see your face every day..."

Perhaps Elder Madam Song's crying was too contagious, causing even Old Lady Song to start weeping uncontrollably.

Sensing Qi Huan's scrutinizing gaze, Ximen Ye deliberately avoided looking at her. He was so dashing and handsome that even his eyes alone were breathtakingly beautiful. If this troublemaker recognized him, it would only cause more problems.

Upon learning from Elder Madam Song that Qi Huan planned to invite another famous doctor to check his pulse, Ximen Ye spoke words of gratitude in a suppressed voice while inwardly cursing non-stop.

Troublemaker! Troublemaker! Troublemaker!

Ever since she arrived at the Song manor, there had been nothing but trouble!

Ximen Ye narrowed his phoenix eyes, planning to frighten this troublesome cousin at night.

As night fell.

Yan Qing volunteered to keep watch for the night.

If those two rats dared to come again tonight, she was determined to fight them to the bitter end.

Before going to bed, Qi Huan closed the doors and windows, dismissed the other maids, hid her necklace, and went to sleep in her space.

It wasn't until the next day that she learned real rats had entered Qinghuan Court last night, along with a large snake that had its fangs removed.

Xu Nanny recounted fearfully, "So there really were rats in the courtyard. But I clearly put out several packets of rat poison. How come it didn't work?"

"And Miss, please talk to Tao Su. She says her mother told her that dragon and phoenix soup is nourishing, and she insists on making soup with the snake to strengthen you. Goodness, how creepy..."

Qi Huan maintained a stern expression, almost certain that these childish acts were from the same group as the men in black from two days ago.

They had no intention of taking her life, but merely wanted to frighten her.

How immature!

Recalling the familiar-looking eyes she saw yesterday, Qi Huan asked Tao Su, "Has the snake been stewed yet?"

"Not yet. Xu Nanny won't allow it."

"We shouldn't waste such good ingredients. Let's stew it. I'll take it to my second cousin to help nourish his health."

Yesterday, when she sent face masks to Song Jingche, not only did she not gain any points, but she also wasted dozens of repurchase points for the masks.

The system complained painfully all night.

This also indirectly proved that Song Jingche wasn't ill.

When parting in Yunzhou City, Shen Jueming had mentioned his plan to open a medical hall called Xinglin Tang in the capital, to treat illnesses and save lives. He also welcomed Qi Huan to come and exchange medical knowledge anytime.

However, Qi Huan didn't know where his clinic was located yet, so she had to send Yan Qing out under the pretext of buying candy to inquire about it.

While waiting, Qi Huan had nothing else to do, so she ordered Tao Su to bring some dragon and phoenix soup, intending to pay a friendly visit to her frail second cousin.