Today’s meal not only allowed Xia Yuhuan to meet the other members of the Chi family but also clarified their attitudes toward Chi Yanzhou’s household.
Master Chi and his wife had three children in total: the eldest was Chi Shaokang, the second was Chi Shaoning, and the third was a daughter named Chi Shaolan.
Like Chi Shaokang, Chi Shaoning also worked in the military, though his rank wasn’t as high. On the surface, he appeared amiable, but his constant sour remarks clearly revealed his jealousy toward his elder brother.
Chi Shaolan worked in another city with her husband, so Xia Yuhuan didn’t meet her and couldn’t form an opinion.
However, from what she observed of Chi Shaoning’s family, they were certainly no easy bunch.
They clearly didn’t get along well with Chi Shaokang’s family. While they maintained a facade of laughter and chatter, their words were often laced with barbs aimed at Chi Shaokang’s household.
Master Chi and his wife seemed like decent people, but they appeared to show some favoritism toward Chi Shaoning.
When Chi Shaoning made envious comments about Chi Shaokang, they didn’t explicitly stop him, only offering mild discouragement that Chi Shaoning and his wife ignored.
Li Cuiwei was cut from the same cloth as Chi Shaoning, always adding sharp remarks whenever he spoke.
Chi Zhenghao appeared cold and emotionless, but his gaze toward her was filled with disdain and disgust.
Her initial impression of Chi Zhenghao had been correct—the man truly detested her.
Though she had never offended him, his aversion felt utterly inexplicable.
Chi Wenhong, the young girl, was only twelve but exceptionally arrogant and somewhat domineering—another difficult character.
Xia Yuhuan wasn’t one who enjoyed navigating complex interpersonal relationships, and the murky waters of the Chi family were giving her a headache.
“Whatever, I’m already married into this family. Dwelling on it now is pointless. I’ll just adapt as situations arise,” Xia Yuhuan muttered softly to Chi Yanzhou while casually checking his pulse.
Just as she suspected, the toxins in Chi Yanzhou’s body had increased slightly compared to when she first examined him.
Whoever was behind this must have been cautious about detection, using minimal doses. If not for her exceptional skills, such subtle changes would have gone unnoticed.
“Who could possibly wish you such ill will, secretly poisoning you like this? At this rate, your organs would indeed fail within two years, leading to your death.”
“What a pity. You could have recovered, but someone’s malice is cutting your life short.”
Muttering to herself, Xia Yuhuan took out her needle kit and began to administer acupuncture to Chi Yanzhou.
“But don’t worry, you’re lucky to have met me. You won’t die young—I won’t let that happen.”
“You’re a soldier who defends our country, steadfast and unyielding. Your life should be dedicated to serving the nation and its people, not ended by some vile schemer’s conspiracy.”
“I don’t know who’s harming you, but you can investigate that yourself once you wake up.”
In her previous life, Xia Yuhuan had spent long periods immersed in research, often alone. Not being the type to remain silent all day, she had grown accustomed to talking to herself to pass the time.
Though conversing with a vegetative state patient guaranteed no response, she never found it dull or pointless, continuing her monologue while tending to her tasks.
Xia Yuhuan was administering acupuncture to Chi Yanzhou when the door suddenly swung open. The entire Chi family, who should have left, now stood crowded at the doorway.
“What are you doing?” Master Chi asked sternly, his expression severe.
His gaze toward Xia Yuhuan was sharp and penetrating.
As if she had committed some unforgivable crime.
Noticing this, a flicker of mockery passed through Chi Zhenghao’s cold eyes.
He spoke icily, “Grandfather, didn’t I tell you? She married Brother with ill intentions—she’s just looking for a chance to harm him.”
The group surged into the room, all eyes fixed intently on Xia Yuhuan.
Startled by the sudden intrusion, Xia Yuhuan was taken aback.
But she quickly composed herself.
Before she could speak, however, Master Chi commanded, “Remove those needles from Yanzhou immediately. Don’t make his condition worse.”
“Poor Yanzhou is already unconscious. This new bride hasn’t even had a proper meeting with him, and now he’s covered in needles like a hedgehog. He’s seriously injured—what if this makes him worse?” Li Cuiwei added, her face full of concern.
Chi Shaoning also chimed in, “Yanzhou’s wife, before this leads to serious consequences, quickly take the needles off Yanzhou. Then apologize properly to your elder brother and sister-in-law. They won’t hold it against you.”
Before Xia Yuhuan could explain, she found herself the target of collective blame, with everyone standing against her and hurling accusations.
She wasn’t one to tolerate injustice, nor was she the type to stay silent when criticized. So, her expression darkened as she prepared to retort, but just then, Zhang Xianya appeared at the door.
“Father, Mother, Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law, what are you all doing here? I thought you had left?” Zhang Xianya asked immediately.
Chi Shaokang had personally seen them out, so their reappearance in Chi Yanzhou’s room was indeed surprising.
Master Chi said, “Eldest daughter-in-law, did you thoroughly investigate this girl? Don’t let your guard down just because you wanted to find Yanzhou a wife. Look how she’s covered him in needles—she must have malicious intentions.”
“That’s right, Sister-in-law. We all know you arranged this marriage for Yanzhou to bring him luck and help him recover, but don’t let it backfire and leave us with nothing,” Chi Shaoning added.
Zhang Xianya’s heart tightened at the sight of Chi Yanzhou covered in needles.
Her gaze fell on Xia Yuhuan.
Xia Yuhuan remained calm and said plainly, “The grandfather who raised me was a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner. I grew up learning medicine from him. I’m only administering acupuncture to help unblock his meridians and regulate his qi and blood. I have no intention of harming Chi Yanzhou.”
This was the first time Xia Yuhuan had spoken in her own defense since the Chi family entered and surrounded her.
She wasn’t sure if Zhang Xianya would believe her explanation.
But even if she didn’t, it didn’t matter—Xia Yuhuan knew she had acted with a clear conscience.
To her surprise, Zhang Xianya stepped forward, stood by her side, took her hand, and gently patted the back of it in reassurance.
Then, she calmly faced the rest of the Chi family.
“Father, Mother, I’m aware that Xiaoyu knows medicine. I permitted her to care for and regulate Yanzhou’s health. You’ve all misunderstood her,” Zhang Xianya said softly.
Master Chi was taken aback by these words. He frowned as he glanced at Xia Yuhuan, then turned to Zhang Xianya: “Eldest daughter-in-law, are you really this comfortable entrusting Yanzhou to her? A young and inexperienced girl—even if she’s studied medicine since childhood, how much could she possibly have learned?”