Master Chi’s remark about “that yellow-haired girl” didn’t upset Xia Yuhuan, but Zhang Xianya’s unwavering defense truly surprised her.
Sheltered behind Zhang Xianya, Xia Yuhuan lifted her gaze to study her mother-in-law’s profile, feeling as if something had struck hard at her heart.
“Sister-in-law, we’re family here. Would we ever want to harm you or Yanzhou? Don’t be foolish and trust an outsider so easily,” Chi Shaoning said.
“That’s right, sister-in-law. After all, Xia Yuhuan came through substitute marriage as a fortune bride. Who knows what her true intentions toward Yanzhou are? What if she really means to harm him? You shouldn’t trust her so readily,” Li Cuiwei chimed in.
Zhang Xianya stood firmly in front of Xia Yuhuan and calmly stated, “Since Xiaoyuan has married Yanzhou, she is part of our Chi family. There’s no such thing as an outsider here. I believe she would never harm Yanzhou.”
“Father, Mother, you must be tired after today. You should head back early and rest,” Zhang Xianya directly issued the dismissal.
Seeing how protective Zhang Xianya was of Xia Yuhuan, Master Chi frowned but ultimately said nothing more, turning to leave with his wife.
With the elders gone, Chi Shaoning and his wife knew there was no advantage in staying longer, so they followed suit.
Only after they had all left did Zhang Xianya finally relax, turning to frown at Chi Yanzhou with visible concern.
“Xiaoyuan, are you really sure about this? You won’t accidentally harm Yanzhou with the acupuncture, will you?”
Xia Yuhuan couldn’t help but laugh at this. “Mom, aren’t you a bit late to worry about that now? If you’re so concerned, why did you defend me earlier? Weren’t you afraid I might actually cause problems for Yanzhou with the needles?”
Zhang Xianya frowned deeply. “Today is your first day married into our family, and they’re already giving you trouble. I couldn’t let them succeed—I had to protect you. After all, you’re my daughter-in-law now, part of the family.”
If Xia Yuhuan got bullied by the second branch on her very first day, who knew how much worse it could get later?
“But Yanzhou’s injury… we’ve consulted every famous doctor available. They all said he can only rest and hope for a miracle. Can you really treat him?”
Xia Yuhuan felt both touched and satisfied by Zhang Xianya’s reaction.
Simply because she had married Chi Yanzhou and become Zhang Xianya’s daughter-in-law, her mother-in-law protected her like this. If she were Zhang Xianya’s biological daughter, how much more fiercely would she be defended?
The thought made Xia Yuhuan glance enviously at the motionless figure of Chi Yanzhou on the bed.
She truly envied this guy for having such a wonderful mother.
If she divorced him after he woke up, she worried she might not be able to bear leaving Zhang Xianya behind.
Maybe she could keep the mother-in-law and ditch the husband?
“Mom, I actually wanted to ask you—who treated Chi Yanzhou after his severe injury? Who handles his daily care and maintenance? Does Chi Zhenghao visit him often?”
Seeing that she answered with questions instead, Zhang Xianya frowned again.
But she patiently replied, “Yanzhou was initially treated at the military hospital. After surgery, they said his injuries were too severe and he might not wake up. He stayed there for a while before we brought him home to recuperate.”
“Lately, a doctor named Wang Qi from the Municipal Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital has been coming to check on him. He visits every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning to examine Yanzhou’s condition.”
“The daily care for Yanzhou is handled by our housekeeper Aunt Zhao, including administering his medicine.”
So why did Zhang Xianya object to declaring Chi Yanzhou as being in a vegetative state?
Precisely because he could still swallow water and medicine, retaining some swallowing ability, Zhang Xianya firmly believed Yanzhou remained conscious. She was convinced that with meticulous care, he would eventually awaken.
Yet as Yanzhou’s coma persisted, her steadfast faith gradually gave way to doubt and unease.
“Mom, I need to tell you something. Please promise you’ll stay calm after hearing this, alright?” After some thought, Xia Yuhuan decided Zhang Xianya deserved some forewarning.
Given how Zhang Xianya had unconditionally defended and trusted her in front of others earlier, Yuhuan felt compelled to return that trust.
“Go ahead,” Zhang Xianya nodded gently.
Having weathered many storms, she believed minor matters couldn’t shake her composure.
“The reason Yanzhou remains unconscious and unable to wake isn’t just because his injuries haven’t healed—he’s been poisoned.”
“What? Poi…” Zhang Xianya gasped in shock.
Fortunately, Yuhuan had anticipated this and quickly covered her mouth.
“Mom, please stay calm. We still don’t know who exactly wants to harm Yanzhou. We need to keep this quiet and not let anyone know we’re aware of his condition. Only by staying in the shadows can we uncover whoever wants to hurt him.”
Yuhuan’s soft words gradually soothed Zhang Xianya’s shock and agitation.
Zhang Xianya patted Yuhuan’s hand, signaling she could release her now.
Seeing Zhang Xianya had regained composure, Yuhuan slowly withdrew her hand.
“Thank you, Xiaohuan. Without you, I might never have known Yanzhou was poisoned.”
Yuhuan blinked. “You trust me so completely? Aren’t you afraid I might be deceiving you?”
“No, I believe you wouldn’t lie to me,” Zhang Xianya stated firmly.
She trusted her judgment of character.
Their previous encounter, when Yuhuan had approached her directly with requests followed by their brief conversation, had convinced Zhang Xianya that Yuhuan was a genuine person.
In Zhang Xianya’s view, Yuhuan was straightforward, clear in her likes and dislikes, and unlikely to engage in deception.
This favorable impression was precisely why she hadn’t hesitated to protect Yuhuan in front of the Chi family earlier.
She understood that while Master Chi and his wife meant no harm, they were easily influenced and could be swayed by Chi Shaoning’s provocations.
As for Chi Shaoning’s family—they harbored ill intentions.
Though they maintained close contact and appeared friendly, no one resented their family’s success more than Chi Shaoning’s household.
Because Chi Shaokang outperformed Chi Shaoning, and Yanzhou surpassed Zheng Hao, that family viewed them with intense jealousy. Any minor development would inevitably draw their unwelcome interference.
Just like during Yanzhou’s current crisis—Chi Shaoning’s family had frequently visited under the guise of concern, only to make sarcastic remarks.
That’s why Zhang Xianya had instinctively chosen to trust and protect Yuhuan earlier.
Now, learning about Yanzhou’s poisoning, she felt increasingly grateful she had stood by Yuhuan without misstep.
Yet Yuhuan found Zhang Xianya’s unwavering trust somewhat perplexing.
But it was undeniable that she still felt quite happy and satisfied on a sensory level.
“So who do you think, among all the people who have access to Chi Yanzhou, is the most likely to have poisoned him?” Xia Yuhuan asked Zhang Xianya seriously.